Lifestyle blogger Charlotte Graham nominated me for the Getting to Know You Award. This sort of recognition is pretty far outside my comfort and interest zone, but I suppose I deserve it. I just got through crying about how I’m not getting enough WordPress love. Charlotte writes an active blog equally split between food, fashion, geekdom and running (guess how I got involved). The Getting to Know You Award asks a bunch of deep questions… Charlotte’s answers are here.

1. Who are you named after?

I’m the third child with two older brothers. My dad wanted a girl, badly. In the days before ultrasound you could engender your baby’s gender with positive thinking. The only name my parents took to the hospital was Jennifer. Jeffrey was the closest male approximation. PS – I hate being called Jeffrey.

2. Do you like your handwriting?

I’m a block-letter printer. In eighth grade, my science teacher asked me to “please, stop trying to write in script.” In my first professional job, my boss asked me to “start writing like I care.” Now I have fairly neat handwriting, but wow, am I slow.

3. What is your favorite lunch meat?

I’d have to say tuna. My favorite part is when I drain off the water for my cats. They come running when I pull out the drawer to get the can opener.

4. Longest relationship?

Before I met Susan I was the king of long relationships. I’d already had two five year girlfriends in my baggage. But Susan clearly wins the prize. I chased her down in DC’s Insect Club in October 1994.

5. Do you still have your tonsils?

Yes. And my Uvula. But I lost my appendix on a family beach vacation about 10 years ago.

6. Would you bungee jump?

The window for my bungee jumping career has closed.

7. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?

No, I slip them off by stepping on the heel. But let me tell you how I tie my shoes. Eight years ago, Runner’s World published a “better shoelace knot” diagram for those of us who are always coming untied. I made it my new years’ resolution to change my knot. Now I only use the “Reef Knot.”

8. Favorite ice cream?

Anything with coconut as the primary ingredient. Bonus points for chocolate covered almonds.

9. What is the first thing you notice about people?

I rarely notice anything about anyone.

10. Football or baseball?

Neither. Nothing. I don’t watch any sports. I’d rather go for a run.

11. What color pants are you wearing?

Blue… Jeans. If not that, khaki shorts. Or I’m at work.

12. Last thing you ate?

Shrimp tacos for dinner. Chorizo tacos for lunch. That was a coincidence.

13. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Something dark and drab.

14. Favorite smell?

Thai basil.

15. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?

Susan. When I’m lucky, she’s the only person I talk with for the entire day.

16. Hair color?

Gray, interspersed with bald.

17. Eye color?

Muddy hazel.

18. Favorite foods to eat?

See #14. Or sushi. Or pizza.

19. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings. I’m a wuss. The last scary movie I watched was the Sixth Sense—when it came out. Whenever I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, I think of the little boy who says “Wanna see where my dad keeps his guns?”

20. Last movie you watched?

I guess it was the Hunger Games with my kids. It’s nice that they’ve gotten to the age where everything isn’t animated.

21. Favorite holiday?

Halloween. But it’s less fun since I stopped drinking.

22. Beer or wine?

Both! But see #21.

23. Night owl or early bird?

Early bird. Up at 5AM almost every day.

24. Favorite day of the week?

Saturday—lots of quiet time between 5AM and when everyone else gets up.

24.5 Nominations?

The people I want to know more about: Brian Dean Powers;  Annie C;
This dude.

25. Favorite quote?

“Surfin’’s the source, man, swear to God.” And no, I don’t surf.