There I was,
just posting and curating away as usual
when I was hit in the middle of a comment
by a sucker punch from @ruth-girl:
.
.
"PS: In case you missed it, you've been challenged for a 5-Facts-About-Me post, I'll be waiting to see what you got for us ;)"
@ruth-girl
Five Facts About ME?
Expose Myself?
With No One to Hold My Hand?
Most unfortunately of all,
at this stage in my life,
desperately attempting to shore up
a waning manhood
I am forced, by pride,
to accept nearly any damn challenge!!!
(screams inside)
So here goes:
(flexes his muscles and strikes a pose)
You: "Tell us, @onceuponatime,
will you be transparent, and truthful,
with us in this "5 FACTS DISCLOSURE" thingee?"
Me: "Well, I'll do my best."
"You should be able to see right through me."
The see through "me"
Question: Tell us, @onceuponatime,
have you ever lost everything you own but the clothes on your back?
Answer (Fact 1):
Yes, 3 times........... so far..........
Question: Tell us, @onceuponatime,
is it true that you were born cross-eyed?
Answer (Fact 2):
Yes, it is. I underwent eye surgery three times from ages 3 to 5. The third operation was successful and I have had a singleness of vision ever since. (Well, that's not quite true. My stubborn brain only let's me focus with one eye at a time. That has had the interesting effect, for me, that I can shift the whole world by choosing, alternately, with which eye to focus).
singleness of vision!
Question: We've heard, @onceuponatime,
that you have always been a very private person.
Answer (Fact 3):
Yes, and very much a loner. Socially inept. As a matter of fact until steemit I had avoided any social media like the plague. I was shocked to find myself here, but was kind of forced into it by events at bitshares and in the graphene technology world. And most of my life I wouldn't even allow photos of myself to be taken. It's only the last few years that I have. My very first selfie was only a few years ago too.
my very first (and practically my only) selfie
Question: Well, @onceupontime,
have you ever held an honest job?
Answer (Fact 4):
Of course! I only worked for the government for about 4 years (as a special investigator, tax auditor, and forensic accountant). Most of my other jobs were honest work. Although I can't say that I've held any job at all for quite a while now. But I have done everything from bicycle courier, taxi driver, construction worker, accountant, rum runner, tourist guide, dance school manager, mushroom picker, retail clerk, black marketeer, flower salesman (on street corners), musician, money changer, open pit miner, mill mechanic, ..... , you get the idea. Anything for a buck :-)
my newest selfie (today) - to demonstrate my serious side(s)
Question: So, @onceuponstime,
you do have a serious side? What might that be? Have you ever been anywhere or done anything?
Answer (Fact 5):
Well, when I was still a teenager I traveled across Europe and to Asia, overland, twice, with stops in such places as Iceland, Scotland, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Spain, Morrocco, Austria, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, etc. On my second trip I lived in the Himalayas of northern India (the Kulu District of Himichal Pradesh) for 6 years. Back in North America, I returned to university to get a degree with a double major in Economics and Businesss Management. I then studied accounting and had a stint working for the Federal Government.
I left that to become a performance musician during a six year stay in Arizona. I've also done various energy work courses, taken part in ayahuasca ceremonies, handled security at the Survival Camp Sun Dance, participated in and facilitated the original Miracle of Love emotional release intensives in San Diego, and I saw, in person, Jimi Hendrix play the guitar with his teeth :-)
ouzo and out,
@onceuponaatime
p.s. Fact 5(b): I know a thing or three about the crypto movement
Hi @onceuponatime, after reading all that facts of yours, I have an impression that this post was a very tough call for you being a serious private person. I respect your straight forward answers here. Am somewhat having that same traits of defending my privacy from anyone. And a rare person you are that you only do selfie that few times. But you have good education, multi talented, have travelled around the world and most important of all you have seen Jimi Hendrix play guitar with his teeth in person. That was one rare experience. In my conclusion... you have seen and done this world... that was a sum of of great journey of yours. My two thumbs up. Have a pleasant evening😊
I decided that you will never live unless you are willing to die. Hence my new attitude :-)
I resonate with this a lot... I've been fearful of dying... And realised that my fear was telling me I wasn't fully living... I've learned that the only way to laugh at death and shake the fear off is to live as intently and present as we possibly can... And anything is possible! ;) <3
Yes, that's the right attitude all the way... good for you. My best wishes to you for the new year. May steemit go all the way to the moon 😊
You'll never live until you realize how close you are to death. Willing? I guess you can say that too. But when your views in life change drastically and realize how easily life and death can swap places , then miracles happen!
If you don't stand for something (up to dieing for it), you will fall for anything! (Just ask some of my former business partners who sold out) :-)
Yes I agree with you life, gets a different meaning like this!
As for your parenthesis bit....I am not in any position to know any of your former business partners so I take your word for it. But I have a feeling that, since you are quite sharp and direct with your responses, I would say I believe you :)
I had to resteem this... I can't believe that you actually answered to this challenge!
But Dear @mariandavp, I explained it fully:
Most unfortunately of all,
at this stage in my life,
desperately attempting to shore up
a waning manhood
I am forced, by pride,
to accept nearly any damn challenge!!!
what a funtastic contest! And nice to get to know you a bit better. I as my earliest blogs explained read faces. And with the picture that looked through you, I could see a lot. Thank you for that! :-) In elements, you are a water/air person. Nice combination! If you like to know what it all means ask and I will answer you.
But I've been bitten by a fire dragon!
Fire horses are people to take care of, but fire dragon... hmm nice!
I have his tattoo on my neck!
show! .... :-)
Whoa, I’m impressed!!! Well done! I had to chuckle at the thought of a flag when you were challenged to this one , lol. Well Done!!
Hello @onceuponatime :)
I have been recently nominated for this same challenge (also by @ruth-girl) and decided to browse this tag. I saw your post was on the trending page and because I have seen you around and find your user name just wonderful I decided to have a nose!
When I saw you take the time to read your comments I thought I would write this one just to let you know that I thouroughly enjoyed reading all your facts. I was particularly drawn to your fact 3, I suppose that is because I am also very private! But, I must say that I really like people who are comfortable enough to not take themselves too seriously! Your selfies are really funny!! 😂
It looks like you have been living a life worth of writing a book about!
Well, nice to meet you & all the best to you 😊
I wish people said they found my username wonderful as well :(
You know what is wonderful? Those sexy legs of yours ... look at them! 😍
I think it would be a great name to have in a bridge tournament. You could probably get sponsorship deals and sell t-shirts to hordes of bridge fans.
How did you conclude that I do not take myself seriously? Might you be wrong? :-)
This would not be the first time I would be wrong! Believe me 😅
But, please note, I said “ too seriously” :)
I thought I was wrong once, but it turns out I was mistaken :-)
:p
so you know your mushrooms ? :D
Well, I know about Alice in Wonderland.
One mushroom makes you larger, and one mushroom makes you small,
And the ones in your omelette don't do anything at all.
those mushrooms sound boring :(
Boredom is in the mushroom of the bored-ee
@onceuponatime Firstly, I admire your courage to expose yourself a bit more. Secondly I really really enjoy you everlasting sarcastic way (It was hilarious) and the last but not the least I empathize with the second and fifth fact, bacause they made me think about my surgeries (I have had quite a lot btw) and my visiting and living in many countries. Another thing in common apart from ouzo... ha ha ha
Now I'm worried about you. I think it takes a bit of a demented mind to find my sarcastic way to be "hilarious". I hope that you will be alright! :-)
I just like people who make me laugh and you are one of them @onceuponatime !!
Laughing at me again, eh!
Good thing I've got a thick skin :-)
No way! How could I? On the contrary, rumors say that you are a sensitive person @onceuponatime . I don't think you as a thick-skinned man. 😊
I even took your advice and posted a story with both you @onceuponatime and your other half @twiceuponatime 😉
So I have a question for you : Are you for some reason mad at my other half??🙁😔🙁😓
So now you are listening to rumors! Soon you will be spreading gossip. LOL
@onceuponatime I have a reliable and beautiful source 😊😉
But it is my opinion as well.....😊
OMG. I read every single word eagerly. You didn't just pick 5 things and state them. You picked 5 very interesting things and expanded on them.
I have to ask, what is a rum runner?
Also you did manage to avoid the explaining the first one. (I then scrolled through all your replies on this post... sure enough. No one asked you, nor did you volunteer any info about it either... so I'm the first I think)
>have you ever lost everything you own but the clothes on your back?
You only said "Yes, 3 times........... so far.........."
Maybe in one of your future posts you can tell us about one. I think when someone gets so broke, it changes them in some way in their future life.
For instance, if someone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and has never had to struggle at all financially, they could never ever fully develop the same was as someone who did surpass this black period in their life.
There is a certain compassion and understanding of less fortunate people that carries with you in life. I think that's what happened to me.
Your Q&A felt like a movie experience to me....Something like witnessing how a young, innocent Anakin Skywalker ended up being "Lord Vader" of steemit ;)
Who could have known,
Before innocence had flown,
That souls are bought,
Souls are sold....
And hearts could be so cold?
Dear @onceuponatime , I am not quite sure how you have it in your mind, but the way I see it, souls are willingly and frequently sold, because the majority of us are not even sure of their existence. Sure, we keep hearing about them from a young age and "experts" from religious and artistic circles, such as priests and poets, reassure us of their existence, but can we see our soul? Can we touch our soul? Do we even feel it? I am afraid the majority of us don't.
It's easy to sell something you can't see or feel. No guilt! However, I am quite positive that you're speaking metaphorically and by soul you define the spirit, the dignity, the honor of a human. What's a soul after all? The core of our existence, no? Living without dignity and honor, is like living a meaningful, "soulless" life. However, you can still live a meaningful and dishonored life...many choose to do so, unfortunately.
Can you live without your heart, though? Can you sell your own heart? No, you can't. You can sell your soul, usually for completely egoistical purposes, but you can only donate and never sell your heart to someone you love (metaphorically and literally speaking). It takes selfishness to sell your soul, but unselfish love to give your heart.
So, souls are sold and hearts can be cold when you're selfish with no love inside you. The only difference is that one is for sale and the other is for sharing. When you don't share your heart, it will inevitably get cold one day!
PS. I try to spread my "soul" (I prefer the word spirit) with everyone around me and donate pieces of my heart to whoever needs it. I can guarantee you, however, that there are not many people who want much to do with my warm heart, as it suffers from atrial fibrillation and ectopic heartbeats for the past 11 years. I am thinking of tattooing this little design somewhere on my body in order to make it behave a little better and stop giving me such a hard time. Will it work? I hope so, because only 150 mg of propafenone x2 per day works for the time being ;)
Reading this it felt like I was riding a roller coaster ride of emotions. Too much for me to handle at 9 am!
Kudos for the video :)
Yes, I guess you shouldn't have your first drink - or read my posts - until noon, or the sun is over the yardarm, whichever comes first.
THE SUN IS OVER THE YARDARM (OR FORE YARD)
Naval officers' expression meaning "It is time for a drink", it is bad form to
have a drink on board before sun is over the yard arm, i.e. approaching noon.
https://www.hmsrichmond.org/dict_y.htm
We seem to have a problem regarding the yardarm!!!
As far as I know, the sun rises different heights depending on the time of the year !!! How will I know when it's really appropriate to drink, read your posts and pray it won't cause a tumultuous emotion in my heart? What if I am facing it in the wrong way?
Please advise!
As if I didn't have enough problems already, now you bring up THAT?
But wait, I have a solution. Paint a yardarm with the sun peeking over it on your living room wall. And one in the kitchen, bathroom, hallway......you get the idea :-)
This is great!! Thanks for letting us in and sharing a bit more about yourself @onceuponatime :) Your photos go with your answers perfectly!
I suspected we have much a similar personality (loner, experimental)
The number of experiences you had so far must make you feel pretty content with life.
Or do they?
Lately I am pretty content. Get a little annoyed at some peoples attitudes, but I hope to get over even that some day :-)
I have seen a few of these today and I liked them all BUT...
Yes, there is a but...
I love how you used the pictures on yours!
It's a creative touch that touched my already touched heart... Whut? No clue, it's late here in the Netherlands!
I liked reading all the facts ... Not only because of the pictures but its written in a very entertaining way!
I am gonna follow you for more..
Yes, I follow people.... Sometimes in a creepy way... Nah... Kidding... Am I?
Anyways, have a marvelous time
xxx Snekky!
I realized I already follow you... DUH... Found you in my feed..
Gosh I really need sleep ...
Words would not suffice.
I can only go Dave Cronenberg with this mind spazzing post.
I'll take a Cronenberg!
I think you don't like flattery, but it is an interesting fivefacts, uniquely presented (loved the QnA)!
If I can keep one thing* from your life is that we are defined by how we rise after we fall down. And it seems that you've managed to stand up and be allright :)
Best & Thanx!
~'u'~
smiling me
p.s. *Plus the video :p
So nice to get encouraging comments from Crete!
With fact 4 and the places you mentioned you have been, I'm beginning to think that you may have been trained in Langley
I went rogue while I was still a toddler in kindergarten. (I couldn't believe that some repressed bitch of a teacher was whacking my 5-year-old hand's palm with a leather strap FOR CHEWING GUM). I am therefore self-trained in psychological warfare and not beholden to any agency :-)
At twice that age, many of my classmates was called out by a teacher who told us to stretch our hands palm facing down and whack the fingers with the edge of a wooden rule. Fortunately I want one of the victim.
Looks like writing a resume, yours was impressive! Consider yourself hired!
Anyone who can be hired can be fired. Not for me!
Sur ? Not for you ?/
The beginning of the article was hilarious, then things got interesting. You've done and tried many things in the course of your life and that short answer, about losing everything, is inspiring . I'm young, never had too much, nor too less, but I have never been at that point yet. I suppose that it strengthens you for the long run so I'm prepared for that too.
I guess that for most people life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Now I know why your handle is onceuponatime :) There are a lot of stories behind every single answer you gave. Sounds to me a very interesting and accomplished life you have had so far. Wish you to live long and make many more new live stories.
Just how much more of this do you think I should have to take? :-)
You make it sound like it is a bad thing. I wish I could give good answer to that question. I guess we hold on as long as we can, and try to make best of it. It seems to me you have done a great of doing that. I was just commenting on the origins of your handle and didn't mean to turn this into a deep thought subject :)
Oh dear. We have to stay all surfacy? OK, I can handle that I guess.
Love those fun facts about you though losing everything 3 times is not fun. I know. I've been there too. And I think the only reason why I can handle social situations is because my parents owned a bar and I was forced to talk to people. Bartenders need to do that if they want tips. :P
Third times a charm. And any friend of the bartender is a friend of mine :-)
How can such a boheme guy follow a career with numbers? A musician that travelled across the world became a white collar worker... Thank God you never lost the wanderer at heart!
What can I say? I gave the straight and narrow the old college try. Didn't work. I'm not all that good at following (other people's) rules.
Well, it always feels nicer to be your own boss, not all people are born order-taking soldiers.
If you were/are your own boss, what would you boss yourself to do?
"What 5 things would you boss yourself to do"
Revenge challenge :-)
Challenge Accepted!
As she rides madly off in all directions!
Hi..your teeth are amazing But I think they want whitening...:ppp
I just joke... have a nice day from greece..
If I get my teeth whitened, do you think I have a chance at being a movie star? In Greece?
Of course you can 😀...as i read, you and ruth-girl are bosses.. bosses do whatever they want...:pppp.. but they should have white teeth..And with the government that we have in Greece, you can also become prime minister..
Maybe I should get a nose job too! Prime Minister, eh?
What ever u need to do to become one!!! Lol
You can be what ever u want in greece!!!
@son-of-satire has been looking for someone who has partaken of ayahuasca. If you have a discord it would be incredibly awesome of you to share your experience/s with him. (I admit I'm also a bit relieved to hear you say it almost nonchalantly, some of what I've read has made me nervous for my Scottish friend should he choose to take that leap)
steemit is the gathering place for the dreamers and inventors, creators and visionaries. For those who think along non linear lines, who would be called unusual or eccentric.
Of course others gather here too, but I've never in my life met so many fabulously odd people. A virtual world that in so many ways feels more real than the one I physically inhabit, if just for the simple reason that the pretentious do not thrive here and the politically incorrect are held in high esteem.
On a completely off topic, random note I just watched Into the Wild for the second time, the first being when it came out. Between Eddie and the panoramic scenery, I can barely wait until this summer and my journey west, and all of my future journeys as well. If by the end of my life, my list does not at least stand up to yours then I've done something wrong.
Here's a steemer writing about ayahuasca for your friend. I suppose that @son-of-satire could converse with her in comments.
The Ayahuasca Diaries: Part 2
saramiller (70) in writing • 7 days ago
https://steemit.com/writing/@saramiller/the-ayahuasca-diaries-part-2
Ah, thank you so much. I took a look and I'm sure this will be extremely helpful :)
P.S. If my dad was and my husband is anything to go by, manhood need not be waning for guys to feel compelled to accept challenges...lol
Congratulations on your opening up, are the right words I guess! It seems as I read in the comment you are taking a new turn in your life, and opening up is one of the steps in there!
Ps..what does a forensic accountant do? For real, just curious?
Investigates possibly criminal discrepancies in the accounting books that some people try to hide.
Gotya! It sounded more like searching bodies thoughout accounting offices :D
(Bet you hear that way more often actually)
That was something I did for a very few years, and almost a lifetime ago!
Things chance, people change.... Following you now to see what lands on your path in life
Wow. You Sir have my respect for a diversified life! Id say you have been around the block a time or three. Well done, and a very interesting read. Seeing Hendrix play...well Im glad to see Im not the only Old Guy on this platform. Too cool.
Ill take the bait and do this in a day or so! Sounds fun!
Go for it!
I finally got it done. I tagged you and linked your post:
https://steemit.com/oldtimers/@old-guy-photos/5-facts-about-me-expose-yourself-challenge
I am really surprised to know your facts Answer on QNo 4:
bicycle courier, taxi driver, construction worker, accountant, rum runner, tourist guide, dance school manager, mushroom picker, retail clerk, black marketeer, flower salesman (on street corners), musician, money changer, open pit miner, mill mechanic.
I love the people qho never hide their past. This is really a positive attitude and I'm so blessed to have connected with you here at steemit. You have gained lot of Love and
~~~~~~RESPECT~~~~~~
All the best and carry on your good work!
undoubtedly the best post in fivefacts lol
Why, thank you.
And I now challenge YOU to do your Five Facts post!
You're an interesting person like me :)
That's interesting.
I've lost it here...
My stomach curved in 890 degrees from laughter.
Hope that you didn't have to upchuck anything tasty!
I held it inside! I thought in that article there will be something more serious and wasn't prepared.
And then picture after picture it got me. You've got me! I concede!
What did you feel when you saw Jimi Hendrix playing his guitar with his teeth ? :D @onceuponatime
Awe!
@onceuponatime.. nice question, better answers. nice to read things of your experience/life.. But what I like most is the big turn around, from no social media to Steem.. we must be doing something good here..
i am so glad most of the Greek community members took up the challenge!
what mushrooms did you picked :P
I lived on the West Coast of Canada and pine mushrooms were the big money mushrooms because the Japanese would pay a fortune for them. An all cash business by the way :-)
didn't know that Japanese were some much into them and i had the idea they would import them from other Asian countries, guess those mushrooms could only be found on Canada or were high quality ones
Honored to meet you once. I respect that you did not affraid to smash your own self with humor of course. You are one of the few, which after all those problems you still are with your head up and still smile. This is the only one thing we sould never forget. Everyone. Pleased to meet you and honored too.
Thank you for sharing those facts with us.
I am honored to know you too.
WOW to YOU!
Jimi playing with his teeth?
WOW WOW!
Yes, it was WOW!
Your life is filled with incredible “Alegria” as I tried to write in my article today ( wouldn’t accept Spanish at first and My Link got all messed up)
Anyways,
There is a song I want to play for you by Maze where Franky Beverly sings :
It’s kind of my life without saying much more.
Life is Beautiful indeed!
Yours is!
You are blessed!
Jesus, that sudden apearing of that mouth-mirror scared me)
I had the same problem with crossed-eyes. Almost fixed it after a long period of hard work when I was a kid, but still didn't completely cure it. So have to focus on one eye at a time. That damn feeling when you look at something but it doubles and blurres a little if you don't concentrate on one eye.
Planning to do a surgery in the next few years If I happen to find brilliant eye surgeon.
Yea right... your serious side! Your posts became too funny!)))
My serious side is dying to escape the bonds of his shackles and spread mystic mayhem thither and yon (or maybe that's thither and yaan?)
Yea, who needs the shackles, they hinder people from creating what they really want to create.
hahah had a good time enjoying this lol
My tip jar is by the entrance :-)
Hi @onceuponatime.
I try to comment though less understood.
which I know your post is terrible,
like the day of payback where everyone gets it.
success always from me @mawardy
I know my post is terrible too! Let's hope no one else notices though.
hehe .
I hope so . if people who do not notice do not know the purpose of the image.
unless the person can read the picture.
greetings from me @mawardy
This is hilarious
and
You are funnyman
Coming from Mark Zuckerburger that's a real compliment.
Loved your chosen format for this post.
You sound an interesting fella - someone I'd enjoy chatting to.
Great imagery too.
Be well.
xox
xox? blush
Wow!!! You traveled so much!! And you went to the Himalayas!! That is some cool life experiences right there. I just started traveling more now after graduating from university!!, hopefully I will get to explore this big beautiful world as much as you did!!. :)
@onceuponatime,
I feel I just watched a documentary movie about @onceuponatime! Actually I don't have such amazing and bad experiences either. Therefore this is amazing! I think this is the first time you revealed about yourself that much!
You said you went to India and Himalayas. I hope you will plan to visit Sri Lanka as well. When comparing with Himalayas this country has no such mysterious! For your adventure life I think this is also well suited!
Have a great day ahead!
Cheers~
I hear that it is always Springtime in Kandy.
@onceuponatime,
Yes, it's a pretty good climate! Better than my area!
Cheers~
haha ...! .......You are an amazing personality sir ...
please visit india again....
I think that Steemfest 5 should be in India!
It should be in India steemfest5 I'll definitely coming out.
l I really wanna know the stories behind the three times that you just had the clothes on your back! I like the added light touch of saying "so far..." too lol. I'm sure you have a prosperous future still!
Haha, you are very frank Manshourk very cool, and the most cool blog in which a kind of laughter but purposeful, I wish more of you and good luck my brother
I like your 4 number fact, honesty is a great thing. Thanks for sharing facts about you
Oh my! Question and answer time. I love how they went. And I love those 5 facts about you.
Thanks for reading!
Haha, you seem like such a fun guy to be around! I simply love the unique way you format and add comedy to you blogs. They truly are really entertaining!
Have you always posted comedy blogs like this since the beginning? Or did you have multiple phases in your blog-posting career? I had started my blog posts with life-related themes but soon discovered it wasn't my thing. Recently, I realized I had a huge passion of crypto and started posting daily (hopefully) crypto news and I find it a lot more fun.
It's important to have fun. Suffer in comfort as my bro would say.
@onceuponatime. ......Wow really i felt very impressed alot.There are a lot of stories behind every single answer you gave. Sounds to me a very interesting and accomplished life you have had so far. Your photo making is also awesome and also related to the situations of the stories you posted really very nice..your really too funny bro ..i liked a lot your sories...thank you for sharing with us.....
"Sounds to me a very interesting and accomplished life"
Felt more like one failure after another :-)
Lol Like, you ran under the influence, ooorrr? ;)
We are all under the influence of something, aren't we? A few are able to choose their influence, most aren't.
This is very true!
I know I'm under the influence. Lol