I’ve been “tagged” by a few people over the last couple of weeks to do this “7 random things about me” bit, and honestly, I don’t know if I can come up with that many! I’ll try. If you used to read Absolutely Vile (or if you know me), then you probably know all of these things already, sorry!
I have never driven a car. Nope, never. I don’t even have a learner’s permit. I used to say that I’d learn before I turned 30, but that age came (and went) a couple of years ago, and, well, let’s just say that I have a feeling my 13-year-old niece is going to be learning to drive before me.
I never leave the house without makeup. Frankly, I don’t even like to be alone inside the house with a bare face. I’ve always wished I could be one of those people who looks fresh and cute straight from the shower, but I look like a total hag unless I’m (at the very least!) wearing undereye concealer and mascara.
I was an English Literature major my first year at college. It’s true! For some reason (rebellion against my artist parents?!), I was very resistant to study art in college, and thought I wanted to be a writer or something crazy like that. It took me exactly two semesters of Beowulf and the Canterbury Tales (in Middle English!) for me to figure out that I needed to transfer to the fine arts program. WHAT A RELIEF! I stayed an extra year to make up for the lost time, and got my BFA.
My middle name is Ruth. It comes from my paternal grandmother.
My first name rhymes with the American pronunciation of piranha, NOT banana. A lifetime of hearing it mispronounced by teachers, coworkers, graduation speakers, and store clerks has made me kind of sensitive about this. It’s also made me assume that anyone else who spells their name A-N-N-A must be a banana-Anna, and not a piranha-Anna, so I wind up saying their names wrong sometimes, which is weird.
I have had 20 pet rats, most of them rescues. Rats are wonderful animals and great pets, like tiny dogs. I hope someday I’ll be able to have them again, but for now I’m happy to work as a facilitator for a rat rescue, placement, and fostering group. Of all the “pocket pets”, I think rats are by far the best for homes with children, by the way. On the whole, rats are very gentle animals that respond well to attention and affection. Their only downside is a short life span (typically around 2-3 years), but they pack a lot of enjoyment into that time period. Go rats!
I have had the same job for 10 years. I work at a publishing house as a book cover designer, and this is where I’ve been for the duration of my entire career. I came in with my portfolio a couple of weeks after I graduated from college, and was hired shortly thereafter. I don’t know many people my age who have only had one real job (I worked as a barista and bookstore clerk full time in college, but that was really just to pay the bills)—the exception being three of the other designers I work with every day, all of whom went to the same college I did! The turnover rate here is low. It’s a great place to work, and I truly enjoy coming in every day. (Okay, I like staying home, too. But not because I don’t like my job!)
I don’t want to “tag” anyone else because that makes me feel weird. I don’t like putting people on the spot, you know? If you feel like it, though, be my guest.
16 Comments
those are good random things!
You always look fresh and cute in the pics I’ve seen of you 🙂 Is there any chance you’ll do a skin care/favorite cosmetics post? You did this once on Absolutely Vile and introduced me to the world of aha creams – totally changed my skin thank you 😀
it’s these very kinds of things that paint the wonderful, quirky picture of you that i have in my heart. and i sure do love that girl.
The only one I didn’t know was number 3! Do I win a prize? I remember Merle once introduced you to someone as pronounced your name as “Anna banana” and the look you gave him! Oh the ferocity in that look! I model my looks I give my 7th graders on it. And I lived the whole make-up thing, so I can vouch for that.
your grandmother was a beautiful young woman. happy for you to inherit her name and her looks.
I love ratties! I had them all through college in my tiny studio apartment. Sadly, when we moved into an actual house, my husband nixed getting more ratties (the last ones had died) in favor of two lovable dogs. Sniff. I do love the doggies, though.
I’ve only ever known one Anna and she’s a “banana-Anna” so it’s stuck in my head that way, but not permanently.
I’m with you on the second one, about the make-up. And partially on the third one. I didn’t apply to the art school at my university directly like you’re supposed to. I was convinced I’d major in English. But then I ended up signing up for all the fine arts classes for first year. Who was I kidding?
Great to get to know you better ;o)
J: Yes, I’ve been thinking about doing a makeup post! I’m trying to not let this site turn into another A-V, but who knows…maybe it’s inevitable?
Adam: I have a feeling that the look I gave Merle the Squirrel had as much to do with his “aroma” as it did his pronunciation of my name! Eww.
Pet Rats! Oh no, no, no.
Yes, yes, yes. They are beautiful animals, and deserve much more respect than they are given.
Hey Anna, I’ve been reading your blog (and all your back-posts) since I found it over Christmas break. I love your aesthetic – it has been a breath of fresh air for me. My husband and I also bought a home last year and have been gradually making it our own. And I too, have had only one real job (period). I’ll have been at my job (designing CD packaging) for 8 years come April. Unfortunately, though, for most of that time, I have not truly enjoyed coming in every day. I have been curious about where you work and if I could see any of your cover designs. Just curious.
Great random things Anna! I’m a little confused about the name pronunciation though.. I’ve been saying “piranha” to myself in my best American accent and figure that your name is pronounced sort of like “ONN-na”?
I’ve never driven a car either and whenever people bug me about it I resort to saying snootily “Some people were born to drive and others to be driven.” Oh and I also studied English literature in college!
I had pet rats all through high school, and they are wonderful little creatures. Intelligent, loving and endlessly entertaining. I quite like their little hands. I get the feeling that, like aquarium fish, they rarely get the care or attention they deserve when people take them home.
I also would like to see a make up post. Based on the photos you post, whatever concealer you’re using does a great job!
Love your blog glad I found it again.
I’ve been at my job for ten years as well.
Also have a hard to rhyme name Ani. Rhymes with Connie.
So my daughter, who’s name is Breanne Roxanna – pronounced Bre-in Rocks anna (like banana); told me when she was 6 that I had spelled her name wrong. She gives people about 3 chances on the pronunciation and then just says “Call me Bre. ”
I much prefer the Ahna to the AAna but she was named after someone. 🙂
Just to make me crazy – My secretary’s name is Brianna (like banana)
(and my name rhymes with sorry, not hairy)