My 25 Random Facts

1. On employment applications I often mark that I am an Alaskan Native…I figure this is okay cause I was born in Adak…besides, I abhor political correctness.


2. When I was a teenager, I was a magician. I was in the Magician’s Union, performed in an amateur magic show and loved all things magical.


3. I really do believe that I live a semi-charmed life. It is never easy and definitely not perfect, but things always seem to work out for me in the end.


4. When I lived in Florida, I was an assistant greenskeeper on a golf course. I learned all about grass and its care, got my pesticide license, and considered this as a career…but it all came tumbling down one day when I drove a greens mower into a lake.


5. I am very sensitive and emotional…I cry all the time…over movies, books, pictures, a beautiful sunrise…but mostly over other people’s sorrows and joys…guess that has something to do with me being an empath.


6. I didn’t take up running until 2001 and my first race was that year’s Marine Corps Marathon. I have now run around 50 races, between 15 and 20 of them were marathons and one of those I ran with a broken leg (not a good idea). Now running is a spiritual practice for me that helps me to stay grounded and touch the Divine.


7. I have always been interested in photography. I was on the yearbook staff in high school, had my own darkroom, and have owned a camera for as long as I can remember…but it is only recently that I have thought that I may have a talent for it.


8. I don’t really like TV so I hardly ever watch it…but I LOVE movies.


9. I was a huge fan of the original Star Trek TV series. I saw every episode and even tried to tape them (with a tape recorder, there were no VCRs back then). I also tried to become as Vulcan as possible by repressing all my emotions and replacing them with intellect and logic…no idea how much damage that did to me.


10. I have always wanted to go to Greece and yet I never have.


11. As a child I was a voracious reader and was always reading books well above my grade level. I credit reading with improving my spelling and vastly expanding my vocabulary.


12. I have been a stock boy, a fast food cook, a greenskeeper, an office cleaner, a hotel clerk, a book keeper, and a software engineer…looks as if massage therapist is next (much to my mom’s chagrin).


13. I have been in jail…more than once…I don’t recommend it.


14. Through no talent of my own, I have narrowly escaped death on several occasions…all part of my semi-charmed life.


15. I love poetry. When I was in my 20’s, I used to write poems myself but stopped for some reason. I have recently started again, although I think most of what I write isn’t very good.


16. I don’t know where it came from, but I have a love for all things medieval. That is why I have a collection of knives, swords, and dragons.


17. I used to try to meditate but always had problems…felt that I was doing it wrong, getting the wrong results, or just worried about wasting time. Recently, I stopped “trying” and I just meditate…and have had some amazing experiences.


18. I think J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings may be the best book of all time.


19. Back in the late 90’s, I was vegan for more than a year. I felt great and had lots of energy but fell off the wagon…and have never seemed to be able to get back on.


20. My father and grandfather were both also named Clyde. If I ever have a son, his name will not be Clyde.


21. Until my Jeep, which is silver, all of my cars have either been green or red. I have had a 1972 VW 411 (green…and then later camouflage), a 1977 Toyota Celica (green), a 1989 Ford Probe (red), a 1995 Honda Civic (red), and a 2001 Saleen S281 (red). All of these vehicles have had standard transmission.


22. For years, I had to wear a suit to work every day. I really grew to hate them. Now, I avoid them at all costs…except my tux…tuxes are special.


23. I took golf lessons when I was a teenager, but I have never played…unless you count mini-golf.


24. When I die, I don’t want to be buried or cremated…I want to be placed on a pyre. I have actually done research and found that this can be done as long as the medical examiner gives his consent.


25. I like to take long, relaxing baths with burning incense, candlelight, soft music and a good book.