10 Things

Well, I got tagged on my friend Carole Brady's mommy-blog. (Real name is not Carole Brady. Named Carole Brady because of the unfortunate Carole Brady-esque haircut she received in high school.) The assignment is to divulge 10 things about yourself that not many people know. And since I'm killing time in between classes, I figure I should go ahead and do it. So here goes:

1. In fifth grade I attempted to cheat on a fractions and percentage test in my math class. I say attempted because I got caught before I could even get the goods. For some reason I missed the original test and had to make it up. And back then I did not understand fractions or decimals, largely in part because I chose not to understand them. So, I was sitting in our empty math class room taking my test, all the while knowing that everyone had already got their graded tests back and those were in everyone's math folders sitting on their desks. So I got the bright idea to look at someone's test to check my work. And then the teacher walked in. And then I had some splaining to do. I think she realized I was cracking under some intense 5th grade pressure, and combined with my sterling reputation, decided to take pity on me by giving me a 60 or something on the test rather than give me zero. However, at the time I was either student of the month, or was about to be student of the month, so needless to say I was stripped of the title and all the benefits of said title. And that is why I don't cheat: A) I'm not good at it and B) I can't handle the guilt that comes with it.
2. One time when I was younger, my good friends and I built forts in this field behind our houses. This is where we would go to escape the evil world of our parents. One time we all were mad at something...or someone...I can't really remember what it was. Anyway, while we were out at the fields we decided to take out our anger by cussing. The rules were simple: each of us could pick one cuss word to say and no one would inform our parents of our misdeeds. I chose to say the "F" word. Yes, it seems I like to get the most bang from my buck. No reason to waste that opportunity on some wussy cuss word.
3. I have OCD issues when it comes to shoes. Specifically, I don't like my shoes, especially tennis shoes, to get dirty. And I have major issues with dirty shoes on carpet. Like if I walk through a puddle, I have a hard time walking on carpet soon after that because I know the bottoms of my shoes are probably still wet and dirty. Weird, I know.
4. Combined with that, I also have serious OCD issues when it comes to water around sinks. I hate it when people splash water all around the sink and don't wipe it up. My college roommate was notorious about this. I told my sister about this once. When my roommate and I went to visit her in NYC, she was drying her hair in the bathroom and he went in to wash his hands real quick and got water everywhere. My sister, none the wiser, said something to the effect of "Matt was right about you getting water everywhere." To which he replied "huh?" Because that was not something I had ever actually told him. Oops.
5. I cried during the movie Lilo and Stitch. In defense of myself, if there is even a defense for this sort of thing, I had just returned with my family from Hawaii so the whole Hawaiian vibe made me nostalgic. And, I had just graduated from college and my future at that point was very uncertain and I was a little shell-shocked from no longer being a college student and not having any job prospects in the near future. That makes it cool, right?
6. One time in middle school we played this dodgeball-esque game in gym class. It was like dodgeball, except each team had three traffic cones, and if the other team knocked over all three cones, then all of their teammates who had been pegged got to come back out and play. At one point, I was the last person on my team and there was one cone standing on my side and one cone standing on the other team's side. Imagine the following in slow motion...it's better that way. I dodged a ball and and threw my ball at the other team's last cone, tipping it over. My teammates on the sideline all got to come back out, and they quickly dispatched the other team. We won. Everyone cheered for me. That was a good day.
7. The above story surprises me, because I don't do well when it comes to throwing things under pressure. It's why I never liked throwing sports and instead preferred sports like soccer or tennis. When there is a pressure situation, I get nervous and sometimes forget to release the ball when I should which results in the ball...not going very far. Like, sometimes hitting the ground five feet in front on me. My dad and my sister do a great imitation of how I muck things up when I try to throw things under pressure.
8. One time I made my mom really angry and was all set to get a spanking. This was nothing new. I was always talking back or doing things I was told not to. We call this "strong willed." I was also very adept at talking my way out of things. I had begged and pleaded enough to convince my mom to not spank me. To hammer in her point though, she asked "I guess you won't do that again, will you?" I simply replied "I will if I want." The spanking commenced.
9. I used to show chickens when I was younger as part of an agriculture club. To show a chicken, you have to hold it upside down by its feet. Sometimes the chickens freak out and flap their wings, so you have to calm them by rubbing their chests. Sometimes they also throw up from being upside down and it lands on your shoes. Good times.
10. And lastly, I laugh when people trip and/or fall. It's horrible. I'm horrible. But I can't help it. However, I'm the first person to laugh at myself when I fall. That makes it better, right? Right?

And that's all. Not gonna tag anyone for this, as I have too many important things to do. Like go clean around the sink. Or clean my tennis shoes. Or watch Lilo and Stitch and NOT cry this time.    

Comments

[emily]

I completely relate to #3 and #4!!! Hate water around the kitchen and bathroom sinks. And I've started to become OCD about dirty shoes. I especially hate shoes on the new rug in travis's nursery. That's where he is going to learn to crawl.

Love the post- I feel like i now know all there is to know about you :)

[trish cree]

good thing you bought that dyson today. happy cleaning!

[Carole]

so funny matt. you fullfilled all of my expectations:)

[junkie]

ha! to all of it, but especially #10. that is me all the way, too!