Hi, I’m Tracy. I have a bit of a nostalgia thing (I like to call it the nostalgia sinkhole). Here I am back in the day, grabbing a Dum Dum Pop while my Mom (in the background on the left) picked up her paycheck (pre-direct deposit!). My sugar addiction started early.
My brother once told my Mom I write exactly like I talk. I think he meant it as a compliment. Assuming my brother was right, then reading what I write here will be just like hanging out with me in person, only in writing I can’t break out into song. You’re welcome.
One of my Mom’s favorite things to say to me is, “There is something wrong with you.” Feel the love.
I’m always disappointed when I don’t really learn anything about someone from their About Me page, so here are some facts.
I was born in what, at the time, was the third largest city in Pennsylvania. Erie has some wonderful qualities that I miss very much, but employment in my field isn’t one of them. So since 1996, I’ve lived in the D.C. area. It is way too frigging hot here. Feel free to say, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” or “better too hot than too cold,” but if you say those things, my response will be, “screw you.” It’s too damn hot and being outside four to five months out of the year makes me lose the will to live. The area has grown on me, because there’s Wegmans within driving distance now.
Here is a picture of one of my favorite things, Funky. I have shared my secrets with him since first grade. Growing up I always called him a bear. Fairly recently, I was forced to admit Funky is clearly a monkey.
I live with my husband (assuming our Canadian wedding was legal) and fluffy dog. Dave is “understands physics” smart (physics pisses me off), learning to play the guitar, an excellent cook, and the only fan of C-SPAN’s Book TV. One of Dave’s best qualities is his inexplicable ability to put up with my bullshit and like me anyway. Chuck loves poultry, being outside, and Dave. (Chuck is the dog).
Here we are on vacation:
I’m analytical and skeptical, so research seemed like a good field for me. Turns out it makes me a cranky pain in the ass. Aside from people who confuse correlation with causation, three of my biggest pet peeves are: people talking on cell phones loudly in public, the sound of other people chewing, and when people waste my time (OK, I just should have said “people” are my pet peeve).
I dream of early retirement (early as in “right now”), but acceptable jobs would include: blogger, dog companion, red panda keeper, ice cream shop owner, Segway meter maid, and lounge singer.
I can always justify dessert, and I’m currently obsessed with making ice cream.
My favorite element is Molybdenum.
If you’re wondering what the hell “logy” means, click here.
Random responses:
1. Being able to “write the way you talk” is a huge advantage (in blogging and in writing). It makes your writing stand out and really helps readers to feel like they’re getting to know a real person. You’re really lucky that you can do it!
2. Making lists of lists is fun. So says I.
3. I can’t see Funky’s tail, so maybe that would give me a clue to his monkey status. But personally, I can totally see the bear qualities. Although really, he looks more like a hybrid between a bear AND a monkey? New species, perhaps? You may be the owner of a scientific find! 😛
Thanks for visiting. Funky is sans tail. You would think I’d know that without looking, but I just had to check his butt to be 100%.
Hi Tracy, Thanks for the links to recent childfree posts–hope it’s ok I posted themin a comment–great points and ove the giggle I got from the melon post ; )
Your blog is great! I just added it to my Google Reader subscriptions.
Wegmans is the greatest supermarket on earth. Love your blog.
uh — if no one has told you, the color (I think that book spelled it colour, no?) of your parachute should be JOURNALIST.
Ask your Mom who Erma Bombeck was. You could be this era’s iteration of that syndicated columnist / humorist.
Monkey with no tail = ape (in very simple terms).
What I adore about you is that you right lightly and simply. I started blogging a couple of weeks ago and was taking it too serious and trying too hard thinking what to post. I think it just occurs to you. 🙂 Let it be written, let it be done! is thr spirit I’m going to teach my students.
With love and without wax,
Verda
Right. Now I have to sheepishly head off to flesh out my About page…. Your writing is so fresh and immensely readable – how long have you been doing this blogging caper? (I realise I could check your archives, but hey, I’m new to this). I love the colour green too, when I was 4 years old I was mad for emerald green, now I’ve matured into a more acid/trendy bile green, how fun to be able to indulge these things with blogs!
My daughter did a report on red pandas not long ago. Who knew anyone else knew enough about red pandas to love them?
Best wishes with your blog! twinkly
I am new to blogging and recently discovered yours. I really enjoy your writing style. I like that your posts read like conversations. I think I write more the way I think rather than the way I talk :). I have kept my opinions to myself over the years and am finally finding a voice for them here in the blogosphere. I linked to your blog on mine, I hope that is ok. I’m not sure if there is blogging “etiquette”?
As far as I’m concerned blogging etiquette about linking is “Yea!” So thanks! You blew my mind with the comment about writing like you think rather than how you talk. Maybe I should revise…I write like I would like to be able to talk. I’m much more coherent in writing than in conversation.
I seriously love how you point out that Chuck is the dog. So glad you stopped by and commented on my blog! I love finding great new blogs to subscribe to! 🙂
I am one of those that calls and says I’ll be there in five minutes… I blame my mom .. if we were five minutes late.. it was subject to being disowned…
PA? Neat. My SIL lives in DC. I’ve been there before.. they have “seasons” and “snow.”
Texan,
Reagan
Those cute lil bears/monkeys were purchased at Lord & Taylor and in the tag it read, Ain’t no bug, Ain’t no monkey, Give me a hug I’m a Funky. I was hoping to find one for my 3 year old daughter.
OMG, Michele! I think you are the only other person in the world who knows Funky! This is so exciting–thanks for sharing the info about the tag–now that you say that, that text does sound familiar. I know my Funky’s tag said “Funky” on it. I usually liked naming my animals myself, but come on, Funky’s a perfect name!
I have long since lost the tag and the tag on his butt is no longer legible. I have had him since 1st grade–so we’re talking 30 years or so. My Mom got him for me at the gift shop at the hospital where she worked. I’ve never seen another one before or since. He’s kind of my prized possession. Yes, I’m a super mature 38!
This comment alone was worth starting a blog. Thank you.
I have a Funky. He’s my son. He lives with me. His name is Sherman. When I got him many moons ago, his tag read, “Ain’t no bug. Ain’t no monkey. Give me a hug, I’m a Funky.” I have no idea why I’m making this public…
Angie, Funky lovers unite! Thanks for commenting, now I know of two other people on the planet with a Funky.
My Funky still sleeps in my bed, and I’m 39 years old. Feel better now? Hugs to Sherman.
I am SO late to this Funky lovers’ party. But I wanted to share: I grew up in Libya, and we bought our Funkys (Funkies?) at a store there in 1980/81. I have never had any idea where they were made/where they had been sold. Other than Libya of course. Ha haa!!!
You got Funky in Libya? You’re blowing my mind, that is awesome! He’s worldwide!
“Ain’t no bug, ain’t no monkey, give me a hug, i’m a funky!” I had one of these and loved it for years. I am lying in bed right now with my 7 year old, telling him about my fuzzy friend which is how i found you. Love the picture. Lots of memories :). Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sandy, what a sweet story. I’m glad you shared it.
I had Funky when I was in the 6th grade back in 1982!!! it was my teacher’s and I practically BEGGED her for it, and at graduation she gave Funky to me!!! I MISS Funky!!! and I’m 47 now!! thanks for posting!!!!
Hi! I have a Funky! I got it at Lord & Taylor in DC when I was a kid, about 40 years ago 🙂
Ok I can say with certainty because I have a Funky as well, Funky is neither a bear nor a Monkey. Mine came with a tag, and Although on mine the tag is long since gone, I still remember very clearly. “Aint no bear, Aint not Monkey, Give me a hug I’m a Funky!”
Mine is not in as good as shape as yours is as it has been stitched back together more times than Cher has had plastic surgery. 🙂 But at nearly 40 years old I still have him and probably will until my dying day.
Although information on him is virtually non-existent I would love to here anything you may have found on yours.
Welcome to the club of Funky, Richard! I have learned more about the history of my favorite stuffed animal through these comments than elsewhere on the web. I can’t even read the tag on him anymore so I don’t know who manufactured him. I’m going on 41 and Funky still sleeps in my bed. Maybe I shouldn’t admit that?
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I actually came upon fellow Funky lovers…2 1/2 years late but hey, better late than never!!
I’m on a quest to find one and started by googling what I thought I remembered was on it’s tag.
I can’t believe how pumped I feel, LOL
Hi Chris! I love how my about page has turned into a Funky fan club meeting.
“Ain’t no bug, ain’t no monkey, give me a hug, i’m a funky!” I had one of these and loved it for years. I am lying in bed right now with my 7 year old, telling him about my fuzzy friend which is how i found you. Love the picture. Lots of memories :). Thanks for sharing.
I have a Funky and I also used to have a Gund bear like your pink one but mine was brown. I don’t have him anymore but I still have my Funky!
Carolyn
I’ll post a picture when I get home.