We’ve all done something in our youth that might have wiped us off the face of the earth.
Or is that just me?
Only I wasn’t that young. I was in my 30s. It was a dark and stormy night. No really, it was. I worked as a copy editor at the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record. And a thunderstorm and high winds ripped through the downtown streets. Disarray reigned.
Or, just a lot of rainwater.
And a road sign. A left-hand turn sign, big and reflectively yellow, sat in the middle of Market Street. Just waiting for me. “I’mna get it,” I said to the sports desk, and I might as well have said, “hey y’all – watch this!” which is a Southerner’s famous last words.
I ran into the street. With lightning crackling all around (and while my colleagues looked on from the safety of an upstairs window), I snatched up the sign, hoisted it on my head, and ran like hell for the door.
All that story, just to introduce you to Lightning Day. It’s today, you know. And I’m glad we could share this edition of 6 Words, rather than remember the dumb copy editor who risked it all for a street sign.
In honor of Hemingway’s assertion you can tell any story in a six-word sentence, I asked bloggers, friends, strangers, and a few strange blogger friends to answer a prompt in recognition of the holiday:
Give us one shocking thing about yourself – in a six-word sentence.
I got a load of good responses, and one blogger, Joey Resciniti of Big Teeth and Clouds blog, even wrote a post about her electrifying experience.
Here they are. While you read them, stay out of the street, away from windows, and definitely don’t play golf under these conditions. Don’t even get me started on street signs.
1. Sold beer out of my locker.
Kate H., author of Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine blog
2. Childhood home suffered thirteen lightning strikes.
Joey R., author of Big Teeth Clouds blog
3. Managed to stay up past 9.
Meredith S., author of The Mom of the Year blog
4. From Texas and don’t eat beef.
Meredith E., author of Perfection Pending blog
5. I have had nightmares about Jello.
Megan W., author of The Walker Fireside Chats blog
6. Fiercely stubborn, indecisive, honest and loving.
Janine H., author of Confessions of a Mommyaholic blog
7. Gave birth to six children naturally.
Kristin S., author of Whole Lotta Mama blog
8. I read deSade’s novels at grandma’s…
Letizia, author of Reading Interrupted blog
9. I’m dazed and confused almost always.
Debbie, author of Heartbeats~Soul Stains blog
10. Mostly I don’t wash my produce.
Cindy R., author of Reedster Speaks blog
11. Insert disc, crank volume = dancing queen.
Rory B., author of Time Out for Mom blog
12. used to eat ants, wood, soil.
beth k., author of i didn’t have my glasses on … blog
13. Reads the end of books first.
Allison C., author of Go Dansker Mom blog
14. I’d rather clean toilets than drive.
Rosey M., author of Mail 4 Rosey blog
15. Meat lover, but I’m vegetarian now!
Brittnei W., author of Homemaking with Style blog
16. I’ve seen Star Wars 30+ times.
Ashley T., author of The Confessions of a Working Mum blog
17. Fun tattoos covered by corporate attire.
Kerry R., author of Breadwinning Mama blog
18. I was almost a surrogate mother.
Michele P., author of Old Dog, New Tits blog
19. I can read upside down and backwards.
Bonnie F., author of Lady Blogger blog
20. Still sleeps with childhood bed buddy.
Jenn S., author of Jenn’s Midlife Crisis blog
21. Ghost Hunters once investigated my house.
Mel B., author of World According to Mags blog
22. Five kids,including twins, still sane.
Marie P., author of Normal Everyday Life blog
23. I dig the baby poop smell. =)
Brittany B., author of Brittany Bullen blog
24. I’ve been in Morgan Freeman’s apartment.
Gina T., author of Full of it … blog
25. I ran a 196 mile relay.
Megan L., author of Meaningful Mommy blog
26. For an introvert, I’m surprisingly sociable.
Erica A., author of A Sign of Life blog
27. I love taking pictures of insects.
Michelle R., author of Framing My Focus blog
28. I have never watched FROZEN ever.
Rea A., author of REAlity Bites blog
29. Teenage rebellion: two tattoos, six piercings.
Caroline, author of High Heels to Hidden Toys blog
30. Never been drunk, never been stoned.
Tamara B., author of Tamara Camera blog
31. I workout for wine and Cheetos!!!
Kim T., author of Day With KT blog
32. I almost ate a veggie burger.
Eli P., author of Coach Daddy blog
What about you? What’s something shocking about you, in a six-word sentence?
Just a dad ... 
Mate! How did I miss this? Okay here’s mine anyway, you want lightning. (I have been struck three times.)
Still run outside when it storms.
I ain’t the only one!
Thinking… But I am quite boring!
It doesn’t have to be a conviction or Internet movie … even putting mayo on your french fries, for instance.
Love them all! BTW try that veggie burger you really might like it 😉
Again, not a stinker in the bunch! Veggie burgers to me go against God and country.
Gold medalist at the Junior Olympics.
Sweet – let me guess, pommel horse?
Fantastic, Eli! As always, these posts never fail to make me laugh! 🙂
Thanks Meredith – and the back-to-back Merediths was pure fate, by the way.
Well you know mine, but still you never cease to amaze me – a sign in a thunderstorm! Wow, I am highly impressed, but then again I was already just a bit more now 😉
It wasn’t my most intelligent moment, no! It’s a fine line between brave and foolish. Incidentally, we signed the sign and gave it to a guy for his going away gift. He was a NASCAR fan, and the sign was for a left turn, so it seemed fitting.
My brother is a huge Nascar fan and could see him loving this gift. But seriously, still a pretty cool move in my book 😉
Drive fast and turn left – it’s a way of life, Janine. Marie might or might not have a traffic sign of some sort in her room right now that came from a mysterious source.
Love that Bonnie can read upside down and backwards – am a bit jealous, haha!
I knew if anyone would have Bonnie envy – it would be you, Letizia!
from one strange blogger friend to another, i am most amazed by the superhuman feats of the moms above. along with the beer selling locker entrepreneur. we humans are amazing. thanks for including me and i just want to add, ‘keep ya’lls butt inside when there is a storm!’ how did i do?
Moms kind of rock in my eyes. For a detroit girl, you did exceptionally well … except for it’d probably be “y’all git your asses inside!”
thanks for the help, guess i have to kick it up a notch )
I’m with you on the veggie burger…only managed to get one down once! Maybe they’ve improved since then?? Great post, thanks for including me!
Eating a veggie burger for any reason is like going to a Mexican restaurant and ordering a hot dog. Just because you can’t, doesn’t mean you should!
I think they still taste like a loofa, but this one in that picture didn’t look that bad.
Glad you were along for the ride this time, Marie!
“My toddler can use an iPad.” Great post idea! Some of these bloggers are new to me, can’t wait to check them out!
Your kid’s not alone, Katie! These are a blast to compile every month. It’s also a good showcase of some of the pages I’ve found lately, and new friends I’ve made.
Just a crazy, beautiful, perfect mess!
Nice!
Okay, not washing your produce is truly shocking. I take it this blogger is still alive?
How about now?
I told you it was shocking! We should have everyone check in whose shocking fact might endanger life. Maybe there’s a widget I could add.
Yours is hilarious, but Kristin (#7) wins it for me. 🙂 I’ve done that four times too (and would have done it more, but hubby said enough was enough, hehehe).
I’ve got nothing on childbirth, Rosey. You wore the poor bloke out!
I knew I forgot something!!! Too much in my head I guess….I’ll make it in next time you ask. I would have to be on board with “never seen Frozen”…I dodged that bullet but totally got hit by The Lego Movie :).
Happens to the best of us, Sandy. Usually, it’s because I don’t have enough in my head. I’m thinking about asking you again. Especially because you’re untouched by the Frozen craze … it’s nearly enough to make me knock Kristen Bell off my list.
Almost.
(The LEGO Movie would give me vertigo, I think. The previews nearly did).
Always happy to meet new people.
That’s not shocking at all – but mainly because I’m glad i met you.
You should give veggies burgers a try – they’re surprisingly pretty good 🙂
Love this post! There are definitely a few shockers I can relate to.
That’s easy for you to say, salad-and-yoga girl! Next time you’re in Charlotte, maybe you could take me to lunch and I’ll try one.
I need to get you into another one of these. The cool thing about this one is you can adopt as many as you like. No charge.
Fun post, Eli! I suppose mine would be: Flew below the radar, free now.
Thanks Carrie! I see that you are free now, and back … and back on my ‘to read’ list. Can’t wait.
Thank you, Eli. 🙂
It’s good to have you back on the list!
BIG smile. 😉
I’m glad I’m not the only one with a “tame” answer. 😉
These words weren’t included in anyone’s six words:
felony
embezzlement
justin bieber
Hmm… “I married a felon-turned-soldier.” Does that count? Haha.
We needed that one before!
Haha I know! I just didn’t think of it.
Now it’s out there, E.
So it is, so it is.
You just reminded me (and Joey did) that when I was young(er), lightning struck our pool shed and it caught on fire. I was coming home from work (Domino’s, baby) and saw a whole fire team, my parents, and my brother in his underwear standing around a fire. Not cool. We just lost a lot of books and towels, though.
#13 is true for me too. Not always but I will read or Google the endings of books, TV shows and movies. It helps the nerves.
My other one was, “I fear I’m in trouble here.”
Were you a photographer then? No, that’s not cool. A friend of mine walked home with other friends of mine in middle school to find his house at the end of a cul-de-sac burning.
Maybe I’m a nerve junky. I want to be surprised at the end. Even if it’s just an episode of “Rules of Engagement.”
I fear I’m in trouble here … mind if I use that for the opening line of the novel I am supposed to write?
Another fabulous edition of In Six Words. Sorry I missed the deadline. Nothing horribly shocking about me that I’m willing to share on the Interwebs, so here are a few boring admissions:
Cigarettes have NEVER touched my lips.
I’ve never owned any hairspray. Ever.
Thanks Nicole. You hold the record, I think, for the longest streak since the beginning of these. No one really went for the ultra-shock value, so you’re safe.
I’m also a cigarette virgin, by the way. and hairspray? I refuse to elaborate.
I’ve always been afraid of lightning!
#14, I don’t ever wanna clean toilets! Haha.
I’d be surprised if I eat veggies burger.
And people would always be surprised if I tell them I haven’t seen Frozen when the entire world has already seen it. LOL.
Lightning’s no joke – just look at that stormtrooper picture above this blog. I don’t know which I’d pick if I had to choose between cleaning toilets, watching Frozen (AGAIN) and eating a veggie burger.
I wonder if hell’s like that.
Loved this, Eli! Thanks for asking me to join in. I’ve never seen Frozen ever either! I should have said that one! 🙂
Thanks Brittnei! Maybe we can get you in next time. Never seen Frozen? Now you’re just bragging.
Drinking Red Rooster decafe coffee. Yum!
This is much fun 🙂
it’s a blast! Thanks for checking it out.
I must have forgotten to send mine in – oops!!!
Um, no you didn’t. It’s in there … now. Sorry Kim! Such a great one, too! (I haven’t even promoted this on social media, so it’s still going to get some traction, and they’ll see your stuff!)
HaHa – no worries, Eli – I know you are busy. If I don’t have a list attached to me and my calendar/phone in my hand I would forget everything in my day!!!
This is the third time in the history of 6 Words that I left one out, I think. I’m usually pretty good about getting them in. I have a far worse percentage when it comes to remembering my work badge in the morning!
Oh snorts. I misse this one. Yucky. I gotta start marking my calendar. Okay here it goes. I’m a pig – literally said this is me: I run around naked all day. What? Pigs don’t wear clothes – most of the time anyway. XOXO – Bacon
Oh what? There’s actually a schedule for this nonsense–I mean AWESOMENESS? I thought my last one must have been so lame I was forever banned from uttering 6 words anymore.
You know it. It’s calculated and scientific, like skunk spawning season. The selection process is intricate and burdensome. Just be ready when you’re called on again, won’t you Jenn?
(Nice new look on the blog, too).
Thanks! And Yes! Sir! *saluting*
Good soldier … as you were.
I thought the rep was that pigs wore clothes, but not usually pants?
If I’m lucky, I try to stay in naked world. If mom sees me, she’s forever trying to put clothes on me. I’m a rebel! Snorts. XOXO – Bacon
My mom too! Well, back in the day.
Snorts – too funny! XOXO – Bacon
My toes can touch the floor. (That doesn’t do the skill justice. It’s weird – I promise!)
This deserves an explanation (or even some art)!
Well here’s a shocker — the internet ate my comment.
Better than a veggie burger though, right?! 🙂
another great list. I know realize I need to learn to read upside down; watch Star Wars at least 3 more times, and take up running.
Probably not that last one tho.
shocker, I know.
The web definitely has an Area 52, doesn’t it? I wish she’d eat up some veggie burgers, and some tofu, while she’s at it. I do think the Internet is a woman.
Some of us struggle to read things right-side-up, Rore. Try this sometime: Next time you read a book with a dust cover in public, turn the cover upside down and check on the looks you’ll get.
I could have sworn I read a post you did on your 17th marathon coming up in Moose Jaw or some such place.
I watch shows on the CW. There, I said it. Don’t judge.
No judgement here. This from the guy who had a period in his life in which he conditioned his hair.
All-y’all are crazy, but so-em I. (That’s southern speak using both a plural form of “y’all”, and the hyphenated form of “Bless your heart, I understand”.)
“Bless your heart” has so many connotations in the south, doesn’t it? Daune Pitman says it pretty well here:
http://cottageintheoaks.com/2012/06/the-many-nuances-of-bless-your-heart/
Haha, these are great! And you don’t have a picture of the sign you took????
Folk really brought it, didn’t they, Ms. Miller Lite?
No pictures … I didn’t want to end up on DumbCrooks.com along with the people who danced in front of cameras in L.A. after they looted TVs.
Holyf333 did I never reply? I can’t even remember – something is wrong with my brain. there’s a six-word one that applies to me? And wtf Tamara has never been drunk or stoned? Is it sad that I think that’s sad???
I even double checked. You’ve had a lot going on, what with Blog U and all. Maybe you can get in on the next round. You know, Tamara isn’t the only one here who hasn’t gotten drunk or stoned.
I have had Coke and Pepsi in the same day, though.
Reblogged this on jennsmidlifecrisis and commented:
I may have missed Lightning Day, but since Tuesdays seem to be “Tornado Tuesdays” lately…and it’s Tuesday with heavy rains showers predicted…I thought this was appropriate to share! One of my favourite bloggers has put together a shocking list of secrets “In 6 Words” (and mine is in there as well)! Here’s today’s to get it started – We missed the Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast! Oh well! Happy Canada Day!
Leave movies minutes before they’re over.
That’s tragic! Do you know how many cool things happen after the credits? They give out popcorn balls and Frisbees.
How fun! For me: “Reads magazines back to front- ALWAYS!” Ha!
It’s a blast, Georgia. Glad you’re here! And you’ll make your debut in July …
I read magazines the same way … and only stop for pictures of food or Brooke Shields furniture ads.