My turn for "Seven Things" …

Jan 08

By Ann Kingman Uncategorized Add comments

As Michael mentioned in yesterday’s fascinating and enlightening post, we’ve been tagged by SAWinkler for the “7 Things” meme. (I had to look up the pronunciation — it’s “meem” though I think “me-me” is more appropriate).

So now, yes, it’s all about me. Seven things, in fact, that you probably didn’t know about me.

1. I am a card-carrying member of the Worldwide I Hate Mayonnaise Club. I despise the stuff, and can barely touch it. The I Hate Mayo Club is real — my husband bought me a lifetime membership about 10 years ago. One of the newest members of the club is Barack Obama. I’m happy to know that if I’m ever invited to the White House for lunch, I can ask for my sandwich without mayo.

2. I have a fear of rats. This came about from watching the movie Willard when I was about 12. (I can’t even link to the movie for you, you’ll have to Google it). I think the creepiness was elevated to phobia by my friend Larry, who would come up to me from behind and run his fingers up my back making rat noises. This became a problem this fall at a trade show where we were featuring the book Firmin, which is the tale of a rat in ~~New York City~~ Boston. Whenever anyone would start to talk about the book, I had to step away (which is why I got the setting wrong just now. Sorry Michael!).

3. I have worked for my current employer since I graduated from college, though it has changed a lot in the 4 mergers that have taken place since I was hired. On the first morning that I reported to work at Dell Publishing, I was told that the morning’s newspaper had announced that Dell had been purchased by the owners of Bantam Books. The personnel director told me that they could not guarantee any positions, and that if I wanted to change my mind about the job it would not be held against me. 22 years later, I’m still here.

4. I attended Syracuse University, where I had a triple major: Magazine Journalism, Marketing, and Psychology. My dream job was to be a staff writer for Rolling Stone Magazine, but I never even got an interview. In retrospect, I think it worked out for the best.

5. I was the school Spelling Bee champion in 7th (or was it 8th?) grade. I participated in the County-wide spelling bee and placed 8th. My losing word was “vouchsafe.” I couldn’t believe that it would actually be spelled the way it sounds.

6. I am obsessed with music as much as I am with books. My favorite physical possession is my iPod. I listen to music constantly, and being able to take hundreds of albums in the car with me and when I travel has been life changing.

7. My love affair with books crystallized when I was about 7 years old. My mother came to check on my in the bathroom, because I had been in there for a long time. I was fine — I was just engrossed in a biography of Juliette Low, founder of The Girl Scouts.

So that’s about it. Someday I will tell you about my Polar Fleece obsession and my love affair with Big Boy, but that will have to wait for another day. Instead, it’s time for me to tag the following people to play along:
Taueret
Alexandra
Tim
I hope you three want to play so that we can learn more about you!

The Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules.
3. Write 7 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 7 people and link to their blogs.
5. Let each person know they were tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry has been published.

Photo credit: mll via Flickr

http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

Wow, some of those I didn’t know about you Ann! But I really want to know about Big Boy. I loved that place too!

One correction, Firmin takes place in Boston. (I guess you really did walk away when I’d start talking about it!)
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

Wow, some of those I didn’t know about you Ann! But I really want to know about Big Boy. I loved that place too!

One correction, Firmin takes place in Boston. (I guess you really did walk away when I’d start talking about it!)
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Oh yeah — I’ll go change it, but everyone, you can have it on record that not only did I walk away, but I didn’t listen when Michael talked about it on our podcast, either!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Oh yeah — I’ll go change it, but everyone, you can have it on record that not only did I walk away, but I didn’t listen when Michael talked about it on our podcast, either!
http://www.thebookladysblog.com Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog

Willard creeped me out as well, though it sounds like your phobia runs deeper than mine does. I don’t blame you for walking away during the Firmin discussions!

I won the school spelling bee in 5th grade and also went on to the county bee. I don’t remember how I placed in that one (not in the top ten), and I misspelled “cynicism.” That’s a toughy for a ten-year-old!
http://www.thebookladysblog.com Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog

Willard creeped me out as well, though it sounds like your phobia runs deeper than mine does. I don’t blame you for walking away during the Firmin discussions!

I won the school spelling bee in 5th grade and also went on to the county bee. I don’t remember how I placed in that one (not in the top ten), and I misspelled “cynicism.” That’s a toughy for a ten-year-old!
http://notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com Alexa

Wow 22 years in one job I am impressed! I think my record is three years

Thanks for the tag I’ll try and think of 7 random things!
http://notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com Alexa

Wow 22 years in one job I am impressed! I think my record is three years

Thanks for the tag I’ll try and think of 7 random things!
http://mindmoss.blogspot.com Lynnea/Maggie

fascinating but I have to admit the 22 years thing floored me the most. practically unheard of in the job market of this generation
http://mindmoss.blogspot.com Lynnea/Maggie

fascinating but I have to admit the 22 years thing floored me the most. practically unheard of in the job market of this generation
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Alexa and Lynnea/Maggie – yes, I have been very lucky to have worked for this company for so long. Though I do confess that I’ve had about 12 different positions in that time, so it’s almost always remained fresh and exciting. I really do like change, though you’d never know it to look at my employment history
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Alexa and Lynnea/Maggie – yes, I have been very lucky to have worked for this company for so long. Though I do confess that I’ve had about 12 different positions in that time, so it’s almost always remained fresh and exciting. I really do like change, though you’d never know it to look at my employment history
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

I think people who like change are perfect for rep jobs, since you get new titles every 4 to 6 months!

I love that my job gets “freshened up” often!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

I think people who like change are perfect for rep jobs, since you get new titles every 4 to 6 months!

I love that my job gets “freshened up” often!
http://groomingtheavatar.blogspot.com/ sawinkler

I always heard Obama was part of a secret organisation. Just didn’t realise it was the WIHMC.

Thanks for playing. And for not getting that job at RS; you and Taibbi wouldn’t get along anyway.
http://groomingtheavatar.blogspot.com/ sawinkler

I always heard Obama was part of a secret organisation. Just didn’t realise it was the WIHMC.

Thanks for playing. And for not getting that job at RS; you and Taibbi wouldn’t get along anyway.
http://prairieprogressive.com Tim

I finally got around to being random, so to speak. As usual, I am a fount of probably utterly worthless information.
http://prairieprogressive.com Tim

I finally got around to being random, so to speak. As usual, I am a fount of probably utterly worthless information.