About

Yep... This is me!

Whenever someone asks for my autobiography (which happens more times than you would think), I am always stymied as to what to write.  How does one write about one's self without coming across as pompous (like using the words "one" and "one's self" when talking about one), arrogant (like mentioning only the tip-top of accomplishments), or stupid (like I'm doing right now).  But I hear it is always good to let people know a little about the person responsible, so here goes...

Bits and pieces about me...

My name is Jack McCallum.  Yes.  It's Jack McCallum.  Yes.  I am female.  Yes.  I have a boy's name.

I live in a little house, on a hill, surrounded by big evergreen trees.  My home in the Pacific Northwest (Washington to be exact) - I live north of Seattle.  Though, if I had my way, I would be moving house (family and all) to England - a place my family has come to dearly love.  The dream is to move to England sometime in the near future.

In my little house you can find me, my mum Donna (who is retired), and my sister Dawn (who is developmentally disabled).  Mum and I share care-taking responsibilities for Dawn, but since Mum's early retirement in September 2011 - she's been taking on more care-taking since she really is more suited to it (she used to be in nursing).

Dawn and Mum

 

Dawn and me.

Hmmm.... Now what do I say?

Let's see... I own and operate two businesses.  My first business is HR Balance - which is a consulting company.  I consult on a variety of things but mostly it is human resources and organizational development.  I also do leadership coaching and training/development.  My second business is 3MW Studio - a photography studio.  I do portraiture, but my true love is landscape and nature photography.  Ultimately, if I had my way I would be traveling the world - photographing everything and anything I want to.  Unfortunately, I haven't gotten my way... yet.

I love hand written notes, fancy and fun notecards, and writing pens.  I love Halloween because it combines 3 of my favorite things:  Dressing up, candy, and autumn.  I love to laugh, and my laughter is quite boisterous.  I have been told people can hear my laugh before they see me.  My philosophy on laughter is it should never be stifled, always come from deep within your belly, and needs to be genuine.  I love the color orange.  It is bright and energizing, and reminds me of my favorite time of the year:  autumn.  That said, there are certain things I don't like in orange:  pants (that's trousers for all you non-American readers), cars, and bedroom walls.  I also love sunglasses, SPF, and day planners (I have a lot of day planners - in all shapes and sizes).

I have a crush on Cary Grant.  It started when I was 10 years old - when I saw Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer, but it was fully realized when I saw Penny Serenade.  My favorite Cary Grant movies are My Favorite Wife, Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, Every Girl Should Be Married, and Philadelphia Story.  My least favorite Cary Grant movies are North by Northwest, Charade, An Affair to Remember, and Notorious.  As you can tell, I believe his best work is in more light-hearted fare.



Me playing Santa.

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at the local library.  There wasn't much else in the town I grew up in, but I believe this was the start of my love affair with books.  And I have a lot of books.  My wall of bookshelves doesn't seem to hold them all since they've spilled out onto table tops and the floor.  But, I have managed to find ways of stacking those books which defy the laws of physics.  It's one of my super powers.
I don't like reality TV.  I believe it is causing the death of proper television viewing - including good writing, good acting, and good directing/producing.  I'm quite proud that I've never seen an episode of American Idol, Survivor, or any of those other crap traps.

I hate texting.  I simply refuse to do it.  I also don't like receiving texts, so I have the feature blocked on my cell phone.  I believe texting is the beginning of the end for literacy.  While I'm at it, I also hate mobile phones.  I believe people use them (intentionally or not) to avoid developing proper connections.  Plus, I hate it when people can get a hold of me whenever - wherever.  I do have a mobile phone, but there is a good chance you'll get my voice mail because I rarely have it on.

I've traveled to a lot of places, and I intend to do more.  So far, my favorite city in the world is London, England.  I really love road trips, though.  So does my little family.  If gas wasn't so friggin' high, we would hop in the truck and take off for long weekends - every weekend.  No specific destination in mind - just go.

I love ice cream, am allergic to basil and strawberries (separately - never tried them together), and treasure photographs - whether it be from family, friends, or strangers.  There is something truly personal and perfect about sharing a photograph.

Well, that's it about me.  I hope I haven't bored you too much.  I also hope you stick around for a while because I have a lot to share.

Jack