Kobayashi Maru

So Sam AND AJ decided that I should be tagged. Not sure how I feel about any one person tagging me, but two within a couple of days of each other is downright scary. I am not sure that getting to know me that well is really that interesting…

But since both of them shared so much about themselves, how can I not? Well, sure there are lots of ways I can not. But I shall forgo those options and so do this cursed thing.
And, of course, they have RULES for this…I am not really a “rule guy” so much. Give me a moment as I figure out how to get around some of them, just for the fun of doing so…

Here’s how it works:

1: People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
2: At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
3: You may need to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog

SO, those are the rules and I know now put proverbial pen to virtual paper and begin:

1. If idols were allowed, William Shatner would be mine. Seriously. This man is a genius. Boston Legal might be the funniest show on television - though since we’re being so honest here, I would rather be Alan Shore than Denny Crane…mostly because of the mad cow…

2. My favorite author is Stephen King. (Just barely ahead of Anne Rice mostly because of volume of work.) He is pound for pound, the most talented story teller of the modern era. I have no idea why we would compare him on a weight basis, but I did. And the modern era is comprised of the years that I have been actively reading.

3. My wife, the lovely and talented Ferf, kicked me to the curb 3 times before I wore down her resistance and coerced her into marrying me. When I actually popped the question (after like 6 years of abuse dating) I had a sniper on a nearby rooftop with instructions to shoot one of us (either one, I didn’t care at that point) if she said no.

4. I absolutely love traveling. Not more than my family mind you - the Muppet is center of all that is good and right - but if she weren’t around, I and Ferf would still be working overseas and very rarely coming back to countries that are mis-labeled as “developed”.

5. Theology be damned - there will be Taco Bells in heaven!

6. I want to go to law school. In fact I have purchased all of the materials to take the LSAT. Always have wanted to go. Turned down offers to after I graduated with my BA for strange and wonderful reasons, and am glad that I did. But I think the time will come where it is what I do.

7. I am a strange and wonderfully convoluted mix of conservativism and liberalism. If forced to choose, I would tell you to kiss my arse and refuse. Both are wrong and yet both have some truth in them - like any two church denominations you could pick.

8. I think teaching is the single greatest thing anyone can do - whether they are a professional teacher or not. In fact, you get bonus points for doing it outside of an occupational position. There is no greater feeling in the world than seeing the light go on for someone.

9. Piss on the rules - I love debate and will engage in it ANYTIME (but when in that mode I believe in emotionally crushing the opposition - not just winning); not going to church on Sunday mornings for the last few months has been AWESOME and it is scary how much I don’t look forward to going back and yet I will cause part of me wants to; one of the most impactful (Badger, Goddess, look at the link - I know it’s not a real word and I don’t care) statements ever said to me came from a Baptist preacher who said “Sometimes you can make a bigger impact for the Kingdom of God with a beer in your hands than a Bible”; although I do have one book published, I would love to be a full-time author;

and finally, to quote Bull Durham (one of the greatest baseball movies of all time - yeah I said it and I mean it) “I believe in the Church of Baseball. I’ve tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones. And the only church that truly feeds the soul, day-in day-out, is the Church of Baseball. There are 108 beads in a catholic rosary and 108 stitches in a baseball. Knowing that, how can you not give Jesus a chance.”

There, I have finished the thing. I now have to pass this along like a venereal disease to some of my friends. Of course, those that I would tag don’t blog - or more likely, don’t read mine. Still, Badger, BMac, Goddess, Coastal, OSOK, Champagne, I CHOOSE YOU!! (wow that sounded strangely like I was in a pokemon cartoon.)

SO there you go. Sam, AJ curse you and your infernal tags!