25 Random Things About The Eyeguy
Arrrrgh!
Why am I resorting to pirate talk so early in the morning? Because I’ve been tagged about a gazillion times in yet another internet meme, this time on Facebook: 25 Random Things About Me.
Not that I mind that much, it’s just that it has that whole cheesy, chain-letter feel. When I was a kid, my mother would always make a big production about ripping those up and throwing them in the trashcan whenever we received one, so it’s probably just one of those weird Baby Boomer childhood psychological baggage flashback things. Don’t sweat it if you tagged me; I’ll deal with it like I always do.
So, I’ll post these for both Fusioneers and Facebook friends. And these days, there is less and less difference between the two. Let the weirdness begin:
- I’m a native Virginian, and that’s something that I often throw into a conversation because, you have to admit, it does have a certain historical and intellectual cachet.
- I entered first grade in 1968, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were among my first distinct memories and my first real indication that the world could be an unsafe place.
- My Great-great grandfather Jerome fought with the 2nd Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War and was on the field at Gettysburg, fighting against Custer’s 7th Michigan on the east side of the Union line while Pickett charged from the west.
- I started running in 4th grade because I was overweight and had failed all my physical fitness tests in the fall, but come spring, after a winter of running and lifting weights, I passed every one.
- Even though I have a physical defect that reduces my lung capacity 20% from normal (it was a 40% reduction before corrective surgery at age 17), I still run; that’s how important it is to me.
- In 5th grade, I won first place in the Burnt Chimney, VA Ruritan Club Student Essay Contest on the subject “Why I Love My Country.”
- I still love my country, and each day I wake up and try to serve her to the best of my ability.
- I love my country so much, that I went absolutely ga-ga when I visited Washington, DC last summer, but when the tour trolley drove past the statue of William Tecumseh Sherman, I reflexively turned my back.
- My biggest phobia is going through a drive-through with a carload of people who can’t decide what they want to order.
- Needless to say, I often go to pieces over little things that don’t matter, but I am capable of being the calmest in a major crisis.
- The death of my father one month before I graduated from high school is the singular most influential event in my life and the greatest wound that I bear; it changed everything, for better and for worse.
- Peanut butter is my go-to comfort food.
- I am so over having to know all the answers to everything and have made mystery and doubt my friends.
- My first date with my future wife was a hay ride in 20 degree weather and, out of necessity, we latched onto each other to conserve body heat; not much has changed.
- I am proud of my three sons and the fine men they are becoming.
- I’m in the tank for Christ, but I believe God can speak multiple languages if He chooses.
- I believe in God more than I ever have; I just don’t believe all the things that men say about Him.
- I used to make fun of people who read college football recruiting websites, but now I’m hooked on them. Roll Tide!
- I’ve been known to “rearrange” living room furniture during the closing seconds of a tight Duke basketball game.
- Chariots of Fire is my favorite movie (runner-up: O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
- #41 (the acoustic version recorded live at Luther College) is my favorite Dave Matthews song.
- I had several public high school English and literature teachers who refused to accept anything less than my best work and challenged my presuppositions with a healthy dose of angst-ridden existentialism, and I’m thankful.
- I was a community columnist for The Huntsville Times for one year in 2008, and I’ll admit that I greatly miss seeing my byline and picture in the paper.
- I’m a closet Anglican (well, not anymore).
- With a nod to Bono, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
15 Comments
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Jason Bybee
As cheesy as these things may be, I love reading them and getting to know friends and acquaintances a little better. Thanks for sharing, Mike.
I’d love to hear your thoughts re: #16 sometime.
Mike the Eyeguy
Jason, I think you’re right, they are fun. Like I said, my knee jerk reaction to them is probably nothing more than psychological baggage. Parents born during the Great Depression were known to pass along a little of that from time to time. š
Ah yes, the cryptic #16. Sure, I’d love to talk with you about that some time. Let’s just say I connect well with a very famous Julian of Norwich quote.
Gina
From Facebook:
Fun list!
When it looks like #9 will happen, I just make everyone go in.
I completely relate to #10.
Isn’t #15 great? Much to be thankful for!
#17 is soooo true.
As to #18, I have no idea what you are talking about.
While I also relate to #24, I would call myself a liturgist, or
sacramentalist.
As to #25, I don’t think you will lose that sense of restlessness until we see Him face to face, and neither will Bono.
Have a great day, and thanks for doing the list!
Laurie
My first date with my future wife was a hay ride in 20 degree weather and, out of necessity, we latched onto each other to conserve body heat; not much has changed.
Best of the lot! (But I agree that I love reading these things.)
On our first date, my husband made the mistake of taking me to a Broncos-Seahawks game. In Seattle. A mere year after I had moved from Denver. I was incredibly obnoxious and spent the whole game manically waving my Broncos pennant. I nearly got him beat up. (It did not help that the Broncos won.)
I’m amazed there was a second date.
Mike the Eyeguy
I was incredibly obnoxious and spent the whole game manically waving my Broncos pennant…Iām amazed there was a second date.
Now that’s amore!
carolinagirl
I’ve no idea what questions were asked to generate your responses. I’ve yet to break and join FaceBook.
Still, your response to #9 made me laugh and brought back a memory of long, long ago. I was a student at (then) Freed-Hardeman College and a group of us were head West on a mission trip. Somewhere in Colorado – I think it was – we all got hungry. We found some fast food place. It was closed, but the drive-thru was an all nighter. At least I can say that we all physically exited the van we were in and walked thru the drive-thru to place our order.
What more do I have to do on a snow day from work…
Mike the Eyeguy
The drive-thru angst is a running joke in my family. It goes like this, one of my wonderful, understanding, compassionate family members channeling their order through me:
“Give me a Number One with pickles, lettuce, toma…no wait! Make that a Number Six with extra cheese, no onion…no wait!”
This is usually followed by peals of evil laughter. Multiply that by four typically and you get the picture.
Kile
From Facebook:
As for #19 are you “rearranging” the furniture in the hopes that the vile, evil, un-american, blaspheming, puppy kicking, Blue Devils will lose. Because if so then that’s really cool. If not then….. here’s hoping that Tyler Hansborough makes you cry come ACC championship time. I’ve made my son cry after I have yelled too loud when it looks like the ‘Heels are going to blow a game.
#16. We Christians have completely messed up Christianity. The Church is sanctified and Holy. But the Christian religion is … in need of work.
#1 Oh yeah, my wife, son and I moved to Virginia a little over a year ago. We love it. We live in a little town at the north end of the Shenandoah valley called Berryville.
Donna
From Facebook:
I am with you on #18
And I love O Brother Where Art Thou….
Charlie
Imagine how many wars may have been avoided if people throughout history embraced #16. All it takes is a little humility and acceptance of the fact that there are things about God that humans are incapable of understanding.
Stoogelover
First, thanks for your comment over on my blog! So your great-great-great grandfather was at Gettysburg? That’s interesting and surprising that anyone survived that battle. I’m not sure exactly how we’re kin, but my maternal grandmother (a Stewart) said we were akin (that’s how they say “kin to” in the South) to Gen. Jeb Stuart … only we were from a branch of the family that spelled the name differently. I’ve always thought that was a bit suspicious, but who am I to question a grandmother?? Later, when I learned more of the history of Gen. Stuart and how he was a major factor in the Confederate loss at Gettysburg, I decided it wasn’t so great to be “akin” to him. I enjoyed the 25 things about you I didn’t know. Will there be a test?
Mike the Eyeguy
@ Charlie: Amen.
@ Stoogie: It was great-great (but who’s counting?), and the muster roll shows that he was there (that, and family lore). He was wounded twice on the retreat into Virginia–thank God those “damn Yankees” didn’t shoot any straighter or I wouldn’t be here! š
Your “relative” Gen J.E.B. Stuart made some mistakes, but ultimately, and it pains me to say it, you gotta hang that one Gen. Lee. My GGGrandfather was in Fitz Lee’s brigade, and although Custer was initially successfully, the 2nd Va Cav was sent to reinforce and Custer and the Wolverines retreated (Hell yeah!). You can read about it here under the subcategory of “East Cavalry Field.”
It is one of my goals in life to get up to Gettysburg and walk the ground that he fought on.
Stoogelover
Thanks for the link. Interesting reading. I, too, would love to visit Gettysburg, but I don’t see that happening any time soon, if ever.
dunderwood
Thanks for sharing Eye Guy! I too follow the recruiting sites………like every 15 minutes now that signing day is upon us!! š Hey, confession is good for the soul.
RTR,
DU
Mike the Eyeguy
RTR, my fellow sinner!