Random Eight Meme

I got tagged by Erica to do this Random Eight Meme wherein I’m supposed to supply eight random things about me. (Punishment because I said she sometimes uses colorful language?) Then I’m supposed to pass it on to eight others. But I won’t pass it on ‘cause I don’t have that many blogspheric friends I feel that comfortable tagging (that haven't already been tagged) and I don’t want to tick off those I do have. (At least not until I’ve had a chance to meet some of them in person.)

1. I get panic attacks when in crowds of more than 15 people. This despite being a high school/middle school teacher for over 30 years. I had no problem in the class room but the assemblies and faculty meetings were hell. (I completely zoned out while giving the oral presentation of my Masters thesis at Seton Hall but am told I did incredibly well.)

2. I hold a Masters Degree in Ecology/Environmental Science from Seton Hall University. Quite possibly the only one they ever granted as my supervisor on the faculty left a year after I got my degree and the Bio department at Seton Hall was predominantly pre-med/microbiology.

3. Raised in the Dutch Reformed Church, I was a sexton for several years while in high school and got to “see” the inner workings of a church first hand. I stopped attending services soon after and now consider myself “druish.” I'm far more in tune with nature and the seasons than any organized religion although I still adhere to the Ten Commandments Moses brought down from the mount rather than the dreck the folks in the “Environmental Movement” spew forth.

4. Joated stands for “Jack Of All Trades EDucation.” When I started teaching it was in the sciences—all of them: Life Science, General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, etc. You name it, if the school offered it, I taught it. My certificate to teach in NJ reads “Science, K-12” and was one of the last of that type to be awarded. (They switched to more specific subject oriented certificates in the late ‘70s.) As a result, I was a valuable resource for the high school science department. If there was one class of a subject left after all the “specialists” were assigned, I got it. Some years I taught four different subjects. Then I got into middle school computer instruction which required I know everybody’s subject matter as we taught how to use the computer for writing, research, presentation, and data compilation and manipulation so students could use the computer correctly in all their classes. As a result, I taught a little English, History, Science and Math to all my students. (Foreign Language was/is way off the list for me, however, as is Music. I just don't seem to have an ear for either which makes me go ga-ga over my daughter's mad skills in Music and Japanese. My son can do the Music thing but not the foreign language--except for Latin. Go figure.)

5. I used to watch TV (especially the nature, history and news shows) regularly. I’ve learned better and now watch only sports. It’s the one area where the networks can’t practice their propaganda.

6. I can cook pretty well and really enjoy baking cookies (mmm...Toll House!) and making ice cream. (I used to do the latter as part of a thermodynamics lab in my Physics classes the week before Christmas every year. Students were assigned the task of bringing in the sundae toppings. I seem to remember getting observed quite often for that particular lab.)

7. I’ve so many hobbies that I find it difficult to concentrate on any one long enough to become exceptionally good at it. I consider myself above average in wood working, bird watching, and a few others. I could survive on my fishing and hunting skills but I could always use more practice. ;-)

8. I have a terrible memory for names and birth dates. Just ask the lady who has lived with me and does most of the house work around the Aerie. (I’m only partially kidding here. I still get confused about Terry’s birthday—and we’ve been married since August 19, 1972.)

Bonus round:

9. I once “accidentally” burned a shirt while ironing when Terry and I first got married. Didn’t have to iron again for 30 years! Then she caught me taking the wrinkles out of a shirt that was in the closet too long and....