17 Things about Me (Jon)

Okay I accept the challenge of Keri and will do her one better. Hence here is 17 (16 +1) things about me.

1. My favorite TV show is the Simpsons, followed closely by the Sopranos

2. I am a fan of random documentaries. This past year I have watched documentary series on the History of Soccer, Christianity, and the National Parks.

3. As a kid, my favorite activity in church was to fill in all the "o" in the bulletin with my pen. I then would count how many zeros or letter O's I had filled in each line. The most I ever had in one line was 17.

4. My second favorite activity in church was to count how many "1's" there are on a one-dollar-bill. As a kid growning up in the 1900's, there was always at least 10 ones on a dollar. The most I ever had on a bill was 24. It is still a habit I do to this day.

5. My favorite place in the world is the State Fairgrounds during the Minnesota State Fair. It kills me that it has been 4 years since I was last at the fair. You have to realize I practically grew up there as my family would show sheep and cattle at the fair for at least 4 days each summer. I along with my brothers probably know those grounds like we do our backyard. My younger brother Nathaniel and I as 12 and 10 year olds spent 9 days up there with 3 of those days completely unsupervised as Mom and Dad took sheep to the South Dakota State Fair. IT WAS AWESOME. Two young boys. 100 dollars for food and entertainment for three days while caring for one sheep. We spent more in the Arcades then what we spent on food, which considering food costs at the State Fair is pretty remarkable. Nathaniel saved up his meal money for one day in order to buy a big bucket of "Sweet Martha's Cookies", the best cookies ever. I believe he got sick from it. At one point we were so tired from running around the fair that we took naps in the air-conditioned comfort of the Minnesota DNR theater while watching Nature Survivial films from the 1970's (from these films, I basically learned that if you are a long-haired hippy whose dune buggy overtuned in the desert, you will DIE from the cold when nightfall comes; oh, and NEVER hike in the woods; blizzards are only seconds away). Can't wait to take my boys there someday(the state fair; not the woods, brrrr).

6. I love people's reaction when I tell them that I was a Meat Judging Coach in Grad School. The puzzled looks are priceless. In order to explain it, I am going to start telling people that basically Meat Judging is like the "American Idol" of Beef and I taught college students to find their inner Steak-judging Simon Cowell. (somehow I don't think Paula would have cut it).

7. My Thesis research primarily had me standing in a foot-deep pool of cattle blood eight hours a day for 5 different days. Good times. I always came out of the blood pit looking like I was in a horror film. Needless to say, my clothes had a certain odor afterward. By the way my Thesis project was titled, "Using serum chemistry profiles to predict beef tenderness for the purpose of on-line instrument grading." Catchy!

8. Once a year I play the Super Nintendo and pass the Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past game. It massages my inner geek.

9. I have debates about whether to even let my children become Vikings fans. Why would I saddle someone I love with this grief, this burden?

10. Still my favorite thing in the world is to get Keri to laugh. Believe me, it is too easy when she is tired. Which given we have two boys under 2, is alot lately.

11. I also believe Netflix Rules.

12. Hebrew was easier for me to learn than Spanish. Bless Mrs. Schoone-Jongen for trying.

13. I have never seen the "Sound of Music" all the way through. I was even in the Sound of Music play in High School and still could not tell you what happens in the first half of the play. (my small part was in the second half).

14. I long to find someone to play Trivial Pursuit with that will give me a good game, (I am not trying to be boastful, but my family and friends no longer will play with me :(

15. My favorite "dumb" film is Rocky IV. It is cheesy; It is improbable; Its conclusion is ludicrous; But boy is it entertaining. If it is on TV, I have to stop what I am doing and watch it.

16. What I miss about Meat Judging as a coach is the team camaraderie and the feeling of waking into an Awards Banquet knowing that your team is one of the favorites to win. It is a feeling that was just as good as winning.

17. I grew in the only county of Minnesota not to have a natural lake, nor did we have an ice rink in Pipestone county. Thus I never really learned to skate nor play hockey. I think the Canadians at Seminary believe I am lying about growing up in Minnesota.

Well I hope this list was affirming to you, and not the least bit disturbing (except perhaps for the cow blood part).

Jon