Why write the typical old dry thing when you can read that here (on my studio website)? So instead I decided to give you the "25 Things About Me Since A Few of My Friends Asked" that was in the original version of this blog, but still in process of being updated.
- My first name is actually Rebecca but I've always been called my less interesting middle name.
- The Rotem "Syndicate" (Rotem Studio, Rotem Gear, Rotem Limited Edition, etc) got its name form the Hebraicized version of my last name which I considered changing to whilst living in Israel. It's the name of an evergreen desert shrub with a tiny fragrant flowers in the early spring. As a modern Hebrew name it symbolizes grace and survival under challenging conditions.
- I climbed part way up Mt. Fuji without knowing it was still not "in season" and nearly got stuck-- for good -- in a snowstorm wearing sneakers and a sweatshirt. Japanese language student FAIL.
- I've been to two Worlds Fairs; one of them twice in one day.
- I've seen and felt missiles, and spent 6 weeks carrying a gas mask wherever I went.
- After undergrad college I worked in a Japanese bookstore in Manhattan where I waited on Mick Jagger, got yelled at by Yoko Ono on the phone, and once crashed into John Lennon -- I was exiting the bathroom and he was going in and we both said "Oof! excuse me!" I've never managed to write a parody song based on "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" about this experience.
- I have an M.A. in Japanese Language and Literature. Not the smartest career move but I loved the studies.
- I would rather snack on cheese than chocolate, almost any time. These days I try to limit both.
- I've been to 9 Asian countries (including Turkey and Israel) but not one European country.
- In New Jersey there is a small street named after my grandfather, who used to have a farm on that land.
- I remembering seeing the shadows of small angels in the corners of my ceiling at night when I was a child.
- In nursery school I often played with the ants in the yard.
- Somewhat related, snakes and other reptiles do not creep me out, but ticks horrify me.
- I watch a lot of crime-themed tv shows, especially British and Korean (the latter especially like to merge crime with time travel) but not if they especially dark. I avoid all "reality" shows with the exception of the "kinder" ones like Great British Bake Off, even though I usually have to Google what they are making.
- However, for movies I am drawn to themes that are an escape, are improbable or portray areas where fantasy or dream meets real life, e.g., Kwaidan, Harvey, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Spirited Away...
- I am terribly astigmatic.
- When I was young I had Japanese doll. One day I discovered that her legs were actually made up of rolled up Japanese newspapers. I got so excited about this discovery that I commenced investigating further, ultimately unrolling her legs and ruining the doll.
- I have handled thousands of dollars worth of diamonds at a time while working at a diamond bourse.
- I love the color blue in any shade, especially the Mediterranean combination of deep blue with turquoise.
- My high school art teacher advised me to pursue art but I was much lazier back in the non-digital age when there was no "undo" button. And I didn't have the requisite passion. So I didn't. Now I'm a graphic designer. The irony.
- Once upon a time, I practiced Aikido for a number of years, to brown belt level.
- I have two passports, US and Israel.
- I cannot imagine life without an animal. The cat made me write that.