One Cool Free Idea

Social media is so personal, but so removed.  Some days you feel like you really know folks, then you wish you could get together in person to grab a drink together and share backstories and ideas. So in that spirit, I updated my “random things about me” from a long-ago Facebook challenge, and share it with you here.  It definitely takes you outside the resume box.  Here’s to knowing you all a little better.

25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I was born on Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. I always thought that was cool because he was a “renaissance” kinda person, and I think I am too. And my maiden name is Thomas. Go figure.

2. I never fully recovered from losing the casting call for the Sound Of Music as a young girl with a rather pronounced lisp.

3. I trained as a lifeguard in an ice cold pond in northwestern Connecticut. I can swamp a canoe fully dressed with sneakers on and get back home safe.

4. I worked as a short order breakfast cook. I still yell “drop the toast” when the eggs go in. Breakfast for dinner rocks.

5. When I was 17 – and unrelated to above fact - I stopped eating. Most women think they’ll attract love by being thin, but I know firsthand that you attract it by loving and living who you are. Today, I eat.

6. My parents never thought I’d have kids because I hated to babysit. My 3 kids have helped me to examine, reject, and often validate many of my life’s decisions and philosophies. They are extraordinary individuals.

7. Overly-engineered to-do lists and snakes kind of freak me out. But I’m good with blood. This comes in handy in emergencies.

8. Two relatives on my mom’s side fought in the Civil War, so I guess technically I could be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Given my left-leaning, liberal bent, I find this highly amusing.

9. I can redesign a room using the principles of Feng Shui. Having your pet’s ashes in your “relationship” corner is not good.

10. My amazing black lab Moxie was a dropout of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind program. She is one spectuacular companion.

11. Sometimes I feel so right brained I wonder what’s up there on the left side.

12. Once upon a time I had to pitch Fortune magazine on the benefits of a certain prostate surgery. I’ve also pitched rubber cement, crystal tchotchkes, oxygen sensors and stories on ‘how to have sex with a chronic lung condition.’ My former life as a PR chick has given me lots of material.

13. Football confuses me - badly.

14. My dad was choir director of our Congregationalist church for 30 years. At 17 I landed a gig as a pipe organist in a Catholic church. Some days I got to leave school early to play funerals and weddings.

15. My spiritual worldview is framed by my past but inspired more daily by Buddhist teachers and teachings.

16. I did drag racing promotion for a few years and totally fell in love with cars. One time at a shoot, I met Paul Newman and Tom Cruise. I’ll admit to loving the occasional cheap thrill.

17. I’m a quasi-geek and I love my Mac more than I’ll admit to most people.

18. I have finally figured out how to listen to what comes naturally. As a result, it’s a lot easier to say no to the stuff that feels shitty to do. (see #12 above)

19. If I had two hours left on Earth I’d play the piano and hug my family.

20. I can crack myself up so badly I cry while I’m laughing. My peers find this highly entertaining.

21. I love film and photography almost as much as I love music. Filmmakers are some of my favorite people.

22. I have never really been afraid of anything but being judged harshly. (see #2 above)

23. I walk, lift weights, do Pilates, laugh and meditate as a regular practice. This helps alot.

24. As I move through my days I hear a soundtrack playing. As a result of this peculiar and familiar condition, I am chasing my artistic dream of writing music for visual media.

25. On the top of my 200 year old house is an 8-sided cupola from which you can see Narragansett bay, watch the sun rise, the moon move, the tides turn, and the birds fly at eye level. It is one of the coolest places on earth to think, to write and to realize your humanity. Up there, and often – everywhere else – I am very grateful to be here with all of you.