Challenged! 5 Things You May Not Know About Me

John threw down the challenge to me...sort of like a bad e-mail scam.  He's laid out 5 things that people may not know about him and challenged 5 others to do the same.  The pressure is on...and I'm sure I could jot down a hundred things...but I'll try and keep it to 5 simple things that date back a bit.

5 Simple Things...

1. I quit college in 1983 after barely 2 years.  Bored with the classroom, I decided to go out and get a job.  I started working at 7-Eleven and slowly worked my way through a variety of jobs and companies, all the while, by-passing that 'college graduate' requirement for most positions with experience and common sense.  So, here I am in China with a management position and a staff of people who cannot believe when I tell them I got my start working in 7-Eleven, schlepping Big Gulps and chili dogs.
2. My first car (that was all mine) was a 1972 Toyota Corolla Mark II and it was given to me by my brother in 1981.  It was primer grey...and was completely held together with rust (it's life was lived on the Oregon coast with all that salty air).  I could never do any repairs on the engine, because most bolts were rusted tight.  This car died a merciful death of a siezed engine about a year later.
3. I ran for class president my 8th grade year...got my ass thoroughly whipped, despite my superior performance during the debates.  That was the last time I ever ran for any sort of position/office.  I don't like butt-kissing 1 or 1,000 people for anything. 
4. The best Christmas present I ever had...a pair of tickets to see the Portland Trailblazers vs the Seattle Supersonics on December 25, 1976.  That team would go on to win the NBA Championship.  This event spurrned my love of basketball for 4 or 5 years.  I played on the school teams (not very well) and tried to learn the game.  I dunked the ball on a regulation hoop twice when I was 17 yrs old. 
   • That gift is followed closely by a massive electric train set Santa brought in...oooohhh...1970?  That was killer.
5. When I was first married, I was a very fussy and particular eater.  There were many things that I would not even get my face close to if it were on the plate.  After moving to Asia in 1996 and being exposed to a variety of goodies and treats from around the world, I have to say that I am much more open minded about food in general.  That said...I still cannot stand corn or tomatoes in their pure form.  These are both items in which God intended we make other good things out of...like tortillas and salsa.
6. BONUS:  I never mention it on the blog.  My name is Brian.

So there you go...5 things.  Although, I am not sure they are as deep as some people would like.  Some things that people don't know about me will remain that way.  Tai-Tai suggested that I put down that I continually pass gas...well, everyone KNOWS that, so why jot it down here.

As John did, I am now going to ask 5 others the same; Tai-Tai, Steve, Kate, Lonnie and Ian.

Comments

[Steve]

Oh Hell! I knew someone would get me with this one sooner or later.

[Myrick]

Ian? Banana Oil perhaps?

[GZ Expat]

That would be the same Ian...now Benevlolent Misanthropy.

Actually, I had your name on my list...but changed it at the last minute. Heh...

[Myrick]

Ah, the link is still directed to AP though -- hence the confusion.

[GZ Expat]

OK...I am a moron. It's fixed.

But, hey, you could still give us your 5, though?!

[Venomous Kate]

I'm going to have to think up a suitable punishment, Brian.

[Lonnie]

I am on it...

Sounds like fun...

L

[GZ Expat]

Atta Boy!