Ben aka (#laytexduckie) tagged me with this 16 random things about myself.  I’ve done a couple of these before and always feel uncomfortable talking about myself.  But it’s Ben and who can resist anyone with his good heart, charming looks and a warped sense of humour?

1. While I work in the IT industry, I’m not a technical person at all.  I’ve somehow managed to survive.  I’m more interested in the people aspect of the business.  I don't think my next job will be in the IT industry, I got into IT by accident and it's not my passion.

2.  I can speak very basic Cantonese (dad says I speak it with an accent).  I can write some basic Chinese characters (numbers).  I speak even less Mandarin.  I can sort of understand Toisan. 

3.  I may be gay but I’m missing a few “gay genes”.  I have absolutely no sense of fashion.  I was mistaken for a homeless person before.  I thought I was dressed shabby chic.   Don’t ask me for decorating tips either.  Once you’ve seen my place, you’ll understand.  Dancing and singing aren’t in my genes either.  I think if I ever went to a club, the bouncers would slip me a $20 to leave. 

4.  Facebook - sorry, I don’t do Facebook.  Which means I’m some sort of deranged sociopath who will stalk, rob, murder and then blog about it. 

5.  I have another secret blog.  Just kidding. 

6.  Automatic vs manual?  It‘s manual (standard) for me.  I like the feeling of being in control and being a bit more aware of what is happening around you.  I have yet to master the art of heel toe downshifting though. 

7.  Pain - I have a very low pain tolerance.  Don’t nibble on my nipple.  I’ll watch S&M but you won’t catch me doing S&M.  Whenever I get an injection or go for a blood test, I have to mentally control myself.  A visit to the dentist (unless it’s just a checkup) will send my blood pressure rocketing. 

8.  Prior to blogging, I never was interested in writing.  There’s something about crafting a story that fascinates me.  I love how words can heal, hurt and humour (this is the Canadian spelling of humor).  Words can reach into your heart, tickle it, touch it and tease it.  A good writer can conjour up images, emotions and keep you engaged as you walk through the storyline. 

9.  It’s only #9?  Why did Ben ask for 16?  Who is Ben?  Why do I like him?  Well - he does have a crazy sense of humour.  And so do I.  I don’t mean a sick sense of humour.   But witty, creative, bizzare, silly, juvenille, slapstick, dry... I love them all.  If you can make someone laugh, you have a special gift.  Laughter can help heal too. 

10. I remember as a kid wondering what it would be like to have the power to be invisible.  But I was a smart kid.  What would happen to my clothes?  Since they can’t be invisible I logically concluded I would have to be butt naked.  This of course led to a lot of unhealthy fantasies for a young boy.  And no, I’ve never been to a nude beach. But if I was invisible, I would stalk all of you.  As you’re reading this, I’m standing right beside you with an invisible iPhone  iPad to protect my modesty.

11.  I’ve never been in a fight in my entire life.  It’s not something I’m proud of.

12. Cat or dogs? I like cats.  Meow... purr.... hiss.

13.  I’m sure I turned gay when I was a young boy.  I poked at the breast of a rather well endowed aunt and asked “what are these”?  My mom was standing beside me and slapped my hands off her breast.  I was so surprised and hurt.  Why can’t I ask? If I had to touch a woman’s breast now, I know that memory would come back and haunt me again and again.  That’s why I swing the other way.  I’d probably run away if a large breasted woman came after me.

14.  Is it #16 yet?  Holy cow... I never learned to ride a bike until I was an adult.  We never could afford one.  You grow up quickly when you realize that it’s even senseless to ask your parents to buy a bike.  Once I learned to ride a bike, I lost all interest in buying one.  Well - it’s partly because I live in the downtown area and I’m paranoid about riding in the streets.

15.  I share more on Xanga than I do in real life. 

16.  Oh finally!  Oh wait, #5 wasn’t a fact.  I like watching car racing although I don’t follow F1, Indy Car or Nascar every week.  I just don’t have time.  But when I’m behind the wheel of my shopping cart at the supermarket, I’ll race you to the cashier.  But I’ll do it very discreetly and smile at you when I cut you off.  If you're tailgating me, I'll fart.

17.  I like rice.  I’ll have white rice with my fried rice.  I’ll have rice with rice noodles.  Congee and rice - why not?  When I was growing up, my parents would always urge us to finish our rice and reminded us how fortunate we were to have rice.  It’s hard for me to leave a partially eaten bowl of rice behind in a restaurant.  Unless I’m really, really full... *burp*

So there you have it.  16 random facts about me.  I was going to include a picture of me but I can’t find any.   I have to tag others but I'll leave it up to you to take on this challenge.

I took a walk after work to get some air.  I thought the walk would brighten my mood a bit but it didn't.   I dropped a letter in the mailbox.  Everyone on the street seemed to have a specific place to go.  The restaurants were slowly filling up.  The sport bar was getting busy for tonight's hockey game.  I did a bit of window shopping, looking at eye glasses, clothes, shoes and food.  I notice a lot more Asian guys in my neighbourhood now... young, good looking and stylish.  One walked past me and I could smell his Gatsby hair gel.  But my mind wasn't on eye candies tonight. 

I went to the park and sat down on a bench.  The air was getting cool but still comfortable.  I thought about work.  I took out my camera and felt sad that I haven't played with it for some time.  I debated going to a coffee shop to read.  But I already have insomnia and even the smell of coffee will keep me up.  I looked at a group of women exercising in the park. Maybe I should join them and get in shape.  The evening air started to get a bit colder.  Should I pick up some food, drop in for a quick bite or should I cook?  I past a few restaurants.  I didn't feel like spending any money tonight.  I decided to go home instead.

On my way, I past by the mailbox again.  The letter I dropped off was for the renewal of my dad's lawn care service.  He got very worked up on the weekend about the dandelions and the length of the grass.  There was some dandelions but it wasn't the end of the world.  When I got home on Sunday, I found the renewal form from the lawncare people in my dad's pile of letters that I keep for him.  I called them on Monday and left a message.  They called back and said they are already booked for the summer but will squeeze my dad in because he is a previous customer.  I called my dad to let him know.  He sounded pleased.  The next day my sister emailed me.  Dad is very agitated about the lawn.  My dad kept trying to phone me but I was in meetings.  I called him back.  "The dandelions have now covered the front lawn.  Can they send someone over now to pluck them out?"  I called the lawn service back again.  No they don't pick out dandelions.  But I added the service for fertilizing and weed control.  I called my dad back today. He sounded stressed out.  "When will they show up? The grass is very long!"  I told him they are trying to squeeze him in as they are booked up for the summer already.  "What do you mean squeeze me in?  When will they do that?"  I told him not to worry but they will show up.  He grumbled and muttered something.

So this is my dad's world.  Instead of worrying about his health, his swollen feet or his hygiene, he worries about the front lawn.  Deep sigh.  I went back to my condo, cooked some scrambled eggs for dinner and went back to work.  Maybe I'll feel useful.