Sunday, March 9, 2008

Tagged, I'm it


My fellow blogger and friend, Charissa, just tagged me, which means it is now my turn to give up a little more info about myself (as if you haven't heard enough; what haven't I said on this blog?).

So, let me think. What don't you already know about yours truly? Here are the first five things that come to mind, although there are probably no surprises for my close friends and family. I'm like an open book.

Numero Uno: I used to volunteer for D.C. United, a MLS (Major League Soccer) team, for those of you who don't know.

On my first day as a volunteer, they needed someone to sit behind one of the goals and clock the speed of the balls being kicked toward it with a radar gun. To get me down on the field, I was granted an all-access pass, which allowed me to go anywhere in the stadium (including the locker room; you wouldn't believe what I got to see).

From then on, I got to try out many different tasks that took advantage on my total access. I worked the press box, helped slingshot t-shirts into the crowd and escorted Talon (the mascot) throughout the stadium.

One day, the guy who was supposed to be Talon didn't show, so I got to play the part. I guess I did a good job, because I got paid to do some other appearances, like in the Cherry Blossom parade and at another local mascot's birthday bash (a whole bunch of mascots showed up to celebrate with a game of t-ball).

Later on, I also began volunteering with the Ice Breakers (a local minor league ice hockey team) and during the Women's World Cup, where I got to meet Bill Clinton.

No. 2: Still talking about Washington, D.C., I worked on Capitol Hill one summer. I guess I could've been a page, but I opted to do something only a small handful of teenagers get to do; I got to drive the Senators.

My mom nearly fell over when she found out. You see, I'm not the best driver (there's another fact about me). But, lucky for the Senators, I was just going to be filling a seat and pulling a lever on an almost totally automated subway system.

One day, when the Senate wasn't in session, a man in Hawaiian shirt with a camera around his neck (he looked like most tourists on the Hill) struck up a conversation with me about general stuff, like the weather outside, etc. I thought nothing of it until a woman came running over to the man in the loud shirt, saying, "Sen. Glenn, it's so nice to meet you."

Yeah, I knew that. Not. I couldn't believe I didn't recognize him. I mean, he wasn't wearing his space suit.

No. 3: You've probably already figured out that I have an artistic background, but did you know about my range?

I've been drawing and painting since I was small (ditched the stick figures in pre-K and started oil painting in elementary school). I also sing (church choir, school chorus, musical theater and I even sang in a band), took dance (tap, jazz, ballet and some pointe) and was on the pom squad in school.

I was a member of the Thespian Society, a place I earned for my hours of theater work. I was in various school plays, including taking on the part of Kim in "Bye Bye Birdie" (the part Ann Margret portrayed in the movie version. I just love her).

Now, here's an embarrassing little tidbit about me; I even auditioned for a part on the New Mickey Mouse Club in the early 90s. It was the season that Keri Russell (you may know her as "Felicity") made it into the cast. Obviously, I did not.

No. 4: While we're on the topic of embarrassing (and the Mickey Mouse Club), I've also been a big Britney Spears fan (although not so much lately). I have almost all of her CDs (including some imports and the lunchbox filled with single CDs, a shirt, lollipop, keychain and other odd stuff), some dolls, clothing she auctioned off as part of a charity event and a copy of one of her yearbooks.

Now, before you get too weirded out, let me explain. It all started as a joke. I bought a copy of her first CD, because after hanging out with my silly singing friends, a couldn't get "Hit Me Baby One More Time" out of my head.

Next came the dolls, which I purchased to be funny, since a male coworker of mine had made such a fuss over them. Then, everything just kind of snowballed.

Although, I do have to admit that the music did grow on me. It was rather catchy, so I actually went to a concert while preggos with my son. What can I say? My husband and I had fun.

No. 5: Lastly, I've been thinking about going into cake decorating for a while. It probably wouldn't be raw (due to the lack of demand in my area), but then I would be less tempted to eat it.

My sister's and I used to eat cake top (what's leftover after leveling out the top of a baked cake) all the time when my mom worked with a well-known cake decorator in our area. She actually assisted with a soap star's wedding cake and helped transport it to the event.

Speaking of decorative icing, my mom also is one of people in charge of the semi-annual bon bon production to benefit our church. She is currently working on them as I type this, and had enlisted my help Thursday and yesterday.

This batch is for Easter, so we also do 5 oz. eggs (pictured are some of the ones I put crosses and extra flowers on to conceal any imperfections. The rest of them are personalized with names).

Whoa, this post has gotten a bit lengthy, so you'll have to wait until the next one to get my pizza recipe. But, before I leave you, here's who I'm gonna tag: Kristen, Heathy, Carmi, Alissa (take your time; I know about your computer situation) and Jenny :-)

10 comments:

Charis said...

That was such a fun post! I love it! You have such a colorful life, meeting some pretty famous people. That's so awesome.

Jenny said...

So thank you so very much (said quite sarcastically) for getting the bye bye birdie songs going through my head ALL NIGHT!!!
hehe . . . i was completely obsessed with the chynna phillips movie for awhile-
"have you heard about hugo and kim??" oh my goodness. . . i was hearing the quotes in my head for hours. . . SO funny, i can't believe you were Kim!!!!!

i'll be addressing the tag post soon. . . xx Jenny

RawBin said...

So many things in those five details! I followed every link and as I watched Britney Spears, I realized I've heard all her songs, but never actually seen her performances. I can see how she became famous. She was quite talented and has lovely eyes. The only pictures of Britney I've ever really looked at was in the lunch table tabloids. Missed you today.

The detail on those eggs is beautiful. So you put the name of each family member on them? Do you think you'll try it with sweetened cashew cheese on one of your cinnamon rolls?

shannonmarie said...

Charissa, thanks for giving me the opportunity to reminisce.

Jenny, I'm sorry I got those songs stuck in your head. They are a bit cheesy.

I didn't know you were a fan of the t.v. version. I relate more to the original movie, since I played the part before the made for television one came out.

Hey Rawbin, I missed you, too. Thanks for the compliment on the eggs. I keep meaning to do a raw version. We'll see if I have time.

Heather Pace said...

Hehe...I always get a kick outta "blasts from the past". yours was a hoot - esp brittney!

Thanks for the tag - I am going on vacation tomorrow but when I get back I'll definately do a tag post.

shannonmarie said...

I know, the Britney thing is a little embarrassing. I checked out your post. Wow, your life is way more fascinating than mine.

Raw-Riffic Food said...

Oh my dear "Betty Rawker", your blogs are always so much fun to read! I have to say, your background reminds me a lot of myself. I too am originally from back East. In fact, I was born in Bethesda, Maryland, and raised in Arlington/McLean, Virignia, and lived in D.C. up until my 20's. Now I'm all the way in Arizona. Also, I too was a ballet dancer, and into community theatre, singing, and played the drums. But my biggest love growing up was art. I painted, illustrated, and created...lol...

Sorry to go on, but I just had to share with you. You continue to inspire me, and you are just a very "cool" gal! Keep smiling! :)

Your cyberspace raw buddy, Princess Leia.

shannonmarie said...

Wow, we do have a lot in common. Does this mean I'll be moving to Arizona soon?

Unknown said...

i'm fashionably late to the party. it's not over yet, is it?

what was the name of your band?!

shannonmarie said...

You're not too late; you're just the fashionable one. But, I think I need to keep the name of the band to myself. It is actually way more embarrassing than the rest of my post :-)