Since OceanSpindrift tagged me, and both she and xLittleMissReaderx did it so well, I'm going to participate in this whole facts-about-me thing. Not because I was tagged, but because it's nice to share bits of ourselves. I've already got nine facts posted in my profile, so I guess I need 13 additional facts about me! Oh gosh, that's like... *hamsters running hard on that wheel trying to do math* ...22 facts about me! Okay, I can do this... *takes a deep breath*

1. Math and I are not good friends. We realize we need each other, at least at a basic level, but we're never going to be best friends. I took the minimum required in high school to graduate, and that's it.

2. I don't drink coffee. I know, this usually results in a sharp intake of breath from whoever I'm talking to, but it's true. I'm an American who prefers tea. I'm already strung pretty tightly, and I'm already a morning person, so I don't really need coffee for anything. I do think it smells good though.

3. I don't drink alcohol either. Whaaaaat? I'm a full-grown adult and don't drink?? I'm a mutant, right? I was once called to jury duty for a drunk driving case. The defense lawyer asked me if I drank. I said no. He said, "Never?" I said, "Nope." Then the judge looked at me like he didn't believe me, and asked, "You're in college, and you don't drink?" I shook my head. "I just don't like it." I got dismissed from the case. True story. I hate the taste of alcohol, and I have no desire to get buzzed. Writing is my high. And sometimes video games.

4. Yes, I'm a full-grown adult and I still like video games. I think I'm young at heart. I enjoy role-playing games the most, where I get to create a character and equip her, and then follow a story. And sometimes I just like to shoot things in a mindless fashion when the hamsters in my brain are tired. Because, as a friend once said, "Sometimes you just gotta blow shit up."

5. I still find wonder in the world. I still stare at clouds and the moon and stars. I love watching rain. I like looking at the black silhouettes of trees and houses and light poles against a glowing sunrise. I may be cynical about the world of politics and human behavior, but there is still so much beauty in the world.

6. I'm a bit of a hippie, minus the tie-dye, long hair, and weed. I'm a strong believer in "can't we all just get along?" Live and let live. Don't judge others. Be kind. Be generous. Pursue happiness in the best way you can, and help others pursue theirs.

7. Good grief, am I only halfway through this list?? Okay, here's strange one: Anytime I accidentally crush a snail underfoot, I apologize to it. Not that it helps the poor snail at all, but I feel bad for snuffing a life. "I'm sorry, snail."

8. I don't believe in lucky numbers, but if I had to choose a favorite number, I'd say eight. Maybe because most people like seven more often, and I just like to be different, but mostly because I like how round it looks, and also infinite. Plus I prefer even numbers.

9. I love eggs. I know, it's a strange thing to list as a favorite food, but considering I eat eggs every day, it really is more of a favorite than ice cream. What other food is so versatile? You can fry it, scramble it, poach it, even eat it raw. It goes into cakes, pancakes, french toast, fry batter, and endless other dishes. And you don't have to feel guilty for eating them, because they're healthy! (It's the bad cholesterol you need to be wary of, not the good kind that eggs have.)

10. Yeah, I'm a bit of a health nut. I believe many cancers are avoidable, and type-2 diabetes is reversible (if action is taken early enough). But this will never be common knowledge so long as western medicine is dominated by the money-hungry pharmaceutical industry. (Whoops, how'd I end up on this soap box?)

11. I'm a bi-racial mutt. My dad was a countryboy from Texas, and my mom is from Taiwan. Rumor also has it that my paternal grandmother was half Irish and half Cherokee. So yeah, you can't tell from looking at me, but I'm half Chinese. I can speak some Taiwanese, but it's gotten rusty over the years.

12. Holy crap, an hour has gone by already and I'm still not done! Okay let's go back to food. I love seafood. I grew up near the ocean (could never afford to live by the ocean, but have always been only a few miles away) and love the briny smell of it. I have a high tolerance for fishy flavors, and the only seafood I don't like is overcooked seafood. And fried oysters. That stuff is weird. Raw yes, fried no.

13. In truth, I like lists. They are a great way to organize thoughts and make more succinct points. I mean, look at this fabulous list of thirteen things about me that I finally finished!

Whew, I did it! And now, the tagging part, to which I say no thanks. I don't tag people for the sake of rules. It's my stubborn tendency to refuse to do things simply because it's expected. If you choose to participate, then go for it!