Several days ago I made the comment in one of my blogs that it is hard coming up with ideas to blog about. I then offered the opportunity for those who read this blog to respond with whatever interest you. My sister Betsy was the only response I received. This is what she said. She said, "I think the best blogs are just life lessons that you learn everyday from what you encounter on a daily basis. I'm always encouraged when I get to share stories with others and learn from how they dealt with something or realize I'm not alone in dealing with stress, parenting, and all the craziness we all have to deal with in life!!" I love that. She does a great job of sharing her stories on her blog which can be found at www.atimetoloveatimetolearn.blogspot.com Check it out!! Anyway, her most recent post was about 6 random things that maybe no one knew about her. I like the idea so much I am stealing it today. Ha, Betsy, I am stealing your stuff again. It reminds me of all the times growing up that you would go to the refrigerator looking for leftovers that you had saved only to find that I had stolen them. You weren't too forgiving back then. I hope that has changed.
OK, here are 6 Random Things About Me:
1. My favorite school year growing up was 8th grade. I don't know why, but my fondest memories as a teenager are from 8th grade. I went to Quail Hollow Jr. High School and had a bunch of great friends. My baseball teams, both school and Babe Ruth, won championships. I hit one of only 3 home runs I ever hit that year. I had a girlfriend named Angie. (This BTW isn't the Angie I married and she wasn't nearly as cute as my Angie now :) My youth group at church was really fun. Life was good in 1981 for Blake Bouldin.
2. I love to be alone. This may surprise some people, but the way I rejuvenate myself is by being alone. Being a pastor one might think that I am a people person that just thrives on ministering to and being with people. The reality is, people exhaust me. Angie and I have differing personalities when it comes to this area of our lives and she is rejuvenated by being with her good friends. I, on the other hand, HAVE to make time to get alone and be all by myself. The fact is, I put so much energy into being with people all week that, after Sunday services, the thing I like to do the most is go home and lie on my bed without anyone around and watch muted TV. Maybe I am weird, but that's me.
3. I have to have a fan on at all times. Betsy wrote that she has to have a fan on when she sleeps, but I have to have a fan on 24/7. In fact, right now in my office I have a fan on high blowing directly on me. Not sure if this is a form of neurosis or not, but fans comfort my soul. I can remember when Angie and I first got married how mad she would get in the dead of winter because I had to have a fan blowing on me. Today, she isn't a big advocate of having a fan blowing directly on her, but the sound a fan makes is something even she can't do with out now.
4. Watching men beat each other up relaxes me. Everyone who knows me knows that I am an absolute UFC fanatic. For those of you who don't know what UFC stands for, that is Ultimate Fighting Championship. My boys and I watch it religiously whenever it comes on. Thursday nights are usually when it airs, but I have to keep close tabs on the website because sometimes that differs. Anyway, growing up my father used to watch fights on ESPN and comment about how my grandfather had been a boxer and taught my dad to love the sport of boxing. I was intrigued by the stories dad would tell, but I can remember, even as a kid, watching fights and just loving it. Today, I would have to say that some of the best times that my boys and I have are sitting back and watching guys like Tito Ortiz and Chuck Lidell and Rampage Jackson go at it with each other.
5. I have ADD. I had no idea what ADD was when I was growing up but I did know that I had a really hard time sitting still and paying attention. My mom was a school teacher and used to sit down with me and try and tutor me in some of the subjects I was struggling with. I can remember how frustrated she would get as she would begin to explain things and look at me to see if I was paying attention, and of course, I wasn't. Until about 4 years ago, I never really could understand why I was like I was until someone showed me the symptoms of ADD. When I read them, I thought that describes me perfectly.
6. If I wasn't a preacher/minister I would be a teacher/coach. I just love being around kids and enjoy teaching, so a logical thing for me to be if I weren't a minister would be a teacher. Growing up I never even entertained the idea. I always thought I wanted to be a minister, but having been in the ministry for awhile, the thought has crossed my mind, especially on those difficult days that being a teacher would be fulfilling.
OK there you have it whether you wanted it or not. 6 random things about me. Have a great weekend.
Haha...I guess I can forgive you for stealing my idea. (Since I really stole it from someone else!!) It's clear why we get along so well. We're alot alike!!
I bet some of these things will come as a surprise to people who think they know you!! It's fun way to get to know you better!
PS-Your family pic is great!
Posted by: Betsy | May 17, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Oh, I do remember the other Angie from Quail Hollow.
Posted by: Brett | May 19, 2008 at 09:44 AM
You write very well. I loved your six things. Betsy's right. Tell us about your every day. That's what we're interested in. Thelogical truths are being discussed by hundreds of others. But there's just one Blake. We want to know about him.
Posted by: Don | May 21, 2008 at 08:07 AM