100 Things About Myself

VERY personal information about me.

It is often hard to be completely honest with yourself and it is even harder to be really honest with others. We are in a sense constructed of layers. The superficial one is exposed for all to see and for most is not anxiety provoking. There is a deeper layer, however, that we only allow our closest friends to see and an even deeper one that is reserved for a spouse or close relative. Deeper still is the murky layer that hides secrets. This layer only sees the light of day when we mistakenly let down our guard. Even the most confident among us will suffer if this layer is revealed. Finally, way down deep is the layer that is the repository of what can be referred to as our “skeletons”. Under normal circumstances, this layer will never be revealed.
I present for your reading pleasure “100 Things About Myself”. I do this as an exercise in openness. Here is one of my layers that probably resides somewhere between the close friend and the spouse. I compiled this list during a vacation in the South of France in 2005 and I found the exercise cathartic in the most refreshing sense of the word. Strangely enough, the only people who have seen this list are my close friends and my wife! Producing such a list is certainly not for everyone. If you are tempted though, go right ahead and start writing. Even if you never show the list to anyone, I am certain you will gain something positive from the exercise. Some day when enough water has gone under the bridge, I may just publish a deeper layer if I can find the courage.

1. I’m a father and husband first, then an orthopedic surgeon.
2. I would retire tomorrow if I could afford it.
3. I don’t think I’m easy to get along with.
4. I have a strong sense of social responsibility.
5. I’m very opinionated and I enjoy yanking people’s chains.
6. I love to discuss (some would say argue) controversial topics.
7. I would do anything for my kids.
8. The person I admire most is my wife.
9. I’m a skinflint for small things (i.e. toilet paper) but will spend a fortune on art (especially chairs) without batting an eye.
10. I place more importance on form than in function.
11. I can’t stand a mess.
12. I don’t lend books.
13. I don’t borrow books.
14. I never dog-ear pages but use bookmarks.
15. I read an equal mix of fiction and non-fiction.
16. I’m an atheist but love to talk about religion.
17. I abhor circumcision and consider it male genital mutilation.
18. I love dogs.
19. I hate cats.
20. My favorite culture is Italian.
21. My favorite food is Italian.
22. As a generalization, I dislike American cultural values.
23. I do not enjoy ballet.
24. I place no importance on wealth as an end in itself. Fortunately, I earn enough so I can spend lavishly on stuff that makes my family and me happy.
25. There are many things I disliked about my father, and there are many things I admired in him. I’ve tried to rid myself of the former and imitate the latter.
26. I’m a morning person.
27. I love driving.
28. I am possessed by technolust.
29. I believe in “Out with the old, in with the new.”
30. I enjoy reading on the can.
31. I generally sleep on the right side of the bed.
32. I am a bad businessman.
33. I am a 100% loyal husband.
34. I don’t think I could live without my wife.
35. I can’t sing.
36. I think I can dance. My wife doesn’t agree.
37. I can’t play any musical instruments…and that bugs me.
38. I have seen 2001:A Space Odyssey 11 times, the first time being at Montreal’s Imperial Cinerama with my dad when I was 15.
39. My favorite cheese in Parmigianno Reggiano.
40. I hate restaurants without white linen tablecloths.
41. Sometimes, I think I come from a dysfunctional family.
42. I like to be naked.
43. I love black and white photography.
44. I hope I have passed on my intellectual values to my children but that they have inherited my wife’s emotional and social qualities.
45. I love to fly.
46. I have trouble with death and dying both professionally and personally.
47. I never remember people’s names.
48. I never ever enjoyed water-skiing.
49. I wish I could be barefoot all the time.
50. I have athlete’s foot.
51. If I could choose another profession, I’d be an industrial designer or a photographer.
52. I want to retire in Tuscany.
53. I have a very good sense of smell which is sometimes an inconvenience.
54. I like to write.
55. I snore …badly.
56. I have trouble with very aggressive people but I know some people would say I’m aggressive.
57. I have very few significant regrets in my life.
58. I have changed quite a bit over the years in large part because of my wife.
59. I’ve never been seasick.
60. The best wine I ever drank was Chateau D’Yquem 1962
61. I like to teach (like my dad).
62. I’m only just starting to feel grown-up.
63. I consider myself a decent amateur photographer (and I want to photograph my wife nude but has not agreed…yet).
64. I prefer carbonated to still water.
65. I’d rather rock the boat than row.
66. I have very few really good friends.
67. I’ve developed a sweet tooth.
68. I don’t like television and particularly hate sitcoms.
69. I always have a book on the go…but never two.
70. I’m not a romantic but I think I’m a good lover (ask my wife).
71. I truly believe that you have to leave honesty at the door to become a politician.
72. Two books I couldn’t finish: James Joyce’s Ulysses and Umberto Ecco’s Baudolino. I struggled to finish the Bible.
73. I believe religious fanaticism (including Mr. Bush’s supporters) is the greatest threat in the world. In this respect, my views mirror those of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris.
74. If I have the choice between two similar items, I’ll buy the more expensive one.
75. I could never own a fake anything.
76. I get hives if someone serves me wine in Waterford crystal.
77. Ageing doesn’t bother me too much but it’s the dying at the end bit that kills me.
78. My living hero: Nelson Mandela.
79. I wish I could speak perfect Italian.
80. Biggest gastronomic about face in my life: switching from fork and spoon to fork alone to eat pasta (1984).
81. Biggest fashion about face in my life: switching all my shoes from Brooks Brothers to Prada.
82. Current favorite chair in my collection: La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames.
83. I could eat pasta nearly every day.
84. I am now certain I will never break three hours in a marathon.
85. I don’t do slippers or pajamas.
86. I hate baseball caps.
87. I take my coffee black.
88. I find it difficult to understand how a well-educated person can believe in God.
89. Chiropractics to me is synonymous with health fraud.
90. I hate guns and especially America’s love affair with them.
91. I’m not very patriotic.
92. I believe women should keep their own names when they get married.
93. I make liberal use of exaggeration when I tell a story.
94. I believe the Internet is the most important technological development in my lifetime.
95. I can’t stand Chinese food.
96. I can’t stand people who use nail clippers in public.
97. The last time I used a comb was when I was 13.
98. The only time I take my wedding band off is when I operate.
99. I have never worn undershirts.
100. I make lists.

Joseph Froncioni

Comments

[liz]

Love this exercise in self-reflection. As one of your oldest friends, I've learned some new things about you and confirmed many. I can't wait to start on my own list. But then again, I may not be ready :-)

[Joseph Froncioni]

Peter,
I assure you my muse has not yet acceeded.

[Peter Ole]

Some i wouldn't have guessed but most didn't surprise me! Perhaps I was surprised that you haven't taken a nude photo of Josée, are you sure you have leveled with us?

[Brother Mikey]

Hey bro,

This layer definately shows that you have alot of free time on your hands;)

I've done this exercise when I started at CryoCath to improve group dynamics. I think I'm going to try it again.

Can't wait to hear the deeper ones;)

Cheers

Mikey

[YAYA]

I think you can dance even if mum thinks you can't! and i also think we have many similar thoughts about many things on your list! love you, xxxx

[philippe Froncioni]

hey pops, very funny and touching list, keep up the good writing. love you, phil

[Josee]

Hey,

Love you and miss you. I had read that list a year ago but it still made me laugh! Espescially the snoring and the dancing comment.

[Andy]

Whoa - what a candid list! It seems very honest. The items that we have in common are right on.

Excellent list! Can't wait to see the deeper stuff.