Tagged: 5 things you don't know about me

Tagged by Mr Lyons over at Developing Storm, here are 5 things you don’t know about me.  Thanks Pete. This was fun.

My apologies to my family members who will no doubt be rolling their eyes because “Oh no, he’s telling that one again..” or “OH NO!! He’s telling THAT one again!”

1.) When I was a young boy I had an imaginary friend named Ralph who I would talk to, do things with and most importantly blame things on when the shit hit the fan.  Ralph was a good guy. He never complained.

2.) When I was a teenager, I used to wood carve.  I still have the walking stick I made out of a swamp maple sapling I cut down in Lynn Woods. That handsome guy to the right is him.

3.) I talk for our dog Tie, but don’t admit to other family members that I do.  He has his own voice, speech style, and vocabulary. Tie is also Republican, pro-war, and still bitter about being neutered.  Tie talks to my children’s significant others when they visit.  They talk back to him. My son Andrew who is a social worker tells his sister,  “Dad doesn’t have any insight into his condition.”

4.) Dorothy and I spent our honeymoon aboard a three masted schooner in August of 1979.  Hurricane David, a category 5 hurricane missed us by about 50 miles while we were out at sea.  There was three days of big waves, nausea, and being tossed from one end of our bunks (yes bunks…) to the other as the ship pitched back and forth in the storm.

5.) I cry like a baby when I watch dog movies in which the dog dies.  My Dog Skip almost killed me.

 

Comments

[Pete Lyons]

I have some carvings that bear a strong resemblance to yours. I cry at dog movies too! Have you ever read the John Muir short story Stickeen?
That always gets me as well. I know you don't like book recommendations but it's really short. The night I received the news my father had died I read it aloud to my wife. There's no connection but it made me feel better.

[Sylvain Galineau]

So all those Wednesday team meetings, we were actually talking to your dog Tie...I knew something was off...

[Roy]

Pete - I'll definitely check out the John Muir story.. I liked other writings by Muir.

Sylvain - No, you were actually talking to me. Tie would have been much more organized and professional. Also, since Tie is very pro-corporate America, he tends to be a bit of a slave-driver.

[brian]

OK. Those 5 things were interesting but, frankly, not all that surprising... Got any more? ;-)

I like the walking stick guy although he looks a little threatening. Maybe you should bring him into work and put him to use as a management "motivational device"...

[Sylvain Galineau]

Roy, you sure ? Given how neutered middle management is in that place, I wouldn't be surprised if Tie simply took over from time to time...

[Roy]

Hi Brian! As it happens I have a long list of things...but taste and good common sense prevents me from dipping into those..

I always thought the stick looked more forlorn than menacing.. Given his age now (33), he's probably too frail to do much "motivating".

[Roy]

Hi Sylvain,

I ran your insights by Tie. When he got through licking himself, he chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"My dear human, you know that you are not a middle manager. I hope you will correct them. No good pumping yourself up. We both know what you really are."

Crestfallen I replied "I guess..."

He went on "And another thing - tell Mr Galineau that as quaint as his idea is that I would busy myself with the triflings of a single company, especially at the...what level did you say?"

"Middle management."

"Yes! Middle management...humans are funny..", after stopping briefly to bite a spot under his leg that was itching him he continued, "As quaint as that idea is, I am simply too busy working on AAFTA with Mr Zoellick to concern myself with such things.. Now be a dear boy and fetch me a couple Milk Bones and my copy of "Why Government is the Problem". I have an early flight in the morning and I need to relax a little."