After running an impromptu contest involving random facts about myself, and then doing a similar meme forwarded to me recently by prairieflounder, I have been tagged yet again by another blogger, Epicurienne, to spill what’s left of my guts and list 7 facts about myself that I have selfishly kept from all of you curious peeps.
Since I have already done this meme recently and the “following the rules” part was completely ignored by all participants (including myself) I will not repeat the rules here, nor will I make a great effort to pass this meme on. But because I adore Epicurienne and don’t want to get “clogged” on her blog, I’ll gladly list seven more facts about myself that you may not be aware of…illustrated!
 Snorlax |
1. Snorlax and Gengar are my two favorite Pokemons. |
 Gengar |
2. The artist for whom I posed nude briefly in 1991 did not pay me with money, but instead gave me this amazing Eraserhead painting, which is currently hanging in my office and that I enjoy every day. I’m sorry that this image doesn’t really do it justice.
"Eraserhead" by Howard Vives, oil crayon on paper, 1991.
Call your friend Veronica -- it's time to celebrate Hanukkah!
3. I celebrate Hanukkah, although I am not Jewish (in fact, you’d probably call me a born Atheist), because: it’s less stressful than Christmas; it is not a particularly “religious” holiday; I find the lights soothing during what is usually a frenetic and often depressing time of year; and I’ve always thought menorahs are cool. It started as kind of a joke to declare my independence from the commercialism of the American Christmas season, but has evolved into something that is much more serious and important to me. I may have conscripted the rituals of Hanukkah (I am pretty rigorous about doing them properly and learn more about them each year) and adapted them for my own “guided meditation” purposes, but it works for me.
 This is not me, but you get the idea... |
4. In two separate and completely unintentional and unpremeditated childhood incidents, I broke my younger sister’s arm and nearly blinded her by spraying Easy Off oven cleaner in her eye. Despite these traumatic events (both of which she has completely recovered from 30+ years later) she not only agreed to be interviewed for My Cool Job, but still lets me come visit her in Seattle. |
| 5. After my ex-husband left me and moved back in with his parents, I collected Food Stamps for myself and my then 2 year old son for six months in 1998 before I was able to sort out my working and child care situation. I am amazed that the article I wrote about my experience is still on the Internet, but if you are interested, you can read it here (though I’m sure most if not all of the links in the article are no longer valid). |
 I think it's all done with cards now... |
 Schauzers scare me! |
6. I’ve had a phobia of dogs (especially dogs that bark and/or jump up on people) ever since being bitten by a schnauzer when I was in second grade. I’m slowly getting better (watching episodes of The Dog Whisperer has really helped for some reason), but will still occasionally freeze on the spot and refuse to walk in right away if I visit someone who has a rambunctious dog, no matter how friendly they assure me “Throatripper” might be. |
7. My latest craft project is an Epicurienne voodoo doll. :0 If you would like to make your own personalized voodoo doll, go to Pinstruck and curse your friends! (C’mon, you know you want to…)
Sorry Epicurienne, I couldn't resist!
11 comments
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November 13, 2008 at 6:08 pm
nathaliewithanh
Number 7 was most excellent!
Your article on food stamps was really good. If you lived in France or Belgium, you would automatically receive familial allocations to help you raise your children. Not even to help you in times of trouble. Just by the simple fact of having a child.
It’s funny how government help to families is viewed as a shameful thing in the US. In Europe, it’s just a regular function of government. I guess they view making sure sure children are well cared for as something important in society. The nerves of these people!!!
jimsmuse sez: I think a lot of Americans read about how mothers with small children are viewed by some European governments in terms of assistance and things like a “family leave” from their employment and simply can’t believe that what they’re reading is actually true, or that the children benefit by it. (Sometimes even I don’t believe it!) I do think I’m a more well-rounded person with a lot more compassion for having gone through the food stamp experience, though.
November 13, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Connie
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the nude posing! My husband loves being nude…me not so much…only if the lights are OFF and I have been this way as far back as I can remember! Children love being naked (my grandchildren ages 3 & 4) strip down to nothing almost immediately after arriving at my house!
Interesting stuff, Carrie!
I needs me a voodoo doll!!!!!!!!!!! that one is amazing! or a dammit doll…you know the kind you slam on a table and yell dammit or whatever.
jimsmuse sez: I’m still trying to wrap my head around the posing too, Connie. However, after 17 years, a child, and a long time doing a sedentary job, I assume these days an artist would pay me NOT to pose nude! I’ve always thought that boys (even grownup ones) enjoy being naked more than girls, but most of them grow out of it eventually. I should note that I found that pic of the voodoo doll, I didn’t actually make it — if you go to Epicurienne’s blog (see the link above) and read her post about the meme, you will be in on the joke! Mostly I just knit sweaters and scarves!
November 13, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Connie
I just read your article about food stamps. Wow, excellent writing. I am always astounded and amazed at the insensitivity of some people…fortunately I still think there are more good people than bad out there. I have helped someone out that was short of cash and I know many people that help any way they can…after all each of us is “short” at some point in our lives.
jimsmuse sez: I agree with you that there really are more good folks than bad folks out there — I just happened to catch that cashier on a really bad day (for both of us!) I’m not particularly ashamed of it any more, but as nathalie pointed out above, the way it works in the US is not the way it works in other places!
November 14, 2008 at 12:02 am
curlywurlygurly
i’m just thankful not to be tagged again. i’m running out of secrets.
your article was very insightful…and even though you said that you’re not ashamed that you had to ask for help (and you shouldn’t be), i still feel bad that you had to go through such a difficult time.
jimsmuse sez: I’m amazed that after 10 years of that article languishing away on a website that I don’t even know if anyone looks at any more…it’s finally getting some attention! Life works in very mysterious ways; I’m starting to wonder if the “jim” of “jimsmuse” is going to notice all these hits on an ancient webpage and look me up. Hmmm. That would be interesting, and of course you would real all about it here on my blog! (Oh, and thank you for your caring about me, even though it all happened such a long time ago!)
November 14, 2008 at 4:39 am
thedailydish
Carrie, you never fail to amaze me.
jimsmuse sez: When I look at this list and realize it’s all true, it even amazes me sometimes!
November 14, 2008 at 11:22 am
epicurienne
This is the BEST! I love it. Thank you so much for doing this meme for me because I’ve learnt so much interesting stuff about you. I LOVE the fact you once posed nude for an artist, I ADMIRE the fact that you survived tough times with your son and wrote about food stamps. It is FASCINATING that you celebrate Hannukah for all those reasons without being Jewish and that your sister has healed (!!) from those childhood accidents. I would never have known that you liked pokemons to the point of having favourites or were scared of dogs. But most of all I want to thank you for fessing up about the voodoo doll. It explains a lot about the heart palpitations and that persistent pain in my leg today!
Thanks, Jimsmuse. I love this post.
jimsmuse sez: Interestingly, after all of the “fluff” I had posted about random facts about myself, having to come up with a few more at your request really did get me thinking, and I have to admit that this list is more substantive than the others — so thank you for the kick in the butt! I will even pull a few pins out of my Epicurienne doll, just because I’m nice that way. You should be feeling better soon!
November 14, 2008 at 3:51 pm
prairieflounder
Carrie, thanks for not tagging me again. I do enjoy a good meme but not when they run in groups. I am, however, thankful that you decided to unveil more of your personal information. Interesting article about food stamps, and thanks for posting the images, I have been fortunate enough to never have seen any in person.
-pf
jimsmuse sez: About not being tagged again — you’re welcome. I am flattered that everyone has taken the time to read that article I wrote so long ago. I do believe that the food stamp program is now done with swipe cards that look like debit cards, which probably removes some of the embarrassement of showing up at the store with what looks like florescent Monopoly money. Being in a position to need food stamps is tough enough to begin with! (P.S. I hope you got your “prize” for the contest – I would hate for you to think I dissed you, please let me know, pf!)
November 14, 2008 at 6:48 pm
S. Le
“All we want are the facts, ma’am”. (Joe Friday circa 1951 “Dragnet”)
jimsmuse sez: LMAO, S. Le. I cannot believe it took 8 comments for someone to get around to saying that! Rock on!
November 15, 2008 at 1:59 am
curlywurlygurly
i wasn’t born until 1974…
jimsmuse sez: Oh stop. I wasn’t born until 1967, but I saw the crappy ‘Dragnet’ remake with Dan Ackroyd… LOL
November 16, 2008 at 11:05 am
planetross
Interesting article on food stamps. I don’t even know if they have them in Canada. I think it’s just included in a general Welfare cheque for those who qualify: cash it at the bank and do what you want with it. Not the best system for some people though.
It always sucks to be in a position of being humbled by circumstances beyond ones control.
April 12, 2009 at 12:01 pm
kate DeWitt
not sure where it originated from, but that ad has a pretty glaring typo in it.