Sweet Memes

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The "I've Come to Realize" Meme

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size. . .is just another number in my life.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . .is pretty cushy, and fun.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . .I like to know where I'm going, but I don't necessarily need to know how I'm getting there.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . .to reliquish control sometimes.

5. I’ve come that realize that I have lost. . .about the same amount as I've gained.

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . .people get that preachy tone in their voices.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . .there's probably a really good reason for it. It happens, maybe, once a year.

8. I’ve come to realize that money. . .buys comfort but not much of anything else.

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . .are not worth fighting with.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. . .have to answer to myself.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . .are all going to die before me.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom. . .loved me, though it was frequently VERY hard for me to see or acknowledge.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . .will never be the coolest, newest trendy one around.

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . .I no longer cared how messy my house is. Cuz, really, it's not that bad.

15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . .I should have turned off the ceiling fan.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . .about very little, so maybe my answers are deeper than they would be if I were 'working' on them.

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . .wasn't quite as perfect as I thought when he was alive.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . .I can expect to be there for hours (if I'm at home).

19. I’ve come to realize that today. . .will pass. Always.

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . .will be fun. Strange, but probably a hoot.

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . .doesn't always come, but usually it does.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . .learn to appreciate and enjoy life.

23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . .no one. And that's ok.

24. I’ve come to realize that life. . .is more fun than the average rollercoaster, though it shares a lot of the same characteristics.

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . .we have to give our mission trip report at church.

26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . .depends on why I'm upset. If it's anger, I need loud, angry music. If it's sadness, either boppy dance music or Christian rock. If I'm sleepy, music I can sing and dance to...etc.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . .love me, though God knows why sometimes.

28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . .I've been married half my life.

29. I’ve come to realize that me [sic] exes. . .are strangers to me.

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . .stop using the world "should."

31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . .kids. All kids. They make me smile, or at least make me remember that knowledge that life is ALL ahead of me.

32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . .cranky, negative people. They annoy me, they piss me off, and they are toxic to me.

33. I’ve come to realize my past. . .doesn't have to predict my future.

34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . .are precisely as much fun as I make them for myself and others.

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . .of beoming 100% dependent on anyone.

36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . .is pretty good.

Labels: Sunday memes, Surveys

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1. Independence :: Freedom
2. Meltdown :: Freakout
3. Vulture :: Buzzard
4. Hope :: Despair (pertains to a book I just finished--two towns with those names)
5. Float :: Waft
6. Hole :: ...in-the-Wall Gang
7. Trespass :: Sin (can you tell I'm headed to church?)
8. Moving :: Leaving
9. Extinct :: Died Out
10. Alligator :: Crocodile

Labels: Sunday memes, Words

(Found here)

1. What are you doing tonight? Making fruit salad.
2. What was the last thing you ate?Did you enjoy it? A Starburst. I need to go make myself some dinner....
3. Would you ever want a bowling alley in your basement? Nope. Too noisy, and it would require a bigger basement than I'm interested in having.
4. Do you wear hoop earrings? Not very often but I have a couple of pairs.
5. Do you know any professional athletes personally? I don't even know any IMpersonally!
6. What color would you design your dream kitchen? Green and tan.
7. What is your heritage? American.
8. If you had the chance to change your name at birth, what would you change it to? I'm so over worrying about my name.
9. Do you have a maid? Do Beast and Sparky count??
10. Are there any candles burning in the room you're in? I lit one in the dining room, so not really, but I can see it from where I'm sitting.
11. What was the last animal you touched? Therapy dog at the nursing home.
12. What can you hear right now? TV.
13. Are you craving anything at the moment? Solitude.
14. Do you need to empty your trashcan? Nope.
15. When was the last time you had cake? What kind was it? Honestly don't remember. We had loads of cake at my former boss's retirement party last month.
16. What are sitting on? Sofa.
17. When did you last have a stomachache? Comes and goes, different kinds. Right now, I'm hungry, but I had a tension stomachache last week.
18. Where is your significant other at the moment? Ten feet from me in his chair.
19. Have you ever smoked pot? If no, would you? No, and it sounds quite helpful right now.
20. Who's house did you last sleep at, besides your own? My sister’s.
21. What clothing store did you last visit online? Uhm, I don't shop for clothes online, so I have no idea whatsoever.
22. Is it dark outside? Nope. It's lovely out: 7 p.m. on a summer's night.
23. What shoes did you wear today? My sparkly, beaded sandals.
24. If you could pull it off, what hair color would you want to have? Auburn. Or white.
25. Would you ever hire a make-up artist? Nah.
26. Do you think you would make a great CEO? Uh, negatory.
27. How about a Lawyer? I could fake it, if I had a good paralegal.
28. What is the theme of your living room? "Theme"?? It's comfortable.
29. When did you last watch Boy Meets World? Like, never.
30. Would you like to go to Paris? Not particularly, but I suppose I should just get it crossed off my list, eh?

***

***
1) If you were given a pencil and paper, what would be the first thing you would draw or write? A list. Not sure what...grocery? Things I should be doing instead of this?
2) What do you think of the Nick Jr. show, Yo Gabba Gabba? I think I'm too old for it.
3) What dish do you know how to prepare? From scratch? Apple pie, mac-n-cheese, the whole Thanksgiving meal (and, therefore, all its components), bread, spaghetti (well, sorta from scratch), pizza (ditto), broiled/baked fish....
4) When you forget things, how do you try to remember? Backtrack mentally, or physically, till it pops back in. However, more often than not lately, I just can't remember.
5) What's your best memory of school? Marching band practice.
6) What band did you like before they became popular? Phranc. I don't think she's popular yet. Also--and ditto--Vinnie James.
7) What's something you used to do as a kid, but no longer do today? Jumprope.
7) is on the way to the fireworks.
8) Do you still have some movies on VHS? Four or five.
9) What would be the first thing you and your best friend would do together? Hug.
10) What do you normally order at McDonald's? Bacon-egg-cheese bagel.
11) What video game do you PWN at? Yeah, none.
12) What do you think of when you hear the words, "This Is How We Do?" I think of my bossy relatives and friends.
13) If we continue doing what we're doing today, do you think the world will still have a future? The planet is unlikely to die because of us. Humans may not have much future, I suppose.
14) What's your favorite dinosaur? Pterodon. Inside family joke.
15) Do you wear something on your feet at hotels? Usually. Except when I'm climbing into bed or the shower.
16) How often do you daydream? Not often enough.
17) Do you have a creative imagination? Prolly.
18) What movie creeps you out? "Psycho" (the original one, of course)
19) If you had a baby, would you be prepared to take care of it? Of course.
20) Would you have it? Get an abortion? Give it up for adoption? The only way I'm having a baby is if someone thrusts one into my hands and runs like hell. So, of course, I'd try to find the critter's family and if that failed, I just do my best to raise it.

***
***

1. Are you under the age of 30? No.
2. Are you under the age of 20? {snort} ...hardly
3. Do you own a Phish album, or taped show? No.
4. Do you own both an album and a taped show? No. I'm not even sure I could identify a Phish song.
5. How many records do you own?50? 80? No clue. They're all in storage.
6. Have you ever broken up a fight at school? Uh, yeah.
7. Have you ever been called "hippie" as an insult, but said "thank you"? Nope. Though I could certainly think of worse--and less appropriate--things to be called.
8. How many pieces of hemp jewelry, or clothing do you own? I think my last hemp necklace died over a decade ago.
9. Are you a vegetarian? Well, I EAT them, but I'm not exclusive about it.
10. Are you a vegan? Gah, no.
11. Do you know what a vegan is? I do. Hence the "gah" above.
12. Do you own a lava lamp, a black light poster, glow stars, or love beads? I'd LOVE a lava lamp!! But, sadly, no.
13. Do you own all of the above? No.
14. Do you ever wear hand made clothing, jewelry, etc.? Sometimes.
15. Can you recite at least some of the lyrics to more than 20 Beatles songs? Is there really anyone between the ages of about 40 and 70 who can't?
16. If no, can you recite 10 - 20? See above.
17. If no, can you recite 1 - 9? See above.
18. Can you recite some lyrics to any Beatles songs? Yes, I fucking can. Stop it! Do you want me to WRITE some lyrics? Cuz, yeah, that's a totally different question. So, then: "And anytime you feel the pain / Hey Jude, refrain / Don't carry the world upon your shoulders / For well you know that its a fool who plays it cool / By making his world a little colder." {words to live by, eh?}
19. Do you know who Allen Ginsberg is? I've a vague idea, yes. {eyeroll}
20. Did you cry when he died? No.
21. Can you play a musical instrument? A couple, passably. Several others, badly.
22. Can you play the accoustic guitar (I'm not talking about being able to play Mary Had A Little Lamb, I'm talking REAL songs)? Uh, no.
23. Have you written poems about the beauty of life? No. My poems have nothing to do with emo.
24. Have you recently written poems about how life sucks? Nope. See previous answer.
25. Do you use the words, "groovy", "far out", or "trippy" in your daily life? No. When I do use any of those, I'm totally ironic.
26. Do you own a pair of Birks? No. {shudder}
27. Have you ever marched in a peace march? No, but I would.
28. Do you wear fur? I would if it were cold enough.
29. Do you wear leather? I looooooovvve leather!!
30. Do you constantly burn incence? No. Beast can't stand it at all.
31. Does Bob Dylan's voice gives you nice goosebumps? No, but it gives me nausea.
32. Have you ever worn real flowers in your hair? Not for years and years. My wedding veil had (fake) flowers in it, actually.
33. Would you join a commune? I'd rather register as a Republican!
34. Do you know who sang the theme to "The Wonder Years"? What is the theme song for that show? I never watched it. [having now looked up the title of the song, the answer is Joe Cocker...]
35. Have you ever seen the movie, or listened to the music of "Woodstock"? Have seen many clips, and know most of the songs played at, Woodstock.
36. Can you can finish the words to this song..."And its one, two, three, what are we fighting for?" Ayup: "Don't ask me, I don't give a damn / Next stop is Vietnam / It's five, six, seven / Open up the pearly gates..."
37. How many articles of tie dyed clothing do you own? None. I threw away the T-shirt I got at Joe Cocker's restaurant a couple of years ago.
38. Do you know what Wicca is? Yes.
39. Have you ever meditated? I have. It's not my thing.
40. Did you want Bob Dole to win? He won the war, lost his arm, and I did vote for him in the primary. Figured he'd be easier for the Dems to beat.
41. How many inches of hair reaches past your shoulders? None. My hair is shoulder-length.
42. Does make-up feel icky on your face? Yup. And then it makes my face LOOK icky.
43. Is your bed is just a mattress on the floor? No, I'm a grown-up, thanks.
44. Is your bed just a futon? No, but Sparky's is.
43. Have you have ever worn glitter on your face? Possibly. Not for a million years.
44. Do you think a socialist is a person who parties a lot? No, but Socialists join Parties regularly.

***

***
1. So how is your day going? OK. Boring. yay
2. What are you having for dinner tonight? Leftover pizza.
3. Do you ever watch the show "Sex With Mom and Dad"? OMG no! It sounds awful.
4. Doesn't it gross you out? The title certainly does.
5. Do you have your own computer? I do.
6. Have you ever truly been in love? Yup.
7. If so, how did you know? At the risk of sounding like a bad country song, I don't know if I could live without him.
8. Have you ever been given a promise ring? The one time one was promised to me, I ran for the hills.
9. What's your least favorite ice cream flavor? Am NOT a fan of anything very very chocolatey.
10. What about your least favorite gummy bear color? They're all the same to me.
11. How many people have you had sex with? The previous person said, "None of your business." I concur.
12. What upcoming movie do you really want to see? Looking forward to Harry Potter.
13. Have you ever been clubbing? Not for decades.
14. Out of everyone you know, who has the weirdest name? My grandfather. No, I'm not telling you what it was.
15. Have you ever been told you're a good kisser? I have.
16. How old were you when you first drank alcohol? My sister brought wine to Thanksgiving one year when I was around 11 or 12. It was Blue Nun. YUCK.
17. Do you know anyone who's straight edge? Yup.
18. If you're American, who are you voting for? Depends on who is running (but I voted wholeheartedly for Obama last fall).
19. What do you think about the war in Iraq? We've been there way too long.
20. And how about abortion - pro life or pro choice? Pro-choice.
21. What's your favorite Disney movie of all time? It will come as no surprise to ANYone who knows me that I love "The Lion King."
22. Describe how your room is decorated: My bedroom? It's blue and sandy-tan, with loads of water-related paitings, photos and decor. The headboard of the bed is teak, the nightstands are oak, and the dressers are fucking HIDEOUSLY UGLY and fake wood. It's all very dusty. Should be taking care of that now. Oh well.
23. Don't you just hate the Jonas Brothers? I have nothing personally against them.
24. Do you like myspace or facebook? I loathe MySpace, and I'm on Fb all day. Just ask Steven.
25. In pictures do you always do a peace sign? How about never?
26. How old do you wish you were? 25.
27. Who do you text most often? Sparky.
28. Currently, what are your favorite lyrics? "And I, I'm desperate for you / And I, I'm I'm lost without you" ("Breathe," Michael W. Smith)
29. What's the worst book you've ever had to read for school? Moby Dick, The Leatherstocking Tales, and anything by Hemingway are clustered together at the bottom.
30. Do you have any regrets? I've had a few. Can't believe I'm quoting Frank....

Labels: Miscellany, Surveys

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Yankee Doodle Dandy

1. What is your favorite 4th of July memory? (If you aren't in the U.S., then use your own national holiday.)

The day before I got married, my sister had a party at her house with all the family members who were in town for the wedding. It was hotter than heck, but absolutely the most fun. I wish today I could go back to that day, more than my wedding day which was lovely but very artificial. Having a bad bout of missing my sister suddenly.

2. Do you consider yourself patriotic?

I am, but I'm not rabid about it.

3. Do you like fireworks?

Meh, I can take 'em or leave 'em.

4. What are your plans for this weekend?

I went in to work for a few hours this morning in a (mostly failed) attempt to catch up after so much time off. We're hanging out doing nothing the rest of the day. I need to start the salad for tomorrow, when we're going to my niece and nephew's for a get-together. We'll probably go to church too. We'll see. If we do, I'm voting for arriving late and leaving early.

5. Are you optimistic about the future?

In general, yes. Otherwise, I'd probably be suicidal, no?

6. Do you think everyone should serve in the military?

No. I do, strongly, believe that everyone should do some time in service to their country and/or community in their lifetime, a la Americorps.

7. Would you support a constitutional ban on flag burning?

Ab so lute ly NOT.

8. What end of the political spectrum are you?

Can't you tell? After that last answer it should be obvious that I'm a raging pinko Commie! (a.k.a. Democrat)

9. Where do you get your news?

Beast, the net, and "the water cooler." I watched the news more at my sister's house this week than I have in ages and all I ended up with was heartburn from the extreme inanity of it all.

And now I have the title song stuck in my head...yay?

Labels: Fireworks, Holidays, Legal Issues, Memory, Politics, Popular Culture, Saturday Memes, United States

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Saturday 6

1. What was the very first pet you ever had? How close were you to that pet?

We had a parakeet when I was really little--pre-elementary school aged--called Peppy. I wasn't all that close to him, either literally or figuratively. He came with the family I was 'assigned' as far as I could tell and since he was hanging considerably higher than I could see without machination, I mostly ignored him. I know I didn't really get all the worked up when he died.

2. What is the most unusual pet you’ve had?

We had zebra finches for awhile in the late 80s, and bred them. It was fun, but they were noisy & MESSY!

3. How many different kinds of animals have you owned and which type do you think acted the closest to you?

The parakeet, a terrier, (Beast had hermit crabs in college, but we weren't married then), the finches, the shepherd mix, the guinea pigs. Which one behaves like me? Probably the terrier. Maybe the finches. ;-)

4. Take the quiz: What Pet Are You Like?

You Are Like a Horse

You are strong, steady, and devoted. You are a good partner. You are gentle and sensitive. You can be easily frightened. You are usually quite stable, but you do have a wild streak that comes out from time to time. You are cooperative and not a solitary creature. You like to be around others.

What Pet Are You Like?

I've italicized the parts I agree with but overall...uhm, WTF? As for being with others, I don't mind it, generally. Right now, however, I really want to be completely alone for awhile. Like days.

5. Do you have any desire to have an "exotic" pet? If so, what exotic pet would you most likely choose?

If it's furry, I'm probably allergic. I'm not a fan of fish. That leaves reptiles...not real interested there either. So I think I'll pass on the exotics. Maybe hermit crabs? [yawn]

6. Which exotic pet would you least likely own?

Any kind of large mammal, i.e. felines, chimp, etc. Really, I don't see the point of owning something 'exotic.' I'd give just about ANYthing to be able to have a dog.

Labels: Animals, Saturday Memes

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Fireworks

1. How do you feel about fireworks displays?

I can live with the professional ones once or twice a year. They aren't my most favorite-est thing in the universe, not by a long shot. Homegrown fireworks make me 100% insane. There are people near our neighborhood who set off fireworks practically every weekend during the summer, and at Christmas, New Year's, Easter, birthdays, etc. This time of year, it's EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. And some days.

I probably didn't get so worked up about fireworks before we lived here, and I'm sure I appreciated the shows more. Except for the mosquito factor, of course.

2. What were the details surrounding one of your mishaps with fire?

I inadvertantly left a candle lit when I went to bed one night eight or so years ago. It set off the smoke detector at 1 or 2 a.m. because the "seashells" embedding in it caught fire. I walked into the bathroom and was confronted with a 2-foot flame. Fortunately--since I was mostly still asleep--whatever I did (dumping it into the sink after I turned the water on? I have no idea) doused the flame and there was no damage to anything but my sleep that night. Beast was out of town; Sparky slept through the smoke alarm.

3. Who in your life could be described as a real firecracker?

Me? My sister Ellen came to mind immediately. I dunno--this is not a term I use for people. I usually prefer "pistol" and it's NOT complimentary.

4. When did you last feel you were being put on display?

Every time I go somewhere to do with Beast's workplace I feel this way. Ugh. Fortunately, it's not terribly often.

5. How confident are you in your barbecue skills?

Not very. I don't staff the grill. In fact, I'm not sure how it turns on and off. And I don't like BBQ that much anyway. We mostly just use the grill for steaks, burgers, and brats.

Labels: Confidence, Fire, Fireworks, Food, Friday memes, Holidays, People

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1. When I heard heard about Mom's worsening condition last week I wondered if it was another false alarm. [it wasn't]

2. Appreciating the absurdities of life is the best medicine.

3. It's late, but not too late.

4. Check your ego always.

5. My eyes have seen 1) the glory of the coming of the Lord... ; and 2) far too much lately, and not enough.

6. It is important to behave strongly, but not smell strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to FIL's visit for dinner, tomorrow my plans include working ALL ALONE at the library, and watching fireworks from the backyard at dusk, and Sunday, I want to behave appropriately at my niece's party! [someone has to]

Labels: FitB, Friday memes, Lyrics, Miscellany, Weekend