Joyce Valenza’s Neverending Search

I just discovered I was “tagged” by David Warlick and Alice Yucht. This cool meme reveals new sides of the bloggers I thought I had a bit of a handle on–Chris Lehmann, Terry Freedman, Andy Carvin, Kathy Schrock, Doug Johnson, and others. Judging by the pics and the nostalgic revelations, many (well some) of us would have gotten along famously in the 70s.

(Back in the day in my batik-filled room.)

Five things you don’t know about me:

1. I was the only one in Brooklyn to get 100% on the New York State Geometry Regents the year I took the test. That event marked both the pinnacle and the end of my math brilliance. I see isosceles triangles too, Alice. But for me, they are sweet, fleeting memories.

2. I lost each of my little brothers in terribly crowded places—once at a Grateful Dead concert, once at Shea Stadium. Fortunately I was able to mobilize both audiences to help me find them. Mom never found out.

3. In my first professional library job as the Readers’ Services Librarian at the Franklin Institute, I was incredibly helpful to every user. I was so helpful, in fact, I didn’t realize that I was helping the biggest metamphetamine ring in Philadelphia research how to enhance their manufacturing potential till agents from the State Department arrived with badges and weapons. And they knew me. They were holding a record I didn’t know existed listing my moratorium events from high school and college. Anyway, I was well trained in my pre-service program. I shakily resisted revealing personal borrowing records till the appropriate paperwork was produced.   I afraid I still often help too much.

4. I can’t name names, but I dated two folks who are now pretty famous alternative-type “captains” of industry.

5. I spent nearly 25 years hating my hair. These days, we co-exist in relative peace.

(with Mom and hair circa 1956)

Bonus: (If I don’t number it,  can I get away with six?)  I can imitate unicellular organisms.

So which five bloggers am I tagging?

Let’s try Michael Stephens, Sara Johns, Stephen Abram, Judy O’Connell, and Emily Valenza, who starts her new art position in Boston this week. Please read her new blog and join me in wishing her good luck!