I’ve gotten the same “tag” that most of you have gotten. The “tag” asking you to write 25 random things about yourself. A list of 25 things is a cute little excercise, but not truly narcissistic enough for someone like me. Don’t believe it? I’m going to prove my self-absorption by posting 250 rambling, semi-coherent things about myself.
Help me create the Facebook meme to end all Facebook memes. I’m throwing down the blogger gauntlet. Who among you dare pick it up? The rules for this challenge are the same as before:
Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 250 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)
Without any further ado, 250 rambling things about me:
1. I’m right-handed
2. I can do a flawless Charlier cut in my left hand.
3. If I try it with my right, it’s clumsy, and painful to watch.
4. I really enjoy performing magic.
5. I know that practice is the secret to mastery.
6. I still avoid practice.
7. I’m married
8. As of this May, I will have been married for 10 years.
9. I am still astonished that another human being has enjoyed my company for that long.
10. I have a daughter, Zoe.
11. More responsible people have not yet taken her from me.
12. I have a son, Orion
13. I knew it was an unusual choice, but I never imagined that so many people would not know how to pronounce it.
14. For most of my life, I swore that I’d never marry, and I’d never have children.
15. I’m not very good at keeping my word.
16. I’m not regretful about going back on #14
17. Some of my favorite people don’t realize they’re my favorite people.
18. I don’t suffer redundancy well.
19. I hate effort duplication.
20. I despise doing the same things over and over again.
21. I don’t mind betraying my values for a cheap joke.
22. As far as I know, I’m the only Scott Dezrah Blinn in existence.
23. There are many “Scott” x “Blinn”s
24. Most of them seem to be more successful in their fields than I am.
25. I used to be uncomfortable with my middle name, now it’s practically my entire online identity.
26. One of my favorite lines from the band Cake is: “Excess ain’t rebellion.”
27. This should be the centerpiece of any anti-drug campaign aimed at kids.
28. On of my favorite forms of humor is taking a premise, repeating or amplifying it, continuing on into confusion, annoyance, and pushing on and on until it’s funny again. Ex. Family Guy ” ssssssss…ahhhhhhh” or Monty Python Tourist sketch.
29. When I did this same exercise 4 years ago, I actually learned some things about myself.
30. Even though this seems like the most narcissistic possible activity, I couldn’t possibly care less if you read it.
31. I usually dress in funny t-shirts or loud Hawaiian shirts.
32. This is not shtick, it’s just what I like .
33. The only time I’m uncomfortable with my look is when I’m at a tourist destination. This speaks of a character flaw.
34. I’m terrified that either of my kids will want to play baseball.
35. I’m not anti-sport but a) I suck at every part of baseball, and I despise watching little league games.
36. No, it won’t be different when it’s my own child in the game.
37. I now work in the fab at Intel. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put me in control of multiple $15million dollar machines that could kill me and everyone around me 6 different ways.
38. I am constantly astonished by the work environment here. It’s one of the few places I’ve worked where “constant improvement” is and actual value, not just a buzzword.
39. I was a bartender, all-in-all, that was a mistake.
40. I liked my customers, I liked serving them food and entertaining them with magic.
41. I hated the stupid power play/responsibility issues that come with serving alcohol.
42. I was once an evangelical Christian.
43. Now…not so much.
44. I’m more ashamed of beliefs I held as a Christian than some of the “sins” I committed during the same period.
45. Many Christians believe that magic is evil, dangerous, and a threat to the faith.
46. I agree. Once you’ve spent your time wrestling with truth, lies and how to make people believe what you want them to, you can’t help but take a good, hard look at religion.
47. I would love to see some research on the confluence of apostasy, magic, skepticism and paranormal belief.
48. I’m 31 years old, and I’ve still never left the North American continent. I think this is one of my biggest failings as a human.
49. I’m comfortable with Windows and Linux, and I find Macs cute, and perfect for people who can’t handle a real computer.
50. I don’t mind throwing flame-bait into my posts.
51. I’m great at coming up with new ideas and visualizing possibilities, but I am absolutely worthless when it comes to execution.
52. My favorite magicians in no particular order: Max maven, Derren Brown, Penn and Teller, Mac King, The Amazing Jonathan, Cyril Takayama, Lance Burton and Brian Brushwood
53. I started high school at Bartlett High in Webster, MA and ended it at Oxford High School in Oxford, MA
54. I was senior class president.
55. It’s astonishing how rarely it comes up in conversation now.
56. I’ve been surviving on Hot Pockets for lunch.
57. I don’t see what the big deal is. They’re edible, they’re convenient, and they’re filling.
58. I’ve started college a few times, but it’s never stuck. I would like to remedy that but money and time are two things I never have enough of .
59. After taking classes with single moms who work 2-3 jobs, I know exactly how much bullshit #58 contains.
60. The immigration debate makes me crazy. Want to be friends with me?
Don’t start that conversation unless you’ve worked in the foodservice, agricultural or construction industries. Until you’ve done the shittiest work on earth next to these guys, you’re talking out of your ass.
61. I’m not a big fan of golf. I’m squarely in the “good walk spoiled” camp.
62. However, I’ll play disc golf anytime the opportunity presents itself.
63. If growing up means making choices, then I’m Peter Frakking Pan.
64. I’ve never owned a rabbit, but I have had 2 iguanas, 5 mice, 2 hermit crabs, numerous fish,1 dog, 1 cat, 2 newts, 1 turtle and 1-2 doves.
65. My cat, Rasputin, is dead. He’s lived with me longer than anyone other than my immediate family. He was more of a roommate than a pet, and he’ll be sorely missed.
66. After years of work getting rid of my default self-importance arrogance and egotism, I find myself in the position of having to regain a bit of it in order to have a successful career.
67. I am not the lyrical Jesse James, and I’ve come to accept that.
68. My favorite video games in no particular order: Half-Life 1+2, StarCraft, Super Mario Bros. 2, Fable, Halo 2, The bulk of the Zelda and Metroid series.
69. As time goes on, I’m less and less satisfied being a consumer of culture, and more and more interested in becoming a creator of culture.
70. Yes, I really am going to go through with this.
71. My hair is skipping the gray stage, and going straight to white ,with a quick stop at salt-and-pepper.
72. This does not bother me.
73. One of the best things about losing my religion is the fact that I no longer have to rationalize or self-censor my tastes. If I think that http://www.tentaclegrape.com is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, that’s okay!
74. I speak geek, but I think I may be a poser.
75. My favorite monosyllabic musicians: Cake, Beck, Bjork
76. I drive my wife’s old Toyota Echo, and I was damned excited to get it.
77. I think the democratization of content will be the most significant change to come out of the internet and social media revolution.
78. I remember what “Talking to Chuck” means and I’ve done it while talking to Chuck.
79. I have eaten the Donut Burger, and I recommend the experience to anyone. If you come to Worcester, look me up, and I will take you out and treat you to one.
80. I have been dissatisfied with my restaurant experiences since I realized that “casual dining” chains are just fast food joints with longer waits.
81. I’m decent at archery, but woefully out of practice.
82. One of my favorite back-handed compliments came from an Olympic level fencer after my first bout with him. “He’s fast! He keeps making mistakes, but he makes up for it with speed!” Speedy incompetence, it’s my freaking trademark. 
83. I used to fence, I loved it, I miss it.
84. I used to rock climb, I loved it, I miss it.
85. I used to run, I loved it, I miss it.
86. I think I’ll stop that particular run of facts, it’s a bit to depressing and self-incriminating.
87. Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with my high school years. Jr High was as angst-ridden as you can imagine, but my senior year was decent.
88. However I would love to take another crack at my 20’s and college.
I think I could do better if I applied myself.
89. btw, If there is a theme for my life it is: “He could do better if he just applied himself” nothing will shut me down faster than people telling me I can do something.
90. I’m a magician, but my French drop literally can’t fool a 3-year-old. I’ve asked for lessons from local magicians, but they keep saying “you don’t need me, you’re already doing great”.
91. I’m a self-taught magician with huge, basic gaps in my skills and knowledge. It’s like when you learn to play the guitar from tabs alone. You can rock the songs you know, but you’re useless when it comes to creativity and improvisation.
92. I’m pretty good with a hammer, and I can mud sheetrock with the best of them.
93. I liked driving for Guardian and would have continued doing it if the pay was right and my job title wasn’t ISO auditor and Quality Control Rep.
94. There is no bad time for “A Message to you Rudy” by The Specials.
It is a perfect song.
95. I spent a summer in Newman, Illinois, detasseling corn. Maybe I’ll tell you about it some day.
96. I love summer camp. I loved going when I was a kid, and I loved working there even more. When done right, it is one of life’s greatest joys. This is not an exaggeration. If you’ve experienced it, you know.
97. Someday, I think I’ll write a realistic screenplay or short story about life at camp. No one’s gotten it right yet.
98. If my house was on fire, and my family was safe, I’d probably try to rescue our books next.
99. I watch way more TV than I really want too, and read a lot less than I used to. What the hell is wrong with me?
100. The first 100 went pretty quickly, but I fear the wall’s a-comin’.
101. Out of all the social media tools I use (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) the most useful and interesting connections have come from Twitter.
Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/dezrah and you’ll figure it out.
102. I have/had scoliosis. I just missed going through high school with a back brace. It’s fine now, just leads to back aches now and then. I’m not looking forward to my later years though…
103. Some of the most life-changing books for me: “Flim-Flam” by James Randi, “Godel, Escher, Bach…” by Douglas Hofsteader, “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson, “The Bible” by a cast of 1,000’s, “How to Play With Your Food” by Penn and Teller and “How the Mind Works” by Steven Pinker.
104. My first and last name are fairly unusual in that they are both 5 letters long, monosyllabic and are made of two pairs of consonants separated by single vowels with the last consonant pair being on letter repeated. This is not significant.
105. I once met Teller, and I told him that I had done a psychic surgery at a Christian Summer Camp for a large gathering of youth groups. He laughed and said “That’s great!” I don’t know if he would have been less impressed if I had told him I did it while I was employed by said camp.
106. I also asked him, “How do I know if this is what I want to do?”
his advice? “Keep doing it.” He was right.
107. I have been a bartender at two different restaurants.
108. I have been a forklift driver at a lumberyard.
109. I’ve worked in a glass tempering/fab plant. I was in production, QC, ISO and delivery.
110. I’ve worked at Staples as a Copy Center Clerk, Business Machines Associate, Merchandiser, tech center assistant and receiving assistant.
111. I’ve sold chocolate professionally at Lindt Chocolatiers
112. I’ve been a line cook at 2 restaurants
113. I’ve worked at Prints Plus and framed over 1,000 pictures.
114. I’ve worked at McDonald’s
115. I’ve worked as a camp counselor
116. I’ve worked as a rock-climbing instructor
117. I’ve worked as an archery instructor
118. I’ve worked as a canoe instructor
119. I’ve worked as a Low Ropes and group initiative/teambuilding facilitator
120. I’ve worked as a Summer Camp Program Director
121. I’ve served in the lay ministry
122. I’ve worked as a Maintenance Supervisor
123. I’ve been a professional magician.
124. I still don’t know what I want to do with my life.
125. Uncanny X-Men #271 was the first comic I ever bought. Jim Lee’s Psylocke was life-changing in many, many ways for 13-yr-old Scott Dezrah Blinn.
126. I’ve never owned a firearm, other than a bb gun.
127. I’ve lived in Massachusetts for 26 years of my 31 years of life, but Maine feels like home.
128. Disneyworld is a close second, but I don’t think they’d let me live there.
129. Amanda and her family ruined me for life when she brought me to Disneyworld. I was perfectly happy being a cynical curmudgeon, and they had to go re-introduce me to magic and wonder.
130. My favorite Disney park is Epcot Center. Not for the rides or exhibits, but for the landscape and building design. It is beautiful, tranquil and restful. Well done!
131. My only complaint about Disneyworld isn’t particularly original.
I love thrill rides, and that’s where Disney traditionally fails.
They’re getting better though.
132. I’d love to do more with my blog, but as we’ve hinted at before, I suck at the whole “self-discipline” thing.
133. However, I’m pathologically good at the whole “self-control”
thing. I’ve taken being reserved and keeping my emotions in check to sociopathically unhealthy levels.
134. I’ve spent so much time trying to be who I think I should be, I’ve lost track of who I want to be. But it’s getting better.
135. My favorite foods at the 99 are (in no particular order): Turkey Tips, the All-Star Steakburger, Fish Tacos, Potato Skins, and Cedar Plank Salmon. You can’t go wrong with any of those.
136. The double whammy of Simon Stevenson and Lindt Chocolate ruined me for Hershey’s, Russell Stover, Whitman’s, etc. Once you’ve actually had decent chocolate, you can never go back.
137. I did not learn everything I really needed to know in kindergarten. I can’t even remember kindergarten.
138. It always amazes me when people (esp. Amanda) can clearly remember things that happened in Pre-school, kindergarten, 1st grade, etc. It’s a complete blank to me.
139. I have to thank Chuck, Teall and Wyclef Jean for making me realize that I had no problem with rap and hip-hop. I just hadn’t heard artists that I liked yet.
140. Since High School, I’ve lived in at least 11 different buildings.
One would think that I would have less clutter.
141. I used to enjoy riding to the Ocean Park post office to pick up my mail.
142. I’d love to move back to OP, but there’s no way I could afford to live that close to the ocean, and that’s really the reason to live up there.
143. After 9 summers at Oceanwood, I would love to spend a whole summer in Ocean Park, it seems like a nice little community.
144. I’ve only ever completely lost my composure (bawled my eyes out) after childhood in front of a few people. My father, my wife, a friend, and a stranger. I’m eternally grateful to all of you for staying with me and letting me vent.
145. I pride myself on being fairly professional in the workplace.
Unfortunately, many of my co-workers in service industries misinterpreted that as hostility. When I’m working with customers/guests, I’m there for the job, not to talk about your date last night. Sorry.
146. Want to stop being my friend? Laughingly tell me a drunk-driving story. See if I ever call you up again.
147. No matter what part of the political/religious spectrum you fall on, if you can laugh at Python, we’ll be okay.
148. I spent a good chunk of my life being taught that most of the things I liked were sinful and evil, and therefore I had to hide them or lie about them. This may explain a few things…
149. I know I’m supposed to mock Britney Spears and be all snarky, but I have to say, I’m kind of on Chris Crocker’s side, just with less drama and mascara.
150. Can I just say that a decent pizza from a locally owned pizza place is one of life’s great pleasures?
151. Same thing goes for great Chinese take out, there is nothing like the smell of a big brown paper bag full of Lo Mein, Crab Rangoon and Boneless Spare ribs.
152. I was a decent fencer, but my lunge never had the explosive “SNAP!” it needed to be successful. That’s kind of important.
153. I know it’s one of the central modes of communication for my generation, but I’m starting to get tired of constant pop culture references.
154. It’s not that I don’t love pop culture; It’s just that I’m starting to miss original conversation.
155. I love juggling, but not on stage. It’s just plain fun.
156. I think juggling should be a mandatory part of physical education. It’s an incredible confidence builder. No one thinks they can do it, and it’s very easy to learn.
157. My friend Nate and I once drove cross-country from MA to CA. I highly recommend it.
158. We got lost during the evacuation of a chemical plant explosion. I don’t recommend that.
159. We had no stereotypical “Y’all aren’t from round here? Are ya?” confrontations. The closest was a diner in TN. We walked in, and the entire place fell silent. Hooray for ponytails.
160. I know weigh more than I ever have. I’m starting to do something about that.
161. It took me 5 tries to get my driver’s license.
162. I’ll take the blame for 3 of those attempts.
163. I’ve been shocked at least a dozen times. Every single time has been due to my lack of care.
164. Apparently, when it comes to avoiding pain, I’m a slow learner.
165. In other areas, I’m an excellent learner. I’ve never come across and skill or job that I couldn’t gain some level of competence in.
166. My weakness is in sticking to something once I’ve gained some level of competence.
167. I speak Jr. High level Spanish. I’ve never taken any other foreign language classes.
168. I’ve programmed in Basic, Pascal and C++.
169. I’m not very good at writing original code, but I really enjoy debugging.
170. I’ve often wanted to get back into programming, but I really don’t have the time to become proficient in it anymore.
171. I have the typical hacker/coder work ethic. Stretches of slacking off, punctuated by focused, frenetic, marathon periods of productivity.
172. I don’t think of myself as a leader, but I often find myself in that role.
173. That is: I don’t want to take charge, but I can’t stand it when no one else does.
174. I can count to 32 on one hand in binary.
175. I graduated high school in 1995
176. I was born in 1977, the year Star Wars was born, and the year Elvis died. It was a Gretty important year for pop culture.
177. I’m too young for Generation X and too old for Generation Y.
178. This is the second time I’ve attempted something like this.
179. Originally my plan was to write 2500 things, but that’s not going to happen.
180. I used to walk EVERYWHERE. I once walked from my home in Oxford, to my classes at Worcester State just because I wanted to.
181. I’ve been pulled over 4 times, twice while I was in a car.
182. I’ve never been in an accident, and, (on the record), I’ve never gotten a ticket.
183. One of my few definite goals in life is to give my children a better life than I have.
184. The older I get, the harder that seems to be.
185. While at a driving range, I once hit a golf ball behind me, into the parking lot. It was not on the backswing.
186. As a general rule, I dislike team sports. Notable exceptions: Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Capture the Flag.
187. If you have never played “Ga-Ga”, “Gaa-Gaa”, “Gau-Gau” or any of its regional variants, you have not truly lived.
188. I feel the same way about rock-climbing as I do about juggling. It should be a mandatory part of physical education, if only for the sense of accomplishment it can provide.
189. I strongly agree that low-self esteem is responsible for many people’s problems.
190. I strongly disagree that praise should be given out regardless of behavior or achievement. If self-esteem is not actually earned, it can turn to narcissism or worse, be discovered as valueless later in life.
191. Even I’m beginning to find this boring.
192. I’ve never liked babies, still don’t.
193. I’ve always loved kids, still do.
194. I still have Legos.
195. I never got into “Magic: The Gathering” and I’ve tried quite a few times.
196. “Settlers of Catan” is my favorite board game of all time. The hardest part is finding someone to play with.
197. My love in podcasts has overtaken my love for music.
198. This really bothers me when I think about it.
199. I’m much more productive when I listen to music while working.
200. It’s because I’m too easily distracted if my mind isn’t otherwise occupied.
201. I don’t think that #200 scans right but I can’t figure out a better way to say it.
202. I hate cars. More specifically, I hate having to own one and pay for and maintain it.
203. I don’t think I’m a motorcycle guy, but I dream of owning a decent motor-scooter.
204. If you meet me in public, say “Hi!” I’m much friendlier than I appear.
205. I really like meeting new people. It’s just that my default state is “quiet”.
206. I identify with Dante from “Clerks” entirely too much.
207. I have never run a marathon, but I have done a few 5k’s.
208. I like sports, but I’m not competitive at all. I couldn’t care less about the score.
209. If I were to join any branch of the military, it’d probably be the Navy. I’m a big fan of a) the ocean and b) having a roof over my head.
210. One of the coolest experiences of my life was watching the Leonids while lying on the beach at OOB. Light pollution killed most of the show, but what was there was amazing.
211. I’ve forgotten more about astronomy than most Americans ever learned. This is a statement of a) how bad my memory is and b) how bad Science education in this country.
212. I know they’re in the list of acceptable targets now, but honestly, in my experience, there is no sub-culture that is friendly or more accepting than Goths.
213. Similarly, in my experience, professional magicians are amazingly tolerant and friendly to both amateurs and non-magicians.
214. Sadly, I’ve found that there is no group less accepting, less tolerant, and more catty than amateur magicians.
215. I tend to get involved in online discussions out of optimism and a thirst for community.
216. I tend to leave because of my disillusionment and disgust at the way people treat each other when they think they’re anonymous.
217. I’ve walked less than 1/10 of 1% of the Appalachian Trail, and even that kicked my ass.
218. My brother walked the whole thing and I couldn’t be prouder.
219. One of my biggest regrets about leaving the faith is the loss of friends and community.
220. One of the best things about leaving the faith is finding out who my real friends are.
221. I prefer writing with fountain pens, but I accept the limitations of the technology and end up using ballpoints.
222. Who am I kidding? I type everything. My handwriting is illegible to anyone but myself and a small group of specialists.
223. I’m a much better at driving a forklift than you would assume by looking at me.
224. I can feel my brain atrophying. (Evidence: I had to look up the spelling of “atrophying”
225. DIY projects I’d like to build: bed of nails, Tesla coil, trebuchet, climbing wall.
226. I’ve only been in 2 fights, but I got beat up a lot. Pacifism and jr. high do not mix well.
227. I’m not as smart as some people think I am and I’m not as dumb as some other people think I am.
228. I used to be well-read and perceptive, but I’ve become lazy and dense.
229. I’ve never done drugs. Ever. I’ve only tried alcohol 3 times, each time, only a taste: Bud Light, Guinness and Blackstone Merlot. I hated all of it.
230. Apparently, this makes me less of a person.
231. My liberal friends think I’m conservative, and my conservative friends think I’m liberal. They’re both wrong.
232. I don’t know my mother. This used to not bug me. I never used to think about it, but now it seems to come up a lot. She just friended me on Facebook. I don’t know how to deal with this.
233. My first instinct in any difficult situation is to avoid conflict and trouble, usually by lying. I’m an excellent liar.
234. Alton Brown is my culinary hero and I reference his show WAAAYYYY too much.
235. Whenever I sit down to write anything of length, I have a cup of tea. My favorite teas in no real order Green (gunpowder), Chai, oolong, earl grey.
236. The NSA has a file on me. Seriously. I know what it says and I won’t tell you. Makes you curious, doesn’t it?
237. I love the circus. I think I might have missed my calling.
238. I could have skipped 7th and maybe even 8th grade, but I was afraid of getting the $#!t kicked out of me by the upper classmen who already threatened me on a daily basis.
239. I have a hole in my brain where poetry is supposed to fit. I just don’t get it. It’s getting better though. I can get behind slam poetry.
240. I don’t have many friends that I see on a regular basis. This is mostly my fault.
241. Half of my senior class at OHS thought I was gay. I’m not.
242. If any of those last few sound familiar, it’s because I lifted them from my old list. They’re still valid.
243. Current favorite TV Shows: Battlestar Galactica, Robot Chicken, Future Weapons, The Venture Bros., American Dad, Family Guy, Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs. Mike Rowe is dreamy.
244. I don’t listen to commercial radio, at all. 9 times out of 10, I have to ask my wife who these people on TV are. I find new music from social media recommendations.
245. I have an idea. It’s one that should work, will free me up financially, and provide a lot more job satisfaction than what I’m doing now. But I need start-up money, and I have no idea how to get it.
246. The same nurse that told me I weighed more than I ever had in my life also demoted me from 5’ 11” to 5’ 10.5”. I don’t think that was necessary.
247. I used to say that the only reason I hadn’t become an assassin or thief was that I was a Christian. It turns out that I was wrong. I’m actually a pretty good guy own my own.
248. I honestly think my life would be significantly poorer without the Internet.
249. Even though I may sound whiny and angsty every in this list, I have to say, all in all, I’m pretty damn happy. I’ve got a beautiful family, a wife that’s stuck by me through everything and a lot to look forward to.
250. I would be eternally grateful if someone could explain to me why I give up or at least lose interest in things as soon as I gain competence in them. In a similar vein, 1) I have no real ambition or passion. 2) I’d like to change that.
If you read this entire thing, I applaud your tenacity if not your judgement. If you cheated and skipped to the end, I guess you’ll never know what happened on that magical night in Dallas.
In all seriousness, I found this to be a surprisingly effective excercise in self-awareness. You’ve really got to start digging to hit the 250 mark. Even if you never post it, it’s interesting to see where it takes you. Thanks for reading this, thank you even more for trying it, and thanks most of all for passing it on!
