25 (MORE) Things about Me that You Might Not Know

Roughly one year ago, I authored a post called “25 Things about Me that You Might Not Know.” The initial idea for the post was in response to a silly Facebook challenge going viral at the time. In the spirit of good fun, here are 25 MORE things about me that you might not know. (The key, I think, to a fun and revealing challenge is to answer honestly.)

25 More Things about Me:

1. I don’t own a car.
2. I was never nominated by anyone to participate in the “Ice Bucket Challenge” for ALS…and I’m fine with that. I prefer to spend my charitable dollars on environmental causes, or to support the arts.
3. Although I love music, I do not own an iPod.
4. I was only semi-serious when, earlier this year, I vowed over FB to go on a “no-fruit diet.” However, I’ve more-or-less managed to keep true to that resolution. Surely that doesn’t carry any adverse health effects…right? 😉
5. I was engaged to be married once…a long time ago.
6. I had laser eye surgery in 2011. It wasn’t LASIK, but a procedure called PRK. My surgeon, Dr. Maloney, was one of the surgeons to the stars. Additionally, my regular eye doctor created special effect contact lenses for the Oscar-winning makeup team that worked on “Men in Black” and on the “X-Men” films, among others.
7. I often brag that I could eat macaroni – or spaghetti – seven days a week. However, I’ve never actually taken on that challenge and may have to eat my words (along with all those noodles).
8. Speaking of macaroni, sometimes when I make mac-and-cheese, I don’t mix in the cheese powder with milk and butter. Rather, I sprinkle it on the noodles after the fact. The flavor is stronger, cheesier, and altogether better. Try it, folks!
9. Other foods that I love and could eat several times/week: hummus, couscous, chicken wings, garlic bread, white cheddar popcorn.
10. I once was suckered into a game of three-card Monte…and promptly lost my hard-earned greenbacks. Come to think of it, they were Hungarian forints, not U.S. dollars.
11. I have visited 41 U.S. states and lived in three of them.
12. More travel statistics: I’ve been to 70 countries at last count. This includes the U.S. and treats China, Hong Kong, and Macau separately as they each have different visa regulations.
13. Speaking of the PRC, I’ve been to mainland China three times.
14. The most expensive excursion from all my travels? Gorilla trekking in Uganda at $500 USD/hour!
15. I am not a big fan of the “Rambo” or “Rocky” franchises.  Poor Sly.
16. I don’t like – nor do I really understand, I don’t think – American football.
17. I attended India’s first-ever F1 Formula One race in 2011.
18. I struggle with depression sometimes.
19. I think “Raiders of the Lost Ark” has the single-greatest opening sequence in any film ever made.
20. I know the words to every song from the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episode “Once More, with Feeling.” Yes!
21. I have flown on exactly 454 airplane(s) in my life.
22. I have jumped out of exactly one airplane(s) in my life.
23. Animals that I have held include the requisite dogs, cats, and hamsters, but also exotic birds, a baby lamb, racoons, scarab beetles, a shark, a crocodile, a Burmese python, and one seriously cantankerous red panda.
24. I love museums and could spend hours inside one with only the slightest hint of fatigue.
25. I am 39 years old and still feel unsure sometimes about what I want to do with my life.

Thanks for reading. Was there anything on this list that caught you by surprise? Let me – and your fellow Loyal Readers – know in the comments section below!

Author: gringopotpourri

Gringo - aka Scott - was born outside of Chicago and has lived most of his life in or around big cities. He spent two years of his adult life in Mexico City (talk about big cities!) and fell in love with Mexican food and culture all while weathering the challenges of life in a city with over 20 million people. Life's unpredictable journey has since brought him to Tennessee, where he is close to family and to the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Scott also enjoys movies, hiking, top ten lists, and travel in general. View all posts by gringopotpourri