7 Random Things (Tag - I'm It!)

The other day I was 'tagged' by The Translator, over at his excellent Rosetta Rants blog, to post 7 Random Things about myself. Then I'm supposed to tag 5 other people to do the same. I'm going to flake out on tagging others, as it seems to cross some internal boundary I have (tagging phobia, perhaps?).

On the very same day The Translator tagged me, I was also nominated by both Gerri, over at Absolutely True, AND Adria, over at the In Cinq Project, for the Rockin' Girl Bloggers award. Both of them are themselves Rockin' Girl Bloggers, and I appreciate them tossing this title my way. I'm now supposed to nominate others, who will nominate others, who will nominate others... but I'm going to flake out on this as well (see tagging phobia comment above). I've also taken the liberty of taking the 'girl' out of my nomination, since I haven't felt like a 'girl' for around 30 years! Check out my blog roll, though, of sites I've enjoyed, as there are numerous Rockin' Bloggers of all ages and sexes on there, both human and feline!


Now, let's get on with the 7 Random Things About Me:

#1 - My first spoken word was CAT. (Yes, even at a very young age I knew what was important in life.)

#2 - I have come close to dying four times so far in this life:

- First, when I was 6 months old and ate almost an entire bottle of Vicks Vapo Rub. I was rushed to the hospital in a coma and my stomach was pumped.

Baby Me

- Second, when I was 3, and fell into the Bosporus and almost drowned.

- Third, and most unhappily, when I was 16, and took an large overdose of sleeping pills & alcohol in attempted suicide. I was once again rushed to the hospital where my stomach was pumped.

At Sixteen (tough grrrl)

- And fourth, about 6 years ago, when my appendix went kaplooie, and I had to have an emergency appendectomy.

#3 - I've had my name legally changed 3 times so far. The first time I had it changed was when I was 28, and since then I seem to have gotten the itch for change every 10 -11 years. I've officially been 'Jaya' for about 3 years so far.

#4 - I've had, in my younger, friskier days, an equal number of male and female lovers... and probably a few too many of each.

#5 - I am now entertaining all offers of marriage from any wealthy humans who would like a plump, aging, antisocial wife (with 9 cats). The cats and I will require our own house, with swimming pool, on a quiet section of your estate. Age, sex, and appearance not important, but you must like cats, be intelligent, and have a great sense of humor. If you prefer not to marry me, but would still like to bestow your financial favors upon me, that is also most agreeable.

#6 - I'm not involved in any organized religion, even though I have a sister who is a Catholic nun, and spirituality is a very important part of my life. The only religious organization I ever DID join was the Unitarian Universalist Church, back in 1987, when I lived in Provincetown, Massachusetts. That was in large part due to the intelligent and moving sermons being given by the wonderful Rev. Kim Crawford Harvie, who is now the Senior Minister at the Arlington Street Church in Boston.

Rev. Kim

#7 - I wrote these 7 Random Things down while driving my car to Santa Fe, finishing just as I drove past the Ohkay Casino, north of Española. I do NOT advise any of you to copy this behavior. Not only did it hinder my focus on my driving, but it was also a bit difficult to read what I'd written when I got home again.