[Hello Mindflowers readers!! In case you aren't aware, a viral note of 25 things has spread around Facebook. Below is mine. We'd love to know about you! Pretty please comment with 25 random things about you!!]
1. While visiting a friend in Pittsburgh, with no identifiable motive I was punched in the eye outside a dance club by a guy wearing brass knuckles. Blood splattered on the concrete like a murder scene. A homeless gentleman who used to be a boxer played the part of good samiratan and kept me from scarring with a lighter and a spoon that he happened to have on hand for heroin. My eye was swollen shut for a week and somehow I still have fond thoughts of Pittsburgh.
2. I collect photos of people with crooked glasses. Please send me your’s!!! I also collect: bouncy balls, paintings of cats, smells, old science text books and wigs.
3. I have twice been offered arranged marriages — from the father of a Romanian woman I met on a train through Bulgaria, and from my Chinese neighbor in Seattle who offered me $30,000 (apparently the going rate) to marry his cousin. Sometimes I regret not doing them, to begin my collection for when I convert to Fundamentalist Mormonism.
4. The Indigo Girls lived across the street from me when I was three. They babysat me on more than one occasion. I’ve met more than my share of pop culture icons, including: Bill Clinton, Annie Leibovitz, Carrot Top, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Alan Rickman, Neil Gaiman, Yao Ming, Gary Busey, Sarah Vowell, Jane Goodall, Jim Woodring, Joel Stein (of Time magazine and of no relation to myself), Mike McCready (bassist for Pearl Jam), and others. I am not starstruck or afraid to just wander up and interact with anyone.
5. On small pieces of paper I wrote: food ingredients (brussel sprouts, goat cheese, etc.), my cookbooks (Curries of India, Moosewood Cookbook), regional cuisines (Tibetan, Brazilian), and local restaurants that I’ve never been to. Each week I pick one at random and I incorporate it into a meal (or eat out at the restaurant).
6. Although I’ve made art that’d probably blow your mind, I rarely make art for myself or on demand. I require a muse or an external stimulus. This inability to create for creation’s sake, to express myself to myself, I feel is my biggest flaw. When I overcome this I will become an adult.
7. I drank a cream soda last month. That was the only soda I’ve drank in more than a year. I don’t remember the last time I drank a Bud, Coors, Natural Lite, Milwaukee’s Best, etc. I’d rather drink mouthwash mixed with urine than cheap beer. Perhaps I’ve turned into a beer snob. My Alabama friends will probably crucify my ass which will only add to my messiah-like mystique.
8. I am a Couchsurfing.com Ambassador for Seattle. Couchsurfing is a social networking site where you can host travelers or be hosted yourself. It is a safe and inspiring way to travel, to not pay for hotels or hostels, to easily make friends out of locals, to participate in a place from behind the scenes, to fill up our tanks with humanity’s inherent kindness. I have hosted more than 80 people in my apartment in the last couple of years, including an economics professor, a couple who professionally teaches men to meet women, an environmental activist from West Virginia who saves mountaintops from coal companies, three Belgian hippy musicians in an old minivan and a globetrobbing Dutch gal who I now count among my favorite people. Last week I slept on a sailboat docked on the coast of Ensenada, Baja, Mexico. Join Couchsurfing.com!! And if you have specific questions, ask me!!
9. My favorite color combination is purple and green together, sometimes with orange. I still haven’t come to terms with pink, although this is one of my goals and I actually just purchased a pink digital camera.
10. Did you know Larry King has a tramp stamp? I have no tattoos because I would have to stop giving blood for at least a year. When I was in middle school, I could have taken steroids that promised to make me grow several inches taller than my natural height but I chose not to, partly because I wouldn’t be able to ever give blood again. I would be a fantastic friend to a vampire.
11. Good sushi tastes better than ice cream to me. I am allergic to soybeans and garbanzo beans, which is horseshit.
12. I don’t get angry. When I was youngish I decided that “anger” isn’t a helpful emotion, that while under its influence people seem to lose control. I’ve been advised by Naturopathic and mental health professionals that not experiencing anger might be an issue, that I am holding feelings inside like a time-bomb waiting to explode. If you are in my presence when I explode, I promise to pay for your dry cleaning.
13. In tenth grade I won free tickets on a call-in radio show to Hootie and the Blowfish but I wrecked my car on the one-hour drive from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham. Let me repeat that: I wrecked my car while driving to a Hootie and the Blowfish concert. I’m really that cool.
14. I am left-handed, as are a majority of my close friends. At one point I lived in a one bedroom apartment in St. Petersburg, FL, with four other left-handed males. Specific memories from this time include: (1) urinating amidst traffic in the middle of a busy four lane highway on St. Pete Beach, (2) getting thrown up on from two stories above on New Years in Key West, and (3) trying to pick up women at bars in the most passive way possible (you know, by not talking to anyone and pretending not to stare).
15. Once during the Seattle Gay Pride Parade, a friend and I took off our shirts and asked the crowd draw on us with permanent markers. As you might expect, dozens of phalli were among the art offerings — including on my forehead and neck — and although “permanent” isn’t forever, it does last more than two days of lots of soap and scrubbing.
16. Facts about each of my brothers:
- Ted, 29 — frontman for a DC-based Rage Against the Machine Cover Band called Evil Empire, founder of a software development company, lives in an anarchist artist cooperative;
- Joe, 27 — pianist, flutist and foreign language savant, a provocative mix of Jewish and Southern Baptist, once had malaria, lives in Alabama;
- Allen, 20 — attends the Naval Academy with progressive politics, three year high school wrestling champ of Maine; a fantastic and seemingly effortless writer, wouldn’t taste good because he has no body fat;
- Hank, 16 — president of his freshman and sophomore classes, currently a Page for the Senate Republicans nominated by Alabama Senator Richard Shelby where he sees John McCain every day, applying to New College like his oldest brother!!
17. In the first time in my history, I am enamored with my love life. Bonnie and I get along like magic and burning and there is fun, laughter, respect, compassion and long-term plans without anxiety.
18. My grandfather was at one point the Building Commissioner of New York City. He passed while training for a marathon, going out for a long run on a Sunday morning, came home, ate a big breakfast, sat down in front of the TV to watch a football game, and then he died. My other grandfather has Alzheimers.
19. I am Jewish and anti-Zionist. I believe Israel is a terrible idea — after WWII, instead of giving Jews some of Italy or Germany for a homeland, the powers that be decided to take land from folks who had nothing to do with the War or Holocaust and give it to their historical arch enemy in what is prophesized to ignite the end of the world. I realize the debate isn’t as simplistic as this, but WTF? Why do so many people I know accept and support this blindly?
20. I took classes and volunteered at an improv theater for two years because I was scared. The connection I feel with someone in a good improv scene is a lot like sex, chock full of trust, intimacy, imagination and laughter. I believe improv theory is a key to successful living. Instead of being defensive, just say “Yes, and…” to whatever life throws your way. And don’t judge. Next step: mime classes.
21. My favorite art genre is pop surrealism. In the same vein, my favorite art blog is Right Some Good and my favorite art magazine is Hi-Fructose .
22. I work for a Native American social services agency and have participated in sweat lodges with Native American chiefs. I’ve smoked a peace pipe once owned by Crazy Horse.
23. Part of me believes in the following hoaky-ish mediums: astrology, energy work, flower essences, muscle testing, shamanism, homeopathy and cranial sacral therapy. I haven’t tried leaches yet.
24. My favorite political issue to advocate for is instant runoff voting which is basically ranking candidates in order of preference. This disposes with the current binary system and lets us vote idealistically and practically at the same time, allowing the Naders and Kucinichs and third parties to become viable, especially in smaller local elections.
25. When I was toddler-age my brother Ted and I didn’t have building blocks to play with. But we did have a pile of real bricks outside by the garage that we used the way other children use toy building blocks. My mom says we built good stuff and got really, really dusty and dirty every time we played.
February 25, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Cool Things to do In Alabama!!
February 26, 2009 at 12:16 am
You sound like my kind of people … left-handed screwball, Jewish , albeit now secular, somewhat anti-zionist, but maybe too pragmatic about it … impressed that your brother has the balls to be a progressive at Canoe U. … having gone thru there as a then liberal Republican [there was once such a thing and quite a few -enough to be a respectable wing of the party] and a Jew … it ain’t easy. He might be interested in http://www.MilitaryReligousFreedom.org with whom I’ve become a fan and supporter.
BEAT ARMY … again and again and … (;o} … 7 in-a-row and counting v. WooPoo … GRRRREAT ! ; 6 in-a-row and counting v.
“team jesus” at USAFA … PRICELESS !! ; 6 in-a-row and counting consecutive C-in-C trophies and receiving it this year from an intelligent, articulate, inspirational, real leader … STUPENDOUS !!!
February 27, 2009 at 12:24 am
j.j.–
I believe improv theory is THE key to every good thing, and like a hippopotamus I can’t NOT think about it all the time. I too would like to take classes in mime. My idea of the ultimate human being, in fact, is a mime who studies improv, reads etymological dictionaries for fun, and lives to cook lavish multi-course thematic vegetarian feasts for large groups of friends.
Your #20 reminded me I am not alone. Thank you.
I would like to do everything in my power to brighten your day, so I took a picture of myself just now with crooked glasses. It’s ADORABLE. Really. Where would you like me to hang it up?
March 3, 2009 at 5:05 pm
USNA Ancient: (I think I remember Allen telling me that…) McCain’s son goes there and is a douchebag. Allen likes the structure, and we need quality progressive ethics in our armed forces, as opposed to Blackwater types. Thanks for posting!!
E: Photo with crooked glasses? Yes! Send it to me: mindandflowers at gmail dot com.
March 3, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I was there when john mcnasty was and can only opine “like father. like son”. I am pleased that there are at least a few progressive profs on faculty to hopefully counteract the neocons and far-right, wing-nut, evangelical fifth column so prevalent in the military and especially at the Academies today. I hope he has had an opportunity to have classes with Prof. Fleming and had an opportunity to hear Admiral Crowe before he died. When you have the opportunity thank him for his service for me … oh, and BEAT ARMY and “team jesus” in Colorado.
March 7, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I’m going to visit him and the N.A. in two weeks and I’ll ask him about Fleming and Crowe. What does Fleming teach? I think he is an English major, much to the chagrin of the college which apparently wants everyone to study engineering.
Thanks for reading us!!
March 7, 2009 at 7:46 pm
How was John McNasty, btw? Not a nice guy, I’m guessing by your use of his nickname? I’m guessing you did better than him (he was 5th to last, right?)
March 7, 2009 at 10:01 pm
He had that, I think, from Episcopal High in Alexandria before USNA … I really don’t know too much about him during that time, just rumor, but he was popular with his classmates [he was a complete anti-establishment "Maverick even then and -but for his Father and Grandfather probably would not have made it through at least one, maybe two, Aptitude Boards from what I understand ... but then that seems to be the story throughout his Navy career; and his father-in-law and wife for his political career]. You might “Google” Phil Butler, USNA ’61 who knew him much better -in the same company, spent longer in the “Hanoi Hilton” than John did, and wrote a scathing public letter early in the primaries entitled “Why I Won’t Vote for John McCain” … that’s how I became acquainted with Phil; I read the letter early on and emailed him, thanking him for saying things that had to be said and nobody else -especially from the Boat School- was willing to say publicly and we’ve emailed a couple of times since … John was 2/c when I was a Plebe [6th Co.] and in the 2nd Regiment [17th Co.] and I did my absolute damnedest to keep away from all 2/c, but especially those in the 2nd [it was too far to go for "come arounds" and I had troubles enough on my side of Mother B. John stood 894/899. I did somewhat better standing wise [645/798], but not great, certainly not up to my expectations or potential (;o} . I was happy to make it, period ! Strangely enough, “Bull” was my best and favorite subject [ consistently over 3.2 and as high as 3.55] and -if it had been possible then- I would have probably majored somewhere in the Dept. … lit or polisci … and been a lot happier ! Bruce Fleming is a Professor in the “Bull” Dept. and a really accomplished, talented, interesting guy: . Have fun in Annapolis and give your brother my thanks ! Tell him that when he’s on the left coast to contact me [ ] and I’ll spring for dinner and a drink or 3 … same for you !
March 9, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Where are you located? Fascinating about McCain and I will research Phil after this reply. What are you up to these days? I’m looking forward to Annapolis!
March 10, 2009 at 1:26 am
I kind of split time between my sons; I’m usually in Long Beach at my youngest son’s, but sometimes at my oldest son’s place up by Eagle Rock. I do as little as possible … retired from Customs Hq [and various other Fed. agencies and some private corps.] in ’85 … managed my oldest son’s BMX freestyle team [he was a world class ramp rider] in high school and college] and is currently an independent film and TV producer; lived on my 34′ Cal-2 sailboat, “The Flat Earth Society’s Circumnavigational Research Sailing Vessel, Lemming I, for 7 years … it seems my most active enterprise these days is traveling back and forth to the VA Hospital for treatment of COPD and various types of cancer [so far 3, but all are seemingly under control so I'm expecting them to find another soon just to keep their hand in ... now I know why they call it practice ! ... (;o}... ]. Annapolis is a great town, although changed a lot from my time [and I've been going there for almost 71 years]. If you appreciate history, make sure you take a tour of the city and the academy and -if there’s time- St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore. Of course D.C. [my original home town] is just an hour away, and Baltimore an hour in the other direction. Williamsburg and Yorktown, Ft Monroe and Norfolk are a couple of hours south of DC and well worth the trip, if time permits. Let me know there are some great restaurants there.