Seven Realities About Your Host

I see many people handle this sort of thing with a good sense of humor or aplomb.  Others begrudgingly participate, lest they suffer the same fate as those who delete chain email or get harped on ’til the next conference.  But I’m betting that secretly they’re pleased that someone invited them to join in the game.

I know I am (thanks, Beth!).  You see, I’ve only been writing this blog for about six months.  I’ve been involved with a Twitter family even less.  But these outlets and opportunities to reach and share with others have been some of the most educational, rewarding, and inspirational that I’ve ever experienced.  And I’m grateful for you all!

So here goes with 7 of my things.  I’m sure there are many many more oddities and quirks.  But as I hope to impress you with my insights, dazzle you with my charm, or lull you into a staid relationship you haven’t the energy to extricate yourself from, please don’t take anything you see here too seriously.  I’ll be smarter next post, I promise.

Seven things about me

1. While my legs do not resemble a chicken’s and I abhor cigarette smoke (does that count as two ‘facts about Heather’?), I totally relate to Maxine and her humor.  I don’t suffer fools, my first response is likely sharp-edged, and I think the direct route is the best.  I simply cannot tolerate Strange Brew or Spaceballs-esque  funny business; bring on the Dennis Miller instead.
2. I sponsored Mall Hair in high school, virtually sustaining the Aqua Net product line a good 3-4 years beyond it’s natural death.  Plus, there was a plume-like contraption called a bannana clip involved. And my junior prom dress? Three words: emerald green lame. ‘Nuff said.
   

   Aqua-net hair

3. Um, I wasn’t keen about the addition of a sister to my family (I am 7 years older). I’ll confess to trialing a few torturous acts that involved stitches and 3rd degree burns.  I’ve since reformed (it took 14 years). We avoid talking about the early years (oh the shame!).  She’s actually my favorite adult, and despite the distance that separates us, I feel very close and connected to her–a feat we manage without the Internet (she lives without Twitter and Facebook, for cryin out loud! Oh, the insanity!).
4. While I often balk about the winters in Iowa (I’m a native of northwest Florida and miss home terribly–still, after 14 years away), something stirs in my soul when I see cows grazing in corn fields following the harvest. The air is often so cold it hurts to breathe, and stepping out to get in the truck can make me feel brittle with the cold–and yet these animals forage for nourishment beneath the snow, seemingly oblivious to the elements. It’s beautiful the way they can instinctively find what they need and that leftovers can nourish them.  I’d instigate a union formation and demand better conditions. But hey, I’ve been known to challenge status quo.
5. I am a purse snob.  And maybe also a shoe hound.  Been stuck at Step One of the 12-stepper for years.
6. I lean toward OCD.  There’s a place for everything, and everything in its place.  At a right angle.  From largest to smallest.  Smoothed and fluffed.  Sans dust and gunk. My husband will intentionally set the remote down haphazardly when heading to bed, and this bothers me immensely.  I may even get up to straighten. However, once the house gets a little out of sorts, I’m quite comfortable leaving it in disarray and even stepping over things like dinosaurs, clarinets, and Chee-tos.  Maybe I can only operate comfortably in terms of absolutes? Very orderly or very cluttered.
7. Manners are very important to me.  Courtesy, politeness, sensitivity, observation. In a society like ours where families so infrequently share meals at a table, parents expect school to provide all the education a child needs, and motivations are often self-serving, a simple “please,” “thank you,” and “yes, ma’am” can tell me a lot about a person. These words tell me you appreciate what’s been offered, recognize privilege when it’s extended, and respect the kindness of others.

Now my work here is done, and indexable by Google in perpetuity. I tag the following people to participate (threw in an extra name as I shoot for the stars):

• Sam Meers
• Gabriel Rossi
• Guy Kawasaki
• Jason Baer
• Ike Pigott
• Mike Sansone
• Chris Brogan
• Matt Dickman

Here are the rules:

• Link your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
• Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
• Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
• Let them know they’ve been tagged