I haven’t done a true Random Facts post in a while, so let’s mix things up a bit, shall we?

1. Despite being surrounded by people knowledgeable in a variety of areas, I very rarely ask for advice on anything. My pride and stubbornness deserve part of the blame, but much of it lies somewhere else: I can’t help but feel obligated to take someone’s advice if I ask for it, and I haven’t figured out a way to gracefully reject that advice without feeling guilty. So it feels like asking for advice paints me into a corner. So I just don’t do it.
2. On a related note, I tend not to tell everyone about my problems partly because I don’t want people trying to solve them. Unsolicited advice is one of my pet peeves.
3. On another related note, I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my own life. I like being the “captain of my soul,” as the poet said. But I hate being in charge of other people and imposing my will on them. That’s the main reason I have so little interest in leadership positions. That’s also one of the main reasons that parenthood is so frustrating for me. I enjoy playing with the boys, teaching them, talking with them about their day, and encouraging them. I hate trying to get them to do things. They are just as stubborn as I am, and it sucks having to butt heads with them over and over again. Maybe that’s why being a grandparent is more fun than being a parent. You get the fun stuff without the moral obligation to mold them into good people.
4. Heavy whipping cream is my favorite thing to add to my coffee. It’s fun to pour in a bit, watch it sink to the bottom, and watch it reappear on the surface. It you do it gently, little dots of cream appear on top rather than a big swirl, a bit like bubbles from a tiny scuba diver.
5. Right now, my plan is to dispatch for Southwest until I’m about 65 (31 more years), retire with Jenny, and turn into my Aunt Kathy’s parents. They divide their time between relaxing, doing family stuff, and traveling. They do all sorts of amazing trips, sometimes picking up great last-minute deals since they have so much flexibility. I might volunteer somewhere as well. I’ll need something productive to do to avoid driving myself crazy.
6. When I was a teenager, I went through a “purge the evil music from my collection” phase and destroyed my two Nine Inch Nails CDs. I lost some good music that way.
7. Part of me wants to update the heck out of our house. The other part wants to use that money to pay it off sooner and move. Lately, Option 1 has been winning. I love the idea of taking something old and worn out and making it new.
8. Some people like to work out to upbeat music for motivation. I don’t like to run or bike with music, but I do listen when I do cardio at the gym. I (strangely?) prefer relaxing music like smooth jazz, Yanni, or Sarah McLachlan. Mellow music helps me relax and feel like I’m not working as hard as I really am.
9. When I’m working, I generally eat the same thing for breakfast (cereal) and my work meal (bagel, banana, yogurt, and something else like a protein bar). So the only meal that changes much is dinner with the family. I like not having to think too hard about my food.
10. I shave my head every couple of weeks at most. I don’t trust a regular razor, so I use electric clippers with no guard, which means I always look a little fuzzy rather than looking like a cue ball.