And Probably Wish I Wouldn’t Tell

I was tagged by Kristi from Kikolani.com to do the 7 Things People Don’t Know About Me meme. The rules for this meme are as follows:

• Link to your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
• Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
• Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
• Let them know they’ve been tagged.

This is my first tag (and last so don’t even think about it) but I am my favorite subject and you deserve to know more about me. Kidding… kind of What is a meme? Just as extra credit Richard at Makak Media tagged Kristi. I like Richard’s blog so I wanted to get that in.

My life is like an open book. There’s not much I keep secret. Here’s a few things that most of my online friends already know about me. I use my real name Brian D. Hawkins. I have to use the middle inital because some jerk got my URL before I did. I am very opinionated and outspoken. I love animals. I am very passionate about many things and will sometimes say things for the shock value without thinking things through. I have been married to the love of my life for almost twenty six years. We have four children, all grown, and three and a half Grand children (My youngest daughter is expecting).

1. Personality: I’m actually very anti-social. I have always had one close friend but never more than one at a time my entire life. I find close friends very stressful and can’t handle more than one at a time. I keep a safe distance even from that friend. The thought of going out and doing things on a social level like dinner, golf, games etc. bothers me to no end. At the same time I can handle myself in almost any situation or environment. Whether meeting with a top CEO or rubbing shoulders with gangbangers in Detroit I can handle the situation perfectly yet hate doing both equally. The internet and the birth of social networking is the only place I’ve found where I actually enjoy communicating with others. I am about as open minded as one can be. I am not racist, sexist or a bigot. I don’t judge people from their color, sexual orientation or where they are from. Life is far too short for such nonsense.
2. Religion: I do not consider myself religious yet believe in a higher power. I feel God is beyond my comprehension and get a little frustrated when others try to ‘explain‘ everything. I feel everyone has a right to their beliefs and respect their opinions. I just feel it’s a little arrogant for others to assume what they ‘believe‘ is fact and anyone that disagrees is wrong.
3. Patriotism: I consider my self very patriotic. I’m proud to be American. I served in the United States Army for seven years and would fight to the death to defend our nation. At the same time I can understand and respect differing opinions. I have no problem with others, American or otherwise, speaking their mind for or against the United States. I love to hear from people of other countries and cultures.
4. Obsessive: I always have a hobby and that hobby would take over my life if I didn’t have my Wife to reel me in. I have obsessed over woodworking, body building, classic cars, photography and various businesses over the years. Now I finally have a hobby that turned into a business since I make a profit – online business.
5. Education: I’m a high school dropout. I left home and quit high school just before my seventeenth birthday. I received my GED when in the Army and have taken several collage courses but never pursued a degree. Even though I earn more than most collage graduates I will be the first to admit that an education is very important. I got lucky and decent jobs for the under-educated are getting harder to find. I have no intention of getting a degree at this stage in my life but I will take more marketing courses simply because that’s my passion.
6. Intelligence: I have an undiagnosed and undocumented disorder that causes my brain to grow larger than my head will allow. This condition pushes brain overflow into my abdomen. That’s why I’m so smart but look overweight. I also have a sense of humor.
7. Just SHOCKING: My Wife’s mother married my Father 10 years after my wife and I were married. I’ll just let that soak in.

Now for the hard part. First of all, I have to say I’m doing this under duress. Kristi from Kikolani.com is making me do it. There simply is no way to look at that pretty face and say no Those that I tag, on the other hand, don’t have that problem so I understand if you ignore the tag. I’m not sure how memes work but I believe internet gods swoop down and disable your modem if you ignore the tag.

Who on Earth do I want to torture – I mean treat by tagging them?

1. How about Pheak Tol? Sorry Pheak but you have an interesting story on your ‘About Pheak Tol‘ page so 7 more tidbits might be nice.
2. Next is John Baril of Johnny’s Training Blog For Online Marketing. Yes, Johnny, a married Paramedic in British Columbia with two sons has more than one paragraph to share.
3. I must tag John Dillbeck of 21st Century Affiliate Marketing because I think he’s going to find it hard to find seven things about himself that he hasn’t already published lol
4. I have to know more about Adrian Jock from Ezine Advertising tips & reviews. This guy reminds me a lot of myself. Very opinionated and not afraid to show it. Sorry Adrian but I’m going to enjoy your post.
5. My friend Ben Pei is a good sport and I’m interested in how he will work this into his blog. De you have a personal blog Ben?
6. The dot Com Guru Shanker Bakshi leads an interesting life. It is hard to tell him apart from John Chow but we will soon know more when he continues the meme. Tag Shanker, you’re it.
7. Speaking of John Chow… Yes, I have the fortitude to tag mighty John Chow. How about it John, I know you are very busy writing and fine dining but can you take a few to jot down a little more about yourself? I know you share everything already but this will really go viral with a boost from you.