100 Little Things

So, the spa Friday afternoon was fun. I spent way too much money on facial products. Ever since I went off BCP my face has been breaking out like crazy; the influx of hormones from IF treatments surely hasn’t helped. As a result, I’ve become super self-conscious about the way my skin looks and have been on a desperate search for a miracle cure for that glowing, blemish-free complexion. I’ve been using ProActiv, but can’t say it’s done much for me. So I succumbed to the facial lady’s sale pitch and pulled out the credit card. Maybe since this cycle will be au naturel, my face will suffer less?

I also think that since I won’t have anything to say about IF treatments for awhile, it might be a good time now to let you all know a little bit more about me. Thus, without further ado, I present my version of 100 Things To Know About Me:

1. No one in the real world calls me Mellie (unless it’s used as “Mellie-Mel”). I chose it as my blogger screen name in a silly attempt to conceal my true identity from anyone that might know me in the physical world who happens across my blog. But really, after reading my entries, how dense would you have to be to not know if it was me or not?
2. D was the first man I ever slept with and hopefully he’ll be the last.
3. There were 6 other guys, and I’m grateful for them. I’d know I’d regret it if I’d only ever been with D.
4. Out of my 7, I regret 1.
5. My family is a close-knit one. We don’t speak daily, but my parents (currently married for 36 years) raised us (I have 2 younger brothers) to believe that family is the most important thing.
6. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons having a child is a must for me. In my head, D & I are just a couple – not a family. It’s like that Sleeping in Seattle moment when Meg Ryan’s in the car playing “I spy.”
7. In February I began volunteering once a week at a homeless shelter reading one-on-one with kids aged 5- 12.
8. I took a crochet class last September and love it. My mom’s a world-class knitter, so I like that I’m kind of following in her footsteps. I’m currently working on my first baby blanket, which I’m hopeful I’ll get to use next year.
9. I have three girlfriends that I truly consider my best friends.
10. I like to travel. My favorite vacation was my honeymoon (11 days in Greece, visiting Athens, Santorini and Crete).
11. Living in New York City is fun, but part of me really wants to live in a suburb. But I think telling people outside of NY that I live in the city makes me sound cool.
12. Snakes scare me.
13. I think the best thing about me is that I’m fiercely loyal.
14. I wish I were funnier.
15. I thought I’d be a better boss than I am. My assistant drives me crazy a lot, and I’m too shy to offer any criticism.
16. In college I was a D.J. at the school radio station. I had a Broadway show tune show on Sunday mornings.
17. My favorite musicals are Into the Woods and Once on this Island. (And, I swear I just realized this, both of them have infertility as part of the plot. That’s a little disturbing.)
18. In 4th grade I was voted the “Friendliest” person in the class.
19. Growing up I was never concerned about my weight, but ever since my sister-in-law said I “could stand to gain 10 pounds” I’ve been freakin’ out about it. Even though, as I told her, neither my RE, nor my GP has said such a thing and my BMI is within the normal range.
20. I have a great job. I think my boss is fabulous. I’m quite fortunate as far as my career goes.
21. I’ve told my husband that if he cheated on me I wouldn’t necessarily divorce him.
22. I hate that the lives of celebrities has become such a part of our culture. Why should anything they say or do be news?
23. Before my current profession I was a stockbroker for a few years.
24. I took a Greyhound bus from Boston to Colorado to spend the summer living with D after I graduated from college. I flew back.
25. Autumn is my favorite season. It means renewal – probably since it has my birthday, the Jewish New Year, and was the start of the school year.
26. I like being a Boston sports fan. I think because it makes you feel like you’re part of a community.
27. Have I mentioned that D & I met in high school? We went to the Senior Prom together. But we didn’t get married until I was 30.
28. At our wedding, instead of using numbers to designate each table I named each table after a city where one (or both) of us had lived or spent a significant amount of time. There was a picture frame on each table with the name of the city, followed by a short paragraph explaining the significance of each place.
29. I love that we have this long history together, and that when we reminisce about those high school years we know exactly what the other is talking about.
30. My favorite piece of art in my home is an embellished lithograph on canvas of this print by Gary Benfield.
31. We also have serigraphs from Michael Kachan and Linda LeKniff among others.
32. I was captain of my high school softball team, even though I honestly, wasn’t very talented.
33. I am currently addicted to Grand Theft Auto – Vice City. The sense of accomplishment after completing a mission – even if it involved killing lots of people in a violent manner – is comforting to me.
34. D and I don’t share a lot of hobbies, which worries me sometimes.
35. I’ve never been an animal person. We didn’t have pets growing up, and I’ve often thought that pet owners are a little crazy. But lately, I’ve been thinking it might be great to have a little puppy to love.
36. My favorite meal is probably lobster & steamers.
37. Chocolate soufflés are my favorite dessert. But skip the coulis.
38. The first concert I ever went to was James Taylor at Great Woods.
39. The last concert I went to was a free one by Lyle Lovett last July 4th (I think). It might have been a free one by either Fountains of Wayne or Rhett Butler sometime last summer. New York has great free events in the summer.
40. I bought a mountain bike when I was 22 because of a boy. If I’ve ridden it more than 22 times I’d be surprised.
41. I did do the 5 Borough Bike Ride on it one year though, with D and our friends B & J.
42. I’m a pretty good downhill skier. I’ve been doing it since I was 6 so I should be.
43. I don’t waterski. And I’m not a very good sailor. I tend to get seasick, unless I’m on a big cruise ship, a kayak or canoe.
44. I’m superstitious.
45. I wish I could sing on key. But I still like singing anyway.
46. I went to overnight camp from age 7 to 16. I think that experience helps define you.
47. I had a Huey Lewis and the News poster on my bedroom wall in 1985.
48. I also had a picture of Doug Flutie over my bed.
49. I told D that I had my own blog this weekend. I swear I told him before, but he didn’t remember.
50. I was my paternal grandparents only granddaughter out of 8 grandchildren. It made me feel special.
51. I was on the pill from age 18 to 32. My mom thinks that might be part of the reason for my IF.
52. I don’t like wearing high heels.
53. D kicked me in the head once accidentally. He was supposed to be showing off his karate skills and sweep his leg over me. As payback I made him walk up and down a hill clucking like a chicken.
54. I love that D can be goofy with me.
55. I love thunderstorms and summer rain.
56. I love watching snow fall (as long as I’m not driving in it).
57. The TV shows I refuse to miss are: Gilmore Girls, Alias (though I was greatly disappointed this season), Lost, and Deadwood. I’m also devoted to Scrubs, Arrested Development, The O.C. (love Adam Brody), Six Feet Under, and Entourage. Thank g-d for Tivo!
58. I refuse to watch most reality television.
59. I have a slight crush on Rachel Ray.
60. In our new apartment, what will someday be the nursery will at first be my craft room. I hope to get caught up on my scrapbooking since I’m over 2 years behind. And I still have to do a wedding and honeymoon book.
61. I’ve never talked to a therapist, though I think I would like it.
62. I’m pretty frugal. Sometimes I’m even cheap. But I’ve never been in debt.
63. I’m organized about most things.
64. When I was a kid and didn’t like what we were having for dinner, I’d take pieces of the food, spit them into my napkin, then chuck them under the kitchen table so they’d land closer to my brother’s chair. I wonder what my Mom thought?
65. I don’t think D & I are soulmates, because I think you could be happy with more than one person. It would just be different.
66. I love D because he’s smart and interesting and makes me laugh.
67. I worry that my brother and some of our single friends won’t find someone to share their life with.
68. I say I believe in G-d, but I’m not completely sure I do.
69. I was not in a sorority in college. I did live in the Arts House during the spring semester of my junior year though.
70. I spent the fall semester of junior year in Switzerland. I think every college student should do a semester abroad.
71. I wish I had stayed in Europe after the semester ended and toured around. I really wish D had flown out to meet me, and that we could have toured around together. Instead I went straight home ‘cuz I missed him. That’s a little pathetic – and one of my life’s regrets.
72. I want to name our first child after our maternal grandmothers.
73. I’m a registered Republican (don’t hate me).
74. Lately I’ve thought about changing my political party ‘cuz since Bush became President I can’t identify with the party. When I turned 18 I registered Republican ‘cuz I am definitely fiscally conservative. And I liked going against the crowd – living in Massachusetts, as a Republican is practically unheard of. Now I don’t know what to do. I still think we should be able to balance the budget and that we spend way too much, but my take on the quality of life issues is so liberal that I don’t want to belong to any party.
75. In fact, I’ve told friends that I want to start my own political party. I’ve dubbed it “The Smart Party.” The platform is pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-stem cell research, and based on the premise that people need to be responsible for their own choices and actions.
76. Lately D & I have been talking about going to New Orleans for a long weekend and going to Monaco for the Grand Prix. He’s gotten into Formula 1 racing recently.
77. I feel guilty sometimes that we see so much more of my family than D’s family. But I don’t think it can be helped.
78. I’m spending way too much of my work hours on this post, and blogging in general.
79. None of my closest friends were married before they turned 30.
80. Neither D nor I own an ipod. Yet.
81. I’ve spent more than $100 on a pair of shoes only once in my life.
82. I love playing board games. D does not. Playstation works for both of us.
83. I carry a book with me almost everywhere I go.
84. I don’t have any tattoos. D has a small tattoo of Kokopelli over his left shoulder blade. Is that ironic?
85. I love the Olympics. So much fun to watch.
86. The first adult vacation (sans family) I ever took/planned, was a trip to the Grand Canyon with D. We were not properly prepared for the hike down, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
87. I prefer contemporary styling to Victorian, arts and crafts to country kitchen.
88. I like playing croquet and shuffleboard.
89. Fourteen is my favorite number. I don’t know why.
90. I’ve smoked a cigarette twice in my life.
91. I fainted at a play once. Not from a chair – it was more performance art and the audience was standing around the actors in this enclosed little space. I hit the floor.
92. I’m indebted to my high school English teacher for teaching me how to write a proper essay (not that I display those techniques here).
93. I failed my drivers’ license test the first time.
94. My current favorite play is The Pillowman. Go see it if you can. I highly recommend it.
95. Even though I work in theater, it’s my husband who has performed on a Broadway stage.
96. I’m contemplating seeing a nutritionist. Has anyone gone to one?
97. My acupuncturist told me about this feng-shui thing to do for infertility: you’re supposed to take a picture of a baby (from a magazine or something) and put it face to face with a picture of you and your husband. Tie a red ribbon around the 2 pictures and place it under your mattress. Yes, I tried it.
98. I think skylines and bridges make a great view.
99. D proposed to me in Central Park.
100. I’ve only had yelling fights with males; never with a girlfriend.
101. I hope you found some part of this list interesting and maybe you feel like you know me a little bit more.
     
     Geesh. That took a bloody long time. Thanks for reading!