Six Random Things

A nice meme seems like the perfect sort of post for the perfectly frivolous sort of day that I am having.  Conveniently I've been tagged by Tricia and Juxtabook to share six random things about myself.  I'm pretty sure I've done this before, so I'll try to think of six things I've not mentioned here before.

1. This is going to sound strange, but I want to start composting!  Everyone in my house is pretty good about recycling (I'm even known to dig out soda cans from the garbage if some unsuspecting visitor is foolish enough to pitch them), but I want to do more.  I've threatened to do this now for several years, but I think this is going to be the year. 
2. I love chocolate.  Preferably dark chocolate.  The darker the better.  I usually will bring a couple of those small Dove dark chocolate squares to work with me, or I'll ration out a candy bar during the week.  My current favorites: Green & Black's Organic (I've never looked at their website before...I had no idea they had so many flavors), and Lindt's Dark Chocolate with mousse filling.  And I love trying new chocolate flavors like dark chocolate with chili peppers or ginger or some other exotic spice.  Yum.
3. I am completely addicted to walking on my treadmill.  Even if I walk outside or go to the gym, I'll still walk at home on my treadmill even if it is only for 20-30 minutes.  I have to be really ill to take a day off, though some days I just don't feel like it, I still walk.  Part of the attraction is being able to read a book while walking.
4. I have a hard time reading if it isn't quiet.  I get easily distracted when people are talking loudly on the bus or the TV is on.  I've gotten pretty good at reading while using the stationary bicycle at the gym even though there is background music.  Usually radio is tuned to a generic rock station, but occasionally someone will turn it to a hard rock station and it grates on me.  Loud, screechy noises are not very conducive for me towards reading and enjoying (let alone understanding) what I'm reading.
5. I'm terrible at giving people directions.  I can usually work out just fine how to get someplace myself, but the second I need to verbally explain to someone, I will get them lost.  Undoubtedly the second I've given directions and the person is on their way I'll think of a much better route.
6. Cell phones annoy me.  I have nothing against them, but sometimes I think people forget their manners when using them.  They talk on them loudly on the bus and about private matters, or they talk on them on the quiet floor of my library, and the thing that annoys me the most--they bring them into public restrooms and have their conversations there.  I don't understand this behavior, but maybe it just happens in libraries?  Ick.

Here are the rules:

• Link to the person that tagged you
• Post the rules somewhere in your meme
• Write the six random things
• Tag six people in your post
• Let the tagees know they’ve been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog
• Let the tagger know your entry is post

I don't usually tag people for memes, but I think I will this time.  And if I didn't tag you, but you feel the inclination, please feel free to meme-away!

Writing, Life and the Universe

Random Field Notes

A Guy's Moleskine Notebook

Books and Cooks

Booknotes by Lisa

Sibylle's Kitchen Sink

Comments

[Tricia]

I wish I was addicted to a treadmill, or any exercise for that matter. Good for you!

[Ashleigh]

Woo Hoo! I've been tagged, I'll have to think about this one. Will probably post the meme on Saturday.

[Literary Feline]

I love the idea of composting. I hope you do get to start doing that this year!

I find that the older I get, the more I prefer quiet when I read too. I used to be able to read through just about anything.

And like you, I am awful at giving directions. It's best not to ask me at all.

Have a great weekend!

[Danielle]

Tricia--I'm afraid if I take too many days off I'll give it up altogether! :) Actually it feels good to walk after sitting all day in front of a computer!
Ashleigh--I'm sl glad you saw this--I haven't had a chance to leave a message on the tagee's blogs. I look forward to your random facts.
Literary Feline--I hope I can compost too, and that I don't start it and then fizz out! I am happy to leave the TV off these days. I used to have to have some sort of constant noise, but not anymore! And not when it comes to reading. Have a great weekend, too!

[Susan]

I hear you on the treadmill, except with me it's my exercise bike, and believe me, it's all about the reading NOT the exercise! Knowing I'll be able to have a nice, uninterrupted time to read definitely motivates me to exercise.

[Sibylle]

Oh cool, I've been tagged, thanks ! I haven't posted anything in ages but I will. Your #2 was helpful : I happen to hate chocolate.

[Simon T]

What a fun set of random things, Danielle!

[Andi]

I've wanted to start composting, too! Now I just have to find a place for my heap.

As for cell phones, they annoy me, too. My students are completely addicted to them, and nothing is more likely to get them thrown out of class than texting while I'm talking.

[jenclair]

I love composting. The transition to nice, crumbly, nutrient rich soil makes me happy. My compost pile is small, but efficient.

Cell phones -- a love/hate relationship. Just last weekend, an accident down in the country could have been a greater problem if they had not had a cell phone. Unfortunately, I leave mine on the charger more often than not.

[Stefanie]

I'm with you on the chocolate, the darker the better, soooo rich and yummy. Green and Black's is awesome. Have you had their one with mint? I just tried their orange spice--Maya Gold it's called. If you haven't had that one you'll probably like it too. good luck with the composting. It's super easy to do and the plants in your flower boxes will love you :)

[Victoria]

I'm with you when it comes to readers using their mobile phones in the library restrooms! Although I work in the archive, the closest toilets are across the hall in the humanities reading room and I feel horribly uncomfortable when I walk in to discover a student loudly arranging their social life. Can't they wait five minutes and take their call outside? Grrrrr.

[Dorothy W.]

I hate cell phones too, but just in the last couple weeks, we broke down and got some. I think it's wise to carry one on bike rides, and they do come in handy in other situations as well. Sigh. I need to read in quiet too -- I was trying to read on the train to NYC last night but couldn't concentrate very well because of people talking on their cell phones!

[Danielle]

Susan--I think that's actually one of the big reasons I'm so dedicated! I know if I'm just sitting on the sofa reading I'm fair game to anyone who needs me to do something, but if I am exercising--that's another story entirely. No one bothers me for that hour or half hour!
Sibylle--I'm glad you saw that I tagged you! Oh, and you don't like chocolate? All that yummy French chocolate? Probably just as well to avoid the temptations! :)
Simon--It's sort of weird thinking of random things--will people think I'm odd? Though I love reading about other bloggers!
Andi--We have lots of room in our backyard, so really we have no excuse! It would be very frustrating for teachers to have to deal with students and their cell phones! Do you make them turn them off when in class?
Jenclair--How cool that you compost! I hope it is not hard once we get going on it. I need to find some books in the library to get started. I think cell phones can actually be very useful, but it is only in some instances that they seem intrusive!
Stefanie--You're the one who suggested the Green and Black chocolate--it is yummy. I have only tried the dark chocolate, but now I will have to find some of their other flavors. And maybe my flower boxes will do better with some compost!!
Victoria--So it is not just American students who do this! What surprises me are the students calling their professors, and I even once heard a girl setting up a job interview using her cell in the restroom! You'd think she'd want to call from a place a bit more professional. Grrr is right!
Dorothy--I've contemplated getting a trac-phone just to have on hand for emergencies, as I don't think I would use one enough to get a contract, but I haven't quite gotten there yet. It's just one more source of noise. I can't think of a single place that has a private phone booth now (maybe the airport?). At least you and the Hobgoblin won't have to worry about where to meet up after races now that you have them!

[Litlove]

I always love these fact memes! I am so impressed by your treadmill activities and I also have trouble concentrating on reading in noisy or distracting environments. And once I sent directions to get to my house to a friend and she and her husband teased me mercilessly for the entire visit. They said it read more like travel literature!

[Ashleigh]

Ok my post is up! Thanks for the tag! :)

[Danielle]

Litlove--These are fun to read, aren't they! If I can avoid giving directions, I ask someone else for help. It's the poor people out driving who pass me by walking and ask for help! I pity those poor people who get my directions! :)
Ashleigh--Great, thanks for playing along!

[Jaimie]

Great answers! I lived in a place years ago where there was enough room in the backyard for a gigantic veggie garden and a place near the barn to start a compost heap. It is like slow magic the way everything breaks down and becomes rich dirt. Amazing!

[Danielle]

Jaimie--I've wanted to do this for ages. I finally went to the public library today for some books!

[tara]

I'd like to start composting too. But, we don't have a good place on our very small city lot. I will do this this week!

[Angela Young]

Can you believe this ... I've just found your meme and only just posted mine! Better late than never?