David Eaves tagged me in a meme earlier this week.

I love a meme more than most people, but I like this one more than others mainly because it was David that tagged me. David Eaves is perhaps one of the smartest and most articulate people I’ve ever had the chance to meet, and if you don’t already read his blog, leave this site immediately and go there. Now.

For those of you that are still around, it’s time for you to learn seven new things about me.

The Rules

Simple, but important:

• Link to your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post. (see above)
• Share seven facts about yourself in the post. (see below)
• Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
• Let them know they’ve been tagged.

I’m changing things up a bit and not necessarily sharing seven facts about myself, but instead seven facts about people in my life and how they have had an impact on me over the years. It’s always much more fun to talk about other people.

The Seven

The first person of my age that I met when I arrived in Canada over twenty years ago was Elizabeth McDowell. Her dad drove the bus that took me to school on my first day in Toronto, and she ended up being in my class at school for seven straight years. We also, coincidentally, share the same birthday. If I had to quantify things, of all the friends I have now I have known her the longest, and I’m happy to still have her in my life in some small way.

In eighth grade, my friend Claire Denham would always bring the best lunches to school. On top of that, she’d never really want to eat them. Claire kept me well fed all through eighth grade. After learning I wouldn’t be going to the same high school, Claire started her message in my yearbook with: “who’s going to bring you lunch when you go away?”

I had a Colombian roommate in high school, Luis Carlos Moncayo Marquez, who didn’t like coffee. His mother would regularly send fresh Colombian coffee beans to our address, and I would end up drinking all of the coffee. I think my obsession with (addiction to?) caffeinated beverages began that year in high school.

Through high school and some of university, I worked at a local recreation center as a program coordinator running recreation programs for young people. One of my staff members during that time was Alicia Stefanowicz, a young lady with enthusiasm, exuberance, and a huge heart. Alicia helped me keep my head on straight when things weren’t going so well, and we spent a lot of time hanging out together outside of work hours. She’s now a program coordinator at the recreation center, and I couldn’t be happier.

In my final years of high school, I sang baritone and did vocal percussion for an a capella group called Afro & the Desiacs consisting of my friends Ryan Murphy, Peter Seem, Matthew Simon, and Stig Nymo. We performed our own custom arrangements of classic pop hits in front of several large crowds, including once in front of a distinguished audience including Queen Noor of Jordan. They all continue to be some of my closest friends.

I once met a young woman on the Toronto subway named Melissa. She got on at the same stop and we became so engrossed in our conversation that we both not only missed our stops, but we stayed on that subway car for three hours as it looped from end of the line to end of the line. It was one of the best conversations I have ever had. I never heard from her ever again.

It’s hard to measure the impact someone like Rachel Sainsbury can have on your life. I met Rachel in Mauritius a few months ago — we were both staff at the same conference — and I immediately knew that she someone I had to get to know better. She was running the storytelling workshop (nice!) while I ran the blogging workshops, so we worked together very closely. Through that, I learned of her passion, dedication, and intensity for everything she does. Her passion and joie de vivre is infectious, and I feel blessed that she’s a part of my life.

The Tags

Not all these people will appreciate being tagged in a meme, but hey, I’m giving it a try.

• Darren, the best work colleague ever and a great friend.
• Jen, the person that keeps me sane and smiling every day.
• Amir, my funny and motivated and smart brother across the ocean.
• Maria, one of the most insightful women I have ever met.
• Tabish, an astute observer of the world and an all-round fun guy.
• Indriana, a high school friend I’m really glad to still be in touch with now.
• Melissa, my go-to girl for all things fashion and PR and fun.

Go forth and share. I’m done around here.