Seven Random or Weird Things about Me
by Danny Fisher
Inspired by Michael of the magnificent One Foot In Front of the Other, here are seven “random or weird things” about me. You are invited to share seven random or weird things about yourself in the comments.
Thanks for this, Michael. We’re thinking of you here.
- If I ever get married, I want my younger sister Anna to be the best man. (We probably wouldn’t call her that, but you know what I mean. I want her to be that person. She’s such a good soul. And so terribly funny. You’d all love her.)
- At times when I actually have things together in my life, my morning routine includes a ninety-minute walk from around 5:15-6:45 a.m. Most of my friends think this is insane (particularly those who have lived with me), but, honestly, it’s glorious–absolutely the most perfect way to start the day.
- I’m very sensitive, and have only recently stopped thinking of this as a problem. (Radical self-acceptance is always best.)
- Years ago, I was mistaken for Noah Wyle on the street in Lower Manhattan. The lady who did the mistaking said, “I saw you and I thought, ‘Dee-doo-dee-doo-dee-doo…’” (She was singing the theme to ER, I think.) I told her I was sorry I wasn’t Noah Wyle but that I thought it would probably be better to be mistaken for George Clooney anyway. She touched my arm and assured me that it was a compliment to be mistaken for either.
- I don’t have a driver’s license. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but most people find it unusual.
- My #6 is virtually identical to Michael’s: several years ago, after I came back from a retreat to determine whether I wanted to be a monk or not, I started working as a substitute teacher at the middle school in my hometown. Like Michael, I worked alongside teachers whose lives I had made no less easy, and I got a lot of well-deserved guff from the kids. Instant karma…it’s gonna getcha.
- My Buddhist name, given to me by my friend Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, is Jangchup Dorje, which translates “Indestructible Awakening.” If that’s not weird and random, I don’t know what is.
1. I’m pretty sure I’d like to be married someday, but I’m ambivalent about kids- I think in terms of students, not my own children.
2. Taking a 90 minute morning walk ain’t insane. I walk two miles a day at least, rain sleet or shine. I don’t have a driver’s license either- and it bothers me just as little.
3. I don’t get cold. I’m very comfortable in 30-40 degree days. But I can’t stand anything over 80.
4. I was once told by an acquaintance that I reminded her of John Malcovitch- not in appearance of course, but behavior. Best. Compliment. Ever.
5. My parents were told when I was born that I would be four feet tall as an adult, mentally disabled, and basically unable to take care of myself. They knew little about Spina Bifida in 1975. Today there are several children born without it thanks to a new in utero procedure.
6. I still long to be a Buddhist monk but can’t stand not being in society. Leonard Cohen understands this, and I’m sure you do to.
7. I don’t believe numbers have spiritual power whatsoever, but the number 7 for some reason seems to contain spiritual power nonetheless. And the number 42, but that’s because of Douglas Adams.
1) When I was in 2nd grade, Jesse Liptrap and I invited the magnificent Tuna-Cinnamon sandwich surprise. I still enjoy it! For my high school graduation I opened a gift bag to find a tiny bottle of cinnamon, a tiny can of tuna and tiny crackers. It made me cry it was so sweet.
2)I was born nearly twelve weeks early and stayed in the lil’ baby hotel (incubator) for quite a while. When my mom went to find out how to pay the bill or insurance options for my three month ICU stay, the nurses said the bill “disappeared” and to this day has never come up again. I think that means I had good luck from the start.
3)I named my dog after tropical fruit just so I could say “there was a girl who had a dog and Mango was his name-o…”
4) I know most every line to Willy Wonka and I’m holding out to meet Gene Wilder in the grocery store somewhere…Gotta dream big! Tip: Angelica Houston shops at Costo too.
5)I didn’t learn to ride a bike until I was 10 and I still don’t enjoy them or trust myself to not hit a random hydrant.
6)I really liked brussell sprouts as a kid. I pretended they were baby cabbages and they were the most unloved vegetable and needed hugs..Illogical and nutty.
7)I failed my drivers test twice because I’d get really nervous and cry in the car with the DMV instructor. The first time I tried to make a left turn from the middle lane and I failed in the first two minutes. LA driving is nerve racking!
Thank you, Danny, for this post, and for stopping by my blog with such kind words. I really appreciate it.
From Donald–friend, colleague, and teacher.
1. When I vacation, instead of going around to visit everyone, I prefer solitude, which my relatives find irritating. I prefer quiet and solace. In fact, if people laugh too loud, I move to a different spot. I think it is PTSD.
2. I am an extremely untrained psychic, meaning I am rarely tuned in, like a smoke alarm that is aware but doesn’t go off. This leaves me embarrassed, cuz I knew.
3. I believe that life should be a musical, and if given the chance, would sing all the time.
4. For a 45 yo, I ride my bike like I am in my 20s, accounting a bit for the deer that collided with me. I lean so far on turns that a pedal broke off once.
5. I wish to be married, but to several people at once, possibly in a hippie commune, though I would provide the Irish Spring.
6. A librarian once exclaimed that I looked like Moby, the singer. I prefer Jean Luc Picard or Locutus. I would like to date Seven of Nine, part-time.
7. In my earlier career, I danced with members of both ABT and NYCB when they guested with the company I was in. I also auditioned for a Janet Jackson video. If I had been chosen, would I be a chaplain?
Sorry, I don’t have the time for 7 things, but re: family,
and surfing your Youtube stuff, I had to post this
I’m very sensitive too and have felt much suffering from it but also much joy and insight. I too have come to see it as a positive thing and a gift.