25 Random Things About Me

Here's an import from Facebook, which I'm fast becoming addicted to.

1. I've been thinking of stuff to write here all day. As soon as I sat down to write, my mind went blank.

2. Perhaps that explains my lack of regular writing output, despite the stellar ideas I get while driving the car.

3. I was a professional copyeditor and part-time writer for 10 years. Yes, I do notice your grammar mistakes and misspellings. I can't help it. But I won't tell you about it unless you ask me.

4. I think that a good writer can get away with a lot of BS. Remember that next time you read the newspaper--or the next James Frey book.

5. I've not used contraception since 1997.

6. I have two daughters, 6 years apart.

7. I've had three miscarriages.

8. I was strongly encouraged by the doctor who oversaw my younger daughter's birth not to get pregnant again.

9. Every medical condition I've ever been diagnosed with was preceded by a doctor telling me how rare it is.

10. I hate the word "rare."

11. I have celiac disease. I cannot eat wheat, rye, barley, and most types of oats. Yes, that means no (regular) bread. Yes, that means no pasta. No, I did not get this disease to annoy waiters in restaurants, though some have acted as though I did.

12. Parenting has taught me how very self-centered I am.

13. I am an INFP according to Myers-Briggs. My sister has the same personality type except she is an "E" (extrovert). My husband has the opposite personality type except that we're both "I's" (introverts).

14. I am a Christian and a member of the Lutheran denomination. I love the Lutheran liturgy and resonate with the core theology. But I am too conservative to feel at home in the liberal wing of American Lutheranism (ELCA) and too liberal to feel at home in the conservative wing (Missouri Synod). The church we currently attend is a hybrid of the two (because there are not enough English-speaking Lutherans to form separate churches). I feel at home there.

15. I vote Republican but do not agree with some of their positions.

16. I am pro-life. I believe abortion hurts women as well as their unborn children. But I think the law in the U.S. will never be changed. I think the pro-life movement should focus more on changing people's hearts and helping women in crisis and less on politics. Yet I cannot bring myself to vote for a pro-choice candidate.

17. I fail to understand the fuss on the Republican/Christian right about (not) legalizing gay marriage. Let gays marry if they want to. Aren't there way more important things to worry about? Like, I don't know, war, poverty, disease?

18. All through high school I thought I was fat. Now I would LOVE to weigh what I did in high school.

19. I am easily overwhelmed by clutter, a busy schedule, too many people in one place, or a mall. Parties are fun but exhausting. A busy mall at Christmas when I have 62 people to buy for is a recipe for a very bad day.

20. I hate to make phone calls. I will IM you before I call you. I will e-mail you before I IM you. I will update my status on Facebook and assume you saw it before I e-mail you. If you call me, I will enjoy our conversation. And kick myself for not calling you sooner. And you'll probably still have to make the next phone call.

21. I wonder why I have trouble making friends?

22. Living in Germany would be perfect if only I could transplant my family and friends here.

23. I think Battlestar Galactica is the best thing on television.

24. When I am in a public place, I eavesdrop on strangers and speculate on what their lives are like. Living in a foreign country has kind of limited that habit, because people insist on speaking their native language(s).

25. Perhaps from that same impulse, I read way too many blogs. And start way too many sentences with, "This blog I read? Well, this person said..." This has prompted my sister to make fun of my imaginary Internet friends. But hey, you guys aren't imaginary, right? Right? Call me!