Yep, that's me in a snail staredown at Machu Picchu. In case you're wondering, the snail won.

Last week I shared with you that I haven’t been happy with my blogging voice. As my definition of simple living begins to evolve, my need to communicate authentically gets stronger. Living simple is living your truth.

I’ve been making some changes to get closer to my own truth. Part of that is being more open about who I am. It’s a challenge. How do you convey your personality through the screen? No, really, I’m asking. I have no idea. The only thing I know to do is to share more of me with you.

This whole thing was inspired by this post by Corbett Barr. But there’s also a deep knowingness that being true to yourself is the purest way to live simple. So, to start this blog off in a new, simpler direction, here are a few things that you don’t know about me:

1. I’m 32. Most people say I don’t look it, which runs in the family. It’s nice to hear that now, but it wasn’t so much fun as a child. Imagine being a junior in high school and having someone mistake you for a sixth grader. Not. Cool.
2. I make up silly songs and sing them around the house in my pjs. I also use made up words, like ridiculosity. It’s fun. You should try it.
3. I want to change the world. You know, to leave a legacy. I have absolutely no idea how I’ll do this, though…BUT, I am heading to the World Domination Summit this year. Maybe I’ll figure it out there.
4. I used to be a major control freak. I’m talking the anal retentive OCD variety, but then I got my heart broken a few times and generally learned that a) life does not revolve around my wants and b) life is full of unknowns. Now I just enjoy the ride, albeit with some planning.
5. Speaking of heartbreak: I’ve experienced it twice. Both times hurt like hell, but made me a nicer, more open person. I guess I should say thank you.
6. I lived in Atlanta for 11 years. Those were pretty much the worst years of my life (see mention of heartbreak in #5), but I also met some of my best friends and learned a LOT about people and integrity.
7. In case you can’t tell, I’m a romantic.
8. For many things, I’m an autodidact (self-taught). Everything I’ve learned about writing, web design, financial management and herbalism is from hours of curiosity-driven research.
9. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t go to college. Instead I’d travel the world and be an artist. College just taught me to postpone my dreams.
10. I was raised to question everything–to dig below the surface–so I ask why a lot. It bothers some people.
11. Three days before I was to graduate for my Masters degree, my father had a heart attack and needed open heart surgery. He made it through, but seeing him like that scared the hell out of me. It also made me realize that nothing is permanent.
12. Now that I’ve made it out of Atlanta, I can’t fathom living in one place for more than 3 years. Seriously, I start to twitch just thinking about it.
13. I’ve lived in Chicago for 2 years and 8 months.
14. I can’t bring myself to buy a house. I think this is tied to my need for freedom and my strong desire not to sign on for more debt.
15. I’ve always wanted to be a screenwriter, but I didn’t know it until last year.
16. My biggest wish these days is to meet (and work with) famed Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar. Pretty soon I’ll be on a plane to Spain to give it a shot. Wish me luck! (If you don’t know Almodovar’s work, check him out!)
17. Most of my wishes come true. I don’t know why, but I think it has to do with this next one…
18. I have tunnel vision. When I get a goal or destination in mind, I relentlessly pursue it and can’t see anything else. This happens in the physical realm too. Something I realized when my friends kept saying that I “walked right past them.” Or the time in high school when I was talking about a kid who was sitting right next to me–but I didn’t see him. Awkward.
19. I grew up spending a lot of time alone, reading, writing and thinking. My natural inclination is solitude. Strangely, though, as an adult I’m incredibly comfortable within and in front of crowds.
20. I have trouble with authority, boundaries and rules. In high school, my English teacher kept giving my papers back to me with notes to “stay within the margins.” I kept thinking “What the hell is she talking about? What’s a margin?” The concept of staying within the lines never made much sense to me.
21. I like saying British bad words, like “wanker, tosser, and bollocks.” C’mon, you know it’s funny!
22. I play back conversations in my head, thinking about all the ways I could have responded.
23. I’ve been predominantly vegetarian since high school. My mom says that as a baby I used to yell “No meats, mommy!”
24. I can’t cook worth a damn. Well, maybe I have two or three specialty dishes. But still, if you come over for dinner, you’ll probably be dining on a nice bowl of cereal.
25. I used to be a radio DJ and a spoken word artist. Words and music have always been my first loves.
26. What else do I love? Farming! When I get older I just want to be a farmer and a writer. Nothing more, nothing less. For me, having my hands in soil is a spiritual experience.
27. I’ve tried to learn to swim three (3!) times, dammit. I can paddle around and I won’t drown in shallow water, but mostly I just stand up and splash around. Or float. I can float for days.
28. I love water sports and houseboats. I know. It makes no sense.
29. I’m pretty sure this blog is going to grow into something huge. I have no vision or validation for this, just a feeling.
30. Lately I have an increasingly strong motivation to help people transform their lives.
31. I’m on a mission to reclaim my forgotten self, particularly the artist I left behind.
32. I love to travel. One day I’d like to live in South America as well as Europe.

If you’re still reading, thanks for being a part of all this. I’d love to hear some fun facts about you!