I've got machine guns... in my butt?!

(Found here, and no I have NO idea what the title means...) [and finished, now, in spite of the prior publication earlier this week]

Do you like flavored teas? Not my thing, actually. Black is my drink.

When you were younger, did you have a swing set or a playhouse in your backyard? Swingset. Loved that thing. OMG. Always wanted a playhouse, but Dad was too busy building actual, real houses.

What got you into surveys in the first place? Insanity, boredom, addiction to answering questions.

If you could have any job at this moment, what would it be? I like my job, and there's always the devil you know v. the devil you don't.

Do you have any pictures on Facebook that you uploaded a long time ago and are embarrassed of now? Nope. I don't upload pictures I'm embarrassed about.

Do you like the Pop Goes… compilations? Never heard of it/them. Or, wait, there's a tickle at the back of my memory...but no I don't own any of them, whatever they are.

Is your mall nice? "My mall"?? I don't own a mall. The malls at which I shop are just fine, albeit not nearby.

What are you listening to? The end of last week's CSI.

Do you burn incense? Or oil? No incense: Beast hates the scent. The only oil I burn is lamp oil, unscented, when we lose power.

Do you smoke weed? Nope. I don't smoke anything.

Do you like to post song lyrics for your Facebook status? I have done so. Not often.

If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Bagpipes.

Do you like little day trips? Sure.

Do you cook when you're bored? No.

Do you still like to burn CD’s? Or are you more of an MP3 player kind of person? I burn loads of CDs.

This is my first survey, by the way, so don’t be too harsh. :) Do you go somewhere to get your eyebrows done? Or do you just do it yourself? I do 'em myself, very haphazardly.

What would your ideal house be like? And where would it be? Smallish cabin/cottage in the mountains somewhere.

Do you go to Warped Tour each year? Have never gone at all!

Do you prefer rainy or sunny days? Sunny!

When you were younger did you read the A Series Of Unfortunate Events books? I read some of them.

Do you have a Sonic near you? If so, what’s your favorite drink from there? If not, what’s your favorite place to get food? Nope. We are too far north. "Favorite place to get food" would be Taco Bell. Or the grocery store.

Do you buy all the limited edition things? No clue what this means, so no.

Do you have any pets? Two guinea pigs.

Do you have that one friend who only seems to talk to you when they need something? I have some acquaintances like that.

Will you be voting in the presidential elections next time around? Haven't missed one yet, so yeah.

What is your favorite magazine? E Weekly.

Do you still buy music? Yup, unless it arrives as a gift.

Do you enjoy being outside? Not much, not anymore.

What’s your opinion on Waka Flocka Flame? I'm 100% neutral, as I know nothing about this.

Do you go to the gym? Huh. No.

Who was the last band you saw live? U2, their first pass on there current tour.

Do you have a lot of jewelry? I have more earrings than anyone really ought to own.

What was the first cell phone you ever had? It was a very limited plan Nokia.

Do you like Kid Cudi? He has his good points. I wouldn't listen to him nonstop.

What’s your favorite scent? Fresh-baked bread, and babies.

Do you like dancing? Sure. I rarely ever actually dance, but I enjoy it.

Do you have any idea what you want to be for Halloween? Yep: same thing I've been for the past several years.

Do you like to do craft like things? Not particularly; I don't think I'm all that artistic.

What’s your opinion on KFC? I miss ours, even if it has been closed almost 3 years now.

Have you ever been to New York City? Not yet.

How about Canada? Yes.

What are your top three favorite movies? Heathers, Fiddler on the Roof, Matrix 1

Have you ever been in a spelling bee? Yup. Not for decades, though.

Do you have anything exciting planned for this weekend? I work Saturday, I teach Sunday School and play bells at church on Sunday. Woo-hoo, my life.

Are you guilty of ever sending someone naked pictures? Look, by the time this was possibly, my body was definitely not-ready-for-prime-Internet-time.

How about 'sexting'? Not as such.

Do you like Degrassi? Never watched it.

Do you like to cook? Here's the thing: if I didn't have to plan, or do putzy stuff with weird food or tools, or grocery shop...yeah, I wouldn't mind cooking that much.

What's your favorite color nail polish? Kinda into the dark colors, but since I only ever do my toes, it's not a goth as it sounds.

Have you ever heard of City and Colour? No. Why? Should I be worried.

What is your favorite thing about your favorite season? The crunchy leaves, and the general feel and smell of the air.

Does the future worry you? A little.

Do you believe prayer really works? Yes. But it's complicated to explain, like many simple things.

Do you and a friend have friendship bracelets? Nope. Never. This just seems lame beyond all reality to me.

Do you like tie dye? I don't mind it, but I'm fussy about the colors.

Are you one for stealing signs? I'm not really one for stealing, primarily because I know what those sorts of things cost to replace.

How do you feel about autotune? I don't mind it, if it's not overused.

***

Who was the last person to IM you? Beast, at work before I left today.

Are any of your bills past-due? Doubtful. Beast is all about that stuff.

Do you carry any means of protection on you while out in public? Just my attitude and my viperish tongue. Oh, and my ear-piercing shriek when something surprises me.

Hoodies or jackets? Depends on the occasion. Generally, jackets.

When was the last time you recieved a black eye? How'd you get it? I think the last time I've been hit in the eye was 7th grade gym class, softball rotation. I can't remember I got a black eye, but my glasses were ruined.

What's the last annoying noise that you heard? While at bells tonight, me and the guy next to me could've sworn we heard a train whistle outside the building. This is weird as our church is probably 5 miles from train tracks.

Do you crack your knuckles? I can. I don't, on purpose, very often.

What's your least favorite physical feature on yourself? My tummy.

When's the last time you wore a wig? Uhm, never?

Why were you last hospitalized? It's been 14 years. Now that I've jinxed myself, I'll only add that I had abdominal surgery.

What's your favorite animal to see at the zoo? Wolves. And monkeys.

Do you believe that pets have their own personalities? Well, of course they do!! OMG, who doesn't think so? Fish-owners, I suppose, maybe.

Who's one person who's guilty but was found not guilty? We're all guilty of something. OJ definitely is guilty of SOMEthing major, that's for sure.

Have you ever felt like you made the wrong decision? Fairly often.

Do you think glasses make someone instantaneously nerdy? Not really. Nerdy is as nerdy does, y'know.

Do you have any friends that someone would call 'white trash? I think I went to grade school and high school with some people who might classify this way, and perhaps some of my college friends. Don't think anyone I hang with regularly does though.

Are there any flags in your front lawn? Nope. Not allowed, per HOA rules. We occasionally fly an American flag or a Packer flag from our porch.

What's one job that you'll never work for any amount of money? Why? I don't think I'd be much good as a sumo wrestler. Or a ditch-digger.

Do you prefer baked potatoes or mashed potatoes? Mashed. I actually don't like baked potatoes very much at all.

What time will it be in 3 hours? Will you be asleep? 12:15 a.m. and I had BETTER be asleep or there'll be hell to pay tomorrow.

What's the longest you've ever gone without food? Probably close to 24 hours.

Have you ever changed a diaper? I have a child. I babysat lots of kids when I was younger. I have lots of nieces and nephews. So...yeah. I've done my share.

From where you're sitting, can you see out the window? What do you see? It's after dark so all I see is black outside of any of the windows I can see out of from here.

Who's the last person to ask you for a favor? I don't know; I don't keep track of this. Perhaps someone at work today?

Do you read comic books? Nope. Well, ok, I did just finish a manga the other day, so I guess I do.

What curse word do you use most often? "Crap" but "shit" and "fuck" aren't far behind.

Are junior high years really the worst years of your school life? They weren't exactly great for me, but honestly 5th and 6th grades were pretty bad too.

Why were you last embarrassed? I'm sure it's cuz I stuck my foot in my mouth over something.

Are there any scars on your arms? From what? Small marks from bashing against sharp things, and my brother's dog "bit" me at one point too (her teeth broke skin, but it was play biting).

Do you tend to ask a lot of questions? Why do you ask?

Do you know anyone with obsessive-compulsive disorder? Clinically diagnosed? I don't think so.

Have you ever taken anti-depressants? Yes. Yes, I have.

Have your parents ever forced you to go to a therapist? My parents would NEVER have done this, even if I would have shown any need of one.

When's the last time you faked an illness? I haven't faked an illness for a long time, but I have, perhaps, lied about being sick. There is a subtle difference.

What's the last magazine that you read? I flipped through my college alumni magazine earlier today.

Have you ever had to ask someone for money? Uhm, yeah? Have purchased 3 houses, bought a few cars, via loans. And also my parents. And husband, but not often.

Have you ever donated to a charity? Only regularly.

What do you currently smell? About the only thing I can smell is the gum in my mouth.

Do you prefer ankle socks over regular socks? Regular socks? Listen, toots, I grew up with tube socks, and before that anklets! I've got ankle socks and longer socks, trouser socks and knee-his.

Did you carve any jack-o-lanterns this year? Beast did. I don't really enjoy the carving thing.

When's the next time you'll see your mother? Probably about 3 seconds after I stop breathing for the last time.

Who's the most random person you've ever met? Marc Engstr0m. And most children under age 5.

Is the news usually just depressing? Yup.

If you could go to any planet, which would you go to? This one.

Have you ever felt trapped in a situation? Actually, yes. Bigtime.

Have you ever been inside of a cave? I love caves. And mines.

Would you ever pick up a hitchhiker? Hell NO!

Have you ever warned a friend about someone but they didn't listen? Of course. And this one of the reasons I try very hard not to offer advice unless specifically asked.

Have you ever tripped someone? On purpose...? I don't think so.

What was the last illegal drug that you used? The only illegal drug use I've participated in is really just illicit use of other people's Rx drugs on occasion. Beast has almost always had access to major painkiller and/or muscle relaxants.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
7 Royal Questions on Tuesday


1. If you could turn back the hands of time, where would you go?

Assuming I get to keep the knowledge I have today, I'd hit 1988 or '89 and tell some home truths to some people in my life, including myself: "Get your act together NOW! You've only got 5 years left" and "Stop bullshitting me about my job" and "You aren't going to be young forever. Start planning" to name a few conversation-starters.

2. What was your favorite age and why?

If left to my own devices, somewhere between 6 and 10 (NOT at school, however). In the big picture, probably the last two years of college.

3. Travel into the future 10 years. How do you picture your life?

Working. Slacking off at home. Dealing with getting older; good Lord, my sister will be almost 80! Maybe playing with my grandkids. Who knows, really.

4. Did you ever take part in a birthday surprise? Tell us about it.

Aside from gifts, no. I don't like surprises all that much, and I don't think Beast is a huge fan either. And I definitely don't like mean-spirited surprises of any kind.

5. Pretend it is your ultimate birthday party. What five people, living or dead, would you invite?

My dad, the apostle Paul (though I'd keep duct tape handy for his mouth), Harriet Tubman, Michelangelo, and Bono. Holy shit, there are going to be arguments!! I'll definitely have the things recorded from multiple angles!

6. Let's have cake! Forget about candles and flavors and balloons. Who jumps out?

See #4. This is precisely the sort of surprise I don't like. But it does pretty much have to not be chocolate cake if it's my birthday. Sorry, chocoholics.

7. And finally, make a wish but not just any ole' wish. Make it count.

I wish everyone could walk in the shoes of someone they despise for a week without knowing they'd ever switch back, and retain everything they experienced after they did return to themselves.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Have you ever been outside in a blizzard?

Yes, as a matter of fact I have. It's not fun, and I certainly wouldn't go far from shelter. On the other hand, it is awfully pretty, and quiet, when watching snow fall.

2) Front porch or back deck?

I'd like both. What I miss, in this house, is having a place to sit IN the sun--we have front and back porches but they are both covered. This is good for other reasons, but I have to drag a chair into the yard to get sunshine, which looks dorky. Generally, however, I like sitting on the front porch. It reminds me of growing up; my parents did that on hot nights in the summer (no A/C in the house) and we'd comment on cars driving by and neighbors, and occasionally delve into serious stuff because we were all relaxed.

3) If Disney opened a theme park aimed primarily at adults, what would you name one of the rides? Explain.

If Disney did it, it would have to be something cute and commercial, so none of my titles would make the cut: Empty Wallet of Doom, Drink Till You Puke, Don't Think It Only Makes You Stop Spending Money, etc. I think they're pretty self-explanatory.

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

I've always wanted to try this, but I'm pretty sure my use-by date is either passing or past. This looks like a fairly easy abseil, so maybe I could still handle it. Alone, though: Beast would be fuh-REAKing out there at the top...or (more likely) waiting at the bottom.

t.v. addict's meme

(Swiped from Kwizgiver)

1. Name a TV show series in which you've seen every episode at least twice: CSI, NCIS, Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch...

2. Name a show you couldn't miss: Oh, I can miss them, thanks to reruns and DVR. But I hate to miss CSI. Now it's good again.

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to watch a show: Well, apparently Ted Danson. Or, more generally Mark Harmon.

4. Name an actor who would make you less likely to watch a show: Charlie Sheen. No brainer.

5. Name a show you can, and do, quote from: NCIS.

6. Name a show you like that no one else that you know enjoys: Ghost Whisperer. I can't even figure out why I like it, although Jim is cute.

7. Name a TV show which you've been known to sing the theme song: Many many many of the the old ones. Have you noticed theme songs don't have lyrics much anymore? Seems to come and go in waves.

8. Name a show you would recommend everyone to watch: Lots of people could benefit from viewing What Not to Wear. I have.

9. Name a TV series you own: Six Feet Under.

10. Name an actor who launched his/her entertainment career in another medium, but has surprised you with his/her acting choices in television: Chris O'Donnell, or LL Cool J.

11. What is your favorite episode of one your favorite series? "Iced" or "Stalker or both parts of "Grave Danger" in CSI.

12. Name a show you keep meaning to watch, but you just haven’t gotten around to yet. I really need to start L&O:SVU from the beginning rather than skating through the reruns.

13. Ever quit watching a show because it was so bad? Many. ER, Friends, even MASH.

14. Name a show that's made you cry multiple times: CSI, NCIS (both)...so basically any show I've invested in has the potential for making me cry. I don't think I've cried over Bones ever, though. Hmmm....

15. What do you eat when you watch TV? Whatever isn't nailed down.

16. How often do you watch TV? If Beast is home and not working (as in, for pay), the TV is on.

17. What’s the last TV show you watched? We're watching American Pickers right now.

18. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of TV? I like shows that are real. That doesn't necessarily mean 'reality TV' because that frequently isn't any more real than the average sitcom, but a show has to connect to something in real life to connect to me. I like pseudo-documentaries about people (Deadliest Catch, et al.) or shows that are funny with serious intent (Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs), shows that show the chaos of life.

19. What was the first TV show you were obsessed with? "Hey hey, we're the Monkees..." I remember chasing my brother into the basement--where the TV was until January 1971--calling the couch to watch The Monkees.

20. What TV show do you wish you never watched? I wish I hadn't gotten so invested in Moonlighting.

21. What’s the weirdest show you enjoyed? Eerie, Indiana was pretty good. And there were quite a few kids' shows I watched with Sparky when he was very young that were weird when viewed objectively; say, for instance, Ghost Writer, and/or Wishbone.

22. What was the single most memorable progam you ever saw on TV? The Challenger blowing up over and over. The planes flying into buildings over and over (and over) (and over)... Bernard Shaw and Wolf Blitzer in their hotel room in Baghdad in the first Gulf War.

23. What TV show scared you the most? I had to stop watching Rescue 911 and other shows of that ilk (including America's Most wanted) when Sparky was little: too many shows about Bad Things Happening to Children.

24. What is the funniest TV show you have ever watched? Oh good heavens..... Robin Williams Live, any George Carlin show, Jeff Dunham.... We used to watch the Comedy Network back in the day when Rosie O'Donnell (and others) hosted Standup Spotlight, which was basically an open mic comedy show.

25. What show was canceled too early into its run? The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Sunday Stealing:

(Link in meme-roll)
The Bud is Back Meme

1. Why did you sign up for writing your blog? This one is just to keep a handle on the memes I do. I'm closing in on 6000 posts, believe it or not, which means I'll be close to 6500 by the time I get to its 8-year anniversary.

2. Why did you choose your blog's name? What does it mean? Wellll, long story here, but the short version is that it's clever and punny.

3. Do you ever had another blog? "Do I ever had???" What the fuckety-hell? I'm not even gonna answer this because of the phrasing of the question. I've had my fill of unintelligible in the past 24 hours.

4. What do you do online when you're not on your blog? Facebook. Games. Email. Twitter, though not consistently, and not lately.

5. How about when you're not on the computer? According to everyone I know, I'm NEVER not on the computer! It's surgically attached. But actually, I do read and do crosswords and clean the house and drive the car, and assorted other things. Oh, and sleep.

6. What do you wish people who read your blog knew about you? Oh, it's all in there. What you need to know is published. What I don't want you to know, I don't tell.

7. What is your favorite community in the blogosphere? Depends on the day. I can't really pick one drop-dead favorite, except my own little coterie of memes and friends.

8. What is your philosophy on your blog layout? Clean and readable. I used to make changes regularly, but I'm too lazy now.

9. Tell me about your picture you use to represent you on your blog. I live in the US Midwest; the picture on my blog looks like the Midwest in my favorite season, fall.

10. Pick 3 random blogs from your blogroll and tell us about them. On this site I'll go with Patrick's Place, which does weekend memes but also posts 2-3 times a week on other topics of interest. He's smart, savvy, and goofy in the way I'm goofy (read that however you like). Booking Through Thursday is a meme I love in concept (memes about books), but never seem to actually DO on my site. Sigh. And of course WTIT, which is just hoot--never fails to make me smile at the very least.

11. What features do you think your blog should have that it doesn't currently? Spellcheck. ...what? Wait, there IS a spellcheck on Blogger? But I have to USE it? ...Bummer.

12. What do you consider the 10 most "telling" interests that we would infer from what you blog persona? Another question written by someone who doesn't know how to use English words. I really don't have a clue what this is meant to say. What am I interested in? What do I talk about most? If you want to know what I've talked about most, go down on the sidebar to Labels to see what I've talked about since Blogger started allowing us to do labelling.

13. Do you have any unique interests that you have never shared before? What are they? Probably, but I can't think what they are, at least among those I'd actually share online.

14. The best thing about blogging is all of the friends that you make, Beside from those folks, do you think your blog has fans? OMG, really? I want to shoot myself over these questions, and I'm only 2/3 through!! I supposedly have 24 sorry, 28 followers. Don't know if that constitutes fans.

15. What's your current obsession? What about it captures your imagination? My current obsession isn't a good one, so I'm going to move on after saying it's not imaginary and it's pissing me off.

16. What are you glad you did but haven't really had a chance to post about? Well, ok, not totally horrid but more than a little confused. I'm glad I gave birth, I'm glad I went to Russia and China 25 years ago, I'm glad I got married...haven't blogged a lot about any of these things, among others.

17. How many people that first became a blog friend, have you met face to face? ...sigh... About 2. There are a couple of others I would meet up with in a heartbeat if they were within "meet-up" range.

18. What don't you talk about here, either because it's too personal or because you don't have the energy? Here's some circular logic: if I answer this question right now, I would therefore be talking about stuff I don't want to talk about here.

19. What's a question that you'd love to answer? "How hard do you want to hit the person who originally wrote these questions down?"

20. Have you ever lost a blogging friendship and regretted it? I regret lost friendships and connections for multiple reasons across the board. So, yeah.

21. Have you ever lost a blogging friendship and thought, “Was that overdue!” Only the Unmentionable Word who bashed me on my own blog, thus leading to the Standards of Behavior tab on the blog. Then again, we weren't actually friends to begin with, so....

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Turn Back the Hands of Time

1. There's a Time Genie. She can put you back in time to relive a day that you loved. If you could turn back the hands of time, what day would you relive if given this opportunity?

Probably a random summer day when I was between 8 and 10. Or, possibly, the day Sparky was born; I'd like to know if I was a tremendous wimp or if it really was that bad. I'm pretty sure I'd punch one of the nurses (a specific nurse) this time around.

2. What did you do yesterday?

Sunday School, church, lunch, work, Sparky back to college.

3. You've been given 3 parachutes, but there are 4 people who need them. Who will you not give one to: Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, Kim Kardashian, or Simon Cowell? Why?

I'm using one and taking the rest of them with me when I jump outta the plane, presuming the pilot has his/her own. Alternatively, I'll just set all of them up with a backpack full of bricks and push 'em out the door.

4. Where are you going and where have you been?

I'm about halfway, near as I can tell, along the road of my life, finally figuring out the map and laughing at all the stupid detours I've taken. Also wondering how I ended up here; tracing back I can see a couple of major decisions I made when very young without really being aware of the fact that once you get a ways along one of the paths, the others disappear. And looking ahead to lots more of the same. Kinda hoping I see grandchildren up there ahead of me.

5. They say that books read as a child make more of an impact on a person than books read at any other time in life. Are there any books that you particularly loved, that shaped the way you think when you were little?

Laura Ingalls Wilder--still read her books semi-regularly. Loved the Narnia books. Read Tom Sawyer and like it. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. ...you have to know that I probably read 1000 books as a child, so I couldn't detail everything I read. I do think what stretches your imagination as a child shapes you as an adult, but I'm not sure it has to be literary; I think movies and TV have just as much impact, and games and YouTube videos. It's all about exposing the mind to the Possible. For instance, one of the touchstones of my childhood was seeing "Paint Your Wagon" and crying with laughter with my parents at the collapsing mines. I didn't understand most of the subtext of the rest of the movie, but oh how that scene has stuck with me, and the emotional sense of the way it was portrayed. I would say it has a similar place in my imagination with Tom Sawyer being lost in the cave with Becky.

6. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?

Well, there's Christmas.... And a week later, I'll be back to working full-time for the first time since June 1994.

7. What was the last text message you received?

LOL. It's from Sparky, yesterday morning at 9:30 saying, "In the shower." It's in response to a text asking if Beast was awake yet.

8. Do you prefer to call or text?

Text, unless it's a complicated conversation. Most of the time I'd rather text or email versus talking.

9. What were you doing at 9PM last night?

I think I was getting ready for bed, possibly in the tub.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Program :: Code
2. Business :: ...plan
3. Nerve :: ...center
4. Pipes :: Lead...
5. Man :: Woman
6. System :: Organization
7. Roses :: Flowers
8. Gong :: ...Show
9. Heartfelt :: Meaningful
10. Strolling :: Ambling

12 Fave Bands

(found here)

First, name your top 12 bands.
1. U2
2. TobyMac
3. Billy Joel
4. Melissa Etheridge
5. Beatles
6. Pet Shop Boys
7. Nicole C. Mullen
8. Queen
9. Miriam Makeba
10. Joan Osborne
11. Rich Mullins
12. Styx

Ok, now answer some questions about band number one:
How did you hear about this band? They were simply EVERYwhere when I was in college, and the concert footage at Red Rocks meant I HAD to like them, and then they released Achtung Baby just before Sparky was born, which absolutely is one of the greatest albums ever.
How long have you been listening to them? Since, oh, '83 I guess.
Name one band member. Bono, the Edge, Larry, Adam. Duh.
Does this band have a hot lead singer? Depends on your definition of hot, I guess. I find him quite captivating.
How long have they been around? Uhm, 1976, according to Wikipedia.
Is this your favorite band? Absolutely favorite band. Favorite music...not always.

On to band numero DEUX!
Write some random lyrics by this band. "They call us Diverse City, we're colorful good It's like a freak show in your neighborhood..."
Are they all girls? Or all guys? Or a mix? The backup singers are (ahem) diverse: men, women, multiple ethnicities...
Can you name each member of this band? Nope. They tend to change up fairly regularly.
What was the first song you heard from them? I don't know. Maybe "The Slam."
How many guitar players does this band have? It's not really a guitar-based thing, but I know Toby himself plays guitar.
What kind of music do they play? Christian hip-hop/pop.

Band #3. HUZZAH!!
Do any of your friends like this band? I think most of my friends at least tolerate some of his music. I'm not sure any of them are crazy about him.
Is this band mainstream or indie? Uh, yeah, I'd go with "VERY MAINSTREAM."
What are their lyrics usually about? Life. Random.
How many cds of theirs do you have? I have 3, I think. Maybe 4.
Have you ever seen them live? I've seen him with Elton John a couple of years ago.
Are they still together? I think he tours occasionally still.

Onward to band #4.
Do you have any merchendise from this band? Just her CDs.
Write some random lyrics by them. "I see you shake you head / And you roll your eyes / Your firm remark / To remove my thigh / You must be crazy for me" ("Crazy For Me")
How many full-length albums have they put out? I count 13 listed on Wikipedia. I have 7 of them.
Why do you like this band? She rocks. She's funny. She's got an excellent voice. And I like her.
Are they an older or more modern band? She's 50 this year, but still recording and touring. Whatever that means.
Have they ever written a song you hate? I don't think there's a musician around that hasn't recorded something I am not crazy about. I don't think I hate anything, though.

Numbah FIVE
How many members do they have? Four, at least for the majority of their existence.
What's your favorite album of theirs? Heh, and here we get into the whole mess of what constitutes an album. I like Sgt. Pepper the best, but some of their very early stuff is just great, regardless of what "album" it was released on.
What was the first song you heard from them? I grew up with them; there's no way I could figure out what I heard first. The first song I remember really liking was "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."
Are (were) they on an indie record label or a major? Major.
Do they have a logo? Not necessary, I think.
Name two members. JohnPaulGeorgeRingo.

Band number SIX.
Write some random lyrics by them. "She's wearin' plaid and jeans / Like a workman on the road / Hitchin' out west / With a personal stereo / Playin' 'Lay, lady, lay'" ("Girls Don't Cry")
How many albums of theirs do you own? Thanks to Amy, about 5.
Is this band well-known? Probably much better known 25 years ago, for two songs, than nowadays.
How long have you been listening to them? Well, yeah, 25 years, off and on.
Do you like their band name? I don't get their name, but it's ok. At least it's not completely bizarre; Toad the Wet Sprocket anyone?
Do you know anyone else who likes them? Clearly Amy does. Otherwise, I think people like their old hits ok.

Number 7. YAY!
Is the drummer hot? She's a singer, so I suspect her drummer changes periodically.
Have they kept the same lineup through their whole career? Probably not. See previous answer.
Is there an aesthetic aspect to this band? What? I have no idea what this means, but this woman's arms are to die for!
Do they have videos on MTV? VERY doubtful.
Name a band member. Nicole.
What kind of music do they play? Contemporary Christian/Gospel.

Number 8.
Why do you like this band? Freddie Mercury's voice and rampant showmanship. Also, they're just weird.
Are they better than, worse than, or equal to band #2? Depends on how you quantify things. They have recorded way more, have made way more money, but I like them both for different reasons.
When did they first form? Wikipedia says 1971.
How old were you when you first got into them? Probably 6th or 7th grade. I remember stomping out "We Are the Champions" in junior high for sure.
How many band members are there? Basically 4, though the lead singer is pretty variable.
Do you own any of their merchendise [sic]? Just their CDs.

NINE
Are they closer to hard rock, or pop rock? She's none of the above.
Write some random lyrics. "Igqira lendlela nguqo ngqothwane" ("The Click Song"--that line translates as "Diviner of the roadways, the knock knock beetle")
How old is the lead singer? She died two years ago at age 76.
Are they still together? Uhm, clearly not.
Do they swear a lot? Not in her lyrics.
Do they write serious lyrics? Yes.

Band NUMERO DIX
What record label are they on? She's been on several labels, my favorite name is "Womanly Hips," which is her own label.
When did they first form? Late 80s, early 90s.
Was their latest album any good? I haven't heard it yet, which is not good.
How many members are there? Just Joan. Can you tell I prefer individuals to bands?
What's something distinctive about them? Her voice is knockout, and her lyrics are fascinating and meaty.
Which of their cds has the best artwork? Little Wild One is the only one that's just artwork.

Number 11. You're getting closer to the end.
Name some lyrics. (this is the last time, I swear.) "But for now we live on these streets / Forbidding and tough / Where push always comes to shove / And it's said love's never enough" ("Man of No Reputation")
What was their best album? I really like The Jesus Record the best.
Is the lead singer a guy or a chick? Again, single guy.
Do they have any videos on MTV? Not likely.
What kind of music do they play? Contemporary Christian
How long have you liked this band? Probably about 15 years.

Number 12! ALMOST FINISHED....
Why do you like this band? I have to: I'm married to a guy who freakin' WORSHIPS them (lol), but I liked them before I knew him.
Can you name each band member? I can name three--Dennis, JY, Tommy--and the other two are (well, were since one is dead now) brothers.
Do they still have their original lineup? No, since one is dead. And the others argue too much to tour together.
Is it likely you'll find their cds and merchendise at the mall? Hmm, I might. Not that I'd look, however.
How long have they been around? Wikipedia says they formed in 1961.
Are they lyrically talented? Definitely.

FINALLY, name you favorite songs by each band.
Band 1: "The Sweetest Thing"
Band 2: "Jesus Freak"
Band 3: "Leningrad"
Band 4: "Scarecrow"
Band 5: There's no way I can pick one. Sorry.
Band 6: "West End Girls"
Band 7: "Freedom"
Band 8: "Barcelona"
Band 9: "Pata Pata Song"
Band 10: "Spider Web"
Band 11: "Let Mercy Lead"
Band 12: "The Best of Times"

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7

Name seven dishes you generally only eat on or around holidays.

1. Roast turkey
2. Cranberry sauce
3. Pumpkin pie (technically, I provide this for others: I don't eat it)
4. Fudge (on those somewhat rare occasions I make it from scratch)
5. Sourpatch kids (every year, in my stocking)
6. Christmas cookies
7. EGGNOG!!

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Crushed :: Hurt
2. Thanks :: You're welcome
3. Steam :: ...train
4. Bulletin :: ...board
5. Budget :: Money
6. Value :: Worth
7. Aquarium :: Fish
8. Logo :: Symbol
9. Information :: ...science
10. Lend :: Loan

She called it 'Monday Meme'....

(swiped from Kwizgiver)
...but I'm doing it on a Saturday...


1. What is your dream career, and what path do you plan to take to get there?

I'm 48. Probably half of my career path is behind me. I have been a librarian, a temp worker, a newspaper carrier, a babysitter, a library page, an intern at my church, a conference setter-upper (and tearer-downer), and a cheese-seller, among other paid positions so far. I'm hoping to stick with the librarian career for another couple of decades, and of course, I'll always be Mom, and not just to Sparky: I noticed a couple of weeks ago that one of the youth group girls, now in college, added me as her mom on her Facebook page.

2. Who do you aspire most to be like?

Myself. The difficulty, of course, is that I'm not always sure who I am. In terms of whom I emulate, there is a long list that starts with my dad and moves through various coworkers and friends.

3. What do you like in a best friend?

Honesty, humor, and intellect. The latter doesn't have to be "book smarts" but the ability to think outside of her (or his) personal life is imperative.

4. Do you currently have any squishes (people you really want to be best friends with)?

So glad someone has come up with a term for this! And to think, only about 30 years too late for me! There are a few people that I'd like to get to know better, but I'm not sure I'm in the market for a Best Friend. Then again, are we ever?

5. What is your ideal platonic relationship?

Uhm? I don't think I understand how this is different from best friends, is it?

6. Best late night IM conversation story.

See above re my age. Late night IM conversations don't happen here. I'm smarter than that.

7. List one person you’d like to wear the sweater of, one person you’d like to bake cookies with, and one person you’d like to drive around and get lost with. (can be celebrities or fictional characters, has to be three different people and not all the same person)

Sweater: my dad. Cookies: Jenny, or Amy (because I hate making cookies and I know they make good cookies, so it would all work out). Drive around/get lost: I do this regularly with Beast; it's one of our hobbies. And I would like to do this with Sparky, since one of his biggest fears--seriously--is being lost. Which he was about 3 months ago, at night. He called pretty close to a state of total panic.

8. Describe your current best friend(s).

Well, one of them seemingly effortlessly always seems to do/say/be just the right thing at the right time. One of them has known me since September 1982 and still wants to hang with me; we've been through it all, on parallel tracks, in a rather weird way.

9. What is a strange, little-known fact about you?

I loathe "women's magazines." Is that strange? I don't think it really should be. Women's magazines, from what I've seen, seem to hate women.

10. What is a career you wanted to have when you were younger, and still kind of want to have now?

There have been several long periods when I wanted to go to seminary.

11. If you could have tea and pleasant conversation with one person, who would it be?

Well, since you brought up tea, I guess it behooves me to say one of my British rellies, eh?

12. If you had a time machine, what era would you go to?

Stipulating that I could come home when things got dicey, I'd love to visit the early settlement (by whites) of Colorado: the mining camps, the prairies, the homesteads. It would be weird to run into my grandparents!

13. What celebrity or historical figure would you love to have as your best friend and why?

Being a woman makes this tricky since, as a woman in history, most of the historical figures I admire wouldn't have given me the time of day. In fantasyland, I would love to watch Michelangelo work, and I'd love to chat with Thomas Jefferson. Edging towards more realistic choices, I'd go with Laura Ingalls Wilder and/or Corrie Ten Boom.

14. What fictional character would you love to have as your best friend and why?

Laura Ingalls. No brainer question!

15. If you could have one wish, what would it be? (cannot be related to romance or sex)

I would have access to a private jet that could take me whenever I want to go to the vacation home we would own in Colorado. So, yeah, it's a twofold wish, but structured as a single one.

16. If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only take one item, what would it be?

I hate answering this question because I'm far too practical to NOT say "a boat" or "food and water."

17. If you could pick one career other than the one you are pursuing/plan to pursue, what would it be?

Hmm. Part of the reason I'm a librarian is because there's not really anything else I want to do.

18. What is your best memory you have with a friend?

Laughing in a slightly manic, out-of-control way. It happens often enough that I can't really pin the occasion down to just one example.

19. Do you have any peculiar interests that most people don’t know about?

Hmm. Probably not people who read this blog regularly, but I'm pretty sure that a lot of people at church don't know how much I swear or how irreverent I am most of the time.

20. What were your favorite childhood toys? Do you still have them?

(Metal) jacks and ball, jumprope, Barbie, toy cars, also metal. I have most of the cars. As well as most of Beast's childhood car (Hot Wheels and Matchbox) collection, and Sparky's, and perhaps my nephews' as well. We have a LOT of toy cars.

21. Favorite baked good?

Iced sugar cookies. I bought some tonight to take to the youth group meeting tomorrow. They're in the car, because if I bring them in, I will each them. All 16. Before tomorrow's meeting.

22. If your best friend were here right now, what would you do with them? (cannot list best friend as your romantic/sexual partner)

I'm sure we'd discuss boys. And food. And philosophical issues. And books. Not necessarily in that order, but not necessarily NOT in that order, either.

23. Who would you love to play video games with?

I'm kind of a solitary player, at those times that I play them (if we're talking non-computer games). This is pretty much why the Facebook games eventually annoy the hell out of me: you are penalized if you don't have enough friends playing.

24. If you could visit any country, which one would it be?

That I haven't been to: Australia. That I have been to: The Netherlands.

25. Are there any friends you miss having around?

Yes. There are more family members that I miss having around, though.

Six Word Saturday

(Link in meme-roll)

Today is Christmas Child packing day!!

This is the most fun day of the year for me in some ways. The fun starts with the newest VeggieTales movie (which I skip because I find these guys annoying and kind of creepy), which is aptly Christmas-y today at 3:30 on the big-screens in the 'sanctuary.' Then, pizza, which is when I'll probably head over. Then packing. I am, I guess, assigned box-checking duty, to make sure that the kids packing the boxes remember to get one of everything in (toys, toothpaste, hats, candy, etc.). Last year, I think we packed about 300 boxes (I wasn't there, and I don't remember). We're shooting for 75 more than that so that we can say that we've packed 2000 boxes in the past 12 years. The first year, I think we did about 75 total.

I really recommend doing something like this for the sheer fun value, for the feeling of having done something for someone besides yourself, and for the joy on the kids' faces (both the box-packing kids and the recipients). Next month, we'll be doing something along these lines on a community basis and delivering Christmas packages with (mostly) food (and some toys) to families in our local school district who are below poverty level. Surely there is something in your area like these activities; find out and participate. It's a blast!

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. From Cat.: What's the best part about where you live?

We have AWESOME transit for the Big City, living as we do 20 minutes from the train station that gets us downtown in 90 minutes flat (slow train). This is turns gives us access to all sorts of cultural possibilities: museums, historical centers, plays and concerts, fancy shopping, etc.

2. From Cat.: What can we do about so-called Christians who really aren't? At least, they don't look like they've ever read the Gospels. At least, not the Gospels you and I seem to have read.

Well, really, Patrick, I was hoping for your insight here. I don't have any suggestions. I'm very annoyed with them for personal and social reasons (W#stb0r0 Baptist, I'm looking at you!), and while I pray for them and remind people that most Christians are not like that, that doesn't seem like enough somehow.

3. From Strange: Where did you grow up?

I grew up in suburban Denver, left there for college, and never went back (to live). This was a major strategic error, to be honest. I've lived within about 100 miles of where I am now for over 25 years, and I still desperately miss Colorado and the West.

4. From Strange: What do you like to do in your spare time?

This seems to eat up a lot of my time, spare or otherwise. I also Facebook a lot (too much) and watch TV and listen to music and read, though usually only one or two of those things at a time. I'm actually making a start this weekend on only being online when I have finished other chores, or only to do productive things (so, like, Facebook and other games: buh-bye!).

5. From Strange: If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go?

I'm itching to hit the Southern Hemisphere; want to visit Australia and New Zealand and perhaps some places in South America. And South Africa and Botswana and.... Yeah. In this lifetime, for sure.

6. From Aislínge: What made you decide to start your blog? An inspiration, a need to empty your head, a complaint of something, or something entirely different?

My first plan was just to keep my reading list online. That quickly morphed into another blog for journaling. Within a few months, I spun off this blog to consolidate the memes. Then I started a travel blog for my travel journals (big trips only), and I have a couple of work-related blogs and a venting spot and some attempts, not even half-hearted, at using other platforms than Blogger. The last couple of years have been so emotionally screwed-up that most of my blogging has been here rather than any serious journaling content. That's a shame, as I've gone back to look at the Old Blog to confirm some dates that I blogged about that I haven't kept up on lately. Sigh.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Moving

1. When did you last move residences?

It was just over 8 years ago when we moved into this house. How do I know? Because it was October and just cooling off at night but still nice enough in the daytime, because I started my first blog just about 3 months later.
[Technically, however, I helped 'move residences' for someone else this past summer. And we moved Sparky into his dorm in August, of course.]

2. What song leaves you completely unmoved even though it seems everyone else is moved by it?

While I like the verse in Isaiah the lyrics were taken from, and I love the tune, I hate this song because of the stupid trees clapping their hands. Since when do trees have hands to clap?*
Also, what the heck is the woman in the freeze-frame of the video wearing??

3. On what kinds of mornings is it easiest for you to jump out of bed and get moving?

Mornings when something fun is coming up are really easy. Mornings when it's dark and cold and same-old/same-old are impossible.

4. What object do you get most annoyed about when people move it without letting you know?

It makes me nuts when people at work don't put things away when they aren't using them: supplies, their keys, copier paper (don't leave #*@&ing YELLOW paper in it when you're done!), the hole punch.... This is why I keep the majority of my daily supplies inside my desk; what's on top is free and clear to take (and people do take pens and scratch paper all the time), but do NOT take my last sticky note or good pencil!!
It's also annoying when Beast takes the paper recycling container out of the office while he's sorting receipts or whatever in front of the TV in the living room. Why is it that that is when I always need to throw stuff in it??

5. In what way are you waiting on someone else to make a move?

Right now I'm waiting for Beast to clean up the dining room of all the random stuff from the past few months' of chaos in our lives so we have a place to eat Thanksgiving dinner. He's working on it as I speak. Beyond that, I'm waiting for him to be healthy-ish again in the back department.
And I'm waiting for more light-bulbs to come on for Sparky as he continues in college. It's been fun watching him have little (and bigger) a-ha! moments these last few months.

__________
* Why yes, as a matter of fact, I am a literalist in some things. I blame poor translation for this, but it may just be that I'm insane and unable to get over myself.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Madness Meme, Part 2

23. Do you ever walk around the house naked?

Nope. Sorry, Bud. I do, on occasion (like this morning), find that the clothes I need to wear are in the laundry room, i.e., basement, but I get as dressed as possible and throw on pajamas or something to scoot through the (entire) house. We don't have curtains, just semi-opaque shades on the front windows, so there is no running around naked in this house!

24. If you were an animal what would you be? Why?

A wild and ferocious one. Perhaps a lion. Or a badger. Maybe a water buffalo. lol

25. Hair color you like on someone you’re dating?

I like hair on the guys I date. At my age, that narrows the field sufficiently.
[to be fair, I don't mind bald guys, either]

26. If suffering an injury, would you rather be left blind or deaf?

Deaf. I need my eyes!!

27. Do you have any special talents?

Oh yeah. I can alphabetize things faster than anyone I know, I'm VERY fast with trivia answers, and I can do the "illegal touching" penalty with absolutely no physical pain.
[hi, Beast]

28. What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?

Put down anything I'm carrying and take off my coat. This explains why the kitchen counters always look the way they do.

29. Do you like horror or comedy?

I'm partial to comedic horror, or even plain old funny comedy, but I don't like horror itself.

30. Are you missing anyone?

Nope. My aim is remarkably accurate.

31. Where do you want to live when you are old?

Near Sparky. Not next door or anything, but near enough for him to visit.

32. Who is the person you can count on the most?

Beast. Thank God we're married, eh?

33. If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?

Mozart seems like he might have been an interesting date. Bet his dad wouldn't've allowed it, though.

34. What did you dream last night?

I had some rather weird-in-a-not-great-way dreams. Not bad dreams, not unpleasant, just ... dreams I'd prefer not to have more of. I can't remember any details at this point.

35. What is your favorite sport to watch?

FOO'BALL!!

36. Are you named after anyone?

My sisters used one of their friends' names for my first name. I'm not sure where the middle name came from, beyond the Biblically obvious.

37. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?

Long Island Iced Tea. Though I do like a cosmo once in awhile too.

38. Non alcoholic drink?

Diet. Dr. Pepper. Nothing changes around here.

39. Have you ever been in love?

Nope. Never. I hate everyone and they all hate me.
[YES OF COURSE. Many times.]

40. Do you sing in the shower?

Nope. I sing just about everywhere else, but not the shower.

41. Have you ever been arrested?

I've had a couple of traffic tickets over the years, but I've never been in the backseat of a cop car.

42. What is your favorite Holiday?

Thanksgiving!

43. Would you ever get plastic surgery?

Only if I were disfigured in a car accident or something similar. Not just to fix what is already imperfect.

44. Have you ever caught a fish?

Nope. My understanding is that catching the fish isn't really the point of fishing. Having said that, the first time Sparky loaded a hook and tossed it in the water--at age 8--he came up with a fish. OK, it was a little tiny perch, but better than anyone in my family usually does.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Help :: Assist
2. Close :: Shut
3. Start over :: Begin anew
4. Dirt :: Filth
5. Kilometer :: Click
6. Speedy :: Fast
7. Shop :: Torture
8. Trumpet :: Cornet
9. Dog :: Bark
10. Canoe :: Birchbark (heh)

Six-Word Saturday

(Link in meme-roll)

College parenting is not much fun.

Just got off Skype after talking to Sparky for 90 minutes. He had to call from the Campus Center because, as usual, his room's internet failed on Saturday morning. He's heading into that period of freshman year/college life where the classes are kinda boring as well as kinda pressure-y with papers and tests and all, and your roommate(s) are just too much in-your-face ALL the-freakin'-time. And the weather is getting yucky, and homesickness is kicking in. I remember this all too well. So does Beast. This is the part of campus life that just sucks, and knowing that everyone is going through it with you isn't much comfort--it just means everyone is just as a cranky and fed up as you are.

So, as soon as we disconnected, I started crying. Because Sparky was on the verge of crying, which of course he "can't" do that in front of everyone wandering around behind him, and I knew if I started, he'd have a harder time with that, and then feel bad for me too.

It made his forgetting my birthday ok, at least. ;-)

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
How Long

1. Have your [sic] discovered a betrayal? If so, did you ask, "How long has THIS been going on?"

I've asked Sparky that a number of times over the years. I've asked something similar to that at work--"When did we start doing THAT?"--lots too, though not recently; that is more like to be, "Oh, I didn't know about that procedure" nowadays. I don't remember feeling betrayed, and honestly, I'm not exactly sure this would be a primary question for me if I WERE betrayed.

2. What is the longest line you've ever stood in? Would you do it again?

Anything theme-park related, or at an airport. Those are the only places I will willingly stand in line for very long. And the theme-park thing? Yeah, haven't been to one in at least 10 years. The stupidest lines I ever stood in were on the trip to Russia in '85, at GUM: stand in line to point at what you want to buy, get a receipt, stand in another line to pay for what you want to buy, get another receipt, go back and stand in line to get the merchandise you have paid for. Yes. Three lines to buy a $2 notebook. Or a skirt. Or food. This, THIS, is why the Soviet Union fell!

3. Someone has hung a sign around your neck, and you have to wear it all day long. What does it say?

This is how I feel about my name-tag at work, honestly. But if that doesn't count, I'll go with "I'm not your Mom."

4. As the Christmas season approaches, what song is it that you just can't wait to hear?

Heh. I would love to hear Patti Smith's version of "We Three Kings" on the radio, or in a mall. But it won't happen: no one would buy anything while listening to that. [Just to be clear, I actually love this song.]

5. What Christmas song do you dread to hear?

The 12 Days.... argh. And really, almost any of the other secular ones. Just STOP! However, I do appreciate the Bob Rivers remake of that song.

6. How often do you read the last chapter of a book first?

Never!! I had a friend in high school who always read the last page first, but the whole last chapter??? Why bother reading the book in the first place? I don't even read the last article or page in a magazine first!

7. Do you have a favorite movie that you just love to see each year during the holidays?

Nope. This is not a "thing" for me. It is for Beast. I usually make myself scares during the obligatory Charlie Brown/Rudolph/Grinch/whatever nostalgia-fest. And, by the way, can someone explain why The Sound of Music is now a "Christmas movie"?

8. Do you enjoy winter in the area that you live?

"Enjoy" isn't really the word. I appreciate it in the sense that it makes the rest of the year more precious.

9. At holiday I think we all show more kindness. In your opinion, is this a "concept" that has value (like money or other tangible things) or does it exist as simply emotion? Why?

It is tangible anything what you feel turns into something you DO. Feeling great about Christmas is fabulous, but if you treat people shitty, it has the exact opposite effect for those around you. I'd rather have a smile-filled month of December than a bunch of presents under the tree, to be honest.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. What is your favorite food?

I will eat virtually anything sweet: cake, pie, candy, cookies...bring it all on! If no sweets are around, I'll happily eat anything carb-based: pasta, bread, crackers....

2. Who were your heroes or people you looked up to when you were young?

My parents and siblings were "it" when I was very young. Eventually, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Nancy Drew joined them. In my teen years, I still admired my dad (Mom and I were too much at loggerheads at that point), but other people were joining him, including authors and teachers and people at church. I can't think of anyone specific--well, ok, Corrie Ten Boom--but there weren't too many national figures who were doing it for me. Gotta remember, Watergate happened when I was 10ish, so my view of politicians, et al., was negatively impacted at a rather young age.

3. What's the best part about your job?

The fact that, for the most part, it's variable. Some days are all cataloging--LOVE those days!--and even then I can decide what to work on, but some days are all reference, and that is just always pot-luck, for good or bad.

4. What is the one thing for which you are most grateful to your parents?

Life. I'll just stop there, but being the last kid, 10 years after all my siblings...yeah. Life.

5. What was/is the one thing your parents did that most made you angry?

Huh. I don't remember getting mad at my dad too often. And I'm sitting here, hands on keyboard, trying like hell to remember what it was that Mom I fought about all the time.... I think the thing with Mom was that no matter what I did, she was critical: the floors were never clean enough after I vacuumed, my handwriting was never neat enough, I didn't appreciate the clothes she made for me (she hated sewing and we were broke, but damn they were so un-cool!), and so on. I could go on about how I 'get it' now, but I think I'll save that for another time. I'm feeling a little bruised about parents and parenting today.

6. What is your favorite time of year and why?

Mid-fall, when the leaves are colorful, but still attached, the days are warm but the nights are brisk, the sky is usually clear, and the smell of burning yardwaste is on the wind.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
What to Take

1. What do you usually take to the beach?

A towel, a frisbie, sunscreen, something to drink, and a hat.

2. What do you find essential for a trip to the mall?

My wallet, a list, and good walking shoes.

3. What’s something you take to the ballgame?

My wallet, a hat, and if I'm in the bleachers, our bleacher seats (with backs--yes, ok, we're old!).

4. What do you take to the movies?

My wallet, and any food/drink I can smuggle in.

5. This one may not have broad enough a relevance, but what do you take when you go to the symphony?

My ears and a date.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Turkey is going to be ordered today from the butcher. We get fresh, never-frozen ones, and they are simply the best.

2. I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie. (But I do like proper fruit pies a lot!)

3. On and on and on we go through rain and sleet and snow.

4. The last time I saw a movie was in 2010 sometime.

5. Can you believe that I'm re-addicted to Bejeweled. How stupid.

6. I need a boost in the willpower department.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on all the shows I missed this week, tomorrow my plans include cleaning and maybe seeing a movie, and Sunday, I want to not embarrass myself playing bells!

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
13 Things I Don't Want For My Birthday

1. Books. I know, I know; it's just that I've got about a million to read already.
2. Soap, lotion, perfume, shampoo. Overstocked on those too.
3. Healthy food. Or, really, any food. I already eat way too much.
4. Anything that involves someone arriving to sing, strip, or deliver a message in any way.
5. Opera tickets. No. Thanks, but.... No.
6. Cheap, ticky-tacky decor (or "decor"). Unless you're my son, although only because he's a putz and I will take just about anything from him this last time. Next year, he has got to get his act together. Frankly, I'll be stunned to get a card from him.
7. Phone calls, unless you're in my contact list on my phone, and not family. No, I do not want to talk to my family. Sue me.
8. Sports paraphernalia, as in balls, yoga clothes, weights, gym memberships, etc.
9. Magazine subscriptions. See #1 above.
10. Unless you're very good at it, and I've expressed admiration for your work, I don't want anything handmade. This includes anything from my son. I'm not one of 'those' moms who keeps ugly shit around because "my baby made it for me." I'm much less likely to keep ugly shit around because someone else made it.
11. A cold or flu bug.
12. Anything that needs care beyond occasional dusting. No animals, no plants, no surprise week-long visits from people I haven't seen in 20 years.
13. Anything pink and/or frilly and/or lacy and/or floral.

Please note that this leaves an AWFUL lot of stuff on the table. Also note that this list took me over 45 minutes to create--it's not exactly easy to say no to things!

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) What do you currently have a hankering for?

A vacation and new glasses. I suspect the latter are much more likely to appear than the first.

2) Are you more of the Scarecrow or the Tin Man? Do you lead with your head or your heart?

I'm definitely more like the Scarecrow. Especially the bran-filled Scarecrow.

3) What questions would you ask your great-great-grandparents if you could chat with them today?

"Where are the family records?" If these are my dad's ancestors especially. Mom got quite a ways back on her side, but I'd probably take what I could get from her side too.

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

Doesn't he look ever so proud? As if he had something to do with the creation of this monster vehicle. Or just the tire. Why do boys like Big Things so much anyway?

Sunday Stealing

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The Madness Meme, Part 1

1. Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work?

I have not licked the CD itself, but I've licked my finger and wiped whatever dirt off that way. I don't do that anymore.

2. What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated?

Just about a year, if we're talking about actual dates. Otherwise, more like 4 years.

3. Ever been in a car wreck?

Yup. I'm up to two now.

4. Were you popular in high school?

Not bloody likely.

5. Have you ever been on a blind date?

Nope. Thank God.

6. Are looks important?

What universe do you live in that you even need to ask? Of course they are. Whether they should be is a completely different question.

7. Do you have any friends that you’ve known for 10 years or more?

At least 50 of the people on my Facebook friends list are people I went to school with. Since I've been done with all schooling for 24.5 years...yeah. Then there are the people in the community and church where I've spent the last 17 years. So, yeah, I guess I do hang on to friends for awhile usually.

8. By what age would you like to be married?

Uhm. This would have been a great question to ask me when I was a child.

9. Does the number of people a person’s slept with affect your view of them?

The fact that I know this much about a person says more than the actual number itself. It's either a sign of a close friendship, or a friend who really needs to learn to stop over-sharing.

10. Have you ever made a mistake?

No. Never.

11. Are you a good tipper?

Yup. I try to hit 18-20%.

12. What’s the most you have spent for a haircut?

I spend about $70 (+ tip) every 5-6 weeks on my hair. It's a cut-and-color so it's not quite as bad as it sounds, but it is pretty stupid. I need to stop coloring my hair.

13. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?

No. Never.

14. Have you ever peed in public?

I use public restrooms, yes. And I grew up hiking in areas where public restrooms didn't exist, so yes again.

15. What song do you want played at your funeral?

I have a VERY long list. Basically, if you come to my funeral, pack your singing voice--you'll be needing it. I like Amazing Grace, A Mighty Fortress, Morning Has Broken, and Seek Ye, to name a few of the options.

16. Would you tell your parents if you were gay?

I would have. Eventually. By now, for sure. My family doesn't have a whole lot of unshared thoughts....

17. What would your last meal be before getting executed?

Cookies, cake, candy. Lots of it. Back up the semi!

18. Beatles or Stones?

Beatles. The Stones scare me! [Yes, I'm VERY aware of the subtext there, which is part of the point.]

19. If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who would it be?

Last I checked, we're all on that path. If you want me to name someone I wish would just shut the FUCK up, I can't narrow it down to one. We can start with Michelle Bachman, move on to everyone on Faux "News", and add all the smug people who think they've gotten where they are in life because they earned it all.

20. Beer, wine or hard liquor?

Yes. Well, ok, I don't like beer, so I'll make do with the others. Most of the time, I drink Stoli either with or without tonic.

21. Do you have any phobias?

Nope, as I say every time this question comes up on a meme, all my fears make perfect sense. To me, at least.

22. What are your plans for the future?

Well, in about 40 minutes I'll be switching out the laundry. I will eventually finish this bag of sea-salt-and-cracked-pepper potato chips next to me. The plan is to go to the eye doctor tomorrow. I work late Tuesday. Longer term, like by December, I'd like to have my job situation sorted out and my hours finalized. Really long term, hoping to get to Elizabeth's sometime next spring to see her (OMG!) 18-month-old son. All of that work for you?

Patrick's Place

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Sunday 7

Name the seven ways your job is most likely killing you.

1. Toxic boss.
2. Shift work hours.
3. Indoor air quality (and I would append, temperature).
4. Workplace incivility (I hasten to add that 98.3% of that is not from my coworkers!).
5. Lack of exercise. *
6. Chronic pain. *
7. Lack of sufficient insurance (or other) benefits (not on the list).

My job is secure, but the lack of job security in my workplace and the ever-present push to reduce costs--when we already operate on a shoestring--is as difficult as the last 4 of the items on the list.
_______
* I will, however, add that this is as much my fault as my workplace's.

Unconscious Mutterings

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1. Distress :: Worry
2. White lie :: Fib
3. Costume :: Dress-up
4. Stampede :: Panic
5. Unappealing :: Yucky
6. Idiot :: Green Day
7. Correction :: Errata
8. Resignation :: Moving on
9. Insipid :: Inane
10. Celebration :: Party

Saturday 9

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Melancholy Man

1. Are you more melancholy on occasion?

Of course! However, thanks to the truckloads of anti-depressants loading into the house, I no longer regularly feel compelled to slit my wrists.*

2. What did you think you looked like when you were a teenager?

As I recall--and since I was there, and since cameras had been invented and improved enough to be useful by the time I was a teen, I can go check if necessary--I looked like a skinny geek with glasses and short hair...when I wasn't being a skinny geek with glasses and two long ponytails covering my ears.

3. Whose advice are you least likely to listen to?

Most members of the public who arrive at the Reference Desk with questions. You wouldn't believe how many people come in looking for astrology books, or biographies of Miley Cyrus, or books on losing weight eating nothing but orange food, and then try to explain to me how to live my life.

4. Tell us about a job that you liked when you were younger.

I loved shelving books as a teenage wage slave at my public library. That was the fun part of the job.

5. Would you lie to someone if you knew the truth would end your friendship or relationship?

Would I?? More like, have I? Of course, in the long run, if you have to maintain a friendship by lying to that person, it's not going to work. It makes it difficult when you want to stay in contact with other family members of the friend in question....

6. What do you have little or no patience for?

Arrogance. And intentional stupidity. And intellectual dishonesty. So, that basically covers most politicians and news commentators.

7. What is there never enough hours in the day to do?

Lately, sleep.

8. What is the most productive thing that you accomplished in October?

I sorted through some long-term job goals, I didn't get sick, and I think I kept most of my commitments to the extent that life didn't interfere with them. Also, not punching that doctor in the ER a few weeks ago should count for something, shouldn't it? He really was a dick.

9. What have you always wanted to learn but haven't yet?

How to play bagpipes. And how to read Greek.

______
*This is known as black humor. I never wanted to slit my wrists. Mostly, I just cried copiously, often, and for no apparent reason ... that is, when I wasn't shouting like a fishwife at people I love.

Six-Word Saturday

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FAMILY WEEKEND means eating out lots.

We drove up to Sparky's college town (where we both also went to college) yesterday, arriving at about 4:15. After we stopped in to register in the Union (not what they call it now, but that's how we identified it 25+ years ago!), we saw Sparky setting up for his dinner shift in the dining room (now called the MDR--seriously) and then headed off to check in to our hotel downtown and chill for a couple of hours. Once he was done with his work, we picked him up (roommates were otherwise occupied) and took him to a nearby gaststätte--he wanted German, which is not too hard to find in that area--and just about closed down the place when we left, before 10, on a Friday. That was weird, but the food was good, just too much. WAY too much: both Beast and I brought home at least half our main course. Sparky, being a teenage boy, ate a Currywurstplatte (not something I'll try again, yuck) and Pilz Schnitzel for a main course, along with a cold German salad (cabbage, lettuce, chickpeas, beets, carrots....).

This morning he wanted to go to Denny's...which turned out to be kitty-corner across the street from the Gaststätte...and we porked out again. I actually feel a little sick from all the food I've eaten in the last 30 hours.

It was a good day. After eating, we hit Target for more food for the dorm room (cuz, God forbid they starve to death a block from the MDR!), headed back to the dorm to drop that off and see Sparky's tentative 2nd semester schedule, his plans for winter session (no classes really fit), and get us signed up so we can pay his bill without the Business Office having to put a hold on his registration again next semester. Yeah, well, we assumed they'd send a bill, but when Sparky got an email last week saying he couldn't sign up for 2nd semester, we found out we're supposed to have access to the billing through email and the .edu portal. I think we've got it sorted out. ANYway, back in the dorm, Roommate J appeared with his girlfriend, to whom we were introduced--having heard much about her from Sparky as she and Roommate E's girlfriend are both in the room pretty much round the clock. So it's a double room which occasionally sleeps up to 5--though last night Sparky was alone all night. Ah...college. heh

So, once we were done with the computer access stuff, and the putting-away-of-groceries, it became apparent that Sparky didn't really have any ideas for entertaining us, and there are precisely three chairs in the room...and he really wanted us gone. So we left. And I got all maudlin and stupid in the car.

The hotel we stayed in was nice, although we couldn't figure out the HVAC, so it kept resetting itself to 78 degrees. That made it tricky to sleep, to say the least. Awesome bed, not-so-awesome pillows, great shower, comfy chairs....I'd recommend it, if you're in the market for a boutique hotel across from a cigar-bar and tattoo parlor (which incidentally is the very one Sparky and his roommates visited when J got his man-hand-sized tattoo the first week of school). The restaurant was being rehabbed, but we probably wouldn't eat there anyway: far too fancy for us.

And that was our fun. Whee.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. Do you think you have the same accent as most of the people who live in your neighborhood, or do you sound like you’re from somewhere else?

I think I sound like I'm from somewhere else sometimes, but less so than I used to. I've lived in the Midwest now for over 25 years, so that Western drawl-thing is pretty faded. Unless I'm talking about or to family or Colorado people.

2. Have you ever been mistaken by a stranger as being from somewhere other than your place of birth? If so, what’s the farthest from your hometown one has guessed you’re from?

No one has ever really mentioned this to me. This makes me think I sound so wackadoo that people know I'm "not from around here."

3. If you had to come up with a name for the dialect you hear most often, what would it be?

Midwest nasality. People around here TOTALLY talk through their noses. Makes me nuts. I fear the nasal, and I am sure I do it. :'(

4. Take the quiz: What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

You Speak General American English!

60% General American English 20% Upper Midwestern 5% Dixie 5% Midwestern 5% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Yup, that about sums it up, although I think I have more than 5% "Midwestern" in me.

5. What regional word or expression common to your area do you find yourself using most often?

I'm kind of afraid that I'm losing my "th" sound, as in Sout' Side. I try not to. What I do find myself doing is talkingreallyreallyfast likeeveryonearoundheredoes.

6. Which regional word or expression common to your area do you hate the most?

I loathe with a passion the AAAA sound as it exits the nose when saying sAAt, mAAth, rAAck (rock), stAAAAp! (stop!), etc. OMG this grates like nails on a chalkboard to me!

You know you want to.

(Found here)

Chapter 1: The Basics
Initials: The same as a technical journal in my field. This I continue to find uproariously funny.
Middle name: As if, after 8 years of blogging I'm suddenly going to let this one go? Not.
Nickname(s): Cat.
Sex: F
Date of birth: Almost two weeks before Kennedy was shot. John, not Bobby.
Star sign: ...which would make me a Scorpio.
Place of birth: Denver.
Current location: FAR away from Denver. ...sadly
Height: 171.5 cm
Weight: More than optimal.
Hair length: Top of my shoulder blades...ish.
Hair color: Brown and gray.
Eye color: Hazel.
Skin tone: Pink.
Piercings: One hole in each earlobe.
Tattoos: Nope.
Scars and birthmarks: I have a few; the most likely to be noticed might be on my right earlobe.

Chapter 2: The Background
Mother's name: Her middle name was Josephine.
Mother's occupation: Full-time mom and homemaker, but she also worked in the county court clerk's office when I was growing up.
Mother's hometown: Denver.
Father's name: Same as Sparky's middle name, same as James' middle name, same as Ham's first name. It's a good, useful name.
Father's occupation: Well...let's see: he built buildings, including houses and mortuaries. He sold commercial real-estate. He consulted. OMG, he had a lot of jobs. He was also a good daddy.
Father's hometown: The same as mine.
Do you live with your parents? ...in a manner of speaking, I suppose...
Do you get along with your parents? I always got along a lot better with Dad than Mom.
Are you parents married/separated/divorced? Married.
Do you have any siblings? There were 5 of us, once upon a time. Now down to 3.
What pets do you have? Two guinea pigs.
Did you grow up in a different place then [sic] where you are now? Ayup.
Where did you spend your summers as a child? Hanging out at home. I almost never even saw my friends for the whole summer. Watched TV, read, slept in.... Boring.
What was the name of your elementary school? M@dd0x.
Who were your best friends in elementary school? Varied by grade. Laura D., Kathy B., Mary C., Morgan R., Laura M. ... some others.
Who was your favorite teacher in elementary school? I liked Mrs. Weitman.
What was your best memory from elementary school? The crickets in our terrariums (terraria?) in 4th grade. Awesome. The spiders ate them. This was the plan. But there were lots of escapees chirping for weeks after the whole things was done.
Worst memory? The other kids, generally.
What was the name of your junior high? It's quite an ironic name for a very dry state, and yet...not because of it's location. But it's actually named after a former teacher.
Who were your best friends? Laura M., Annie W., Teri W., Rene S., Alicia B. ... some others.
Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Welch was pretty cool. Mr. Shupe was a riot. Mr. Gilchrist was fun.
What was your best memory? Well, it wouldn't be Home Ec, that's for sure. Maybe the dance where Ron M. kissed me under the mistletoe?
Worst memory? Talent show. OMG, I still shudder to think about it.
What was the name of your high school? It's named after the town. Very imaginative.
Who were your best friends? Pretty much the same as junior high, plus Beth B., Ann B., and Michelle G.
Who was your favorite teacher? Ms. Phillipi, Miss Fitz, Mrs. Grube.
What was your best memory? Many of them would involve band....
Worst memory? Many of them involve cheerleaders.
Out of elementary, junior high, or high school, which did you like best? High school is probably tied with grade school. Both were difficult and good in similar measure.
Did you ever go to the same school as your siblings? We all attended all the same schools, except a couple of my sisters briefly attended a different grade school.
Did you ever go to the same school as your parents? My junior high was in the building my dad went to for high school before the 'new' school was built (in the 50s). My mom was schooled elsewhere.
What is your family's cultural heritage? We are mutts: British, French-Canadian, French, Scots-Irish, Dutch, German...and probably a few we don't know about.

Chapter 3: The Favorites
city: London. [seriously, Denver is my favorite city, but it doesn't count for me because it's home]
vacation spot: Mountains.
sport: Football.
food: Sweets.
dessert: Cheesecake. Or wedding cake; actually, just the frosting is fine.
drink: DDP.
alcoholic drink: Vodka tonic.
place to eat: The couch.
ice cream flavor: Peppermint.
season: Autumn.
holiday: Thanksgiving.
clothing brand: "Reasonably priced" lol... OK, so actually, I really like Kohl's brands.
make up brand: Don't wear makeup.
shampoo/conditioner: Back to Basics.
supermodel: Aroo?
actor: Oh, I dunno. Laurence Fishburne?
actress: ...sigh... I can't think of one I adore...
athlete: Reggie White, God rest his soul.
athletic team: Packers.
old nickelodeon show: Uhm?
number: 16. Or 8
color: Blue.
word: Indubitably.
phrase: I think if you read the blog long enough, or even for the past month, you'll pick 'em out.
magazine: EW, Ms., Real Simple.
cheesy pick up line: I don't believe in these.
language: Italian. Not that I speak it....
country: I'm partial to this one, but Greece, Scotland, and Italy are awesome. Even Russia has a lot going for it.
flower: Heirloom roses.
girls name: Josephine.
boys name: David.

Chapter 4: This or That
lefty/righty: R
rock/country: Lean toward rock.
diamonds/pearls: If I had to pick, diamonds. But I like sapphires better than either.
blondes/brunettes: Brunettes ftw.
new york/montana: Montana FTSeriousW!!
usa/canada: Uhm. Well, USA is my home, but Canada is nice and all.
gold/silver: Silver.
hummer limo/stretch: Stretch of the non-Hummer variety.
gatorade/powerade: Yuck. I'll go thirsty, thanks.
diet coke/regular: Diet.
chicken fingers/chicken nuggets: Strips. Are those fingers?
mcdonalds/burger king: McD's.
subway/taco bell: TACO BELL!!
gravol/pepto bismol: Never heard of Gravol. So Pepto, I guess.
plane/train: Depends on the destination. Trains look mighty promising anymore compared to the hassle at the airport nowadays.
skiing/snowboarding: Oh, yeah, no. I'll just go for a walk, or sit in the lodge and read.
cliff diving/shark diving: Since I can't swim, I think I'll stay on the boat.
east coast/west coast: West.
marissa/summer: aROO??
Bush/Kerry: Kerry. Wow, old meme much?
Britney/Christina: Xtina.
Lindsay Lohan/Hilary Duff: I'd rather have hot needles shoved into my eyes.
The OC/Laguna Beach: ...more needles, under my fingernails.
Flintstones/Jetsons: Hmm. Flintstones, I guess. I like Betty. And Bam-Bam.
Full House/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: ...more needles, under my toenails.
Growing Pains/Boy Meets World: Growing Pains. I always liked the parents.
Brady Bunch/Partridge Family: Partridges!!! OMG: Keith....sigh.....
peanut butter/jelly: Yes. Though I use honey instead of jelly.
creamy/crunchy: Creamy.
red rover/capture the flag: Red Rover. The only time I remember doing Capture the Flag, I ran face-first into a brick wall.
mother may i/simon says: Mother May I.
lake/pool: Lake. With good sunning rocks, lots of ducks, no boats, and sun.
snow day/spring day: SPRING!
chihuahua/bernese mountain dog: I could stand being in the presence of a chihuahua MUCH longer...fuck'n allergies.
London/Paris: London. I have zero interest in ever visiting Paris.
shower/bath: Bath. Which I should be doing right now.
love/money: Who would answer this "money" in public?? Love.
Nike/Adidas: Naturalizers (thus showing my age).
peanuts/crackerjacks: Peanuts. I am not a fan of the CJs.
fruity pebbles/cocoa puffs: Neither. YUCK.
AIM/MSN: I use MSN because Beast has a hotmail account so we can IM there. But I prefer Facebook chat or Google Chat. So I use Meebo where I can see everyone at once.
Blahnik/Birkenstock: Famous Footwear.
Chanel/Louis Vuitton: Kohl's.
Janice Dickinson/Twiggy: ANYone but Janice Dickinson.
city mouse/country mouse: Country mouse.
winter olympics/summer olympics: Summer.
NCAA/pros: Pro.
apples/bananas: Apples.
color/colour: I'm a left-ponder. No U.

Chapter 5: Do You...
Sing in the shower? Nope.
Write memos on your hand? Yep. Did this last night in fact.
Call people back? Usually.
Have your driver's license? Uh, yeah. Well, technically it's in my wallet.
Believe in love? Yup.
Knock on wood? Sometimes. When I can find it.
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes, on the left.
Speak another language? I can understand and read Spanish.
Have citizenship to more than one country? Nope.
Think you're attractive? Not particularly, not today.
Wear glasses or contacts? Glasses.
Have any weird pet peeves? They are NOT weird! :-)
Have any weird hobbies? If this counts as weird, then yes.

Chapter 6: Have You Ever ...
Gone skinny dipping? Nope. Still can't swim.
Worn braces? Yes. Two years of torture.
Smoked a cigarette? Nope.
Smoked a cigar? Only by proxy. Yuck.
Smoked anything else? Not that I'm going to admit here.
Broken a bone? Probably broke a couple fingers, based on the fact that they are no longer straight.
Had stitches? Yes.
Kissed a member of the same sex? Presumably you aren't talking about kissing my mom or sisters....?
Shoplifted? Yes.
Punched someone in the face? Slapped, yes. Punched, no.
Skipped school? Like, maybe--MAYBE--once.
Flown first class? Yup. 'Twas nice.
Traveled to another continent? Yes.
Used racial slurs? Er, not seriously. I've repeated them for clarity.
Taken painkillers? Wha.......? Of course I have! Hasn't everyone?
Taken sleeping pills? Not Rx, only OTC.
Ridden in a limousine? Yup.
Gone SCUBA diving? Can't . Swim . So . No .
Been stung by a jellyfish? Shudder, no.
Been stung by a bee? Yup.

Chapter 7: Pick Your Perfect...
Pizza: Deep-dish Canadian bacon, sausage and onions from P@ul##'s.
Bagel: Sesame seed.
Smore: You can have ALL of mine.
Sandwich: Ham.
Sundae: You can have mine. I'll have a Blizzard.
Date: Picnic.
Outfit: Jeans and T.

Chapter 8: Random
If you could take back one thing, what would it be? The many many times I've flown off the handle.
Would you rather win an Oscar or the Nobel Prize? I'd rather stay unnoticed by the media, thanks.
What time do you get up in the morning? Somewhere between 5:30 and 6:30 on days I work depending on the day. Otherwise, 7ish.
What time do you go to sleep? 10-11ish.
If you could bring 5 items with you to a deserted island, what would they be? Sunscreen, water, flares, food, and a crate of good books.
Do you prefer blonde hair or brown hair? Didn't we cover this above? Still brunette.
What's one thing you've always wanted to do, but haven't done? Gone skydiving.
If you were on death row, what would your final request be for your last meal? I'd probably want just about ANYthing not made in the prison kitchen.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Some days, I would LOVE to be on Tierra del Fuego. Generally though, I just like traveling, as long as there is indoor plumbing.
Name 5 people in history that you want to meet: I would want to meet Thomas Jefferson, Michelangelo, Susan B. Anthony, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Paul. Yes. That Paul.
Make three wishes: 1. Buy a house in the mountains (a small house). 2. Fix Beast's back. 3. World peace.
If you could be anything/one you want, who/what would you be? I'd be me. That's plenty tricky enough.
If you were a superhero, what would your power be? Invisibility
If the world floods and you can only save 1 species, it would be: Unicorns.
What are the last 4 digits of your phone number? One of my many numbers: 0755.