Oddities
Looking back, there are some unusual things I've done over the years. This listing is my no means all-inclusive!
- As a child, I wanted to fly like Superman. So, when Christmas came along and brought with it a Superman suit, I was ready, launching myself off the couch. It was all planned out, the flight into the kitchen to buzz by mom, doing circles in the living room...
Sadly, gravity took over and I went splat. One would think that my inability to fly to the roof to take off would have been an indication of the suit's ineffectiveness, but sadly, I was a stupid child. Only after crashing did mom point out what it said directly on the suit: "Remember, this suit can't make you fly. Only Superman can fly."
Nice timing. - Keeping with that theme for a moment -- Superman has always been my hero and remains so to this day, along with lots of other inspiring regular old people. You'd think with my naturally irascable tendencies I'd prefer Batman.
- I used to do karate, for several years in fact. "Used to" being the operative phrase here; I'm a bit rickety for it these days.
- I have two swords, both Japanese Katana style. One is from Japan, an Iai-do practice sword (i.e., not super strong or sharp). The other was made for me by Gary Zahradka, a friend out at Renaissance Festival, with an oak leaf theme. That one's a little more substantial, and may be of use if the living dead make themselves a nuisance.
- Along with that whole Japanesey tendency was learning how to play the bamboo flute. Take a look in My Favorite Things for more about that.
- In high school shows, plays and musicals both, I was often cast as the personification of law. Either as a cop (three times?), or as some character symbolic of justice. So it wasn't really surprising that I spent a few years as a reserve police officer. Well... kinda surprising. But as it turns out, many cops had shadey younger days, too.
- Yes. I admit it. I've been a Renaissance Festival guy for many, many years. But I pathologically refuse to speak with any kind of accent anymore -- unless it's grossly inappropriate for the setting.
- As you can see in Pets, in addition to the standard, garden variety of pets, I've had snakes, lizards, turtles, rats, ferrets... to name a few.
- I hate computers. Thus, work with them.
- Never was much for sports. Until someone introduced me to hockey, now I love watching MN Wild. And no, I can't even skate, so don't even think of suggesting I play.
- I sink in water, so swimming... notsomuch.
- Once upon a time, I did magic shows. Nope, not good ones.
- I've never been married, and never had kids. I almost, almost asked once... it was quite unplanned, I wasn't at all prepared, but was totally overcome and just had to ask. But, she could see it in my eyes. I'd not moved a muscle, wasn't on bended knee, was only looking deeply to her. And before I could say it, she smiled, reached up to gently touch my cheek, and said, "not yet." Didn't ever end up happening, and we've since both moved on, many years ago. But it does make for a nice story, don't you think?
- However, I have married many women. To their husbands. Technically, I'm a reverend, and have performed perhaps about twenty weddings. Yes, they're perfectly legal, however much my ordination was online with the Universal Life Church. I've also officiated a few funerals, including one for my mom, and one for my oldest brother John.