Have you ever?


Kim Brooks
Babbling Brooks Column
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     A few weeks ago I shared several insights into myself, 40 to be exact.

     I heard from several people who obviously learned something about me they didn’t know. Others thought I wasn’t 100 percent truthful. I’ll admit when it came to divulging my favorite drinks I left out the Jolly Rancher from The Jitney. While I don’t get royalties for how many they sell, it was a collaboration between myself and the owners, Erin and Katie.

     Recently I came across a “Never Have I Ever” version…

     When people are forced to answer whether they’ve done something outrageous in their lives or not, it has them reevaluating their life choices, for good or bad. The game has a certain number of questions, and for every one you say “yes” to, honestly, you give yourself one point.

     The controversy comes into play because what does it say about you if you come away with a high score? That you’re adventurous? What if you have a low score? Are you a boring person? Who’s to judge…

     1. Have you ever skipped school? No. Not even my senior year for “Senior Skip Day.”

     2. Have you ever broken a bone? No. I’ve also never needed a cast or even suffered a sprain.

     3. Have you ever fired a gun? No. This isn’t meant to be political; I just don’t have the interest in doing so.

     4. Have you ever done drugs? No. This is where I get political.

     5. Have you ever been in a limo? No. How fair is that? No limo for prom. No limo when my sister got married. I’ve clearly been deprived.

     6. Have you ever gotten a tattoo? Yes, two in fact. (So does that give me two points here?)

     7. Have you ever ridden a horse? No. I don’t believe I have any interest in doing so either.

     8. Have you ever sang karaoke? In fact, I have. I am 100 percent confident in saying that I am not good; I am tone deaf when it comes to the ability to carry a tune, unless I’m driving in my car. I only get the nerve to “sing” karaoke when I’ve enjoyed a beverage or two…

     9. Have you ever gotten a ticket? Ok, if you don’t tell anyone, yes. It was several years ago in Dubuque County, my one and only ticket thus far. I was pulled over for expired registration. That was the last time I forgot to renew my car tags.

     10. Have you ever been arrested? No. Thankfully I paid my expired registration ticket on time and did not have to end up behind bars.

     11. Have you ever gone zip lining? No. But I think I might enjoy the exhilarating feeling one gets from zip lining. Definitely putting this on my bucket list!

     12. Have you ever been on TV? Yes, but unintentionally. When former Vice President Joe Biden was in Jones County campaigning for the Democratic nomination last fall, I was annoyed by the fact that I couldn’t adequately get a decent photo for the paper as he walked around shaking people’s hands. So, I stood on a table and had a perfect view of Biden and the crowd. That moment got me on the news because I stood out, so to speak, in the background.

     But I don’t need to be on TV because I’m in the paper every week.

     13. Have you ever been a cruise? No. I’ve never wanted to be stranded on a ship or in a tiny cabin for days. Especially now after coronavirus. I don’t see the cruise ship industry bouncing back too fast after so many coronavirus outbreaks.

     14. Have you ever gotten a piercing? My ears are pierced, yes. But I don’t tend to wear earrings very much.

     15. Have you ever smoked? No, and, again, no interest in such.

     16. Have you ever met a celebrity? It depends on who you consider a “celebrity”… I’ve met plenty of presidential candidates in the 10-plus years I’ve worked at the Express. As an avid reader, I’ve met several well-known authors, including Ron Stallworth and Colson Whitehead. I’ve also met an Olympic swimmer, Anthony Ervin. I’ve met comic, writer, actor, and producer Kevin Smith. I’ve met actors Henry Winkler and John Schneider, both here in Monticello, actually. I’ve met comedians Vicki Lawrence and Paul Riser. So yes, I guess I have met some celebrities.

     17. Have you ever been skydiving? No. Unlike zip lining, skydiving isn’t really on my bucket list.

     18. Have you ever Googled your own name? Of course! There is an author named Kim Brooks from Iowa, whom I met at Prairie Lights Bookstore in Iowa City. There is also a lesser-known actress with my name as well, who mostly does voice-over work in cartoons.

     19. Have you ever voted? I have voted in every possible election since I turned 18. I am a big proponent of voting, so the idea of not exercising my God-given right is absurd.

     20. Have you ever learned to play a music instrument? Kind of. I tried out for band in middle school and realized I couldn’t read music. So, much like my vocal music ability, my instrumental music ability is lacking as well.

     I give myself nine points out of 20. There were a few questions where I thought I deserved more than one point, as in number of tattoos, and all those celebrities I’ve met, but I relented.

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