87 Things About Me

Most people tend to declare 100 things about themselves, but frankly, 87 is my favorite number. Consider that a little bonus factoid before we’ve even begun.

Oh, and I just wrote this on April 10, 2008, but am backdating it so it can sit on the sidelines alongside my profile photo. I don't know how else to do it.

On with it.

1. I am 6’ tall. Tall enough that when I walk around, strangers immediately look at my feet. I used to think it was because they were admiring my shoes, but now I realize that it is to see if I’m wearing 8” heels. I’m not.

2. I’ve been this tall since about 7th grade. Yes, it was as bad, awkward and ugly as you imagine. The guys finally caught up, well, last year.

3. I have one sister, Lauren, and we are 2 years and 10 months apart. Which, incidentally, was close enough to be Senior/Freshman at both high school and college, and far enough that I often pretended I’d never met her.

4. That feeling has changed, and now she’s my best friend and I can’t apologize enough for ignoring her, ridiculing her and taunting her as a kid. I’ve grown out of the first two. The taunting just keeps things spicy.

5. Growing up in Atlanta makes me think and act like a Southerner, but having Midwestern parents saves me from sounding much like one. Until I’ve had a few too many beers.

6. From junior year in college on, I thought I wanted to work in sports marketing. Then I got my first job after graduation at the Atlanta Hawks, and could barely afford macaroni on what they were paying me. I decided the glamour was not worth the starvation.

7. I have been happily working in various ad agencies/marketing firms in account strategy/planning since then, and I love it. No, seriously, even with crazy clients and ridiculous deadlines and the stresses of creativity conflicting with budgets, I actually like what I do.

8. I dislike portabella mushrooms, beets, veal, soggy pancakes, spicy foods, sweet pickles and curry.

9. My only surviving grandparent is my Dad’s mom, and she lives on her own in a cute little condo in West Des Moines and drives a pretty sassy red 4-door Honda.

10. As the daughter of an artist (turned small business owner) and an engineer (turned salesman), I have what I deem to be “the unique blend of left and right brain skills.”

11. Which is the resume-building way to say that I’m organized and creative.

12. Translate that to mean that my to-do lists, calendars and files are color-coded.

13. I am still the best of friends with a small group of girls with whom I went to elementary school. We all, by way of geography or choice, went to middle school, high school and college together, and are still referring to ourselves as “The Posse.”

14. I’ve always been a storyteller, and was inspired by Doogie Howser to write an online journal since my handwritten ones never panned out. This blog seems to be satisfying the Doogie urges from a 15 years ago.

15. The Posse makes fun of my stories, though I think they secretly love them. Except for when I get off on a tangent and backtrack 12 times before making my way back to the point. Which I usually do.

16. My driver’s license says I have blue eyes, but I think that is because the DMV lady felt bad for me when she realized that they were really just grey. Like an elephant.

17. And, I’m not sure I’ll ever again weigh what my driver’s license says I do. Ever.

18. I played tennis, basketball and softball, and swam on many a summer league team. Which is why I claim to hate working out now—just too many coaches. The excuse is growing thin, I realize.

19. I only got 3 Bs in college, and one was because I cried through the entire final exam because I was dumped the night before. I forget his name now, but not the B.

20. My parents succumbed to our desires and bought us an English Springer Spaniel puppy we named Maggie. I was 8 and my sister was 5. We weren’t so good at the caretaking, and 6 weeks later, when I came home from school, Maggie had “gone away.” I cried for days, but wasn’t sorry to see the bite marks no longer appearing on my patent leather party shoes.

21. With a large Irish Catholic family on my mother’s side, I have dozens and dozens of talented cousins, most of whom are ridiculously good looking, insanely talented, amazingly well-traveled, and married to the kindest people you could hope for. O’Brien Christmas is always a bit like a high-school reunion where you’re the fat single one.

22. I missed my 10-year high school reunion for the wedding of one of my cousins. The irony was not lost on me.

23. I moved to Chicago after drinking too much wine at one of the aforementioned weddings. It just sounded like a good idea.

24. I’d never been to Chicago, and was gainfully employed and in an apartment lease. Five days after the wedding, I had a lease on an apartment in Lincoln Park and was scheduled to move 3 months later.

25. That was 7 ½ years ago, and I’m not sure I’ll ever move back, despite missing my family and The Posse desperately. Who's to say where my road will lead.

26. I love St. Patrick’s Day, and any excuse to drink beer all day and sing silly Irish songs. To bagpipers. Wearing kilts. It’s my favorite holiday, though Christmas is a close second.

27. Attending an SEC school (University of Georgia), I am proud to claim near-fanaticism about college football. See number 26—college football is yet another reason to spend a Saturday afternoon inside a bar drinking beer. And singing songs. The kilts get left at home.

28. I have been to 9 countries in Europe, and would go back again tomorrow if you asked. Yes, you.

29. A lover of cheese, chocolate, coffee and red wine, it upsets me that the doctor claims that those things all may be “triggers” for my migraines. What does she know?

30. I am a planner, in my brain and in real life, and sometimes find myself disappointed when the plans I’ve made in my head don’t pan out. I try not to take it out on the nearest friend, but it happens.

31. I spend the 5 months of winter (on a conservative estimate) in Chicago waiting for the first sign of summer, and just knowing that it is coming gets me through. Though April is a tough one. Living in the shadow of Wrigley Field helps ease the pain. Until I look at their win/loss record.

32. The first winter I was here I saw more snow in 2 months than I had in my whole cumulative life. And, laughed and scurried about like a kid on Christmas. I have been known to drop to the sidewalk for a few snow angels.

33. And, cartwheels are not rare out of me in the summer.

34. Mascarading as an agency "account person," I secretly love Photoshop and InDesign projects. My best gifts are usually ones that began as a simple photo and became something much more clever. At least, I think so. The recipient may beg to differ.

35. I once almost ran over my sister while we were riding the lawn mower. The blades weren’t on, but it wasn’t a pretty sight. I think she forgives me, finally.

36. My Dad used to hear that he looks a bit like Phil Donahue. He did, and still does a bit, but I always thought my Dad was better looking than Phil.

37. Aforementioned Dad builds hot rod cars in the basement of my parents’ house. Dinnertime often is accompanied by the smell of exhaust fumes. And, they’re not rednecks, I promise.

38. The first completed hot rod was painted the loudest, most obnoxious color purple. My sister and I christened it Barney, and the name stuck.

39. My first pet was a hamster named Peaches. Thinking back, why did I want a rodent living in my bedroom?

40. Speaking of animals, I have an irrational, and unfounded fear of snakes. I can’t look at them on TV, in books, or in movies. Just thinking about them, and typing this entry, makes my skin crawl.

41. My birthday is 3 days after Christmas, and 3 days before New Year’s Eve. And, yes, that is a crappy time for a birthday. And, yes, people give me a combo-gift and that is pretty annoying. Even at this age.

42. My Mom’s family was profiled in Life magazine when she was three (in 1953). I have a copy, and plan to frame it one day. It featured 3 huge families of O’Briens all living on one block in St. Louis. It smells like old newspapers.

43. I learned to type in the 9th grade, and can clock up to 80 words per minute even still.

44. I don’t like dark beers, or dark liquors, at all. Never have, never will. Though the smell of Jim Beam will forever remind me of college.

45. I am a Mac snob, and will never again buy a PC. But, no, I do not have the apple sticker on my car. Give me a break.

46. The smell of coffee freshly ground, and gasoline, are two of what I consider to be the most intoxicating smells. And, good men’s cologne, but that’s a little more subjective.

47. Growing up, I went to a Catholic church. I’m afraid to admit that it’s been quite some time since I’ve actively, on my own, gone to mass. I’m considering it, but it hasn’t happened just yet. I am still confident in my personal relationship with God, but the church thing lost its luster for me as of late.

48. U2 is my favorite band. All criticism aside, their music just makes me happy. Bono's global good works don't hurt.

49. Reading is a huge passion, and I’m glad that my nightly “read before bed” habit hasn’t gotten in the way of some good relationships.

50. Because the relationships I was having weren’t all that good, and the books haven’t disappointed me yet.

51. Although, things are looking up, and I’m hopeful. The books are a distant second to the alternative right now.

52. Speaking of relationships, I developed a theory about dating and men called The Vortex, and from what I can tell in my amateur research with friends and colleagues, it exists. We decided it is a “place” where the guys go that, after a few great dates, just fall off the planet. Many side-theories exist, some about revolving doors, some about hot wings, video games and beer taps, but whatever the place’s décor, it is real.

53. I kept meaning to write a blog about all of the various encounters I (and my girlfriends) had with The Vortex, but then I had to go and get into a happy and healthy relationship, and I don’t feel that bitter right now.

54. I ride the bus to and from each day, and have become increasingly more observant of, and increasingly less patient with the frank rudeness and widespread ignorance that exists in crowds.

55. I have never cried harder than I did at the following five movies: “Terms of Endearment,” “The Notebook,” “The Way We Were,” “Titanic” and “Love Story.” I’m not ashamed. Pass the Kleenex.

56. My parents got engaged at a Kentucky Fried Chicken, sitting in the car outside. At least the grease helped the ring slide on, right?

57. I know every word to “Les Miserables,” and have seen it so often that I have to bite my tongue in the theater from singing along. I still hold a grudge against Jill for falling asleep during the French Revolution. While seated in the 3rd row.

58. I’d love to go on a safari and take pictures, and write about my experiences. Not sure what, except money, is holding me back.

59. In terms of dating, I think the right guy will be the one that you can take to the office party, a wedding or a funeral, and he’ll fit right in.

60. I think the Chicago skyline is the prettiest in the country. I’m a little biased, but I’m a transplant here, so I get to vote.

61. Speaking of voting, I may actually change political parties this year for the first time since I was legally able. And, that’s ok. I'm still a bit angry about the hefty taxes we pay, but you know what they say about Death and Taxes. They both suck.

62. I love live music, and wish I took more advantage of the great music scene that exists in a cultural hotbed like this town.

63. One of my biggest regrets is not having studied abroad in college. Was I afraid I’d miss a football season? A blooming quad in spring? I wish someone had just made me go.

64. I once made a 100 Things to do Before I Die list (A Bucket List, if you will) and I can’t find it now. I doubt “lose this list” was on there anywhere.

65. I’m a sucker for a man in a bright white button down shirt.

66. The television show “The Office” routinely makes me spit whatever I’m drinking all over the coffee table—it’s just that good.

67. The most spiritually moving moment I have ever experienced was in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. I truly believe that what I was feeling was real, and not the fabric of my imagination.

68. Sometimes I long for the “good ole days” where the biggest challenge was finishing a game of “kick the can” in the neighborhood before dinnertime.

69. I’m don’t consider myself very lucky, and don’t play the lottery. I should, though, seeing as the Georgia Lottery paid for my college tuition (the HOPE Scholarship).

70. It pleases me greatly to finish a crossword puzzle, in pen.

71. Tulips are my favorite flower.

72. I’m not afraid of “meeting the parents.” In fact, I quite like it.

73. I say a silent prayer each time my plane takes off and lands. Those times that the change in cabin pressure hasn’t knocked me out before we even get through taxiing. I’m not afraid of flying, but it just seems like a good idea.

74. Only one boss in my career has really ever not liked me. She punched her fist through the wall once after I made a mistake involving e-mail. This was right after she admitted that she “saw a lot of herself at 24 in me.” That is some serious self-loathing.

75. I was a Girl Scout until 6th grade, and performed a terrifyingly bad rendition of “Lollipop” by the Neely Farm Pool. I’m thankful that my childhood was pre-You Tube.

76. Even more than expensive chocolate, I crave gas station candy. The sugary, sour, tangy, chewy crap that is sold all across America. Road trips are heaven, and I'm a cheap date.

77. Speaking of road trips, we Atlanta natives call everything “Coke.” Even if we mean a Dr. Pepper or a Sprite. Maybe the Coca-Cola Company brainwashed the entire city? Who cares. Now I’m thirsty.

78. Our family Christmas tree always had an angel on top, and I am pretty sure without the clever “every other year” system (which often resulted in consulting a photo album), I would have bullied my little sister into letting me put it up there each year.

79. I call corduroy pants “rink rink” pants, and always have. You walk across the room in them and tell me what you hear. Rink rink. Told you.

80. Opera music, and most notably a talented male tenor vocalist, almost always makes me cry.

81. I just wasn’t one of the people who thought “Napoleon Dynamite” was a funny movie. So sue me. Heh heh. Heh heh.

82. I had a ridiculously horrid perm in 7th grade, a mouth full of braces, a face covered in zits, and fashion tastes that included buttoning my polo shirts all the way up to the neck. My poor parents actually had to still look at me every day, and try to love me anyway.

83. No matter what, I will own a Golden Retriever one day, and have a few names already lined up. And, no, I’m not telling.

84. I have no idea where the next five years will take me, or if I’ll spend the rest of my adult life in Chicago or the nearby area. Although, a house with a yard (for said Golden Retriever) does sound awfully appealing. So does living near family and The Posse. Aaah. Who knows. I can’t think about that stuff just yet, so for now I’ll focus on the weekend. Which, according to my plans, is shaping up to be quite the adventure.

85. I have become a wee bit addicted to reading blogs on the Internet. I'm constantly impressed by the talent that exists, and the way some people can turn a phrase.

86. I don’t drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. I’m trying, but it is just such a long walk to the ladies room.

87. I’m pretty proud of myself for actually coming up with 87 of these tidbits—with only a few backtracks (thank God for the backspace and delete buttons!)—as I get a kick out of small accomplishments.