SE7EN

There's this Twitter meme thing where people can "tag" you to write 7 things that people don't know about you. Technically, I wasn't tagged, but instead of spiraling into an abyss of "nobody cares about me," I decided to just write the damn thing anyway. Many of you who know me IRL will be painfully aware of some of these. Those who only know me as an avatar, however? This is for you.

1)I like a surprisingly wide array of music. I'm kinda proud of this, actually. My favorite band, since high school, has been Rush. The quality of the playing and writing is unparalleled, and I just really like what they do and what they stand for. All through high school, all my favorite bands were under the "progressive" label: Yes, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, ELP, Genesis. Up until that time, I mainly listened to jazz, due to my being a trumpet player, and musicals. After college, I discovered industrial, which had a huge impact on me. At this point in my life, on any given day, I can be found listening to Assemblage 23, LOTR, Wicked, Josh Groban, Korn, Wumpscut, NOFX, My Chemical Romance,Barry Manilow, Alison Kraus, you name it. There are certain genres I really don't care for. Rap, Country, R&B, Opera, Gospel, and the most insipid Pop songs hold no appeal for me, though there are exceptions in all those areas. But I'm glad that I can find pleasure in many different areas of music. I guess you can say I like quality and talent.

2)I dwell. I dwell HARD. If something doesn't go my way, or I do something really stupid, I will NOT let it go. I'll keep thinking about it, and talking about it, until those around me want to punch me in the face. I was aware of this, but didn't really know how neurotic I was until it was pointed out a few months ago. I'm not sure why I can't let go of things, or why I insist on inflicting this on others. I'd really like to stop.

3)My mental picture of myself doesn't match reality. I'm overweight. Like, a lot. Not enough to end up on Springer, or airlifted from my house, but enough that I can't shop for clothes at the mall. I have to go to big and tall stores, because I am both. Like, 5 or 6 X's. This was not always the case, however. I was a stick growing up, until about 8th grade, when I stopped moving but kept eating. Still relatively thin, though, through my Junior year of college. Didn't really blow up until after our kids were born. When I think of myself, though, I don't see myself as quite as big as I actually am. I'm always surprised when I see myself on film or in a shop window reflection. Every damn time. This is probably why I can never seem to stay on a diet for long. (Except this time, by jingo!)

4)I stole stuff when I was little. We're talking first grade and before. One or two little things from stores, one thing from school. It wasn't all the time or anything, but I knew enough to lie about it when I was accused, so I knew it was wrong. My mom defended me to a store manager once. I confessed what had really happened...on my 30th birthday.

5)I think the movie Gone With the Wind is a piece of shit.

6)I often think of what it would be like to go back to high school knowing what I know now. Don't get me wrong. I love my wife and kids, and couldn't imagine living without them. But I sure wish I could make a few different choices back then, and will fantasize about what might have been different or improved.

7)I've never been to Florida, and I don't care if I ever get there.

So that's my seven. I hope at least some of this was mildly interesting. Because number 8 would be about my need for approval.