How Well Do You Know Frank?

Those "Getting To Know Me" exercises on Facebook usually just kind of make me go "blah." I am going to devise my own one just to see if the revelations are more precise for understanding true character. Anyway, here is my personal quiz. Please read it and reply with your own answers to the questions. If you dare. 1. What do you long to do again the most? Have the old athletic abilities back and play centerfield in a baseball game every day of my life. 2. What is something you most like about beautiful girls (handsome guys)? They are friendly, act as if they really are interested, smile, and have something to say with eye contact. 3. What is something you were never comfortable doing? Making small talk with a diva or a cocky guy whom I have never met before and acting as if I cared. 4. What goal did you set for yourself that you did NOT achieve? Teaching English at Valley High School for 30+ years. 5. What is my usual role in group functions? I am normally the one who tries to humor the group or encourage people to help teamwork. 6. What can't you seem to give up? Keep from making a pointed comment when I get upset. And, an occasion beer or two. 7. What is your biggest disappointment so far in life? My inability to secure stability and harmony in the future of my family. 8. What is your most memorable experience with the opposite sex? Dancing with happy feet until early hours of the morning, drunk with beer and music and laughing eyes. 9. Who, besides your significant other (mate, spouse) would you always trust to be a confidant? My brother, Phil. 10. What simple request do you find it hardest to turn down? An honest plea for help when I know I can be of assistance. 11. What is a observed behavior that always makes you angry? When someone treats another person as a "lesser" human being to gain a personal advantage. 12. What is something you vow to do with people you love? Be honest to the point of self humiliation. 13. What is something you vow to never explain, even with your closest companion? Reveal the makings of my most private inner-soul. 14. What strikes you as truly amazing? Few women "get" a wide variety of musical styles to appreciate individual artistry. (substance vs. appearance) Or women who don't understand Robert Johnson or Jimi Hendrix. 15. At what point in your life did you decide "who you are today"? Actually two points: when I changed majors in college from Journalism to English Education and when I went through a divorce in my twenties. 16. What was the happiest moment in your life? The day I finally accepted that I am, and always will be, an imperfect human being and decided to live with all the consequences while continuing my best attributes. 17. What was the unhappiest moment in your life? In 1984, in deep depression, I walked through a psychiatrist's door for the first time. 18. If someone gave you $200 and said, "Be sure to spend this money on something personal that makes you feel good," what would you do? Head for Columbus and Used Kids CD store for some new music. 19. What can you do better than anyone else? Teach a few concepts and play a limited role on a team that needs help. 20. What do you wish people understood about you? Although I have compulsions, I try to keep them within and never mean to hurt any one other human. In other words, I struggle at times with fears that are silly to most. 21. What do you think God has planned for your life? It seems to be work with teenagers- directing the West End Tutoring Center, working for the Youth Conservation Corp, teaching high school at Valley. Lately- writing something meaningful for someone. 22. What do you think is the most mysterious part of living? Loving, by far, in all its forms, complexities, and understandings. I'm an "All You Need Is Love" devotee in belief but mystified by its very nature. Nothing compares with its pleasures and heartaches. 23. What do you find it very hard to do? Discuss intimate matters of concern with my children when I find talking with other young adults fairly easy. 24. Who are your heroes from history? Give me Gandhi for a strategist. Martin Luther King, Jr., for a fearless leader. And an author named Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place, for grace and forgiveness. 25. Fill in: "I am a frustrated __________." Musician 26. Fill in: "The best thing I have ever felt was _________." A hand or a kiss, depends on the circumstance and need. 27. Fill in: "Some of the goofiest things I have ever done include __________." Streaking, skinny-dipping, climbing a fire tower. 28. Fill in: "Something I have never done that others may think I have done is ________." Do or buy any illegal drug. Prescriptions out the wazoo and plenty of alcohol. 29. How could you most easily become a close friend of mine? Sitting down, one-on-one, and honestly talking about each other. Probably discussing hangups. 30. What song seems to come close to signifying your life? "Right On Time" by Randy Travis, Songwriters-- Sharon Rice and Al Anderson Lyrics to Right On Time : It's not my nature to be patient I jump every river I cross Not one for following the sensible side And I can't count the times I've been lost. Well, you can't see where you're goin' in the pourin' rain When you're runnin' into walls and feeling no pain We've all done time with the devil and I've done mine It took a while to get here but, I'm right on time. I may still regret some moments But it's just part of a riot I count myself among the fortunate ones Who made it to the other side. Well, you go what you go through to get where you are Lucky for me I didn't go too far I turned around before the end of the line Took a while to get here but, I'm right on time. Well, you can't see where you're goin' in the pourin' rain When you're runnin' into walls and feeling no pain We've all done time with the devil and I've done mine It took a while to get here but, I'm right on time. It took a while to get here but, I'm right on time...

Frank's Little Known Facts

OK, I have seen those quizzes by the dozens. Here are a few facts without a quiz that you may have not known about me.

1. I like Brussel sprouts, asparagus, kale, spinach, sauerkraut, and beets; however, I will eat no organ meat including chicken livers. 2. During the summer of 1970, I worked and lived in an all-black community in Bricks, North Carolina. Saw racism first hand even then. 3. I worked for the Youth Conservation Corp for three summers: 1977, work leader at Wilmington College; 1978, camp director at Defiance College; 1979, camp director at Rio Grande College. 4. I directed the West End Tutoring Program for several years beginning in 1970 as part of Portsmouth's West End Ministries. Also Youth Leader at Bigelow U.M. Church for years. 5. I attended the Ohio Writing Project at Miami University, the center of writing instruction in Ohio. The greatest input into instruction in my life- across the curriculum and practical. 6. After having a college deferment, I was drafted by the Army in 1971, had my physical and was 1A but was not called because President Nixon began Vietnamization. 7. I graduated bachelors and masters from Ohio University but never stayed on campus. 8. On my senior trip, I waded in the Washington Monument reflecting pool and raced up the steps to the top of the monument. Train ride all night there- tour- train ride all night back. 9. As a freshmen, I started in the outfield in the State Final Baseball Game for Valley in 1966. 10. I have owned, no longer, a Gibson SG, a Gibson Hummingbird, and an Alvarez Yairi guitar. 11. Lake Margaret and Dreamland (Terrace Club) Pool were huge parts of my life. Peggy Campbell was so good to me. God rest her soul. 12. Less illustrious jobs- sold sweepers for one week, worked for Keebler Cookies, worked for Krogers, worked at a gas station. 13. My dad was hit by a train, and lived, at Cook Road Crossing in 1967. Before crossing lights. 14. I was league high point in Biddy Basketball one year- high school Ididn't play. I do hold a couple of football receiving records still- I think. All SOC- Defensive End, 1968. 15. Crosley Field was one of the most awesome sights I have ever seen-- color and action. 16. I liked those footers they used to have at the Scioto County Fair with Cuban Hot Sauce. 17. A girl in Creative Writing Class my first year of teaching helped make me a lot better teacher. She was so smart, I worked like hell just trying to stay a page ahead of her all year. She was brilliant. 18. I've had two children hurt pretty seriously in 4-wheeler accidents. Motorcycles scare me. 19. I'm totally color-uncoordinated. I really don't see the importance of matching. 20. The most memorable place I have ever spent any time is Brooklyn, New York, with my Great Uncle John, who was Finnish. 21. Poco and James Taylor were probably the best concerts I've attended. Although I have seen Hendrix, the Doors, Dylan, the Allman Brothers, Yes, Eagles (3 times), Everly Brothers, Willie, Merle Haggard, Waylon, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Jim Croce, Ted Nugent, Loggins and Messina, and Jerry Lee Lewis. 22. I like McDonald's coffee and I never drink it in designer clothes. 23. I prefer soft and laid back to glaring and shocking. 24. I subscribe to Rolling Stone and wish it was still ALL about music. 25. I drink a beer or two... but on occasion of maybe once a week. And, I have NEVER messed with illegal drugs. 26. Scratch backs and massage feet-- great! 27. If you must get a tattoo, get it where it will never show in public. 28. I hate cigarette butts all over God's creation- take care of your own dirty butts. 29. I love people who have all the odds stacked against them and, somehow, right their lives. They get double respect from me for the efforts. 30. I speak up too much-- it's an old habit, hard to break.