Psst… Tell Me Your Secrets
Mar 8th 2010
Nicole JordanMy Life As A Plebe & Nicole Jordan
Like millions of other people, I’m a fan of American Idol, although I don’t usually tune in until the screechers have been banished from public view and the cream of the crop has been chosen to compete for the TV audience as well as the judges. Besides the singing, I enjoy getting to know the contestants from the short interview segments they do.
One of my favorite interview topics is “Tell us something most people don’t know about you.” Confiding secrets, I suppose, gives the performers a chance to appear likeable and to win our votes with their personalities in addition to their voices and singing styles.
So this is your chance, goddesses, to surprise your fellow inhabitants of Mt. 
Oly. I’ll start by confessing a few things most people don’t know about me:
– I earn my living as a romance writer now, but until my late 20’s, I never wrote a word of fiction except for a poem about the Easter Bunny in elementary school and a short story in high school (to which my mother added the final two sentences since I didn’t have an ending.)
– My great, great, great grandfather was a Principle Chief of the Cherokee Nation, but I’m only 1/16th Cherokee.
– When it comes to fashion – clothes, shoes, hair, etc. – I would much, much rather be comfortable than stylish. Sacrificing for beauty is not my idea of fun. But then if you’ve hung around Mt. Oly long enough, you probably already know that about me!
So, goddesses, tell us something we don’t know about you!
72 Comments »
72 Responses to “Psst… Tell Me Your Secrets”
cail on 09 Mar 2010 at 6:25 am #
I rarely watch American Idol.
Here is a quick secret, before I head off to teach my class of 4th graders. As a child/teenager, I hated children between the ages of two and 13. I found them annoying and had no desire whatsoever to be around them. More than a handful of people were shocked when I informed them that I was going to get a masters in elementary education.
Michelle B on 09 Mar 2010 at 6:38 am #
I went to college on a music scholarship playing the saxophone. My freshmen year our Jazz Lab Band took a month long course called “So You Want to Be a Professional Musician”. We toured, gave clinics, concerts, and even played some dances. At the end we got to go into a recording studio and cut an album.
After playing the lead on Alto Sax and even Soprano Sax, it surprised me that I tried the big Baritone Sax and loved it. I ended up playing it throughout my college career.
Don’t watch American Idol. Can’t wait for Dancing With The Stars later this month, where there is a female Baritone Sax player in the stage band!
LoriHandeland on 09 Mar 2010 at 7:15 am #
I’m afraid I don’t watch American Idol either. I gravitate to the spooky stuff, like Supernatural and Lost.
Not sure if I’ve mentioned this but my father was a Pulitzer Prize nominated photographer who had his photos on the covers of Time and Sports Illustrated.
TrishD on 09 Mar 2010 at 8:05 am #
I don’t watch American Idol… sorry.
I do share your fashion secret. I much prefer comfort over anything else. Here’s my addition to that secrect… I find bras and underwear very confining and uncomfortable. If you ever come to my house after work or on the weekend and I’m in my “comfy” clothes I will not have on a bra or underwear.
TrishD on 09 Mar 2010 at 8:12 am #
Lori… that’s so cool about your father!
Kathy on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:04 am #
I don’t even watch Canadian Idol.
I like crime detective type dramas and wacky comedies.
I share the fashion secret and like TrishD, I hate wearing bras.
little known factoid about me…I found out I have an eidetic memory( of sorts). I can recall voices, songs- anything audio and tell you who said/sang what. I never knew that it had a name until I saw Big Bang Theory
Kat on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:09 am #
I guess I’m with most of the girls here — I don’t watch American Idol — although I do tend to like the winners, with a few exceptions.
My secret? Although I love acting and being in plays, I joined my school drama club because I was in love with the male lead. . .and stayed friends with him all through high school.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:09 am #
Cail, that is so interesting that you found your calling in teaching younger children when you disliked them so!
Maybe you figured out you could influence them and shape them into little human beings you actually liked, lol.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:13 am #
MichelleB, you obviously have a lot of talent. And like me, your career now is quite different from what you trained for in college.
I envy your musical skills. That must have been fun to cut a record.
I haven’t gotten into DWTS, but I love So You Think You Can Dance. Talk about incredible talent! I danced some when I was younger, so I’m wowed by great performances.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:15 am #
Lori, that’s amazing about your dad! Are you into photography too? Or was there too much pressure for you to live up to such talent?
My dh has gotten pretty good at photography, but nowhere near Pulitzer level!
elsiehogarth on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:15 am #
I’m not a lover of reality shows but I love and only watch: Project Runway and Tabitha’s Salon Take Over.
I love to Dance. It’s in my blood. My parents were crazy dancers in the 50’s winning contests in the Paladium, Copacabana, the Latin Quarter and Roseland. Plus I had an Uncle Frank (Sassy) that was a dancer/choreographer for shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, on television and a few stars. Liza Minelli was a client, of his, which he would help prepare for all her comeback shows.
I love Music. I can’t play any instrument but I am in awe of anyone that can. I just play my stereo system. Like today, I am in the mood to hear La Boheme or Mendelsshon’s-A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:17 am #
Trish, a woman after my own heart, lol. I find I’m getting more and more impatient with fashion as time goes by.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:21 am #
Kathy, I never knew that had a name either! That is a very cool talent.
I’ll have to go look that up. I can recall songs and voices too, but not necessarily song titles or artists… unless I love them. Then I’ll search out the info, and now it’s much easier with the Internet to find out what you want to know. I love it that all you have to remember is a snippet of a lyric and you can find the song.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:24 am #
Kat, your acting sounds like so much fun! I did a little in high school and college, but I wasn’t a natural. I adore going to plays now. We’ve had season to tickets to the theater in whatever city we live in. What are some of the roles you’ve done?
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:26 am #
Elsie, that is so cool about your parents and uncle. That must have been tough to make it as a choreographer in Vegas! I’ll be the competition was brutal.
And like you, I have no musical talent whatsoever, but I really admire people who do.
LoriHandeland on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:28 am #
I’m not into photography at all, Nicole. Can barely remember where my camera is half the time and always forget to use it. Maybe because my dad was always the one taking the pics and his were so good. But now that he’s gone, there’s no one to pick up the slack. My kids aren’t interested either.
B on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:43 am #
Umm… I can point any country in the world in a map — and tell you the capital.
I’m completely obsessed with cleaning my ears.
Sometimes, I play dumb so my parents will think I’m too innocent and don’t get the dirty jokes!
Julia London on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:50 am #
Nicole, I watch American Idol. I tune in at the beginning with all the screechers and watch it all the way through. I love that show!!! But, as I have confessed before, I am a reality TV junkie (and I like Lost, too, Lori, although I haven’t understood what was happening since the first season).
Something people don’t know about me? Hmm…well, I had a grant in college to study Arabic. It was the national defense fellowship and the theory was, in time of war, i could be called up to translate. Fortunately for me, that was before Iraq. Why Arabic? It paid a lot — almost paid for graduate school. did I ever speak Arabic? Enough to get by. I went on an immersion program in the Middle East way back when and by the end of the two weeks, I was at least managing the basics and making myself understood. Can I speak Arabic now? Nope. Lost it all. Never spoke it after college, or read it, or wrote it, and it flitted out of my head. But I can still write my name and probably yours too.
Lisa H on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:08 am #
I don’t watch any TV! I would rather read or write during that time.
I don’t have many secrets, I’m pretty open about my life. Except, I do have one biggy that I will take to the grave! (It’s nothing bad though)
Claudia Dain on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:18 am #
I tried to watch American Idol a few times, but it’s so painful watching these poor hopefuls stumble around that I just can’t take it. Dancing With The Stars is my reality show poison. I’m addicted.
Lori, what a fantastic secret about your dad! What an accomplishment! Wow.
Julia, I’m in awe. Anyone who can speak *any* foreign language I hold in high esteem. I’ll bet if you went back, you’d pick it right up.
I don’t have any secrets that come to mind. I can tell you this: if I was asked, with a camera staring me in the face, to divulge some secret about myself, I’d think of something innocuous–like I prefer paper to plastic. My secrets are my own.
007, signing off…
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:39 am #
B, that’s too funny. And very cool that you know all the captitols. I can’t even point to a world map and name some of the countries!
My dh likes to clean his ears too, but I always tell him to be careful. I’m no medical expert but I read somewhere that ear wax is good for your ears, at least in moderation.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:44 am #
Lori, my mom is a pianist and choir singer, but I didn’t inherit her music gene either! Although I did get her facility with languages.
Julia, that is amazing about learning to speak Arabic. I understand it’s really difficult, as are many languages that don’t share the English alphabet. My bro can speak Korean and is fluent in Russian because he went to the Defense Language Intitute to learn. I would love to see my name in Arabic sometime!
As for AI, do you have any favorite singers yet this year? The first week or two, I found several I liked, but then they didn’t do so well the next week. So I’m still on the fence.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:47 am #
LisaH, that’s an interesting fact about you all in itself — that you write or read rather than watch TV! And I agree, I wouldn’t want to share my deep dark secrets on-line in public either, lol. I’m just want to learn more interesting tidbits about my fellow goddesses.
B on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:49 am #
Yeah, Nicole, you’re not supposed to clean your ears a lot. But I can’t help it. I can’t even *think* about ears without wanting to clean mine. Like, now. Had to run to the q-tip
Didi Benami is my favorite in American Idol, even if the whole world hates her.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:52 am #
>>>007, signing off…
LOL, Claudia. I’m gonna make it a point now to worm some confidences out of you. Is there such a thing as a Bond Boy? I could send him to work on you. How long would you last, I wonder?
The pitiful screecher thing is why I don’t watch the first several months of AI. Can’t stand to listen, and I hate seeing perfomers ripped up by the judges. But I do enjoy seeing budding talent get better. And sometimes I can be wowed. That’s also why I always tape the shows — so I can fast forward through anything I don’t like. I get through the first 2-hour shows in half an hour usually.
Freshechelle on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:53 am #
I’m pretty much an open book here in TGBland so not sure what’s a secret to y’all.
I speak & understand fluent retail Japanese. I can help you buy luggage, but you’re on your own when it comes to finding the airport.
I have lots of great luxury things because of my job. Things I would covet or save to buy if I didn’t have easy access.
I was raised Protestant, christened Catholic and my grandfather was Jewish.
I only watch the AI auditions then feel dirty because I think Fox is exploiting the lack of good mental health care in our society.
ladydawgfan on 09 Mar 2010 at 11:10 am #
I love watching AI with my mother (no swearing, no violence, just clean fun). Our faves so far are Big Mike, Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott. We also watch So You Think You Can Dance, for the same reason as AI.
As for stuff people don’t know about me – lemme see . . .
I am completely allergic to alcohol – can’t touch it, can’t drink it, have to read ingredient labels religiously to avoid it. Amazing how many things have alcohol in them!
I sing first soprano in the choir at Church, but cannot read a note of music. My first foray into the music scene was when I was 7 and started playing the viola. We moved before I could complete my lessons.
B, I also hate the feel of earwax in my ears, and clean my ears after every shower, so you are not alone in that habit.
Sherri Erwin on 09 Mar 2010 at 11:39 am #
I love to watch America’s Next Top Model.
I was voted Most Likely to Succeed in Jr. High (and still feel the pressure to live up to it).
I’m secretly obsessed with Walt Disney World.
Allergic to alcohol, ladydawgfan? OH dear!
Amy on 09 Mar 2010 at 11:55 am #
I used to watch AI but the show has run it’s course for me.
I fell out of my high chair when I was 15 months old, and ever since then, when I hit my head I pass out. I once stood up and hit the top of my head on an open cupboard door and passed out. When I came too, I ways laying in a pool of blood. I had hit my nose on the edge of the counter on the way down. I broke my nose and also needed 3 stitches. The worst part of the whole ordeal, was trying to explain it to the nurse at the hospital, they believed it was a domestic abuse case. My husband can look back and laugh about it now, but at the time he was pretty upset.
B, I also clean my ears constantly. I clean them at least twice a day.
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Mar 2010 at 12:04 pm #
TrishD, I can relate. I take off my bra the second I enter the house. I HATE bras. I wish I didn’t need one.
One thing people don’t know about me is that I have both Irish and Cajun blood. I’m only 1/8th Irish and probably 1/16th Cajun (at most), but still …
And I like to swim. My exercise used to be swimming laps (for years). I may take it up again this summer.
Rachel Gibson on 09 Mar 2010 at 12:07 pm #
I love sugar but not a fan of chocolate. I am the youngest of five children and had a mini-bike and a horse growing up. I can cook, but I don’t like to.
rachel
Suzanne Enoch on 09 Mar 2010 at 12:17 pm #
Hey, I’m 1/16th Cherokee, too, Nicole!
And I never miss a haunted history-type show, even though I sometimes have to sleep with my light on afterward. *g*
dbrown3400 on 09 Mar 2010 at 12:36 pm #
Love AI, and do start with the screechers. DWTS and AI are the only two reality shows I watch and really hate to admit to watching those.
I have become a Facebook junkie, especially FarmVille. It’s not even healthy the amount of time I spend waiting for the rewards to come through. I’ve collected a vast amount of coins, created a huge farm, and achieved a high level amongst my peers. And NONE of it’s real. Save me please. That’s my big secret. Do they have a twelve-step program yet?
ladydawgfan on 09 Mar 2010 at 12:56 pm #
One other thing that few people know about me, for obvious reasons, is that my mother’s second cousin is the construction worker from the Village People (yeah, him). *rolls eyes* Everybody is related to someone weird. We get to claim HIM!!
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:14 pm #
Wow, Fresh… what fun facts about you! I’m super impressed about the Japanese, envious aobut the luxury items, and intrigued by your religious background.
And yes, Fox is totally exploiting our lack of mental health, lol!
evlqn on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:19 pm #
It is truly amazing how many women hate bras, more proof they were invented either by a pre-pubescent male or the Inquisition. As I type the girls are swinging free, I wear camisoles with the shelf bras or nothing unless I have to present an acceptable image.
I am a trivia junkie, I love useless knowledge, you never know when it will come in handy.
I am a mutt with a large helping of Native American in me.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:20 pm #
B, Didi has such a unique voice…. she’s probably one of those you either love or hate.
>>>Our faves so far are Big Mike, Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott.
Those are some of mine, too, LDF!
And LDF, that is so say that you’re totally alergic to alchohol. I’ve never heard of that. I was just reading an article in today’s paper that says women who have one or two drinks a day, particularly red wine, typicaly weigh 5-15 pounds less than women who abstain.
That is also interesting that you sing but don’t read music. But I can relate at least to the reading music. Even though I had piano lessons when I was young and could memorize the chord fairly easily, reading the notes was like Greek to me. In fact I could have done better with Greek!
Janae on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:21 pm #
Yeah, I don’t watch AI. I really don’t watch tv. IDK how many shows I have on the dvr that I need to watch.
As for something about me, I have Brown’s Syndrome in my left eye, which is caused by a defect in the superior oblique tendon sheath. It’s a fairly rare defect, and because it’s my left eye, it’s even rare still. It basically means that I can’t look up with my left eye. On the rare occasions that I try to do it, you’d see that my left eye would continue to look straight ahead, while my right eye looked up. Interestingly enough, my brain blocks what my left eye sees, unless my right eye is covered. It was diagnosed when I was three because our neighbor noticed it. Not my parents. A surgical option was developed, but it has a low success rate and causes other problems. It’s best to just leave it alone. There are times when it feels like my left eye “freezes,” and I just have to close my eyes to get my left eye where I want it to be looking. It occurs more when I’ve really used my eyes. I can treat that with a bit of ibuprofen to reduce the swelling (that they think) occurs when that happens.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:23 pm #
>>>I was voted Most Likely to Succeed in Jr. High (and still feel the pressure to live up to it).
LOL, Sherri. Too funny.
>>I’m secretly obsessed with Walt Disney World.
I think there are quite a few goddesses here who are obsessed also.
Oh, and I’m REALLY looking forward to having you guest blog with us in a few weeks. I’ve heard great things about your upcoming book.
Can you give us any advance info now so we can be on the lookout for it?
Aly on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:23 pm #
I am not into AI either! Sorry
WOW! So many of you have such interesting things about you! There really isn’t anything interesting about me but my uncle was the bench chemist that developed No More Tears and No More Tangles for Johnson & Johnson. Does that count?
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:28 pm #
Oh my gosh, Amy…. that affliction must be hard to live with! And I can see how domestic abuse might be suspected. That would almost be funny if it wasn’t so serious. Hopefully you can manage it.
I knocked myself silly once while riding… never lost consciousness but lost an hour of my life because I just don’t remember it. Thankfully I never suffered any after effects that I could notice, but it was still no fun.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:32 pm #
Sabrina, that’s cool about the Cajun! I have Irish, too, plus French and English. It’s also cool that you swim. I have friends who swear by water aerobics.
Rachel, I’m sorry you don’t care for chocolate! I’m the exact opposite…. I could give up sugary candy but not chocolate.
And I didn’t know you had a horse growing up! Strangely, though, I can see you on a minibike. *G*
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:37 pm #
Suzanne, does that make us sisters? And I’m totally with you on all the SciFi stuff… you and I have very similar tastes in movies… if you recommend something I’m pretty sure to like it. But… the creepy horror stuff I can do without!
>>>Save me please. That’s my big secret. Do they have a twelve-step program yet?
Donna, I wish I could help, lol. I got addicted to political news last year — can’t tell you how many hours I wasted each day — but finally was able to wean myself off.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:40 pm #
LDF, that’s fun about the Village People relation… and it’s better than being related to a lot of other stars, lol.
Evlqn, at least we don’t have to wear corsets! Can you imagine? I’ve taken to wearing tank tops under my shirts when I’m at home.
And if I ever need some trivia, I’ll come to you!
ladydawgfan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:42 pm #
Nicole, topical alcohol burns my skin on contact – big red painful burns- so I am very careful when I am in the doctor’s office or giving blood when they sterilize my arm. I cannot use hand sanitizer and if someone uses it, they cannot touch me without washing their hands first (they will burn me if their hands are even slightly “wet,” which has happened before.). Over the counter lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, etc. are out of the question due to the high alcohol content. Even mouthwash and cough syrup have alcohol (why???), so I have to read labels.
As to drinking alcohol, it makes my lips and tongue swell, so I don’t take chances, even in Church. I just explain to people that it is an allergy and that they are free to drink around me and most people are fine with it.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:45 pm #
Wow, Janae, that must be frustrating… but I can see why you wouldn’t want to risk surgery. When I read or write too much, my eyes get tired, but I’ll never feel sorry for myself again after learning what you go through.
Aly– yes, your uncle counts as an extremely interesting factoid! What fun. I can claim to have made the first Pampers with elastic waist and legbands, plus the first wings for Always pads. So I’m always fascinated about other inventions/ product improvements and what it took to make them.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 1:49 pm #
LDF, that is wild. I can see why you have to be really really careful. Sounds like it’s almost as bad as being allergic to gluten or peanuts or corn syrup… I’ve known folks with all of those and going out to dinner is a real trial for them.
That reminds me of a plot device I saw on Private Practice recently. One woman was allergic to her true love’s sperm! It was interesting to see how they dealt with that problem.
E.R. on 09 Mar 2010 at 2:14 pm #
I have taken piano lessons when I was a child, and I took violin lessons later on, so I guess I can still read the musical notes, though I don’t play either piano and violin right now.
Yeah, bras are a nuisance, so I don’t wear it at home. I try to use those camisoles w/ undercover bras in it as much as possible; they’re a tad better than wearing the bras.
I don’t watch AI anymore. I got tired of it. I do watch other shows, though.
I have an aunt who has a lot of godchildren. It’s worst at the home place where her godchildren are grown up and has their own kids. It is expected that she treats them and their kids. That’s not normal, right?
evlqn on 09 Mar 2010 at 2:37 pm #
Nicole, I know how to make corsets, I have made many bodices for the garb I make. The one and only I made for myself I sold to a woman in Canada, I loved the way it looked and hated the way it felt.
Julie on 09 Mar 2010 at 3:14 pm #
I used to watch AI but its just not the same with those “new” judges.
Secrets? I’m a Byzantine, so secrets and being secretive comes naturally to me! That being said, you shouldn’t be surprised when I tell you my maiden name isn’t my father’s family’s real surname. My Great grandfather was an orphan. He took the last name of the family that took him in. Interestingly enough that borrowed name was my father’s mother mother’s real last name! Did I give you a headache?
Only one time did I ever hear my grandfather say his real last name. I’d tell you what it is … but that my dears … is a secret!
Julie on 09 Mar 2010 at 3:15 pm #
More fun fanily stuff:
I’m related to a saint and a man who wasn’t so saintly. He had an affiliation for chopping off peoples heads with the help of Madam Guillotine! One of my father’s uncles helped to capture the U-505 German submarine . The sub’s Enigma machine and keyboard was used to decipher encoded German messages. An interesting side note: My mother’s ancestors immigrated to this country from… Berlin. During WWII my MIL lived in an English town that was decimated by German bombers. The Allies knew that the attack was coming , because they had the enigma machine, but they didn’t want the Germans to know that they knew… so thje townsfolk were not warned. My MIL barely escaped with her life. Many of her friends were not so lucky.
Sherri Erwin on 09 Mar 2010 at 3:24 pm #
Nicole, thank you. I’m very much looking forward to guest-blogging with you all. Jane Slayre (Jane Eyre, with Jane as vampire slayer) comes out April 13. From Library Journal today: Raises the bar for the next generation of “monster classics.” Erwin’s unique and gripping revision of a well-loved classic, enthusiastically recommended for all.
I’m happy to be among Disney enthusiasts. And I’m always braless at home! Unless we have company.
Julie on 09 Mar 2010 at 3:33 pm #
And because I don’t want to end my secret life on a sad note:
I went to college on a Fine Arts Scholarship. But I wanted to be a doctor.
I was offered a track scholarship by the college track coach. After I ran into him, literally. I was late for class … and I was being chased by bunnies.
I’ve: been in a stampede, earthquake, had two cars totaled out around me, been in a building that was partially demolished by a tornado, shot at, carjacked , been on the Great Lakes when a storm hit & threatened to capsize the boat I was on. But the absolute worse was when …
I had a near death experience with a shirt containing a shelf bra!
Judy F on 09 Mar 2010 at 3:44 pm #
I don’t watch AI but I have liked some of the winners music. I am a huge DWTS fan.
When I was younger (much younger) I took ballet and danced on Fountain Square. If you know Cincinnati its the center of town. Can still remember the positions but don’t think I can do them any more.
My dad was interviewed for a radio program by Nick Clooney (george’s Dad) Have that recording to listen to.
Trying to think of something interesting.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 4:55 pm #
E.R. I’m envious that you can read music! And no, that doesn’t sound normal, lol.
Elvqn, very cool about the corset making. My feelings toward it would probably be the same as yours… great looking but torture to wear.
Sherri, what a fab quote from Library Journal for Jane Slayre — LJ doesn’t give many good reviews for romances. And what a fab title! Can’t wait to read it.
JudyF, very cool about your dad’s interview!
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 5:02 pm #
Julie, what interesting background you have! All those would make great character background for novels, lol.
I would love to hear tale about the lethal shirt bra!
Do you just have weird luck to have all that happen to you? And do we want to keep away from you say, in the new moon or full moon? *G*.
Dh has a consulting partner who had some wild experiences every time he traveled. His plane was highjacked in Europe, was in a bomb scare in London’s airport, was caught in a riptide while swimming in Chile, and also was caught in a violent coup in Venezula (I think that’s where it was.) We used to joke that you took your life in your hands when you traveled with Tom.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 5:03 pm #
And Judy, I love Cincinnati! Out of the many many places I’ve lived, it’s one of the few places I would move back to in a heartbeat if I could.
Julie on 09 Mar 2010 at 5:29 pm #
Nicole, Is it bad that hearing about Tom makes me feel better? Normal even? LOL
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 6:20 pm #
Yep, pretty bad, Julie, lol. You can give poor ole Tom a run for his money. Come to think of it, if a writer put all that in one novel, it would be way over the top.
evlqn on 09 Mar 2010 at 6:21 pm #
Aly if your uncle is still on this side of the veil thank him for me, he saved our sanity with No More Tangles, it was the only way my niece would let us comb her VERY curly hair.
Julie on 09 Mar 2010 at 7:26 pm #
Come to think of it, if a writer put all that in one novel, it would be way over the top.
Sigh. I know Nicole that my life is a bit over the top… though it didn’t occur to me how odd it was until one of my sisters said “I was feeling bad about blah-blah-blah. Then I thought about your Life and I felt better!” Sisters.
Louisa Cornell on 09 Mar 2010 at 7:54 pm #
Wow, what a fascinating community we have here!
Some really cool secrets here!
I don’t watch American Idol. It just isn’t good for someone with my training to watch people with average talent get by on the show and people with great talent ruin their voices because they aren’t properly trained. Not good for my blood pressure!
Secrets? Me?
Let me see, you all know I am half Native American and that I have had large snakes and lizards as pets.
I speak several languages. (No Arabic though. I have the course on my desk, just haven’t started it.) I speak Chinese and Cherokee, Russian and German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin and French. I can find the bathroom and the police in several other languages too.
I was arrested and thrown in jail in Vienna during a Free Tibet protest.
Angelique on 09 Mar 2010 at 8:42 pm #
Wow! Some amazing secrets/interesting tidbits here.
Here are a couple of random “secrets” of mine:
~Until I was 5, I was fluent in Dutch (my mother’s native language). However, now I only speak a little, but understand almost fluently (basically I can follow conversations in Dutch and respond in English). This is all due to an incidence in Kindergarten. There was a girl who was teasing me and then took away my toy, so I called her a stout girl. I got in trouble for being mean along with the other girl and I had no idea why. I was crying and upset when my Mom came to pick me up, so she had a conversation with the teacher. My teacher explained what I had called the girl and my Mom understood completely the situation. In Dutch, stout means mean or bad. From then on, I spoke only English yet I still understand Dutch.
~My great-grandparents in the Netherlands hid a Jewish couple in their attic during Nazi Occupation.
~As a High School senior, I was an Illinois State Scholar and received the Achievement Award in Mathematics from the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics. I was also on my High School Varsity Bowling Team. (Read: DORK)
Louisa Cornell on 09 Mar 2010 at 9:03 pm #
Wow Angelique !! Your great grandparents are my heroes! How cool is that!
And Math geniuses who bowl are not Dorks!! They’re GEEKS. Completely different! Just like musical geniuses who play lacrosse!
Julie on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:11 pm #
Very cool Angelique!
Karen Hawkins on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:18 pm #
Wow. You guys are a diverse bunch of women!
Let’s see . . . I have an adopted sister who is mentally challenged. We play phone tag a LOT which consists of her calling me and yelling TAG, YOU’RE IT! at the tops pf her lungs, whereupon I wait a few hours and do it back. It makes her laugh hysterically each and every time.
I have the two best kids in the world. We argue and talk, debate and confide — and I love them dearly and am proud of them. What most people don’t know is that I talk to them each and every day at least once and sometimes more. When I think back to my college days, when I called home once a month or so, I realize how unique that is.
Robin/RBL on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:31 pm #
I do watch AI, but since Simon is leaving, I think this will be my last year. Go Crystal, Didi, Siobahn, Big Mike and Andrew Garcia!!
LOVE DWTS and Big Break (Golf reality show, I know its weird, but the dh and I watch it together!)
I don’t like bra’s either and I’m usually pulling it off under my clothes, thru the sleeve holes as I’m pulling out of the parking lot at work.
Most people don’t know that: My grandma used to sing opera on the radio and I wouldn’t qualify to – ever – even if I owned my own radio station. LOL I also love love love old movies with stars like Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Susan Hayworth and I hate watching the news or political news shows or true crime stories (I am so uninformed sometimes but find myself happier when I only listen to a 2 minute news snippet each day to get the big stuff….Its the ‘rose colored glasses’ syndrome I think).
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:33 pm #
Louisa! I agree, totally fascinating group on Mt. Oly. And you’re one of the mostest. Good grief, how can you keep all those languages straight, lol. Did being arrested affect your psyche? I’m such a goodie two shoes, it probably would have traumatized me.
And I agree, Geeeeks rule! Angelique, I LOVE your tidbits. So cool on all counts.
Nicole Jordan on 09 Mar 2010 at 10:37 pm #
KarenH, that is so wonderful that you have such a great relationship with your sis and your kids. Very very special. Obviously you can be proud of them and of yourself.
Robin, I just watched Tues nite’s singers and was very impressed with several of them. That’s too funny about the bra in the parking lot. I wish I had the nerve. And I also love Doris and Rock. There’s a lot to be said about rose-colored glasses!
Alice Faye on 10 Mar 2010 at 10:13 am #
I watch idol when I can remember it’s on. I am a DWTS (Dancing with the Stars) junkie never miss a show thanks to my DVR and had Donny’s number logged into my cell phone. Really helped when my grandmother lived with me I could call on her number, my home number, my cell and on the internet! LOL yeah I am the reason Marie made it so far!
My secret…I write fan fiction about a New Jersey band….and the frontman is my muse. Been writing since college when it was a hardly boy was my muse. I have notebooks all over the house with chapters to be posted in them. I belong to two fan fiction sites.
My other secret….I am never without a book. I carry huge handbags with atleast one to two books in them. On my 13 day cruise in Europe I read 6 books I brought with me and had to find one in the airport in Zurich to make it home. Yes I am the person at the stoplight with a book in my face. Do not have a kindal as of yet. Most of my paycheck goes for books. if I find a book by a writer I fall in love with…I read her whole catalog. Here it is wednesday and i have already read three books two harliquins and one by Susan Wiggs book 5 of the lakeshore series need book 6.
E.R. on 10 Mar 2010 at 1:15 pm #
Julie, I really REALLY want to know what happened when you wore that shirt w/ a shelf bra.
And Nicole, I agree w/ you. I also don’t think it is right if my aunt has to treat the whole family, but that’s part of the homeland. That’s why I’m glad I don’t have a lot. I’m fine with my two godchildren.
Julie on 17 Mar 2010 at 7:42 am #
Your going to make me write That story out? And post it? LOL!