10

Following Eve, Cacciaguida, and Zorak, here's my 10:

1. I've had a hereditary vision (one my father had before me, his father had before him, etc.).

2. The Shakespeare Lady once told me I was so handsome I should be in movies; my cousin's grandmother and her old lady friends once told me I was so handsome I should be "discovered" while walking through New York City (now if only women my own age thought that way...).

3. I once saw the face of Jesus, thought it turned out to be something evil (and really scary).

4. While watching the election results for the 2002 congressional election (where the Republicans made an unexpectedly strong showing), I celebrated by drinking over a liter and a quarter of my friend's Bombay Sapphire; woke up feeling great the next morning, surprisingly.

5. I got incredibly drunk in front of perennial Prohibition Party presidential candidate Earl Dodge.

6. I've high-fived Lars Ulrich, drummer for Metallica.

7. I own an awesome miracle icon.

8. I actually miss pro hockey. A lot.

9. After a ferocious night of drinking I woke up on a random porch, a long way from home (and had to rush home and shower so I could get to work later that morning); those who know me have heard this story a million times already.

10. I own a picture of me shaking (and crushing) Mayor Bloomberg's hand; he's got a very weak handshake.

EDITED TO ADD: Number 10 doesn't really say much about me. So, instead, there's this: before the age of 10 (seven, eight?) I began to pray to God to make me grow up into a great man; in return, I offered to live the rest of my life alone and miserable, if only it could be an influential and great life (a different twist on the choice Achilles made as a young man). I also spent a lot of time offering to trade my place in Heaven, should I have it, with the seats of any unfortunate people in Hell. I was an odd kid, and am now an odd adult.