The Other Side
Every time I sit down to write an entry lately I think, Please let me write about something other than pregnancy, allergies, or motherhood.
I know that there’s been a lot of talk in Mommy Blogging Land about how we are more than just…Mommies. I’ve read a bunch of wonderfully written entries lately from former business executives, teachers, nurses and lawyers. Women who want the product reps who contact them about promotions to understand that just because they have kids, doesn’t mean that is all they are. Every time I read one of these entires I think, “AMEN!”
But then I look at my blog.
I mean – the last few months of entries tell you two things: I’m a Mom and I Suffer From Allergies.
So, I’m going to try something new today – and I’d love to encourage many of you to do the same. I’m going to write 5 things about myself that have nothing to do with being a Mom. Or sneezing.
- I used to go to quite a few concerts while in college. I’ve seen The Indigo Girls (several times), George Clinton, Dave Mathews, The Cure, Bob Dylan, Phish (several times), The Grateful Dead (several times), Widespread Panic (several times), and dozens of smaller shows at festivals and college bars.
- My first degree is in General Biology. While working on it, I took an Ecology class under a professor who was a “Birder” as a hobby. You know – one of those people who keeps lists of birds he sees every year as well as his life. He was fascinating and excitable and made me totally want to be him when I grow up. Then I remembered I knew nothing about birds. But I tried! I bought books and binoculars. But the only bird I ever officially spotted was a red-winged blackbird.
- I studied Tibetan Buddhism awhile a decade ago. I probably would have stuck with it more if I hadn’t been turned off by a “teacher” I met in Tennessee that seemed awfully closeminded for someone who was supposed to be so enlightened. But I read a lot of books on the subject and spent many late nights in deep conversation with friends about the philosophy behind it all.
- For awhile in college, during the same time in my life, I thought I’d minor in Philosophy. I took several philosophy classes in one semester and decided I was a little too practical to study such an impractical topic. I had a hard time letting go of certain thoughts like, “Will this help me pay the bills later in life?”
- I used to be (and I guess possibly still am a little bit) a damn decent Hacky Sacker. I wasn’t that great at tricks, but I could hold my own in a hack circle. I used to love jumping in the circles between classes in college and made some great friends in those circles. I sometimes break out the hack around the house, because it’s just something I have fun with. (Although not something that is easy to do while pregnant…in case you were wondering.)
My husband was required to take an ornithology course in college and while on a trip to Alasksa for research, he used his birding skills so much, all the native Inuits started saying “Brooks good bird man.” Every time he identifies a bird now, I say either in my head or aloud, Brooks good bird man.
My sister is a birder I guess. Her and her hubby can see a bird and tell you what it is. She studied birds more though when going through Vet school. I would totally be all about doing this excersise….but I must talk about Jazz Fest again!!
Oh Widespread Panic plays the same stage as two of the bands I work for…same day. Next Thursday. SO!MUCH!FUN!
I considered minoring in Philosophy too. I like to eat, so I decided against it.
I also considered minoring in Human Sexuality because I imagined it would be an interesting topic to cover at my all girls Catholic high school reunion.
HI Zoot, I LOVED reading this list…and I made one of my own with a link back to you…perfect post for this morning.
Have a good morning!
I liked this post alot! I like them all though, but you know what I mean. I hope.
Have a great day!
If you marry a Baby Boomer, he will not understand the power of the hacky sack. Sadly, he will convince you to get rid of them, stating that they are dirty.
I love this idea. I am more than a mommy, too (even though it doesn’t always feel that way)! I put together my own list – but I had to think really hard to come up with 5!
well, I didn’t know your first degree was biology! Exciting to this biology nerd.
Also, I saw the Indigo girls a couple of times too. I was a HUGE fan in high school.
I would totally follow your lead with this post, but I just did a 100 things post, and I am completely tapped for interesting information about myself…
I am an elusive ‘birder’
I’m one of those people who thinks walking around with binoculars running after little flitting things in the trees is fun. I am not so hardcore that I keep an official ‘life list’, but I can identify most eastern songbirds by ear, which is a useful party trick with friends who don’t bird 
. You’d be amazed by what you could probably identify in your own backyard though!
I’m envious of your concert repertoire! I would love to have seen the Cure, althoug I did get to see Bauhaus a couple summers ago, which was also awesome.
this is totally out of nowhere. but when i was little my biological dad who is now deceased had a sticker that he was sooo proud of it said PHISH LIPS in the shape of lips. he loved it and showed it to everyone, like it was some great invention. i never got it, but reading you saw them in concert reminded me