A Nice Little Pat on the Back

I have been sick for the past few days. Nothing too big; just your garden variety severe cold/flu. I went home from work early Friday, spent the next three days in bed (my wife has quarantined me to the bedroom so Noah doesn't get sick), and stayed home from work again today. It pretty much sucks. One bright spot though. When I haven't been sleeping I am getting caught up on my blog reading. While doing so I noticed that Julia over at Henhouse Pottery was kind enough to bestow upon me the Stylish Blogger Award. Julia writes a fantastic blog about her trials and triumphs living simply and providing for their family on their homestead. I have the utmost respect for her and her family and for what they are doing. It is something I would like to do myself some day.

As part of accepting this award I am required to reveal seven things about myself that most folks probably do not yet know. I am not usually the revealing type, but I suppose I have to play by the rules to get the award (there is not a real award or anything. it is just a nice little pat on the back of recognition). And for all you know I might be lying anyway. Let's go!

1. I am a book snob. I am very particular about how my books look on the shelf. I will buy an additional copy of a book if it looks better or is in better condition than the copy I already have. I actually have a grand scheme in mind to print and bind copies of all my books so they are all of uniform appearance on my shelf.

2. I have very little faith in America's public education system. Having attended a private school, then having worked in a public school for 4+ years I can tell you there is a marked difference. Even in the short time I have been working in public schools they have gone down hill. Perhaps it is just the school I am working in, but I am afraid it is not.

3. I am not in the military, nor have I ever been in a fight. This is somewhat related to no. 2. For some reason many of the students at school think that I used to be in the military. They doubt me when I tell them I was not. Similarly, many students are astounded to learn that I have never been in a fight. I try to explain that there are very, very few instances when fighting is necessary; that there are other ways to deal with problems. Sadly, they do not seem to understand this concept.

4. When I was younger my family once went for a year or so without a t.v. Again, many people do not understand how this is possible. I was glad when our current t.v. stopped getting reception. A computer is bad enough.

5. I cannot stand having hair. I have had my head shaved to varying degrees since high school. I don't think it has been longer than 1/2 an inch in the past 14 years.

6. IT by Stephen King is the only book (the only thing really, book or otherwise) that has ever scared me. Once, shortly after reading it again, I was hanging out by the river. The water was down, exposing a 6ft or so drain pipe. I knew it was foolish, but I was a little creep-ed out to go look in it. I made myself do it anyway and no clowns came out to eat me. Take that Stephen King!

7. One time I saw a UFO. What was it, you ask? Well I'm really not sure...that is what makes it unidentified. It looked like a long silver...shape in the air. I would have dismissed it as an airplane or blimp or something, except it did not move. For almost the entire ten minute drive from work to the babysitter it did not change position. Weird.

And now this has taken far too long. I will come back later with the other requirements for the award. Until then.

-Rob