I open my email bright and early this morning and am greeted by two of the beautiful REALTOR women here on our real estate social network Active Rain.
Linda Scanlan of Burleson, Texas
and
Sally Cheeseman of Mililani, Hawaii
I thought well and good. Greetings from friends here at the ol' Rain. But, No..... these two wanted more. They wanted me to work. Seems I've been TAGGED with a new twist on the MeMe post. For the newcomers, that's where you talk a little bit about yourself instead of all those dry real estate posts. This new twist comes in the form of eight questions and then the fun part at the end.
I've always been a believer that people will like you for who you are so here I go with the questions.
1. Who is your favorite musical artist (post a YouTube Video)
An easy one. Barbra Streisand. WHAT A VOICE!!!
2. Who is your favorite artist? (Post a Flickr photo)
This one is too hard for me because I like an infinite array of art and artists. But I will pick one that has always caught my eye. It is from a Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Despite my calm, deep waters I feel like this on the surface some days. I bet you do too.
3. Who is your favorite blogger?
Honestly, I have many. If I have ever commented on your blog it is you. More than once, more you. Many times over and over, I REALLY like you. But seriously I love anyone that has interesting things to say, and am really touched by the heartfelt, kind, and gentle souls out there. I think I tune into them the most.
4. If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?
Abraham Lincoln. I have been a big fan of his. He was often misunderstood, sometimes melancholy, but a brilliant man. He was very folksy coming from Kentucky and had a great sense of humor.
5. What did you want to be when you grew up? Originally a veterinarian. But somewhere between elementary school and my second year in college I had no interest in that anymore. If I could have five lifetimes I think I would be a veterinarian in one of them and also a first grade teacher.
6. What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know? I know how many dimples there are on a golf ball. 336. I really didn't count them, I just learned that somewhere.
7. If you could live in any point of history, what would it be and why? I would live right where I am right now, mostly cause I think this is EXACTLY where I should be. I think if I lived in the early 1900's I would have been sickly and died in childhood. But if forced to go back in time I would be standing there in the time of Jesus when Lazarus was raised from the dead. That had to be a freaky day for the locals and I would have soaked it all in, believing all things are possible.
8. What is the most interesting job you have ever held? I used to build missiles for a defense contractor that would protect our incoming fighter jets from the ground based radar that controlled SAM rockets that would try to shoot them down. One time, when we only built ten of the new missiles in a year an engineer was waiting at China Lake, CA for one of the missiles to arrive for a test firing. I accidentally broke the missile in Texas during testing and he had to come back all the way home because of the mishap. Somehow I wasn't fired. They inevitably thought what I did in breaking the missile was a good thing. Go figure! Plus the company had great softball and bowling leagues.
Anyway, now the fun part. I get to tag another Active Rainer blogger to answer the eight questions. In keeping with the theme of lovely ladies, I pick another beauty out there who truly has a kind, and gentle soul. I told you I tune into those ones. I'm just sorry she'd already written about 60 blogs before I came across her. I look forward to her answers.
I tag Susan Mangigian of West Chester, PA.
Those are some tough questions. Picking a favorite blogger!? You handled that one well! This post was a pleasant diversion from what I was doing....I needed a break, thanks!
Why Gary...you did a wonderful job with your Meme! I think it's probably safer for you to be in real estate than building missles!
Nice Post. It is good to know that the people that are looked up on are still down to earth.
Okay...dimples on golf balls...I gotta ask my mom if she knew that....
Gary,
Very interesting MeMe! I too wanted to be a Veterinarian ( changed my mind inbetween first and second year of university...hmmm.).
You used to build missiles? Double hmmmm......I just can't picture you doing that. You'd be a wonderful first grade teacher.
Jo
Matt: Glad I could break up your day with something different.
Linda: Thanks. I think you are right about the missiles.
William: We all can lift each other up so much.
Sally: I swear that number of dimples number is true.
Jo: Maybe I still will be a first grade teacher. Those little ones would SO take advantage of me though.
Fran: You'll love Susan's posts. Another great Pennsylvanian like yourself! I LOVE Celine Dion too, but I could only pick one.
Lisa: Lincoln kept the country together at a critical time and had a vision for one Union. He also IMMEDIATELY forgave the South and wanted us to be ONE right after the conflict was over. NO retribution. Then he was gone too fast.
Susan: Never trust a TEXAN in a poker game or on Active Rain LOL !!!
Gary, Firstly, is that your dog? What a party animal - literally! Love Barbara. Basically always have. Munch is awesome! Great MeMe, but what is this with Realtors having wanted to have been veterinarians. I think Sardi said the same thing. Hmmm, makes you wonder or maybe not!
Gary,
With regard to your comment to Susan above, "Never trust a TEXAN in a poker game or on Active Rain LOL !!!" I would add...or when you're married to one...LOL, Thanks, Fran
Colleen: Many beautiful women here in the Rain like yourself Ms. Fischesser. I've got to stop all this fun flirting or I am going to get in trouble on the home front. Yes, building missiles or selling real estate. Lots of explosive activity. Favorite bloggers? If I'm reading one, it's a favorite.
Marc: I hadn't noticed the veterinarian - Realtor connection. Nope, that's not my dog, but someone's party animal.
Elaine: You'll like Susan. Good to hear you are a Barbra Streisand fan too.
Gary,
To Elaine...let's put that to a vote to all the men on Active Rain!!! :^) Thanks, Fran
Fran: You and Elaine battle it out.
Liz: I think I saw the tagging eight or some tagged three. I just picked one. That's enough people for me to bother in a day. Wow, eight! That's like a blog going viral :)
Hi Gary,
Enjoyed hearing about your likes and dislikes...the only thing that really surprised me was "you building missiles" , it just doesn't seem like a fit. :0)
Fran, we are talking about the musical merits of the divas. No one, and I mean NO ONE can come close to the God given gifts of Ms. Streisand. And p.s. I WISH I had her legs!
Celine makes my teeth ache.
Elaine,
See, now you're putting conditions on the voting <musical>...and your 'leg comment' is trying to influence the vote...As far as your teeth aching...that's because Celine is hitting notes Barbra never dreamed about...get new fillings...:^) Thanks, Fran
P.S. Sorry Gary for the 'hijack'...Elaine forced me into it!!! LOL
Gary, did you see that "The Scream" just went back on public display after its theft and restoration? Wonderful!
Fran - Just trying to find the relevance of limiting your vote to the males in the Rain. I think I hit it dead on, yes?
There's nothng wrong with my fillings. This lady is used to real, unprocessed sugar -- not saccharine.
Elaine,
Gary is a male...this is his MeMe...He chose Barbra, a woman, over Celine...Whom he admitted he liked loved too...just trying to keep it real!!! :^) Thanks, Fran
P.S. Sorry again Gary...this is getting embarassing, but Elaine just refuses to admit Celine's superiority!!! :)
Gary, I love the way you are so diplomatic and generous with your comment responses. Allowing to Fran that you thought a lot of Celine, but since you could only pick one, you voted for Barbra. I condone your gentlemanly behavior and acquiesce to your gracious hosting opinion (whose just happens to parallel mine)
Cynthia: Building missiles was a lifetime ago in a galaxy far far away : )
Fran and Elaine: Now children, we must stop the fighting as both these singers are good, let's leave it at that. Celine is the more contemporary one, but you both must admit they each have tremendous vocal range.
Gary: Nice MEME... I'm afraid to say much more than that!! I bet "they" both love the duet that Barbra and Celine sang together several years ago..... don't remember the title, but that is one way to settle the feud! I've been tagged again by Marc... I have some "thinking" to do before I post it.
Jan: That's a great compromise between the two, let them know of the duet. I look forward to your post in this area. With eight questions we all kind of probe into some real and some fantasy questions.
Mana: The first time I did a MeMe it was very hard. This one I think is more casual. Just be cool with it and answer like you are in a coffee shop talking with a friend across the table. I look forward to your post. Just have fun with it : ) Plus you get to tag others!!
Gary, what a delightful MeMe. Once I was tagged, I knew there'd be posts I could read to find out what others were about. You did good. Very good. ;-)
Teri: Thanks. I look forward to reading your version of this MeMe.
WOW! This MEME relay is traveling fast. I was tagger just yesterday by Rebecca Levinson Memorial Day 2008 SuperMeme- The After Party.
Marey: Thanks.
Rosario: I'll check it out.
I strongly agree with you --- people buy from people they like.
Gary ~ What great information you shared! I like this new twist on the MeMe, it gives a different perspective. Somehow, I knew you would say that you would prefer living in the here and now - that seems to just be a "Gary" answer! Your missile job sounds interesting, but a bit dangerous.
Kevin: That just seems to be the natural law of relationships. You interact with people you like.
Kathy: Yes, I am WAYYYY to reality based. I need to read a lot more fiction. The missile gig was actually pretty cool and I learned a lot about aerodynamics and gyroscopes and laser target detectors. The warhead part only was attached out in the field, never the factory.
Gary - great post about yourself. I like the art, and yes I do feel that way on the surface sometimes as well. That is also great that you wanted to be a veterinarian, you are very compassionate as that comes through in your posts. Very interesting about missle defense as well. It is interesting how we have all come together, yet our lives have been so diverse. Thanks for another great Gary Wortal post!
Sharon: That Scream painting always stopped me in my tracks. Kind of a "Oh no, Mr. Bill moment." I think Realtors have such diverse backgrounds and bring a lot of different experiences to the table. In the end, it is caring about the people you are working with though. I appreciate your comments!
I love it Gary! A "Mr. Bill" moment! LOL
Linda: Barbra Streisand is such a smooth singer. Yes, in today's modern world that painting would have been an "Oh No, Mr. Bill" moment.
Lynn: You are too sweet. Makes me want to run out and get that teaching certificate and start teaching them first graders. You never know what field you'll end up in. I appreciate your comments.
Missle builder is a cool job that is for sure! I have to write mine in the next couple days and boy I have been having a hard time with mine.
Loved your updated MeMe... knowing more about you.
Todd: I look forward to the details of your MeMe post. Sounds like you will have some juicy tidbits for us all.
Arina: Ah yes, some more self-disclosure. These things are fun aren't they?
Gary, I love these memes. You really find out a lot about a person. I love Barbara's voice but have great difficulty getting past her politics. I wish the stars would stay out of politics and just entertain us. So how do you go from missile building to real estate?
Marchel: I'm like you I am not getting into the star's politics. I was just commenting on her singing. Building missiles was back in my project engineering /manufacturing days and then I migrated into technical sales then real estate.
Judy: Thanks for always commenting. I think I have know you for a long time too.
Gary~Now that was fun learning more about YOU. It must be early in my mind right now, but at first when I read about what you wanted to be, I read "vegitarian". Ha, ha, ha! Now that tells you how much I've been running the real estate marathon. Did I just share that out loud? You are really a joy to read about and the fact that you are so caring and genuine makes each day in the rain a down pour of sunshine.
Julie: Vegetarian? That's funny. You are definitely up too early and need more sleep. Don't run yourself ragged, and thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well with you these days. I terribly miss you in the Rain. Drop around more often! : )
Gary - I learned something about you! You wanted to be a vet??? Now, you have confirmed what great person you are - you're an animal lover! Me too, with a preference for big goofy non-aggressive breed dogs. I really do hate dog drool - but I love the dog drool types!
Carol: Yes, I am a big dog person and have worked with the Humane Society in the past and fostered dogs and did Adopt-A-Pets. Veterinarians and Archeologists are two things I saw on things in elementary school that many Realtors thought they would be. BTW, in the hot summer months I used to give baths to Great Danes and Boxers. They were HUGE!!
Gary, I don't know how I missed this one but glad I finally found it. A would-be vet/first grade teacher becomes a missile builder and then a realtor-now THAT is an interesting combination. So funny about Mr. Bill too-great minds on the same track?
Pam: Yes, I've had a bit of a diverse background. Yes, great minds with the Mr. Bill. I read that in you posts. The very young don't know who Mr. Bill is : )