25 Things About Me (from Unmarketing) May 26, 2011

1. I was married for 10 years

2. I can wiggle my ears (withOUT using my hands!)

3. I have an older, half-sister who found me on Facebook after almost 20 years of not seeing her.

4. I loooooooove Super Mario World!

5. My favorite bands are: The Gap Band, Black Flag, Jane’s Addiction and Metallica.

6. I play Powerball every week.

7. I taught middle & high school Spanish for 6 years.

8. I’ve been doing stand-up comedy for 8 years.

9. I was a radio DJ for 4 years.

10. I detest “LOL.”

11. I play Mafia Wars on Facebook. I’m not kidding.

12. My siblings: an older, half-sister from my father’s first marriage; “real” sister (both parents same) is 22 months younger than I am; I also have two step-sisters (both younger than me.)

13. I have 5 tattoos.

14. I’ve been doing yoga for 12 years.

15. I have a quilt my grandmother made me 25 years ago. I use it on a regular basis for naps and when I’m sick.

16. I broke my nose once, climbing out of the back of a car when I was 21. My friends had to drive my car for me.

17. I once ran head-first, at full speed, into a tree. A bee was chasing me. I was 9.

18. I love painting: on canvas, walls, paper

19. I’ve never ridden the light rail, though I am a big fan of it.

20. Two dream cars: Lexus ISF or Audi A5.

21. I have a friend on death row for being a serial killer.

22. I’ve hiked half of the Adirondack 46. (The 46 highest peaks in the range.)

23. I was a foreign exchange student in college & went to the University of Costa Rica.

24. I’ve been fluent in Spanish for over 20 years.

25. I have a collection of books written by female comedians.

A mammogram, psych test, Sweet Republic & Hana Japanese March 2, 2011

Today was what I’d call “easy” in the long line of tests I’ve had to undergo to donate my kidney.  This time, I had to go to the Mayo Clinic on 134th St & Shea in Scottsdale.  I should have packed a lunch – THAT is how far away from home it is!  I live on 12th Street.  This was on 134th.  You can do the math!

Today, I was scheduled to have a mammogram and psych test.  I was so very thankful that nothing involved needles!!!!  I got there and barely sat down in the waiting room when they called my name.  The mammogram wasn’t painful at all and I hope that women read this and know they don’t have to be scared because of that.  My boobs got squished, very gently, between two plastic plates and they took a picture.  The whole process of adjusting my boobs and turning to the side a couple times took all of ten minutes.  So, girls, get your mammograms!!!

The psych test was easy as well.  I’ve taken a lot of personality tests over the years for job interviews and such.  I was reading the questions and felt badly for the people who would answer them truthfully about suicide, reckless behavior and anger issues.  Luckily, I have NONE of those.  Doing yoga for over 10 years has really helped me to get a handle on emotions, as well as not drinking or doing drugs now for almost 7 years.  I wasn’t paranoid about answering any of the questions.  The doctor even went over my answers with me.  Apparently, I’m very confident and have a lot of friends to turn to.  Yup.  That’s me!

On my way back, I decided to stop at Sweet Republic, an ice cream shop in Scottsdale.  I don’t get to the area very often, but I know the owners and we bump into each other around the Valley at different places.  I hadn’t been to their shop in months, but I buy their ice cream at the Downtown Public Market.  It’s divine and they make it on site.  Anyway, I figured I would treat myself to a little cup before heading to dinner with my friend Alexander for sushi.  I had been craving it for over a week!  As I was about to pay for my little cup of heaven, they insisted on me not paying.  They were contributors to the fundraiser the other night and I started to cry right there.  I was sent home with quite a few pints of delicious Sweet Republic ice cream.  Thank you, Helen & Jan, for your kindness and generosity.

Next stop: Hana Japanese.  Boy, I really needed some sushi.  And I *really* needed time with Alexander.  I realized a few weeks ago that with all the comedy I was doing, I was missing out on time with my friends.  I’d flake out on events and gatherings either because I had to perform, or I was too exhausted from performing too much that I’d stay home.  Hana Japanese is in my neighborhood and though I looooooove sushi, I am not a pro.  Alexander IS a foodie and his job is to write food blogs, so I knew I had chosen the right guy to go to dinner with.  And boy, did we have dinner!!!!   I got to try a shitload of stuff that I don’t know how to pronounce or even what fish it came from, but I am stuff to the gills. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA get it?  Gills?  Fish?  HAHAHAHA) Laurie, the owner even gave me a few gift certificates for the next fundraiser.

I am overwhelmed from the support that the community has shown.  I am also extremely grateful for all of my friends who have offered to help me out while I’m recuperating.  And without Kirti, I don’t know what I’d do.  Yeah, she stole my kidney, but I also gained an extension to my family in the process.