Matt has memed me. I must now reveal five things most people don't know about me lest I lose my blogger decoder ring. But because this meme is a bit too pedestrian, I'm going to change it up: So here are five things most people don't know about me, one of which isn't true.
- I never meant to be a writer. I wanted to be a political operative and, eventually, a candidate for office. But a stint at the Dean Campaign convinced me I lacked the credulity to pledge enduring support to fallible individuals. Meanwhile, I realized that blogging had created a public record far too long for me to ever seek elected office. Even so, I didn't know what I wanted to be. It was a summer internship at The Washington Monthly that sold me on journalism.
- The American Prospect rejected me when I applied for an internship in 2004.
- I have an inexplicable adoration for romantic comedies. But I'm finding out it isn't a generalized attraction. I'm specifically into the awkward, fumbling British guy genre, hence my enjoyment of Wimbledon, most of Hugh Grant's ouvre, Coupling, etc. I'm less interested in the John Hughes template, and totally repelled by actual romance movies.
- I've a surprising knack for fixing cars. Loved high school auto, found replacing brake pads a meditative experience, and think every engine should be periodically rebuilt. That's the good part about owning a Ford: Plenty of opportunity to fix it.
- Though I run with a heavily atheist crowd, I'm a hopeful agnostic. And I wish I had the capability to actually, firmly, believe in God. I've no real idea what's out there, but materialist explanations don't make a whole lot of sense to me. Moreover, I'm convinced that certain people I've met or known have had paranormal experiences and even powers. I don't have any of these things, but I've watched too many otherwise inexplicable events happen to those who do. Sadly, the only conclusion I can draw from such observations is fairly weak -- a generalized confidence that the world is way weirder than we imagine, and too much certainty in any direction in unwarranted.
