Seven

I've been tagged by Theta Mom to list seven facts about myself that my readers probably don't know. That said, I must confess that I'm going to cheat a little bit. About a year ago I posted a list of random facts about myself, but I'm pretty sure that (less than) a handful of friends were reading my blog back then, so I feel pretty comfortable re-posting a few of those facts now. Cool? Here it goes then:

1. I was born in Lubbock, Texas. My mom was 17 and my dad was 19. They’re still married today. When I was little, my dad played in a rock band that won the battle of the bands in Texas. Born in 1974, I enjoyed a carefree, free-wheelin’ early childhood that I recall in the avocado green, burnt orange, and muddy brown tones that were so prevalent in the 70’s.

2. After a near-miss with a tornado in Wichita Falls, Texas, we moved to a small town of 3,700 people in the northeast corner of Wyoming (although the tornado was not the impetus for our move, according to my mom and dad. That would have been enough for me though. I do not dig natural disasters AT ALL. When I lived in L.A., I used to time how long it would take me to get under my dining room table in the event of an earthquake. I'm not kidding). Anyway, the town we moved to was nestled at the base of the Bighorn Mountains. I had an idyllic childhood full of tree climbing, running through sprinklers, and playing outside from sun up to sun down. (I also enjoyed pretending to be Sandy from Grease and roller-skating to The Jazz Singer soundtrack.) I had the same thirteen kids in my class throughout elementary school.

3. Being from Wyoming, I've consumed my fair share of "mystery meat" and fresh-from-the-tit cow's milk. While some people may believe this to be "tasty fixins," milk that is still warm because it just came out of a cow makes me want to blow chunks. For reals. By the age of nineteen, I'd declared myself a vegan, and I maintained some level of vegetarianism until I was pregnant with my son. Now, after various trials and tribulations with food allergies and elimination diets during breastfeeding, I do consume some poultry and fish. But I never, ever drink straight cow's milk unless it's in my coffee (cafe au lait, come to momma). Otherwise, I think milk is uber gross.

4. My family moved to Las Vegas when I was eleven so that we could continue to enjoy things like food and a roof over our heads. I've lived here off and on ever since. Although living in Las Vegas has afforded my family many opportunities, eventually I want to move to a place where my kids can experience seasons, and where I can have my own garden. Although I guess I should start by learning how to not kill my house plants first.

5. My great grandmother is still alive. Three summers ago I took my kids to meet their great, great grandmother in Texas. My great grandma is an amazing woman - she’s in her nineties and has macular degeneration in both eyes, yet she still lives independently and volunteers at a hospital. The last time I saw her she recalled the day I was born in detail (the date and all). She rocks. I hope to be like her when I get older. But considering the fact that I can't remember who got kicked off Project Runway last week, I'd say that I've got my work cut out for me.

6. I am happily married (well, depending on the day) to a man who I have absolutely nothing in common with. Within the first fifteen minutes of meeting each other we both declared “I could NEVER be married to you!” (I swear this is true.) The rest is history…

7. I have a Master’s Degree from USC in Critical Studies in Film and Television and also completed a year in the PhD program. I currently use this education for absolutely nothing. Despite the fact that I now owe thousands (upon thousands) of dollars in student loans, I’m nevertheless fine with that. Life is a roller coaster. You just gotta go with the flow… You dig?

At this point I think that I'm supposed to tag seven people to do what I just did and list seven facts about themselves that their readers probably don't know. That said, I've created a new rule here at Existential Waitress. (Because I can do that, you know. My blog is like my house. I might even make you take your shoes off when you visit. So there.)

Let me just preface this by saying that I love being tagged, and I love receiving awards. I'm so flattered that anyone even thinks to include me in any of these things, and I get all happy and tell the hubs that I'm important now and that I have blog friends and that they like me, etc., etc. To which he says something that goes like this: (to be said in the Charlie Brown teacher voice) "Mwa, mwa, mwa, internet stalkers, mwa, mwa, mwa, you need to get out more, mwa, mwa, mwa, whatever makes you happy." But seriously, I am a total dork when it comes to loving blogging and loving all the tags and awards that you ladies have so generously bestowed upon me.

Anyway, the only downside is that when I have to pass along a tag or an award, I get all anxious and worry about picking and choosing from amongst all your fabulous blogs. I'm always concerned that a) I will pick someone that hates tags and awards and that they'll feel obligated to do it while cursing me the entire time, b) I will exclude someone and then they'll feel upset or offended and call me a biatch, or c) I'll pick someone that gets just as anxiety ridden over this process as I do. My point here is that, should I be fortunate enough to be tagged or receive one of these awesome awards, I will graciously accept - for reals, I totally appreciate each and every one of them and they make my day - please, keep 'em comin'! But in the event that I do receive them, I will automatically share them with everyone on my blogroll because you are all awesome! As always, thanks for reading and thanks for commenting - you're the best!