1) Brothers- 0
Name 10 Things You Hate that most everyone else loves (this was harder than expected):
Beginning with the city that your family lived in when you were born, list every city that has been your mailing address chronologically up to today.
1. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR KITCHEN PLATES?
Blue and white Currier and Ives freebies from the A&P grocery stores in the 1960s
2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Measuring America: How the United States Was Shaped By the Greatest Land Sale in History. It’s sounds like a nerdy topic but land ownership by the masses is one of the most significant things that has made the US different than the rest of the world.
3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
At home: Elvis Presley (youthful).
At Work: print from Boston Museum of Art of two cats that look very much like Bert and Brazil
4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Trivial Pursuit
5. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
American Heritage and Family Handyman
6. FAVORITE SMELL?
Dinner being ready when I’m hungry.
7. LEAST FAVORITE SMELL?
Spoiled uncooked meat. My Grandmother’s refrigerator went out one summer while she was on vacation. Having to cart the spoiled meat out in garbage cans should have made me a vegetarian about 20 years earlier (not that I’m really a very good one now).
8. WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
What time is it?
9. FAVORITE COLOR?
Dark Blue or Kelly Green
10. LEAST FAVORITE COLOR?
It depends on the application but the industrial green-gray point of view has define (de)merits.
11. HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
When ever I get to it.
12. FUTURE CHILD'S NAMES?
I'm not answering that one. Bethany and I have it figured out and were not sharing. You’ll just have to wait until it happens in the next month or so.
On my favorite list, that won’t be appearing on one of our children, the middle name Whimsy.
13. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE?
Besides the standard answers of health, family and friends, things that make me think or laugh.
14. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Chocolate
15. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?
Not so much anymore.
16. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? Yes, both our cats are overweight and insist on pinning us down.
17. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
Mostly Cool, although it is less cool when camping and your tent isn’t very effective or up yet
18. WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
1968 Fort Torino GT…I used to drive too fast. Our pokey Suzuki Sidekick has done wonders for that and for the number of speeding violations that either Bethany or I have been issued. After 9 years, it’s still zero, something that isn’t true for my other cars (or my wife’s I think).
19. IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH ONE FAMOUS PERSON/CELEBRITY WHO WOULD IT BE?
Historian David McCullough though that is only a guess.
20. FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
Lately, Shiner Bock Beer
21. YOUR SIGN & BIRTHDAY?
Leo, 23 July
22. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’m pretty fond of the one I got but wouldn’t mind getting paid more, having more respect and a little more authority.
Besides I learned my lesson as a toddler watching cartoons to be careful what career I pined for (Oh Mr. Lizard, I don’t know want to be a fireman/cowboy/astronaut/etc. anymore. Twizzle, twazzle twizm, tomb, it’s time for this one to go home).
23. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY COLOR HAIR WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Blonde like when I was 5 but thicker
24. IS THE GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
Half Empty, there’s always room for improvement, which is the heart and soul of an engineer.
25. FAVORITE MOVIES? Overall / Philosophy of Life: It’s A Wonderful Life and Brazil
Foreign Art Film Snob Answer: 8½
Kids: Mary Poppins and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Comedy for the young male: Animal House, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Blues Brothers and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Silent: Buster Keaton in most anything
Romantic Comedy: When Harry Met Sally, His Girl Friday, What’s Up Doc?, Bringing Up Baby, Raising Arizona,
Groundhog Day
Western: The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Unforgiven, Hud
Musical: Singing In the Rain, most anything with Fred Astaire
Drama: Casablanca, The Last Picture Show, Cool Hand Luke, Pulp Fiction
26. DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?
I try
27. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Maddie (our dog) and some toys that Jane has placed there.
28. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
8, the number of Barcley Plager Captain of the Blues in my youth when I had heroes, as opposed to people with characteristics that I admire.
29. WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST FEAR?
Bad things happening to any of my family but particularly of things going wrong with Jane or our second child. Being a parent has brought in new and creative levels of things to be paranoid of.
30. SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
A person, along with her husband, whose company and conversation is so enjoyable I never get enough sleep or see any of the sights when I visit Pittsburgh (and I don’t regret it in the least).
31. PERSON(S) LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
President George W. Bush
32. PERSON(S) YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
My wife Bethany, she loves these things (as do I see 3 other previous ones on our web site:
http://users.connectria.com/~randy/RandyBriefBioSillyemails.htm
33. FAVORITE CD?
Varies over time; but lately I’ve been playing the latest from Norah Jones, Michael Bublee and Diana Krall
34. FAVORITE TV SHOW?
All time favs: Bullwinkle, Sienfield, Simpsons
35. KETCHUP OR MUSTARD?
Ketchup
36. HAMBURGERS OR HOT DOGS?
Morning Star Veggie burger
37. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK?
Diet Coke
38. THE BEST PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?
Home (Webster Groves) but the place I long to go too again and likely won’t is Adak in the Aleutian islands of Alaska, beautiful green hills with little to no development presently and likely to remain so.
39. WHAT SCREEN SAVER IS ON YOUR COMPUTER?
A series of WWI and WWII Corps of Engineers recruitment posters I took digital pictures of at the National Archives.
40. BURGER KING OR MCDONALDS?
BK, I can get a flame broiled veggie sandwich there, though it’s only OK. I’d much rather head for the border and get cheap burritos at Taco Bell
41. WHAT IS THE BEST MONEY YOU HAVE EVER SPENT?
The $30 per cat from the Humane Society; there was also the one night in 1987 at Johnny’s Bar and Museum in St. James. I got stuffed on cat fish, had all the draft PBR I wanted, kept the juke box going and had several rounds of pool all for $5 as I recall. I don’t think I’ll ever has as much fun per dollar spent
42. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU DON'T HAVE THAT YOU WANT?
If it were only one thing…
On the practical realistic side of things, it would be nice to be able to buy Schafer Light locally again. On the global, idealistic, delusional side: peace, love, justice and understanding.
1. What time is it: 6:43 AM. 2/16/02 and I've been up for an hour.
2. Name as it appears on your birth certificate: Randal Scott Curtis, Super Genius - (OK I made up that last part)
3. Nickname(s): Boom-Boom, Mr. Fabulous, T-Rex, and of course Super Genius - Actually I don't recall anyone ever using any of these words to refer to me but I wasn't sure about sharing: Toad (like from American Graffiti), Spike, Raucous or a part of the female anatomy that has several letters in common with my last name that a few of my fraternity brothers referred to me as but isn't exactly fit for a "family" email.
4. Parents names: Nancy Eileen (Sullivan) Curtis and Ronald Harvey Curtis
5. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake: zero, I'm beyond the point of them being able to fit that many candles on a cake without calling in the fire department for support just in case something goes awry.
6. Date that you regularly blow them out: I believe we celebrated on 25 July not that it was my birthday but I have issues in that arena that I'm sure you heard of (and if not, check out the page on our web site).
7. Pets (if any): If I said my wife Bethany would that be considered bad form? I just thought I needed to mention the beautiful love of my life and mother of my future children somewhere in this missive (that should dig me out of the hole). We share our home with Maddie the wonder dog and two overweight cats: Bert and Brazil.
8. Eye color: Aqua, Blue-green
9. Hair color: Brown. Its been getting progressively darker all my life since the strawberry blonde I had as a baby.
10. Piercing: none with jewelry, though I have a propensity to impale my hands with glass, knives and other sharp objects on a semi-annual basis, that on occasion require stitches.
11. Tattoos: I was real close to getting one instead of having a wedding ring but decided against it based on the opinion of two doctors friends warning against it based on the high rate of Hepatitis C that occurs as a result (they cited 20-30% chance but I think they were trying to scare me). I figured my liver had enough to deal with as it was.
12. How much do you love your job: I love the job and most of the people I directly work with (but I am less than enamored with others.)
13. Favorite color(s): blue and green ( just like me eyes...)
14. Home town(s): St. Louis metro area (Rock Hill)
15. Current Residence: Webster Groves
16. Favorite food: ice cream; pizza used to be right up there but I have since learned that my affection toward pizza is second-rate compared to others.
17. Been to Africa: only in my mind
18. Been toilet papering: yes, Actually it's a funny story. There was a girl I had a crush on at Dairy Queen in my youth. As a sign of my affection me and a co-worker, who was equally smitten, decided to display our affection by placing toilet paper in her family's trees. After work we did a fine job in about 10 minutes and we're rather proud of ourselves. We found out later that the object of our affection had watched us do the deed and was rather amused that we TP-ed her 70+ year old neighbor's yard instead. Like a trooper, she cleaned up her neighbors yard and tried to explain to her why hooligans had chosen to deface her trees. She was a good person, which mostly explains why she never went out with me.
19. Loved somebody so much it made you cry: yep.
20. Been in a car accident: yep, several of them humorous occasions in retrospect but I've already been a bit to babbly here.
21. Favorite piece of furniture: the oak chevelle in our bedroom. It's nicer to look at than use, which partially explains why Bethany keeps her clothes there and not me.
22. Sprite or 7UP: 7-Up
23. Favorite Movie: "It's a Wonderful Life", with "Brazil" (see cat #2's name) a close second and "8 1/2" a close third. (I had to throw in some artsy
fartsy/foreign films in the list to prove that I was a real movie buff to make up for the rather common, schmaltzy Capra-corn one, which is really the clear favorite. Mary Poppins is right up there too but also isn't held in high enough regard among the cinema illuminati).
24. Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving. It would be the 4th of July if I still got to shoot bottle rockets at my friends (and them at me).
25. Favorite day of the week: everyday
26. Favorite word or phrase: There's no such thing at boring places; only boring people.
27. Favorite Toothpaste: whatever the wife buys
28. Favorite Restaurant: Imo's for pizza; Train Wreck for post Volleyball, ZuZu's for Mexican, Rizzo's for Italian;
McClain's
for cheap beer, mediocre nachos and karaoke
29. Favorite Flowers: the short stem, bushy tiny roses that has been growing like gangbusters in the front yard for years.
30. Favorite Drink: diet cola during the day. Beer otherwise (merlot is moving up as I get older).
31. Favorite sport to watch: congressional politics or Olympic judging
32. Favorite type of ice-cream: Spumoni
33. Favorite Sesame Street Character: Bert (see cat #1's name, though that isn't true)
34. Disney or Warner Bros.: Miramax
35. Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Yo Quero Taco Bell!
36. When was your last hospital visit: for personal needs, Mother's Day last year for impaling glass into my hand
37. What color is your bedroom carpet: oak
38. How many times did you fail your drivers test: once and I was really humbled by it and didn't take it again until after I bought a car awhile later.
39. Who is the last person you got email from before this: Rosemary Sage, concerning a mutual acquaintance who's a bed hog.
40. Do you have a criminal record: nothing of record besides some minor traffic issues like speeding and illegal parking. I jay walk in front of the downtown police station on a nearly daily basis and the coppers haven't caught up with me yet. Haaa-Haaa-Haa!
41. Which single store would you choose to max out your credit cards: I wouldn't act in such a financial irresponsible way as there is an insane amount of credit limit there. I'm most likely to spend the most money at the Home Depot though.
42. What do you do most often when you are bored: I've rarely been bored since I was a teenager. Too many interesting things to do.
43. Name the person that you are friends with that lives the furthest
away: in the winter, Rachel Jenkins whose in the Antarctic, else wise it's my former roommates Jake and Pooky in San Francisco (though they don't live together).
44. Most annoying thing people ask me: I'm never annoyed by people....Hee-Hee-Hee, ya right.
45. Who will send this back the quickest: don't know
46. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond? Justin and Lisa because they sent it to me first.
47. Favorite all time TV show: my long standing answer has been The Bullwinkle Show but Seinfield might be closer to the truth
48. Last person you went out to dinner with: Bethany and a few co-workers (ones that I respect)
49. Last Movie you saw: Monster's Ball which was more powerful than I expected. Excellent performances by Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton, and a nice twisted and disturbing spin on his Everybody Loves Raymond father image by Peter Boyle. A few production gaffes were noticeable but given the budget, an terrific film.
50: Time when you finished: an hour later, Aren't I exciting?
NAME: Randy Curtis
SEX: M
HOME: Webster Groves, MO
BIRTHPLACE: Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO
HEIGHT: 6', OK 5' 11.6"
EYES: blue green
HAIR: Brown with increasing traces of "distinguished" highlights
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OUIJA BOARDS?: Generally I don't think about them but my opinion would rank somewhere around The Blair Witch Project, which is the first movie I walked out on since 1986…because I was SOOOO scared.
YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW: currently on TV, Will & Grace, of all time is much tougher. Seinfield, the Simpsons and the American Experience are the things I regularly taped in the 1990s if I was out. Before that, it's a big list and I'm not sure I would like them as much now as I did at first. The Twilight Zone is a perfect example. Once you've seen them once, or figured out what the twist is, it's not very entertaining. But the first time, WOW!
WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSEPAD?: what mouse pad?
FAVORITE BOARD GAME: Celebrity, oops it said board game, in that case Trivial Pursuit.
FAVORITE MAGAZINE: American Heritage Invention and Technology and Science News.
FAVORITE SMELL: food
WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD:. Remorse, loss and failure.
BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD: taking the high road and ignoring the physical, I'll say loving camaraderie, which on second thought pretty much includes the physical side too.
FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE WEEKEND: I love having days free of the "have tos" or "should dos" and see where it takes me whether it's goofing off or working around the house. On Friday or Saturday, it's the movies. On Sunday night, the dinner group and game gathering is always tops.
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK: There are so many but Mary Poppins and Everybody Says I Love You, I play the most lately. Il Postino is really up there for non-musicals,
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? I'm really on autopilot until I get into the shower, where the thoughts of the day start creeping in.
DO YOU GET MOTION SICKNESS? More so while watching the Cinema Verte/bouncy camera school of film than in the car. Spinning around more than once or twice will do it too (and I used to love the playground merry go round as a kid).
ROLLER COASTERS...DEADLY OR EXCITING? Mostly fun but I've never been overly excited or scared on one (or motion sick for that matter).
PEN OR PENCIL? Pen - blue or red, so editing changes show up.
HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE? When ever I get to it.
FUTURE SON'S NAME: George Bailey Curtis, though I doubt I'd get the final say. Whimsy would be a good middle name.
FUTURE DAUGHTERS NAME: Hope, because it's the most important one of all.
FAVORITE FOOD: most things with cheese
DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS? Mom, very much so. Dad, not so much.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME? Not on a civic level but on a micro home level yes. Getting finned $10 for breaking the lock off the fraternity's liquor cabinet for a Pirate's Tea comes immediately to mind, even though I originally bought the lock and hasp.
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? chocolate
FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Something different than the last time but Almond Praline hits the rotation often.
DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE: I love to drive. Tooling down the highway in the Spitfire on a cool summers evening is a joyful experience. Long distance road trips are my favorite way to travel and see the country.
DO YOU SLEEP WITH STUFFED ANIMALS? Not unless you count two overfed cats.
IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Harry Truman.
FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK: Schaefer Light.
DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI? Yep. Waste not, want not. Besides they're yummy.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY KIND OF JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Supreme, Imperial Dictator for Life of the Universe but I'm not sure God is looking for a replacement.
IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I can't see me dying my hair.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE? Yes.
WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM? Where I'm typing this, Randolph Scott and other movie posters.
IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? Neither, 50% too much capacity.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNAPPLE? Pink Lemonade
FAVORITE MOVIE: It's a Wonderful Life, with Brazil a real close second.
ARE YOU A RIGHTY, LEFTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS? Righty.
DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS? Mostly.
IF YOU COULD BE ONE GARDENING TOOL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? a shovel.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER? 8, it was Barclay Plager's jersey number and when I was young and had sports heroes, he was my favorite. Adulthood is so much more complicated.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR? A Jaguar XKE and a Land Rover with a welded cage roof rack and a spare gas tank on the hatch door. I guess I've got poor man versions of both.
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH: I don't watch sports of my own accord. Though if taking off their shirt becomes more common in women's soccer or maybe transfers to other women sports like swimming, I think I'd change my mind.
SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU: She sparkles and comes alive in the presence of most dogs. Actually, just mentioning dogs will usually bring a warm, joyful smile to her face.
PERSON WHO YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND: Brad Kline
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY: The first thing I ever remember in life, is the day we got our Spitz, Sugar when I was almost 4. Before that, I guess nothing was worth remembering.
FAVORITE CANDY: Sprees
FAVORITE DESSERT: Ice cream, or ice cream with pie or ice cream with cake or ice cream with brownies or ice cream with…
IF I COULD HAVE A DAY TO MYSELF I WOULD: Find a secluded spot away from home and start in on the many books on my to read list.
DO YOU LIKE TO BE SURPRISED (IN A GOOD WAY)? Sure, who doesn't like "good" things?
DO YOU LIKE TO SURPRISE OTHERS? Only in a good way.
SHARE AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT: It was a cold January night with about a foot of new snow on the ground. I was bundled up with thick woolen gloves knocking on the door of a blind date. We chat briefly inside her house and left to get something to eat. Opening the door to my Sidekick (and no it wasn't the yellow spots I was embarrassed about Julia), my car alarm starts going off. I inadvertently set it while turning on the rear window defroster. The real problem was I had never bother to learn how to use it and had no idea how to turn it off. It wails for an eternity while I desperately search the owner's manual for directions on how to turn the thing off. The rest of the date went all right and we dated for awhile.
IF I COULD CHOOSE WHERE I COULD LIVE IT WOULD BE: Right where I am because we do get to choose where we live for the most part, though granted you CAN'T live in the Louvre.
I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT/TRAVEL TO: places I've never been before. No such thing as boring places, only boring people. Said that way, I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT/TRAVEL TO: places with interesting people.
IF YOU COULD TRAVEL IN TIME (PAST OR FUTURE) JUST ONCE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? The Yucatan peninsula at the VERY end of the Cretaceous to witness the Apocalypse of the Dinosaurs. Sure, I'd die too but I don't think time travel is possible so it's all rather hypothetical.
A DREAM OF MINE IS: to become a Park Ranger. The old standby of joining the Peace Corps is denied to me based on my work with the Army I found out last year.
WHEN I HAVE FREE TIME, I like to fill in questionnaires.
YOU ARE STRANDED ON A DESERTED ISLAND WITH THE CHOICE OF ONE MODERN CONVENIENCE. A laptop with an unlimited power supply and a satellite hookup, allowing me to ask for help whenever I decided it was time.
YOU ARE STRANDED ON A DESERTED ISLAND WITH THE CHOICE OF ONE KIND OF FOOD TO EAT: vegetarian garbage pizza (all the food groups).
FAVORITE CARTOON: Far and away Rocky and Bullwinkle. Actually the Moose and Squirrel are probably my favorite TV show of all time (see above). The writing is fantastic, treating the viewer with respect but little else.
IF I WERE PRESIDENT, I WOULD: probably be assassinated. The Christian Identity church wackos and their ilk would consider me Satan incarnate. I doubt that little I did would meet their approval and they'd be convince that Jesus would want them to kill me.
A TALENT/SKILL I WISH I HAD: would be playing the piano or accordion. Of course than I would insist on sing alongs at any party or gathering. I miss Shakey's Pizza, camp and the fraternity with the group singing.
IF I WON 10 MILLION DOLLARS, THE FIRST THING I WOULD SPEND IT ON WOULD BE: a party.
2) Sisters- 1
3) Pets currently right now- 2
4) Surgeries- 1 (wisdom teeth)
5) Tattoos-0
6) Piercings-0
7) Been to an Island- yes
8) Flown on a Plane- yes
9) Rode in ambulance- 3 times for 1 injury
10) Ice Skating- yes
11) Been on a Cruise- 3 times with Sage FFF
12) Rode on a Motorcycle- yes,
13) Owned a Motorcycle -no
14) Rode on a horse – yes, YMCA camps (Pioneer, Lakewood, Trout Lodge)
15) Rode in police car -yes (and not for a ride along)
16) Stayed in a Hospital – (for others, not me)
17) Eye Color - blue
19) Coffee – cold steeped
20 Favorite pie- strawberry rhubarb
21) Favorite Dog – spaniels & terriers
22) Favorite season - Autumn
23) Favorite holiday – Thanksgiving (in the past 4th of July when we shot bottle rockets at each other)
24) sports – not a spectator
25) Ever been handcuffed – yes but not by law enforcement
26) Favorite Fruit - strawberry
27) Driven a tractor - no
28) Can you drive stick- yes
29) Have you traveled by train - yes
30) Been on a helicopter – (3 times for work)
10 Things You Hate that most everyone else loves - 12 April 2020
1. Reality TV
2. HGTV
3. Songs Celebrate & We Built This City
4. Spectator sports
5. Summer (in the Mid-west)
6. Stuff
7. Nutella
8. Cookie cake
9. Andrew Lloyd Weber
10. Hamilton, the musical
Actually I didn’t HATE Hamilton when we saw it in July 2020 on Disney Plus streaming service until after Bethany sang “You’ll Be Back” over and over again in the days that followed as she LOVED the King George character and his song (Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da, Da da dat dat da ya da!). I hated Hamilton before when the girls sang "My Shot" ALL the time for their 7th and 8th grade choir concert at Hixson. White suburban girls don't rap well.
My Mailing Addresses - 9 April 2020
1. Rock Hill, MO
2. Rolla, MO
3. Findlay, OH
4. Richmond Heights, MO
5. Webster Groves, MO (I got mail temporarily delivered during a 3 ½ month stint at Fort Belvoir in 1994)
Collectively I’ve easily spent more nights at the Marriott in Greenbelt, MD over the years than my 6 month stays either Ohio or Richmond Heights (and got Fed EX packages delivered there too). Probably got more nights at the Marriott’s at in SFO and Jacksonville or the Orlando Airport Fairfield/Marriot than Ohio too as I was on travel ¾ of the time during my stint in private industry.
9 Jobs + a Fake - 4 April 2020
Although never bored, one of the activities that came up on media was various getting to know you lists. One was a List 10 Jobs you have actually been paid for, sneaking a false job somewhere into the list to see if anyone could guess the fake. Randy’s list:
1. Baby Sitter
2. Landscaper
3. Camp Counselor
4. Dairy Queen soda jerk
5. Salad Girl
6. Aerial Photo Interpretation Teaching Assistant
7. Petroleum transfer engineer (Gas station attendant)
8. Hazardous Waste Cleanup Engineer
9. Dam Safety Engineer
10. Agent Orange Expert
Summer of 1982, I worked at Clay Morgan’s across from West Roads Shopping Center (i.e., the Galleria) and my job was official Asst. Chief but colloquially referred to a Salad Girl as I mostly made salads, which was typically only a job for young women (boldly striking down barriers for men’s rights?). For the days before the VP Fair, I made nothing but Crab Rangoon’s for several 8 hour shifts to supply their both down on the riverfront.
I worked in the Geotech my first 6 ½ years with the Corps of Engineers in would we be known as the Dam Safety Section. Here I’m in playing the little Dutch Boy at the St. Louis Flood Wall during the Great Flood of 1993. It was still a couple weeks before the crest.
Raye – Babysitting was an overstatement but I had a gig for a couple few years watching / hanging out with Dave Poretti for a week when he was in 5th or 6th grade while Barb went to Ursulene a week before we did at Webster. The 4-5-year difference wasn’t really a big deal and we had fun.
So, what are you doing? - 16 February 2010
1. What is your occupation right now?
Since 1994, I've been a Project Manager with the Corps of Engineers investigating US military installations, primarily Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) determining if there's bad stuff (generally bullets and bombs) remaining there based on the past use.
2. What color are your socks right now?
Black with gold toes
3. What are you listening to right now?
My two girls singing along with Dancing Queen from the Mama Mia soundtrack on their MP3 player
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Biscuit that I snuck before dinner while Bethany wasn't looking
5. Can you drive a stick shift ?
Yes but I've reached the point where I think anyone is an idiot for not having one. Automatics are nice.
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My mom
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes Though I don't see him, I get mass emails from him and am reminded of the summer he mentored me through Staff College
8. How old are you today?
46
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
ummm...girls beach ball volleyball. I'm not sure I understand most men's desire to watch other men play games (unless there's beer and BS involved and it doesn't really matter which sport is on does it?).
10. What is your favorite drink?
By volume, Diet Coke but I still enjoy beer. My favorites of late are Shiner Bock, Yuengling Black and Tan and Schafley Pale Ale. I should put in a pitch for Cold-brewed coffee. Its great black without the sweetener and cream that I need with the regular stuff.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
No but I did you use a complementary bottle of Arbun(?) rejuvenator product to prod the follicles on my expanding bald spot to visual effect, so I didn't buy more. Besides I only see the bald at the end of the haircut when they hold the mirror up to the back of my head.
12. Favorite food?
Loaded veggie pizza, Imo's or Fortel's
13. What is the last movie you watched?
A Single Man - excellent performance by Collin Firth and I totally dug his glasses reminding me of Marcello Mastroianni's Guido in 8 1/2.
14. Favorite day of the year?
A day off with "no deeds to do and no promises to keep"
15. How do you vent anger?
My default is too loudly utter an expletive, typically the F-bomb, in a succession. With the girls, it's usually a verbal threat to throw whatever they've left on the floor or strewn elsewhere in the house away (children are entropic). I think they're wise that this doesn't mean shoes or books.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Pres-school - a small stuffed fox, Foxy, who fit in my pocket and went everywhere with me. After that my Major Matt Mason collection (a late 1960s 6 inch astronaut doll with lots of accessories). He also went in my pocket and went everywhere with me.
17. Favorite season?
Spring and Fall in Missouri are fabulous. The couple weeks that the red buds are in bloom in early April make me particularly happy.
18. Cherries or Blueberries?
blueberries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
If they have time
20. Who is the most likely to respond?
My wife
21. Who is least likely to respond?
Most everyone else
22. Living arrangements?
House of 20+years that we've added onto and I putter on "improving" too often (stock tip: Lowes). We translates to me, Bethany, the girls and 2 dogs.
23. When was the last time you cried?
Not sure but almost assuredly I last teared up during a sentimental part of a movie; usually at a moment depicting human kindness or compassion. I don't watch It's a Wonderful Life with most others.
24. What is on the floor of your closet?
My dirty laundry pile and frequently our 15 year old dog Maddie
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest who you are sending to?
Todd - we met in 7th grade and have been friends since
26. What did you do last night?
Went to the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and saw The 39 Steps, a silly version of Hitchcock's film with a 4 person cast (think RSC-Reduced Shakespeare Company).
27. What are you most afraid of?
Since I've become a parent, bad things happening to my kids in various forms.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
Veggie burgers with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup and regular yellow mustard
29. Favorite dog breed?
I've had the best luck with a variety of small mutts from the shelter (Darcy & Maddie). Our dachshund Lilly is OK but a bit to neurotic. I've always coveted a Fox Terrier (The Thin Man and being married to Myrna Loy fantasies die hard)
30. Favorite day of the week?
Sunday
31. How many states have you lived in?
Depends on how you define lived in. I've been to all 50 and have slept in most. I've received mail addressed to me in four: Missouri, Ohio, DC and Florida. Cumulatively over the years I've spent over half a year working/living in DC, Jacksonville/Orlando and San Francisco besides having my home base in St. Louis/Webster Groves. I live within 2.5 miles of where 5 generations of my family have called home.
Ooops! - let's not forget 6 years in Rolla.
32. Diamonds or pearls?
Not much desire for either except industrial applications of diamond chips
33. What is your favorite flower?
Our stand of orange day lilies. They almost a weed they're so hardy and resilient. That my wife hates the color gives me perverse pleasure.
35 Odd Things About Me – 16 February 2010
1. Do you like blue cheese?
Only in very small douses
2. Do you smoke?
Never had a cigarette in my life. A few cigars in my teens and twenties when I felt like being annoying...er...MORE annoying
3. Do you own a gun?
A Crossman pump action air rifle (collector's brass Bicentennial version Baby!) and a couple antiques including an Spencer repeating carbine
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?
Lemonade
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Generally no but once or twice yes
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
Why not a Bratwurst instead?
A veggie on of course
7. Favorite Christmas movie?
"White Christmas" but "Love Actually" is moving up there
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Cold caffeine - Diet Coke or cold brewed coffee
9. Can you do pushups?
If my life depended on it...
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My ONLY piece is my wedding ring (currently on #4, I lose them often)
11. Favorite hobby?
Puttering around the house, which can be confused with home improvement if one doesn't examine the results too closely
12. Do you have ADD?
If I got this far on this silly thing the answer is clearly no
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself?
Curse too often
14. Middle name?
Scott
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment-- when is Bethany going to tap me to be useful, are the girls going to want my attention, when is dinner going to be ready
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Diet cola, lemonade, coffee
17. Current worry?
Divided discourse in the country and lack of civility and a minimal amount of respect. There is far more that unites us than divides us but we allow a small cabal of media types to divide us for their own financial gain.
18. Current hate right now?
See above
19. Favorite place to be?
Home but the Song of the Open Road is never far
20. How did you bring in the New Year?
The girls and their oldest cousin had a slumber party in the basement while B and I watched movies upstairs. We had sparklers and poppers on the driveway at 10 pm
21. Where would you like to go?
The UK and France. Given the cold, the Caribbean is sounding REALLY good right now
22. Name three people who will complete this. Bethany and?
23. Do you own slippers?
Not since I was a kid
24. What shirt are you wearing?
Red, green and white check button down oxford
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
No
26. Can you whistle?
Yes
27. Favorite color?
Green
28. Would you be a pirate?
I love talking like a pirate Rrrrrrr! but beyond that ....
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Usually something from Porter or Gershwin
30. Favorite Girl's Names?
That we didn't use is Whimsy
31. What's in your pocket right now?
Keys & wallet
32. Last thing that made you laugh?
The girls
33. Worst injury you've ever had?
Broken wrist and concussion in October 2004
34. Do you love where you live?
Yes I do but I would be OK if my neighbor to the east decided to find other pastures
35. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Three
Bucket List – 16 February 2010
Things I've done.
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Watched someone die
- it was a hit and run accident in college
(X) Been to Canada
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been to Europe
( ) Been to South America
( ) Been to Central America
( ) Been to Asia
( ) Australia
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been in a helicopter
(X) Been on a Cruise
(X) Visited All 50 States
( ) Been lost in a neighborhood I knew (alcohol involved!)
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Gone to Washington D.C.
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons-
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) Made A prank phone call
- and did I get in trouble with my Uncle Paul when I got caught
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue -
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
- first kiss with my wife
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(?) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Gone to the movies
(X) Skipped school
- not while at home but when I went to college...
(X) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(X) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Been jet skiing
(X) Gone snowmobiling -
( ) Lived in more than one country
( ) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish
(X) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty
-from an airplane count?
(X) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horseback riding
(X) Ridden on a San Francisco Cable Car
( ) Been to Disneyland
(X) and Disney World
( ) Believe in the power of prayer
(X) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen 20 whales in the ocean
- whose sees 20 whales at once?
(X) Been to Niagara Falls?
( ) Ridden on an elephant
- Maybe at the KC Renaissance Fair, didn't register as a big deal if I did but maybe the line and cost convinced me it wasn't worth it
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calve
( ) Been spinnaker flying
(X) Been water-skiing
- mostly dragged behind with skis on
(X) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
(X) Swam in the Mediterranean
- Ah the Lido...
(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(X) Been to a National Football League game
( ) Been to a NBA game
- How about and ABA game with the St. Louis Spirits?
Learn something new about your friends! - 1 July 2006
A) Jobs I've had in my life (in reverse order):
•* Civil Engineer/Project Manager (actually more military historian than anything but that title doesn't pay as well)
•* Dam Safety Engineer
•* Geological Engineer (emergency hazardous waste cleanup response team)
•* Aerial Photo Interpretation and Image Enhancement Lab Instructor
•* Petroleum Transfer Engineer (i.e. gas station attendant, "Pump # 4 is on ma'am")
•* Cook/Salad Girl - Claymorgan's restaurant (the KSLQ hot spot of the time)
•* Dairy Queen Soda Jerk (home of the Full Meal Deal)
•* Lawn Boy (Have lawnmower, will travel)
B) Movies I've watched over and over:
•* It's A Wonderful Life
•* Brazil
•* 8 1/2
•* Mary Poppins
•* and although I haven't seen it in over 25 years I've watched Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein over a dozen times on regular TV
C) Places I've lived:
•* Webster Groves / Rock Hill, MO (within 2.5 miles of 5 generations of my family)
•* Rolla, MO (6 years of college)
•* Findlay, OH (6 month official residence but traveled so much I was only there about 1.5 months)
•* Washington, DC area (over last 12 years I've easily spent over a year of it there)
D) TV shows I love to watch:
•* Gilmore Girls
•* American Experience
•* Rocky and Bullwinkle
E) Four places I've been on vacation:
•* San Francisco
•* 49 of 50 states (all but Hawaii)
•* 5 of 11 Canadian Providences (the border ones except for Saskatchewan)
•* 3 countries in Europe (Hungry, Austria & Italy)
F) Four Web sites I visit regularly:
•* Google
•* Google Earth
•* FUDSMIS (Formerly Used Defense Site Management Information System)
•* Marriott Reservations
G) Four of my favorite foods:
•* Grilled Cheese and Cream of Tomato Soup (best lunch food ever)
•* Pizza (Imo's or Fortel's)
•* Variety of Indian vegetarian dishes (House of India rules!)
•* Ice cream (all other deserts pale in comparison)
H) Places I'd rather be right now:
•* Home with family
•* Isolated camp site in the mountains by myself
I) Friends I think will respond:
•* Bethany
New Survey - 26-28 February 2004
How bored am I today?! - 16 February 2002
Subject: More information on me than you wanted? Sent: Saturday, August 28, 1999 1:23 PM
