I got tagged by Kim Chinquee in an internet passalong game that's making the rounds. Three days ago. This is one of the hardest things I've ever been asked to do.

Alright, ten interesting (or not) things about myself:

1. I'm afraid of big dogs and open water, unless I can see a leash or a horizon line.

2. I am an obsessive free-downloader of music off the web, and a manic listen-to-er of other people's favorite songs and CDs. Seems the quickest way into their tender places, a way to tag along with them back in HS or college, and ride shotgun on a warm summer night, windows down, cold ponys and a new pack of B&H menthol lights, expecting to find the perfect love that might've been me.

3. I always wanted to be from somewhere, when, in fact, I was born in a hospital in Philadelphia and then brought home to Camden, NJ. Every 2-5 years we'd move somewhere new: Minisink Hills, PA; Rome, Italy; Somerville, NJ; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; until my family stopped and settled in Hattiesburg, MS.

4. I played the flute when I was in grammar school, but gave mine away to my niece. Lately I miss my flute, so I'm gonna buy myself another one, a music stand, sheet music, (French composers), and set up a spot for myself in the house.

(ack! I still have six to go??)

5. I worked in a shoe store during college for 9% commission and $1.65 an hour at Waldoff's in Hattiesburg.

6. I can throw a spiral.

7. I was a fledgling gymnast in the 6th and 7th grade, and competed in meets in Calgary. The first year I wore a black leotard and was all bounce and grace, smiling at the judges and coming in second. My parents came, and we went out for ice cream after. The second year I didn't want to wear the black leotard, I wanted to borrow a friend's too-tight light pink leotard, which I realized, too late, was see-through, and this is all I thought about when I got out on the floor. Also that I had huge sweat stains under my arms. My mom stayed home, and I felt bad for my dad, sitting in the stands by himself because he loved me so much but couldn't help me recover my confidence. The routine was set to "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" and I fell on my butt doing a walkover. I quit gymnastics after that and worried about sweat stains and falling until just recently.

8. I stopped exercising for 5 or 6 years, but while I was in Houston for 4 months after Katrina my friends took me to a yoga class. I recently did a bridge for the first time in 35 years, trusting my arms would hold my weight.

9. I don't think I have the stamina or bite to finish my first novel.

10. Soon, I will be able to touch my palms to the ground without bending my knees.

I tag my first new friend of 2006 - Magadalen Powers