I guess that would be a paradox too.

(Found here)

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?Here. Recovering from exercise. Dear Lord, I'm so out of shape.

2. Who are you in love with? My husband, my son, and my friends.

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon? When I was very young. Very very young.

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? The eraser on the table next to me.

5. When is the last time you went to the mall? Hmm. A traditional indoor mall...months. 3 or 4 at least.

6. Are you wearing socks right now? Yes, and my feet are still pretty cold.

7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000? Hmm. I'm not sure if we do, actually.

8. When was the last time you drove out of town? Take your pick: either this morning on my way to work, or this afternoon on my way back home.

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days? Hah!! Not likely.

10. Are you hot? Not even slightly.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? Water. I'm kinda thirsty, actually.

12. What are you wearing right now? Blue tie-dye ankle socks, clamdigger yoga pants, tank top, sweatshirt, and underwear.

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it? Car wash.

14. Last food that you ate? Sourpatch kids.

15. Where were you last week at this time? Hmm, I believe I was right here.

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week? Nope.

17. When is the last time you ran? What is this "ran" of which you speak.

18. What's the last sporting event you watched? There was some kind of college football game on for awhile earlier this evening.

19. What is your favorite animal? Anything dog-related is pretty much a gimme.

20. Your dream vacation? Someplace warm and quiet with good food.

21. Last person's house you were in? Aside from my own, God's.

22. Worst injury you've ever had? I haven't ever been injured per se. All of my hospital experiences--for myself--have been internal issues.

23. Have you been in love? Ayup.

24. Do you miss anyone right now? Ayup.

25. Last play you saw? It was probably "Little Shop of Horrors" at Sparky's school last year.

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? "Lure"?? WTF?

27. What are your plans for tonight? Kinda this, eh? Bath. Bed.

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment? I don't use MySpace. I tweeted awhile ago about my retardo-brained niece, and I commented on Justin's Facebook status about an hour ago.

29. Next trip you are going to take? Upstairs to bed.

30. Ever go to camp? Nope.

31. Were you an honor roll student in school? 100% of the time.

32. What do you want to know about the future? I just want to find out that Sparky has a good life. No details.

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne? I put some on 15 hours ago. I'm not sure how much is left.

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit? I have an appointment on Monday.

35. Where is your best friend? I'm sure they are all curled up in their individual homes.

36. How is your best friend? Somewhere in between "Fair" and "Meh" would be my guess.

37. Do you have a tan? Hah--never! I have some freckles, but not many.

38. What are you listening to right now? A DVR'd NCIS.

39. Do you collect anything? Dust. S&Ps by default.

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know? Miss W.

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over? About two years ago. Got a ticket from the dude too.

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw? Uh...? Yeah...? Like two large sodas today?

43. What does your last text message say? No clue. I'm not getting up to look, either.

44. Do you like hot sauce? To a degree. [I crack myself up...]

45. Last time you took a shower? This morning, TYVM.

46. Do you need to do laundry? Nope. Beast is doing it for us. He rocks.

47. What is your heritage? Amurcan. Mostly northern European way back.

48. Are you someone's best friend? Yup.

49. Are you rich? Compared to whom? In the global sense, I absolutely am.

50. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Zzzzzz.

NYE

You Should Stay Home for New Year's Eve

By the time New Year's Eve comes around, you are usually exhausted. You just need to rest. That doesn't mean you won't celebrate, but you'll definitely be toasting the new year in your own low key way. You'll reflect on the year that's passed and make plans for the year to come. And when the clock turns over at midnight, you'll be cheering along with anyone else. You'll just be in your pj's!

How Should You Spend New Year's Eve?

This IS the only response that fits me in any way, I assure you.

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
The New Year's Edition

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Flew to Europe for a weekend. And NOT for fun, though there was a bit of that to be had.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't do them, so I never break them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Two church members/friends and a coworker.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my sister. See #1.

5. What countries did you visit?

England and this one.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Less weight on my frame, and a different boss.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Uhm? Not sure, outside of those days in August. Oh, and my complete meltdown at the doctor's office in April. Embarrassing!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Making it through my part of my sister's funeral without crying, re-organizing my department substantially (although that started in '09), facing reality about Zoloft, appreciating my son.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Gossiping, being angry, being lazy, gaining weight, breaking promises, etc., etc. So, the usual.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

The slacks I wore yesterday are pretty awesome. The bullet keychain I'm using for work is amusing. Can't think of anything super-exciting.

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Sparky's. His grades, and ACT scores, have improved this year in a way that shows he finally 'gets it.'

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?

An awful lot of our elected officials, everyone affiliated with Faux "News", Brett Favre ... and my brother.

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Solange's "I Decided" and everything by sigur rós.

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Crying. I know: weird. But there's something really cleansing about having a deep, gut-wrenching cry. Haven't really done that since, oh, April-ish.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Throwing up. TWO rounds of it this year? WTF man, WTF?!

16. Did you fall in love in 2010?

I did sort of fall in love with some of my (extended) family members.

17. Who did you miss?

Mom. Shit, it's weird--she's been emotionally out of my life for years due to the damage to her health that ravaged her before she died last year. I'm only now realizing how much I miss (and have missed) her for the past 10-15 years.

18. Who was the best new person you met?

I think Rosie's Tom is going to be interesting to get to know.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Christmas Presents

1. Sourpatch kids
2. A Sudoku book
3. Another Sudoku book
4. South Pacific soundtrack
5. NCIS soundtrack
6. A silly book about travel
7. Barnum soundtrack
8. Bubble bath
9. A super-fab new leather work bag
10. A calendar I don't care for
11. A fair-trade scarf
12. Milka chocolate
13. Gingerbread heart (which is bigger than my hand ... and I don't like gingerbread ... but it's from my son, so I love it, of course)

Wednesday Wickedness

(Link in meme-roll)
Mark Twain (I adore this man...)

1. A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
Do you let yourself off the hook easily?

In some ways, yes. In other ways, not so much. I can be my own worst enemy on both sides of this, too.

2. A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar.
Do you think everyone lies?

Yes, they do. It's impossible to get through life without telling little lies, mostly to yourself, and maybe not consciously.

3. A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
What was the last thing that you had to learn the hard way?

That my boss is working her ass off to find just cause to fire one of the people I supervise.

4. A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read.
What types of things do you read?

I read every damn thing! If it's printed, and visible, I'm reading it. I can't help myself.

5. A person with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.
Have you ever thought about something that did not exist and later it was invented?

Still waiting on the time-machine thing.

6. Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.
How well do you think that you observe people?

I'm very observant about some things and really freakin' obtuse about others. For instance, I can tell you if someone is nervous after being in their presence for 10 seconds or less, regardless of how well they hide it, but I couldn't tell you what color eyes most of my family members have.

7. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.
Have you ever used humor to diffuse a difficult situation?

I use humor constantly. It's the main tool in my workshop.

8. Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
How important is your age to you? Do you ever lie about it or refuse to reveal it?

Age is just a number. I think I'm as lackadaisical about age as I am because I'm way younger than all my sibs, but the next few years are the Bermuda Triangle for family members, so I'm hoping to make it safely to 50 with limited damage.

9. All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure.
How important do you think confidence is? Are you confident?

I don't know if I'm confident, but I do know that I fake it VERY well.

10. Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
Do you do everything you should to be healthy?

ha ha ha ha...NO!

Gritty

You Have Some Grit

You're the type of person who likes to stay busy, but you always feel like you should have more to show for it at the end of the day. You find it easy to start new projects, but you tend to abandon them when they get boring or difficult. Focus more intently on the things that are most important to you. Get those done. You may feel like you're missing out by not doing everything you want to do, but you're really missing out when you don't finish what you start.

Do You Have Grit?

Bingo! Got it 100% in one!!

Monday Mayhem

(Link in meme-roll)
Keep or Regift...

You have received the ugliest sweater ever made. What do you do with it?

It goes directly into the Goodwill/Purple Heart pile upstairs. No, I do not try it on or whatever. I just hope the person who gave it to me isn't in the room when it erupts from its box!

Your Aunt Mabel gave you a $25 gift card to coffee joint that is far away from your home. Do you regift it?

Yes. Seeing as how I don't drink coffee. Or, I could give it to Beast or Sparky, since they DO drink coffee.

Your sister in law sent you a gift card to a store that isn't in your town or online. What do you do with it?

Send it back to her on her birthday. Or send it on to someone who DOES have that store.

What is the oddest gift you have ever received from someone?

I don't know. I don't remember the really weird stuff, and I don't keep it around to remind me.

What did you do with it?

Oops, well, clearly, I got rid of it, either by donating it or by regifting it. Or burning it.

Did you ever wear a sweater, or something else, that was given to you just because of the person who gave it to you and not because you liked it?

This is called "Growing Up in My House." I had to wear the most hideous clothing as a child. Once I moved out, that all stopped. No more hand-me-downs that I hate, no more inappropriate-for-the-weather clothes. Buh-bye, sorry Mom.

What was the best gift you got this holiday season?

I got quite a lot of nice loot, right off my Amazon Wishlist for the most part. Sparky did right by me too. The only kinda-not-so-great gift was a calendar from my sister; which part of "Not a Fan of Gardens or Photos of Flowers" isn't clear to her, I wonder. ...sigh

What was the 'most regiftable' gift you received this year?

I tried to regift the calendar for the patron count at work, but we already had one. Everything else I'm keeping! Except, I guess, the white elephant which is really freakin' amazingly horrid.

Did you keep anything that you had actually purchased with the intent of giving it to someone else?

No, but I bought myself a Facebook bucks card when I got Sparky and Beast one each. They don't know that yet. ;-)

If you could give me one gift, what would it be?

Amazon gift card. Have fun!

What is the one gift that I can give to you?

The same.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)
Two days late...

1) Describe your dream home.

I live in it, though this time of year, I would really like if were located somewhere else. No, we have an enlarged (modernized) traditional bungalow: big porch, open floor plan, high ceilings, front entry hall with stairs, separate back stars, BIG YARD, fireplace....

2) What one modern “necessity” would you be happy to do without?

WalMart.

3) What one word do you overuse?

"Really". No, I really DO!

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

Frosted sugar cookies. It is the season, right?

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Quick 2010 Fandom Meme

1. Your main fandom of the year: Kinda turned into a Google Reader fan.

2. Your favorite Film this year: I'm pretty sure I didn't see any movies at all this year. Which says...something, I guess.

3. Your favorite Book read this year: Good Morning, Midnight, by Reginald Hill. I 'read' this on CD. Again, this may represent something...or not.

4. Your favorite Album or Song this year: Maybe...Robyn? Can't remember when I heard of her first.

5. Your favorite meme site of the year: I've a soft spot in my heart for Unconscious Mutterings.

6. Your Fandom that you haven't tried Yet, but want to: B&N Nooks, and/or downloading books onto my MP3.

7. Your best new Fandom Discovery of the Year: Dexter (the TV show)

8. Your biggest Fandom Disappointment of the Year: I can't think of anything that disappointed me.

9. Your TV Boyfriend of the year: huh, most of the shows I watch are crime shows. I wouldn't really want to date a cop. Most of the 'real people' stuff I watch, the guys are married. So...yeah...no one. It's ok: boys are more trouble than they're worth. LOL

10. Your TV Girlfriend of the year: So glad Sara is back on CSI!

11. Your most Missed Old Fandom: I used to LOVE Patricia Cornwell. I still miss her old books; the latest Scarpetta books are infused with despair and cynicism and, for lack of a better word, evil.

12. Your Biggest Anticipations of the New Year: Italy, weddings, exercise (I'm insane, yes), and Sparky's departure for college.

13. Your favorite post (of yours) of the year: Oh, hell, no way am I going back over that today!

14.Your favorite new blog (to you) of the year: Stuff Christians Like

15.Your favorite new website of the year: Not Always Right

16. Your favorite news story of the year: In a year when stupid politics and ecological disasters were all over the place, I really appreciated that both Health Care Reform and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell passed.

17. Your favorite actor of the year: Meh, can't think of one who towers above the rest.

18. Your favorite drama TV show of the year: NCIS.

19. Your favorite comedy TV Show this year: I haven't watched comedies in a decade, so this defaults to SNL, Real Time, or Stephen Colbert/Daily Show.

20. Your favorite cartoon of the year: I gave up cartoons many years ago.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7
Name seven celebrities who passed away during 2010 whom you’d have liked to have dinner with at their prime.
I'm stipulating that this will be one really LONG meal with all 8 of us around a table, with cameras and mikes focused on each individual so I can go back and listen to everyone's conversations later.

1. J.D. Salinger
2. Lena Horne
3. Dennis Hopper
4. Patricia Neal
5. Don Meredith
6. Phil Harris
7. Elizabeth Edwards

I used a list I found here. I always feel bad for the people who die the last week of the year--they never seem to get the recognition. On the other hand, I checked the end of 2009 and I wouldn't add anyone to this list from last year.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Detective :: Private Investigator
2. Bra :: Panties
3. Prove it :: Show me
4. The end :: Start over
5. Messy :: Untidy
6. Immovable :: Immutable
7. Jingle :: ...Bells
8. False :: Untrue
9. Comprehend :: Understand
10. Scream :: Shout

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday 6

1. Did you put up a Christmas tree in your home this year?

You betcha! It's been up for about two weeks. Theoretically, it'll come down next weekend. We'll see how that works out.

2. Do you prefer real or synthetic trees for Christmas decorating?

We use a fake tree because the trees we used to cut down always made December an allergy nightmare for me. Not sure it would still be a problem, but wevs: we have the fake tree now.

3. When you drive through neighborhoods, what do you like most about other people’s Christmas decorations?

I like the lights on the eaves to be totally straight and even, and I like if the tree is in the window where I can see it. If you're going to do tree lights, do 'em nice, or skip it. And those inflatable things? I'm not a fan, at all. Also, no kneeling Santas next to mangers, ok? Metaphors shouldn't be mixed.

4. How much do you pay attention to messages on Christmas decorations in stores where you shop?

Not at all. No, I seriously don't. I don't even really hear the Christmas music under the best circumstances. Shopping for me is a pretty cut-and-dried, get-in-and-get-out kind of situation.

5. One of your favorite stores puts up Christmas decorations, but the text only says, “Happy Holidays.” Are you likely to complain or stop shopping there?

Neither. Please. First of all, I'm unlikely to even NOTICE what the sign says. Second, GIANT eyeroll on this question. What do people thing the "holi-" part of that means? And, do people really NOT GET that there ARE other holidays this month aside from Christmas? This whole thing is just so freakin' annoying to me as a Christian. Easter is the Big Day; Christmas is a made-up holiday to get the pagans on board 1500 years ago. Perspective, people!!

6. What store gift card are you most likely to give when you need a gift for someone and can’t think of a specific item?

Depending on who it is, WalMart or Amazon. If it's one of my snobby, elite-ish friends, they'll get Amazon. Otherwise, WalMart FTW!!

Holiday Llamas?

You Will Probably Avoid All Holiday Drama

It's not that your family is any less drama prone than the average family - you just know how to deflect drama. You remain upbeat and optimistic, even when you're surrounded by stressed out, bickering people. You avoid being stressed out by taking a break from the holidays whenever you need to. You remain cool, calm, and collected - even when you're thrown into very challenging situations.

Are You Headed for Holiday Drama?

Not really all that true, but I guess growing up in the family I did has its positive side--I don't crave drama, and I know how to deal with it when it crops up, even if I don't always DO what I know I should.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. These are a few reasons for the season.

2. I don't make a holiday dinner.

3. What's that I hear up on the roof[?]

4. There's nothing dumber than telling a child on Christmas morning to be quiet, quiet.

5. Some of my favorite holiday memories include seeing family, staying in my pajamas all day, playing with new toys.

6. There soon will be nothing awake in this house, not even a mouse. [or a guinea pig]

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to late worship service, tomorrow my plans include opening presents and hanging with the boys, and Sunday, I want to keep playing with the toys and maybe go to church!

Friday Five

(Link in meme-roll)
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

1. Do you celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas or the commercial aspect of Christmas?

I'm in it for both, but the religious aspect is more important to me. I'd get along without the swag, but it's fun to watch people open the presents you bought, and to see what others bought you.

2. What's your favorite activity to celebrate the holidays? (i.e. baking goodings [sic], making ornaments, etc.)

Does eating count? Shopping post-Christmas? Sleeping as much as possible?

3. Would you rather give or receive?

I like receiving, of course--who doesn't? But it's fun to see people get excited about opening their own gifts. Especially kids.

4. What is the gift you are most anxious to give this holiday season and who is it for? What makes is so special?

I hope Beast is going to FLIP over his (main) gift. We'll be using it in Italy this spring.

5. What is the most memorable gift you have ever gotten for Christmas? Why did it stand out more compared to other ones?

The Barbie Dream House is the go-to on this question. I'm not totally sure why it was such a big deal, except that it may have been the last large 'kid' present I got. After that it was all clothes and boring stuff.

(Link in meme-roll)
Holiday Rock 'n Roll Christmas Songs

1. BAND AID: Do They Know It’s Christmas?

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What is your favorite charity?

Probably the biggest donations go to my church, but I give to Salvation Army, the local homeless shelter, the local food pantry, and others.

2. BRENDA LEE: Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

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What do you consider “rockin” about Chrismas?

Gotta be the gifts, innit?

3. JOHN LENNON-YOKO ONO: Happy Christmas/ War Is Over

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What major world event/change would you like to see happen on Christmas Day?

I would love for us to be out of the mess in the Middle East, but I just don't see that happening. And I'd really really like all the U.S. politicians to be switched to a basic Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan tomorrow, with no option to buy their own insurance.

4. PAUL McCARTNEY: Wonderful Christmastime

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What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Racing to help get the stockings stuffed after my nephew James FINALLY went to sleep (at about 11 p.m.) the year he was determined to wait up--in the living room--for Santa. I was probably 14 or so, and it was my first year 'being Santa.'

5. BEACH BOYS: Little Saint Nick

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Have you been to California, Florida or some other warm weather place for the holidays?

Huh, no. What is the point of that? No, in fact, one year neither Wisconsin nor Colorado were cold enough so I left on the 26th for Moscow.

6. STEVIE WONDER: Someday At Christmas 

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What would [you] like for a future Christmas for yourself and your family?

I'd love for all the extended family to get along and be pleasant and loving and fun for one day together. Ha ha ha ha ha.

7. WEIRD AL: Christmas at Ground Zero (this song was written in the 1980s and the video is quite humorous… it’s not about 9/11)

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Have you prepared your family home for a catastrophic emergency?

Nope. Whatever we plan for, it's almost guaranteed that something entirely different and unforeseen will occur. We have basic plans for losing power and for tornadoes because those are frequent (power) and likely (tornadoes), but otherwise...life's a crapshoot. I've never been more aware of that than in the past 24 hours; a good friend was told she has breast cancer, the 19-year-old daughter of a family that used to go to our church was killed in a car accident, and a friend of my son's is struggling with some serious family issues. It's a weirdly sad day.

8. THE PRETENDERS: 2000 Miles

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What is the furthest away you have traveled for Christmas or other holiday?

So yeah, Moscow (and points further east and south).

9. ELVIS PRESLEY: Blue Christmas (NO one does this as well as the King)

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What is the saddest Christmas memory you have?

The Christmas after my dad and sister died was pretty horrible.

10. THE WAITRESSES: Christmas Rapping

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Have you ever hooked up on Christmas Eve?

Not on the Eve, but on a Christmas break from college I pretty much did, yeah. Dumb but exhilirating. Also, it was quite warm that week, but I still had to wear the 100% wool sweater every day afterwards since it was the only high-neck shirt I had with me. lol

11. ELTON JOHN: Step Into Christmas

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What is your favorite snow-related activity?

Catching snowflakes on my tongue. I actually don't mind driving in snow either, as long as I don't have a deadline to beat.

12. WHAM: Last Christmas (this is the full version video!)

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Do you have any lovers or friends you have lost touch with and want to reconnect with? I'd love to have a heart-to-heart with Laura and clear the air, but I don't want to be the one to arrange it. She broke it; let her fix it. [also, this is NOT a Christmas song--it irritates me every year when it's played round-the-clock during December]13. BOBBY HELMS: Jingle Bell Rock (I love this song! One of the few I can listen to at other times of the year)

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Have you ever been on a sleigh ride?

I have, but it was called a troika. Afterwards, we had latkes and vodka, and did the chicken dance in the middle of the taiga outside of Irkutsk. What a great memory that was! Crystal clear and cold day with that wintry blue sky and steam coming from the horses' nostrils...sigh. Brrr.

Friday Fab Five

(Link in meme-roll)
Directions: Using only titles of books you have read last year (2010), complete the prompts below. Try not to repeat a book title.

1. Describe yourself - Making Mischief, by Gregory Maguire

2. How do you feel - Blackout, by Connie Willis

3. Describe where you currently live - The Spider's Web, by Margaret Coel

4. If you could go anywhere, where would you go - Ouray, by Gail Zanett Saunders, Maria Jones and the Ouray County Historical Society

5. Your favorite form of transportation - (tie) Three Stations, by Martin Cruz Smith AND/OR Bounce, by Mathew Syed

6. Your best friend is - (tie) Asta in the Wings, by Jan Elizabeth Watson AND/OR Soiled Doves, by Anne Seagraves

7. You and your friends are - In the Land of Invented Languages, by Arika Okrent AND (definitely) Words Gone Wild : Fun and Games for Language Lovers, by Jim Bernhard

8. What's the weather like? - Blackout, by Connie Willis

9. Favorite time of day - Good Morning, Midnight, by Reginald Hill

10. What is life to you? - One Amazing Thing, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

11. Your fear - This Body of Death, by Elizabeth George

12. What is the best advice you have to give? - How to Read a Painting, by Patrick de Rynck

13. Thought for the day - Bury Him Kindly, by Pat Burden

14. How I would like to die - One Shot, by Lee Child

15. My soul's present condition – Wreath of Honesty, by Pat Burden

(It's rather surprising how many of these actually make sense. Helps to read a lot of books, too.)

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. No alarm clock tomorrow
2. Wrapping presents
3. Eating Chinese with FIL on Christmas Eve
4. Christmas Eve candlelight service
5. Singing "Silent Night" in the half-darkness
6. Turning off the computer and READING!!
7. Chili on Saturday
8. Talking to far away family via Skype
9. My presents (duh)
10. Watching others open their presents
11. Having the Christmas candle lit
12. Football games
13. Cleaning off my desk here at home

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
The Christmas Version

C - What color/flavor candy cane should I put in your stocking?

I'm perfectly all right with the standard red/white peppermint variety, though I haven't had one in eons.

H - If Santa really comes down the chimney of people's houses and he busts out the bricks on the way down, do you think that is covered by his Christmas insurance?

Sure. I've never heard of this happening, though.

R - Did you know that rabbits eat their own poop to get the nutrients from the food that they didn't get from it the first time they ate it?

Based on observation, I have a feeling guinea pigs do too. Kinda gross, but then there are cows, who also "eat" the same food twice.

I - Have you ever sucked on an icicle?

Of course! Best snack ever while waiting to go down the sledding hill. It's imperative that you examine it carefully before choosing your icicle.

S - Do you think there is too much sex on tv?

So many directions to go with this, but I will go with the librarian-esque answer and say that it all depends on what channels you watch.

T - We're eating tacos. Taco sauce - hot, medium, mild or OMG my butthole is going to hurt tomorrow!?

Medium or hot. It depends on where my stomach acid is at the time.

M - Are you sick of Christmas music yet?

Haven't really listened to much of it yet. So, tomorrow: all-Christmas-music, all day! I still need to wrap most of my presents anyway.

A - Add up the number of windows in your house, subtract [from] that number by the number of doors you have in your house, multiply that by the number of hallways you have in your house and then add the number of light switches. What's your answer?

((23-29)*3)+43=25

S - You build a snowman (yes you really do), what color hat do you have him wear? And now you are going to build a sand castle (yes, shut up, you do that too), does it have a moat?

I suspect he'd be wearing a blue hat, since that's the default hat when we can't find our own hats. No moats--though we do have a ditch that is almost a moat in front of our house now.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)

1. I am good when I am asleep.

2. I am naughty when I am awake.

3. The world would be a better place if people would Deck the Halls with chunks of their egos instead of boughs of holly.

4. Have you ever snuck into the living room in the middle of the night, unwrapped your gifts and wrapped them back just to see what was under the Christmas tree for you? Come on.....you can tell me.

Nope. My mom would've killed me, and by the time I was an adult, I recognized that it would ruin the whole Christmas 'thing.'

Sidenote: I've always wanted to know what really goes on in the Gingerbread House after dark. I've never seen any cookies come out of that place. Have you?

Nope.

5. Have you ever been stuck in a chimney?

Really? No, I don't hang out in chimneys. Haven't you seen "The Goonies"?

6. Who would you like to stuff in a stocking and why?

This could be taken two ways, I think. I'd like to stuff a lot of (not-to-be-named) people in a stocking with some rocks and sink it. But I'd certainly not turn down George Clooney. Lots of other guys too, but they all seem to be married, or at least in committed relationships.

7. Could you name the 12 Disciples Days of Christmas, the 3 Musketeers Wise Men and all of Santa's medications Reindeer if your life depended on it? OK wiseguy. Prove it.

The gifts in the traditional song are:
Day One: partridge
Day Two: turledoves
Day Three: French hens
Day Four: calling birds
Day Five: golden rings
Day Six: geese a-laying
Day Seven: swans a-swimming
Day Eight: maids a-milking
Day Nine: ladies dancing
Day Ten: lords a-leaping
Day Eleven: pipers piping
Day Twelve: drummers drumming

Technically, we don't know how many Wise Men there were, but the traditional three were supposedly named Gaspar, Balthazar, and Melchior.

The reindeer are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

8. On the 13th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me a plane ticket FAR away from all the ruckus??

9. Imagine that Santa Claus really does exist for a moment. (I can say that this week. Baby Boy is not listening right now ) Anyway, if the Big Guy could grant you any wish, what would your most hedonistic and self-centered wish be? (You can say it. I won't tell. I'm Mimi Boop today.)

I want to go back to being 25 or 26, physically, for the rest of my life. And when I die, I want to die quickly.

10. When you make your list, do you check it twice and find out who's been naughty or nice or do you just get everybody a box of chocolate covered cherries and call it a day?

Fuckit, who's got time to check it once, much less twice, in this economy. You're getting a gift card, if you get anything. Be happy or give it back! ;-)

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Charts :: Hits
2. Best moment of 2010? :: Several moments during the Triennium were amazing
3. Checkered :: ...Past
4. Glass :: Crystal
5. Resolve? :: Promise?
6. Expensive :: Pricey
7. Humongous :: Ginormous
8. Scent :: Aroma
9. Trashy :: Junky
10. Candles :: Winter

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
How's It Gonna Be

1. How's it gonna be in 2011 for you?

Well, I'm kinda hoping that the ONLY family news is about weddings and other happy stuff. Not sure how that's gonna play out though.

2. What is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?

Laughter, conversation, relaxing.

3. What strategy would you implement to deal with drug abuse in today's world?

Oh, wow, that's a little major for the way I'm feeling tonight. How about we just legalize and tax the hell out of EVERYthing and put every single dime of the tax money into public education?

4. What thing about your family are you least proud of?

Our stubbornness and tendency to get angry about stuff because we are unable to get over ourselves. Case in point: tonight. It's a little tense around here. [me, I'm so tired I can't think]

5. What part of the holidays are you really looking forward to?

Everyone being happy again.

6. Who is the last person you high-fived? Why?

Rach, this morning after she told Jet that if he was going to throw up to go "the other direction" (i.e., towards Sparky). Long story. And no, no one threw up.

7. Have you ever made out at a drive-in?

Heh, no.

8. If you had only enough energy left in you for one last smile, who would you give it to?

Right now? Sparky. He needs it more today.

9. Tell us about that time when you were the “life of the party”.

Well the was that time when I was getting teased for some reason about not being able to hold my alcohol, so I downed a shot of 180-proof vodka on an empty stomach (then chug-a-lugged a Coke to counter it...college kids are D.U.M.). Two hours later, I was definitely not sober but I wasn't wearing a lampshade or anything; and meanwhile, the boys who had been teasing me were puking in the dorm showers after taking their own challenge. Idiots.

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
Philosophy 101

1. First, an easy one. In 25 words or less, what's your philosophy on life?

Don't count on anything, and be grateful for what you've got.

2. Which country is your spiritual home? Why?

This one. Though I adore Italy and Greece.

3. Tell us something about the oldest living member of your family. We mean as opposed to the oldest dead one.

lol
OK, the oldest living member of my family (that I'm in communication with, anyway--no cousins or what-have-you) is FIL. He's an inspiration: almost always cheerful, in spite of many, many reasons to be cranky, and constantly coming up with new projects for himself.

4. Tell us something about the youngest member of your family.

He's only a year old and I haven't yet met him, but he's adorable, judging by Skype.

5. Now we’ll do random. Have you ever had a negative experience at a gym (with other patrons, equipment, trainer) or with the gym themselves?

I am not a fan of gyms, generally. They smell bad and the inmates frequently spend a lot more time posing than they do working out. I've never had one bad experience there, but the incessant din from the TVs in the cardio room(s) makes my head hurt.
And I hate to sweat.

6. If you could go back and change one friendship in your past, who would it have been, and why?

I'd like to know what the hell happened between me and my jr. high/high school best friend as adults, because I've never been so thoroughly set up and brushed off by anyone else in my life than what she pulled 3-4 years ago. This fall, she sent a short birthday email--first in decades--quite a nice one. W-T-F, chick, W-T-F??

7. If you could wish a wish and it be guaranteed to come true (and not to get more wishes), what would it be, and why?

No more dead children, those who die from starvation, abuse, and other humanly preventable things.

8. What were you doing 1 year ago?

Probably pretty much what I'm doing right now, minus feeling sick.

9. Time to belly up to the bar. What drink can I getcha?

Tonight I'll just have room temperature ginger ale. Generally, I'm a little more fun in this department.

10. What's the furthest you've traveled to visit (or vacation with, etc.) a friend?

I went to London to meet a blog friend. 'Course we were in England anyway, but... I think that wins by default.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things That Will Be Done By Christmas

1. This )@&%(-ing lockin tomorrow night.
2. Getting the fundraiser gifts completed and delivered.
3. Receiving the gifts I purchased online.
4. Some--maybe ALL?--of the giant stack of Demand articles stacked on and around my desk will be cataloged.
5. Picking out Sparky's new phone.
6. Filling in the cracks in the gift-giving schema.
7. Wrapping gifts.
8. Sunday's children's program.
9. Feeling crappy.
10. Sparky's finals.
11. Purchasing stamps and sending out the cards.
12. Sam's Club trip for just about everything.
13. Peace and Christmas spirit will (re)appear.

Wednesday Wickedness

(Link in meme-roll)
Julie Andrews 

1. “All love shifts and changes. I don't know if you can be wholeheartedly in love all the time.”
Have ever felt that you’ve been in love with someone constantly over a long period of time?

"Constantly" is certainly NOT the word for it, but I have loved someone for a very long time. I agree with Julie here.

2. “I am an optimistic lady.”
How optimistic are you?

Depends. Generally, I prefer to stay I'm pragmatic but I do try to find something good to say about most situations.

3. “I don't think today's younger audience... would even know what 1920s musicals were like.”
Do you have any knowledge of 1920 films or musicals? If yes, any favorites?

Nope. I have heard of "The Jazz Singer" but haven't seen it. Do know a bit more about movies from the teens, though: "Birth of a Nation" and "Battleship Potemkin" and so forth.

4. “I hate the word wholesome.”
Play word association. I say “wholesome” and you say:

Disney. Or, nowadays, VeggieTales.

5. “I have always wished I could learn to be a potter. I love collecting ceramics; it would be so fulfilling to create something lovely.”
What have you always wished that you could be?

A writer. Yeah, but, for pay.

6. “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.”
Tell us about something that you had to persevere through.

Parenting.

7. “Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly.”
How do you define your self discipline?

"Severely lacking in all ways." Right now I should be prepping for Friday night's lockin. I have not done one.single.thing. Help.

8. “Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.”
Have you ever missed a golden opportunity?

I'm sure I have. I try not to dwell on it, that's for sure.

9. “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and... SNAP! The job's a game!”
Have you ever had that perfect job that was always entertaining?

My current job is rarely boring, believe it or not.

10. “Sometimes I'm so sweet even I can't stand it.”
Has anyone ever considered you as sweet?

Yes. Hateful, hateful, hateful! It's like "nice"--who wants THAT on their tombstone?!

Christmas Meme #3

(Swiped from Kwizgiver, as usual)
Yes, I'm aware that I did #4 before #3...fail

1. Does your family send Christmas cards? Yup. They might arrive by Christmas this year. Or perhaps by Epiphany.

2. How soon do you start shopping? In theory, I shop all year, but the fact is that I mostly don't really start until my birthday (in November) since it all seems a little more likely by then.

3. Who do you shop for? Family, friends, the usual, you know...?

4. Do you put up a Christmas tree? Yes.

5. If so, is it fake or real? Fake

6. Do you like tinsel? I prefer garland. When I was a kid, I thought the two were synonyms.

7. Do you use homemade or store bought ornaments? Heirloom, primarily store-bought, but not all.

8. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house? Nope, too lazy.

9. Do you put lights on the tree? Yup. Thinking about getting a pre-lit tree for next year. Been saying that for a couple of years now, though.

10. How about popcorn and cranberries? We tried this once when I was a kid. I think we lasted for about a yard of garland before we all got bored.

11. Is there a wreath hanging on your door? Yes, there is thanks to Beast. Oddly, it has no scent whatsoever. Yes, it's 'real' but somehow the pine/fir smell is gone.

13. Do you hang up your stocking? Yes.

14. Does your family read "Twas the night before Christmas?" Well, at some point, yes. We do have the book. My sister collects editions of that book, so I'm not exactly all over it. Too much of a good thing, etc.

15. Christmas Movie? Meh.

16. Character from any Christmas Movie: The Grinch (the original Grinch, drawn by Seuss and voiced by Karloff). I know, it's a TV show...wevs.

17. Christmas Song: Joy to the World ALWAYS reminds me of my dad doing the tenor part in the chorus.

18. Christmas Memory: Rounding the corner into the living room at about age 10 and discovering that the impossible had come true: BARBIE DREAM HOUSE!!!


This or That:
19. Give or Receive? I cannot tell a lie: I love receiving (good, thoughtful) gifts.

22. Ham or Turkey? Grilled cheese. I don't cook on Christmas.

24. White Lights or Colored Lights? My tree is 100% integrated; no segregation in my house.

25. Blinking Lights or Still Lights: Still. The twinklies make me a little nauseous.

26. Were you Naughty or Nice this year? Don't know, don't care.

27. What do you want for Christmas this year? Books, candy, toys.

28. When do you open your gifts? Christmas morning, and one before bed on Christmas Eve.

29. Do you save or recycle bows? In spite of having hundreds of brand new bows, I'm sure we'll continue to recycle them until they are crushed beyond reasonable usability.

30. Have you done much online shopping? Heh: I spent over $500 online today. So, yeah.

31. Who gives you the most gifts? Beast, for Christmas. Amy, year-round.

32. Have you ever had a secret Santa? Yes, we used to do that at work when I first started there. Once we had "an actual man" on staff, we stopped for some reason. That was fine; it was difficult some years.

33. Do you like wrapping gifts? Yup. Very calming.

34. Do you put change in those red buckets? I put in bills.

35. Do you burn a yule log? We'll probably have a fire in the fireplace, but I'm not sure what the difference between your average run-of-the-mill log and a Yule log. And I don't really care for the edible kind of yule log.

36. Did you ever stay up all night waiting for Santa? Nope. I was a good, obedient child.

37. Do you bake cookies? I have not done so in years and years.

38. Have you ever seen your mommy kissing Santa Claus? My mommy was Santa Claus! It was DEFinitely NOT my dad!

39. Have you ever gotten a kiss under the mistletoe? Yuppers.

41. Do you drive around and look at the Christmas lights? We usually do. I always end up getting bored in 10 minutes.

42. Have you ever left Santa cookies? ALWAYS!! And carrots for the reindeer.

43. Have you ever sat on Santa's lap? I remember standing in line for ages once at Cinderella City when I was 6 or 7, maybe younger.

44. Who do you celebrate Christmas with? Family.

45. Where do you celebrate Christmas? Here.

46. Have you ever had a white Christmas? There've been VERY few non-white Christmases in my life. Thank God!

47. What part of Christmas do you look most forward to? The sense of anticipation and excitement on Christmas Eve.

48. Have you ever had your picture taken with Santa? The one time I remember sitting on his lap, there may have been pictures.

49. Does your family always take pictures at Christmas? Often, but not always. It's usually paper being ripped off of things, which is pretty boring, no?

50. Have you ever heard the song "Thank God For The Kids"? No, but I wholly concur with the title.

Personality

Your Four Sided Personality is ADWR

Side 1 of your personality is assured. You carry yourself with confidence and demand attention. Side 2 of your personality is devious. You are calculating and enjoy being a little wily. Side 3 of your personality is warm-hearted. You are interested in people, and you get along well with others. Side 4 of your personality is reserved. You are a private person and often don't have much to say.

The Four Sided Personality Test

OK, semi-close to some version of reality, I guess.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
The Forgetful Meme

1. What is the last thing you forgot to do?

I meant to order something in today's Amazon order that I totally forgot. Oh, well, I can get it at the grocery store, I guess. Assuming I can find it there; it's unusual and not always shelved where I would shelve it.

2. What is the one thing you are always afraid you will forget to do?

Take my keys with me when I lock the doors of my truck. I've locked them in so many times it's a family joke at this point.

3. Can you remember when you were 3 years old? If so, tell us a cute story. If not, make one up.

Not clearly, but I have a couple of distinct momentary memories. I remember sitting on the sofa in the living room while Mom paid bills in the dining room and writing in her address book like she was doing on the checks. She had the address book for years afterwards so I revisited those scribbles regularly.

4. Fill in the blank. I would like to forget the hurtful things she said but I will always remember the joyful things about this person.

5. Fill in the blank. I will never forget the first time I got to 'help Santa' for kids on Christmas Eve.

6. Who, in your opinion, is the world's forgotten hero?

All the people who create impressive, life-changing things by working together: the railroad workers in the 19th century, the men who built European cathedrals, nameless people who do the right thing in the face of opprobrium, that sort of thing.

7. Find a word that rhymes with forget and use it to write a funny sentence.

"I put a barrette in my hair and it disappeared." Sadly, this has happened.

No memes today

I'm way more incoherent today than normal--a temp of 100 degrees will do that.

Sigh.

Christmas Meme #4

(Also swiped from Kwizgiver)

1.What is your favorite Christmas carol/song? Silent Night, at church, on Christmas Eve, with candles.

2.White lights or multicolored? Multi-colored.

3. Do you have a cut tree, live tree or an artificial tree? Artificial.

4. Eggnog, mulled cider, or hot chocolate? Eggnog. Had some this afternoon, in fact. Yum. I wouldn't turn town mulled cider either. Gosh, I haven't had that in eons!

5. Do you decorate your house with lights? Nope, just the tree.

6. Do you write a Christmas letter? Normally we do, but I think we won't this year.

7. Do you like receiving Christmas letters/photos? Absolutely.

8. What is your favorite Christmas story/movie? I'm not a Christmas movie person, but I do like A Christmas Carol done by Patrick Stewart.

9. Have you ever made a gingerbread house? Nope.

10. Poinsettias or holly? I don't use either to decorate, but I prefer holly in general.

11. Do you bake Christmas cookies? I haven't for years, but I may this year. We'll see.

12. In what languages can you wish someone a Merry Christmas (without cheating)? Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Joyeaux Noel, Buon Natale.

13. Do you know all the words to Jingle Bells? Probably. Whether I can find the file they are in inside my head is another story entirely.

14. Do you put presents under the tree? Well, yeah...?

15. How do you eat a candy cane? I start on the hook, but I haven't eaten on in a decade.

16. What is your biggest holidays pet peeve? Feeling overwhelmed.

17. What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Christmas Eve service.

Books Books Books

(Boosted from Kwizgiver)

Hardcover or paperback, and why? I like hardcovers because I can lay them flat with a weight and read them while doing other things; it doesn't work as well with paperbacks. On the other hand, I like paperbacks for travel.

My favorite quote from a book is... "What it begins with, I know finally, is the kernel of meanness in people's hearts. I don't know exactly how or why it gets inside us; that's one of the mysteries I haven't solved yet." (The Book of Ruth, Jane Hamilton)

The author (alive or dead) I would love to have lunch with would be... Stephen King.

The smell of an old book reminds me of... age, knowledge, and mold.

If I could be the lead character in a book, it would be... Jo from Little Women, or Laura from the Little House books.

The most overestimated book of all time is... The Old Man & the Sea. WTF, man, WTF.

I hate it when a book... doesn't go anywhere, doesn't transport me, doesn't have a point, in short.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Ninja Meme, Part One

1. What do you add to your coffee? I don't drink coffee.

2. What are you reading now? This meme. The books I'm reading: The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise (Julia Stuart) and House of Leaves (Mark Z. Danielewski).

3. Do you own a gun? Nope. But I'll be taking yours as soon as they let me (riffing on a discussion at Sunday School this morning).

4. Are you registered to vote? Yes, by God, I am!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not particularly. What is, is.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think in theory they are awful and gross. But I love 'em cold, right out of the package.

7. Favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Diet Dr. Pepper.

9. Can you do push ups? ...a ha ha ha ha hahahahaha.... No.

10. What was the name of your first boyfriend/girlfriend? ...yeah, no.

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelery [sic]? My trinity earrings.

12. Favorite hobby? This. Reading. Sleeping.

13. Do you work with people who idolize you? Oh, yeah, RIGHT. I hope not.

14. Do you have ADD? Nope.

15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? My advanced skills of procrastination.

16. What’s your middle name? See my answer to #10.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. "What's for dinner?" "The Bears are getting KILLED--yay!" "I have a headache."

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Yogurt, soup, bread.

19. Name 3 beverages you regularly drink. Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, water.

20. Current worry right now? "What's for dinner?"

21. What side do you dress to? uh-ROO? WTF does this mean? Generally, I wear clothes on BOTH SIDES.

22. Favorite place to be? Right now, under a blanket. It is C O L D here.

23. How did you bring in the New Year? I have absolutely no idea.

24. Where would you like to go? Kenya.

25. Name three people who will see today. Excluding family, I saw Grace, Hunter, and Josh today.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7
Name seven stores from which you’d most like a gift card for Christmas.

1. Old Navy
2. Kohl's
3. VS
4. Bath and Body Works
5. Target
6. Best Buy
7. Barnes & Noble

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Block :: Lego
2. Comforter :: Quilt
3. Santa :: ...Claus
4. Tape :: Glue (inside joke)
5. Humor :: Wit
6. Charity :: Donation
7. Receipt :: Proof
8. Hospice :: End-of-Life
9. Stuffing :: Dressing
10. Binge :: Addiction

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Reason to Believe

1. Has anyone asked you to believe in something that called for a huge leap of faith on your part?

I can suspend reality for awhile if asked, but in the end I almost always land back on the firm ground of reality. On the other hand, I believe in God; go figure.

2. When is the last time you moved? Why did you move?

We moved into this house 7 years ago in October. We moved because 1) I hated our previous house, and 2) we built this house (well, ok, we had it built) because the floor plan was absolutely perfect for us, and so was the lot.

3. Malls? ..or one Internet? Are you doing more online shopping this year? The polls say we are, but I'm curious about what the real people are doing.

I'll be doing some serious online shopping Monday and/or Tuesday for out-of-town relatives.

4. Do you remember the first meme you participated in and if so, what was it?

If this counts, this is it.

5. If you could invent something, what would it be?

A way to identify terrorists that does NOT make the rest of us feel like criminals.

6. Are you finished with your shopping? Do you still a few things to go? What? Not even a game plan? ...or is there just one person you're having trouble finding something for?

Oh, hell, I have barely started.

7. What's left to do at your place (or where you are going)? Is the tree up? ...or maybe you're just happy you found the Christmas coffee mug and are calling that good?

The wreath is up. The tree is up, and lit but not decorated. The rest of decor is partially out. The Santa cookie plate is repaired. Tomorrow, the tree will get the ornaments on and THEN I can start on cards. And shopping. Whee.

8. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse?

I had no real specific expectations about adulthood when I was a kid. I don't remember ever planning my life out. And it's turned out just fine. So much for the whole goal-setting thing.

9. Tell us about something you'll miss about 2010.

We had pretty awesome weather this year. It was never horrifically cold, and the autumn was the best ever.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday 6

1. When do you usually buy your Christmas cards: leading up to the time to mail them or at the half-off counter the day after Christmas?

ALWAYS after Christmas. I haven't bought cards before Christmas in decades. In fact, a couple of years, I haven't bought cards at all: we had so many leftovers from years past that we just used them up.

2. What store do you most prefer to avoid when you shop?

...for Christmas? There's not just one store, but I try to avoid weekends or evenings, and I never do Black Friday.

3. How likely do you buy a little something for yourself while you’re shopping for everyone else?

Heh. Caught me. Actually, though, when I'm Christmas shopping, I don't really do that very often, unless we're talking about a bottle of pop or a candy bar.

4. You find what you consider a perfect gift for a close friend, but it costs about twice what you want to pay: would you buy it anyway?

Uhm, maybe? It totally depends on a great number of circumstances. I probably would, though.

5. Take the quiz: Do You Spend Like a Santa or a Scrooge?

[SO shocking, eh?]

You Spend Sensibly

You love to shop for holiday presents, but you are above all a savvy shopper. You know you don't have to spend a fortune to get the perfect gift, and you'll shop around to find the right thing at the right price. You prefer gifts that people actually want to receive to gifts that dazzle or impress. You hope that your gifts stand the test of time. If someone keeps your gift for years, you consider it a success!

Do You Spend Like a Santa or a Scrooge?

"Sensible" does NOT equate to "savvy" in my book. Time is money.

6. How do you feel about shopping this time of year: do you dread it like a root canal or are you raring to go at every opportunity?

Dread it. I don't like to shop under the best circumstances, and crowds make it worse. However, I've noticed that there aren't as many crowds this year. Yay from a personal standpoint. Not so great for the economy, though.

Rock 'n Roll Fridays

(Link in meme-roll)
(a day late--but you'll all survive, I'm sure)
Simon and Garfunkel

1. A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER But look around, the leaves are brown, And the sky is a hazy shade of winter. Oh, seasons change with scenery, weaving time in a tapestry, Won't you stop and remember me?
Do you think of someone special during Winter?

Does Santa count? I don't think there's anyone really who reminds me of winter (or vice versa), which is probably a good thing since I'm not really a fan of winter.

2. BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER When you're down and out, When you're on the street, When evening falls so hard I will comfort you. I'll take your part.
What cheers you up?

Unforced silliness, a nap in a puddle of sun, being around comfortable people, finishing a big project.

3. EL CONDOR PASA I'd rather be a forest than a street. Yes I would. If I could, I surely would. I'd rather feel the earth beneath my feet.
When was the last time you went barefoot in the grass?

I'm barefoot whenever possible (like, even now I have nothing on my feet, which are currently on the chilly side), and it's far easier on my feet to walk in grass than concrete, so ... maybe six weeks ago? We had a lovely LONG warm fall this year.

4. AMERICA Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, They've all come to look for America…
How do you entertain yourself during a traffic jam?

Radio. Book. Phone calls/texts. Prayers (not for traffic clearing, just praying in general). Getting antsy doesn't help.

5. SOUNDS OF SILENCE When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light That split the night And touched the sound of silence.
What words would flash on your ideal neon sign?

N O , T H A N K S

6. 59th STREET BRIDGE SONG Got no deeds to do, No promises to keep. I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep. Let the morning time drop all its petals on me. Life, I love you, All is groovy.
What was the last event that made you feel groovy?

Last night's work party was pretty fun. Groovy, though? I'm not sure I've felt groovy in awhile; what does it feel like? [this is one of my favorite songs, by the way]

7. RICHARD CORY The papers print his picture almost everywhere he goes: Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at a show. And the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht! Oh, he surely must be happy with everything he's got.
Do you make enough money to keep you happy?

Not the question I thought these lyrics would lead to, but yes. Well, between Beast and me, we are fine.

8. THE BOXER In the clearing stands a boxer, And a fighter by his trade And he carries the reminders Of ev'ry glove that laid him down.
How do you feel about boxing as a sport?

NOT a fan. I think it's horrible, especially the big guys. On the other hand, compared to some of the shit that's promo'd on Spike TV, boxing is a freaking ballet recital. [another of my favorite songs, however]

9. MRS ROBINSON Hide in the hiding place where no one ever goes. Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes. It's a little secret just the Robinsons' affair. Most of all you've got to hide it from the kids.
What was the last thing you hid from the kids or significant other in your home?

Uh, helloooo? Christmas presents!? lol

10. I AM A ROCK I have my books And my poetry to protect me; I am shielded in my armor.
What item protects you?

In this sense, it is clearly my "busyness": if I'm busy, I don't have to think or deal with stuff that I don't like. In a totally non-metaphorical interpretation, it's probably my fearsome reputation that keeps the monsters away.

11. KATHY’S SONG I hear the drizzle of the rain Like a memory it falls Soft and warm continuing Tapping on my roof and walls.
What is your least favorite thing about rain?

It makes it hard to see through my glasses. Otherwise, I don't mind rain. Unless it goes on forever, in which case I become a little suicidal.

12. HOMEWARD BOUND Home where my thought's escaping, Home where my music's playing, Home where my love lies waiting Silently for me.
What’s your favorite thing about your home?

The floor plan. I seriously love this house in a way that might be considered a little mental by other people.

13. FIFTY WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER The problem is all inside your head, she said to me The answer is easy if you take it logically I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free There must be fifty ways to leave your lover.
What was the worst way you ever left a lover?

I don't think I've ever done it badly. It's either been a pretty clean break or a slow drift due to distance and lack of anything that really connected us in the first place.

Christmas Meme #2

(from Kwizgiver)

1. Getting kissed under the mistletoe or in the snow? I'm not particular, as long as it's a kiss I want.

2. Santa or Rudolph? Santa, though I hope Rudolph shows up too.

3. Stocking or presents? Nowadays I like both. I miss the orange that was always in the toe of my stocking every year. But sometimes the stocking prezzies are better than the tree gifts.

4. Egg nog or hot cider? Egg nog.

5. Angel or Star? Star.

6. Decorating the tree or putting lights on the outside? Tree.

7. Warm fires or sleigh rides? Warm fires after sleigh rides.

8. Expensive presents or presents that come from the heart? Heart.

9. Snow ball fight or snowman? ...I'll make the hot chocolate for afterwards, ok?

10. Will you be getting coal or presents? Presents.

11. Giving or receiving presents? Both. I like to watch people open presents, but I also like the anticipation as I open mine.

12. Open presents quick or slow? Slow.

13. Caroling or Christmas stories? I don't get to do much caroling anymore, so I'd go with that if possible.

14. Snowy days or icy days? Snow. No contest.

15. Red or green? Green.

16. Nightmare before Christmas or The Santa Claus? Of those two choices, Nightmare Before Christmas.

17. Dasher or Dancer? Dancer.

18. Prancer or Vixen? Prancer.

19. Comet or Cupid? DEFinitely Comet.

20. Donner or Blitzen? Blitzen.

21. Fake tree or Real tree? Fake.

22. Prime Rib or Ham? Prime rib.

23. Red and white candy canes or colorful candy canes? The colorful ones taste weird. I'll stick with red/white.

24. Get up early or sleep in late? On Christmas, I like getting up about 7.

28. Scrooge or Tiny Tim? I sorta like Bob Cratchitt better than both.

29. Ornaments or a wreath? Both. It's not Christmas without ornaments, but I really like wreaths.

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
 Lost

1. Did you ever get into a bar and drink before you were 21? If yes, how often?

When I turned 18 I was legal to drink in the state where I was in college. And then about six months after I turned 19 the drinking age went up to 19. About three months after I turned 21, the drinking age followed. I was in bars and drinking a lot before I was 21. And I was drinking in homes at 16. I'm not exactly a rulebreaker, either. Go figure.

2. After Obama, who do you think will be the next president?

Oh good Lord, if I knew that, I'd be more popular than Paris Hilton. I mostly fear that it will be someone with Paris Hilton's IQ.

3. Do you believe places can really be haunted?

Not in the sense of ghosts jumping out at people or floating around and so forth. But I think certain places can cause an unfortunately combination of memory, fear and natural factors to interact in unusual ways. I lived in a house where two people were shot. No hauntings whatsoever.

4. Kimber is flying to Minnesota to finally meet Berleen. What do you think about space travel?

If it's warmer in space than Minnesota, I'm all for it!

5. What if had exactly one year to live. What are the three things you'd want to do before you died?

Plan my funeral, clean out all my paperwork, and travel the rest of the year.

6. What if you could take one thing back. What would that one thing be? What is something you said, something you stole, something you did wrong?

I'd unsay several things to Sparky when he was younger and I was exhausted and mental.

7. Other than emergencies, do you think the cell phone is more intrusive than convenient?

No. I love my cell phone, most of the time. I can tell who is calling me, and not that many people have my number anyway, so it's really not such a bad thing.

8. You are stuck on an island forever due to a plane crash. Like Lost without Harley or anybody else. But you find all the water, food and shelter you needed. What would be the three other things would you want with you?

A functional, charged cell phone or an internet connection and charged computer. A tent and a comfy campbed. I'm only there one night, at most.

9. We've decided you can change one thing about the world. What would that one thing be?

I'd really like it if people would just take a second and think about other people first once in awhile.

10.What if a million dollars fell off a back of a truck. Would you keep it?

As if I'd be the only person aware of a million dollars falling off a truck? No. Anyway, with my luck, if it did fall off a truck, it would land on me and crush me to death.

Christmas Meme 1

(Found at Kwizgiver's)

1. Real tree or Artificial? Fake tree, real wreath.

2. Do you like decorating the tree? I don't mind once we've gotten going, but it's a big time commitment.

3. When do you put up the tree? We try to get it upright by the 10th or so. This year, it is up, and lit, but that's as far as we've gotten.

4. When do you take the tree down? I want it down the first weekend of the year, or the first DAY of the year, but I've learned not to sweat it if it's still up in mid-January.

5. Do you like eggnog? I do, but it's heavy and fattening so I don't drink much of it.

6. Ever broken a present right after opening it? I believe this may have happened a few times in the past. I'm pretty careful nowadays. And honestly, I don't get a lot of breakable stuff.

7 . Hardest person to buy for? Beast. I've got him WAY covered this year, though.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Sparky.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yup. I painted all the figures.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Email seems kind of ... wrong ... somehow.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Our first Christmas after we got married, Beast got me no books. I had nothing to read that day--we had to hit the nearest 24-hour Walgreens so I could buy a paperback. So it's really the worst gift I didn't receive.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I'm kinda grinchy about the whole movie thing. I don't really have a favorite Christmas one.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? About 10 years ago I was shopping year round. I've fallen apart on that, but I'm not buying for as many people either.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Indeed, in both senses of that word.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sourpatch kids. Santa always leaves a bag in my stocking.

16. Have you ever actually eaten fruit cake? Yup. Mom made me try some when I was little. So I can cross that off my theoretical bucket list, right?

17. Favorite Christmas song? Today it's Do They Know It's Christmas.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I prefer to stay home. I don't really care, though, as long as Christmas day itself is nice and quiet.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, I can. Do I have to prove it? I think it's more impressive that I still know almost all of The Night Before Christmas by heart.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We do one on the Eve and the rest in the morning. Beast grew up doing them at night and my family is all in the morning, so we compromised.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds. Not a fan.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I throw EVERYthing on the tree EVERY year. This theme stuff is not for me.

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Grilled cheese sandwiches, leftover Chinese, whatever's in the fridge.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I've asked, very specifically, for a Nook. We'll see how that turns out.

Wednesday Wickedness

(Link in meme-roll)
Jennifer Aniston

1. “A relationship isn't going to make me survive. It's the cherry on top.”
What part of your life do you consider “the cherry on the top”?

I have a pretty good life with lots of cherries. ahem I think the high school kids at church are the frosting in my days.

2. “I almost resent the whole fashion thing. Good God- never wearing the same thing twice and all of those things. It's a pain in the ass.”
How much does fashion impact your life?

Oh the horror of having so many clothes you have to keep track so you don't wear anything twice. Spare me. The whole concept of 'fashion' annoys the shit out of me.

3. “I've gone for each type: the rough guy; the nerdy, sweet, lovable guy; and the slick guy. I don't really have a type. Men in general are a good thing.”
What’s your type?

Kind, smart, funny.

4. “Once you figure out who you are and what you love about yourself, I think it all kinda falls into place.”
Do you still learn new things about yourself?

Yes. When I stop doing that, I might as well die.

5. “The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain.”
Have you ever had your heart broken? If yes, how did you get over it?

You know, Jen, you aren't doing yourself any favors with these quotes.
Of course my heart's been broken; the only thing that brings any healing is time.

6. “There are no regrets in life, just lessons.”
What is the most recent “life lesson” that you have figured out?

Uhm, really? People with no regrets kinda scare me.
Sandwich generation...not fun.

7. “Really try to follow what it is that you want to do and what your heart is telling you to do.”
Have you ever went [sic] against what your heart told you to do?

Yes. It usually doesn't work out well.

8. “The ultimate is finding a place where you have no inhibitions, nothing to hide, where you can learn with one another.”
Do you have any inhibitions when you are in love with someone?

Of course: being in love doesn't mean I lose my mind. I'm not a complete moron.

9. “Life can be dramatic and funny all in the same day!”
What is something that happened recently in your life that you found extremely funny?

{facepalm} "All in one day"--shit, girl, that's 10 minutes in my life!
I can't remember the subject, but we were all in stitches a couple of days ago, laughing at/with Sparky about something or other.

10. “The first time I kissed Brad my knees went weak - I literally lost my breath!”
Have you ever kissed someone and your knees went weak?

Uh, yeah. His name wasn't Brad, though I suspect if I kissed the same Brad as she did, more than my knees would collapse.