Andrew at Living Rich Cheaply nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award! From what I have gathered you basically tell 7 random facts about yourself and nominate a few others for the award as well. Being I think I have seen most other blogs already nominated for this award that I frequent, I may skip the nominating part and just go into 7 random facts.
1.) I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Doe.
I achieved this rank at a fairly young age, around 5th or 6th grade, and did nothing since. It is kind of cool to say I got it, but sometime in the future I would like to do some sort of martial arts again, probably jui jitsu because I don’t like getting punched. Why not right now? Well two reasons… money and time! Time is the bigger factor, if I started would I be able to even continue doing it when the wife and I start having kids? Probably not… and there are cheaper hobbies out there – such as blogging. Although I haven’t factored in the long term health benefits, just the monetary.
2.) I am a MMA fan
Perhaps not a huge surprise after reading that I used to do Tae Kwon Doe… but I used to watch basically EVERY UFC pay-per-view. I still go frequently to the sports bar to watch them, but I don’t watch all of them for a few reasons:
- There are way too many now
- The friend whom I watched them with has moved out of state
- Being I am not meeting with a friend to go and watch them, it is secondary to any other plans going on
- Some fight cards are just not that great… better to save the money!
3.) I am allergic to cats and dogs
Not a goto the hospital type of deal if I touch a cat or a dog, but basically living with an animal means I have a stuffed nose 100% of the time. Not the most pleasant thing, but currently we do not have any pets. I would still consider having a pet even though everyday breathing would be hindered!
4.) The Furthest West I have been is Illinois
That isn’t really too far west considering I live in Michigan. But growing up we never really traveled and my wife and I have only been to Chicago, Nashville, and Virginia Beach so far for out of state destinations. For summer time Michigan isn’t a bad place at all to be, but I definitely want to travel more in the future. But for some reason I do not have a burning desire to see the world and visit other places. I see places as that. A place where other people are living. But as I said I do want to travel, but personally I can be fine with just local or short distance travel while we are on the road to financial freedom.
5.) I took a LOOONG time going through college
It is not that I sucked at taking college classes, I just had no idea what I wanted to do – but it was either goto college or move out. So at age 17 I started going to the local community college taking random computer classes while basically working full time in retail. So from then until age 24 I was in college, basically 7 years. Much too long really, but would I have been better off graduating 3 years earlier in 2008 at the economy crashed? Maybe, maybe not. That said I don’t think there was going to be any career or college choice that I would have fallen in love with. At some point you need to choose a direction and make the best of it, then later I will have all the time in the world to figure out what my true passion is.
6.) I had over $10,000 and no debt before going to a 4-year University
Between my prolonged time at community college and working basically full time I had actually accumulated a decent chunk of cash… and yes all cash I didn’t know anything about investing. I basically graduated college with no student loans. I had enough cash left in my checking account to pay off the interest free loans that I had taken out while in college. This was done from a combination of the aforementioned savings, scholarships, and part time gigs during my final 2 years. My biggest mistake was probably not sucking it up and doing long commutes. Although I had alot more time renting in the college town, it did not help my wallet to do so. But it was a good experience to live with a roommate and on my own so to speak. I think it actually helped my relationship with my dad because we are pretty similar personality wise and that doesn’t work to well while living together.
7.) I am afraid of heights
Yes, I am afraid of heights, but only in open spaces. So, it isn’t too pleasant for me to be on the roof – near the edge. But if I am enclosed I feel fine. Like a huge flight of stairs with a window doesn’t bother me. So maybe it is more of a fear of falling than a fear of the height itself?
If I had to choose a few other bloggers that I believe have not received this award – and it is totally optional to participate – I would choose Henry @ Living at Home, Jason @ Dividend Mantra, Laurie @ the Frugal Farmer, Brain @ Luke1428, and Tawcan. So if you guys are up for it, share 7 random things about yourselves that we are all dying to know!
Also, if you are looking for other random facts about me personally then check out my participation post in the Frugal FinCon Fiesta and the Liebster Nomination post.
Those 7 make for some nice trivia Kipp. With all the posts about college in the past 10 days, I’m sure you had plenty of thoughts about how parents should approach their kids college. That’s quite a collegiate journey, congrats on making it through.
-Bryan
Yea, being it is the back to school season it makes sense that school supplies and college are on everyone’s minds. Basically I had two options: goto college or move out. My parents did help some with college by paying for the tuition at community college (I bought books) and then books at the four year university (I paid the tuition). And I lived at home during the community college years. I don’t know how most people 17 or 18 years old truly know what they want to do at that point, so you see ALOT of degree switching it seems. However I do not regret it taking awhile.
You and my hubs would get along fine. He refuses to believe that our dogs (now dog) contributes to his allergies, though. He’s also terrified of heights but he is a pilot. Something about being in control of the situation soothes him.
Very fascinating about the martialarts background! Cool!
Hm the control thing is interesting, I haven’t flown on a hard commercial airplane yet, but on the smaller company jet I have flown on I felt fine. The even smaller plane I was in as a kid I don’t remember how I felt, I was quite young and only vaguely remember the experience.
Also, I wonder if martial arts would be my true passion? I mean… I am constantly drawn to it so far throughout my life. You don’t need to be a fighter to make a career out of it, you could do training or classes. Interesting thought…
Good to get to know you a bit more Kipp. Not having the travel itch is a good thing for your budget.
That is true Brian! If I craved travel it would be harder to be frugal!
Congrats on your award! You need to head further west than Illinois, lol =)
Not going to argue that… I actually agree! Just the middle of the country has what basically? So if I am going to travel west it would be for the rocky mountains, California, or Hawaii. But I think the Ocean is overrated, the great lakes are quite nice. You just can’t enjoy them year round!
Kipp,
Great to learn new things about you. I’m also a UFC fan, though not big enough to pay for any on PPV. I’ll go to a Buffalo Wild Wings once in a while to catch a fight. I’m a big fan of Anderson Silva – that guy is nuts; too bad what happened to his leg.
That’s too bad you’re allergic to dogs and cats. I just love my little dog, Diego.
Appreciate the nomination. I’ll see if I can come up with seven interesting facts.
Best wishes!
Hi Jason,
That was probably the wort leg break I have seen… a few others that I remember off the top of my head breaking their legs are Patrick Cote, The Korean Zombie, and Carlos Condit. I know there was an older one as well but I can’t remember who was fighting. Craziest thing though would be Karo Parisyian’s tooth flying out after getting kicked in the face by Diego Sanchez.
Very cool, I just posted mine on my blog too. So thanks for the nomination.
Interesting that you’re afraid of heights. Me too but I like to rock climb. That’s my way to conquer my fear I suppose.
I’m not really a UFC fan, just never got into it. Too bad about being allergic to cats and dogs.
Hey Tawcan,
I didn’t realize you were already nominated! I tried to avoid people whom I know were nominated, oh well you can’t get em all!
Interesting take on rock climbing to combat your fear, I guess if you are a thrill seeker being outside of your comfort zone would definitely give you a thrill!
Congrats on the nomination and sharing the random facts about you. You do HAVE to travel west sometime. Besides the Rocky Mountains you can catch some awesome national parks in Utah. Arches, Canyon Lands, Bryce, and Zion to get a feel for the West and probably see things vastly different than you can back east. From Zion its only about an 8 hour drive or so to the Pacific coast taking you past Las Vegas if you are into that.
I would probably check out Vegas if I go that way. Couple of other things around there like the Grand Canyon as well as hover dam. Bryce and Zion, have to look those up!
Wow, a black belt, not too many PF bloggers can say they have that! You should definitely venture out west sometime. I was in Detroit not too long ago for work and had a good time
You know I should have kept with it too, being I obtained that at a fairly young age I could have probably done more. But I don’t think my parents would have taken me too far for tournaments, we did do a couple when I was younger which is cool.
Glad you enjoyed Detroit, I don’t head over to that side of the state unless if it is to visit extended family.
I’m a huge UFC fan too! Really big fan of Conor Mcgreyor at the moment. Yes, I’m riding his hype train. And thanks for the nomination, I’ll see what I can come up with, thought there isn’t much interesting facts about me haha.
I didn’t see Conor fight until last weekend, and he beat Dustin pretty good. I think that loss makes Poirier a gate keeper really. But rather than a title shot for Conor I would rather see him against a top contender like Edgar or Swanson for a title shot elimination. Although I am not sure Edgar has earned another shot yet… Oliveira did well against him and he beat Penn for the 3rd time.
I’ve always wanted to take martial arts growing…I’m curious though, is there a difference between a black belt for kids and for adults? I’ve always wondered about that. Growing up in NYC, my family only traveled along the east coast…except for one flight to Seattle for a wedding. That was a big deal. I’ve been to many more places now, but still have much more to get to. Go travel now before the kids…a lot tougher when you got little ones!
Hi Andrew,
Not too sure if there is a difference at that point in time. We had to memorize what they called “forms”, a sequence of moves & techniques. Also had to break boards too. I have lost alot of flexibility, when doing TKD I could kick over my head.
I know what you are saying about travel before kids… first few year’s married I working a lower-wage full time job while the wife finished school and worked part time. Now the last year we have finally both worked decent jobs and went to Virginia Beach this summer as we had never been to the ocean. But we are both approaching 28 at some point next year, so you have to choose what to delay. Vacations or having kids? We aren’t getting younger!