100 Things

I've seen these lists on other sites here, and I think they're a great way to get to know fellow bloggers. But I had no idea how hard it would be to come up with 100.

Hope you don't fall asleep....


1. I'm 47 years young.
2. I was born and raised in the real OC.
3. I was named after my grandfather. I have "the 2nd" at the end of my name.
4. I'm 13th generation American on my dad's side. My first ancestor came to Salem, Mass in 1638 from England.
5. I'm 12th generation on my mother's side, those ancestors came over on the Mayflower.
6. My mom and my wife were big on genealogy. Can you tell?
7. I'm 1/8th Cherokee and 1/8th Swedish, weird huh?
8. My grandfather (mom's side) was the first fire chief of Newport Beach in 1922. He held the job for 30 years.
9. I graduated 40 years after my dad from the same high school,
10. and 35 years after my mom did, also from the same school,
11. and my sister, wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law all from the same school.
12. 5 uncles, 3 aunts, and 3 of my cousins too. All of us graduated from Newport Harbor High School. Go Sailors!
13. I met Buddy Ebsen during a tree dedication to my grandfather.
14. I met John Wayne in a camera store six months before he died.
15. My wife was working on the hospital floor John Wayne was on when he died.
16. I met Patty Duke a couple years ago at work. She wanted to buy her husband a new cell phone. She's a very nice, down to earth type.
17. I met my two best friends, Mike and M in 6th and 7th grades.
18. A teacher nicknamed us the three musketeers.
19. We were called that all through junior high and high school.
20. In high school all three of us dated the same girl at different times. Mike ultimately married her.
21. The girl he married and my wife had been friends since 6th grade.
22. We also all dated another girl who was very insecure and only wanted to have sex.
23. None of us had sex with her. No, I don't know why. We were idiots.
24. In 9th grade, I had a girl basically offer herself to me, but I didn't catch on. I was an idiot.
25. We added a forth musketeer in high school. Her name was Shawn.
26. I asked Shawn to my senior prom first. She said no. Years later, she told she wished she had said yes. Damn her.
27. I asked my wife second. I never told her she was my second choice.
28. I first met my wife in 8th grade, but we didn't go on our first date (the prom) until 12th grade.
29. She was the fifth girl I had dated but the only real girlfriend I ever had.
30. One year into our relationship, I met Shari, the only other girl I ever considered dating. Had she not lived 800 miles away, I probably would have dated her.
31. My wife and I got married 4 1/2 years after our first date.
32. We were virgins when we got married.
33. But there was one moonlit night where we were alone in my parents travel trailer that almost changed that. But she said no.
34. I used to believe that abstinence before marriage was a good thing.
35. I no longer believe that, and
36. had I believed that way back when we were dating, I doubt I would have married my wife.
37. My friend Mike was thrown out of our wedding because he made advances toward my wife a few months before our marriage.
38. I eventually forgive him after
39. our friend M died when he was 24.
40. It messed me up really bad.
41. I didn't remember much for the next two days after he died.
42. I still light a candle for him every October 2nd.
43. My son is named after him.
44. My son and I were born in the same hospital.
45. My son is gay. I accept him for who he is. He is a great son.
46. He is also a Atmospheric Scientist. He is very smart. My wife was, and I am very proud of him.
47. My daughter is currently one step from being homeless. Because of her choices and her boyfriend. I still love her.
48. I have been inside a nuclear reactor before it went online. I was the soundman on a film crew making a documentary on the misconceptions made by the movie "The China Syndrome"
49. I got violently sick the day after filming. It was only the flu. I didn't glow in the dark.
50. In one 10 year period, I moved my family 10 times (and one place we stayed for 5 years).
51. I build my own computers.
52. I love Science Fiction. In Books, on TV and film.
53. I'm a fan of all things James Bond. I've read all the books, have all the movies and soundtracks (many on vinyl)
54. I love photography. I took 641 pictures when I went to Kauai last October.
55. I really really love music. It keeps me sane. Play it LOUD.
56. I love going to the movies. Usually once a week. Or more...
57. I love to read too. I'm always reading a book.
58. My favorite book is "The Threshold", by Marlys Millhiser.
59. John Varley is my favorite Author.
60. I can't spell worth shit, spell checkers are my friend.
61. I have held only 4 major jobs in my life.
62. I was a mailman for 4 1/2 years.
63. I got fired from that job.
64. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I might have gone postal if I had stayed.
65. I got fired because I was stupid. I'm not stupid anymore. Well hardly ever...
66. I am a defiant rebel. I question everything and ignore the rules I don't like. So there.
67. I am a gun owner. I like to shoot.
68. I own a Walther P99 9mm hand gun and a Marlin lever action .22LR rifle.
69. I would use them to defend my life and my family's life. No hesitation. No second thoughts.
70. I don't like to fish or eat fish. No, I don't care if its good for me. I do like shrimp though.
71. I like beef and chicken.
72. My favorite restaurants are Applebees, Los Plamitos, and Toro Viejo (the last two are local mexican resturants)
73. I LOVE Mexican food, the spicier the better. There is no such thing as too much cilantro!
74. Moving out of California was the best thing I ever did for my family. Even my kids said so.
75. I love living in a small town.
76. I love my unobstructed view of the mountains outside my living room and bedroom windows.
77. I like living where there are 4 seasons.
78. Autumn is my favorite.
79. Winter is a close second. I love to watch it snow.
80. I like dogs and cats. I currently have one of each.
81. I'm very young at heart, and plan to stay that way for the rest of my life.
82. I own a sport wagon (Pontiac Vibe) and truck (Nissan Frontier).
83. I will NEVER own an old fogey type of car. HELL NO!
84. I like to drive fast.
85. I like to fly, but not in little planes like Cessna's.
86. I like to travel.
87. I've been in 30 states, including Alaska (twice) and Hawaii.
88. I love rollercoasters. I love the speed. The faster the better.
89. I don't like the ocean much. Funny since I was raised near one.
90. I like the mountains and deserts.
91. I have a fear of heights. I can't even get on my own roof.
92. I like to work around the house and make my own repairs. Except roof repairs.
93. Since I moved to north Idaho, my brown thumb has greened up considerably.
94. When I lived in the desert years ago, I even killed a cactus plant.
95. I still do not have any live plants in my house.
96. I like to cook. Breakfast meals and spaghetti are my specialties.
97. My favorite dessert is apple crisp.
98. I don't drink coffee, soda, or beer.
99. I love margaritas, daiquiris, and pina coladas .
100. I've never been drunk, came real close once though. On margaritas. Ok, ok I was drunk. Happy now?