ACCREDITED ONLINE BUSINESS DEGREES

i'm pretty sure that i've been tagged about 80 bajillion times for this whole "16 Things," uh, thing, but i've held off, because i wanted to do my own take on it, on this, my day of days.

sooooo, here we go:

1. i am a non-card-carrying member of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Honorary Theater Society (my card is currently stored away somewhere). this comes from spending four years in college many moons ago, where i earned a Bachelor of Science in Theater Performance. most people who ask what my degree was (especially at my current job, which couldn't be more unartistic if it tried) tend to say the same thing: "wow, really? i never would have guessed." me either, if i were that person. for so many years, i wanted to be an actress, practiced my Oscar speeches in front of the mirror, the usual doe-eyed thespian stuff. i tried for a couple of years after i graduated, i even had headshots and an agent, but nothing ever came of it. it's taken me all these many years to realize that i was not meant to be in front of the camera, but behind it. i love theater, movies, art, everything about the biz called show. i am a fan. but i am not an actress, and i am ok with that. that's not to say that i wouldn't be interested in dabbling again, especially commercials (Oil of Olay, call me!), or hell, even a love scene with Gerard Butler. after all, i'm not your typical girl-next-door. not in the slightest. i'm just sayin'...

2. no matter where, no matter what, i always come back to Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies. they are the best. i would tell secrets for those cookies. dee-lish-us.

3. i am afraid to ask for help. i need to get over that, especially since i will need a lot of it in the upcoming months, what with getting my website together, finding a new job, figuring out how to be professional at this picture-taking stuff. i'm not asking right now, but i just thought i'd warn you.

4. i can't braid my hair. i've just never been able to figure it out. the braids always turn out looking i hired blind, coked-out monkeys to do the job. french braids? don't even go there.

5. purple-sequined Chucks, or a new fiddy lens? i can't decide.

6. i met Neil Young and his wife, Pegi, at a record store i used to work at in Palo Alto, CA. Pegi and i chatted for about ten minutes at the register, and out of the eighteen or so cds they bought, two of them were the double-disc blues/zydeco set i recommended. awesome.

7. i am afraid of the following things: death, heights, water, any poisonous insect, and Muzak.

8. i wish i were taller; then i'd be the right weight for my height.

9. i've never been able to take compliments very well. it took me a long time to accept graciously with a smile, and a "thank you." i still don't think i've gotten the hang of it.

10. i am not a great orator, never will be. in my mind, i know exactly what i want to say. when i actually try to say it, it comes fumbling out, sounding the complete opposite, and i'm sure i come off as a total idiot. let's just say my mouth wears a size 7 and a half.

11. my father took us to see "Jaws" when i was 6 years old. we laugh about it now, but back then, i didn't set foot in the bathtub for a week after that. i still put my feet up when i see it on tv. see "fear of water" up at #6. truth be told, i love telling that to everybody i know. :)

12. i really dislike my smile, and i'm not just saying that to fish for compliments (see #9). my teeth are crooked and unattractive, and it is the reason that i hardly ever bare my teeth when i smile in self-portraits, or shots with others. i've gone back and forth about getting braces these past couple of years, but chickened out. however, i think the next time the opportunity comes up where i can afford them, i will do it. i honestly think it'll do wonders for my self-esteem.

13. some of my goals this year include: becoming more technically proficient with my camera, to learn about lenses and other camera equipment in general, expand my knowledge of lighting, learn more about Photoshop and photo editing, and have a show or two. oh, yes, and start dating again. that would be good.

14. i have bunches of prints, little gifts, and cards for many of you out there who have been so kind to me, and sent me pressies and photos, and i *will* get those out to you, i promise. apologies in advance for the incredible lateness of all of them.

15. i was checked out a little by Fred Armisen of SNL (and a lot by the two male employees at the counter) last year, at a diner one late night in New York, while stef was in the bathroom. when stef and i left, he exited behind us, and i held the door as i was leaving, turned, smiled, and said "Hi." i found the whole thing way cool, but then again, it's the little things, you know?

16. whistling drives me absolutely bat shit insane. stop it, would ya?

17. one last thing.... i turn 40 today. happy birthday to me!

Yes, I successfully graduated from Ashworth High School!!!!

I want to extend thanks to my parents for teaching me what I needed it to get where I am now and to the staff of Ashworth High School for the support and opportunity to complete my High School Education.

In closing, I have earned my diploma and educational milestone through hard work, distance learning, and studying.

I'm now in college at the University of North Alabama and earning my degree in Social Science Education.

Sincerely Yours,
James Edward Clark