Tuesday 4

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Wayfaring

1. Where have you traveled and what is the furthest you've been from home?

To riff off the old ad, "I been everywhere, man" but not really. Several countries in Europe, Russia, Mongolia, China, Mexico, Canada about sums it up. Oh, and several islands in the Caribbean. The furthest for sure was Beijing, exactly 12 hours opposite my parents' time zone. I remember writing them a letter knowing that they were at that moment likely fast asleep at home at mid-afternoon for me. Weird.

2. Is there a location other than where you are, that you think would be a nice place to live?

Honestly, while I love several people in this area, I'd rather live someplace else both because of world events but also because of the temperature extremes here. I don't want to deal with snow or humidity. So the western US or someplace similar.

3. Do you have a photo or story from a favorite place to visit?

Today I booked a camp rental on Moosehead Lake (Maine) for next June. Sparky and I are headed there--about half a mile from the very spot where Beast spent many summer vacations as a child--to (shh!!) spread some of  his ashes on the lake. I wanted to go this fall, but Sparky's life is a little too up-in-the-air right now (new job on the horizon, transition stuff making her a little emotionally scattered, etc.) so we pushed it to next spring. I too enjoyed the two-three visits at the original camps with Beast's family, so it will be quite bittersweet but undoubtedly lovely.

4. What dream destination do you have tucked away in  your heart? Do you think you'll be able to visit them one day or are plans in the making?

I've always wanted to visit the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, but I think that dream will have to remain a dream. That, and a wildlife safari, are both a little too adventurous to almost-62-year-old me.

Sunday Stealing

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Follow That Dream

1. My bestie and I once ...

giggled and rolled around my bed over a really dumb pun on my middle name for far too long. I don't think either of us reached "laugh till you pee" status, but oh my god we were in hysterics. All either of us has to say to each other to this day 45ish years later is that dumb pun.
Hi, Kermie! (or were you Bear?)

2. When I'm nervous ...

I bite my cuticles. Also when I'm bored. But thanks to the wonders of modern medicine I am rarely nervous. I do, however, have the occasional anxiety attacks, which are a whole other deal that involves my heart speeding up and a total inability to focus or sit still. 

3. My hair ...

is uncombed this morning. I have a big barrette holding it off my neck and face so I could wash my face. 

4. When I turn to the left, I see ...

(if I were standing) the dining room which is stacked with random effluvia that really needs to be sorted and disposed of. However, since I'm sitting, when I look left I mostly just see the end-table with pop, hemp gummies, an empty bento that had my breakfast in it, my pill box, etc. We won't mention the lower shelf...

5. My favorite aunt ...

 ... the only aunt I actually remember wasn't a barrel of laughs, though she did buy me a blue sno-cone once (which pissed off my parents). The only other aunt I kind of remember babysat me during my sister Ellen's wedding reception when I was 5 or 6. I barely remember her. My parents' Families of Origin were quite distant from my world, being as how both of them were late-in-life babies and so was I. My grandmas were pushing or well-over 80 when I appeared, so it was a full two generations between me and them.

6. I have a hard time understanding ...

anything involving finance. I just go completely blank in my head and retain nothing. I understand basics--paying bills, credit cards, interest accrual--but planning for my future feels like some kind of arcane magic.

7. You know I like you if ...

I offer to spend time with you outside of required meetings or whatever. "Spend time" in this case involves social media time or actual F2F meetups. 

8. When I was 5 years old ...

four major leaders in my county had been assassinated since my arrival on the planet; my sister had survived a disease that killed 97% of those who were diagnosed, my grandpa had died, and my dad had survived his first heart attack. Is it any wonder I was a little stressed as a kid? It wasn't exactly a calm, safe place in 1968 in the U.S. 

Saturday 9

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It All Depends On You (1959)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 

1) In this song, Shirley Bassey sings that she could be happy or sad. As you answer these questions, do lean more toward happy or sad?

I'm ok. I don't feel great today, but mood stabilizers are fully engaged, so no tears and no maniacal laughter or shouting.

2) She tells us that she can save money or spend it. Do you try to stick to a budget?

I pay the bills and buy what I need to get by. Everything else is gravy. I just don't like to spend money.

3) By the time Shirley Bassey recorded "It All Depends on You," it was already an oldie, written back in 1926. Can you think of a song, book, or movie that you enjoy today that you believe audiences will relate to 2125?

Bold of you to expect society not to implode in the next 100 years... 
I'd guess the religious books will continue on: Torah/Talmud, Christian scriptures, Qu'ran, Bhagavad Gita. They've made it this far after all.

4) Though she has risen to the title Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE), her childhood allowed her little education. She dropped out at 15 and got a factory job to help her family. How old were you when you got your first full-time job? What was it?

First permanent full-time job was when I was 24. I worked full-time during summers in college, and part-time pretty much starting at 16 till 24. That job was my first job as a librarian. It was 1988 and I was stoked to be earning a cool $20,000/year. 

5) A favorite of the Royal Family, Shirley performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Party at Buckingham Palace. How would you like to celebrate your next anniversary or birthday? Are you in the mood for a big blow out, or would you prefer something low key?

Low key. It's going to be a rough one this year. Possibly permanently going forward. No Beasty to celebrate joint Birthday Week for the first time in 40+ years.

6) Madame Tussaud's has two wax figurines of Shirley – one in London and a second in Las Vegas. Do you enjoy wax museums, or do you think they're creepy?

I think they are creepy, thought I've never visited one in person.

7) In 1959, when this song was popular, most women wore nylons on a daily basis and the average price per pair was $1. What socks or leg wear – if any – do you have on right now?

Naked feet! I can't stand stuff on my feet anymore; incipient neuropathy is weird.

8) Also in 1959, Alaska became our 49th state. Today, cruise lines showcase Alaska on 4- or 7-night cruises. What do you consider the perfect length for a vacation trip? Is a 3-day weekend too short? Are two weeks away from home too long? What's your ideal?

It fully depends on how far away I'm going and how much I'm spending on travel. If I'm going to the Big City nearby, a few days is plenty. If I'm going over an ocean, book me for a few weeks please. 

9) Random question: Which cable channel would you watch more often – one that shows nothing but classic sitcoms, or one that shows nothing but new movies? 

Of those two options, I'd rather watch (some) old sitcoms. Movies do not interest me much.

Friday 5

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Why deny the obvious?

1. What has you feelin’ groovy? 

Not much. It's raining. I bailed on work partway through the last two days (the floor is tilting, like vertigo) and I'm not enjoying much. 

2. Where do you often stop when you are homeward bound?

Most of the time I just want to be at home ASAP. Sometimes I stop at DQ--it's around the corner at work--but otherwise, I'm full-speed to the house.

3. When were you most recently awake far too late in the evening?

I was awakened Weds or Thurs in the wee hours (1:45) by 20 minutes of fireworks popping off--no bangs, just "pop pop pop" for awhile. I was wide awake before they finally stopped. I hate those people so much.

4. Where might you go to hear the sound of silence?

Space. It sounds lovely. [I spent the morning with about 25 children who were mostly fine but there were definitely chaotic moments.]

5. What proves you are still crazy after all these years?

The fact that I still keep going to work after 37 years (minus a couple I spent with Sparky when she was a baby). I'm tiiiiired.