First, the shameless pimping:

Today I started a new photoblog called LensHouston, in cooperation with the Houston Chronicle newspaper. Unlike Chookooloonks (or Shutter Sisters, for that matter), none of my own images are on LensHouston; instead, I find the best online images of Houston taken by local photographers, and feature them there for everyone's enjoyment. It's the kind of photoblog designed to make current Houstonians proud of their city, former Houstonians homesick and skeptics realize that there's a lot of beauty here. So, please, check it out, subscribe, forward it to your friends, comment with abandon -- in general, please make me look good to the Chronicle muckity-mucks. But, you know, only if you're so inclined. I promise to think nice thoughts about you in return.

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Okay. Now for the fun stuff:

I mentioned yesterday that July is my birth month: on July 16th, I'll turn 41. And so, stealing an idea from the beautiful Cori Kindred, I thought that for each weekday between now and the 16th, I'd share 41 random facts about me -- some of which you might know if you know me in real life (or have been reading Chookooloonks since the beginning), others which very few people know about me.

In an effort to get to know you guys a bit better, I'd love if during this time between now and the 16th, you share a random fact or two (or 41!) about you as well in the comments. In return for your opening up (or just leaving a comment without sharing any juicy tidbit about you), on my birthday I'll pick a commenter at random. (Actually, I'll likely just count up all the comments between now and then, and have Marcus pick a number at random between 1 and however many comments there are). The person who left the comment corresponding to the number Marcus picks will receive a framed original Chookooloonks photograph. Happy Birthday!

Sound good? Then let's get started:

41. When I was a kid, I was a voracious reader. I read so much that at times, my mother would beg me to go outside and play, because she felt 'a young girl like you mus' go an' get a little fresh air once in a while, nah man!' Normally, to appease her, I'd go outside. But I'd still take my book.

40. I am simultaneously attracted to and repulsed by feet. In general, I can't stand feet, and really hate if someone's bare feet touch mine. I didn't wear sandals until I was well into my 20's. And yet, when I see someone with lovely feet, I can't help but stare in admiration.

39. I can't paint -- and I'm not just talking about painting pictures, I'm talking about painting walls. Every time I try, Marcus usually takes the roller from me with exasperation, and fixes the unholy streaking it seems that I am solely capable of creating.

Your turn?

Song: Back to Life, by Soul II Soul