Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Just in case you want to know...

....here's 100 things about me. I was not tagged by Alison (though she was tagged by Ashley who was tagged by Darby), but I don't hold it against her. Still got love for ya and that curly hair. Admittedly, I probably am not the best candidate to be tagged but am feeling self-centered tonight, so here goes.

I think the idea is simply to list 100 things, interesting or boring (you can label at will). Kudos to anyone who makes is past the first few:

1) Name: Matt Hollowell
2) Hometown: Huntsville, AL
3) I have lived in 5 states and currently reside in Brentwood, TN
4) Virgil I. Grissom High
5) I was part of the Marching Tiiiiiiiiiiiger Band (didn't appreciate it then, miss it terribly now)
6) I attended UAB (undergrad--B.A. English)
7) twice (grad--M.A. English)
8) I was an Americorps volunteer post undergrad (Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County)
9) I have worked as a grant writer,
10) newspaper photographer (Independent Tribune),
11) newspage designer (the Birmingham News),
12) graphic designer (freelance),
13) coordinating Editor for LexisNexis,
14) teacher (UAB, PVCC)
15) I play a bit of music, but mostly just for my daughter
16) My favorite song has always been "Nightswimming" by REM
17) My favorite band has always been The Cure
18) My favorite poets are Galway Kinnell and Ted Hughes
19) I have read the Gita several times but realize that I still don't understand it the way it should be understood/internalized
20) I would like to read the entire Mahabharata some day (I best get started; it clocks in at 1.8 million words; that's three times the length of the Bible)
21) I could be Hindu some day
22) Fave TV shows: Amazing Race, Project Runway, ATHF, live concerts on MHD
23) I have always been totally fascinated by cults/communes
24) I have just never had the guts to go beyond fascination
25) I have never been very good with women beyond friendship
26) I love dachshunds
27) I desperately want to go ice fishing
28) I understand some people's obsession with all things Disney
29) I have never really been to NYC, but I love Art Garfunkel's "A Heart in New York"
30) I live down the street from Dolly Parton
40) I saw Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) at a bar last Tuesday
41) One of my mental happy places is the Pink Floyd laser light show circa 1999
41) I wish Don and I would have started our folk-metal band HolloDon
42) I love to play poker
43) I have only been to the casino twice, but I talk about it so much you would think I live there
44) I might be going to Vegas next month
45) I know a lot about the law, though I am no lawyer. It happens when you work for Lexis
46) I wish I could have spent one late-night hour with Johnny Cash
47) Some days, I don't regret a thing; some days, I regret it all
48) I say that purple is my favorite color, though I think it's really pink
49) For some terrible reason, I was completely hooked on the most recent season of the Real World
50) I desperately miss my high school friends
51) I work from home, so I spend about 23 hours a day in my house (some days, even more)
52) My closest friend lives 100 miles away (hence, the blogging)
53) I wish the winner of Top Chef would face off against the winner of Hell's Kitchen
54) I have always had many man-crushes and have always been quite vocal about them
55) My favorite movie is Being Human
56) Every day I listen to Opie and Anthony and Ron and Fez on XM 202
57) One of my favorite days ever was spent at Discovery Cove
58) I once had a rock band stay at my house the night before a job interview. smart.
59) I don't curse, but I don't believe words can be "bad"
60) You can often find me on Triplejack
61) I ruthlessly made fun of bloggers as recently as 6 months ago
62) For some reason, Jaime's blog inspired me to give it a try
63) I am very happy that my friends have begun to have babies
64) I eat gummy bears/worms at least three times a week
65) I love UAB basketball
66) I am constantly growing my hair out, then chopping it off, then growing it out again
67) I don't feel much anymore
68) I live in the past too much: proof
69) Every time I hear Bon Jovi (the old, not the new), I retreat into fond memories of the skating rink
70) I dig piercings and tattoos
71) I have very little faith but spend lots of my life thinking about religion/spirituality
72) I have never done anything very illegal
73) I am deeply afraid and strongly drawn to very deep water
74) I never want the ball in my hand with time running out and my team down by 2
75) I'm very good with deadlines and am very time-driven
76) I will play the Bluebird Cafe before I expire
77) I am not scared of dying, but I am petrified of dying without realizing it happened
78) I generally have very vivid dreams and can still remember lots of them
79) I have died several times in my dreams
80) I check my work email from the moment I wake up until I go to bed (product of working at home)
81) I am taking my first business trip next month
82) I wish I cared more for people (and for more people)
83) I believe my friends to be irreplaceable and I cannot love/appreciate them enough
84) I really hope there is an afterlife, but I don't know what version I would choose
85) I believe the best shower is an outdoor shower
86) If you have made it this far, chances are I love and miss you. Call me sometime and we'll do coffee
87) My favorite quotes: "it's easier for me to get closer to heaven than ever feel whole again", "I never said I would stay to the end", "now that i know that i'm breaking to pieces i'll pull out my heart and i'll feed it to anyone" -- all from "Disintegration"
88) I really wish I could paint
89) I thought this would be easier
90) I am eternally grateful to Henry Choi for pushing me to pick up a guitar
91) I have very good memories (but not a very good memory)
92) I hate opossums and love sea lions
93) In my next life, I would like to be a whale or one of those creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean
94) I think Tupac and I would have been a great secret friends
95) I will always wish I had pursued a PhD in Modern Brit Lit/poetry
96) I think a lot of people look like mashed potatoes
97) I wouldn't change my youth for anything, though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone
98) I secretly wish I could design/construct clothing
99) I am not sure the 100 things I have listed really mean anything or represent me all that well
100) I have not mentioned my wife or daughter (save #15), which, for those who know me, was very difficult to do. But I didn't really want to list the 100 most cutest thing Lily has done in her 14 months of life. Though, now I think that might have been more interesting reading...just being a realist, not self-deprecating.

The folks I would like to tag don't have blogs. However, Jaime C., Melissa, Don, Lizzie, Brett, etc. feel free to give me 100 back and post as a comment.

Disclaimer: There is no way I am going to proof this post, so any misspellings, bad grammar, etc. is just that.

shanti,
mjh

13 comments:

james said...

I think you are wonderful, and I'm pretty sure Tupcac would have thought so, too.

mel said...

ok, i decided that it was cheating to think about it. so here it goes:
1. name: melissa gayle crouch
2. hometown: huntsville, al
3. but i was born in jackson, tn
4. i'm an only child
5. i've had the same best friend for 25 years
6. i always enjoyed choir even though i wasn't as good of a singer as some others
7. i used to live in amy/lisa's house
8. i liked marching band better than concert band
9. i love cats
10. i like dogs.
11. i need another haircut
12. i went to auburn university
13. i have a master's degree
14. i work for general mills
15. i like to tell people that i work in a factory to see their uncomfortable reactions
16. i love to travel
17. i wish i was closer to my family
18. i'm jealous of siblings
19. i wish girls still wore dresses every day
20. i might be a girly girl (although i wasn't until i started working in the factory)
21. i didn't think i was tall until i went to college
22. so i stoped wearing high heels
23. but now i wear them again
24. i just joined the ymca last week
25. i sing the song every time i leave
26. most of the music i listen to is becuase of ex-men in my life
27. i love fireworks more than anything in the world
28. i am terrified of roaches
29. and horses
30. i am more quiet now
31. its hard to date again
32. i never could do the splits
33. i watch america's next top model every time its on
34. i miss gwen too much
35. i love to dance
36. i'm trying to make and keep a budget
37. i've been to australia
38. i am trying to learn how to quilt
39. i scrapbook even though i don't have kids
40. i might not have kids
41. i love my new house
42. wine gives me a terrible hang over
43. i have massive migranes that keep me from enjoying my life sometimes
44. i'm glad i'm not married anymore
45. i am turning into both of my grandmothers (who were polar opposites, so its really weird)
46. i want to retire at 50
47. i'm trying to be an adult
48. i want this room to be an auburn room
49. i am happy that my daffodils finally bloomed
50. i'm half way done!
51. i don't regret moving to boston or nj
52. i miss each place every day
53. i think about jamie every day
54. i still sing puppet songs in my head
55. i remember some of the choreography
56. i wish i could see maggie more
57. i am not challenged enough by my current job
58. i am trying to stop procrastinating
59. i like to eat at fancy restaurants
60. i don't like the beach
61. i hate snow skiing
62. i'm going to paint my toenails red today
63. i cried when i read my friend's myspace post (she is an army wife and he left jan 4)
64. i don't follow politics
65. i like to get into a good stare
66. i twist my eyebrows when i'm stressed in order to relax
67. i don't think that there is only one person out there for everyone
68. i don't think that there is someone for everyone
69. i like hip hop and rap music
70. les mis is my favorite show and i've seen it 3 times
71. tomato soup and grilled cheese is my favorite comfort food
72. i still haven't found a good sushi place here
73. i manage people old enough to be my parents/grandparents, and still have to tell them how to act like adults
74. i wish i had a passion and went for it
75. when i retire, i want to volunteer for the rest of my life (maybe thats my passion)
76. i didn't know myself very well before this last year
77. but i like who i am now
78. i am jealous of someone i know for the wrong reasons
79. i don't beleive in horiscopes or signs
80. i know alot of very interesting people
81. i have a story for every thing and every situation
82. i only buy things that want to be mine
83. i am trying to make friends in louisville
84. i am terrible at math
85. i don't run. ever.
86. sometimes i like to think about what famous people are doing right this second
87. i always wave at babies and animals
88. i don't watch movies very often
89. i don't ever watch movies about war or slavery
90. i like to stick my hand out of the car window and make it go up and down with the air
91. i love a road trip
92. unless its with my two cats in the back seat
93. i like to take photos and one day want to be as good as my dad
94. i miss church
95. there is no movie star or rock star that i want to meet
96. i have an idea for a business here in my neighborhood
97. i want to be a better daughter, neice, friend, girlfriend, and boss
98. i think if i'm better at one of those, i'll be better at all of those
99. i slept for 24 hours yesterday
100. i know matt read all of these and has a million questions, as usual! :)

mel said...

i also meant to say "i'm embarassed to say that i don't know how blogs work"

Unknown said...

I did read them all (and will probably do so a few more times), and I do have a million questions! :o) Thanks for rising to the challenge. I want to steal #74 for my list...oh, and my favorite comfort food (and, since I often need comfort, my favorite food): pigs in a blanket and fries.

Alison said...

Thanks for playing along. I loved reading the facts about both of you!!

Wallace said...

Hey guys. I too have enjoyed the lists! It is cool to catch up...!


Matt - #30 - have you met her?
#46 & 70 - I really agree with these!
#61 - I am afraid to ask about this one... but I'm glad to see that you have come over to the dark side!
#96 - How so?

Mel - #15 - I love it!
#19 - I totally agree! I also wish that men wore hats.
#37 - it is on my list of places to go before i die..
#66 - Don't play poker with Matt

Wallace said...

Oh...i almost forgot.. I did my list on my blog...

Anonymous said...

Matt,

I'm all over this one man. It will be a great way to kill my lunch hour. I'll post later!

By the way, I do have blogs:

www.donontheweb.wordpress.com
www.thegreatsouthernbrainfart.wordpress.com
www.mysteryroad.wordpress.com

and last but not lease:
www.donontheweb.livejournal.com

Those 100 things will be up later! Miss you tons my friend!

Anonymous said...

1) Name: Don
2) Hometown: Metairie, LA
3) I’ve lived in 4 states yet have never lived outside of the South.
4) I repeated 6th grade.
5) I played trumped in the school band and got kicked out for not being able to read music (I faked my audition).
6) I went back to school at age 28 and got my Associate’s Degree in Networking/Information Sciences.
7) I’ve never lived alone.
8) I’m e-mail pen pals w/ Henry Rollins.
9) I have played on the same stages as The Ramones, Motorhead, GWAR and many other famous musicians.
10) I have a fear of being near large plate glass windows/doors.
11) I managed a fast food restaurant.
12) I was a bass player in a thrash metal band.
13) I ate hummus with the lead singer of Iron Maiden and I hated hummus at the time!
14) I’ve been w/ the same woman (the love of my life) for over 10 years.
15) We will not have children… ever.
16) I sing at the top of my lungs (and very badly) whenever I hear “More Than A Feeling”.
17) My two fave all time bands are The Grateful Dead and Iron Maiden.
18) I hate reading fiction. I only read biographies (mainly music bios).
19) I don’t believe in God.
20) I want to play the banjo some day.
21) I hate sports… any and all sports but do enjoy playing Disc Golf.
22) My two favorite movies of all time is Almost Famous and The Last Waltz.
23) Saw Matt cheat at LIFE once.
24) I have a fascination with bumper stickers.
25) I can name a heavy metal band for every letter in the alphabet.
26) I want to drive cross country some day.
27) I do not have cable of any kind.
28) I got to be friends with two former members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers!
29) I want to see a concert at Madison Square Garden
30) I can build a computer.
40) I love doing yard work.
41) I take long showers.
41) I cancelled my subscription to Rolling Stone because of their editors endorsement of the current Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
42) I want to play blackjack in Vegas.
43) I love to swim.
44) I love being cold.
45) I’m high maintenance.
46) I hope to someday perform with Kevn Kinney on just one song.
47) I hate flip flops.
48) I cry whenever I heard “Drive” by Blind Melon.
49) I’m finding it easier to let go of the past in order to take in and enjoy the present.
50) I would never do High School again if you paid me.
51) I like being an adult way more than being a kid.
52) At 34, I’m healthier than I’ve ever been.
53) I still think old school Iron Chef rules all!
54) I have huge crushes on Rachael Ray, Mia Tyler and Dita Von Teese.
55) If I could sing like anyone in this world it would be Gregg Allman.
56) If I could look like anyone it would be Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes but add about 30 lbs.
57) My first concert was Motley Crue/Autograph in 1985.
58) My biggest musical inspiration is my best friend Bert Wray.
59) I say “F**K” a lot.
60) I’m a good speller but bad at grammar.
61) I can barely grow a full beard.
62) I was a member of the KISS Army and had a patch to prove it.
63) I gave up sugar 3 months ago.
64) I hate tomatos.
65) I never talk on my cell phone while riding public transportation.
66) I’ve only puked from drinking too much 4 times in my life.
67) I feel like people change when they have kids and have less time for those who don’t.
68) I think of Matt Hollowell every time I hear “Something To Believe In” by Poison.
69) I’ve always wanted to own a Volkswagon Microbus.
70) I want a tattoo someday.
71) I hate it that gay marriage is considered a crime.
72) I don’t’ agree with the views of Christianity.
73) I love reading messageboards.
74) I’ve never collected comic books.
75) I keep a journal.
76) I hate airplanes.
77) I hate summer and heat.
78) I think marijuana should be legalized.
79) I am 100% Pro-Choice
80) I hate our president.
81) I want Barack Obama to be our next president.
82) I believe criminals can be rehabilitated.
83) I am against the death penalty.
84) I believe that when you die, you just become part of the earth again.
85) I believe in evolution.
86) I’d love to do coffee with Matt but he’s far away.
87) I love long conversations with friends about music, religion and politics.
88) I can’t draw to save my life.
89) One of my greatest heroes is my partner Lizzi.
90) I can quote Star Wars dialog along with the movie.
91) I love my life.
92) I think Boots Rileys is our generations greatest hip hop artist.
93) I love seeing tribute bands.
94) I hate Grateful Dead cover bands.
95) I think all new born babies are ugly.
96) I’ve eaten Ice Cream during a wedding ceremony.
97) There is nothing I would go back and change in my life.
98) I’ve never known how to play “Stairway To Heaven” on the guitar.
99) I hate video/computer games.
100) I can’t believe I actually found 100 things to list here!

Anonymous said...

101. I miss going to Mr. Kwan's with Matt and being local celebrities.

mel said...

after i wrote my 100, i kept thinking of things all day long! i was like 'damn, i should have written that!'

Unknown said...

i have had the same reaction, Melissa. I have thought about doing a second 100, but it just seems a little self-indulgent (i know, as if the first 100 were for good intentions).

Anonymous said...

Okay, here goes:

1. Name: Jaime C
2. Hometown: Trussville, AL (4th grade through college)
3. Born in Decatur, Alabama
4. I lived in Florida when I was little and loved my "Wonder Years" neighborhood.
5. I will always have a special place in my heart for Edwin McCain, even though his career makes me sad.
6. I absolutely love cake batter ice cream with brownies smushed in.
7. I am pregnant.
8. I used to not recognize myself in the mirror when I was out drinking.
9. Now I don't recognize myself in the mirror sober.
10. I think the word "horror" is really hard to say.
11. I think I married a Jewish guy partly because my parents made me break up with my first love in high school.
12. I love looking back on my life and wondering whether God was using some of it to make other parts make more sense.
13. My friend Jamie has the life I dreamed of in college.
14. I visited her in DC, and I'm glad that I ended up a married lawyer in Birmingham.
15. The picture of me in my head is always prettier than the one that comes out in pictures.
16. I love my dog Sam more than any other dog I've ever had.
17. I grew up hating the place where I reside.
18. I am a victim of a drunk driver.
19. I hate guns because one of my best friends killed herself with one.
20. I don't understand why anyone wants to know how someone killed themselves.
21. I used to love pizza, but now I think it's too oily.
22. I'm afraid of disappointing my parents, but I feel like I do it regularly.
23. My brother is a deacon at his church.
24. I went to church much more often than my brother growing up.
25. I like Barack Obama, but I have doubts about several policies he's drafted.
26. I'm afraid I'm going to end up being a Republican b/c of money.
27. I think Patty Griffin has the most amazing voice and song-writing ability.
28. I listen to Rick and Bubba so I can hear what my parents think.
29. It freaks me out when I agree with Rick and Bubba.
30. I now go to church when I want to and not so that other people will see me.
31. I used to carry my Bible to school so that other people would see me.
32. I never read my Bible at school, and I never talked with anyone about my Bible.
33. Sometimes I think I was depressed in the 90s because I listened to too much Nirvana or Counting Crows.
34. I automatically smile whenever I hear "My Girl" off of the unplugged Nirvana album.
35. I used to make up dreams when I was falling asleep.
36. I used to write poetry every night.
37. I live in a house that is older than I am.
38. I have often thougt that I would get along well with Marshall Mathers, despite his lyrics.
39. I watch Meet the Press most Sundays.
40. I lived at home with my parents while going to college at UAB.
41. I moved out for 9 months, but couldn't afford it.
42. My favorite job in college was at O'Henry's Coffe House.
43. It was like I was a sober bartender to all of these caffeine freaks who would just start talking to you.
44. I absolutely love going to plays.
45. I also love musicals, but not as much.
46. I went to London with my friend Jamie.
47. We had no idea what we were doing, and we had a blast.
48. I love impressionist art.
49. I miss taking English classes where you tried to figure out what people meant.
50. Now I evaluate words and come up with what I think people (or courts) meant.
51. I love horror movies.
52. I love country music, but I can only take it for so long.
53. When people give me advice (especially now that I'm pregnant), I generally know whether or not I'll take their advice in about 5 seconds.
54. I went to law school at Alabama.
55. I am now a full fledged UA fan (sorry Matt - I think you call it "UAT").
56. I have actually grown to love college football.
57. By November, I usually can only watch Alabama games (too much college football).
58. I cannot get into basketball, no matter how much I try.
59. I never really wonder whether I'll be a good mom.
60. It doesn't seem like "good mom" is something you can really aspire to be.
61. I almost died once.
62. When I almost died, I knew there was a heaven.
63. When I woke up, I lost my faith a little bit.
64. It hurt a lot more when people died and I was younger.
65. I feel guilty for not being as sad as I used to be at funerals.
66. I think traditions can be beautiful.
67. I think it's silly to care about which religion someone chooses to follow.
68. I now have a quiet faith.
69. Because it's so quiet, I think my parents think that I lack faith.
70. Sometimes I think that their loud faith doesn't have much behind it.
71. It took my huband to tell me I was an okay-to-bad singer.
72. I always thought I was much better because my mom convinced me of the "fact."
73. I think Simon would say that I have no "it" factor and that my singing voice is weak.
74. My performance would be "believable" though.
75. I often wonder if I should have gone into acting when I was in high school.
76. I was probably too shy.
77. I think William Faulkner was brilliant, even though I often can't understand him or how he wrote like that.
78. I know that one day I'll start writing again.
79. My new car is very comfortable, but not very fun.
80. My new car reminds me of myself.
81. To my credit though, you can't have too much fun when you're pregnant.
82. I absolutely love coming home from work and checking out in front of the TV.
83. Hopefully my future kid will prevent me from being a TV-head.
84. My favorite place to visit for thinking purposes years ago was a graveyard with three crosses.
85. I never go anywhere to think anymore.
86. I love my mom's grits, and I bought a box, but I'm afraid that I won't like mine and so I haven't made them yet.
87. I wish I had said "goodbye" to my grandmother before she went in for her surgery.
88. I wish I had gone to London to study abroad in college.
89. I don't regret much else.
90. I used to try and figure out how many times I had been in love.
91. I used to get freaked out by my middle name - it was "Lynn", named for my mom's friend who was single and bitter.
92. I miss getting freaked out by meaningless things.
93. But, I'm glad that I'm more stable.
94. I don't think that love ever ends.
95. I think Emily Dickinson is both the saddest story and the coolest gal I've ever heard of.
96. I often hope people will find my poems after I'm dead and think that I'm brilliant.
97. I remember wondering "who I was", and it seems like such a weird question now.
98. Now I wonder where I'll be.
99. Some of my fondest memories from college were on deck in Beacon View, listening to CDs.
100. I am hopeful about the future.