Tuesday, October 18, 2011

My way of thinking/25 Random Things About Me

One of my new blogger pals, Franziska San Pedro, came up with this wonderful idea for each of us to write 25 random things about ourselves. We being a group of bloggers who share on The Circulation Desk on Facebook. What a great way to get to know each other better and maybe to learn a little something about ourselves. Here's some Austin's Random thoughts.

1. My favorite color is red. It reminds me of strength. Don't ask me why. If you start asking questions this won't be a very fun exercise.

2. Almost all of my friends and family from before 1973 call me Bill. Many of my new friends call me Bill because my connection to them is through my old chums. Truth is, I have been Austin for 38 years. But I am happy with either name.

3. I have always loved horses. To me they are giant dogs that you can ride.

4. After being hit by a car last April, I had an epiphany. Realizing more than ever how short life is, I redoubled my efforts to make a difference in the world around me.

5. My mother died when I was 17, my father when I was 19, and my brother when I was 31. I am an orphan.

6. I am one of the happiest people I know.

7. I saw my first Broadway show in 1959. It was "Flower Drum Song" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I was 5. From that moment on I never wanted to do anything but theatre. So that's what I did with unwavering dedication.

8. I am happy to be my age. Glad that I learned a thing or two along the road to 57 years.

9. I have very strong political views but I don't discuss them often. Divisiveness is not my thing.

10. I was brought up by a very religious mother. She was a Christian singer from the age of 6 until she became ill in the early 1960's. Boy can I quote The Bible. I am a nightmare to people who try to "convert" me.

11. Jon and I met through a mutual friend. The friend thought that he was taking Jon out on a date but invited me to join them for a beer. Needless to say, we no longer have that mutual friend.Oops!

12. I love London. After New York City, it is my favorite city in the world.

13. I talk way too much. Jon says so. He also says that I tell everyone everything. Is that really a fault?

14. I believe that I loved music in the womb. Without music I would not know who I am.

15. Stephen Sondheim is my favorite composer/lyricist. I quote him a lot, sometimes breaking into song while quoting him.

16. I am a Disney fanatic. I love animated film, particularly from 1937-1967. You know. When they actually drew it.

17. I am a natural teacher. I am a good learner as well.

18. I dislike actors who are walking, talking job applicants 24/7. That used to be me so forgive me if I don't recite my theatrical history.

19. I said nothing about TV. I was the Pearl Drops Tooth Polish guy in 1973. Ha Ha!

20. I am a very good swimmer even though I am still working on being able to walk again.

21. I believe that meditation is key to inner peace and tranquility.

22. Laughter truly is healing. I know because I make Jon laugh a lot. After almost dying, he is now in top form. We watch a lot of comedy.

23. I sleep very little. Too many interesting things to do. Not enough hours in a day to waste them in sleep.

24. I read quite a bit but only on the go. This is the longest I have sat still in days.

25. I can't quit smoking. Don't bother yelling at me.

Well that's 25 pretty random thoughts. I just let things pop into my head. That's pretty much my writing style anyway. Now. Let's hear more random thoughts from the rest of you fabulous bloggers.

                                                                 Peace and Love,

                                                                    Austin/Bill

                                                       www,wahjr56.blogspot.com

                                                      

14 comments:

  1. Bill (I mean Austin), What a great list! I love getting to know everyone in our group in this way. I changed my name, too, when I was in the 6th grade. I was "Patti" and then I made everyone call me "Tricia." Now, I'm Trish. I love finding more things we have in common (love Disney, agree laughter is good for you!). Thanks for doing the list!

    Trish
    www.robertssister.com
    caregiving. family. advocacy.

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  2. Hi Austin (I am past 73, so I'll call you Austin, in fact I'm 77, hahaha),

    what a fabulous random list! Thanks for sharing and making me laugh, so happy to get to know you better. It's funny how you can get to know someone better through writing than meeting in person (at first). I hope our paths will cross some time. You are great and thanks for sharing :-)

    Btw, I took this idea with the random list from someone else while I was cruising the internet. I wish I could thank the person like you thanked me but I forgot where I have seen it...
    My fave's on your list are #6, 10 and 11, oh and 13 (that's what my hubby says about me too, I don't think it's true, lol)

    xx
    Franziska San Pedro
    The Abstract Impressionist Artress

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  3. Nice idea! I think I may do this as a fun post too! And anyone can quite smoking - I did ;) Did you ever read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking? If you don't actually want to then ignore me lol

    Louise Edington
    Breaking Through Online Frontiers
    http://louiseedington.com

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  4. This post was so much fun to write. Since these were supposed to be random things, I didn't have to have a plan. I just started writing and let it flow however it wanted (a post with a mind of it's own).
    I agree, Trish. This is a fun way of getting to know each other better. A little bit here, a little bit there. Before you know it, you have a souffle! Glad to have a fellow Disney lover around.
    Franziska, No matter how you came by this idea, it was wonderful of you to share it. I had such a fun time with it. Feel free to throw more challenges my way. I can adapt almost anything to the general theme of my blog.
    Louise, I said don't yell at me!LOL!!! This smoking thing is my one area of supreme weakness. We'll see what the future holds. Today I am a smoker.

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  5. I thoroughly enjoyed your list! It reminded me (not that I need reminding!) of all the reasons I love you so much. I am so richly blessed to have you and Jon, & Charlie and Roxie in my life!

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  6. I can't tell you how much I LOVE this post!! Kudos to Franziska for nudging us in this direction...

    You were the Pearl Drops guy?!? I totally remember that commercial! Way cool (and nice teeth) :)

    Your point about laughter totally resonates with me. I have a dvd collection full of comedies and I watch them over & over again. I have no problem with repetition when it comes to comedy.

    I appreciate the free-flow honesty of this list. Bravo!

    Heidi & Atticus

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  7. I love you too, Sandy. Thank you for being such a loyal and true friend (not to mention loyal reader)

    Heidi, I'm so glad you enjoyed this post. It was the easiest one I have written, so far. I just let my thoughts be random so there didn't have to be any organizational considerations. I am waiting with bated breath for YOUR list!

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  8. OK Bill, now I know things I didn't even realize I wanted to know - like where the "Austin" part fit in! (I think I thought it was a last name...) So much of your list rings absolutely true with the Bill I've been getting to know, and I loved every bit.

    I saw Flower Drum Song when I was a girl (I have just a few years on you) so I can just imagine this being your moment of enlightenment.

    Didn't know about the car accident. Are you o.k.?

    Your sense of humor really comes out so beautifully, and I agree--humor is healing. This whole thing is just great. Love you even more now!

    Judy Stone-Goldman
    The Reflective Writer
    http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
    Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

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  9. Judy, I am so happy you enjoyed this. Your compliments really do carry a lot of weight with me. I aspire to be a writer of your caliber. As for the car accident, I am fine. I have been in a power wheel chair for some time after falling and fracturing my left hip. Long story there. I am relearning to walk and doing well with that. Just a matter of time, hard painful work, and patience. I am perfectly healthy and very grateful for the wonderful life I have. Life gives us challenges and it's all about how we face those challenges that prove our character. The car accident only made me more keanly aware of my responsibility to love and be loved fiercely.

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  11. This random list is pretty great. It's funny how you can learn so much about someone through small facts. I'm a Disney fan myself, so you'll be happy to know they continued making 2D films well into the middle of the 2000s, but stopped once 3D became extremely popular. Last year's the princess and the frog was the return of the 2D film. I'm hoping they make more.

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  12. Thanks for the comment Dennis. I do know and have seen every Disney animated film both drawn and computer generated. I just love the films that were made when Walt was alive the best. I really liked "The Princess and the Frog" and I liked "Tangled" too. All the animated films carry the same message. Love is stronger than evil. Love conquers all. Great message for young and old alike.

    Austin/Bill

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  13. I just randomly reread this list and smiled. I can't believe I am lucky enough to have you as one of my best friends. Your kindness, humor, creativity and love are endless. Keep writing, my dear friend, there are many who need to hear your voice!

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  14. Thank you Sandy! I am reposting a few things because of all the new friends who have entered the picture recently. It's a short cut way for people to get to know me and my family.

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