Friday stuff

...all of these are linked at the left--Blogger's being annoying today with all their new bells & whistles, so you get one LONG post...

FOUR FOR FRIDAY (a.k.a. Beliblog)

Q1 - Payout: Michael Richards, immortalized as Kramer on TV's Seinfeld, was caught on tape last month at a Los Angeles comedy club delivering a racist tirade directed at four African-American hecklers. The hecklers--three men and one woman represented by celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred--have reportedly agreed to meet Richards' (with a retired judge who will serve as a mediator) to accept Richards' apology. If the judge recommends it, do you think Richards' should pay financial damages to the four people he offended? If not, do you think he should make a financial contribution to a race relations-related cause?

I don't think he should pay the people he offended, but a little personal sweat-equity in a race-related area wouldn't come amiss. And maybe he should see a therapist, too.

Q2 - Time Off: How much time off from work will you be taking between now and the beginning of 2007?

I've got about 7 more full days to use up.

Q3 - Priorities: A recent poll from the Gallup Organization show that Americans want their government leaders to focus on Iraq as the nation's top policy priority. According to Gallup, more than two-thirds of Americans name Iraq in this context, and it is the dominant issue for Republicans as well as Democrats. The economy and healthcare trail far behind, while concerns about immigration and fuel prices are down considerably from earlier this year. What do you feel the U.S. Congress's top priority should be now and in 2007?

Get us out of Iraq and then deal with renewable technology and health care.

Q4 - Favorite: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "The Little Drummer Boy," etc. What is your favorite animated Christmas special?

Rudolph

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Your Birthdate

You are certain and confident when you choose to love someone. Even though your romantic choices may be unconventional - you stand behind them. Your friends never know you as well as a romantic partner does. Number of True Loves You'll Have: 4 Number of Times You'll Have Your Heart Broken: 1 You are most compatible with people born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, and 30th of the month.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean For Your Love Life?

Hmm, well, ok, I don't agree with that thing about my friends. I'm not sure about the number of true loves...if it's true, I'd better get to work! On the other hand, one of them is going to break my heart. And Beast's birthday is the 18th.

So much for that.

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Friday 5 -- Ultra-Positive!

1. In what way is today better than yesterday?

I don't have to go to work at all today.

2. In what way is this year better than last year?

We are only having 'issues' with Sparky monthly instead of daily or weekly.

3. In what way are you better than you were six months ago?

I'm a little less manic about the Sirsi merge.

4. Besides technology (because that’s so easy), what’s better about the world today than the world you grew up in?

(Overt) Racism isn't as entrenched, nor is (overt) sexism.

5. In what way will you make (or have you made) someone else’s day better today?

Wow.
The easy answer is I'll stay out of their way.
I'll be home most of the day, so I'm not sure. I guess really just by being pleasant and friendly as much as possible.
This probably is a strong hint that I should call my mom today.

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Friday Five

1. If you could, would you be a movie star or a rock star? Which one, and why?

Pass. No thanks. The only one I'd consider is Prince, because he seems to have maintained his privacy.

2. Have you ever been in the media (TV, radio, papers)?

Yep, several times, while in high school because of my grades and because of band, and as a librarian.

3. Do you know anyone who's been on a reality TV show?

Nope. Sparky says he's going to do The Amazing Race when he's old enough, though.

4. Have you ever met anyone famous?

Not anyone huge, and not to really chat with.

5. Who would play you in a movie?

I could only wish... Probably Maggie Gyllenhaal.

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Friday Fun -- Friday Follicles

This week is all about hair!

1. Do you have long or short hair?

Shoulder length.

2. What is your biggest hair problem?

Year-round--keeping up with the gray. Right now--static electricity.

3. Dyed or not?

Dyed, till it's all gray, then I'm done. I just don't like this in-between stage.

4. Name one male and one female celebrity whose hair you love!

Marg Helgenberger, and George Clooney. Having dropped those two names, I'll say that this is NOT a defining thing, since I'm more into hairstyles than actual hair.

5. Any funny hair stories?

Oh, like when Sparky twisted my hair so thoroughly around a comb that I had to call my hair-stylist and then neighbors to come over and untangle it? Beast wasn't at home. It took conditioner and our neighbors' utility scissors (to cut apart the 'unbreakable' comb) and a lot of giggling to sort it all out. Sparky and I were leaving for Europe to meet up with Beast the next day, so a haircut was not really a good option.

6. Worst hair cut EVER?

So many from which to choose...probably the one on my wedding day. But I've been lucky and have been able to make the most of even the worst cuts; I have good hair that way. However, I wouldn't trust just anyone to color it; I won't even color it! Must be done professionally by Shantell or Scarlett!

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Friday's Feast

Appetizer Which language would you like to learn and why?

Greek. To learn more about a lot of our words, and to sort out the New Testament in its original language. So, I'd really need ancient Greek, not modern.

Soup
What's the funniest thing you've heard or read so far this week?

I dunno: the dog in the library the other day was pretty funny.

Salad
Which movie was so bad you couldn't watch the whole thing?

Oh, SOO many to name. I haven't made it through "A Clockwork Orange" yet, or even more than about three minutes in. That's one kind of bad. The kind of bad that is just "too stupid/badly acted/etc." I tend to forget. Fortunately, I haven't paid good money to see many of these. I've never walked out of a movie because of this.

Main Course
If there were a holiday in your honor that didn't use your actual name, what would the day be called?

Obsessive-Compulsive Worrying Day

Dessert
Name one movie which is coming out soon that you would like to see.

Sparky and I, at least, will be seeing "Eragon" at some point. We've both read the book(s), and while I wasn't thrilled with the writing, he has really taken it to heart.

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Questions of the Day

When you thank someone for doing something for you, do you find that more people are replying with 'no problem', rather than 'you're welcome'? Do you think 'no problem' is the same as saying 'you're welcome'? Also, I find that I say 'sure' instead 'yes' when I'm asked something like 'is it okay to do blah blah blah?' This is something I've never put too much thought into. My 5 yr old daughter doesn't think 'sure' is the same as 'yes'. Is it?

Sure. :-) When people thank me at work, I usually say "no problem" or "sure." I've been told, or it's been implied, that I'm not being as polite as I should be. Oh, well. It's hard habit to break.

So, tell us if you're having apple pie for dinner tonight, will it be with custard, ice-cream or cream?

Cool-Whip.

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RevGal Friday Five

Reverendmother here... those of you who read my blog know I have a love-hate relationship with the 24/7 Christmas music we're subjected treated to in stores and radio (in the U.S. at least). It gets too sentimentally sticky-sweet sometimes, yet I find myself unable to resist it. Nothing says "it's Christmas" to me like John Denver and Rolf the Dog singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." So...

1. A favorite 'secular' Christmas song.

Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song."

2. Christmas song that chokes you up (maybe even in spite of yourself--the cheesier the better)

Sometimes "Joy to the World" when I think about my dad.

3. Christmas song that makes you want to stuff your ears with chestnuts roasted on an open fire.

ALL of 'em by the time 12/24 rolls around. The first one that gets to me is "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

4. The Twelve Days of Christmas: is there *any* redeeming value to that song? Discuss.

Hey, y'know, I didn't even see this question when I answered the previous one!! Honest.
I think it's a great song for kids to learn to count with. However, once you've heard it two or three times a year, it's just freakin' annoying!

5. A favorite Christmas album.

I have a children's album with Nat King Cole and Burl Ives on it. I love "Buon Natale." Mostly because it isn't played to death every year.