I have some new readers and followers on WordPress and Facebook, so ‘welcome’ to you all! While I figure out what I’m going to do this summer, I’ve decided to post (and, in some cases, re-post) some random facts about me – a “Get To Know Me” post.
- I have two main nicknames: ‘Cyborg’ and ‘Ant’. ‘Ant’ is a nickname that I’ve had all of my life. ‘Cyborg’ stems from Fact #2:
- I had two of my heart valves replaced in 2010. Making a very long story shorter: An infection wrecked my Mitral and Aortic valves (‘Endocarditis’). I had emergency surgery to clear the infection, replace the damaged valves, and remove the infection from one of my lungs. I ended up with new, St. Jude metallic heart valves, thus the nickname ‘Cyborg’.
- I play the Baritone Horn/Euphonium, but not professionally. I mainly march and play for all-age Drum and Bugle Corps; my last corps was the Cincinnati Tradition (2019). If I can get some lingering foot issues back under control, I will try out for Tradition in November (for the ’22-’23 season). I am going to march in a parade on June 18th with the Kentucky Marching Pride, a marching band for LGBTQ+ and Allies. Should be fun!
- If I have to narrow it down, my favorite foods are: Baked Spaghetti, Macaroni Casserole, and a good Cheeseburger.
- My least favorite foods are: Liver, Beets, Lima Beans, and Radishes.
- I am a Leo.
- I do not smoke and very rarely drink. As a matter of fact, second-hand cigar smoke has caused a migraine, more than once.
- I still live in my hometown of Louisville. KY.
- I like maps.
- My 3 favorite holidays: Christmas, Halloween (moved up), and the 4th of July (moving down).
- I love thunderstorms; the louder, the better!
- After years of trying, I finally bought a car! It’s a 2012 Chrysler 200 Touring Coupe (a mid-sized car). I still don’t have a Driver’s License, though.
- I am an avid PC gamer. My current games on the play-menu: Doom 3; World of Warcraft; and Doom (2016). I don’t own a console system, yet; the last system that I owned was a PS 2 (slim model), 13-ish years ago.
- I also play board games. My favorites are ‘Mysterium’,’ Betrayal at House on the Hill’, and ‘BANG!’.
- I have been stopped by cops 3 times (once, for “casing a truck”; once, because “there were break-ins in the area”; once, because “someone was causing trouble in the area [UofL’s Medical Campus]”). ‘Walking While Black’ is very real.
- I finally earned a Bachelor’s Degree (in Computer Information Technology)! I am thinking about going after a 2nd Bachelor’s, starting in 2023 or 2024, in Mathematics.
- I am a self-professed nerd in Science, History, and (mainly Greek) Mythology.
- I cannot swim.
- It’s been nearly 10 years since I’ve been on a date. I announce my retirement from ‘The Dating Game’.
- I’ve had grey hairs in my beard since I was 20.
- I do not, and will not, cuss.
- I like to read and listen to audiobooks. My favorite genres: Horror, Fantasy, and Military/History.
- My favorite genres of movies: Horror, Comic Book (DC, Marvel, Dark Horse), and Thriller.
- I grew up painfully shy. Shyness still hits me, on occasion, to this day.
- I almost always have headphones on, especially if I’m on the bus.
- I’ve never had a true, out-of-town vacation. However, if the prices are reasonable, I plan on taking one in July. Stay tuned….
- I’m more of a cat guy than dog guy. That said, Huskies are adorably loud and goofy. Pugs are not quite as ‘cute’ as you think they are.
- Some of my favorite smells include: freshly cut grass; rain; newly paved asphalt; lumber; and gasoline.
- A city that I want to visit for the 1st time: New Orleans
A city that I want to visit again: Albuquerque
A city that I’m not too fond of: Columbus, Ohio (two broken-down vehicles) - I will watch the Stanley Cup Finals over the NBA Finals.
- Even though I’ve worked an early shift for years, I’d rather be awake until 2 AM than waking up at 5 AM.
The Nexus 