10 Random Things

At the insistence of Liz. Here's 10 random things about me.

1. I memorized the 50 states in alphabetical order when I was in the first grade and at one time could recite them in 14.5 seconds.

2. In my youth, I was able to put my feet behind my head and do other strange acts of contortion with my lower body. About 5 years ago, I tried it again. I was still able to do it, but my left knee hurt for about a week afterward and I swore I'd never do it again. In the last month or so, my left knee has been a source of agonizing pain, even though I've suffered no trauma to said joint. Is there a causal relationship here?

3. I usually order a brandy and soda at a bar.

4. Just the thought of going into a strip club fills me with shame and horror.

5. I stepped on a baby food jar when I was three and got 18 stitches in my tiny little foot.

6. The first words my wife-to-be ever spoke to me were, "You're Gumby, aren't you?"

7. I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue.

8. I'm quite content with the way my life turned out, but I wish I could get a do-over on two things.

9. I never win anything - at casinos, the lottery (save for two $100 prizes in an incredibly lucky five-month span), anything. One time, in a sweepstakes sponsored by Skin Bracer aftershave, I won fifth prize, a copy of Your Income Tax 1975, by J.K. Lasser. I won it in 1976.

10. I took the online qualification test for Jeopardy three nights ago. I'm not keeping my fingers crossed.