Ten Random Things

Okay. I'm taking up the challenge from Stacy (our secretary extraordinairre during my days at Compass Church and now author of Musings of Mom Girl) to share ten random things about myself. Here is a list of things that you may or may not know about me (in no special order -- truly random thoughts as they pop into my head):

1. A couple of years ago, my family asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I explained that there's a little boy lurking inside of every man (sounds good at least), and I'd get a kick out of something that's useless and just plain fun, like a toy or an action figure. At first, I think they thought I was kidding. But on Christmas morning, I opened my presents and found a giant talking "Mr. Incredible" and a little posable action figure of the superhero Green Lantern (my favorite). One of the very best Christmases ever. I kind of think all guys secretly hope they'll get toys like this on Christmas morning instead of "sensible" gifts. Here's hoping for Superman, Batman, the Flash, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League at some point... :)

2. I started losing my hair the summer after high school, and it was pretty much gone within 3 years. I thought I had some horrible disease at first. I went and saw the "Doctor du Jour" (Kaiser HMO in California... bleh...), and he just laughed and introduced me to the wonders of male pattern baldness. I actually like it now; I save a lot on shampoo and haircuts. I'd really like to try shaving it all the way down to the skin for a while, but Margo has nixed that idea. (For now...)

3. My favorite food in the world is chicken pot pie, and Margo makes the very best.

4. I like ELO, Styx, Chicago, Toto, Huey Lewis and the News, and other bands from my high school & college days, especially if they had either a slightly techno feel and especially if they often had a driving bass beat. Sometimes I still put on an old CD when I'm alone in the car, crank up the volume to "nearly deafening," and sing at the top of my lungs. (I do that with worship CDs as well, as the folks at Hope discovered last Sunday.) And, yes, I get funny looks from drivers at stop lights, but I no longer care.

5. I had a dog rip a chunk of my lip off when I was little -- a nasty little Boston Terrier named "Scamper." They had to strap me to a "papoose board" in the ER and hold my head still while they stitched it up. The needle with the anesthetic went through my lip and into my gums, so I felt the stitching; yes, I screamed. I was laying there, terrified, unable to move at all, as I saw this doctor with a needle and thread going in and out of my lip. I've had nightmares about that moment as recently as last December.

6. I'm claustrophobic, and I panic when I'm pinned down and unable to move. See #5 above.

7. I love video games. In fact, I probably love them too much. I don't get the opportunity to play them nearly as much as I'd like to, and that's a good thing. They can be addictive to me. Hours go rushing by and I'm just sitting there staring at colors blinking from a screen. But I get swept away in thinking, "Just 10 more minutes and I'll get past this next level or achieve such and such a goal and then I'll save and... waitaminute... it's past midnight? Yikes!" My wife has been more than gracious and patient with me. (Thank you, darling.)

8. I cannot play basketball. Seriously. Don't even ask me to try. You might think it would be funny, but in the end we'd end up both being embarrassed. Somehow I never figured out how to dribble, much less dribble while running while dodging other players and passing or shooting. It's just... sad...

9. But I can ski. My folks had a cabin at Lake Tahoe, and I spent a lot of times on the slopes. Haven't enjoyed it much since I've been married (hey, it's expensive!), but I discovered the last couple of times I went that my body still remembers what to do. I think skiing very fast down a straight, steep slope is about the closest I'll come to flying until Jesus calls us home.

10. It's 10:30 p.m., and I'm still waiting to hear about a contract on our house. Lord? About that patience thing?

11. (Hey, wait! Stacy just asked for ten! I know, I know, but I thought of two more. Such a deal.) I love watching Doctor Who with my kids. My dad and I used to watch the old Tom Baker episodes on PBS, and now I get to watch the new series with my own children. If you don't know about Doctor Who, Google is your friend.

12. Games are great. Board games, party games, card games... love 'em all. I think my favorite is Settlers of Catan (again, time to Google if that's new to you), but I'm up for almost anything anytime. Hanging out, sharing munchies, playing a game with friends = lots of fun. And, of course, there is that whole competitive thing. (What? Scott is competitive? Never!)