Memetag - I'm it!

Billy has tagged me with my first ever memetag, blogtag, whatever you want to call it.

If you're not familiar with it, the idea is that someone starts a meme about something, provides their responses to the meme, and then tags a number of other bloggers to pass on the meme. Functionally there's a certain bit of chain letter to it, but the memes I have followed have generally been pretty interesting. And they also allow the community to feel a bit more human - we start replacing faceless bloggers with a bit more fleshed out profile.

So. As noted, this is my first meme, and it's a pretty simple one on the surface: Identify eight things that other bloggers don't know about you, and then tag eight people to carry on the meme.

Here are the eight things that MOST bloggers don't know about me:

1. I am a former United States Marine Corps drill instructor. I spent 7 years in the USMC, the last two as a DI in San Diego, CA. Think Full Metal Jacket - but only the first hour.

2. I am a Hash House Harrier. (Note: I skimmed the link and it appeared to be safe for work, but your mileage may vary. You've been warned.)

3. I'm musically inclined pt. I: I played bass clarinet and tenor sax in high school; kept the sax and played a bit in the Marines; and played for a couple of my past employers' holiday functions (though not solo - I ain't that good).

4. I'm musically inclined pt. II: I karaoke - and I do it enough I usually don't need the lyrics. On the other hand, I do it enough I actually know where to find lyrics and correct them as required(!). I also occasionally sing gospel, Christmas carols, and the like - though I don't have the opportunity often outside of December karaoke.

5. I'm a foodie and a pretty good cook. My pantry includes saffron, white truffle oil, 'alaea Hawaiian sea salt, cornichons, masa harina, and three flavors of curry paste and I know how to use them all.

6. I'm a huge chocolate geek - the darker the better. Right now my chocolate pantry includes at least 20 flavors and intensities of chocolate, including several different offerings from Lindt and Ghirardelli, Hershey's new boutique bars (which aren't that bad), Green & Black's, Endangered Species (Extreme Dark 88%) and my current favorite, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory Dark.

7. I'm a big sci-fi and fantasy fan - I don't have a lot of time to read but I read quickly and voraciously. I hop all over the place, from Tolkien to Orson Scott Card, Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov to John Ringo, David Weber, and John Scalzi.

8. I am an unrepentant geek (as if the 7 before didn't indict me already). I have a hacked (1.1.1) iPhone and five computers on my home network (yes, my WiFi is secure). The only time I don't have technology on me somewheres is in the shower - and I'm working on that. :)

On that slightly disturbing note, here are my tags: Mimi, Doug, Patrick, Russ, John, Atle, Alice, George, and Alan. Yes, I know that's nine. Sue me. :)