Vital facts to help you gain deeper insights into my blog…or not

I seem to be doing things out of order – I probably should have started with an “about” page. Better late than never. Here goes:

I am the oldest of three siblings – I’m the only girl.

I hate paper plates – I would rather run the dishwasher and have my friends eat off of real plates – no matter how casual the occasion. Even if I pick up take out for dinner I put it on a real plate. People are always bringing paper plates to help me out when we have a BBQ or any gathering – I have a whole cabinet full – anyone want them?

I love kayaking – especially all day paddling trips. There’s something awesome about traveling so many miles by the power of your arms – rivers are awesome – a real thrill. But I love going distance on flat water – I feel more accomplishment. I also love that I can load a boat on top of my Jeep by myself – no assistance required – I’m independent like that.

I never wave at people while I’m driving – not because I’m focused on the road or because I’m a snob – I just don’t pay attention to the cars on the road – I’m in the zone – sorry for not waving. I’m the same way at the supermarket – I rarely notice friends before they notice me – I’m on a mission and just don’t look at people. The exception to this are Jeeps. If you are in a Jeep it’s an unspoken code that I must wave to you. It matters not that I have no idea who you are.

When I was a kid it was my dream to be an astronaut – I met Buzz Aldrin when they were touring the moon rocks around the country. Watching the moon landing with my Grandma was one of the most inspirational moments of my childhood. I was in awe and my Grandma told me that girls could grow up to be anything – it was very empowering.

I was voted “class clown” in my graduating class in High School.

I listen to audio books on my drive to work – I get through 25-30 a year. I especially like books read by the author.

I am a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. I’ve been to Green Bay once – but the reason I started rooting for them was because my Grandpa and I were watching the first Superbowl and he asked me to pick the team I thought would win. Green is my favorite color so I picked the Packers.

I love trains – my Grandpa worked for the Union Pacific for 40 years. Until this year I had never been on one. I am already planning my next cross-country trip.

I can throw a tomahawk, and I’m pretty good at it. As a kid of about 12 I competed against my pop and some other men who may or may not have been able to beat me when they were sober. I creamed them. The next competition the group increased the minimum throwing distance making it impossible for me to compete with the men. Spoiled sports.

I collect BB Guns. I have never fired one – when we were kids my pop told us they were more dangerous that a real gun because kids treat them like toys. I just think they are cool – I bought some BB’s – so maybe one day soon I’ll shoot one.

I have always been fascinated by rocks. As a kid I picked them up in the schoolyard and anywhere i found them and brought them home. My house is made of rocks and I still bring home a pocket or sack full of rocks every time I go for a hike or paddle. I shipped my pop 80 pounds of rocks a few years back. 

My brother Max is one of my favorite people on the planet – we don’t alway see eye to eye but we have fun together – he’s a deep thinker and I love having those kinds of conversations that challenge your thinking. He’s probably the smartest and most earnest person I know.

I love cheese cake. I don’t know how to make it – my mom and my friend Debbie made the best ones I’ve ever tasted.

When I finished college I couldn’t wait to leave Las Vegas. I don’t miss the busyness of the city but I miss my family and the desert everyday.

I had a pet skunk when I was in high school and college. When I got my first apartment I couldn’t bring her with me since I couldn’t find anyplace that allowed skunks.

I’m not a cat person – I love my dogs. They are so happy to see me – It gives me a lift to come home to them – I’ve never seen a sad terrier:)

I lost my mom when she was only 53. It was sudden and unexpected. It changed my view on life – I know that this life is temporary and my mother’s death made me even more focused on the things that are not temporary.

I am a technology junkie – I like gadgets like iPads and digital cameras – I can’t imagine like without my iPhone.

I love t-shirts as social commentary. I sold my first t-shirt design when I was 12 and I am so fortunate to have found a career designing and developing t-shirt graphics.

Waterfalls are awesome – I have always loved them. I will take a hike in almost any weather to see one.

I miss my Grandpa – he was closer to me than anyone I’ve ever known – we got each other. I was blessed to have him until I was almost 40. I miss having someone who gets me, it’s a rare thing indeed.

I take my camera every where. I take it to work, on business trips, and even to the grocery store. I have seen some amazing things on the way home from the store.

I can’t decide whether I should continue the charade of being a red-head – I let my natural color grow in – it’s mighty grey.