A Game of Tag

Stacey at All Moments Remembered tagged me, and I finally have a moment to sit down and participate. My participation can be hit and miss because of time constraints, but I enjoy being remembered this way. It also may take me a fortnight to even begin to respond to your tag. My apologies for that! This particular tag asks me to list seven random things about myself. Once again, this sounds much easier than it actually is, but here goes. Since it is still early, I'm not sure what I'll come up with. My apologies in advance.

One -- Once again, I admit to be a teensy bit of a voyeur. I enjoy taking a walk at dusk and quickly peeping into the windows of homes that line the street, attempting to determine what people are eating for dinner, what they are doing together, or what show they are watching on television. Looking at this slightly disturbing habit, I have concluded it stems from living alone for so many years. I used to jog a lot and picked this practice up on runs through the neighborhood, as I was lonely and wondered what people would see if they looked through my window later in my life. Please don't call the police if you see me walk by and wave. Invite me in for coffee.

Two -- Although I have a rich imagination and don't consider myself a Puritan in any fashion, any of my dreams of a remotely naughty nature are almost always totally and completely censored in various ways (fig leaves, cut to another scene, instantly wake up, etc.). Although I find this highly amusing, it has always been more than disappointing and frustrating. I mean, who wouldn't want to consume a chocolate sundae stark naked with CNN's Anderson Cooper? On the other hand, my dreams of violence are, unfortunately, in graphic Technicolor. I wonder what a psychiatrist would say about this. This is exactly why I stopped going to see one.

Three -- I have an obsession with puppets and marionettes of any kind.

Four -- Unfamiliar children still tend to scare the crap out of me, especially of the typical variety. I was formerly the quiet woman in the checkout line who didn't always say hello to kids like my son. I could freaking kick myself for that now. I say hello now.

Five -- I can easily consume a giant pizza or at least seven items from Taco Bell by myself (and have). I have gone to dinner with more than one fellow who liked what I ordered and was disappointed (and secretly impressed) to discover he didn't get half of my entree when I was finished eating. I also tend to eat when I'm sad. I did this off and on for years. Thank goodness for a little something called Weight Watchers. Thanks to WW, I already lost half of the HAPPY weight I gained this weekend.

Six -- My celebrity encounters include Henry Winkler, Ginger Rogers, Siegfried (of Siegfried & Roy), and Kevin Costner.

Seven -- My biggest pet peeve: We all judge people to some degree, as it is sometimes required for survival, but when a person is judged because of their differences, sometimes even beyond their control, especially by those who readily declare themselves more righteous than others, I wonder sometimes what year this actually is and if there is hope for this world at all. This really saddens me, as it tends to generate hate, causes great pain, and pushes people away, even if that wasn't the original intention. Maybe we should spend less time trying to change, alienate, or "save" people by trying to make them like us and more time loving them just as they are. There doesn't have to be agreement. Just love. It isn't always easy, but give it a shot. You might just be surprised at the outcome. Your heart and your world might open like you never imagined they could. I'm also terribly sad because I feel that this phenomenon has created hate in my own heart, diminished my own capacity for love and acceptance for those I don't agree with, and extinguished some of my trust in others.

There you have it. More of me, whether you wanted it or not.

You may consider yourself tagged if you wish. List seven random things about yourself and tag seven others. Thanks, Stace.