BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Amos
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 03:30 PM

I was on crutches for part of 7th grade and thought I was pretty good on them. But when I tried to turn the lights off in the gymnasium by throwing one of them, javelin-style, at the light switches on the other side of the basketball court I put a huge hall in the wall.

I don't think the managent ever figured that out.

A

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 03:36 PM

Oh, I just remembered! I was secretly in LOVE with Virgina Fox ib the 10th grade!CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 04:08 PM

Jen Ellen, are you still hitched or did he fall victim to the VooDoo Curse? (No fatalities, you say?)

And what about Kenny Rogers? Did you tell him about the old Great Silkie variant of the song you mentioned, You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me, You Seal.?

12. I don't watch sports, but I do like watching downhill skiing, World Cup or Olympic. My all-time favourite moment in sports was Kerrin Lee-Gartner's unexpected gold-medal downhill run for Canada in the 1992 (or 94?) Winter Olympics. (Actually, it has come to my attention that they don't do skiing in the summer Olympics. That's why I don't watch 'em.

W-O

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Alice
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 06:42 PM

16. One of my early memories from toddler age is waking up in the morning and before opening my eyes seeing a picture in my mind of a perfectly smooth and round face of a woman with pale skin, black hair and slanted eyes. Her face would slowly grow old and wrinkled and then I would get a funny taste in my mouth and open my eyes. This was not a dream, just something I saw in my mind right when I woke up. I was so young I couldn't explain it to anyone but it happened so often I have always remembered the experience. It stopped happening sometime before I turned five. When I was older, I recognized that the face I used to "see" looked Chinese.

17. I am a skeptic. I don't give credence to beliefs in past lives, etc., but I have had many unexplained experiences. I am still a skeptic.

18. I would rather read an emoticon ;-) than spelled out words like grin or smile.

19. The instrument I would most like to study is the violin. I had a few fiddle lessons in 1974 but did not carry on with playing.

20. I have never been impressed by people merely because of their fame or wealth. Celebrity..... yawn. Tell me of great character and integrity and I'll be impressed.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 08:53 PM

Alice, I got tired of being a skeptic!   For years I had kept saying things like "I tend to believe in life after death", "I tend to think that consciousness continues", "I tend to believe in reincarnation", "I tend to believe in the validity of OBEs and near-death experiences"... After some things I have seen/heard/experienced, I had to ask myself just how much it would take to convince me for all time. Eventually I realized that there is a point where it takes more gullibility to NOT believe it than it takes to accept it.

The nice thing is that at this age/stage, I no longer care whether anyone else believes or has experienced the same things. I just accept it, am grateful for it, and look forward to more of it.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: The Pooka
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 08:58 PM

11. Frequently I don't HAVE twenty-five dollars.
12. Sometimes I can't HANNNdle the TRUUUTH!
14. I scorn superstition.
15. Sometimes I get the various Threads mixed up.
16. Increasingly I forget peoples' names. Now, why is that? And, where's Mr. um, y'know. *That* guy. 'Dogsfoot. With the purple Wiemarauders.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 09:01 PM

Having read everybody else's efforts I feel obliged to put some in for you all to snigger at.

1 My first paid gig as a musician was The Royal Tournament at Earls
Court.That was with the R.A F Locking Apprentice Pipe and Trumpet Band.I was learning Bagpipes,and got paid one and sixpence (in real
money) as appearance fee.

2 I presented a weekly programme of Folk Music on the Aden Forces Broadcasting Association radio station and also with the British Forces Broadcasting Service Up to the withdrawl of UK involvement
in the Aden Protectorate in 1967.

3 I was registered with the R A F Seletar Yacht Club to train water
skiers,as well as Skiing,driving and riding safety for water skiing.

4 I left the R A F partly because i wanted to go at least semi pro as
a folk singer,despite a smashed wrist 3 months after buying my Martin.18 Months after Demob I was singing and playing in an English pub restaurant in Bermuda.

5 While on a course back at Locking in '64 I was a member of a sort of Jug Band along with Ian A Anderson (now editor of Folk Roots Mag)
playing Soprano Saxophone and Tin whistle.

6 I drove motorcycle combinations for far too long and passed three
driving tests first time.Motorcycle,Car and Motorcycle again in the
Bermuda days.They dont recognise our UK licences.

7 I very nearly married an American lady who I met in Bermuda.She let
me have a little look at America and I let her see a reasonable amount of the United Kingdom.

8 I have worked as an electronic engineer,a van driver, a warehouse manager as an accounts clerk and as a professional entertainer.

9 My beard is ten years younger than my moustache (RAF regulations)

10 I once walked with my brother from Munich to the Austrian border and back.Its an even better way to see the countryside than going on
a canal cruise.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Haruo
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 10:53 PM

Better late than never. No particular order:

1) There was a semester in 11th grade when I was simultaneously enrolled in third-year Russian, first-year French, and first-year German.

2) I once spent the night in the bus shelter in Vaduz (capital, such as it is, of Liechtenstein), reading a Heinlein novel to keep from falling asleep and freezing to the bench.

3) I have been in jail three times in my life (so far!) - most recently because I was driving without my license [which had expired, in any case] when a drunk on a bicycle ran into the side of my car at a high rate of speed. He fell down in the middle of the street, and I, thinking he might be dying, called 911 to get help. A patrol car responded and took me to jail, while the drunk got up, refused assistance, and walked his bicycle off into the night.

4) When I was about two years old, I stuck a butter knife in an outlet and was thrown across the room. My mom kept the blackened utensil for years, and to this day I refrain at all times from sticking bare metal into outlets by hand.

5) The first time I ever saw a dead body was when I was walking along the shore of Lake Baikal, saw a crowd out on a dock, went to see what was up and found they had just pulled a drowning victim out of the lake.

6) I am as far as I know the only person who has had a pair of his underpants catalogued in the Internacia Esperanto-Muzeo Wien (part of the National Library of Austria).

7) I can sing "Nobody knows the trouble I seen" in Japanese, from memory.

8) I planned to rob a bank on the first Monday in September, 1984; luckily, I forgot that was going to be Labor Day, a bank holiday.

Well, that's only eight. Maybe I'll think of the rest later.

9) This is the first time I've ever posted to a thread with more than 200 (indeed, more than 256) posts in it already.

10) I once wrote a story in Swahili about how a Seminole Indian girl and a cottonmouth water moccasin teamed up to defeat the US Army in such a way that the glory redounded to Osceola's credit. I was urged to submit it to the East Africa Standard, but my Swahili teacher lost the ms. before I could send it off.

There. Nothing about raw fish or anything.

Haruo

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 11:15 PM

1 My vision extends well into the ultra violet spectrum
2 My sense of smell is over 100 times more sensitive than the average person.
3 I was born with 4 too many canine teeth
4 I was a clinical hypnotist for 12 years.
5 I turned down offers by the CIA and NI
6 Gene Hackman is my cousin but I'm blonde and better looking.
7 I write novels I never submit for publication
8 I was street lugeing in 1963
9 I play fiddle poorly
http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/clip12.wav
10 and cello somewhat better.
http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/clip5.wav

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: black walnut
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 10:28 AM

Neil: Meatloaf and Buffy! Excellent combination.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Alice
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 11:24 AM

Donuel, I enjoyed your fiddle clip. I like home made music.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Firecat
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 06:41 PM

Erm....

1) I was in MENSA when I was 6, but quit when I was 13.

2) I was on the winning Brownie quiz team for the Brodsworth district when I was 9 and I've got the trophy to prove it.

3) I'm a Blue Peter (UK kids programme) badge winner.

4) I was a goth for about 6 months when I was 16 - 17.

5) I hate pink.

6) I used to be babysat by cats. One of them would sleep next to my cot, and if I stirred, they'd go and get Mum or Dad. There's photographic evidence of that!

7) I have Grade 3 practical and Grade 2 theory in cello.

8) I'm trilingual (but I'm only fluent in English!). The other two are German and Russian.

9) I hate fireworks.

10) When I was about 5, I used to think that rain was the angels crying. I don't anymore, but it was sweet!

Well, there you go then. There are some more, but you only asked for 10!

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: VoxFox
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 08:01 PM

Holy Cats! Those are tough to follow.   Let's see... My first time performing was when my brother hauled me on stage at a variety show and got me to sing "Jumpin' Jack Flash". I've never looked back since. I was 18, now I'm 50. 2. I once rescued my girlfriend from drowning when we were about 13.   3. I never trimmed or cut my hair from the age of 16 until I was 46.   4. My hubby is French and although we've been together 30 years, I still cannot speak french. (only the naughty bits).   5. The band I am with now has been together for 15 years with the same members.(pretty cool). 6. My favorite sandwich is peanut butter and lettuce. 7. I am the only Canadian born member of my family. All the rest were born in Birmingham, England. 8. I can rhyme off my hubbys SIN number but I have to look mine up every time. 9. I like to read and would like to try painting with watercolors. 10. I have only one first cousin in the whole world. Truly. VF

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: curmudgeon
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 08:46 PM

12 - I twice worked as a telemarketer out of desperation.

13 - Thus I hate using the telephone except when I am absolutely sure of a
          positive reception.

14 - I haven't watched television in twenty years, but have seen all of Twin      
          Peaks and some Soprano episodes on tape.

15 - The seagull is my favorite songbird.

16 - The house I owned before this one was seriously haunted.

17 -   I went to see the film "Tom Jones" in theatres fifteem times.

18 -   I have performed on St. Patrick's Day in the same club for the past 25
            years; and I'm not retiring.

19 -   I'll try almost any food (braised kabgaroo tail, fried grasshoppers, etc.)
          once; I still dislike broccoli, and abhor peaches, prunes, apricots,okra
            and tripe.

20 -- I'm only posting these boring facts to keep this thread going; it's the
            absolute best -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 10:54 PM

I'll help you along, Tom!:-)

When I was born, my mom had to go back in the hospital, so I went with her. My family always told me the nurses would carry me around on a pillow, like a tray, and play with me, so I came home naturally spoiled rotten.:-)

When I was 13, I ran up a small hill, jamming a rusty nail attached to a hinge, up my left foot. Impact was so hard it drove bits of my tennis shoe into the hole. My mom heard the peacock screaming about it before she heard me cry. I can still *feel* where it went through to the top of my foot.

My Rog had a bilingual education, French in the mornings, English in the afternoon and his family spoke Canadian French all of the time, yet, I have been married to him for along time and know hardly any French.

When I was in junior high, I had to get special permission to take German and Latin at the same time as they'd never allowed it before.

I was a dead-eye/bulls-eye shot by the time I was 5 or 6yrs old when we'd go target practising.

The first time I played my violin in public, as an adult, I played Ave Maria with my brother accompanying me on piano. I was so nervous it sounded as though I'd used vibrato the whole time. I felt like an idiot.

We lived in Mystic, CT when they shot Mystic Pizza with Julia Roberts. Used to eat pizza at the real one a lot. Watched them shooting and my daughter's friends were extras in it. Later we got kind of tired of tourists asking to have their photos taken outside of it.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 12:01 AM

#127. One of the proudest moments of my life was posing for a picture with Cesar Chavez. All I'd done was march around a few grocery stores with a banjo during the grape boycott, but when he came to town he made sure we all got to meet him.

#128. It's stuff like this (that probably drives some catters insane) that I really LIKE on Mudcat...along with music. It allows those of us who wanna be long winded now and then to get it off our chests.

Tom....I wanna know about the haunting. Will you start a thread?

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: GUEST,Tom Dowling
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 12:55 AM

Well, here goes:

1. I picked both sour and sweet cherries for $0.65 (that's 65 cents)per half bushel (!) in the Niagara Falls area when I was a junior in High School. (Do you have any idea how many cherries there are in a half bushel?)

2. I played a solo of Swanee River on the Flutophone (remember those $1.00 instruments?) in front of about 300 parents when I was 8 years old, at which time I could read sheet music. (I did not re-learn how to read it again until I was in my early fifties)

3. At the age of 9 I spoke reasonably fluent German (because my Dad was a sargeant in the US Army and we were stationed there in the mid fifties).

4. For my doctoral dissertation at Columbia University I translated (into reasonably coherent English) a critical edition of a fifth century A.D. Sanskrit text on theories of Karma by the Buddhist author Vasubandhu.

5.   I was in a nightclub in Bhopal, India in 1973, listening to a reasonably decent Indian rock band, when the performance was interupted (i.e., stopped) by a group somewhat fundamentalist Hindu youth. They objected to there being a female vocalist, I think, in the company of men and in an establishment that served alcoholic beverages. They were playing that song "I'm your Venus, I'm your Godess, what's your desire." Speaking of which, who put that puppy to the charts in (either) the late sixties or the early seventies?

6. The first 'real' Irish tune I learned was Raglan Road/Dawning of the Day. It rmains a favorite, which is probably neither obscure not surprising.

7. I once managed a $7.5 billion business deal--and for no 'points'!!

8. I hitch-hiked across this great country of ours (and back!!)with no ill effects. I turned 21 in California while on the road, had a legal beer to celebrate the occasion, slept in an open field, and woke up surrounded by friendly cattle.

9. I was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, but only lived there long enough to catch scarlet fever before we moved on (to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, I think.)

10. I was one block away from the World Trade Center when the second plane hit on 9/11/01. I work near and walk by Ground Zero almost every day, and it still rips me up. I guess that's neither obscure nor surprising either.

I sometimes forget how lucky we are to live in this country, a country where a wide-eyed and dirt poor army brat--with roots in an un-incorporated village in the Mid Hudson Valley, whose parents did not graduate from High School--can sit in the comfort of his own home and reflect back on the things that he has had the FREEDOM to do in the past 50+ years.

Yours in Liberty,

Tom D.

9.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Genie
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 01:10 AM

Queries and Comments:
Rick (I have the ability to virtually "go to sleep", while keeping my eyes open and keeping a bitof a smile on my face, ) Were you ever one of my students? *G*  Or you, CatsPhiddle?

Carol C., what kinds of things do raccoons tell you?

irishajo, Rustic Rebel, my dad introduced us kids to a special concoction  he called "loblolly" when I was a kid.  It was peanut butter, butter, and honey. Delicious!

Rick F, my mom's dad could do that dowsing (water witching) thing, too.  I tend to be a skeptic, but mom swears he could do it, and she doesn't lie.

Fred Miller, how many hours have you been in church?

And Allan C, how nice to find someone else who remembers Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent!

Jen, do you mean "OCD vice?"   And can we hear that song about your 'curse'?

Sinsull, peanut butter and sauerkraut together?

Peanut butter is good with cucumbers, too, or with cream cheese and cucumbers.

Amos, I did not know you were a part time pastor.  What church?

Stilly, I got to go up into the crown of Lady Liberty in the early 1950s, shortly after they (so they said) had stopped letting visitors go into the torch.  But I thought they had, within the past few years, even stopped letting folks go as far up as the crown, due to safety concerns.

Firecat, is that Blue Peter the UK equivalent of "Pene Azul?"

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Chris Amos
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 01:38 AM

Ten seems a lot, here's a few.

- I once got a lift, in a Roller, from Cheerful Charlie Chester, (tell you some more about that another time)

- In common with treewind (see above) I too have never broken a bone, that makes us a duo with out breakages, can anyone better this, a trio, small band?

- I live in the house I was rased in (although I've lived lots of other places in between times)

- I once fell down the Himalays, (well a small bit anyway)

- I have taken a vow never to set foot on Morrocian soil again. (don't ask)

- I am trying to get hold of a copy of Bronsons' Tunes to the Child Balads

That's enough for now

C

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Haruo
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 01:43 AM

Tom D., it's I'm your Venus, I'm your fire... and the consensus seems to be "Shocking Blue".

Haruo

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Alice
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 01:50 AM

I have never broken a bone (and I'll be 51 next month)... so far so good.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Genie
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 03:19 AM

Inspired by Rick and others, here are a few other obscure factotems:

I shared a hotel room with my sister and her husband on their wedding night. Then I stayed with them for part of the honeymoon.

I memorized and could recite Poe's "The Raven" when I was in high school.

I don't like ketchup on fries, either -- mainly because I don't like ketchup.

I can play the entire "Stars And Stripes Forever" on the kazoo (and proudly do so every July 4).

Open Mike, I can twist my tongue sideways and curl it toward my right, but can't do it at all toward the left.

I inadvertently 'mooned' the Masons of Des Moines, WA, twice in one year when hired to entertain them. The second time, I thought it might be a trend, and toyed with the idea of a song: "Merrily Mooning Masons On A Sunday Morn."

I have shared skating ice with both Tonya Harding (Portland's own) and former US Champion and Olympic bronze medalist Janet Lynn ( in addition to having Robin Cousins put on an informal exhibition at our local rink, while I stood just off the ice).

Foe, Pooby, I can tie maraschino cherry stems into (only one kind of) knots in my mouth (no hands). But then, there aren't a lot of great career opportunities hingeing on that skill.

Greg, I had one of those lapel lizards in high school, too. My first = one, and favorite, was named "Quentin."

My cat just farted.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:25 AM

Genie, probably less than 12 hours in church, but I might not count a few weddings, still less than 20.

Also, John Carpenter the horror film director babysat me when I was very small.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:42 AM

No broken bones here, either!

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:45 AM

1. In spite of the "King" I am female
2. And in spite of any evidence to the contrary, I'm Brilliant
3. I've only had but one true love (he's the King bit)
4. I only have 3 fingers on my right hand (King says it makes his.... look bigger)
5. King is monorchid (which makes my hand look bigger)
6. I've only ever written one proper love song and that was this morning (guess who for.....)
7. I was born the day before halloween & they say it shows....
8. I never agree with anyone about anything - especially not myself. Yes I do. No I don't.
9. When I was born my brother & sister thought I was a cat - and were severely disappointed when I proved not to be.
10. On balance, I'm quite glad I'm not a cat (they have to lick their arses clean).

Kris

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: irishajo
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 10:07 AM

Fred Miller, less than 20 hours in church! Inconceivable for me...we went Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and sometimes in between every week of my life for as long as I can remember. Plus church camp every summer. Plus the dozens of weddings I have attended. I must have logged well over 5000 hours by now, and I think that's more than enough for anyone in a lifetime.

VoxFox...only one first cousin? I have 36.

I too would like to hear about the haunted house.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: wilco
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 10:55 AM

Ten obscure facts about Tennessee.
1. Every town of over 1000 people has a telephone.
2. We rent our shoes for cold weather.
3. Many of us have graduated from school. But, it's another matter
   past the fifth grade.
4. You can't date your teacher in grammer school.
5. If you get a divorce, you are still related if you were cousins.
6. Grandpa Jone's song "I'm my own Grandpa" is autobiographical.
7. Three years ago, we passed a stae law to allow anyone to pick-up
   un-claimed roadkill.
8. Our state song is "Five Pounds of Possum."
9. We really do have snake handling, pentecotal churches here.
10. Thirty miles from here, we re-tried the Scopes Trial again this
    last year, and evolution was debunked again.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: JenEllen
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 11:06 AM

Leadfingers: What RAF regulation says that your beard has to be 10 years younger? Seems a little harsh.... *g*

Willie-O: The aforementioned 'Fireball' was my ex-husband. Not 10 minutes after the wedding, a barbeque grill exploded (compressed gas or something) and took a mighty chunk outta my man. We spent the reception at the emergency room. Funniest thing was that my sister had given us matching "I Married Stupid" t-shirts, and I was still wearing mine at the hospital. Nurse asks "Oh, how sweet, how long have you been married?" I am bawling and say "Oh, about five minutes". He lived, though blistered, smelled like burnt hair for weeks, and he has a really cute scar where his wedding ring melted to his finger (he says other guys may claim to have been scarred by marriage, he has proof!) And yes, the wedding pictures are hilarious...

Re: Kenny Rogers? I didn't mention the Silkie Song, but truth be told, when we got off the lift and I shouted across the mountain-top to my father that I'd just gone up the lift with "the Gambler"---that boy was off like a shot. Apparently he took issue with my swinging the lift chair, and calling out during choruses: "Okay, everybody on the right side of the mountain.....Left side....C'mon bunny slope, you can do better than that....Ya picked a fiiiine tiiiiime to leeeeeave meeeee Looooooceeeeeeeel...."

If any of this comes up at the committment hearing, I'll only deny it.
~JE

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: GUEST,Willlie-O
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 11:16 AM

13. I am currently in a college computer lab having knocked together a rather ancient P100 to show that I could do it, install a NIC and connect to the Internet. That part worked OK. I am still trying to install a Soundblaster 16 card so it will make sound.

14. Jen, that reminds me of my oddest gig ever: playing the firewalk wedding of the daughter of some interesting friends of mine. (The bride and groom spent their wedding evening with their feet immersed in tubs of warm water. So did the rather sheepish "minister" guy, who also walked the coals.) Firewalking may be a genuine phenomenon, so many folks have told me, but I don't recommend combining it with the tension and expectations of a wedding ceremony.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 12:58 PM

18) I still have most, if not all, of the shoes/boots I have worn in the last 20 years....and one pair of low sneakers/tennis shoes that I bought in Lawerence, Kans. in 1971!...(there were several years I didn't wear them at all, but though worn, they are still reasonable comfortable and useful for tasks like climbing on the roof to clean the gutters)...

I also have a seldom worn pair of woolen based (the moths love them) US Army Arctic boots with felt liners. (making them appear like about a size 16 or so!) I got these from a shed in a surplus store I worked at in Wichita.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Don Firth
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 02:43 PM

Genie, after my sister, Patricia Firth, turned professional and started teaching figure skating, she taught for a time in Portland. One of her pupils was a little blonde girl, very feisty and determined. Yup. Tonya Harding.

Some of the competitive tactics she used later, she did not learn from Pat.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 04:04 PM

Bill D the greatest per capita concentration of unusually attractive people seems to me to be in Lawrence KS. What's going on there?

About church, my father took us fishing every Sunday, always as if it were a new idea he'd found in the newspaper just that morning. I wrote a short story about it, and the author James Still seemed to like it better than anything he'd read in twenty years. I'd put it to mere flattery, but Mr. Still was not the type to do that.

I have no idea what "monorchid" means, what it might be a typo for, and although I am a skeptic at heart, this state of not-knowing is driving me insane. Help, KingBrilliant.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Firecat
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 04:12 PM

Here's some more about me!

11) I called Ninepins at Redcar Folk Festival when I was 9.

12) Keith Donelly dragged me on stage and got me to sing at Crewe and Nantwich when I was 12. I'd got at him about singing "Pizza Hut" wrong!

13) I've got loads of phobias, including acrophobia (heights), brontophobia (thunderstorms), cynophobia (dogs), arachnophobia (everyone knows what that is!!), emetophobia (throwing up) and Mothophobia! I don't know what the real name is for that.

14) I can say hello in about 25 languages.

15) I'm sane!

Sorry, i got desperate on the last one.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Amos
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 04:35 PM

I once built a tiny bug-shaped robot with Nitinol legs (Nitinol is a shape-memory alloy that jumps into a different shape when it is heated above a certain threshold, with considerable force). It was wired so sending digital data to it would make electricity flow or stop flowing through the different leg wires, heating them up or cooling them, and make it dance to a data flow. In theory I could have made it dance one way to a digital version of "War and Peace" and then show me a completely different jig if I sent it "Under Milkwood" or even a digital music file -- say "Swan Lake" or even "The Gambler" (wonder if it would have swaggered or schussed?).

A

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: annamill
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 04:58 PM

I have been watching this thread with intense interest trying to come up with at least one obscure thing about me. I haven't been able to think of one. Maybe I need a new definition of obsure.

**BG**

Love, Annamill

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: TNDARLN
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 06:23 PM

1. I have tools and I know how to use them.
2. But I don't do electrical stuff- I'm not that kind of girl.
3. I've performed on stage with Mick Moloney.
4. No kids of my own, but I have the world's most perfect nephew.
5. Unlike me, my nephew will CERTAINLY HEAR FROM HIS SANTA!!!??!
6. I've moved 4 times in 10 years- houses,all- and finally I have good dirt!
7. I once hauled a perfectly useful galvanized trash can to a festival and was ridiculed incessantly by a fellow mudcatter for doing so.
8. I miss my Blue [blue heeler/ 12 years], and can't decide/bring myself to get another.....but I don't miss my ex, and can't decide/bring myself to get another one of those either.
9. A psychologist friend labeled me a "nester", but I don't have feathers.
10.Though my hearing is excellent, and in spite of my exceptional behavior, I have NOT HEARD from my Santa.   [did I mention that I haven't heard from my Santa????]

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Allan C.
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 08:25 PM

Anna, for starters, tell us about the places where you used to wait tables and of the people you met there.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: alanww
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 08:52 PM

1. I make my own bread, eat lots of fruit, like to drink Earl Grey tea, weak and without milk, hate chocolate cake but love oysters.
2. I was once London Junior Chess Champion.
3. I was once Midlands Pairs Bridge Champion.
4. I have been a member of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) for over twenty years, having been the founder chairman of our local branch.
5. I have been a morris man for nearly twenty years and am a member of four morris sides, having danced in Denmark, Holland, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, New England (USA) and Lithuania, as well as all over the UK.
6. I have been Captain of Mummers for the past sixteen years, arranging at least thirty performances per annum and usually performing as Father Christmas, as I don't need to wear an artificial white beard!
7. I have a son who has fenced sabre both for Great Britain under 20s and for England adults.
8. I am a Sidmouth Anchor Middle Bar singer, having lost my solo singing virginity there in 1997 aged 51, and I am now a member of three singing groups.
9. I started to learn to play the English concertina exactly two years ago from scratch, having never had any previous musical experience - its frustrating but enormously enjoyable, so why did I leave it so late in life?
10. I like dressing up and during the folk festival season I sometimes paint my toenails blue.

"As I rose up at break of day ..."
Alan

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:06 PM

MONORCHID: an individual who has only one testis or only one descended into the scrotum

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Amos
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:24 PM

My Lord, the things you learn on the Mudcat!!! Does that mean there are two descended testicles on an orchid?

A

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: GUEST,Tom Dowling
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:43 PM

My thanks to Haruo for the apt reference to the lyrics and the group name.

Tom D.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Amos
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 09:58 PM

Geez, nnamill, even i know a couple of obscure facts about you, asnd we haven't even met!! :>) Not to mention what went on during those wild early Mudcat gathers by the water!

A

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 10:11 PM

1.) I started singing and performing to overcome being shy in crowds.

2.) My memory *sucks*! I have *the* hardest time memorizing material. It can take me the better part of a month (of daily hammering), and even then, I may gaff on stage occasionally if I am not singing the piece regularly, or even more often if it is new.

3.) My hair aint really red. Hell, *I* don't even know what color it is anymore, really.

4.) I dislike being alone...extremely, but neither am I overly fond of really casual acquaintance type relationships. The kinds where you have nothing in common, but hang out anyway, just to have someone to be with.   

5.) I lie about my age...I usually round *up* by at least a year, sometimes as much as 4. That way, I look *really good* for my age. The honest truth is I am 41 (my sister, CarolC, can attest to this being the truth). However, I am considering trying on 45 for size this coming year.

6.) My kid amazes me. Daily. Something she will do or say will make me sit there and say "Wow!" each and every day.

7.) Anger is a defensive mechanism used to hide fear and hurt. Learned it as a kid, and it's damned hard to break (but I am learning).

8.) I'd rather be cleaning house, painting/decorating, cooking, sewing torn clothes, and all those "homemaker" kinds of things than working. Problem is, no one wants to pay me to do this in my *own* home.

9.) I am a little good at a lot of things, and only really good at a scant few.

10.) I mourned when my Mom died, and I miss her still, but there is a part of me that feels as if it were freed too. I don't have to be the black sheep...that role mostly died with her. And the part of me that mourns does so all the more when I think that she never really knew me for the complete person I am...only the caricature she believed was me from early on.

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 11:46 PM

Celtic Soul ... I was very moved by your number ten! You have expressed a profound sadness in my families history. Thank you for posting it. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Miken
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 12:11 AM

1. On my mother's side, I am descended from the Canadian explorers
   Jean Nicolet and Louis Joliet.

2. Janis Joplin once vomited on my feet at a party.

3. During the last five years I've come to truly enjoy living and
   spending much of my time alone; for the first time in my life.

4. I once sat next to Earl Scruggs on a flight from San Francisco to
   Denver. He slept the whole way!

5. I was in the first group of technicians trained to do chronic
   hemodialysis in Seattle in 1963 and am still doing it.

6. Sat next to Neil Sedaka on a flight frome New York to L.A. in the
   early seventies. He didn't sleep at all. We talked about our
   teen years, our children and parenting. He was on his way to Oz.

7. Alanww I hear ya about the concertina! I've recently started
   learning B/C button accordion from scratch at 61, and wish I'd done
   it a long time ago. It's my new passion in life.

8. I have a sailboat and spend as much time as I can in northern
   Puget Sound and coastal British Columbia waters.

9. Do lots of canoe camping in Northern Idaho and Inland B.C. with my
   brother Dave who also is my best friend.

Have to pause for thought. (I've been eating peanut butter (crunchy) and honey for years for breakfast..........)

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 05:49 AM

I lost a finger, but he lost a bollock - now that's just careless!

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 05:51 AM

I suppose that if body-parts go to heaven, then they may be happily reunited up there on a fluffy white cloud..........

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: alanww
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 05:58 AM

Kris: I will try to avoid the vision of you licking your own arse!
"... I heard the small birds sing ..."
Alan
PS What's a "monorchid"?

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 07:12 AM

1        At the age of 19 was knocked off my Lambretta scooter by a milk float which then ran over my left wrist – could account for the guitar playing style now.
2        Was once interviewed on the radio by Dave Burland
3        Booked the Jeff Beck group into a college dance for £125 at a time when Manfred Mann were asking £2000. The JB group had Rod Stewart on vocals at the time.
4        Came third in a national haiku competition to win a trip to Japan. The winners were printed in the Guardian (national UK newspaper) through the week with the winner on Friday – mine was Wednesday.
5        Paul Simon stayed the night in my flat after playing the local folk club just a few weeks before The Sound Of Silence went to number 1 in the States – he did mention that the record appeared to be selling. Consequently I own a signed copy of the,now deleted, Paul Simon Songbook
6        Living in Manchester in the late 60s/early 70s used to get abusive phone calls intended for Matt Busby when United had lost - he was ex-directory!
7        Learned to play the mandolin after being given an old one by my friend Tony Maher (we used to play in a duo together with him on mandolin and me on guitar)
8        Started to go grey in my twenties and used to pull the grey hairs out – I'd be bald if I tried it now
9        Was introduced to folk music in the 60s by John Conolly (and Bill Meek) and had the pleasure of booking him into a festival this summer
10        Have twin children one of whom lives in Seattle and the other in Pontefract – they both got married this year and I gave a speech at each wedding

R

Subject: RE: BS: For fun - Ten obscure facts about you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 07:18 AM

Alanww - monorchid = unitesticular. (one went bad & had to be chopped off [but not by me])