Twenty-Five Things

Since everybody I know on Facebook seems to have done this, it seems I'm obliged to post a list of twenty-five random facts. I wouldn't want to have my Internet License revoked, or anything.

• I've always been tall-- I'm not one of those tall people who was 5'7" in the tenth grade, and then shot up a foot over the next two years. I was always one of the three or four tallest kids in my class in school.
• I haven't been skiing in at least fifteen years, but every year at this time when the radio station I listen to in the car goes into the all-ski-area-ads format, I wonder about trying it again. In my infinite free time.
• I always get a little sentimental when passing a particular turn-off on Route 206 between Triangle and Whitney Point.
• I carry my stuff to noon hoops in a bag that is older than some of the people who play.
• I have a deeply irrational hatred of all things medical. I can't even watch other people getting shots, and spending any time at all in a hospital (even visiting) makes me get all twitchy.
• As far back as I can remember, I've always been interested in science. The specific science has changed many times, but I've always been into some science or another
• I have a weakness for dreadful pop-archaeology shows on cable-- shows that construct elaborate theories about the "truth" behind Biblical stories, and the like.
• I have a weakness for dreadful shows about UFO's on cable. The more credulous the better.
• It took me forever to learn how to tie my shoes, and I'm still not very good at it.
• I'm probably a better basketball player now than when I was young and in shape. Learning how to catch the ball was a big help.
• I've been pulled over for speeding seven times in five different states, but never the state in which I was living at the time.
• I've spent the night in the Miami airport twice. I don't particularly recommend it.
• Despite holding a Ph.D. in a mathematical science, I've always scored better on verbal tests than math tests.
• I'm too self-conscious to be a good dancer.
• I like taking back roads, and will occasionally randomly turn down some street I've never been on just to see if it might be another way to get from one place to another.
• I've never had a regular non-academic job. I did spend a few weeks one summer before college helping fix up some tenement apartments, but that's it.
• I am all too fond of Americanized Chinese food-- the kind of stuf you get in food courts and buffet restaurants. I've been known to deliberately arrange my day around getting steam-table Chinese food.
• I don't like eggs, and thus have never understood the attraction of "breakfast all day long" type restaurants.
• At odd moments, I will find myself earwormed with rugby songs. I have thus far managed to avoid singing them to SteelyKid, but it's been tempting.
• I've always thought that the idea of driving across the country sounded cool, but I've never had a reason to do it, and the moment when I might reasonably have done such a thing has probably passed.
• I'm moderately ok at basketball, soccer, rugby, and football, but hopeless at any game where you have to hit a ball with a stick.
• I really enjoy body-surfing, specifically at Jones Beach on Long Island. I don't see much point in sitting on a blanket on the beach, but given moderate surf, I'll ride waves for hours.
• I once insulted Jonathan Frakes at Colonial Pizza in Williamstown, MA.
• I never did manage to get George Wendt to buy me a beer.
• I once drove sixty miles (one way) to get hotdogs.