I guess unofficial tag still counts

My friend Katie "unofficially" tagged me in a recent post, and I debated forever about how to unofficially respond. Then I decided to heck with it, I'll just be official already.

So here's the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you

2. Post the rules on your blog

3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself

4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Random #1: I am an on-again off-again nail biter.

Yes, this is the habit that has plagued me for as long as I can remember. I used to justify my nail biting by the fact that I play the piano and used to play the violin...but it's just an excuse. I kicked the habit in college when a guy in my apartment complex made a bet with me and used his excellent commitment pattern skills to encourage my progress. I think he made me dinner at the 2 week mark and then serenaded me at 4 weeks. Currently I have fallen off the wagon and my nails are bitten to the quick. It drives PJ crazy because he likes having his back scratched. Maybe this confession will motivate me to get back on the wagon. Because, actually, when I grow my nails out, they are nice and strong and make my hands look pretty. And I keep them really well manicured and polished too. Maybe it's that I have a fingernail hangup, and must be either biting them or filing/polishing them at all times.

Random #2: I can peel fruit in one big long strip without it breaking.

I honed this skill while living in the Azores during my mission. We had an appointment that fell through, but it was at an AMAZING home with unbelievable gardens in the back. We're talking orchard after orchard with so much green and so many trees we thought we were in the Secret Garden or Jurassic Park. We wandered around, looking for our appointment to show up, but secretly just wanting to explore the unbelievable surroundings. We met a really cool gardener there who picked oranges right off the tree and peeled them with his pocket knife in one long serpentine strip. I was so impressed I practiced on all our fruit at home. Now I'm a bit of a pro, if I do say so myself. And this rivals my only other culinary skills: the ability to flip tostadas or crepes or grilled cheese on a skillet. (Thanks, Peej, for teaching me that!)

Random #3: I want to be the dead body at the beginning of a Law & Order episode.

Law & Order is one of my favorite television programs. I discovered it when I was unemployed for the first few months of my marriage and we had free cable. Bad combination... You can find an old episode on TNT or A&E or whatever probably 4 times a day! I'm not a fan of the spinoffs, by the way. Anyway, at one point I decided that it would be the ultimate coolest thing ever to play the role of the dead body found at the beginning. I'm adding this to my list of career aspirations, which also included ice skater, hair dresser, and concert violinist at one point.

Random #4: I performed in high school plays with some rather-famous actors.

It's true, lately when we watch a television show, PJ has started rolling his eyes when I yell out, "I went to high school with that guy!" And let me clarify, I didn't just attend the same high school as these people, (like Lyle Lovett and Sherry Stringfield of ER fame who just happened to go to my high school many years before me) I actually knew them and shared the stage with them. I was Nancy to Matthew Bomer's Bill Sykes in the musical Oliver, and he's now Bryce Larkin on Chuck. I also did a few shows with Lee Pace, Ned the Piemaker on now tragically canceled Pushing Daisies. And I was in Show Boat with Lynn Collins who has appeared in movies such as "13 Going on 30," "The Lakehouse," and "The Number 23". So, does this make me famous by proxy? Not hardly. But it's a fun fact nonetheless.

Random #5: I find the sound of the dishwasher and washer/dryer running soothing.

Maybe this is because I fully appreciate living in an apartment with both a dishwasher and a washer/dryer in the unit after 6 years without (and we're thinking of moving to an apartment without a washer/dryer right now......but it's so much bigger.....and there's grass....) but I love hearing those magical machines doing all the work for me. My favorite is curling up on the couch with a good book, both kids in bed, and the machines running. Paradise. The only thing better would be having PJ rub my feet with scented lotion at the same time. Did I mention I'm a sucker for smelly things? I used to love the smell of gasoline as a kid, but have since refined my tastes to nice fruity, spicy, or flowery smelling candles, perfumes, and lotions.

Random #6: I have an addictive personality.

If you can't tell from the way I have presened the previous 5 random items, whenever I start a new project or book or tv show or game or blog...I have a hard time stopping. The same is true for foods. I have a really hard time overcoming sugar. It's a good thing I've never tried alcohol or drugs, because I'm sure I'd be a likely addict for them as well. I'm trying to curb my addictions and gear them toward more productive ends, like exercise (which I now love, thanks to my supportive hubby and the YMCA childcare), journaling (thank you blogspot), writing my missionary sisters (thank you email), photos of my kids (thanks Picasa), keeping up with loved ones (thank you Facebook...kind of---the addiction can be bad), movies (thank you Blockbuster online, though I guess technically this isn't really productive), reading (thank you book club), keeping a cleaner house (thank you above-mentioned machines), finishing my degree (thank you doctoral advisor) and music (thank you parents and teachers and coaches and directors throughout the years). I hope I can use my addictions for good and not for evil.... :-)

Random people tagged: Trishelle, Michelle, Amy, Bethany, Diana, and Mrs. M I'm looking forward to your various quirks and -isms.