My index toe on my left foot it longer than my big toe.
I have no formal training as far as drawing goes. I never took any drawing classes except for the classes required of us in school.
Despite taking up the saxophone in 5th Grade, I didn’t start taking lessons until end of 8th Grade.
I used to get into a lot of school yard brawls in South Africa. For a pacifist, I come from a surprisingly violent upbringing.
I took 2 years of karate and got up to orange belt.
I was a special-needs child.
Phil Collins is my nemesis.
Despite what I say, I really do care a lot about what people think of me.
I have pride and dignity. Don’t worry, I was surprised to find that out too.
I have had a knife thrown at me once.
The captain of the football team made an attempt on my life back in high school. Thank God he was a wrestler; he only tried to grapple me and choke me.
I used to be an anti-social, self-centered jerk. Still am, but now I’m in complete denial about it.
I am named after my great-grandfather, Jacobus Martinus Vermeulen. Also, my name appears in a book containing all the Vermeulens in South Africa going back to the first one.
I’ve lost and gained 30+ lbs in the course of one year.
I nearly died of the measles when I was 5. Pneumonia developed as a complication, so I had both simultaneously.
I got chased down by an angry cow once. Cousin thought it would be a brilliant idea to pelt the calves with dirt clods. Bloody genius, that one…
English is not my first language. Amazing how many people are absolutely surprised by that.
I’ve jumped off of a cliff hooked up to the biggest swing I’ve ever seen in my life. Got a free beer out of it as well as a review of my entire life (in the course of 4 seconds).
I’ve played with lion cubs. The little blighters can bite. Recommendation: Wear thick jeans.
I have ridden on an African Elephant. This thing was barely trained too.
I have had the Chickenpox 3 times. The last time was a relapse of the second time.
I broke both my wrists in the same Summer, but not at the same time.
I hate spiders and arthropods in general.
I am a little narcissistic and I hate myself for it.
I’m terrified of heights and I’m prone to vertigo.

So there you go. 25 things about me, some of them even my closest friends don’t know. In retrospect, it’s a miracle that I’ve survived this long.