25 More Random Things

I’ve read so many more of these lists on Facebook, I decided to make one more. I needed to get in a second exercise before I do it again in 10 or 20 years. It's been therapeutic.

1. I’ve lived in Indianapolis, Los Angeles and San Diego (and one summer in Maine as well as Chicago). I also regularly spend time in Wisconsin with family.
2. I highlighted my hair once when I lived in L.A. The one and only time that will ever happen.
3. As a kid I inherited giant tinker toys from my brothers. I used to turn them into instruments and microphone stands and lip synch/air jam to tunes on the radio.
4. During college I worked as a pot washer and then a waiter at a sorority. One of the best jobs ever. Great food (every meal) and it’s where I met my wife.
5. I have a Masters in Kinesiology. I focused on Sports Marketing and Management. To get a bit more out of it, I received special permission to take several classes in the business school and elsewhere.
6. I became friends with one of my very best friends in graduate school. The ironic thing is we worked together at the sorority when I was an undergrad. Things change when you attempt to really get to know somebody.
7. I’ve worked for 4 dot-coms. All still up and successful (phew!). It’s been a roller coaster ride.
8. Grad school is what led me to working on the Web. AOL was just getting very popular and I had my first laptop. The Web in turn allowed me to create a business I could manage on the side for my music and have some balance.
9. In college I earned money in the summers mostly by washing windows (homes), working retail (Gap, Gap Kids), being a counselor at a sports and performing arts camp (Maine), and being a lifeguard. Many days I’d work 2 jobs.
10. I recorded my first piano album the spring of 1998. It was demo album called “Broad Uncertainty.” I’ve since improved upon, renamed and rerecorded many of the songs.
11. My favorite quote is from Eleanor Roosevelt - “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
12. My favorite Atari games were Berserk and Frogger. I remember spending $50 of my own money to buy Berserk! My favorite arcade game was Karate Champ.
13. When not on Atari, I played outside all the time as kid. Usually until dusk. I remember falling from a tree one day and catching my underarm on the last limb. Yikes.
14. My movie star crush is Ashley Judd. My wife’s is Clive Owen.
15. I try my best not to judge others. We learn from both success and mistakes. If you’re passionate about something, go for it. If your gut isn’t in it, take a different path.
16. My nickname with friends in high school was Norm. Others called me Robbie. (Mitzi, if you’re reading this, you know this well).
17. My wife and I keep a map and put pins in all the places we’ve traveled to. Makes for some good memories when we take a look at it. And, encourages us to go make more.
18. I drink a Naked juice (so good for you) just about every morning when I wake up.
19. I wrecked my first car when I was 16. It was the day after I got my license and I was picking up a date. I hit a fire hydrant on my driver’s side door when entering the driveway. Explaining more is still too embarrassing.
20. With the exception of Twizzlers, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I love breads and cheese.
21. I’ve had six surgeries. Two knee, and one for carpal tunnel syndrome, hernia, sinus and a tonsillectomy.
22. I’ve worked from home the past 6+ years. I hope to keep it this way. I know it wouldn’t work for everyone, but it works for me. I get so much more done each day and I get to spend more time with my family.
23. Being a dad is an amazing, unexplainable joy. I’ve grown immensely (I think). :)
24. I’ve been punched in the face one time. I believe I was 10. It hurt…bad. Not a good way to resolve a dispute.
25. In college, one of my elementary school crushes (who really made it clear she didn’t like me at the time), tried to pick me up. About 13 years too late, I was already taken. :)

25 Things

Last night I was challenged by a Facebook contact of mine to share 25 things people may not know about me. I accepted. Thought I’d share on my blog as well. Part of the rules were to post a note with my “25″ and tag 10 people to do the same.

I encourage anyone reading this blog post to do this, whether personally or to share with others. This was a really great exercise for me. Some of this info I haven’t thought about in ages. It was great to reflect, inspire myself and hopefully others.

1. I only remember two things from when I was under the age of 5. One, standing in my crib one night. The second, laying on a hospital table being pinned down. I couldn’t pee and I had to be fixed. Oh, the pain! :)
2. When she was told she only had six months, my mom overcame ovarian cancer for 4 1/2 years. As a child, the extra time with her greatly contributed to and changed my life.
3. I ran track in high school (skipped my junior year) - 300M Hurdles (and a lame attempt at long jump). I wasn’t superb, but I did grow and have fun.
4. I went to a private school for grades 5-12. No jeans, collared shirts, discipline.
5. I tried out for Sister Act 2. I passed the music audition. I stunk at acting at the time, oh well. Why didn’t they just let me play piano and keep my mouth shut!? :)
6. My family only has one car and Honda is our choice (to conserve and save on gas).
7. I love to take photos. I want to keep improving my photography.
8. I started off college majoring in music. I felt it was sucking the creativity out of me, so I changed majors. Hence, my first album Sophomore Jinx.
9. I dislike conflict and enjoy seeing other people happy…both professionally and personally.
10. I want to start yoga, but been too self conscious (I’m not very flexible). I’m determined to get over it.
11. I tell everyone I get the chance to follow their passion. Everyone has a talent, whatever “it” may be. Use it.
12. My immediate family is somehow mesmerized by giving cards to each other on birthdays. We all pass them around to read each occasion.
13. I absolutely despise when people tail me. You’ll know it’s me when you see my classic thumbs up and smirk (versus the alternative) when they pass me.
14. I have 10 beautiful nieces and nephews (and one on the way) that range in age from a few months old to 27. Yah, the older ones are like siblings.
15. I played Little League Baseball for 7 years (ages 5-12). I was pretty good. I often wonder what would have happened if I stuck with it. I don’t want the feeling again, which is why I do my best to go with my gut.
16. I never went to prom. My school didn’t have dances at the time. I was asked by a girl from another school and turned her down (not due to her, but I was too timid). Ironically, I love to dance now and made up for it in college and beyond.
17. My wife and I got engaged in Rome.
18. I love pretty much anything on the History Channel, Food Network or TLC. However, time spent is moderated. :)
19. If I could have joined The Police for one day as the fourth member on keys, I would have done anything to get there.
20. In high school I was obsessed with JCrew. One reason, because I didn’t get to wear their clothes due to being the youngest and having hand-me-downs. Another, my mom dressed me preppy when I was very young. Due to that, the clothes always seemed to best capture who I was… my “look.” I buy more than half my clothes there today.
21. When I start something I have to finish it. My paternal grandfather used to tell me that all the time. I think he enjoyed some of my longer projects. I used to woodwork with him as a kid.
22. My family comes first. That’s the only thing that will stop me from what I started. :)
23. My maternal grandfather was a painter (of houses), but he sang and played harmonica very well. Think that’s where much of my influence sprung when I was young.
24. Two of my brothers are step brothers. They’ve been in my family since I was 12, so they’re blood now. All five of my brothers are different, but they all make me laugh (and poke fun at me).
25. Spiders freak me out.

Talent

“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” ~ Henry Van Dyke

“Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?” ~ Benjamin Franklin

The quotes above inspired me this evening. Thought I’d pass on the inspiration. :) Whatever you do in life, focus on the positive, what you have access to, and what you can do with your talents. Keep patient and sow the seeds you can. With this approach, always know you're doing a great thing and making a positive impact.

Ping.fm

I've fully set up ping.fm. Lovin' it. Great service so far. If you haven't heard of it... You can send updates to all your networks at the same time. This includes status updates, micro-blogging and blogs. There are over 30 available networks to select from at the moment. This will make posting updates much easier as life gets busier.

Please Support the Arts

US citizens, please support the arts. Help bring a Secretary of Arts to DC. Sign the petition - www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html. We've never had anyone in such a position. We need this.

Acoustic Pianos Only

With the fresh start to a new year, I want to help clear up a misunderstanding I've seen a few comments on around the Web. Some people think I recorded Woods of Chaos (my 2nd album) on an electric piano. Negative, didn't do it and not going to do it, would not be prudent. :) I record all my contemporary piano albums using an acoustic piano. It's truly the only way I can get the dynamics right (I even held a few strings for "Tulip Trees"). The piano in the photo at the top of this blog was actually used for Woods of Chaos. Below is a segment from the album notes many listeners may not have read.

"I recorded Woods of Chaos in HD at 192kHz - 24 bit. The songs are meant to be loud and more in your face."

Hence the bit of an electronic sound in parts. It really was/is an experimental and venting album for me. Technology keeps getting better. Speaking of technology, click here to check out the story behind the mic for Reconstruction.

Moving on... Happy New Year once more!