WHO AM I? WHY AM I HERE?

I was recently tagged by Scott of Flight Plan to participate in this 25 question "getting to know you" exercise. Here goes:

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Stanley, North Dakota

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER SOMEONE?
Yes, my first name is Franklin, the same as my dad.  But I've always been known as Bruce, my middle name.

IF YOU HAVE ANY CHILDREN, HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE?
Five, only one of my own blood.  Curiously his name is Scott, as is one of my stepsons.

HOW MANY PETS DO YOU HAVE?
Two.  Blackwell and Muggles, both cats.

WHAT IS YOUR WORST INJURY?

I guess breaking both of my pinky fingers, years apart.  Neither were set and both have a malformed joint.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I took seven years of piano lessons when I was a kid.  The end result was I used to be able to play Sentimental Journey, badly.  Now I can't even play that!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO BAKE?
Probably bread.  I just got a baguette pan today and plan to try it out tomorrow.

FAVORITE FAST FOOD?
Pizza.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No, my days of daring stunts are long over.  I have enough trouble just walking these days.

WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Hmmm, how much trouble can I get into here?  If it's a male, probably sense of humor.  If it's a female . . .(never mind).

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I can't remember but it's usually when I'm reading my wife something and I get to the great ending and can't get it out.

ANY CURRENT WORRIES?

Not really.

NAME 3 DRINKS THAT YOU DRINK REGULARLY.
Coffee, Diet Coke, Vodka-and-water.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?
That's a tough one because I've always been a reader.  "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut used to be a favorite.  Most anything by Hemingway.  Several by T. Coraghessan Boyle.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PIRATE?
I would to "have been" a pirate.

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Sauteed onions, lemons, fresh baked bread.

WHY DO YOU BLOG?
I've been a writer (of sorts) all my life and this just keeps it going.  'Course now I can add pictures, videos, music.

WHAT SONG DO YOU WANT PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL?

We'll Meet Again by Vera Lynn.  Also The Lumberjack Song by Monty Python.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My appearance.  I'm overweight by about 30 pounds. 

FAVORITE HOBBY?
Oh, just about anything connected with this damnable computer!  Also reading.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A FRIEND?

I'm sticking with what Scott said:  "Someone who can make me laugh, and who I can always trust."

NAME SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE THAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD.
Walked the complete base path at Chase Field in Phoenix.  I have a picture to prove it. 

ANY PET PEEVES?
Rap and hip-hop music.  "Celebrities" who are famous for being famous and who act badly.

WHAT'S THE LAST THING THAT MADE YOU LAUGH?
A nasty joke I received by email this morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The instructions say I'm now supposed to tag 10 other people and challenge them to reveal 25 things about themselves, too.   Folks, in no particular order....you're up:

Tom at  Light Breezes

Stephen at The Chubby Chatterbox

Cupcake Murphy at Odd, Good, True

Frank at Vinyl Stats

Oh, heck, I'm gonna let it go at four.  Have at it.