We're all random now

Photo by leo.prie.to

Remember chain letters?

I was once invited to participate in a “panty exchange” (bonus of new underwear to accompany the chain letter) which promised if everyone participated and we “didn’t break the chain” then we’d all receive dozens of panties, from around the world.

I think I received one pair.

Now with social-networking site Facebook, no stamps are required. In a different sort of chain-letter-effect, 25 people are tagged in a note requesting they too repeat a list of 25 random things about themselves. No threat of seven-years bad luck should you fail to participate. Just confess 25 random things about yourself, your goals, your habits.

Like watching a virus spread, I’ve seen at least 25 of these “25 random things” (or as someone re-titled "25 things or die trying") within the last week.

I felt partly responsible for the friends whose notes appeared after “tagging” them in my note. Then I quickly realized they were tagged by 3 other people for the same request.

Similar to a high-school diary confession there is something…random?...about admitting certain truths, giving pause to yourself and to others, even your closest friends, to consider whether they did in fact know you so well.

And it made me feel good that at least two people I tagged commented on it (so I know at least two people read it)...and that I didn’t break the chain.

25 Random Things

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose at least 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I don't play any musical instruments. I actually don't want to.
2. I use a lot of double-negatives in my writing or speech, without meaning to.
3. I have plenty of new, unread books, and though I often pick-up one to read, I rarely finish. It's probably been more than 6 months since I last completed an entire book, due to a work book-club. I haven't gone back to the book-club since. Unless I'm taking a course and am required to read, I don't seem to read at all.
4. My student account says I have a minor in Political Science. I know for a fact I never completed the requirements of a Poli Sci minor. I don't have a third-year credit in the subject.
5. My University alumni record says I only have a Political Science minor. This annoys me to no end, since I graduated with an English Specialist (see point 3).
6. I worked for a federal Member of Parliament.
7. I don't chew gum. I had braces and stopped chewing. While I've taken one for lack of mints, I think gum is gross and I spit it out after a couple of chews.
8. I completed a sleep study. I thought before the test, I have sleep apnea. Now I know I don’t.
9. I sleep with a wrist-brace because I was tested for carpal tunnel.
10. I have a dental guard for grinding my teeth when I sleep, but I never wear it.
11. I'm scared one morning I'll wake-up with 'Saturday night palsy'.
12. I'm a hypochondriac. It doesn't help that my nearly 60-year-old parents think that I, nearly 30-years younger, suffer all the same symptoms as them.
13. I've started tracking every dollar I spend, because I spend too much.
14. I lied to my doctor when she asked me how many alcoholic drinks I consume in an average week. I started off by saying 7, and then I corrected myself, and said 12 when I accounted for the weekend (and she said it was rather high). It's often more than 12 per week.
15. I spent a lot of money on drinks in December and January. So much so, it's too embarrassing to publish.
16. My doctor made me feel guilty about not taking daily vitamins (that my future unborn baby may have a hole in its spine if I don't take enough folic acid) so I immediately bought daily vitamins, though I forget to take them.
17. I'm undecided about any future (unborn) babies.
18. I'm currently in the process of giving-up Starbucks. I had some Starbucks karma for a while, got some freebies (offers in the mail, used Airmiles for a Starbucks card, chatted-up the barista and they gave me a coupon for a free drink etc.), but I've failed this month, already giving-in to two $3.99 tea/latte purchases. I'm craving Starbucks right now.
19. My apartment sways between two extremes: immaculate or disastrous. I prefer the former, but it's more often the latter. I was cleaner when I lived with roommates. I do not judge myself enough.
20. I take-up interests, but usually don't continue after it's run its course (see point 3). In the last year, I took introduction to improv, belly dancing, and knitting. I only took one improv course. I bought a hip scarf, but after a dozen or so classes, stopped going to dance. And I have lots of knitting supplies and yarn, but I have only completed one scarf. I feel better for having learned all three, even if I never use the skill again. (Well, maybe knitting. I do want to make a hat...)
21. There are lots of places in the world I'd like to visit, but I'd rather go back time and time again to Finland.
22. I think my 27th birthday in London, UK, will go-down as one of the most memorable.
23. I'm currently completing a freelance writing certificate, including a course on blogging.
24. I had a first-date who told me he thought cocaine was 'that good of high'. That's why he doesn’t to it anymore, or he'd be addicted. I've never done cocaine. Though they asked me out again, I declined.
25. This year will be the first year I look-forward to Valentine's Day.