Tag, you're it!

I just got tagged by Michelle. I've seen this whole tagging thing on a bunch of blogs lately and the funny thing is, just yesterday I wondered if anyone would ever tag me. Nah, probably not, I thought.

So, for those of you who read the last several lines and have no idea what I'm talking about, here are the rules for a tagged blogger (a tagee?) to follow:

The tagee answers the following questions about herself. The tagee then tags 5-6 other people and lets them know they’ve been tagged. When you post your answers, let the person who tagged you know.

So, let's get started:
1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

In June of 1998, I had just finished my junior year of college. I was double majoring in Anthropology and Comparative Religions. I was also practicing Tibetan Buddhist meditation and was working for my awesome Buddhist teacher and Tibetan translator, Dr. Robin Kornman. My job description was quite varied, with duties that included gardening, housekeeping, editing, errand-running, and making the house ascetically pleasing so that dralas (Tibetan spirits) felt like they could land on objects around the house during translation session (no, I'm not joking).


2. What 5 things are on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?
1. Quit my job so that I can knit full time (not gonna happen, but who ever gets through everything on their to-do list, anyways).

2. Win a billion dollars so that I can afford to quit my job and knit full time (this might happen, anything is possible).

3. Get through the intarsia part of the giraffe sweater I'm knitting for my kiddo (this might happen, the night is young).

4. Wash a load of diapers (already done! cross one thing off of my list!)

5. Snuggle up in bed between my husband and son (on my to-do list everyday, because it is just so doable).

3. What snacks do I enjoy?
I'm addicted to these Greens+ protein bars. The ones with peanut butter and chocolate are so amazing, but they're really expensive, so I'm trying to cut back. My excuse for consuming them in bulk quantity is that I'm a nursing mom and a vegetarian, so I have to get my protein and calories somehow, right?
I am also a big fan of kettle chips and these little organic truffles that come in a green box that I'm sure are meant to be shared amongst a group of people, rather than eaten just by me.

4. What would I do if I was a billionaire?
That's so funny, because becoming a billionaire was on my to-do list today! What a coincidence. I'm glad this question was included, because now I can figure out my plans before the high of winning all that money overwhelms my ability to distinguish right from wrong.

I've actually thought of this before, which is why Michelle's response to this question made me smile. It is exactly my plan too, believe it or not. I want to build a totally green off the grid house for my family and give money for my friends to do the same as well. I'd probably have one more child and maybe adopt another one as well. I'd also make my stash completely organic/fair trade. I've been thinking lately about yarn made from who knows what by people making who knows how much money, using who knows what chemicals and dyes. And think of the sheep, won't anyone think of the sheep? I think there definitely needs to be a greater variety of organic yarns, so since I have a billion dollars, I might as well design many many new ones.

There are a lot of charities and causes out there and I'd probably give to several that I really feel closely aligned to--environmental, anti-war, literacy, orphans, puppies. You know. Fight the good fight (pacifistic fighting, that is).

Oh, yeah, and it probably goes without saying, but, I'd quit my job so that I can knit full time.

5. Where have I lived?
I was born and raised on the west side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My parents still live in the same house, in fact. I moved all the way over to the east side of Milwaukee and lived in various locations near the University during undergrad and grad school. In 2003, I accepted a job in Silverdale, Washington over the phone, and sight unseen, my husband and I decided to jump ship and head west. We've been renting a sweet little house on Bainbridge Island ever since.
In addition, I often live inside my head. I keep a beach house there.

I guess I should follow the rules and tag other people. It makes me feel a bit like I'm sending chain mail, but that's part of the fun, right. So, I'm tagging the following people who probably don't want to be tagged. Maybe the billion dollars I'm going to win today can help persuade them to respond. The new tagees are: Beth, Jessica R, Jessi L, Amelia, and Alias Polar Bear. Have fun, kids.