Another Blog Meme

You know, when I first started blogging I refused to do these lists that made the rounds of blogs. What changed? I have no idea. But if it's good enough for my buddy PZ and the Little Professor, it's good enough for me. So herewith, the ABCs of me:

Act your age? Actually, I think I'm finally aging into my personality. I was born a curmudgeon. I'm told that my first spoken words were, "Goddamned kids these days."
Born on what day of the week? Not a clue.
Chore you hate? Cleaning. Cleaning what? Almost anything.
Dads name? Alton David, but he goes by David. I also have a brother who is Jack David, but goes by Jack. We Braytons tend to hate our first names.
Essential makeup item? Yikes. Believe me when I tell you that I would make the world's ugliest cross-dresser.
Favorite actor? Kevin Spacey. Christopher Walken and Denzel Washington are just behind him.
Gold or silver? Gold, I suppose, but I don't really wear either.
Hometown? Lansing, Michigan.
Instruments you play? Drums, but it has been a very long time since I did so. Well over a decade.
Job title? "Boss"
Kids? Nope, not yet.
Living arrangements? Old 5 bedroom farmhouse in the country, but that may be changing very soon as it looks like we're going to be buying a lakehouse.
Moms name? Kathleen.
Need? Intellectual stimulation. Without it, I'm dead.
Overnight hospital stays? None since a childhood tonsilectomy.
Phobias? I'm a little bit claustrophobic, but only in really tight spaces. Being in a plane doesn't bother me a bit, but being in a crawlspace is my worst nightmare.
Quote you like? Oh, so many to choose from...

"It is absurd to divide people into good and bad; people are either charming or tedious." Oscar Wilde

"There is no such thing as inner peace, there is only nervousness or death. Any attempt to prove otherwise constitutes unacceptable behavior." Fran Lebowitz

I could go on all day. A wise wit once said that intellectuals collect quotations the way others collect stamps or thimbles.

Religious affiliation? Far more complicated question than it seems. No official religious affiliation, as I am a deist. Quite fond of lots of different religious traditions, however.
Siblings? 1 brother, two half brothers, two step brothers, two adopted brothers, two half sisters and a step sister. And a partridge in a pear tree.
Time you wake up? Whenever the *&^*(^(*& alarm wakes me from my blissful slumber. Usually around 8.
Unique talent? Too complex to explain here, but it involves two albino rodeo clowns with trick shoulders and a gallon of olive oil.
Worst habit? I'm tempted to write something really dark and potentially offensive here. I suppose my worst habit is my tendency to say things that are really dark and potentially offensive. But since I've just proven that I can restrain myself, that's progress right?
X-rays youve had? Hmmm. Lots of things over the years.
Yummy food you make? Oh, this could be a long list, as I love to cook. I make excellent alfredo sauce from scratch. And I'm a BBQ god. Really, I am. I used to have an apron that said "The Grill Master" on the front. My buddy Don said it sounds like a superhero from a temp agency.
Zodiac Sign? Libra, I think. Whatever it was, it was probably something bad.