Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Using the first line of your favorite song, tell a story about why it’s your favorite.

"My love she throws me like a rubber ball" reminds me, every time I hear it, of the poem King John's Christmas by A.A. Milne, a poem I dearly love. I also like the whole concept of love this song explores.

2) If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be, and why?

A very saggy, comfortable chair, I guess. Probably a recliner.

3) Dimples: like ‘em, hate ‘em? Don’t care?

Don't care, although they are pretty cute in children.

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

Photo © Cat. 2010

This is the back of my son's head during Spirit Week last fall. It was either Costume Day or 50s Day; I can't remember for sure. I created the D.A. for him, and he's got his dad's H-D leathers over his shoulder.

Saturday 9 (a day late)

(Link in meme-roll)
Looking for a Love

1. When you were single, or if you are single, what's the best way to look for love?

I was in college when I was single the last time, so I would say LOOK AROUND YOU!

2. Have you ever cruised online personals, even if you're married for fun? What was the reason, or if you haven't, why not?

I have looked very cursorily due to a friend cruising them and mentioning a few doozies she'd come across. Otherwise, no. I tend to spellcheck obsessively, so it's just painful for me.

3. Have you ever put up an online personal? If so, how was your experience?

FUCK NO. I've been married since before the internet age.

4. Have you ever answered an online personal? If so, how did it turn out?

Uhm, yeah, NO; see previous answers.

5. Have you ever had a good experience with online dating? If not, have you had a friend/family member have a good experience? Tell us about it!

My brother and two of my nieces are currently married to people they met online. My brother has been married 15 years, one niece for six years, and one for four years.

6. Have you ever had a horrible experience with online dating? If not, someone else?

My brother has, prior to his marriage. Arguably, as a result of his marriage as well, I suppose. And a dear friend has had multiple bizarre and mostly unpleasant situations in this area.

7. Back in 2004, a friend threw her husband out because she found out that he was having cyber affairs/sex with 2 women in states FAR away from them. Do you think that cybersex is actually cheating?

Well, if one partner in a marriage is spending as much or more time on sexual thinking outside of the couple, then yes it's cheating.

8. Do you have any suggestions for someone as to how to stay safe using a dating service?

I'm the last person to ask. My feeling is that most of the time people just need to use their common sense and not create false expectations.

9. I've heard someone say, “There's Match.com and then there's everyone else." Is this true in your experience or someone you know?

Hmm, I think brother and both nieces used Match.com so I am perhaps a bit biased that direction.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Decoder :: ...Ring
2. Cake :: Ice Cream
3. Sense ::Nonsense
4. Geek :: Pencil-Necked...
5. Cousin ::...Itt
6. Goggles ::Beer...
7. Social media ::Facebook
8. Butterfly :: Moth
9. Search ::...and Rescue
10. Manicure :: Pedicure

Change is good

You Like Change

You are easygoing and carefree. You like to hang loose whenever possible. You don't seek out change, but you don't necessarily avoid it either. If it comes, it comes. You are a big believer in letting go of control. You know that some things are simply up to fate. You try to be good with whatever happens in life. You find your contentment from within.

Do You Hate Change?

I could use a little of this tonight.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. This week I kept my temper under some pretty extreme provocation. Mostly.

2. Felicitations and many happy returns.

3. It's all about the kids.

4. When am I going to be able to sit in the sun.

5. I demand a recount.

6. Further down the path, it's filled with children on a field trip.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating meatloaf (I really hate meatloaf, but Beast likes it, and it's easy), tomorrow my plans include helping the Aimster move, and Sunday, I want to chillax with the fam!

Cinn's Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
every now and then i kick the living s#!t out of me.

[01] Are you motivated by positive energy or negative energy?

Oh, I'm completely DE-motivated by negative energy. Definitely need the positive stuff to move forward.

[02] Do you have a nemesis?

I do. I know her very well. She lives in my skin.

[03] What do you want, that you feel others do not want you to have?

My own way.

[04] Has anyone ever tried to prevent you from reaching a goal?

Well, of course. I am over 6 months old. It all starts when babies start crawling....

[05] Have you ever prevented anyone from reaching a goal?

Yes, I am a mom. ;-)

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
Back to High School

1. Who was your best friend?

Depending on the venue, it was Laura, Beth, or Teri.

2. Did you play any sports?

Nope. I got sports out of my system in middle school.

3. What kind of car did you drive?

My parents' cars. Dad had a Chevey Malibu station wagon, Mom had a Toyota Corolla and later a Subaru on which I learned to drive stick.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?

At the football games in fall--I was in band. Band was H-U-G-E at my school, and we played in the stands at the games and marched at halftime. The rest of the year, I was at home desperately trying to find something--ANYTHING!--to watch on TV on Friday nights. Except, I suppose, those very rare Friday nights when I had  a date.

5. Were you a party animal?

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK no.

6. Were you considered hot?

Even less so than the answer immediately prior to this. I was a geeky, glasses-wearing, skinny (not in a good way) brainiac.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?

I was in Band, Wind Ensemble, and the orchestra for the musicals.

8. Were you a nerd?

Uh, yes, I think we've established this. For heaven's sake, I took a programming class in high school, in 1981!!

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?

No. Cuz, see, I didn't want to be skinned alive by my parents. Why borrow trouble?

10. Can you sing the fight song?

"Come on E--, Come on E--, fight right through that line! With your colors flying high, we'll win them every time, rah rah rah. Come on E--, Come on E--, fight for future fame. Fight, fellas, fight fight fight, we'll win this game! [shout] Fight! Fight! Fight Fight Fight!"

Oddly, when Sparky's school chose their fight song three years ago (when the school opened), they chose 'On Wisconin' as the basis in spite of CLEARLY not being in Wisconsin (neither was my high school). I guess that's just an easy tune, eh?

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things in the Jumble at Work Today

1. Started with cataloging the "big books" of the cart that's been waiting the longest.
2. Moved on to kids' nonfiction series.
3. IM'd with Beast about various things.
4. Listened to Stereomood and found lots of new songs to add to Jango.
5. Talked to the boss about a couple of issues around reclassing adult graphic novels.
6. Sent a couple of emails 'assigning' that project to a coworker; we ended up emailing back and forth a few more times.
7. Ate random food at random times, but nothing horrifically unhealthy. Yay, me!
8. Talked to the circ supervisor about a possible change in the coding of DVDs suggested by the boss; circ person and I agree that this is a lot of work for not much real payoff.
9. Cataloged a LOT of music: new stuff, old stuff, kids' stuff, jazz, pop, rock, folk....
10. Cataloged 4 sets of travel DVDs--28 discs total.
11. Texted Beast a lot about the registration/orientation events he and Sparky were attending.
12. Worked on the Dead Deweys list from DDC23. Am confused about updates, since many are not in WebDewey. WTF?
13. Baked. It's hot and humid in the workroom (only) for some reason.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. International :: Multinational
2. Witnesses :: Signatories
3. Rising :: Lifting
4. Two years ago :: 2009
5. Sausage :: Brat
6. Physically :: Emotionally
7. Approached :: Neared
8. Mole :: ...Day
9. Collar :: Nab
10. Encased :: Enclosed

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Rain

1. It's Spring, grilling begins! If you plan a picnic, do you bow out if it rains?

Nope, we just bring it inside, or into the garage at least. 'Course, that only works if the picnic is in our backyard; if it's not, then I just hope for a tent. [And why, WHY, when I type "picnic" am I hearing Yogi Bear in my head...? lol]

2. Do you prefer food grilled on a charcoal or gas grill?

Gas. It's cleaner. I'm not a fan of lighter-fluid-and-charcoal overtones.

3. We're at the first grilling picnic. What's your meat order?

Cheesy brat.

4. What side dishes do you want?

Mom's potato salad, pork and beans, and some carrots.

5. Now, where do prefer to eat: at the picnic table or inside?

I'll pull up some space on the grass, preferably on a blanket. Chairs are for old people.

6. You were asked to bring a dish. What do you bring?

Dessert. Cookies, maybe, or popsicles.

7. Does it bother you to have citronella candles burning if you are eating or cooking outside?

I certainly wouldn't sit very close to them, but if they're doing their job and keeping the bugs away, I might sit upwind of them.

8. What fellow bloggers do you want to meet at the picnic?

I'm not fussy: come one, come all!

9. Does there need to be a pool at the picnic, your choice?

Nope. I can't swim, so a pool wouldn't be much use to me.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. I see lots of chores to do around the house.

2. It's been a long time since I baked anything from scratch.

3. They begin to let people in for graduation at 6:15 tomorrow.

4. It's hard to believe that Beast and I graduated so many years earlier.

5. This I know: this too shall pass. It always does.

6. I had buffalo chicken salad for dinner.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed pretty soon (having washed dishes and finished the ironing I started last night), tomorrow my plans include cleaning Sparky's room with his help, and watching him graduate, and Sunday, I want to not embarrass myself during the bells performance, since I do have a lengthy 'only me' bit!

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
Pointless Questions in 10 seconds...

1. Do you know how to french braid?

I can do my own hair, inwards and outwards, but I have a lot of trouble doing other people's. But since I wear my hair this way at least once a week, yes, I definitely know how to do this.

2. Two guys are walking down the street. One drops his hat and reaches down to pick it up, the other kicks him in the ass. Do you laugh?

If it seems a little too rehearsed, so yeah I probably would. If it seemed more-or-less mean-spirited and hurtful, then no.

3. You wake up one morning and dogs are meowing and cats are meowing - what are fish, elephants and crocodiles doing?

Meowing. Seems to be Meow Day for all. I can but hope the library patrons and staff are also meowing.

4. You are going to your high school reunion. What award are you going to win?

Oh, hell, that's not why I go. I go to see who (besides me) got fat and ugly. ;-)

5. You find yourself stranded on a deserted island. Soon you find a laptop with a lifelong battery & internet connection, then you find a cave with an endless supply of food and a spring of fresh water. A cruise ship comes along to save you - do you get on it?

Hmmm, I might just stay till next week's ship arrives.

6. How many shortcuts do you have on your desktop?

On this one 28. How many do I use? About 7. At most. At work I think I have, perhaps, 8. At most.

7. I offer you a pie... the most delicious pie you have ever seen. You either have to eat the entire thing in one sitting or allow me to slam it into your face, which do you choose?

I'm eating, I'm eating. I love pie. And I will not be getting up for a few hours, so...enjoy yourself watching me eat.

8. Are you a pen stealer?

Nope. This annoys me. I keep things put away (or labeled in the case of staplers, etc.) in/on my desk at work because I work with office-supply thieves.

9. A dude from China comes up and offers you german chocolate cake, french fries and a boston cream pie... what color is your car?

Uh, Prussian blue? (actually, it's battleship gray, but that doesn't seem to fit the theme) (also, MORE PIE!)

10. Sometimes you just have to tap your foot to your favorite song - which tv series season finale are you watching?

I've watched CSI, CSI:NY, Survivor, and both NCISes. I think I'm good.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Sensory Input

1. I can hear lawn mowers (ours and neighbors').
2. I can hear Ruka rattling around his cage...when the lawn mower goes around back.
3. I can hear dogs barking.
4. I can smell freshly-cut grass.
5. I can smell someone's dinner. Not ours--ours wasn't a great success--but someone is using a grill.
6. I can also smell the bubble bath I used in the tub tonight.
7. I can see. Outside. The sun is still up and it's nearly 8!!
8. I can see the iron and board across the room, frowning at my procrastination.
9. I can taste toothpaste. My teeth were yucky, so I brushed 'em. I'll brush 'em again before bed.
10. I'm touching the keypad on the laptop. (duh)
11. I can feel hangnails like little (and some not-so-) bruises in the corners of my fingernails.
12. I feel a nice spring breeze over my skin.
13. I can also feel the headache I've been keeping at bay for the past 6 hours. Who's going to win this battle?

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
The Weekend Meme

1. What is your favorite weekend activity?

Sleeping in.

2. How does the weather affect your weekend plans? Does it matter?

Nope, I sleep indoors.

3. When does your weekend start and when does it end?

It depends on whether I work Saturday or Sunday. Sometimes it's only one day long.

4. Can you recommend a good weekend getaway place?

Yes. But not here.

5. Do you spend weekends alone or with other people?

With my family, unless Beast is out of town.

6. What would your fantasy weekend look like?

I'm kind of liking that 'on my own' thing, but I'd also love to spend it with friends. If only.

7. Do you have any special weekend rituals?

Sleep in, do some cleaning, go to church on Sundays, football during the season, NASCAR during the season....

Wattah

You Are a Pool

You expect the best from the world. You remain open to life and completely optimistic. You believe in yourself and the people around you. You know that others can always surprise you. You are lovable, endearing, and affectionate. People gravitate toward your positive spirit. You’re very unique [ugh ugh ugh], but you meld well with a group. You are easy to get along with.

Are You a Hot Tub or Pool?

So, yeah. Fairly accurate, as far as it goes. I'm not so easy to get along with when you say things like "very unique" though.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) You wake up chained to the wall of a medieval torture room. The torture devices are laid out on a table in front of you. What’s your plan?

Sounds like just another day at the office to me, actually. I'd probably grab a pencil and get to work.

2) What era is your favorite for fashion so far in your life?

I liked the 80s because everything was oversized. I am not a fan of skin-tight clothes, so I sorta feel like I'm in hell now.

3) You've just won a lifetime supply of candy! Which type do you pick? (By the way, it’s miraculously healthy to eat—-no calories, no damage to teeth or other body parts.)

Heath bars. Or maybe Butterfingers.

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

Honestly, it reminds me of the first question up there. My 'torture devices' of choice: office supplies. I'm a serious office supply junkie. I'll miss going shopping in August for stuff like this now that Sparky's on his own doing it for himself at college. SAD!

Triple Countdown

(Found here)

» Fifteen Random Favorites «

1. Babies
2. Sugar
3. Giggling
4. Reading
5. Crosswords
6. Blogging
7. Sleeping
8. Driving
9. Music
10. Travel
11. Fires in the fireplace on cold nights
12. Old musicals
13. Thanksgiving
14. Singing
15. Hugs

» Fourteen Favorite Foods «

1. Frosted sugar cookies
2. Bread
3. Pasta
4. Pizza
5. Fruit pie
6. Wedding cake
7. Chicken tortilla soup
8. Whipped cream
9. Chicken crunchwrap (Taco Bell)
10. Arby's curly fries
11. Arby's cheddar beef sandwich
12. Fortune cookies
13. Honey
14. Almonds

» Thirteen Most Watched Shows «

1. CSI
2. NCIS
3. CSI:NY
4. NCIS:LA
5. Bones
6. Law & Order: SVU
7. Ghost Whisperer
8. Mythbusters
9. Deadliest Catch
10. American Pickers
11. Football games
12. NASCAR races
13. The Weather Channel

» Twelve Good Bands/Groups In Your Opinion «

1. U2
2. Melissa Etheridge
3. Beatles
4. Joan Osborne
5. Queen
6. Nicole Mullins
7. Billy Joel
8. Pet Shop Boys
9. CeLo Green
10. Black-Eyed Peas
11. Los Lonely Boys
12. Big Head Todd and the Monsters
13. Coldplay

» Eleven Memories «

1. Mom sitting on the edge of the bathtub while I swore I really was going to throw up
2. The canal boats in England
3. Dropping Jesse on his face, bursting into tears and running out of the room
4. Bringing Sparky home from the hospital
5. Telling my brother he's an asshole
6. Lake Baikal
7. Nathanael
8. Tom at the bottom of the stairs senior year of college
9. Playing jacks on the (old) front porch
10. The phone call about my dad's death
11. Having walking pneumonia

» Ten Close Friends «

1. Beast
2. Jenny
3. Amy
4. Trud
5. MH
6. Gail
7. The Redneck
8. Paul
9. Marla
10. Velma

» Nine Things You're Looking Forward To «

1. Youth Sunday
2. Graduation
3. Grad parties
4. Helping Amy move
5. Mission Trip
6. Being done with youth group
7. Teaching Sunday School
8. Not being sick
9. Sparky heading to college
10. Catching up at work (ha ha ha)
11. Turning 50

» Eight Things You Wear Daily «

1. Glasses
2. Earrings
3. Deodorant
4. Perfume
5. Underwear
6. Outerwear
7. Cell phone
8. Chapstick

» Seven Things That Annoy You «

1. Intentionally stupid people
2. Not being trusted
3. Negativity
4. Headaches
5. Restless legs
6. Eating more than I know I should
7. The price of gasoline

» Six Things You Touch Every Day «

1. My glasses
2. The sheets on my bed
3. My face
4. My hair
5. Dr. Pepper
6. Various and assorted floors

» Five Movies You Could Watch Over And Over «

1. RHPS
2. Fiddler on the Roof
3. Heathers
4. Dr. Zhivago (the Omar Sharif version)
5. Caddyshack

» Four Of Your Favorite Toys When You Were Little «

1. Jacks
2. My brother's Matchbox cars
3. Jumprope
4. Barbie and other dolls

» Three Guys You Have Kissed «

1. My high school boyfriend
2. Ken
3. Beast

» Two Of Your Favorite Songs At This Moment «

1. Sweetest Thing -- U2
2. Barcelona -- Freddie Mercury

» One Person You Could Spend The Rest Of Your Life With «

1. Beast

_________________________________________________________
really interesting countdown survey
Ten things I wish I could say to people:

1. I hate these interruptions.
2. Shut the FUCK up. Shut up NOW. Really. NOW!!
3. Yes, you really are the most negative person I know.
4. You know, I really am competent. Why can't you trust me?
5. You were a lot more fun when you weren't so bitter.
6. Guess what, the world doesn't revolve around you.
7. If you knew you needed this today, why didn't you ask about it yesterday? Or even before that?
8. Do you really know what you're doing? Yeah, no, you don't.
9. Isn't it remotely possible that you're wrong once in awhile? Like, lots.
10. I'm sorry. For all of it.

Nine things about myself:

1. I weigh 60 lbs. more than I am comfortable weighing.
2. I want to take piano lessons again.
3. And bagpipe lessons.
4. I miss having a dog. Every day.
5. I really enjoy being OCD about certain things.
6. People who didn't know me before the past few years wouldn't believe how totally wacked-out I was before.
7. I love babies, but I couldn't ever do childcare as a career.
8. I don't believe in hell, at least not as a location/place/future address for anyone.
9. I procrastinate on EVERYthing.

Eight ways to win my heart:

1. Listen to me.
2. Don't make fun of me.
3. Be kind to others without being aware that I'm watching.
4. Feed me good food.
5. Exercise with me.
6. Cry for others.
7. Know your way around a hardware store.
8. Flirt with babies and small chidren, in public.

Seven things that cross my mind a lot:

1. How far behind I am at work.
2. My lack of accomplishments at home.
3. Getting stuff sorted out before Sparky heads to college.
4. What can I do to help Beast?
5. Yardwork. OMG.
6. The next few weeks. Specifically, getting through them and being where we need to be at the right time on the right days.
7. Worrying about FIL.

Six things I do before I fall asleep

1. Wash my face.
2. Brush my teeth.
3. Do a puzzle, or read.
4. Put in earplugs.
5. Get rid of one pillow.
6. Take off my glasses.

Five places I want to visit:

1. Kenya
2. Egypt
3. Australia
4. Hawaii
5. Alaska

Four things I'm wearing right now:

1. Jeans.
2. Tie-dye sox.
3. OSU hoodie.
4. Underwear.

Three bands that I listen to often

1. U2
2. Michelle Shocked
3. Melissa Etheridge

Two things I want to do before I die:

1. Be sure Sparky is safely launched.
2. Play with more babies!

One confession:

1. I like being smarter than most people. But I really like that most people don't know that.

____________________________________________
a countdown from fifteen
[ 15 things that make you smile ]

1. Babies
2. Justin (@ church)
3. Teenagers when they've really relaxed
4. Squirrels
5. Birds, in the spring, looking for girlfriends
6. SUN!
7. Sleeping in and waking up without an alarm
8. Arriving at a destination
9. Giggles
10. A job well done
11. Absurdity
12. Good food
13. The happiness of people I love
14. Looking through old pictures
15. Reading a good book

[ 14 things that make you frown ]

1. Screaming babies
2. Screaming parents
3. Stupidity
4. People cutting me off in traffic
5. Negativity
Not being able to sleepFeeling lousy
6. Other people (those I like) feeling lousy
7. Whining
8. Selfishness/Self-centeredness
9. Not following through
10. My weight
11. Being wrong
12. Being let down by others

[ 13 things you see every day ]

1. Clothes
2. TV
3. Computer
4. Incredibly annoying things
5. Water
6. Diet Dr. Pepper
7. Bathroom stuff
8. Pills
9. Kleenex
10. Food
11. The inside of my eyelids
12. Books

[ 12 things you have always wanted to try ]

1. Learning Greek
2. Learning Hebrew
3. Skydiving
4. Flying a plane
5. Driving a semi
6. Driving a motorcycle
7. Learning to play bagpipes
8. Driving across country alone
9. Going to a movie alone
10. Coin collecting
11. Volunteering with Red Cross
12. Going hunting

[ 11 objects that mean a lot to you ]

1. All the various family Bibles I own
2. This computer
3. My Nook
4. My glasses
5. My car
6. The scrapbooks I made
7. A couple of pairs of earrings: the ones I got on the Hastings Battlefield site mostly
8. The rocking horse
9. Mom's china
10. Cousin Bill's painting
11. Beast's CPAP

[ 10 places you have been ]

1. Red Lake Indian Reservation
2. Woodstock, VT
3. Moosehead Lake, ME
4. Moscow
5. Outer Mongolia
6. Ydra
7. Low Row, Yorkshire
8. Las Vegas, NV
9. Bristol, TN
10. Houston, TX

[ 9 of your favorite foods ]

1. Sugar cookies
2. Honey
3. Bread
4. Pasta
5. Almonds
6. Chicken
7. Pizza
8. Tiramisu
9. Fresh fruit

[ 8 things you would rather be doing ]

1. Sleeping
2. Feeling healthy
3. Reading a book
4. Taking a bath
5. Getting some work done (at work)
6. Doing a puzzle
7. Finishing this meme
8. Sitting in the sun

[ 7 things you would take to a deserted island ]

1. Cell phone
2. Computer
3. Flares
4. FOOD/DRINK
5. Books
6. Sunscreen
7. Matches

[ 6 things you wish you never had to do ]

1. Go to the doctor
2. Get sick
3. Grieve
4. Get old
5. Apologize
6. Argue

[ 5 people that mean the world to you ]

1. Sparky
2. Beast
3. Jenny
4. Amy
5. Col

[ 4 of your biggest fears ]

1. Being found out
2. Failing
3. Earwigs
4. Looking stupid

[ 3 words to describe how you feel right now ]

1. Tired
2. Vaguely hungry
3. Unwell

[ 2 things you're excited for ]

1. This summer's mission trip with the youth group
2. Sparky's departure for college

[ 1 thing you want to say to someone ]

1. Let me help!

_______________________________________________________
Countdown
10 Important People

1. Beast
2. Sparky
3. Jenny
4. Amy
5. FIL
6. Walker
7. Trud
8. My boss
9. Pastor P
10. Idiot St. Louis dude

9 Bands You Love

1. U2
2. Melissa Etheridge
3. Nicole Mullins
4. Billy Joel
5. Gogol Bordello
6. Queen
7. Joan Osborne
8. Beatles
9. Mika

8 Foods You Don't Like

1. Liver and other organ meat
2. Brussels Sprouts
3. Cooked cabbage
4. Cooked cauliflower
5. Raw or stewed tomatoes
6. Peanut butter cookies
7. Dried coconut
8. Anything bug-related

7 Things That Never Fail To Make You Smile

1. Babies
2. Giggling
3. (some) Music
4. Other people's joy
5. Comedians (good ones make me laugh out loud)
6. My clumsiness
7. Puppies

6 Things That Make You Frown

1. Being cranky
2. Being bossed around
3. Stupidity
4. Computer problems
5. Knotty problems that I need to resolve
6. Negativity

5 Things You Couldn't Go A Day Without

1. Food
2. Air
3. Water
4. My glasses

4 Movies That Will Never Get Old

1. Dr. Zhivago
2. Citizen Kane
3. E.T.

3 Overplayed Songs

I don't listen to the radio so I have no idea.

2 Heroes

1. Millard Fuller
2. Desmond Tutu

1 Word To Sum Yourself Up

1. Anxious

THE END !

ROCK AND ROLL, MAN!

Your Rock Anthem is "Welcome to the Jungle"

The world can be a pretty crazy place, and sometimes you need to rock out to relax. You like rock music because it doesn't sugarcoat anything. It's honest. You do believe that life is a jungle, and you aren't afraid to let your wild side shine. You let yourself go crazy! After all, deep down we're all just animals.

What's Your Rock Anthem?

OK, kinda, but only in a very specific way. And I'm not usually crazy, just slightly manic.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7
[Using this list*, n]ame seven of the 20 Most Useful College Degrees that you’d be interested infix [sic] you could go back in time to your college days.

1. Multimedia & Web Design [from the list]
2. Management Information Systems [from the list]
3. History [not on the list]--my major in undergrad
4. Communication [not on the list]--my other major in undergrad
5. Philosophy [not on the list]
6. Psychology [not on the list]
7. Social Work [not on the list]--would have been useful for my job

______
* I went off-list for most of mine because I really feel that a well-rounded background in learning is more important that anything specific learned in college. And I based it on what I need to know to do my job now.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Code :: Computer...
2. Brothers :: Sisters
3. Immigration :: ...Reform
4. Heavy :: Weighty
5. Bracket :: Shelf...
6. Murder :: Mystery
7. Neighbor :: Friend
8. Collar :: Catch
9. Onslaught :: Deluge
10. Eyebrows :: Fuzzy

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday 6

1. What is the oldest car you’ve ever driven?

Well, I suppose my mom's 1971 Toyota Corolla. That was sort of "my car" during high school after she got her Subaru in about '81.

2. What’s the oldest car you’ve ever driven that you actually owned yourself?

Heh. That wretched Monza we bought in '87--it was about 10 years old--because the '75 Pinto Beast had when we got married died.

3. Take the quiz: What Old-Fashioned Car Would You Most Like to Go for a Ride In?

You Are Steady

You value your own opinion over the opinions of others. You know when you're right. You trust your intuition. So far it has a good track record of not leading you astray. You prefer logical to emotional appeals. You like well structured arguments. You are very clean and tidy. You take pride in taking good care of your possessions.

The Old-Fashioned Car Test

Uhm, yeah. Not really very accurate. Ahem. lol

4. What type of vehicle would you most enjoy touring a city in: a rickshaw, a horse-drawn carriage, a sedan, a convertible or a limousine?

Depends on the city, I suppose, but generally I'm all for limos. If there are a lot of tall buildings, however, and if the weather was appropriate, a convertible sounds very practical.

5. What decade (i.e., the 1950s, 1970s, etc.) do you think created the most beautiful cars?

Any era prior to minivans gets an automatic vote. I dunno, maybe the 60s?

6. What decade do you think created the least beautiful cars?

I really do think we fell off the beauty scale completely between about 1975 and 1985. K-cars, and all those other square hideous things. Gah. "Boxy but good" (or in most cases, not so good).

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
 My Best Friend's Wedding

1. Have you ever lost a friend after he/she got married?

Not directly as a result of them getting married, no.

2. Do you make friends easily? No.

No I don't.

3. Do you have many close friends?

Define "many." I have enough.

4. Tell us about your oldest friend.

Oldest in age is probably Trud. Oldest in terms of how long I've known her is Laura; we met when I was about 6.

5. Tell us about your newest friend.

I'm quite partial to Cady, who is 6 months-ish old. Newest adult friend? Uhm, Alex?

6. Do you hang out with your friends often, or just occasionally when you can find time?

Only occasionally. We're all busy, and I do seem to "friend up" with people who either start or end up far away from me geographically.

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

London, I guess.

8. What's the biggest or best thing a friend has ever done for you?

Stuck by me through thick and thin.

9. What's the worst or most hurtful thing that a friend (or an ex-friend) has done to you?

Betrayed my trust, failed to follow through, used the friendship for her own purposes.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. I know I will feel better tomorrow. (I hope)

2. I'm going to try to stay up kind of late tonight, if at all possible.

3. This weather has been great for growing crops.

4. My intestines seem to have a problem.

5. I'm really happy I have the ability to cry and let things out at appropriate moments.

6. I should teach a class on procrastination, or something to that effect.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not doing anything except maybe eating something small, tomorrow my plans include not being sick anymore and rehearsing for Youth Sunday, and Sunday, I want to survive church!

Not likely

You Should Visit the Statue of Liberty

Bold and adventure loving, life is one big party for you. And you celebrate early and often. Happy and upbeat, you are always optimistic. It's about what you have... not about what you don't. When times get tough, you get philosophical. You never forget the meaning of life. You tend to avoid commitments, preferring to keep your life free from responsibilities.

What Landmark Should You Visit?

Wow. This is pretty definitively NOT me. Ugh. Though I suppose I should, at some point, see the Statue of Liberty. It's just not high on my list. So I changed one answer, and got this instead, which seems slightly more likely:

You Should Visit the Great Wall of China

You like esoteric things. You find that there can be a lot of beauty in weirdness. You're a daydreamer who sees the big picture. You enjoy broad strokes as much as little details. You don't set any rules or expectations for yourself. You're just going to let life happen.You are always often the observer. You sometimes rather watch what's going on than be a part of it.

What Landmark Should You Visit?

I wouldn't bet the farm on this one....

You Get Your Point Across by Discussing

You are an indirect person, both with yourself and others. You are never sure where you're going. You prefer to open things up for discussion and see where the brainstorming takes you. You don't have expectations. You are open-minded and flexible. You don't see things as set in stone, and you like to leave yourself open. You are a good listener, and you think that you can learn from everyone. You know you're not always right.

How Do You Get Your Point Across?

Uhm. I wonder if this is what other people see, because I don't really think it fits.

At all.

nice day

(Found here)
bold what you agree with

my favorite season is fall
i'm extremely indecisive
i have ADD
i'm a cat person
i love the smell of hair dye conditioner
i dye my hair at least three to four times a year
i get bored easily
i want more piercings
and a tattoo
people often mistake me for being indian
i hate my voice
i'm going to be a freshman in college this year
i'm extremely nervous about college
i can't wait to graduate
i'm in an off/on relationship
my best friend is a guy
my phone has a pink cover
i want an iphone
i'm obsessed with the song "alejandro" by lady gaga
ke$ha is cool
i'm good at art
i suck at sports
i love watching baseball
english was my best subject in school
i used to play softball
i am unemployed
but i'm trying really hard to get a job
my favorite show on MTV is true life
jersey shore is my guilty pleasure
snookie is my homegirl
i've never been to a tanning bed
i enjoy getting shitfaced
i've never touched weed
i'm a virgin
i wish i had a gay best friend
i'm not taking another survey after this

***

I've ordered a boutonniere before.
I have some of those animal rubber bands.
My school offers Criminal Law.
I know what Puffy Paint is.
Root Beer > Fanta
I'm taking at least one AP class next year.
I absolutely hate pulling weeds.
I like the song Airplanes by B.O.B & Hayley Williams.
I can't believe LOST is over.
I can see a pair of scissors from where I am sitting.
I have a puka shell necklace.
The last person I texted was one of my parents.
Kangaroos < Koalas
I would like to lose weight this summer.
I know what the Gulf of Tonkin is.
The seniors are already gone in my high school.
I'm not old enough to legally drink.
I wish people would ask real questions on formspring.
I use T-Mobile.
I have an unused iTunes card.
My father is younger than 45 years old.
I wear a size 3/4 pants.
I've heard of the website thisibelieve.org
I would categorize myself as a 'nerd'.

***

1. Which one of your exws hates you the most? If they hate you, that is: I don't think any of them hate me. They probably never think about me.
2. Where's the closet Dunkin' Donuts to your house? About 7 miles ESE or 7.6 miles SSW.
3. Did you ever read Horrible Harry or Junie B. Jones as a kid? I was in my late 20s, at least, when they started.
4. What's a name everyone thinks you look like? Besides your own! I get "Linda" a lot.
5. What type of math are you the best at? Arithmetic, and algebra.
6. Do you know how to surf at all? Only online.
7. In fact, do you even live near a beach? Not a real one, no.
8. How many people do you know that go to therapy (either physical or mental)? Depends on your definition of therapy. If it's fairly broad, then most people I know have are "in therapy."
9. If you are accused of being on drugs by your classmates coworkers, what's the drug everyone thinks you're on? Caffeine.
10. Do you find Urban Outfitters cute or hella expensive? Mostly choice B.
11. Do you hate it when people use the word "hella"? No. Many worse things that are available to piss me off.
12. What's your favorite Roald Dahl book? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Or possibly Switch Bitch.
13. Think of someone with a really funky looking/sounding last name: Mine is pretty funny, but since I'm not broadcasting it, we'll just go with a kid I used to know whose last name was Finger.
14. When's the last time you went to Taco Bell? Last week.
15. Would you rather get popcorn or candy at the movies? Candy.
16. Do you clean your ears with Q-tips or the actual thing you're supposed to clean it with? Q-tips. What is this "actual thing you're supposed to clean [them] with"? Last I heard that 'thing' was a washcloth.
17. Is it really all that possible to stay friends with your exes? I'd say that it is situation-dependent.
18. Ever wish that you could speak to animals like Eliza Thornberry? Yup. I seriously do. But Dr. Doolittle did it first.
19. Who's the most homely looking girl you can think of? Boy? PLOCK
20. What's a stereotype of your race/sexual preference/etc that you follow up with? I have no idea what this question means.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) When you are eating out at your favorite restaurant, you find something unexpected in your food. The owner comes over looking frazzled and begs, "Please, I can explain!" Write a creative/exciting explanation for the object you discovered in your meal.

Oh, I'm sure that this engagement ring in my spaghetti was meant for the woman over there sitting with the guy who looks like he's ready to stroke out.

2) Salsa: mild, medium or hot?

Medium normally. Today, I'm thinking salsa of any temp would be a very bad idea.

3) Do you prefer short stories or longer fiction? Why?

I'll read either. It's funny: I never realized that some people really can't stand short stories, but I work with a person who feels that way--she's a librarian.

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 love watching people like this who have talent and use it to make people happy in the creation and in the ownership of something pretty. Also, I'm willing to bet this guy wouldn't be allowed to do this in public in America: WAY too dangerous.

Really?? Niiiiice

Your Summer Vacation is London

You are pretty conventional when it comes down to it. You have mainstream tastes and interests. You're looking for something a little different to shake things up... but nothing too foreign. You consider yourself to be a normal person. You fit well into this world. You have high standards, and you are fair to everyone. Manners are important to you, even if that's old fashioned.

What's Your European Summer Vacation?

OK, so I've been to London 3 times, and England 6. I don't really think London is very 'foreign' to me anymore, except the money, which continues to confuse me. Even the driving on the left stuff doesn't bother me anymore, although I have never actually done any driving there. Otherwise, however, this description seems about right. A trip to London would be wonderfully relaxing to me. Except for the bill at the end of the trip.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Trumpet :: ...Voluntary
2. Love :: Adoration
3. Routine :: Run-of-the-Mill
4. Infringe :: Trespass
5. Misgivings :: Concerns
6. Establish :: Begin
7. Stupefy :: Stun
8. Constipate :: Plug
9. Conjure :: Magic
10. Miscellaneous :: Mixed

~~Blog News~~

I am headed away from Computer-Land again over the weekend: family commitments that arose suddenly this week.


See you again next week.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things To Do Before 7 a.m. Friday

1. Figure out packing list
2. Go to Sparky's Senior Awards Banquet
3. Make nice with parents and/or teens we don't know/like
4. Stop at FIL's with medication, etc.
5. Pack
6. Figure out flowers (order?)
7. Take a bath
8. Put pillows in car
9. Put Kleenex in car
10. Sleep
11. Last-minute packing
12. Eat (though we may be doing that in the car)
13. Commence worrying about Sparky

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) When the power goes out, do you grab matches and candles or a flashlight first?

Flashlight. We have 'em in every room. Once I've got that, I light the oil lamp and some candles.

2) If you could personify and speak to your deepest, darkest fear, what would you say?

"Get Lost!"

3) You're gathering signatures for a petition - what's your cause?

I wouldn't be likely to do this--I suck at this sort of thing. I would, however, continue to sign petitions for environmental awareness, helping children, and generally doing the right thing.

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

This cake is awesome. OMG--there is no cake or other sweety-treat in the house, purposefully, and I'm kinda desperate for a piece of this one. Gaaaahhhhh!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The "18 Questionable Questions" Meme

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?

After killing him? Uhm, probably hire a good attorney...I do have an IOU to use, I think.

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?

I can't. All my dreams are scientifically impossible. For instance, Nathanael being alive; he'd be almost 4 1/2 now.

3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

Badly-constructed sentences.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

Pay over a million dollars in taxes, at least. And then donate most of the rest of it to assorted charities.

5. Could you fall in love with your best friend?

Did. Do it again fairly regularly.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

Being loved, I guess.

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?

PLOCK

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?

PLOCK

9. If you'd like to act (movies, stage) with someone, who would it be?

I could gape standing next to Alan Rickman or Meryl Streep, no problem.

10. What do you expect of your loved one?

Tolerance.

11. How would you see yourself in ten years' time?

I probably wouldn't; I'll have to wait like the rest of the world. (I'll be 57--how odd is that??)

12. What’s your fear?

That I'll die in the middle of answering inane meme questions....

13. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?

Depends on the day, who I'd be married to, and whether I have access to health care.

14. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Look at the clock to see if it's really time to get up.

15. Do you ever hold back in a relationship?

Yup. Otherwise, civility would disappear.

16. If you fell in love with two people simultaneously, how would you pick?

Realistically. I'd make a lot of lists and try to pick with my brain.

17. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?

Nope. Serial murder is right out!

18. What are your three most important expectations in love?

Didn't we sorta cover this? Tolerance, reciprocity, and honesty, I guess.

uncon

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Secondary :: Primary
2. Surreal :: Beyond weird
3. History :: ...of the World, Part I
4. Wild :: ...and Cray
5. Bandages :: Injuries
6. Farm :: Crops
7. Lab :: ...Rat
8. Misuse :: Damage
9. Word games :: Puzzles
10. Nurse :: Doctor