Monday, December 3, 2012

Monday Listicles: 10 Things That Are Better Than Average About Me



The topic over at Stasha's Monday Listicles this week, suggested by Bonnie, is “10 Great Things About Me”.

This is sort of awkward for me. I don’t usually talk or write about what I think is great about myself. I’d rather “you” figure that out by knowing me then “you” decide what “you” think. “You” don’t even need to tell me but if “you” do, “you” will get a big hug (heads up Azara ;-))


10 Things I’m Way Better Than Average At:

1.    Making Someone Pee Their Pants- Well, not everyone will but I’m really, really good at making friends laugh especially when I make fun of myself. I have this one friend who does (pee her pants) on a rather frequent basis (she’s not proud of it). It may be me. I go a little too far then I’m all like “no, no, no DON’T!” but it’s always too late.

2.    It’s Your Idea Anyway- Some may call it manipulation. I call it Psychology 201. I can help you think something is your idea or a good one. Consider it my win/win approach to negotiating for something I’d like.  My nickname in sales was the “Velvet Hammer”.

3.     Ready, Set, Go!- If you told me you’d be here or we’re leaving the house in 30 minutes, I’d totally be ready. I’ve mastered S/H/M/C (that’s shower, hair, makeup, clothes) in less than that.

4.    Onion Peeling It was curiosity that killed the cat, I swear! I’m a fantastic question asker. Even my questions have questions. I love to peel away every layer. I often say, “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want.” but I'm always hopeful you will. I should have been a journalist or an interviewer of some sort. Then I’m….

5.    All Ears- I will listen forever. I don’t need to hear my voice. I’m extremely attentive, won't judge and will give advice only if asked. However, if you’re boring, I will daydream. If you’re egotistical or a braggart, I will politely excuse myself. I subscribe to the theory “Not my information to share.” If you tell me something in confidence that information will never cross my lips again unless, of course, you bring it up. But I have….

6.    Elephantitis of the Memory- Don’t tell me anything you don’t want me to remember for the rest of my natural years. I remember everything and I mean EVERYTHING. Tell me your phone number twice and I’ll know it forever. I’m like Rain Man. My family and friends don’t often need a phonebook. Faces are etched forever. All of this is a blessing and curse sometimes (See #6.).

7.    Kickass Dinner Parties: We eat, we laugh, we dance…that’s all. If they’re impromptu, that’s so much more fun. Call us up last minute; we’re game (to order in too) but don't dress up. When cold weather sets in we stay in more than go out. So come over. I promise you’ll have a blast!

8.    Hugging It Out- I truly believe I could win a “hug out” if there were ever a contest. I excel at hugging. It's a true talent.This is a warning for those of you I haven’t met yet. I will hug you so consider yourself warned.

9.    Partners In Crime Need Not Apply- Have a crazy idea, a proposed adventure, or something outrageous you’d like to try? I’m your girl. I’m an awesome PIC and it’s highly unlikely that I’d say no. And if it turns out it was a bad idea, I won't leave you hanging by yourself. We're partners after all!

10. Being a Mom- I am NOT perfect. I’ve made a million mistakes but I'm often told my kids (19 and 22 years old) turned out very well. They're loved by many and people really enjoy hanging out with them because they're fun and engaging but, most of all, they’re kind human beings. Selfishly, I hope it’s a reflection on their parents.

That wasn’t too bad. Happy first week of December!

37 comments:

Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms said...

Fabulous list. Ellen and I would totally partner up with you in a minute. After reading this list, there is absolutely no question in my mind why your kids turned out awesome. Great list. Erin

Azara said...

We have so much in common, it's crazy. Except for that hugging thing, which I'm never, ever going to live down. Haha!

DEZMOND said...

“Velvet Hammer” lol :)

Samantha Brinn Merel said...

I have that kind of creepy-good memory too. It's both a blessing and a curse I think (mostly it's fun, especially when I shock someone with the lyrics to a song I sang twice when I was six years old). Great list!

Gina said...

Drag me into any adventure. It's all good! Thanks for saying that. They still have toddler moments but... Thanks for dropping by!

Gina said...

I have to come read yours!!! I was just teasing you because I thought you might read today. I still WILL hug you if we meet ;-)

Gina said...

I could talk customers into buying so much. They were men.

Gina said...

What a great way to put it...creepy-good, which is exactly what it is. My friends say, "Ask Gina. She'll remember." Others are shocked when I pull something out. That's funny about the lyrics. I hear ya!

Kenya G. Johnson said...

Are you a long hugger? That's for the warning because I do want to meet you one day and I don't want to be all standoffish with my nonhuggerness demeanor. You know how people hug and then hold your hand while they introduce you to somebody - ugh! That's something I'm not great at. I fake sneeze or something. Love your list. Totally with you on #3. I beat my husband all the time and he has NO hair.

Kenya G. Johnson said...

I meant thanks for the warning - dang typos :-I

Kirsten Oliphant said...

I think you and I would be good friends in real (not to be confused with internet) life. Though I'd have to wear a depends or something, because I can totally pee my pants. Usually it's from roller derby, but laughter works too. Also, love that you call "onion peeling" that getting to know you questioning stuff. Great term!

Kmcblackburn said...

Heading out to buy Drpends now :)

Robbie K said...

I'm NOT a hugger so it'd e a bit awkward if we met but I am very good at peeing my pants from laughter and i am always up for a little crime.

Azara said...

I didn't do it this time. I had a blogfest already scheduled for today and knew it would take me too long to think of 10 great things. That sounds bad. OK, 10 great things that don't sound like obnoxious bragging. But yours were awesome - and you're not the only one teasing me about the hugging post! There are a number of people planning to hug the crap out of me if we ever meet ;)

Gina said...

Well, the really long and really good ones are reserved for just one person. I won't hold your hand, I promise. And I won't hug you the minute we meet but if we connect, which I think we would, I'd give you a genuine and warm hug before we departed. Oh, and it would short, too.

I don't beat my husband. However, he's always almost ready. He reserves his last 5 minutes of getting ready for when I'm standing at the door. Then, I'm waiting for him. I don't know why this happens.

Gina said...

I think we would, too. Why roller derby? Because it's stressful or funny? I'm going with chaotic! That would be my goal then...to make you pee your pants off the rink.

The concept of peeling back anything to get inside to know more, like you would an onion, is something TheJackB wrote about today. He and I share that quality and have talked about many times. I termed it "onion peeling" as a way to explain my approach to getting to know someone with genuine interest. And thanks!

Gina said...

Go to Costco ;-)

Gina said...

I wouldn't hug you when we first met. I don't just hug anyone. I'd have to feel something with a person. My award winning hugs are reserved for loved ones, my family and friends. If you are good at that then my job would be easy and I wouldn't have to go that far for the laugh. I love the fun/adventurous/harmless kind of crime. A lot!

Jamie Miles said...

The Hug-off thing made me laugh. It's weird, some people I am totally comfortable hugging, others not so much. And I need your help in developing skill Number 2 -- with my children.

Gina said...

Oh you are going to get the crap hugged out of you! I went back and looked for one and didn't see it. I saw your blogfest post and have to go over. I'm sure I will get a reference to hugging in there somewhere! And it wouldn't take you long at all to think of 10 great things!

Gina said...

I'm definitely not comfortable hugging everyone. I really meant I'm a world class hugger with my friends and family. I may hug someone the first time I meet them but if I'm not getting a really good vibe I wouldn't. I don't meet a lot of new people anyway, so all of humanity is safe for now! #2 worked a little better when my kids were younger. I can still get Matt, though! My daughter is a lot more cynical and thinks a few steps ahead (maybe like someone I know).

Unknown said...

Totally down for a kick-ass dinner party. Another great list, Gina!

Arnebya said...

I LOVE this list, Gina. I think I'm a good hugger too although sometimes I feel inadequate because I'm skinny (like when I get massages. Feels good to me, but does the person feel uncomfortable because there's not much flesh to rub? I should ask.) Anyway, you know why I agree with so much of this. We are kindred spirits. (Listening is top of my list too (or would be, if I made a list.))

Kenya G. Johnson said...

To be honest, I'd probably go ahead and give you and hug from the get go :-D But a church hugger I am not. I'm like we just hugged last week. Do we have to do it every time?

Gina said...

Thanks, Kenya!!! Me hug at church. Nope! We shake hands. Unless it's a friend I really like that I hadn't seen in a while. There are also good friends I don't hug...just not our thing.

Gina said...

Come on over! Make yourself at home. Door is always unlocked unless we're going to bed.

Gina said...

I know we are, Arnebya, and that delights me. I don't know about the skinny thing. I am not skinny, skinny. I have some meat on my bones and a rather large upper region ;-) that might effect quality of hugging. I think a good hug is a good hug. It's about the feelings behind it and if they are genuine.

I just walked with a friend this morning who I hadn't seen in a while and I really, really like. She is not a good hugger.

AudreyN said...

Amazing list! I want to come to one of your dinner parties!

Gina said...

Okay!

Marie said...

This is a great list. I'm a fellow Libra and proud of it. I love the fact you make your friends pee their pants. And the onion peeling is totally me, too. I can find out more about someone in 10 minutes than my husband can in several weeks!!!

Christine said...

That was a wonderful list. I used to have a great memory, but with each child I've lost brain cells. Now, I'm lucky to remember what I had for dinner the day before.
A dinner party with hugging and peeing and a little adventure thrown in sounds delightful.

Stacie @ Snaps and Bits said...

Totally awesome list! Giving people their own personal idea is such a good talent!

Gina said...

I love being a Libra! Hello fellow balance act!

As sick as it is, it's always a goal of mine to make them laugh hard. I absolutely, hands down, guarantee that I can find out more about someone in the same 10 minutes and several weeks timeframe. I'll even ask him, "So what's so and so like or what did you talk about?" "Oh, nothing really." Huh?

Gina said...

That sounds about right but you forgot the dancing. We always dance. Certain songs will come on and we will find the person we usually dance with to that song and do. Could be a girlfriend, my husband, their husbands while they dance with mine. It's just how it goes.

Gina said...

I hate to brag but I'm really good at it!

Vanessa said...

I love reading yours posts! Crack me up!!! :)

Stasha said...

You are totally rad. I can shower and brush my teeth in 3 minutes flat. If I ever have a crazy idea I will call for you!!