So, you think you know me by now? Do you think that after all you’ve read about my crazy antics, neurotic behavior and ridiculous thoughts that you know the real me? Well, you probably do know me really well by now. But there are a few things about me that I’ve managed to keep hidden. Until now. Maybe it’s the wine I drank earlier with the extended family in New Jersey, or maybe because I’m running on only a handful of hours of sleep, but I’m going to share with you a few fun things about myself that may surprise you. They may make you think less of me. They may pleasantly surprise you. Who knows? Who cares? Either way, I’m giving you a glimpse into my deep-down-inner self. You are in for a real treat. You’re welcome (I think).

1. I like Jesse McCartney. I mean I like him a lot. In fact, I would love to see him in concert. Sure he’s only 22 and I’m about to be 27 in a matter of days (hint hint), but I feel like me and J-Mac have a deep connection that he just hasn’t found out about yet. See, I first knew him as J.R. Chandler on “All My Children.” That was pretty much at the start of his career when no one really knew who he was. Then, he moved on to the boy-band “Dream Street” and I saw him in-person at a 106.1 WBLI concert on Long Island, where I was an intern at the time. I’m not sure, but I think our eyes connected for the briefest of seconds at that concert. Either way, our connection deepened. Then, in a few short years, he burst onto the scene as a solo act and had a few pop hits. Now, he’s all grown up and signing with well-respected, super-cool and very talented black singers/rappers like Ludacris and Fabolous. I am of the belief that you can only really tell if a white singer has “made it” is if he’s accepted by the black singing/rapping community. Case in point, Justin Timberlake. All the greats like T.I. and Timbaland love him. And, like Justin Timberlake, J-Mac is a songwriter too. Not many singers write their own songs, so this guy is talented for realz. He even co-wrote the Leona Lewis hit “Bleeding Love.” I think J-Mac is the next JT. Mark my words. You heard it here first.
2. I was under the misguided impression, for most of my life, that the Bronx Zoo was located in New Jersey. Yes. the Bronx Zoo. In New Jersey. So stupid it’s hard to believe, right? Unfortunately, it’s true. One day, about 10-15 years ago, on a trip with mom and dad to the Bronx Zoo, I asked, upon arrival, why we weren’t in New Jersey. “Why would we be?,” my mother, sensibly, asked. “Because that’s where it’s located,” I replied. I glanced at my father for clarification, but he was staring at me, his mouth agape. And then he burst out laughing. “The Bronx Zoo, is in the Bronx,” my mother began to explain. I stared at her. “You know,” she urged. “In the city. In New York,” she continued. . . . many seconds passed. . . . “Oooooooooooooooooooo now I see!,” I said. Suddenly, it all made sense to me, and I explained to my parents that I was under the mistaken impression that the Bronx Zoo was in New Jersey because I remember going there one time a few years ago with our aunt, uncle and cousin who are from New Jersey. Obviously not very logical, and painstakingly stupid, but what can I say? My mind works in mysterious ways. To this day, my family still won’t let me live that one down. And neither will the handful of people with whom they’ve shared that story.
3. I was the recipient of my cheerleading squad’s “Sparkle & Shine” award my senior year of high school. I know, I was quite appalled myself when I heard them announce my name. In fact, as my coach was describing the peppy, hard-working, team player who was to receive the award, I was laughing with my teammates saying that I was a shoe-in for the award, which everyone thought was a riot since I was often found crying over such dramas as wearing the “away” uniform for a “home” game. But if someone thought that I sparkled and shined, then I guess I was a pretty good bullshitter early on, which must have meant that  I was destined for a career in PR all along. I still have this award saved so that one day when I’ve grown old and extremely bitter, I can pull it out and use it as proof that I once was a cheerful person that people liked.
4. I didn’t drink socially until after senior prom in high school. Embarrassing, I know, but I am a first child and my mom parents didn’t let me do much, including go to parties on the weekends like most of the other kids in my classes. It was losing battle and over time, I stopped trying. Looking back, I probably gave up too easily and would never have backed down so quickly today, but, as time passed, my friends and I found other things to do. Like watch movies. Or go out to the movies. Or go to the mall. Good times. I probably had a beer here and there at the occasional party or two, but nothing big. Then, finally, after my senior prom, I had some alcohol, beer I believe, and it was gross. I had about two or three and thought I might have been drunk. I didn’t touch the stuff after that until I started college. Then I was drunk most of the time and hooking up with boys left and right. Another thing that I, believe it or not, did not do very much of in high school.
5. I used to tell people that my aunt was Bjork. Sometimes I like to make-up random shit, so I told a few friends of mine in college that my aunt was Bjork. I figured it was so outrageous and random, that no one would believe that someone actually would make that up, and therefore it must be true. Turns out I was right, because it worked! I eventually told people the truth, but, to this day, at least one of my friends is still bitter about the deceit.

And on that note, I’ll end this little confession because I think I’ve given you enough to digest for one evening. There may be a Part II in this series at a later date, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, try not to judge me too harshly, for I bet that if you listened to a few Jesse McCartney songs, or watched old episodes of “Summerland,” you’d become a fan too.