"What this guy does next will shock/inspire/amaze you"
"20 reasons why lemon is the best darn cheesecake flavour ever"
"I was surprised by the the last 36 items of this list"
"75 things you should know about orange crayons"
That would be great and all to read, if only the content was well-researched and interesting. They've got the selling point out in the title sure, and that's bound to make people make the journey to the article. Unfortunately, in my personal opinion, a lot of the content is so subjective that it really needs to be preceded by, well... "in my personal opinion".
To combat the tedium, repetitiveness, and badly-researched stacks of clickbait articles out there, I present my own one - on a truly original subject, and luckily I have the best expert on the subject... myself.
So here we go, on the fifteenth day of 2015, in an effort so seem more normal by sharing (for some reason), here are 15 Things You Might Not Know about Louis.
#1. I was born the morning after a full moon.
This is pretty cool... although the official time is disputed, I know I was born "just in time for breakfast" (I'm currently going with 9:40). I was playing around with WolframAlpha one day (as you do), and it turned out that was less than 12 hours after the moon hit 100% illumination (a.k.a. full moon). But I don't think this fact means anything, as I'm currently in the team of people saying "astrology is bogus".
#2. I'll be 10,000 days old on New Decade's Eve.
Again, just a massive coincidence. I never had a 21st celebration, so in lieu of that I'd like to think I'll have a 10,000 Days Old/New Decade's Eve combined party in 2019. Wherever I'll be, of course. There's a lot of stuff to plan over the next five years, I guess.
#3. I sometimes compare my life to seasons of a TV show.
See also: "The Truman Show". Never seen it.
#4. My life has a soundtrack...
...sort of. See above. With each new location I try to look back and find a song that fits with where I've just been. It gets added to an iTunes playlist. I've had 'theme songs' for school, college, university, etc. It's not currently available to purchase at all good music stores.
#5. I lip-sync to the music I'm listening to if I think no-ones watching.
But I don't think I'm the only one who does this. Can I remember all the lyrics perfectly? No, of course not, but I still find it fun. Protip: it helps having good headphones and keeping the beat with your walking pace. #5½. Music by Owl City accounts for over 3% of my iTunes library. "Beautiful Times" is worth listening to, by the way.
#6. I haven't always wanted to be a programmer...
...and with this century's fluid job market, that still might not end up being the case. The first job aspiration I had was when I was still in primary school, when I wanted to be a television presenter (that's the slightly more broader and more professional-sounding version of what it really was, which was "game show host"). Other 'Plan B's that have accumulated throughout the years include teacher, lawyer, crime investigation, voice actor, and radio host.
#7. I've been behind the scenes of the live weather crosses of TVNZ Breakfast...
...36 times. Originally a way to get myself out of bed at six in the morning, it sort of turned into a way of exploring Auckland City. I don't consider it stalking, and luckily Sam Wallace (name-drop alert!) doesn't either. Highlights include helping him prank Miley Cyrus fans thinking she was arriving at a hotel, and a camera trick involving a fake beheading.
#8. I have Asperger Syndrome.
This is technically unofficial, but was initiated by my stepmum Jennie getting me to talk to the founder of the NZ Asperger Advocacy, who agreed. The key point to take away is that it's a form of Autism; 'features' include: discussing the details of various 'specialist subjects', I cannot detect sarcasm or other people's implied emotions easily, and taking things literally. For my friends, I hope this explains some of my idiosyncrasies, like the tendency to blurt out things with much disregard. I tend to compare myself to a robot in ways sometimes. Other descriptions include "a less intense Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory".
#9. I like wearing big sneakers because it makes me feel like a robot.
Um, so... yeah. See above. I know I'm still human, of course! (If this was a feature film, this would be ironic foreshadowing).
See also: my backpack. I carry it around because I feel that I become useful and have a reason to be there if I'm the person that pulls out a pen/pack of cards/other required item the instant it's needed. Like a turtle?...
#10. I think anthropomorphic things are cool.
Quick definition: Anthropomorphism, or personification, is giving human-like qualities to non-human objects or entities. Think mascots.
Growing up in the 90's, I was a kid that grew up with Pokémon, and the age of animal video game characters (like Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, etc.). This is a prime example of anthropomorphism; cute little animal-like creatures that appear to be able to communicate with humans. There's a whole internet culture based around this, to the degree of humans role-playing as animals... actually I'm not entirely certain. I'm more at the level of "Oh the animal can talk. Cool. Friends?". #10½. I'd like to cuddle a friendly Charizard.
Straying away from the subject of animals, I've also named the multiple pieces of technology I've acquired over the years. And I tend to say "oops, sorry" if I bump my laptop while moving it... as if it had feelings. That's for any therapist reading this in the future.
Perhaps this might explain why I have a hard time trying to throw non-garbage things away.
Straying away from the subject of animals, I've also named the multiple pieces of technology I've acquired over the years. And I tend to say "oops, sorry" if I bump my laptop while moving it... as if it had feelings. That's for any therapist reading this in the future.
Perhaps this might explain why I have a hard time trying to throw non-garbage things away.
#11. I have a spreadsheet calculating how much money I'd like to have one day.
Sure, in a capitalist society, everyone wants more money. But I'm content with actually narrowing it down to a number. And what's that number? Well it depends on the level. And by that I mean:
- Enough money to get by with the interest: $917,643.12
- Enough money to comfortably live off: $2,294,107.80
- Enough money to start giving some away (also known as the level I will start playing the lottery): $23,121,066.66
- Enough money to consider building a theme park (yeah... fat chance): $308,397,914.87
(figures in NZD and correct as at midnight, January 15, 2015)
See also: Once I hit a personal savings goal (to be hit soon, hopefully), I'd like to temporarily withdraw about $500 in fives and 'make it rain' in my apartment... before promptly picking the cash back up and depositing it again.
#12. I have a travel wish list...
...and it comes with its own spreadsheet and draft travel itineraries. Not that I'll be jetting off any time soon (there's always Japan, of course). Each location on the list has a personal reason to visit, whether it was a location to see, a person to visit, or a certain seasonal event. I'll pass on explaining every single place, but here's a map of what the wish list currently looks like:
#13. I don't think I'd have the corresponding confidence to pull off having spiky/untidy hair.
And by "spiky" I'm talking about what is quite possibly considered 'normal hair' in the anime sense, and not 80's-UK-punk-rocker style. Heck no.
 |
| Fig 1. Ash Ketchum - because I don't actually know any other anime characters. |
I'm certainly not a person that cared about following fashion or cosmetic trends (rather, someone that outright ignored them or walked in the opposite direction), but having short-yet-a-little-bit-of-a-tuft-sticking-out-the-front-of-a-cap hair (actual style name yet to be determined) always intrigued me throughout school as it seemed to be attached to characters with an overwhelming sense of confidence, of which I was certainly lacking at the time (and kinda still do).
The unfortunate realisation was that the hairstyle comes with the confidence, and not the other way around. As a result with my timidity, I don't think it would quite fit with my current mannerisms. Let alone the upkeep... how do you keep your hair sticking out to the same side when you turn your head?
Plus, I don't think that anime characters actually exist in real life anyway.
#14. I have a 'tell' that I am conscious of.
After watching Derren Brown and "Lie to Me", it sort of makes sense now. Apparently a sign of shame is bringing a hand to the forehead. So if you see me touch my forehead briefly, I've just thought about something I did in the past that was personally embarrassing, or could have performed better in hindsight. These tend to be the sorts of things that I did when I was like, way younger. Perhaps it's my memory saying, "my how much you've grown/learned since then!". Which would be great, if a) these memories stopped bugging me at random times, and b) I could learn to think that what's done in the past has stayed there, and like, no one else remembers or gives a toss.
#15. I'm still searching for my life's mission (and probably will be for decades).
No way this is set in stone (I'm only 22 for Pete's sake), but I'm currently rolling with "making, sharing, and giving things to friends, family and the world that I hope they'll appreciate; while remembering the past and staying optimistic for the future" (bit of a mouthful). Hence why I'm posting stuff I've been working on (like that Pokémon Travel Guide from last week...). I started writing this article because I thought, I know things about my friends, but maybe I'm not very open about myself. Plus, if I ever get amnesia, this'll be a good place to revisit.
Now that I think about it, this article isn't narcissistic, right? Umm, guys?...
Thanks for making to the end of the list. Best wishes for the rest of 2015!
-Louis
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