Tao Student – A Personal Site for Gary Ardito

There is a very interesting viral communication moving through Facebook.. and no, you do not need a vaccination.  The idea is you provide 25 random thoughts about yourself.. tag a bunch of others to do the same and so and so on…..

Here is what I put together for my 25 random things…
1 I am a voracious reader. I have about 8 bookcases overflowing with books. From the classics to current fiction to technical books. My next house must have a library.

2 I have been studying Chinese Martial Arts and Taoist Philosophy for over 17 years. I consider myself a Taoist and try to live my life by Taoist ideals and principals.

3 I love to cook but, unfortunately, do not often have the time.

4 I have two extraordinary boys – Michael (9) and Christopher (7) – and I spend as much time as possible with them.

5 My ex-wife, Nicole, is one of my best friends and there is nobody I trust more with raising my children.

6 I spent 8 years working as an independent consultant, mostly for business startups, before I took a job with a .com that was going to make me rich and famous…..then the bubble burst.

7 I currently work for Novell – a software infrastructure company. I run the Data Center services area.

8 I love to eat any eastern food – Japanese (Sushi), Chinese, Indian, Thai, etc.

9 I actively believe in and use natural health care options like Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, etc.

10 I love sports – Baseball (Pro and College), Football (pro and College), College Basketball, Tennis, Swimming….

11 I think Golf is a good walk spoiled and it is a reach calling it a sport…

12 I believe Mark Twain, Tom Robbins, Neil Gaiman, Pat Conroy and Jimmy
Buffett are the most gifted storytellers I have had the pleasure of reading.

13 I love music of all types. My Ipod currently has a total of 3245 songs. Of those 330 are by Jimmy Buffett – not a surprise here…. I am truly a Parott Head!, 52 are Blues, 742 are Country, 248 are Rap/Hip Hop, 420 are Rock, 50 are Classical, 30 are Alternative, 535 are Pop, 40 are Jazz, 95 are spoken word, and the remainder are undefined or soundtracks

14 I regret not playing an instrument and being more involved with music as a kid. I am encouraging my kids to play instruments and make music part of their lives.

15 I live in Asheville, NC but I travel extensively for work and pleasure. I am gone most weeks Monday – Thursday and spend at least a weekend a month in Albany, NY with my kids.

16 I really need to be close to a natural energy center – either the beach or the mountains. Something to keep me connected.

17 The only significant medical issue I have had in the last 20 years is surgery on my shoulder. I am thankful for this.

18 Guilty Pleasures: Home design and construction tv shows (HGTV, DIY), investigative tv shows (NCIS, CSI, The Mentalist, 11th Hour).. oh, and I DVR Inside the Actor’s studio whenever it is on.

19 I enjoy very good aged Rum.

20 I lived in England for almost 2 years. Love the country.. hate the food. This is where I first came to like Indian food.

21 I have traveled extensively in the Caribbean and South/Central America. I think this area is one of the most beautiful on the planet.

22 I think Miami is the greatest city on earth for so many reasons and would welcome the chance to move back there someday.

23 I think listening is a lost art along with letter writing and, in some cases, willingness to work hard and sacrifice for what is important to you.

24 I count myself amongst the technophiles. I own the latest of most gadget types.. multiple computers, etc.

25 I think the Tao of Pooh should be required reading….