A Medium Challenge: Ten Things About Me

Brandon Ellrich

I was flattered (or annoyed, because of course I HAD to do it) to be tagged by robin wilding in this “Ten Things About Me” challenge. Here is her response:

She is very humorous and you should definitely check out her writing.

I really haven’t posted much on Medium about myself in a personal sense. I write fiction and poetry, and my articles are rather objective, for the most part. My poetry can get pretty intense, at times, so someone might be able to read between the lines of those verses. I still haven’t written an “About Me” post, which I’ve been meaning to do, so I guess this one sort of forces me to dip my toe into the water, as it were. These are not deep, meaningful queries, so I think I can handle them.

What is your favorite drink?

Really? That’s the one we’re starting off with? Okay, well if I’m going to be specific about it, a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks is my very favorite. If I’m going alcohol, I like fruity drinks (naturally), so Sex on the Beach or a frozen strawberry Margarita with sugar on the rim and lime.

What is your favorite color?

I love black-and-white patterns. Stop with the criticism; I know those aren’t technically “colors.” If I must choose something from the color wheel, I suppose blue; at least, some shade of blue. Now go ahead, psychoanalyze the answer. “It’s because you suffer from depression and by picking that color, you’re choosing to wallow in your own self-misery.” Thanks, I’ll work on that. Now, here’s a poem about a colorful cat (shameless self-promotion):

If you were to win the lottery, what are the top three things that you would do first?

The first thing I would do is buy some land and design a house to be built there. Is that considered two things? Then I would give money to my parents and siblings. Oh, wait…it didn’t say how MUCH I won in the lottery. Is it ten dollars on a scratch-off? I would 1) Drive to Starbucks, 2) Buy a White Chocolate Mocha, and 3) Put the rest in my pocket.

What is your favorite cuisine?

I love Italian. Was that too simple? Well, here’s a story about eating called The Contest (more shameless promotion):

Would you give up your phone or social media forever?

Oh dear…Giving up my phone would be difficult. Social Media, yes. I think it can be quite DISconnecting. I wrote about some of it in my article, Do We Need a Reason to Socialize? (more shameless promotion) here:

What is one thing that you are really good at?

I suppose most people on this platform would put the obvious answer: Writing. Truly, that’s what I would have to say. I play the piano, but anything composed by Liszt would probably be too difficult and I’ll never be a concert pianist; I’m decent at painting, but I’m no Monet; I love to play tennis and pickleball, but I’m never going to be invited to play at Wimbledon. I think I am especially good at poetry. What do you think? Read these (Really? Another one?):

Do you love dogs or cats more?

Definitely cats. Dogs drool all over the place and are constantly in your face–kind of like kids. My cats, at least, are cuddly, loyal, loving, cute, and intelligent. In fact, they are trainable. You can read how I trained my cats here (Is he going to keep going with this?):

Are you a coffee drinker?

Some may not consider a White Chocolate Mocha as coffee. It’s technically a latte, which has coffee beans in it. Do I drink black coffee? Absolutely not. Mine must at least have cream and sugar. If black coffee is the only other option besides water, I’ll take water.

Relax, I don’t have any more relatable posts…so here’s one that has nothing to do with coffee:

What languages can you speak?

English, of course, since that's what I’m writing in. I know several words and phrases in Spanish, but I’m not fluent. I took French in college, but it was difficult for me and I remember virtually nothing from the course. I am fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) as well. Really, I’m done with the self-promotions. Are you disappointed? Well, here’s an article called Who is Disappointing Whom? See how I did that? Just sneaked it right in there.

Can you use chopsticks?

What kind of “get-to-know-you” question is that? Okay, yes, and I often use them to catch flies around the house like Mr. Miyagi. So, THAT’S the question we’re going to end with? How very…anticlimactic.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please click the clap button (as many as 50 times) and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.

Now it’s my turn to burden other poor souls with these deep-rooted quandaries: Benighted, Penelope Mayfield, Pierce McIntyre, Normal Earthling, Shane Berry, and Jordan Lewis-Iles (if you’ve already participated, please forgive and ignore this oversight). These are all stellar individuals who deserve some recognition.

If you have not yet joined Medium as a paid subscriber, please consider doing so with my referral link (Will it never end?!):