I'm also a slob--not halfway, but a full-fledged slob. It's not that I don't like neatness, it's just that I don't care to make the effort. Actually, I take that back--I think an absence of clutter is disturbed. I like to have at least a little clutter around...fortunately, being a muttparent virtually ensures that you won't be stuck in a sterile environment.

I can hold a grudge. Not sure if this is good or bad. I generally view it as sticking to my principles, but some view it as a bad thing.

My ex, a music major in college, introduced me to the blues. When we were married, I made fun of it, but now am a big Mississippi Delta blues fan, as well as some Texas blues. The music sounds raw and honest to me. Many of the people tell stories I can relate to. My criteria for inclusion among the greats are 1-Dead, 2-Black, 3-Blind. Nah, I apply those criteria loosely, but they apply to many of the old bluesmen, and they put out some good stuff. I have mostly collections these days (various artists), but I'm a big Billie Holiday (sometimes counted as jazz), Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Willie McTell fan.

Also branched out into folk, though I haven't bought any lately. Am in awe of Woody Guthrie, who was the best chronicler of the American working man I know. His son Arlo's put out some good stuff, as did his buddy Cisco Houston. Enjoyed some music from a guy named Ramblin' Jack Elliott, too. The only contemporary stuff I've listened to is John Prine.

Guess that leaves us with pop/rock. Again, don't listen to contemporary stuff--too much crap out there to weed thru, if you ask me. Looking at my collection alphabetically (with particular favorites starred), I see: Aerosmith, the Beatles, Jackson Browne, Buffalo Springfield, Tracy Chapman*, Eric Clapton*, Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival*, Bob Dylan, the Eagles, Steve Earle, Heather Eatman, the Eurythmics, Marianne Faithful, Fleetwood Mac, Grateful Dead, John Wesley Harding, Indigo Girls, Billy Joel*, Elton John, Janis Joplin*, John Lennon, Don McLean, John Mellencamp, Steve Miller, Pearl Jam, the Police, Queen, Bonnie Raitt, Lou Reed, Rolling Stones*, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (My hero/all-time favorite), Al Stewart, Rod Stewart, and Luther Vandross.

Am starting to get interested in R&B or soul, or whatever you'd call it--the old 50's and 60's black stuff. Haven't bought any yet, tho.

As I traveled, I got books on the areas I was visiting; accumulated about 50 books during the 30-week trip. Most chilling were To Build A Fire and Other Stories, Jack London's tales of life in the far north at the turn of the century, and Death in Yellowstone, descriptions of deaths which have occurred in the park. I can be a flagrant leash law violator, but something about reading of people and animals being boiled alive in those mudpots and geysers gives you new respect for the word control as it applies to kids and dogs.

Became a fan of Willa Cather's on the trip, too. Loved My Antonia. Am also a fan of trivia books, as well as Scott Adams's and Michael Moore's stuff.

The thought of volunteering has been on my mind for some time. It occurred to me more than once when I was unemployed and since that if I didn't find a job, I could end up like the people I hand quarters to occasionally. Hey; I've got no one to pick me up, feed me and house me if I fail.

My particular areas of interest are women's rights, gay rights, civil rights generally, including affirmative action, homelessness/hungriness, and, of course, animals.

Have participated in a couple OF AIDS walks (raised over $1,000 in 1997 and 1998) but finally decided recently to put my money where my mouth is--I've applied and been accepted to be a volunteer at the local humane society. Looks like it'll be a great job; get to exercise the animals, which will have the added benefit of exercising me. Will undergo orientation in mid-February; expect to start serving shortly thereafter. Also, I just volunteered to help serve at the local soup kitchen, just one lunch a month. That one's through work.

Update as of 04/25/98: I'm enjoying my volunteer work at the pound VERY much. I've been working 2-3 weekends a month for a couple months now. Handling the dogs is lots of fun, and the feeling of seeing one adopted after having taken it out and having described it is great. Today, I'm participating in Christmas in April, a day of helping perform home maintenance work for those less fortunate. I'm expecting to be tired later, but am still looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment and having helped.