Bio Needed

I have taken on something new – a project I am excited about – and I get a message today about how they need me to write a bio. I have several that I use but the format of this one requires me to start fresh. So I get out a pen and an actual sheet of paper (analog!) and start making a list of the things I have done and the things that I do. Then I make a list of the things I am interested in. I hate writing bios. I have a hard time understanding what a complete stranger would want to know about me. I spend a lot of time creating something that gives people a vague, fairly useless impression of what I do.

On this particular evening, I amused myself with the cynical version of things:

I schedule like I have 28 hours in the day. My mom recently told me about how when I was in high school, I would forget to eat. I have always been this way. I do not like being idle.

I wake up before 7 am and don’t go to sleep until 1 or 2 am. I have a big list of places to be, people to call, writing I have to finish, meetings to be in, stuff I have to read, websites to build. . . . blah blah blah. I had someone (who wants to add something to my list) say to me today – ‘I know you are really busy but when will you be less busy?’ I very honestly answered, ‘never.’

You know what I mean. You might do the same sort of thing. I am tempted to complain but I really love everything that I am doing and I have always found that I can exceed my own expectations. Once I find a way to be more busy it just stays that way – I don’t get less busy, I find ways to take on more stuff.

I like getting stuff done and I don’t really have time for most idle gossip. I don’t really care what you did last weekend. I like joking around because a little sarcasm and crude humor make the day go by with a smile. I don’t have time to repeat myself and if you need something you really need to ask because I have enough to do and I won’t butt in and volunteer my time. There are a lot of people that don’t like me and a handful of people who find value in what I bring to the table. I prefer working with the latter.

I make time for myself and that time is pretty sacred. I take days off where I rearrange my books and lay on my couch. These things are rarely spontaneous – I schedule them. I need them – lounging on my couch for 4 hours on a Sunday is an important part of my life so I schedule it in. Currently reading Hesse and Borges.

I like to eat – I have found ways to put it at the center of everything I do because chocolate, brie, crusty bread, wine, duck, a great hamburger, a dirty martini, jelly beans, crab cakes, a lovely steak. . . all these things make life bearable. Sharing them with other people makes me happy.

Someday I might stop being so busy and I might figure out how to get stuff done without ruffling any feathers but in the meantime I will eat, drink, laugh and feel lucky when I get 6 hours of sleep.

Cheers.