25 Random Things about Me

February 25, 2009   |   22 Comments

I got tagged! Now you’re it. Talk to me.

1. I am a cat person.

2. I was the Chapter Leader of the Boston Guardian Angels when I was 19 years old. I was a tough girl.

3. If you’re in a crisis, I make an incredibly good friend. I’m not such a good friend when everything is normal. I sort of disappear on people. I feel desperately bad about this.

4. I’m a gadget geek.

5. I’m incredibly introverted and shy. No one believes me about this.

6. I could teach you the Enneagram. I don’t care if you want to learn it or not. I feel maniacally compelled to inform everyone on earth about this system and believe that learning it could lead to world peace. I’m sort of not even kidding.

7. Out of the blue, about 8 years ago, I became a full-blown claustrophobe. I have no idea why. Airplanes and elevators are not my friends.

8. The more I love a piece of music, the harder I find it to listen. I become overwhelmed. If I knew the musician and they have since died, I almost can’t even bear to hear their name.

9. In high school, I was a gymnast and could throw three back handsprings in a row. I can still stand on my head indefinitely, walk on my hands, and do many cartwheels.

10. I think “developing a personal brand” is insane. Just be yourself, for god’s sake.

11. Currently, this is my favorite quote:
“The bad news is you’re falling through the air, nothing to hold on to, no parachute. The good news is there’s no ground.” –Chogyam Trungpa

12. I sat on Hubert Sumlin’s lap.

13. I could live a monastic life.

14. I’ve been a Buddhist all my life, only I didn’t know that’s what it was called until about 15 years ago.

15. I seriously almost died in a car wreck. I was in the hospital for 2 months. I have many, many scars. I kind of like them.

16. My sister, father, nephew, and I all have moon in Pisces. My dad and I also have Pisces rising. This means something to me.

17. I am seriously a kinesthetic learner. I literally cannot understand what people are saying when I’m one of many in a group. I can’t follow movie plots very well.

18. NYC is my boyfriend.

19. I believe that good can come from looking into darkness.

20. I would rather live in an apartment than a house. I sleep really, really well in hotels. I like knowing other people are around when I’m not expected to interact with them.

21. My husband can almost always cheer me up.

22. I flunked the 8th grade.

23. I am completely in love with Bruce Springsteen.

24. I hate talking on the telephone.

25. I believe that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are here.

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22 Comments

  • Posted by:  Phil Menger

    1. I think developing a personal brand is insane and I am so glad to hear someone say this outloud.
    2. I don’t miss the job I was let go from after 22 years a year ago. It has presented me with so many opportunities I am like a kid in a toy store.
    3. Even though I will soon run out of savings for some odd reason I am not that worried about it. I worry about it once a week maybe at the most.
    4.I love hotels as long as I have a container of anti-bacterial soap.
    5. I find the best way to avoid cleaning up the mess in my condo is to take a trip.
    6. I find I enjoy the mess in my condo best after I return home from a trip
    7. I find keep the living room dark and watching old movies on turner classic movies channel is a great way to avoid cleaning up the mess in my condo.
    8. I finally realized a dream by buying a DSLR and taking photography lessons. It is an expensive pursuit and I will run out of money soon but that doesn’t seem to bother me. Am I irresponsible? Insane? A dreamer?
    9. I have oodles of social media going on but I am not sure if it is resulting in a better life.
    10. One advantage of social media recently is finding an answer to a question I had. It is called http://www.TEDprize.org. I have signed up to assist http://www.tedprize.org/neil-turok
    11. I concur with Rushdie’s assessment of Oscar winning films.
    12. I am looking forward yet fear failure performing a volunteer photography assignment for the Career Fair at my local university.
    13. I think Milk should have won the Oscar for best Director and best Picture. And I think Kate Winslet should have been nominated for Revolutionary Road instead of The Reader
    14. I feel the new Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band album is one of their best ever.
    15. I am listening to the leaked copy of the new U2 album and think it is their best ever. How do they keep doing it after all these years?
    16. I wish the new hotel guests upstairs would stop klomping around like elephants
    17. I have fallen in love with Brentwood Bay Lodge and spa (www.brentwoodbaylodge.com) and Sidney by the Sea, BC
    18. I am reading with great interest The Book of Dead Philosophers by Simon Critchely, the brand new bio of Samuel Johnson who is 300 years old this fall and Thom Gunn’s Selected 1950-1975 which I found at a used book store in Sidney, BC home of a dozen bookstores at least.
    19. Why do we have to die?
    20. I hope it doesn’t hurt when I die.
    21. Whatever happen to the 1980s?
    22. I wish Susan Piver would one of her famous retreats somewhere near Vancouver or Vancouver Island BC
    23. Whatever happen to Nick Nolte?
    24. I still shake my head in astonishment that the USA has such a young smart President. Golly.
    25. Phew I never thought I would get to 25.

  • Posted by:  susan

    Awesome, Phil! What did Rushdie say about Oscar winning films?

    Where should I do a retreat in Vancouver/Vancouver Island?? Would love to.

  • Posted by:  Phil Menger

    re: Rushdie: http://tinyurl.com/c6vymk. As for a retreat in our neck of the woods how many people do you get to your retreats and what kind of accommodations do you prefer. I see a number of your retreats are in isolated locations and provide common housing, camping, and cabin type environments. Right off the bat I am thinking of Whistler/Squamish/Pemberton. After the Olympics Feb 2010 of course. Cultis Lake could be another option, about a hour and a half outside of Vancouver. On the Island the Gulf Islands could be an option altho this involves ferry travel. But there are annual writers retreats there. Also http://tinyurl.com/blejed and another option here http://mahasangha.blogspot.com and finally Washington State and lovely lovely lovely Oregon (espy costal oregon) are near at hand and relatively easy to each for us canucks.

  • Posted by:  Jo Strejc

    Hi Susan,
    Your number 2 thing is one the Coolest entries ever…so Beyond!

  • Posted by:  susan

    Jo, yes, it was pretty Beyond: http://budurl.com/r4v6/d

    Phil, I usually hope for around 20 people. More than this makes it difficult for me to pay attention to each. I’d love to visit any of the places you mention! I’ll check out the links–thank you.

  • Posted by:  Phil Menger

    Oh well in that case Susan you may want to check out where I just spent a few days. I think they could accommodate that size of a group just fine. the food and Sushi is great but it may not have the vegan or vegetarian options some may desire. Mention my name as recommending them. Off season is better rates and quieter time. http://www.brentwoodbaylodge.com/

  • Posted by:  Celeste Budwit-Hunter

    Susan, you could come do a retreat at Margaret Austin Center, between Houston and Austin. It’s a lovely place: http://www.macenter.org. Come to Texas!

    • Posted by:  susan

      I would so love to come to Texas! I’ll check out the Margaret Austin Center. Many thanks for the link, Celeste.

  • Posted by:  Candi

    You’re in Boston? !!! I just found your blog and found so many wonderful things here. I’m commenting lots as I read through it and am happy to hear you are in Boston! I’m in MA too and hope to catch a book signing when your new book comes out!!! 😉

  • Posted by:  Susan

    What fun to read your bio and see that you worked at Antone’s Records and other great roots labels. I didn’t sit on Hubert Sumlin’s lap, but did kiss him in a drunken display of wonder and awe at being in the same room as Wolf’s guitarist! Jimmie Vaughan is my favorite blues guitarist ever, and Lou Ann Barton truly a goddess. I am benefitting tremendously from your books and so enjoy your voice, spunk, and spirit. Thank you, and take care.

  • Posted by:  Susan

    Any Susan who kissed Hubert Sumlin in a drunken display of wonder is a friend of mine! I share your love of Jimmie and Lou Ann. We have much in common!

  • Posted by:  Michael Roe

    Susan, many thanks for your blog, your thoughts, and the heart and yogic fluidity you put into your writing. I am a divorce mediator, and look to establish a sitting group for divorcing parents in my area. Kind of metta and Tonglen practice centered, with some yoga and walking meditation bits, too. Perhaps as the group grows into, say, 20 people, you might pop in to the group via Skype, DVD, or even as a real person we could talk to….?

  • Posted by:  Susan

    Hi Michael. Thanks for the kind words. I’d be happy to talk to your group. How to arrange? Thanks again! S

  • Posted by:  Kim Cochrane

    Come to Toronto and do a retreat with us… I will help coordinate this…. Would love to meet you…..

  • Posted by:  Edie Weinstein

    Ok, I’m game…let’s see if I can come up with 25 random things:

    1. I can pick things up with my toes, as a result of having to do exercises for being pigeon toed and flat footed as a kid. I have very happy feet now:)

    2. According to my Mom (bless her soul:), I spoke my first word at 6
    months old and she would add “And you haven’t stopped since.”

    3. When I was 7, I rode my bike without training wheels for the first
    time and when my father ran with me and let go of the back of the
    bike, I crashed into the tree in the front yard. It didn’t stop me from
    getting back on the bike and riding again. That’s kind of how I live
    my life.

    4. I have had a series of fun jobs: including lifeguard/swimming
    instructor/swim team coach, greeting card text writer, clown,
    ice cream fountain scooper, doing organic skin care product demos
    and being an artist’s model.

    5. I do alot of ’emotional bungee jumping’, never having done it
    physically.

    6. I have more books than any other type of item in my house.

    7. I interviewed The Dalai Lama in 2008, living out a 20 year
    journalistic dream.

    8. My first pets were goldfish and turtles. My most recent were a
    Shnauzer-Terrier named Merlin and an Abyssinian named Amira.
    Both crossed the Rainbow Bridge a few years ago.

    9. I have read Stranger In A Strange Land at least 30 times.

    10. I have seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show more than 40 times.

    11. I won second prize in a Rocky Horror Picture show contest in
    college, dressing up as the character Magenta, complete with
    bodice and fishnet stockings.

    12. I swam a few marathons for charity in my teens.

    13. I marched for the ERA in the 1970’s and always thought it was
    silly that it was defeated based on the idea that it would mean
    co-ed bathrooms rather than equal pay for equal work.

    14. I met Philly area celebrities Gene London (was in the audience on
    his show) and Sally Star (and had my picture taken sitting on her
    horse) when I was a child.

    15. I was in a hula hoop contest around 12 or 13 and kept it going
    non-stop for 3 hours.

    16. Chocolate is my drug of choice.

    17. I played the wicked step mother in a 5th grade version of
    Cinderella.

    18. I played a ‘Mission Doll’ in Willingboro High’s version of Guys
    and Dolls and I really wanted to be a ‘Hotbox Dancer’.

    19. I took 3 years of Latin in high school so I could become a better
    writer. Maybe it helped:)

    20. I used a computer for the first time in grad school. Pre-k kids use
    them now.

    21. I facilitate a workshop called Cuddle Party where people attend
    wearing p.j.’s

    22. Mint chocolate chip is my favorite flavor of ice cream.

    23. I received a white plume feather from a member of a Mummer’s
    Parade string band member when I was clowning at an event for
    Gilda’s Club.

    24. I am connected with 4400 people on facebook. I love networking
    and meeting kindred spirits.

    25. Love is my religion.

  • Posted by:  Jamie S.

    I loved reading this! Thanks for sharing, everyone! 🙂 Here is my small addition to the convo…

    1. I love salt.
    2. I feel a strong connection to animals.
    3. I want to become a Buddhist and am looking how/where to begin.
    4. Recently, my favorite sound has become the wind in the trees.
    5. My favorite sight is the endless horizon of the ocean.
    6. I never understood what “quieting your mind” meant until it just happened one moment.
    7. I find meditation so powerful and pure but struggle with it daily.
    8. I love Mother Earth and pray we start treating her more kindly.
    9. I can’t listen to music and do something else. I always end up day dreaming.
    10. Clutter makes me nervous.
    11. Nothing gives me more energy than photographing/exploring a new place.
    12. I too hate talking on the telephone.
    13. I used to be a lawyer. I am now a photographer.
    14. One of my most favorite authors is Paulo Coelho. His books were the impetus for change in my life.
    15. I find beauty in simplicity.
    16. I believe in a universal soul.
    17. My favorite hotels are old, restored convents and monasteries.
    18. I love to read.
    19. Some of my favorite moments are simply hanging out with my pups and my husband.
    20. I am very intrigued by whales and really, really wish I could see one up close in its natural habitat.
    21. I can’t remember how I discovered the OHP but feel as if it found me.
    22. Zoos make me incredibly sad. I can’t even go to them without tearing up. I feel suffocated and overwhelmed. It’s a very disturbing feeling.
    23. My nickname as a kid was “motor mouth”. I still am a chatter box, but now cherish silence as well.
    24. My front door is painted in a sea foam color.
    25. I believe everyone has a reason/purpose in this life.

    • Posted by:  susan

      Love these! If I can ever help w #3, let me know. xoxo S

      • Posted by:  jamie.p.simon@gmail.com

        Susan, I just watched your video entitled “the path” – it was so beautiful and lovely. I too was born seeking and have been quenching my curiosity through books and the OHP. I believe becoming a Buddhist is part of my path. Do you recommend how I take the first step in doing so? I am not even sure how you “become” a Buddhist…

        Thanks so much,
        Jamie

  • Posted by:  Leslie

    Here goes my moment of Daring Greatly with my decision to continue the thread of sharing:

    1. My favourite colour is purple
    2. I’m curious about people, places, nature
    3. I’m addicted to communication, but have issues with doing it efficiently
    4. My mother passed away 2 ½ years ago. We lived miles apart for most of my adult life. I miss her much more now
    5. I definitely prefer one to one conversations than those in a group. I feel lost in groups and tend to “have to be funny” to cope.
    6. Babies make me happy and hopeful
    7. I’m extremely grateful for TED talks
    8. Every spring when I walk by the lake, I fall in love again with the city I live in: Geneva.
    9. I find the human body a source of awe and wonder.
    10. Meditation is a mystery I’d like to dive into.
    11. Giving a massage makes me feel relaxed.
    12. I have many stories to tell and battle with the discipline to write them or maybe it is the fear of success?
    13. Eckhart Tolle is my hero
    14. Went to London just to see Brené Brown at the School of Life
    15. I’m a procrastinator
    16. I’m a cat person too
    17. I’ve been wearing the same perfume for almost 20 years and just can’t smell myself with other ones
    18. I believe in oneness, even when I sometimes feel alone and separated
    19. I definitely have issues with authority
    20. I’m still trying to make peace with my shadow
    21. My favourite quote today: “You are responsible for the energy you bring into this room” I can’t remember where I heard it and wish I could put it on the door in my office, but…
    22. I believe in angels, especially those without wings, and magic
    23. I wish I had elegant hands with long nails to paint them different colours
    24. I love to travel
    25. I’m grateful for having discovered your Open Heart Project

    • Posted by:  susan

      Leslie, I so appreciate your daring greatly. Love, love, love that quote (#21). And I’m grateful we practice together! Warmly, S

  • Posted by:  brenda

    Hi, Susan, another perfect place for you to hold a writers retreat is in Taos, New Mexico, the Mabel Dodge Luhan House; go to http://www.mabeldodgeluhan.com/

    Mabel is one of my favs and she is best known for her memoirs.

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