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My high school friend, author and blogger Jenny Ziegler “tagged” me with “Five Things” meme that I first saw with a few other bloggers (but I never thought it would happen to me). The idea is for a blogger to list five little known facts about themselves and then pass it on to other bloggers they know.

Here’s my list:

1. I have an almost irrational addiction to luggage (specifically backpacks) and stainless steel coffee mugs. My first year at UT (as a student), I got the opportunity to select a new backpack for the year. I found a hunter green Trager with a bunch of pockets and pen holders. I think that was the beginning of my long relationship with backpacks (and yes, I still have that backpack). Since then, I’ve used backpacks for work and play. When I was traveling with my last company, I rotated through several backpacks with laptop sleeves, key hooks and the ever popular mesh drink holder. Ebay has allowed me to continue this little habit. Of course, when you’re on the go (either commuting or flying), you need to have a stainless steel coffee mug to hold your hot caffeine delivery fluid of choice (usually coffee). I have a few plain insulated mugs, but I really like the double walled stainless steel mugs. I swear it makes the coffee taste better.
2. My favorite time of year is fall. My Texan pride causes me to scoff at the out-of-staters that complain about the hot weather as if I could stand it all day long, but I love all the things that come in September (OK, October). I love the first cold front, the start of football season, leaves turning color and the start of school. Sometimes we’ll luck out and it’ll be rainy and cold for a week. Winter and Spring are OK, but fall is still my favorite.
3. My first car was a 1979 yellow Cutlass Supreme that belonged to my grandmother.
4. I like to sing. I’m not talking about singing “What is Love?” in the shower, but more traditional stuff. Depending on the mood, I can really get into Phantom of the Opera or early Frank Sinatra. Luckily, I got a little encouragement along the way. When I needed an hour of an elective to graduate from college, I decided to take a voice class at UT’s college of Fine Arts. My instructor had me stand in front of a bunch of voice students and sing “My Lovely Celia” and I loved it (even though “My Lovely Celia” is a sappy sappy song…Susan likes it). It makes me wonder if I should have taken choir instead of band.
5. Speaking of Susan, I fell in love with her at a bar and grill on Lavaca Street in Austin when neither one of us was looking. We both worked in UT’s “data processing” department and we ran around with the same group of friends. So this night we were out with a big group and just happened to sit next to each other. She and I both agree that was the night we realized there was chemistry between us. After nearly 11 years, I still smile about that night when I think about it. Later in our relationship, she proposed to me (even though she denies it now).

I’ll have to come up with my “tag list” later.