Okay, so everybody's making a list, and... I suppose it sounds like fun so... I'll do it as well. However, I don't want to do a numbered list. I've always felt somewhat confined by having to meet certain numbers. For example, if all I have is 16 things to say about myself, than by George, 16 it is!
The only thing is, once I reveal this list, anyone who is even remotely familiar with me in real life will know exactly who I am... because I think there are only so many people that will fit this profile. And then it would be spidered by search engines, and well... that'd probably be the end of my semi-anonymity. 
Well, so be it I guess. Don't want to "hide" forever anyway.
So, here's a list of things that you may not know about me:
* I don't know what I seem like online, but I am painfully shy and quiet in real life.
* While I am an American citizen, I was born in Taiwan.
* My most prized sentimental possession is my Taiwanese elementary school book bag. It's still in very good shape. Very durable, unlike most american school bags.
* I am the oldest in my family. Have two younger sisters. That's probably why I have a dominant-ish personality.
* Growing up, I played the piano for 2 years, oboe for 4 years, and the cello for 8 years. Sadly, I hated it. My parents, with their typical Asian parenting style, made my sisters and I play musical instruments. Once I got into college, I never touched them again.
* However, I've always had an affinity for all things computer. I started programming in BASIC when I was in 4th grade with an Apple II+. I loved the idea of making my own games, and would often stay up way past my bedtime tapping away on the computer. My parents never said anything about it. I've always had a computer of some kind since.
* In junior high, I fell madly in love with this girl. In fact, she and I seemed to click well enough that we were friends sort of. However, I didn't know how to handle that feeling... and ended up yelling at her about needing to be left alone. I carried a huge guilt after that... for making her feel bad. Sigh.
Roughly five years later, after our family moved out of state, I asked for a bus ticket and trekked roughly 500 miles back, not even knowing whether or not she would still be there. Well, I found her... at the local high school there. When I saw her, I broke down in tears... in the beginning of her Science class with... tons of kids walking around... and told her I was sorry about yelling at her back in junior high... and that I loved her. She was understanding and sympathic, which was really nice considering I am such a weirdo. After that, I never saw her again. It sucks being painfully shy and quiet sometimes....
* I graduated high school with honors and had a decent SAT score... enough to get me a scholarship at a public university for the Comp. Sci. program. Unfortunately, I decided against it, and ended up with a Criminology degree instead. Boy, did I screw that one up!
* For the most part, I look like a geek, act like a geek, and can even hold a coversation like a geek. However, I am also the black sheep in the family. Most of my cousins eventually became doctors, lawyers, and even accoutants. Me? I wanted to be more like Bruce Lee. In fact, that's why I switched my degree to Criminology. Yeah, I know. I screwwed up. 
(However, I do hold a certification in Information Security.)
* Growing up, I begged my parents to take martial arts. I started out with Tae Kwon Do. I later cross-trained Karate with Kempo. We eventually did things that are now popularized as Mixed Martial Arts, but we did it before UFC existed.
* I never believed in martial arts competitions. I was too much of a "street snob" for that. So, the only two competitions I've ever participated were mandatory ones. They were state level competitions (not the local YMCA!) that included competitors straight from Korea. Fortunately, I still ended up with total of 1 gold, 2 silvers, and a bronze.
* I have formal training in hand-to-hand combat, knife combatives, tactical firearms, executive protection, less-than-lethal options, and "street laws".
* I have worked as a professional bodyguard before. It was boring and yet fun at the same time.
* I have a legal conceal carry permit. One time, I was stopped for a minor traffic violation (going straight in a turning lane), and by law I declared my conceal carry status. The officer frisked me and slightly freaked out when he saw that I was conceal carrying two pistols at the same time. I didn't get in trouble, but we had a very amusing conversation that night.
* I was a security supervisor/manager once. I was in charge of about 45 people, and I had to train all of them. I hated that job. No matter how hard you work, people will still find some way to complain about how much you suck and how they could've done it better... even though they can't.
* I was a police officer once. Yes, I've handcuffed people. Yes, I've seen dead people. Yes, I've pulled out my gun at people when I thought I was being threatened. No, I never shot anyone.
* My nickname in the academy was "terrorist" because I was this quiet, shy, geeky looking Asian kid, and out of nowhere I was also the first to shoot a perfect score on the firing range and competently handled myself in defensive tactics. This was before 9-11, by the way.
* When I worked in security, my nickname there was "Wyett Earp"... because I was the only guy in the company who has ever shot a perfect score. It was amusing, though undeserved.
* I've been pepper sprayed twice. For those who don't know, it is by far the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life. I don't know about child birth (well, I'll never know ) but I'd rather be kicked full on in the groin than go through another pepper spray. And believe me, I was (accidentally) kicked so hard in the groin once that I actually couldn't walk straight for a week! Yes, I'd rather go through that!
* The first pepper spray was out of pure stupidity on my part. I was one of those macho young guys that believed that anyone who carries a pepper spray should also be sprayed once in order to understand what it's like. So, I willingly agreed to be sprayed. Wow, I'll never do that willingly again. The second time was a mandatory part of police academy training. Sigh. Pain.
* The first spray was even videotaped! Just last week, a buddy of mine wagered a pool game that if he won, I would surrender the tape to him so he can put it up on MySpace. I won the game though.
* I delibrately flubbed my police range scores so that I would not win the "Highest Shooter" award. Why? I just... didn't want that kind of recognition. Remember, I am shy and quiet, and we shy, quiet types have a strange logic all to our own. Besides, the guy who eventually did win wanted that award really badly... so I figured why not.
* I had a hispanic guy pull out a machete in front of me. Specifically, I was relaxing in my car, behind a commercial plaza. There was a chain link fence between us, but it was just the two of us. Of all the places he could be at, he decided to stroll up to about 10 feet from me, pull out a machete from his pants , kneel down, and proceeded to sharpen it in front of me.
No, I wasn't in any danger. I was in my car, and was fully armed. So, after a few minutes staring at him, wondering what the heck he's doing, I decided to just drive off. The wrong side of town can be very entertaining sometimes.
* Ironically, the most intense "action" I've ever faced was actually working unarmed at a shoe sale! A shoe sale! The owner wanted unarmed security, so there wasn't anything I could do about that. However, because I am a goofy little Asian geek... and wasn't armed, many decided that I was just some pushover rent-a-cop blocking the door.
Well yes, usually I am a pushover, but I don't appreciate being laughed at, called profanities, yelled at, threatened, and even getting physical with one of them (which almost broke out into a full-on fight). Eventually, it took 5 police officers, and their supervisor to show up and get the crowd under control. I didn't get in trouble for it because I was only doing my job.
Give me a drug bust any day. I'm never working a shoe sale again!
* Despite my background, I am not really a thrill seeker. In fact, I dislike roller coaster rides and scarey movies. In a way though, it may make sense in that all this training was meant to be able to manage adversity, not seek it out.
* Although I am not much for tattooes, I do have one. It's an Asian symbol I share with 3 other guys whom we've sworn lifetime brotherhood to each other. Except for one estranged "brother", I still enjoy the strong ties and friendship with them.
* I've only had sex with 3 women in my entire life. Is that too much information? I'm just not the player type. In fact, after going through this divorce, I'd rather be a recluse for the rest of my life than to be with the wrong woman again.
* I sold all my guns to raise money for my divorce lawyer, and I haven't taken martial arts in years (despite the urging of my friends and some family). It's just as well since... I don't have any real interest in all of that anymore.
I am willing to give it all up in pursuit of regaining my overall health... especially my financial health.
But then, I always was an all-or-nothing kind of guy. I guess that's why I chose the name "Broken Arrow".
* Almost forgot to add this one, although this may be the biggest of them all. I'm afraid of failing as a father. In fact, given this divorce, I am afraid that I may already have....
Well, hope you enjoyed the long read. Hope it didn't scare anybody away now.
Things you may not know about BA
November 16th, 2006 at 09:09 am
November 16th, 2006 at 09:32 am
IT is so funny too because I swear growing up around SF all my friends have always been Asian and I feel so much more comfortable with the Asian culture than my own kind. I Swear it is so weird that you are Asian - I had no idea, but I felt really comfortable around you.
Plus I hate it when you meet people online and you find out your mental picture is totally wrong. I'm tweaking it now though I am sure it is still very wrong. I am now envisioning you as a nerdy Bruce Lee - LOL.
November 16th, 2006 at 09:38 am
November 16th, 2006 at 09:38 am
i feel like i'm peeking into peoples lives reading these lists. don't know if it's a good feeling or a bad feeling, but it's somehow different than the normal blog stuff. i'm so tempted to make my own list, but i'm afraid i won't have anything to say other than what i've already shared, and boy wouldn't that make me feel like a drip...
November 16th, 2006 at 09:44 am
i definitely hear you on the shy quiet asian thing, cuz um yea THAT'S ME TOO!!
And i too am striving for that boring accountant position lol
November 16th, 2006 at 09:48 am
November 16th, 2006 at 10:38 am
November 16th, 2006 at 10:51 am
November 16th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 03:25 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 03:53 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 04:06 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 05:18 pm
What Asian guy wasn't a little "geeky" at heart? I admit, I have a soft spot for nerds, heheh. My last ex was your typical software engineer, god bless him.
I also wanted to take Tae kwon do, thanks to all my Korean friends, but my parents wer like, No! That's not "ladylike." Boo.
November 16th, 2006 at 05:19 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 06:07 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 06:16 pm
as i've commented before when reading your blogs, you really remind me of my DH ... you have a lot of the same interests and stuff... too bad you don't live closer cuz then you could hang out and talk about guns,computers and money...
i knew you were asian but i didn't know you were taiwanese or that you ever lived in taiwan... me and my DH were born in the US with mixed ethnicity (very common in hawaii) and were both raised in a predominantly asian culture so i think those might be points in common as well... as for what kind of asian, i think i've mentioned i'm part vietnamese and DH is part chinese and part japanese among other things...
very cool... keep up the blogging...
November 16th, 2006 at 06:41 pm
To be perfectly honest, no, I don't miss Taiwan at all. Nasty heat and humidity. Nasty over-crowding and noises and pollution. Nasty monsoon seasons and the mosquitoes that follow. Food is tasty, but my father warned me never to eat from any sidewalk stands for example, or else I'd have to be given tetanus shots when I return to the states.
I mean, it's a nice place to visit... but I wouldn't want to live there.
frugalmomof1:
Oh, sure! Entertain the masses with my own stupidity.... You guys WOULD say that, wouldn't you.
PricePlus:
No, I don't work for Suburu, but when I was younger, I've always secretly lusted for an Impreza WRX with all the trimmings except the rear spoiler. Does that make you feel better?
kealina:
Sure, I'll be more than happy to travel and entertain private parties.
Anyways, thanks everyone for the compliment. Now I feel so naked.
November 16th, 2006 at 06:43 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 06:46 pm
Oh man, all this time, I thought you were thinking, "Hey look! Maybe BA and I actually know each other in real life. How cool is that? We could probably hang out and talk about guns or cars or how we can't afford them or something."
But nooooo! It was actually, "Must keep my popourri fetish a secret!"
Yeah, I see how it is now.
(Of course, I don't blame ya either.
November 16th, 2006 at 07:02 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 07:12 pm
November 16th, 2006 at 07:34 pm
November 17th, 2006 at 06:51 am
November 17th, 2006 at 10:53 am
November 17th, 2006 at 11:13 am
I'm loving these lists!...I'm just reading them at random, because today the managers are returning from training and are supposed to have their groups present and afterwards there's to be a small cocktail party (guess who's in charge!...and, guess who FORGOT to rent glasses and dishes!!!...and hire waiters!!!! -- thank God for networks!...it's all settled now and it'll look as if I arranged everything weeks ago!
November 17th, 2006 at 11:21 am
November 17th, 2006 at 11:52 am
Regarding Eloan, I read some other comments on bank websites, seems lots of people have problems with transfer glitches, ie Eloan "double dipping" or else the transfer not going through at all. People have been calling to complain because the balance would vary depending on each day. People who took out loans or mortgages with Eloan are faring worse, with Eloan switching rates at the last minute, or the fact they can't reach their "loan representative." I SUPPOSE if all you're doing is letting money sit there and accumulate interest, you're ok....for now, until you have an actual question or problem. Me, I'm grabbing my money and hauling out of there ASAP.
November 17th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
....so, you'd be the perfect spy!...noone would suspect you!...LOL!...
Ha, I guess so. That's why they named me "terrorist". I'll never forget the funny comment made by a fellow classmate in the academy. He said, "Alright, you commie! Which secret training camp did you come from?"
Paigu:
Thanks for your feedback on that. I don't blame you for leaving them, and the second they screw up my money, I'll be doing the same. Until then though, I'm just going to hang tight.
November 17th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
November 17th, 2006 at 07:10 pm
Isn't it funny how much you feel you know someone when you have never met? Thank you so much for sharing.
November 18th, 2006 at 03:00 am
November 18th, 2006 at 02:16 pm
Your writing style is very striking--you have the ability to draw people in. Your self-deprecating quality is so endearing. In just a few words, you totally come alive. That's the mark of a great writer.
You should consider writing a memoir, or fiction. Your style reminds me of David Sedaris...You could be the Asian hetero David Sedaris.
November 18th, 2006 at 05:59 pm
Just wonted you to know that I loved your list.
I'm very shy too.Thank for sharing.
November 19th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
You sound like someone who has his head on right! :-)
November 19th, 2006 at 05:51 pm
Jodi:
I don't know what physical image you had of me, but whichever one that "looks" better... we'll run with that one!
tiki:
Wow, thanks! That's a phenomenal compliment because, to me, David Sedaris is a legend. I would never even dare compare myself to him. But that's OK. I have no ambitions to become a writer or journalist. I just want to be me.
rob62521:
My ex was an elementary school teacher once. It was a horrible experience for her, and she quit after a year in search of greener pastures. Seeing what she had to go through, I don't blame her at all. After that, I had a whole new level of respect for teachers in general....
Thanks everyone. I hope I didn't miss anybody. I probably did, but if so, it wasn't intentional. This entry is getting a bit difficult to keep track of....
November 20th, 2006 at 05:21 pm
Great read BA!