25 Things About Me

So this little Facebook time-waster has taken off like you wouldn't believe. And it's really one of the few things that are actually interesting. I mean, I don't really care 'Which 80s Movie Defines You" or about planting electronic trees in a "Lil' Green patch." But people writing about themselves in this manner is interesting and often quite revealing. And that's what makes this social networking stuff actually worthwhile, when you actually get something out of it that gives you a better understanding of the person you're "talking" to. I mean, that's the purpose of human interaction and emotional expression, right?

Anyhow, for you non-Facebookers out there (what are there, like 4 of you left?) -- here's my "25 Things About Me" list, thanks to my sister-in-law who got me to actually do it. And remember, if you think it's pretentious, so is the whole concept of personal blogs anyway...

1. I'm actually quite quiet and shy, although I've gotten a lot better with it over the years. I still tend to not speak until spoken to and wait for people to make the first move. I guess sometimes I'm difficult to know.

2. All that said, I'm extremely loyal to my friends, maybe to a fault. If you're one of my friends, you're there for life.

3. I hate the cold. I honestly don't know why I stayed in the Chicago climate, as winter depresses the hell out of me every year. Give me the warmth and the water.

4. If I ever won the lottery, I'd never wear socks again. See number 3.

5. As an addendum to #4, I guess I'd wear socks to baseball practice, because if I won the lottery, I'd just coach baseball. It's just about my favorite thing, coaching the kids. There's nothing I find more rewarding.

6. My kids are my life. They're my greatest joy and my proudest achievement. At the end of the day, they're how I hope I left the world a better place than when I came in it.

7. Yes, I'm a Bruce Springsteen fanatic, and have seen him over 30 times, but I love all types of music. I'm pretty eclectic in my musical choices. I still think that the "Theme from Shaft" is one of my favorite pieces of music, just for the arrangement. I love the way the instruments are layered into that piece by piece. Isaac Hayes was a true genius. But "Thunder Road" is still the greatest song ever written. I literally still get goosebumps when the instrumental coda hits. It makes me feel ALIVE.

8. My life is the quest for the Ultimate Cheeseburger. The winner so far? Still the Abbey Pub right next to St. Norbert College in DePere, WI. I don't know if that place is even there anymore, but it's still the best I ever had.

9. I love to play guitar. I don't play well at all, but it's something I enjoy doing for myself. I wish I was better. And I wish I could sing.

10. I've owned 17 cars. My first one was a 1971 VW Bug that I got when I was 15.

11. I also love motorcycles. Never had one, but have always wanted one. I even have it picked out.

12. I drink Miller High Life because it tastes good. I like some of the other microbrews and stuff too, but I'm not a beer snob. But I like beer in a bottle, not a can.

13. My sports idol has always been, and will always be, Walter Payton. And it's absolutely true, I gave him a ride on my back once. My true hero though is my dad. He's always defined everything a man is supposed to be to me and he was all I wanted to be when I grew up. One of his friends once told me, "your father is one of the few truly good men I know." I aspire to have someone say that about me someday, I don't think you can do better than that.

14. I write as a cathartic exercise. It might be song lyrics, or short essays or even poetry. But it's my coping mechanism. Someday, maybe I'll publish it all.

15. Any house that I live in has to have a fireplace. That's non-negotiable.

16. I can name that Brady Bunch episode within the first 15 seconds...

17. I think my best physical feature is my chin. My worst? My hair.

18. Yes, I do impressions. And don't get me started, because I'll annoy the hell out of you. I think my Marlon Brando in The Godfather is my best...

19. I'm afraid of heights and I'm slightly claustrophobic.

20. I like to put the Christmas lights up right after Thanksgiving and they need to come down right after New Year's.

21. My favorite holiday is actually Independence Day.

22. My wife tells me that I'm actually a clothes hound. My closet is more full than hers. It's just that none of it's stylish, so no one would know. And I have a hard time getting rid of clothes.

23. I like to vacuum. I don't know why.

24. My favorite meal to eat out is breakfast.

25. I have a bottle of champagne waiting to be opened when the Cubs win the pennant. I've had it for over 20 years. It was on ice in October 2003, but alas, still unopened. It may be the vilest substance known to man when it finally happens, but it's going to taste sweet. And I'm going to open it someday. Someday.