Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Daddy's Back

1) Crazy Sam's dad often traveled for business, and always remembered to bring her the little complimentary soaps or body lotions he got from the hotel. When you travel, do you bring back souvenirs? Send post cards?

I used to send postcards. Now, if I'm gone more than a week, I'll usually just send one to work and, if he's not with us, one to Sparky. They are hard to find in this country, and buying the stamps is a hassle too; or it used to be--now I can print them off the internet.
I do buy souvenirs. They range from the typical tourist stuff--books about the places I've been (especially common for architectural places since I always want to know those kinds of details) and other mementos--or jewelry/clothing, or oddball reminders. For instance, in San Francisco last fall I bought a fringey scarf+ring, and in Vegas in January I bought ear-buds that came with a planget around which to wrap them. I really wanted to buy a beautiful glass plate at Red Rock Canyon, but they don't ship, and there was no way I'd've gotten it home safely on the plane.

2) When you fly, do you prefer window or aisle? Or doesn't it matter?

If it's daytime and it's somewhere I haven't been before AND if it's a short flight (or I'm with Beast), I don't mind the window. Generally, I prefer the aisle though: a little more room to relax, easy to get up for a walk or bathroom break. I hate with a passion, the middle seat. I always end up next to silent, sullen, or stinky people. My biggest problem with the window seat is that as soon as we take off I (psychosomatically) need to pee. I could have gone without liquids for hours ahead of time and still 'need' to pee. So annoying.

3) According to Askmen.com, Jim Anderson (Robert Young) of Father Knows Best is the best TV dad ever. Who is your favorite TV (or movie) dad?

My gut reaction is to say Michael Landon as Pa on Little House... but it always bothered me that he was so different from the Pa of the books, so I can't honestly say that. Dick Van Patten on Eight is Enough behaved like my dad, and I always liked Tom Bosley on Happy Days, too, for similar reasons.

4) Sam's father was the family disciplinarian. What about you? Do you consider yourself a rule maker, a rule follower, or a rule breaker?

My dad was NOT the disciplinarian in my case (in some of my siblings' cases, he was--sometimes it's good to be the youngest). My mom and I usually worked things out without him; he was, however, the King of Guilt Trips. To answer the second half of the question, though, I consider myself a rule follower IF the rule(s) make sense. I have a strong anti-authoritarian streak--inherited from my dad for sure--so sometimes I like to break rules that either are stupid rules, or were lined out by stupid people. For instance, the ban on jeans-wearing at work: as soon as that ruling was issued 8 years ago (by the City), I went out and bought jeans in different colors and wore them EVERY DAY. I'm clean and neat and behave professionally, so who the hell are they to tell me what to wear!?

5) Sam's father was the one who gave her driving lessons. Think back to your first few times behind the wheel. Were you a naturally good driver?

Yes. My dad did the majority of my driver training as well (because my teacher was creepy). My mother was really nervous when I first was driving--which made me nuts--but I was/am a good driver. Except when I'm distracted, which happens often these days. Bad me.

6) This week's featured artist, Kenny Loggins, was born in Washington state. Have you ever lived in, or traveled to, any of our northern border states? (For those of you not as well versed in geography as Crazy Sam, that's AK, WA, MT, ND, MN, WI, MI PA, NY, VT, and ME.)

I've been to, or lived in, all of these except Alaska, Washington, Idaho (which was omitted), and North Dakota. I've also been to New Hampshire, which was omitted along with Idaho for whatever reason. I'm curious to know why the little tip of Pennsylvania and Ohio weren't on this list--I've been to both those states too.

7) As part of the duo Loggins and Messina, Loggins performed the song "House at Pooh Corner." Do you have a favorite character from the Winnie the Pooh books/movies?

I've always had a soft spot for Eeyore. And I adore Roo. Owl has always been a role model for how NOT to be smart, and Piglet is silly, but not as silly as Pooh. Rabbit is like the fussy aunt or older know-it-all sibling of which I had/have many and hoped never to become, please God! The only part of the Pooh movies I like at all is the Tigger character.

8) The mercury is going to start rising. How hot is too hot for you? 85º? 95º? Or are you one of those "the hotter the better" people?

I like hot weather, unless the heat bring humidity. THAT is what I hate. If I were in Colorado or Arizona (etc.), I'd be quite happy at 100º. Here, where I live, 90º is about my limit. I hate being able to see the air because of the amount of water in it.

9) To celebrate Father's Day, Sam is giving away her father's favorite candy: LifeSavers. Would you prefer a roll of Wild Cherry, or Butter Rum, or Winter Green or Peppermint?

If I have to have a full roll all the same, I'll have WinterGreen or Pep-O-Mint. But I actually prefer the mixed rolls with all the fruit flavors. I do buy the bags of Pep-O-Mint since that helps with the occasional heartburn. Yes, I am weird.