Wednesday, March 14, 2007

1...2...3...4...5!

My good blogger friend Barb has passed along a meme where I am to share five little known facts about myself. I'm happy to play along, Barb!

In thinking about what to write, my first question was...little known to whom? I moved from the south to New England right after graduate school, so my friends here don't know a lot about my growing up. On the other hand, family and friends in the south don't know all there is to know about my life here. And since I've only been blogging for less than six months, you guys don't know a lot about me at all! So what to choose?

Here are the five I decided to share with the world...
  1. Barb shared that she was a cheerleader, so I'll start with my cheerleading story. No, I did not date a cheerleader. I was a cheerleader. Okay, only for one day. But I get full credit! Way back in middle school, we held an annual "powder puff" football game as a fund raiser. Looking back on it, "powder puff" seems a very politically incorrect name for girls playing flag football. But hey, this was a long time ago! Anyway, the girls played football and the boys were cheerleaders. I don't even recall how I got selected to be one. Probably lost a bet or something. But I do remember dressing up in the cheerleader skirt and sweater, donning a wig, leading cheers in the gym at a pep rally, and then leading cheers on the sidelines. No doubt, Barb made a much better cheerleader!
  2. In my senior year in high school and all through college, I was on the debate team. I know, pretty nerdy. But that was my extracurricular activity of choice. The teams traveled throughout the south competing in tournaments. I also participated in various individual events at these tournaments - primarily dramatic poetry reading and extemporaneous speaking. I wasn't so good at the individual things. But my partner and I pulled in a ton of trophies in the debate competition. And what benefit did I get from all that? I am totally comfortable speaking in front of groups. And I can argue with the best of them!
  3. I attended a private religious school for my undergraduate degree and my first graduate degree. And at the time, no one would have been surprised by that. But the people that know me know would find it hard to believe that I could have survived in such a rigid environment. I've changed a LOT in the past 26 years!
  4. How did I work my way through college? I was a disc jockey. Broadcasting under the exciting pseudonym of "Ed Larson", I spun those discs at an adult contemporary station. Hours and hours of college life spent listening to Barry Manilow and Dan Fogelberg and Seals & Crofts. For you young readers, Google them. Those are real people. In fact, I really liked Dan Fogelberg.
  5. Finally, number five, I love pets. My family loves pets. At the moment, we have two box turtles, a golden retriever, and two rabbits. But we are at a low point in pet ownership. At times we've had as many as thirteen pets in the house...not counting tropical fish in the aquarium or goldfish in bowls.
Now, sharing those five things about me wasn't so hard. The hard part is passing this along to five unsuspecting victims. Five blogger friends who at this very moment are happily going about their day, oblivious to the fact that I'm about to meme them upside the head. So, dear friends, don't hold it against me. I'm just playing by the rules. Feel free to share your five...or politely decline. Either way, you're still a-ok! But if you want to share...Sheila, Dorky Dad, Beth, Kati, and Baron... the spotlight is yours!

29 comments:

Bardouble29 said...

Great blog...I was a member of debate also and it was awesome. Guess that makes me a big nerd too!

I remember in high school we did the powder puff thing too...the guys dressing up was the best part!

mist1 said...

I should have joined the debate club. I love to argue.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that brings back memories. We had powder puff football and donkey basketball for fundraisers. Yes, kiddies, each basketball player rode on the back of a donkey while playing the game. wonder if they do that anymore?

Anonymous said...

I cant believe you had 13 pets at I time. Just the Golden Retriever can be a handful.

Unknown said...

Wait, wait, wait. You CHOSE "Ed Larson" as a pseudonym??? Ed Larson? Then again, I guess it's OK given that you played Barry Manilow and Dan Fogelberg.

Great. Now I have "Leader of the Band" in my head. I'll return the favor: Leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old ..."

whimsical brainpan said...

Hey I always played in the powder puff football games.

Good job!

Creative-Type Dad said...

How interesting.

Barry Manilow? It could have been worse, like Kenny G or Michaell Bolton...or BOTH in the same song.

DirkStar said...

Uh, you were a cheerleader?

Pom-poms? Sis rah boom?

H-m-m-m-m...

Crashdummie said...

Wow, guess there are alot of these taggs going around - i know, I'm a victim of it myself ;)

Hey interesting facts. Nerdy? nah. Me on the other hand was a part of the science club. Now that's nerdy but of so much fun... kinda like bowling!

Cheers!

Michelle said...

LOL Our high school does powder puff (and still calls it that)...between the juniors and seniors. My daughter played flag football when she was a junior (had working obligations when she was as senior) and my 10th grade son informed me that next year when he is a junior, he will be a powderpuff cheerleader. *eyeroll* I am so proud ...lol

Great things about you....I liked the DJ thing. That is cool! ANd I, unfortunately, am old enough to recognize those singers....lol

Jazz said...

ED LARSON?!!!?

'nuff said...

Anonymous said...

I was in one debate meeting, and I told the oppossing team member to shut up and got kicked out. She was my ex's new girlfriend... that in itself was cause for debate LOL.

Redneck Mommy said...

Got any pics of you with your pom-poms? That could be great fun...

And Ed Larson, eh?

I'm a disc jokey now (parttime) and I went with Pepper...

If I played by your rules I should have chose Norma Jones...

Kati said...

Geeze!!!! You & Barb have really got it out for me, haven't you?!?!?! ;)

Ok, Ok. Tomorrow, I promise! Friday is my Saturday, and I've got the day off, and absolutely NOTHING else to do. And it gives me some time to come up with 5 facts that people don't know about me (barring my mom & sis).

OhTheJoys said...

Can you talk in one of those "Hey, I'm your DJ!!" voices?

thethinker said...

Haha, did you take any pictures of yourself as a cheerleader?

Jocelyn said...

George W. was a cheerleader, too, right? Is there anything else you need to tell us, like you've found WMDs in Iraq?

Great list!

tkkerouac said...

Pets
thats what we have in common!

Em said...

Who knew there were all these debaters and powder puff cheerleaders out there?!?!

A couple of comments...

NOOOOOO...there are NO photos of my with my pompoms. Trust me, it is better that way.

And Jocelyn, you compared me to Shrub? Ohhh...you wound me!

Anonymous said...

I tried out for cheerleading and it was no surprise when I didn't make it. I fell flat on my face...ohhh my pride. Ouch. It was never meant to be.

tkkerouac said...

What is your opinion of the dove ladies I've posted?

Jenster said...

Hey! I was a powder puff football player. I have no idea what position I played, but it was fun.

Anonymous said...

WOW
You... a cheerleader!! How interesting

Kati said...

Ya know, I like hearing that you were cheerleader during a "powder puff" game. That means you don't take yourself too seriously! That's a good characteristic to have.

I know who Barry Manilow is!!! I don't like his music, persay, but I know who he is! And I've heard of Seals & Crofts, but don't know any of their music. And I've never heard of Dan Fogelberg. LOL

No cats??? All those pets and you don't have a single cat.... Sheesh!!! What kinda animal lover are you?!?!? ;)

Oh, and I did my 5 today.

Judy said...

Man... just imagine what you decided NOT to share... ; )

I was a cheerleader in high school - wore the cheerleader skirt and sweater and donned the wig, just like you. The school board got involved when we rolled up our waistbands so the skirts rose above our knees. Nobody had thought of powderpuff football back then, or maybe they had and just couldn't bear the thougt of girls doing a guy thing.

You're a good guy, Charlie Brown, er, I mean Ed Larson.

Chicky Pea said...

Oh sure, leave out all the juicy details.

MarmiteToasty said...

Jebus, all you blokes wanting to dress up as girlies lol..... ok ok your just trying to get in touch with your feminine side, yeah right :) - glad we dont have them cheerleaders here at our rugby matches lol......

good evening dear man, I hope your day is going well.....

x

CS said...

You know, George W. was a cheerleader, so I'm not sure that is something ou want to claim...

But fun post - I always like hearinf interesting little bits about people's lives.

Baron Ectar said...

Em I love that you felt like picking on me and I respect the powder puff in you my friend - but I was already subjected to this event! Now rock on gramps :)!