Sweet Memes

Groups

1. Tell us about any group(s) you currently belong to. (e.g. book club, knitting circle, walking buddies, etc.)

I'm not a good "group" person (i.e., not a joiner per se). Having said that, I'll list those that come to mind: At church I'm on the ruling council (Session), and I participate in two Bible Study groups.
Work-related groups: By default I'm on two-becoming-one cataloging groups, and somehow on at least one subcommittee, God help me (and Amy who is on it too).

2. Do you feel energized or drained by being in a group situation? If the answer is "it depends," on what does it depend?

Generally, I feel energized with the church ones and nearly suicidal right now with the work-related ones.

Obviously, it's dependent on what I'm able to take away from the group, and the people I'm in the group with, as well as whether I feel 'forced' to be there.

3. Is there a role you naturally find yourself playing in group situations? That is, do you naturally fall into the leader role, or the one who always makes sure the new person feels welcome, or the quiet one who sits back and lets others shine, or the host?

I'm NOT the quiet one. I tend to be the tension-breaker, unless I'm the tense one. Occasionally I will fill a leadership role, and sometimes I'm a greeter or a host, but I mostly like the collegial atmosphere of a well-oiled group.

4. Handshakes vs. hugs: discuss.

I know someone who rarely shakes hands and won't hug people, not because she's standoffish, though she seems that way. It's because she's quite concerned about illness--she's had a double-lung transplant--and especially in the winter she touches no one unnecessarily. We now do "elbow bumbs" in church if we're greeting people and we think we're germy.

In other venues...handshakes for work-related stuff, or a wave. Rarely hugs.

Odd, I love hugs now, but my family almost never hugs each other. Thank God I grew out of that whole WASP 'no-touching' rule!

5. Ice breakers: a playful way to build community in a lighthearted manner, or a complete and utter hell of forced fun and awkwardness?

If I'm going to spend more than one meeting with people, I don't have a big problem with icebreakers, but if it's just a time-killer thing at a training seminar or conference......screw it. I'll break my own ice, thanksverymuch. And I lay that attitude squarely at the feet of MAS, Queen of All She Surveys.

Word

1. What word do you use far too frequently?

"So..." And I think "and" and "then" belong on the list too.

2. What word do you use not frequently enough?

"No."

3. What word do you use when swearing is not appropriate?

Well, there's "shoot!" and "rats!" and "nuts." Is "crap" swearing? "Dang!!" is a favorite, too.

What’s the most recent new word you learned?

I haven't a clue. And believe me, I sat and thought about this for several minutes, even checking my word sites for inspiration.

5. What’s a word you’ve invented? (alternate question: What needs a word but doesn’t have one?)

"Cuddlefish."

Sparky used to be one.

Chicken Soup for the Friday Fiver's Soul

1. How often do you usually get sick each year?

Take-a-sick-day sick: probably only two or three times a year. But I always end up with something in the winter that seems to hang around for weeks and drags the life right out of me.

2. Which is worse to catch: a cold or the flu?

Flu, because of the whole fever thing. However, whichever you have is the worst ever when you're in the midst of it!

3. Do you plan to get a flu shot? Why or why not?

I usually do, unless I get sick around the time they're given. I haven't had a bad case of flu for several years, and I work with the public a lot so am constantly assaulted by germs.

4. What are your favorite home remedies for cold and flu symptoms?

Sleep. Interspersed with soup breaks, or jello breaks, and/or bad TV breaks. And as much water or citrus juice as I can stand.

5. When you're sick do you take "sick days" or do you force yourself to continue working?

I'm trying to do better about not infecting coworkers when I'm sick, so I stay home if I'm feeling really virulent. I figure, though, if I'm bored at home, I probably should get back to work....

Feast One Hundred & Thirteen

Appetizer
What is your favorite herb or spice?

Tikka. It's the only Indian spice I know how to use.

Soup
Name a song you like but haven't heard in a long time.

"Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel). Also "Silent Night," especially the version Stevie Nicks did.

Salad
If you were to take just one minute to write down as many things as you can think of that you need (not want) to do, approximately how many things would there be?

Depends on how picky I wanted to get. Is "need" the same as "should"? I could probably make it into the 30s pretty handily, especially today.

Main Course
Tell something interesting about one of your family members (nothing scandalous, please, just something unique).

When I was dating Beast (read: when I was thin, Before Child), his thigh circumference was the same as my waist, give or take an inch. Fortunately for him, that's no longer true!

Dessert
What's the latest you've ever stayed awake?

In college, we had a trivia contest once a year at the campus radio station which ran from 6 p.m. Friday straight through 6 p.m. Sunday. I usually took an early Saturday morning shift--3 to 6 a.m., or 1 to 7 a.m. in one case. So that meant all night, ending just in time for breakfast and then a three-hour nap before starting on homework.

There were also a couple of travel days in Russia when we crossed so many time zones in just a couple of days that I never really knew what time it was, so I just slept when I could.

Booking Through Thursday

1. Do you own any bookends? If so, how many sets? If not, do you need or want any?
   We have 3 or 4 sets. Considering the number of books we have, that's not very many. Usually we fill the shelves so it's not an issue, and sometimes I stack heavy books on their backs to act as bookends. I need to get more though; where does one buy attractive, functional bookends that don't cost $50/pair??


2. Which are your favorites? How long have you had them?
   My faves are the ones I inherited from my parents. They're not very exciting, but they are functional and attractive (see above), sort of faux wood, very thin and flexible but strong. I got them when my parents moved out of their house almost exactly 12 years ago.

Sept. 29

Q1 - Sleep: When was the last time you pulled an all-nighter, and why? If you can't recall, then where's the most embarrassing place you've ever fallen asleep?

I can't remember the last all-nighter, but it's probably within the last 5 years. There've been a couple of middle-of-the-night trips to the ER in that time.

Since I can't dish anything good on that, I'll try the second question.... I don't remember the most embarrassing place I've been caught asleep, but I do know that when Sparky was a baby, I fell asleep a couple of times in the back room of the library. I was alone and just put my head down "for a sec" only to wake up 10 minutes or so later.

Q2 - Trust: Who do trust the most, or in what order would you rank your level of trust for each of the following: Clergy, Teachers, Police, Doctors, Print Journalists, Bankers, TV Newscasters, Scientists, Lawyers, Members of Congress, and Stockbrokers?

I trust Beast the most, then my oldest sister. I can't fully trust people I've never met. I'd say, of those listed, have somewhat more trust in clergy, teachers, doctors, print journalists and scientists than in any of the others, with police directly on the 50/50 mark and most of the rest falling handily into Trust But Verify mode.

Q3 - Sick: When you're sick, do you prefer to be left alone or do you like to have someone attending to your every whim and desire?

I like to be checked on periodically, but I don't like someone standing over me. It sorta depends on what I've got going on, too. If it's the kind of illness where you can and should sleep, then just let me sleep. If it's like yesterday, I like having someone to bounce ideas and questions off of (and someone to whine to!).

Q4 - Sidekick: If you could pick any cartoon character to be your very own personal assistant, who would you pick and why?

Opus. I love Opus. Opus is the perfect sidekick/friend.

Your Attitude is Better than 35% of the Population

You have an average attitude. You take the good and bad in life as they come. Though sometimes you could use a little more good.

Yup. That's about right.

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

Not at all the one I would've thought, but I don't mind.

(and this meme is courtesy of Lisa)

I’ve highlighted the ones I’ve read. I've italicized the ones I'm not sure if I've read, but I think I've at least read in part.

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier [great book, should be required reading]
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel [I'm the only person who hasn't read any of these]
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers [another great book, also should be required reading]
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
48. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King [probably the only Stephen King I haven't read]
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell [if you ever see this in a bookstore, spend the $3; you'll make serious cash on it]
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford [you've gotta be kidding]
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Addendum (9/29)
Here is the list from 2005 of the 10 most-challenged books of the year, and why:

• "It's Perfectly Normal" for homosexuality, nudity, sex education, religious viewpoint, abortion and being unsuited to age group;
• "Forever" by Judy Blume for sexual content and offensive language;
• "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger for sexual content, offensive language and being unsuited to age group;
• "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for sexual content and offensive language;
• "Whale Talk" by Chris Crutcher for racism and offensive language;
• "Detour for Emmy" by Marilyn Reynolds for sexual content;
• "What My Mother Doesn't Know" by Sonya Sones for sexual content and being unsuited to age group;
• Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey for anti-family content, being unsuited to age group and violence;
• "Crazy Lady!" by Jane Leslie Conly for offensive language; and
• "It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families" by Robie H. Harris for sex education and sexual content.

Guess what the big hang-up for Americans is....
Incidentally, at least two of these books are at least 20 years old. Can we just get over the fact that {{gasp!!}} teenagers and sex go together like salt and pepper? JEEZ.

1. What is your absolute favorite piece of furniture you have and why?

Probably our dining room/kitchen table, rebuilt by my dad for our wedding gift from scrap teak he found in a dumpster at a Danish furniture store.

2. What would be your design style? Asian, Americana, country, contemporary, etc.?

I like strong, comfortable furniture that's built to last, with few frills and furbelows. Just very simple, Wright or Mission style stuff.

3. Are you of the spartan furnishing philosophy, or the more the better?

The more you have, the more there is to dust. Therefore, spartan is good.

4. My two favorite rooms are the living room and the bedroom in any house. What are your two favorite rooms?

Me too. I like the kitchen as well (all that food!), and any room with a big bathtub is a good room, but for simple comfort and functionality, can't beat the living room and bedroom.

5. If money were no object and you were to redecorate, pick one room in your house and describe its decor.

I'd like to do our bedroom; the main reason we haven't done it is that we don't know what to do. I'd like it to be light, summer-cottage feeling, but not frilly or too over the top since this is NOT a cottage. But I like the light blue/white/teal palette, and we have a lot of water/lighthouse stuff going on both in the room and the master bath. I just need some ideas for coordinating it all.

I found this on Sangria Lover 's site. In Google (or a search engine of your choice), type in your first name and the phrase "last I heard, she was" (or "last I heard, he was" if that makes more sense for you).

Using my 'real' name, I found out several interesting things:

• I was "a bail-bondsperson in Southern California" (funny how I developed amnesia about that job immediately, along with the idea of living in SoCal)
• I was "diagnosed with that but last i heard she was doing a little better" (WHAT? What was I diagnosed with?!)
• I was "was into some crazy stuff... like professional kite flying" (yeah, party girl)
• I was "in the bay area", "in San Francisco", "in houston", "living in Cary" (none of which are true)
• I was "was doing good, she had appendix removed" (A-HA! But this one is true, if not about me specifically....)
  
• ..and, I kid you not, I was "studying beavers for some advanced biology degree or other" (ROFLMAO)

It's good to have a slightly unusual name. I only got a page and a half of hits. When I use "Cat" I get over 10 pages.

Going off to check my wallet to see if I still have a bail-bond license. That would solve a few of my current problems....

Thirteen Things I'm Anticipating Joyfully: This weekend is Beast's and my 20th college reunion. Yes: we're going. I hope the weather is good Saturday for the game! The end of allergy season is approaching. Hurrah! I want to actually get some more spring bulbs in the ground before it gets frigid out. And maybe a couple of mums. Watching the leaves change. They've already started, but they are mostly still attached to the trees. I love the giant piles on the ground. I even love the smell of burning leaves, though I can't be outside when too many people get going on that. Getting a new camera. I hope that's soon, anyway.... I really don't want to have to wait till Christmas! Having the data-checking done at work on the first test load of the database. {Jargon much??} I just want all of this to be OVER! Halloween. I love seeing the kids in their costumes trick-or-treating. We get more visitors to our door now, living in the country (sorta) than we did in town. Weird, but true. Seeing Beast's brother in late October. My birthday. I guess. I'll be 43. It amazes me to type that. I don't feel 43 (most days). Thanksgiving. Not sure if we'll do the meal again, or if we'll fly to Cleveland and see Beast's parents. But I like Thanksgiving a lot. It really is my favorite holiday. Having all my Christmas shopping finished. I think I'm going to suggest to most of my extended family that this year instead of a lot of bullshit desperation gifts, they tell me a charity and I'll make a donation in their name. My niece's baby shower. Which I haven't really started planning yet. I need to take a train ride to P--ine and check out some restaurants near the station to see if any of them have rooms we can use. Then I need to start planning it, get a guest list from the parents, etc. Christmas. I love the candlelight service on Christmas Eve. It's a tossup between that one and Tenebrae as to which one I find the most moving. I also love all of Advent, the religious parts, not the shopping/planning/wrapping/Muzak frenzy. I wonder what the daily advent readings will be this year. They're always really creative.

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Flavorites


1. What's your favorite 'chill' (mellow, relaxing, etc) activity? Why?

Blogging, reading, puzzling (crosswords and sudoku)...and taking a bath. Haven't figured out a way to do all of them together, but I do usually read in the bathtub.

2. When you go out, where do you like to go? What do you like to do?

Somewhere quiet-ish. I don't really like loud freaky clubs. A nice restaurant, or a small, friendly bar. We don't actually go out that often. Hopefully that will change in the next couple of years.

3. What's your favorite comfort food? Why? Do you keep some on hand for emergencies?

Normally, it's mac & cheese. I try to keep the ingredients stocked, but the cheese usually gets eaten before I make it (it's not particularly quick, and t's totally unhealthy, so I don't make it often anymore). This is the only reciple I have completely memorized. I made it in England about 10 years ago using totally different ingredients in a rental house...and it turned out fine.

However, today I'm calling out soda crackers as my comfort food of choice.

Bonus Question for Comments: How's life? Is it treating you well right now?

It hasn't knocked me down yet. As long as I don't think about everything all at once--keep it all safely compartmentalized--I'm in good shape. It's when all the elements mix together that they produce TNT and blow up my brain/health/stability. It's a delicate balance.

You Are A Romantic Realist

You tend to be grounded when it comes to romance. Sure, you can fall hard... but only for someone you've gotten to know. And once you're in love, you can be a total romantic goofball... But you'd never admit it to your friends! [except I think I just did]

"Cutie Pie?"


Now I'm jonesing for those little heart-shaped candies...with over 3 months before they show up!

Onesome: Clean-- as a whistle? Can you whistle? When did you learn? ...and with pursed lips or with that finger thing?

Yes, I can whistle. I whistle along with the radio sometimes. I can't do the "shrieky" whistle (with fingers or teeth), but I'm working on it. I've got the sound; I need to work on volume.

Twosome: Air-- quality: an issue where you live or not? ...enough to move?

This time of year, it can get rather smoky from burning leaves. We live in the country, so it is still legal to burn where we are. Otherwise, the air is VERY good, except for those occasions when a skunk gets hit by a car or the wind is blowing the fragrance of cow-farm our direction. This is a definite plus for this Denver-raised chick; I can't SEE the air here!

Threesome: Act-- Hey, do you 'act your age'? Sure, that's subjective, but what do you think? ...or better yet: what do your friends think {g}?

I mostly do, but sometimes I don't. One of the bennies of being the youngest sibling is that everyone in my family expects me to be somewhat immature. I get along with younger people well, better than I did when I was a kid. I think I'm just a little older than the age I always acted when I was a kid.

Your Social Anxiety Level: 36%

You have low social anxiety. Of course very unfamiliar or strange situations make you uncomfortable. But you can pull through and handle almost any social occasion with grace.

OK. The percentage seems about right, but the description doesn't have much going for it in my case.

10 Favorite Articles of Clothing

1. Lee jeans, though I only have one really elderly pair right now. They are my faves, though: nice and broken in and ratty.
2. An odd-colored T-shirt that's about 8 years old; it's getting visibly thin but fits me absolutely perfectly. I wish I could find several more just like it (but not thin).
3. Either the fitted green jacket I wore today (Gap) or the longer unstructured green/gray/beige jacket (Eddie Bauer) that used to be my sister's.
4. My gray shorts with pink stripes (virtually the only pink item in my closet).
5. My winter pajamas, with the slightly off-kilter (ok, really effing-scary) snowmen all over them. I have two sets.
6. My dressy jeans, the ones I have on today (and the blue and tan pairs just like 'em): stretchy and fitted.
7. My brown sandals, the ones I bought this summer.
8. My new sneakers, which are by far the most comfortable tennies I've had in decades.
   
   TECHNICALLY, I THINK THAT'S TEN...but I'll go on....
   
9. My green winter hat, purchased in the Yorkshire Dales 2 years ago.
10. My dad's shirt.

If you could have been one of the early explorers of America, where would you have wanted to explore?

The Rockies, or northern California.

Oprah: Will you take her or leave her?

I like Oprah. I'm not a groupie, but I like her.

You know you're old when...

...you get excited about buying large appliances. hee

I've wanted to do one of these for awhile, so here goes... You've only got three parachutes. Who doesn't get one? Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., or James Dean?

I think it's only fair that Frank miss out.

Stolen Cheddar...

1. Last Christmas:

"...I gave you my heart/But the very next day..." OK, no, last year for Christmas we bought this laptop.

2. When I turn my head left:

I can't see the TV (showing Season 4 CSI on DVD), but I can watch Buddy noshing down on some hay.

13. I should be:

making and eating some dinner.

14. When I look down I see:

the carpet. Shock! There's no junk all over the floor.

15. The craziest recent event was:

the whole revisiting of the JonBenet Ramsey debacle.

16. If I were a character on "Friends" I'd be:

for today at least, Phoebe.

17. By this time next year:

all this Sirsi crap will be done and I'll be able to do my job again.

18. My favorite aunt is:

dead. There are no family members of my parents' generation still living. Actually, the youngest of them were in their late 50s when I was born, so they've all been gone for some time; I never really had a "favorite aunt."

19. I have a hard time understanding:

mapping. And, completely unrelated, meanness.

20. One time at a family gathering:

someone didn't start crying. I'm sure that must have happened at least once. I can't tell you when it was; at every family gathering I remember at least one person ended up all pissed about something someone else said/did/omitted/looked like/.... Ah, family dysfunction: ain't it great?

#50

1. What's the longest you've ever gone without a shower?

Probably a couple of days camping or something of that ilk, and not for a LONG time. I like being clean.

2. Do you use a q-tip? If so, how often?

Yes, every time I shower.

3. Do you have any piercings, if so where? Any for sexual purposes?

I have a hole in each earlobe. That's it. Not very sexual.

4. Oral sex... give or receive?

Heh. There's a third choice, yes?

5. Sex while on the period... ick?

Yep. Not a problem anymore for some people (nannynannybooboo).

Favorites

1. What two movies are your favorite and why?

"Heathers" and "Sophie's Choice," for polar opposite reasons.

2. What two songs are your favorite and why?

"Sweetest Thing" and "O God Our Help in Ages Past."

3. What two television shows are your favorite and why?

CSI and The Amazing Race.

4. What two snack foods are your favorite and why?

Wheat Thins and anything sweet.

5. What two beverages are your favorite and why?

Diet Dr. Pepper and vodka. But NOT (notnotnot) together!

Turn ons/Turns offs

A couple of edits: Pick the gender you normally prefer to date. The "I date girls" questions start halfway down. I've also done some line editing as needed.

Turned ON, OFF, Depends, or Don't Care when a GUY:

Appearance/Body

Under 5ft: In all honesty, I'm not sure I could date someone this much shorter than me. However, I'm not agin it in theory either. Depends.
5’1ft – 5’5ft: See above. Oddly, this height might be more difficult than the shorter guys! Depends.
5’6ft – 5’11ft: Depends. On the guy.
Over 6ft: Depends. On the guy.
Under 100lbs: See above. Depends.
101lbs – 130lbs: Depends.
131lbs – 160lbs: Depends.
161lbs- 190lbs: Turn on.
Over 191lbs: Turn on, up to a point.
Blond hair: Turn off. Why fight the truth: I prefer dark hair.
Brown hair: Turn on. Yum.
Black hair: Turn on.
Red hair: Depends. What color red?
Hair with highlights (or has two or more colors): Like brown and gray? :-) Depends. Here's the deal: if the guy is spending more time and money coloring his hair than I am, it's got to be a turn off.
Mohawks: Turn off--definite sign that he's way too young for me.
Bald/shaved: Don't care.
Hair past the shoulders: Turn on, if it's well-groomed (and not permed or sprayed a la Poison.
Curly hair: Turn off, unless we're talking kinky, curly. I have this mental picture of a guy from high school who I swear curled his hair in the morning! Ish.
Hair falling into eyes: MMMMM, turn on.
Extremely buff: Depends.
Mildly buff: Turn on.
Little or no muscles: Turn off.
Six pack: Yawn. Oh, wait: don't care.
Wears cologne: Don't care.
Wears make-up: Am I dating Robert Smith? Turn OFF!
Wears tight clothes: Turn off, up to a point.
Wears very oversized, baggy clothes: Turn off.
Wears designer clothes: As if I'd know....don't care!
Wears glasses: Don't care. As long as he washes them on a regular basis.
Has braces: Turn off. Boo, me. Too many painful memories coming back.
Has his ears pierced: BOTH ears? Uhm...well....depends, I guess.
Has facial piercings: Turn off.
Has piercings below the belt: While I'd kinda like to see the freak show, it's a total turn off.
Tattoos: Turn off.
Pale/white skin: As in never seen the sun in his life? Turn off. As in northern European and can't help it? Don't care.
Tanned: Turn on to a point.
Very dark skin: Don't care.
African American: Don't care.
Indian: Asian Indian or American-Indian? Not that it matters: don't care.
Asian: This is a gray area, so I'll go with don't care.
Caucasian: Don't care.
Albino: Er...turn off. Sorry.
Facial hair: YAY! Turn ON.
Shaves his body hair: OK, I've known a lot of bicycle racers and swimmers who shave for the sport. I don't care about that. Otherwise, it's kind of a turn off, unless the guy is Dr. Zaius.
Scars: Don't care.

Interests/Skills/Etc.

Has an accent: Turn on.
Plays an instrument: Turn on.
Plays in a band: Depends.
Sings: Huge turn on.
Reads a lot of books: Major turn on.
Fails in school: Turn off (as long as the failure isn't due to unrecognized LD).
Excels in school: Turn on.
Skateboards: Don't care.
Surfs: That would be difficult around here! Turn off.
Rides motorcycles: Turn on!
Is on a sports team: Depends.
Plays golf: Don't care.
Plays chess: Don't care.
Plays video games: Don't care.
Looks at porn: Turn off.
Drives a beaten up car: Turn off.
Dances well: Turn on.
Eats very little: Turn off. [He has to keep up with me, at the very least!]
Eats a lot: Turn off.
Burps excessively: Yish: turn off.
Is an actor: As a hobby: turn on.
Has a love for rocks and bugs: Unless he's Gil Grissom, turn off.
Likes to shop as much as you do: Turn on. Since I don't like to shop that much, this should be an easy guy to find!
Wrestles: {giggle} Depends.
Does karate: Don't care.
Lives in a big house: Don't care.
Rich: Don't care.
Smokes cigarettes: Feh. Gigantic turn off.
Drinks alcohol: Don't care.
Smokes weed: Depends on how much and how often.
Does hard drugs: Major, turn-around-and-run turn off.
Writes poetry: Eh...depends.
Likes to party: If it's the same kind of parties I like, turn on. If it's obnoxiousness for obnoxiousness' sake, turn off.
Christian: Depends on the 'brand.'
Jewish: Don't care.
Muslim: Don't care.
Catholic: Don't care.
Buddhist: Don't care.
Atheist: Turn off. Agnostic is fine.
Mormon: TURN OFF!
Scientologist: BIG TURN OFF!!
Likes to cook: Huge turn on.
Political: Don't care, as long his views are in the same general direction as mine. I don't think I could ever date a right-winger.
Likes to watch gruesome horror films: Don't care, unless he expects me to watch 'em too. Then it's turn off.
Listens to country: Don't care.
Listens to rap/hip-hop/r&b: Turn off. Too misogynistic, by and large.
Raps himself: See above: turn off. Unless he's Wyclef Jean, in which case...nevermind the orevious answer: turn on!
Listens to metal: Don't care.
And headbangs to it: As a joke, don't care. Seriously? Turn off.
Listens to techno/dance: Don't care.
[Listens to jazz: Don't care.]
[Listens to classical: Turn on.]
Likes to gamble: Depends on how much he likes it.
Doesn’t eat meat: As long as he keeps his mits out of my diet, I'm fine.

Personality

Intelligent/smart: Turn on.
Cocky: Turn off.
Reserved and quiet: Depends.
Shy: Turn on.
Cute: Like a puppy or a baby? Turn off. Otherwise, turn on.
Sophisticated: Depends.
Chill/laidback: Depends. So laidback he's asleep? Turn off.
Dorky/geeky: Turn off.
Talks more than you do: Not possible. But seriously: depends.
Holds open the door for you: Don't care.
Pays for you: Pays for my what? TURN OFF!
Clean and organized: Turn on.
Reckless: Depends.
Adventurous: Turn on.
Athletic: Turn on.
Deep: Turn on.
Has a big ego: Turn off.
Gets jealous easily: HUGE GIANT FLASHING WARNING SIGN turn off.
Protective: Turn on.
Caring: Turn on.
Creative: Turn on.
Fashionable: Don't care.
Doesn’t express much of his feelings: Big turn off.
Calls you "hot", "babe" or "mama": {eyeroll} I don't mind "babe." Generally, however, this is not a turn on.
Showers you with expensive gifts: Depends.
Makes you homemade gifts: Depends.
Brutally honest: Depends.
Lies to make you feel better: Turn off.
Social: Turn on.
Polite: Turn on.
Fun/spontaneous: Turn on.
Dangerous and wild: Turn off.
Likes to party: Didn't we cover this? Turn off in the party animal sense.
And goes to strip clubs: Oh, such a major turn off.
Plays hard to get: Bye. Turn off.
Direct and to the point: Turn on. This is different from rude, however.
Isn’t afraid to cuddle with you in front of his friends: Turn on.
Conservative: Financially--turn on. Otherwise--turn off.
Independent: Turn on.
[Feminist: Probably one of the biggest turn ons on the list.]
Old-fashioned: Depends.
Loner: Depends.
Popular: Don't care.

Sexuality

Is bisexual: Turn off.
Is known for being promiscuous: Turn off.
Is a virgin: Turn off.
Has had more hookups than you: Turn off.
Has a small penis: Depends.
Has a large penis: Depends.
Wants to exchange nudes: Turn off.
Asks for phone sex: Depends.
Submissive: Depends.
Dominant: Depends.
Talks dirty in bed: Depends.

Turned ON, OFF, Depends, or Don't Care when a GIRL:

Appearance/Body
Under 5ft:
5’1ft – 5’5ft:
5’6ft – 5’11ft:
Over 6ft:
Under 100lbs:
101lbs – 130lbs:
131lbs – 160lbs:
161lbs- 190lbs:
Over 191lbs:
Blond hair:
Brown hair:
Black hair:
Red hair:
Hair with highlights (or has two or more colors):
Mohawks:
Bald/shaved:
[Very short hair: ]
Hair past the shoulders:
Curly hair:
Hair falling into eyes:
Has some muscles:
Has a big ass:
Below A cup:
A cup:
B cup:
C cup:
D cup:
Anything bigger??:
Wears perfume:
Wears no make-up:
Wears make-up:
Wears glasses:
Has braces:
Has facial piercings:
Has piercings below the belt:
Tattoos:
Pale/white skin:
Tanned:
Very dark skin:
African American:
Indian:
Asian:
Caucasian:
Albino:
Scars:

Interests/Skills/Etc.
Has an accent:
Plays an instrument:
Plays in a band:
Sings:
Reads a lot of books:
Fails in school:
Excels in school:
Skateboards:
Surfs:
Rides motorcycles:
Is on a sports team:
Plays golf:
Plays chess:
Plays video games:
Looks at porn:
Drives a beaten up car:
Dances well:
Eats very little:
Eats a lot:
Burps excessively:
Is an actress:
Likes to shop a lot:
Wrestles:
Does karate:
Lives in a big house:
Rich:
Smokes cigarettes:
Drinks alcohol:
Smokes weed:
Does hard drugs:
Writes poetry:
Likes to party:
Christian:
Jewish:
Muslim:
Catholic:
Buddhist:
Atheist:
Mormon:
Scientologist:
Likes to cook:
Political:
Likes to watch gruesome horror films:
Listens to country:
Listens to rap/hip-hop/r&b:
Raps:
Listens to metal:
And headbangs to it:
Listens to techno/dance:
[Listens to jazz: ]
[Listens to classical: ]
Likes to gamble:
Doesn’t eat meat:

Personality
Intelligent/smart:
Bitchy:
Reserved and quiet:
Shy:
Cute:
Sophisticated:
Chill/laidback:
Dorky/geeky:
Talkitive:
Cleans up after you:
Pays for you:
Clean and organized:
Reckless:
Adventurous:
Athletic:
Deep:
Has a big ego:
Gets jealous easily:
Protective:
Caring:
Creative:
Fashionable:
Doesn’t express much of her feelings:
Brutally honest:
Lies to make you feel better:
Social:
Polite:
Fun/spontaneous:
Dangerous and wild:
Likes to party:
And goes to strip clubs:
Plays hard to get:
Direct and to the point:
Calls you "muffin," "pumpkin" or "sweetie":
Isn’t afraid to cuddle with you in front of her friends:
Conservative:
Independent:
Feminist:
[Old-Fashioned: ]
Loner:
Popular:

Sexuality
Is bisexual:
Is known for being promiscuous:
Is a virgin:
Has had more hookups than you:
Wants to exchange nudes:
Asks for phone sex:
Submissive:
Dominant:
Talks dirty in bed:

Sept. 25

1. Holiday in Europe or Asia?

Europe.

2. How do you try to change a behavior pattern you don't like about yourself... whether it's chewing fingernails, overeating, smoking, or picking your nose?

I practice avoidance: saty away from whatever reminds me of that behavior. I also enlist help from friends to tell me to stop, or to keep me from doing it. And I keep busy.

3.Have you ever successfully completed a Sudoku puzzle?

Two or three a day, both online and on paper. I love 'em.

4. What website do you visit the most often?

Bloglines.

5. What was your favorite thing about high school or college?

Having friends accessible all day every day.

Pressure

What is the greatest source of stress in your life?

While it's tempting to say Sparky, the truth is that most of my stress is from my own insecurities.

How do you deal with tension on a day-to-day basis? Cry, hide, yell?

My tension all goes to my shoulders. If things continue, then it tend to vent, verbally, which doesn't usually help. Eventually I cry if things are bad enough.

What do you find to be the best way to wind down after a tough day?

It totally depends on what caused the 'bad.' Sometimes I just come home and try to bury it by doing something else. Sometimes I stomp around in a bad mood. Sometimes I have a glass of wine if it was beyond bad. If there's a headache involved, and I can, I go to bed with a pillow over my head.

Wonder where these questions came from...? hee

The Name Game (on crack)

1. Let's say you decide to open your own coffee shop. What would you name it?

Oh, my; as much as I don't like coffee... I'd probably go the easiest possible route, buy a franchise, and call it Starbucks.

2. Twin babies, one male and one female, are unceremoniously dumped into your lap and you're given the task of naming them. Immediately. Assuming that these aren't your own children, but that you will be in enough contact with them to feel responsible if the names you choose cause scarring playground mockery which will haunt them until the end of time, what names do you choose?

Jennifer and David. Why not? Sounds like they'll need to be as inconspicuous as possible.

3. Now let's say that instead you've been assigned the task of naming a dog, a cat, a fish and...a llama (just to cover the basics). They probably won't be emotionally scarred no matter how ridiculous their names are, so now that you can go hog wild, what names do you choose?

Dog: Woof
Cat: Ignoremeplease
Fish: Fishy (fish are the dullest things...)
Llama: Run Away!!

4. To house your pets, coffee business and random visiting children, you are given a cruise ship. What do you christen her?

This is bizarre....: Queen Cat.

5. Unfortunately for you, just when things seem to be going so well your ship is overturned by a hurricane with the worst name ever: Hurricane ________. (The good news is that you get to name the hurricane, doesn't that make you feel better?).

Hurricane Bertha.

These are the weirdest questions ever.

:-)

Week Number Thirty-Six

What dream (or dreams) for your life didn't you follow?

I can't actually remember anything I used to dream about. I desperately wanted to get out my parents' house (done), I wanted to go to college (done), I wanted to work for a living (done), I wanted to get married (done). About the only dream I can think of that hasn't happened--yet--is McCormick. I'm going to be vague, since I have a few years before I can actually follow that path, if I choose to after all.

If you were casting a mystery or suspense movie, what actor would you choose as the star?

Gary Dourdan.

You're a Rat!

You're a little bit dirty and a little bit mean. More likely than those around you to betray your friends' secrets, no one really seems to trust you very much. Your clothes tend to be old and disheveled and even torn up. The good news is that when danger is coming, you're the first to know and start planning a wise escape. 1996 was really your year.Take the Animal Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

Well.

What does one say when this sort of result appears? I'm not sure how much more wrong the details could be either....but I don't have big issues with rodents generally.

Remember the episode on Friends where Ross gets the monkey named Marcel .... now let's pretend that Ross just gave Marcel to you for keeps, what are you going to do with Marcel?

While I like monkeys, I'm not sure I'd want a pet monkey, especially one that small. I'd have to do some research on housebreaking them for sure. Realistically, I'd probably find a more appropriate home for Marcel, actually.

Which is better: shakes or malts?

Malts. I never get shakes, ever.

Okay, so you obviously didn't you get the memo that informed you that we've moved Trick or Treat to tonight instead of on Halloween. You have no candy in the house and all the kids are ringing your doorbell, what will you hand out for treats?

I've got lots of pasta, but I'm thinking perhaps I'll shred some paper and put handfuls in baggies for kids to play with at home. I have plenty of stuff to shred. ;-)

How much money do you think it would take to make you 10% happier than you are now, for about a year? Why that much and what would you do with it? Can money really make us happy, or just alleviate stress?

Right now for us, it's not about the money. While I definitely would not turn down a raise, I'd prefer more job security for Beast (although that has improved over the past year or so--they've fired so many people now that they simply can't fire anyone else!). And I'd prefer about 75% less job-stress for both of us. There are days when I really feel like our employers are paying us to have heart attacks.

OK, I'd like an increase in pay for the next year that would cover the out-of-pocket cost of all our medications. How's that? I think that works out to about $1000 or so. That would make me happy, I guess.

72 Random

1. What is the worst first impression you have made?

Oh, who knows? I'm sure there have been so many that I'm unaware of...

The one that I always remember is walking into a new church and asking a woman near the door where to "dump the baby." She turned out to be the associate pastor and a more wonderful person I've rarely met. We still belong to that church, though she's moved on.

2. What is the most embarassing thing that has happened to you?

Again, so many. Having the waiter at Olive Garden flirt with me last year was pretty horrible.

3. Who are you jealous of?

I think I've almost given up jealousy. I envy people who can control their mouths in public.

4. What is the worst or craziest thing you have done for money?

Worked for this company during Christmas season one year.

5. What personality trait that you cannot stand?

Fakiness.

6. What is the worst thing a parent has done to you?

By this I'm assuming the parent is supposed to be mine?

I think taking a hairbrush to my butt might qualify, though I definitely deserved some kind of punishment. At least I remember what I did wrong that time!!

7. What is your fantasy (it can be as sappy or x-rated as you want)?

"...I did have a fantastic fantasy life: I used to dance around the living room with my arms up like this. My fantasy was that it was an Indian chief and he'd say to me, 'Maggie, do you wanna dance?' And I'd say, 'Daddy, I would love to dance!'...

Ev'rything was beautiful at the ballet.
Raise your arms and someone's always there
Yes, ev'rything was beautiful at the ballet..."

Name that show...

8. Who do you absolutely hate and why?

MAS, cuz she thinks she's the Queen, when she's actually just a player.

9. What is the best revenge you have gotten?

Success.

10. What band or artist do you listen to that you don’t admit to? (i.e., 'NSYNC, Barbara Streisand)

If I don't admit to it...

...no, I'll just answer the question: Backstreet Boys, though I can't stand Nick Carter.

11. Do you read the tabloids?

Only the headlines while standing in line at the grocery store--about 6 times a year.

12. Put the following in order, from what you think is most important or desirable to you to the least important/desirable: love, money, social status/popularity, intelligence, looks, passion.

Love, Intelligence, Passion, Looks, Money, Social Status/Popularity

13. What was the last lie you’ve told and what was it about?

I don't remember. Probably something yesterday afternoon about being "fine" while trying not to climb out of my skin in Sparky's disast...er, room.

14. What wouldn’t you give up/sacrifice for love?

My ability to distinguish right from wrong.

15. How did you know you were in love with someone? How did you know you weren’t in love?

It's about wanting to be around that person when I'm not able to be there. If the thought of being apart is difficult--and, mind you, this is an extended separation with no phone, physical or email contact--it might be love.

On the other hand, if I can't stand the thought of being close to someone, that's a good sign that the bloom is off the rose...

16. What are your fears?

Failure, being wrong, looking stupid (by accident--I don't mind looking stupid on purpose), being alone (like, no friends, not alone in the house)....

17. What is the most strangest or frightening thing you have experienced or witnessed that you can or cannot explain? (murder, ghost, aliens, etc.)

It wasn't frightening but it was quite weird: I heard my dad say my name very sternly in the kitchen of our previous house...about two years after he died. Unnerving, but a good kick in the butt.

18. What’s the worst thing someone has said to you?

Oh, well, again, so many from which to choose...

PsychoBoss once told me I was like a terrier when I took hold of something: I just don't give it up. Funny: she meant it negatively, too.

19. What’s the best compliment you have received?

My dad told me, as I arrived home from college one trip that coming down the jetway I walked with confidence and purpose, like I knew where I was going. It still makes me feel good inside.

20. If you could commit any illegal act without getting caught, would you? If so, what would you do?

Thinking small, I'd SPEED THROUGH [CRAP]VALLEY! :-)

Thinking bigger, I'd probably ship all the Bushies and their ilk to Neptune where they belong. Would that be illegal? Only if they didn't want to go, I suppose.

21. Explain one thing that made you laugh very hard.

Black humor. Kids' saying inadvertantly hysterical things; I can't think of anything recent, but Sparky used to call "rice" Mice. I'm trying to avoid specific people's names like Bill Murray, Richard Pryor, George Carlin....

22. What’s the worst thing you’ve done in order to climb up the social ladder at school, work, wherever?

I still feel bad about being horribly mean to D##na Lars#n in high school just because she was weird and dirty, and because everyone else was mean to her.

23. How would you like to die?

Quickly and painlessly.

24. What do you believe in?

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ
His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried

CHORUS:
And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not
The invention of any man

I believe that He who suffered
Was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and
On the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where
He sits at God's mighty right hand
I believe that He's returning to
Judge the quick and the dead
Of the sons of men

CHORUS

I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son,
Our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church, the communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends

CHORUS

I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it

Rich Mullins

25. Do you support our current president? Why or why not?

No, he's a moron, and the people around and including him are crooks. He lies, he has destroyed our economy, and he's sent several thousand people to early death out of greed and stupidity.

26. What is one thing that you would like to change about your body? What is one thing you would not change?

I'd like to not have my grandmother's poochy stomach. But I'm keeping my height.

27. Would you rather fart very loudly or piss in public?

How public is public? Probably the former.

28. Have you ever been teased/bullied? If so, describe the incident that affected you most.

My brother teased (and I guess, bullied) me throughout my childhood. I still don't take that kind of teasing well, nor do I react well to bullying. I tend to get my back up when I perceive people abusing power over me. After leaving my former job, I swore that I'd never work for a bully like PsychoBoss again. So far, I haven't, but there is one trying to run our library consortia right now....

I can't think of one incident specifically; just an agglomeration of bad feelings.

29. Have you ever teased/bullied someone? If so, describe the incident that you feel affected the victim most.

See above re D##na Lars#n.
I try not to do that to people I meet now, people who clearly are on the edges of society.

30. Would you rather have a one, random person you do not know killed, or one very important species in the animal kingdom vanish from the earth?

I'd rather have neither happen, thanks. My choice is not to choose.

31. Would you rather be rich and unattractive or poor but very attractive?

Who cares?

32. Would you rather be stabbed to death or drown?

NOT drowning! Not that.

33. Cats or dogs?

Dogs. Only cuz I'm so allergic to cats.

34. Black or white?

What? Black what? White what?

Please tell me this isn't about race...

I'm wearing a black T-shirt. I've only owned black dogs. Our regular dishes are plain white, and so are a lot of walls in this house.

35. Would you rather have it be night forever or daylight forever?

Definitely day.

36. Would rather be stuck in a relationship with someone you do not like for the rest of life, or be single for the rest of life?

Single. Jeez, no contest.

37. What bodily function do you find the most disgusting?

Vomiting.

What? They asked!

38. What is the most degrading thing you feel you have done?

So many... I'm unable to choose, though there's certainly nothing beyond the pale.

39. When was the last time you cried and why?

Did I cry today? Yep: baptism this morning, very cute baby...who ralphed on his dad's shirt... (not why I cried).

40. Would you eat a very hairy and big caterpillar for $100?

Nope.

41. Would you eat a human arm for $1000?

Nope.

42. Would you pose for 1 nude picture for $100?

Nope.

43. Would you rather sing or dance in front of an audience?

Sing. I'm not all that coordinated....

44. Who would you sacrifice yourself for?

Sparky. And, to a certain extent, Beast.

45. Would you rather explain your sex life in detail to your parents or have sex with your enemy?

If I mumble, I could get through the parent thing. Mom had five kids, after all.

46. Do you believe in safe abortions for all women? Why or why not?

Yes. Women will have abortions one way or another. When men can get pregnant, they can start telling me and my sisters what to do with our bodies.

47. If you could have one wish come true, what would it be?

I'd like no one to die of malnutrition for the next ten years.

48. What do you think of people who commit suicide?

Depends on where I am with that person and how recent the death is. I know I've gone from fury to sorrow to suicidal thoughts myself, so I can't really answer this definitively.

49. Would you rather eat rotten cheese or drink rotten milk?

"Rotten" cheese? Like moldy? I'd have no problem cutting mold off cheese and eating it. Sour milk, though, I just couldn't do.

50. What is the most expensive item you have purchased and what was the price? Do you still have it?

Our house, the one we're living in.

51. Would you rather be stranded in the middle of a hot desert or be stuck in the middle of a bombing or shooting in the Middle East? Do

Do I have water in the desert? I'd probably take my chances there.

52. Have you ever received a grade lower than C- before? If so, for which subject?

Nope.

53. Which would you choose: Your car never running out of gas (but it's a crappy looking car) or have a very expensive good looking car but you need to pay for the gas like everyone else?

Running out of gas isn't the only problem cars can have; I'll take the expensive (presumably) newer car.

54. Would you rather be a creature underwater or a creature with the ability to fly?

Flyin'.

55. What is the most "taboo" thing you have done?

Hmm. I can't think of anything.

56. Would you rather wear really embarassing outfit or wear a really nice looking outfit, but with a big mustard stain on it?

Either. Who cares?

57. Who is someone you lost touch with that you wish to talk to/see again?

Teri, from high school

58. What is the most disgusting thing you have done?

Given birth...? It's not a pleasant experience.

59. If you knew you were going to die a very painful death in three months, would you kill yourself in a less painful way or go through with the pain?

Wow. Can't I have painkillers? I think...wow. I don't know.

60. What physical characteristics do you consider attractive in the gender of your choice?

What a weird way to phrase this. I'll "choose" men: strength (both physical and otherwise), tenderness, willingness to admit a mistake, brains, kissable lips, ....

61. Would you rather bury dead people or be a plumber?

Dead people don't bother me. Some plumbing work is the pits. I'll work with the dead.

62. What was the last thing you ate? What was the last thing you drank?

Pizza. I haven't had anything to drink since then. And what it was was (surprise) Diet Dr. Pepper.

63. List some foods you cannot stand.

Brussels sprouts, liver, tomatoes, olives (hee), sweet pickles (or a lot of other pickled things, like herring), gefilte fish. Lots more; I can't think right now.

64. Now list some celebrities you cannot stand.

Tom Cruise has to top the list. After that...well, I don't really worry about this stuff that much.

65. Would you rather have absolutely no friends for one year or go to jail for one year?

I could NOT survive jail.

66. Fruits or vegetables?

Fruits.

67. Would you rather live on the streets or be stranded on an island all by yourself?

Could NOT live on the streets.

68. Would you rather be a pig or cow?

Pig.

69. Say, it's almost Halloween. If you HAD to dress up, what would you be?

Witch. I don't even need a costume! :-)

70. What's the scariest movie you have seen?

Fatal Attraction. I don't see horror movies.

71. Explain the worst nightmare you have had?

I haven't had a scary dream for a long time. My bad dreams are usually worry dreams.

72. Are you superstitious? If so, what are you superstitious about?

I knock wood a lot. Otherwise, I'm not really superstitious.

Episode 56

Name up to seven magazines that you either have subscribed to, currently subscribe to, or would subscribe to if money were no object.

1. Ms. (current, and have subscribed for 20-plus years)
2. EW (current, and have subscribed about 4 years)
3. Book (no longer published, a lost I've mourned now for about 3 years, I think)
4. Bookmarks (current, but a poor second choice to Book; I've subscribed for 2 years or so)
5. Newsweek (not current; no time to read it, and too depressing)
6. Time (ditto above)
7. Real Simple (not current but I'd like to re-up)

Those are the first that come to mind. There've been--and there are--others through the last twenty years or so.

~Happy Fall Y'all~

By the way...

What are 5 things that you enjoy most about this time of year?

1. The color of the fields
2. The color of the trees
3. The smell
4. Football!
5. Less humidity

Week 190

1. Bell :: ...Jar
2. Abuse :: Misuse
3. Relief :: Relax
4. List :: Things to do
5. Concern :: Worry
6. Absolute :: Total
7. Cling :: Stick
8. Dump :: ...Truck
9. Terminate :: End
10. Wine :: ...and Roses

randomness...feed your mind and your blog
week of Sept24: pet peeves

what's your pet peeve?
what really annoys you,
makes you wanna rip your hair out and scream?!

Mean people. People who hurt, or even annoy, others for sport. Pain isn't a game.

Episode 128

1. You find out that you've just gotten a new job in a different state. Which room of your home will be the most difficult to get packed and why?

The kitchen. When we moved 12 years ago we had movers do 95% of the packing for us and it took one guy all day to do our (relatively small) kitchen while the other two did the entire rest of the house. There's a lot of little, breakable stuff in kitchens.

2. Which room is most likely to contain the greatest number of items that you should throw away, but haven't, yet?

The office. Hands down. After yesterday's Cleaning of the Boy's Room, I can't truthfully say it's his, and our bedroom has issues, but generally we keep up on getting rid of clothes that are the wrong size or whatever. Nope, it's the office: all that paper!

3. What is your single greatest strength and single greatest weakness if you were to enter the dating scene tomorrow?

Strength: I know myself so much better than I did when I was actually dating.
Weakness: Low tolerance of stupidity, whether intellectual or interpersonal.

4. Take the quiz: What are your dating strengths and weaknesses?

Dating Strengths	Dating Weaknesses
1. Spirituality - 92.3% 2. Financial Situation - 84.6% 3. Kindness - 63.6% 4. Varied Interests - 57.1% 5. Intelligence - 57.1%	No significant weaknesses

Dating Strengths Explained
Spirituality - Your spiritual side brings you peace and balance, and keeps you grounded. This is attractive, as you can help reinforce this quality in other people. Financial Situation - You've got your financial situation under control, which is a very desirable quality. Be careful to avoid men who are only interested in your money. Kindness - You treat other people with empathy and goodwill. This positive trait helps you stand out and draw people into your warmth. Varied Interests - You don't limit yourself, and that's a dating asset. Your varied interests make you available and interesting to a wider range of men. Intelligence - Your sharp intellect is a valuable asset. Use your intelligence wisely; avoid condescension. Quiet, confident intelligence is very attractive.
Dating Weaknesses Explained
Take the Dating Diversions Latest Online Dating Quiz

5. What's the biggest surprise from this quiz's findings?

I'll tell you when I stop laughing...

OK, it's so nice to know that I have no 'dating weaknesses,' but the fact of the matter is that I'm not as tolerant as all that, and my financial situation is where it is primarily as a result of Beast's attention to detail, not because of a lot of effort on my part. Oh, and I'm willing to bet that no guy is going to go after me because of whatever perceived financial stability he might see: I'm a librarian and everyone knows we don't actually get paid much!

As for the rest: I have no intention of bringing out the spiritual side in the rest of the world, the whole empathy/good will thing is overrated, I do limit myself (the quiz didn't ask the right questions in this area), and I know that being smart intimidates (some) men. I wouldn't want them in my life, but that's a fact. Jack. :-)

6. Would you ever go out on a blind date with someone you'd met online if you'd never talked to them through any other method than email?

Uh, no. Not a date. I might meet up with them with a friend, but it would be strictly coffee and a chat someplace neutral. Not that I drink coffee, but...

You Belong in Australia

Ace! Sunny, upbeat, and cute You make the perfect surf bum Now stop hogging the vegemite!

I'd like to live in Australia--I think. But I can't swim, so surfing is right out of the question. And vegemite: sketchy indeed!

You are at the magazine stand, what three magazines are you going to purchase?

Real Simple, In Style (or People), and Games.

The thing is that if I'm at a magazine stand, I'm going (or have already left) on vacation, so there won't be any serious shit occupying my head.

Congratulations! You are the proud parent to triplets! Whatwill you named your new brood?

Josephine, David, and Rowena.

Have you ever you participated in a potato sack race?

I know I've 'participated' by watching...but I seem to have a vague memory of actually trying to do it, too.

September 22

List five things you'd like to do before you shuffle off this mortal coil.

Take a balloon flight.
Learn to ride a motorcycle, and do some touring on one.
Visit Australia/New Zealand, Africa, and South America.
Fly in a small plane, maybe even fly one.
Spend quality time with grandchildren.

Do you eat tomato soup plain or do you doctor it up? If you do add things to it, what do you add?

I haven't had tomato soup in ages. I usually eat it plain, but sometimes I add some shredded cheddar or some soda crackers or onions.

Do you have a green thumb or do plants take one look at you and turn leaves up?

I did not inherit Mom's green thumb. I tend to forget to water indoor plants, or overwater them.

Are you prepared for bad weather? Do you have a weather emergency kit in your house?

Yes. And we have a weather radio with a very loud alarm. Most of the bad weather we worry about involve power loss due to storms (which happened 3 times this summer, for a total of about 48 hours), and tornados. We have water for drinking and "other" (when we lose power we lose water, too), and we are not shy about huddling in the basement when there's a tornado warning.

Were you aware that this is the Fall Equinox? Do you know what this means? Do you do anything special or is it just another day?

It's just another day, really, but I did read that right now the day is split pretty much in half between day and night. Kind of cool. For me, it really just means the days are going to get shorter and shorter now until Christmas

.

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

W00T!! Another 100% accurate result.

And a really lovely photo, too.