Blog Tag: Five Things You Didn't Know About Me

I don't normally play blog games but Jeff Jarvis, a friend and someone I respect deeply, tagged me so I am in. Here are five things you didn't know about me...

1) When I was 13 years old I was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a plum and came close to dying. Next year, 2007, will mark 25 years post-op and I am doing just fine. All I lost was my sense of smell but I can taste food just fine (for real). I have a scar that goes from ear to ear. For you nosy among you, if you look carefully at this shot you will see it. Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center saved my life.

2) In 1982 I came in ninth place in the NYC area in a Rubik's Cube contest. I used to be able to do it in 45 seconds or so. Now I think that would be 45 days if I tried.

3) I worked in the newspaper biz three times early my career: I delivered Newsday as a teenager in my neighborhood (today I get their RSS feed delivered!); I was a writer/editor for several college papers at Hofstra University where I (hardly) "studied," and I worked as an Art Director for an Albanian newspaper just after college (I'm not Albanian, but learned a lot about them).

4) I am an absolute neat freak. My office has no paper in it other than a thin Moleskine Cahier notebook which I use in meetings. My apt and office are both spotless. Lifehacker would be proud.

5) In my spare time I love to study the character of great sports figures and coaches to pick up new ideas that I can apply in my own life and work. My latest fascination is Dallas Mavericks Coach Avery Johnson (nicknamed The Little General). I admire his passion, optimism and energy and hope I can meet him one day. (Winking at Mark!)

I am tagging: Robert Scoble, Dave Winer, Michael Arrington, Steve Hall and Terry Heaton.