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.

Comments

[Brian Clark]

Wow Steve, I has no idea about your surgery. Last year's snowboarding accident that I reveal in my "5 things" resulted in a subdural hematoma and a full craniotomy, and I too was fortunate enough to make a full recovery.

As far the scar, well, if you meet me, you'll know why my hair is a bit on the longish side. :)

[Steve Rubel]

Wish I had that luxury to cover up!

[Casey Penney]

RE: #4 -- As Steve's quasi-assistant, I can attest to his minimalist ways. (Although it should be noted that he tried to house a plant in his office once, which we then made him get rid of on account of bugs.) He deemed it "Shrubecide." (Note: No plants were harmed in the removal.)

[Steve Rubel]

yes, my office was bugged

[Michael Vu]

Hofstra! You must be proud of Marques Colston on the Saints.

[Angela Natividad]

So you too are a member of the Moleskine Cahier cult. I feel so much closer to you now, Steve. We should buy rings, and jackets.

[Kingcob Bob IV]

Nice post, Steve! Aren't those moleskin notebooks the greatest?

[Tara]

* One thing you don't know about me: I have never solved a rubik's cube. Not That I have ever really tried. I just don't have the patience to go past the initial quick turns. Yet, the Yankees themed Rubik's cube is on my Amazon wishlist so maybe one day I will solve it.

* Two, I recognized Jeff Jarvis from an episode of Moonlighting when he came to talk to my NYU Graduate School of Journalism class.

fun post.

[Steve Rubel]

Michael, Colston is the latest in a line of players from Hofstra who made it to the NFL. Wayne Chrebet being one of the best.

Moleskine fans should check out a post Om wrote this weekend. He combines three of my favorite things - Moleskines, Blackberries an Starbucks. Ahhh.

[Josia]

We can tell from your blog that you're a neat freak!! Everything is also so friggin perfect!!

[David Tebbutt]

How the hell do you have a paper-free office. Do you have another room where you keep all the 'just in case' stuff: research material, stuff you've created, books, reports, to-do lists etc?

My office is awash with the stuff. And I'd love it not to be.