Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Creepy Crawlies

1. You are walking down the road and you look down. There is a bug. Do you step on it?

Probably not, at least not intentionally. Unless it's an earwig; those things are (shudder) nasty. Yes, I did just shudder for real.

2. What is one fantasy that you want to come true more than any other?

World peace.

3. Someone knocks on your door. Do you look out the window to see who it is before you open it? Do you open it regardless of who it is?

No, I look. And because they can look back in the sidelights, I have to open it once I've looked. If I'm upstairs or generally away from where they can see me, I have been known to pretend I'm not here at all.

4. Have you ever eaten Play Doh?

I think so, probably, as a kid. Smells better than it tastes.

5. What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon as a child and why?

I wasn't allowed to watch Saturday morning TV. That was the time reserved for cleaning the house. Mom did the main part, I was only responsible for my room, and when lunchtime rolled around, regardless of how much (or little) I'd done in my room to actually clean, I was free!

6. Are you a “people watcher”?

The older I get, the more fascinating I find people. Except the annoying ones....

7. I have a bowl of fruit. There are apples, oranges & pears. You help yourself to one - which one do you choose?

Assuming they are all at peak ripeness, I'll have a pear, thank you.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve in the blogging world?

Wow. I don't really get peeved very often with blogs anymore. Horrific spelling and lack of coherence is a definite kill for me, though.

9. What is one religion that you could just never see yourself joining?

I think I'd be a terrible Hindu. All those gods to keep track of....

10. What word do you use far too often?

It used to be "actually" but these days it might be pretty close to "probably."

11. How long do you spend in the shower?

Ten minutes? Long enough to wash my hair, scrub my face, and soap up and rinse the bod.

12. If you were to write a personal ad about yourself, what would it say?

I wouldn't. I promise you that no matter what happens in my future, I am extraordinarily unlikely to ever date again.

13. Your favorite flavor of soup is….?

I love a good split pea with ham. It's getting to be that time of year when it tastes best, too!

14. You are sitting on a bench in the park and a bug walks in front of your feet…. do you squash him? (I am assuming this is a different bug from question #1)

My answer is the same. I don't go out of my way to kill things on purpose as a rule.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Put Your Questions in the Box Questions

1. Where were you three hours ago?

Right here, trying to figure out my day. It's been a weird weekend of just feeling slightly ...off most of the time: headache, GI stuff, overheated (inside with A/C).

2. Make a confession.

I went to a memorial service for a former co-worker yesterday. I didn't speak to one of her sons because he caused her so much grief when she was alive that I just couldn't. Judging by his comments during the service, he hasn't really changed. I escaped afterwards ASAP, skipping the church luncheon, because I'm still very conflicted about the co-worker; she was a difficult person but also smart, kind in her own way, and a wonderful baker. And I was instrumental in getting her fired 5 years ago.

3. Bad habits?

Laziness is winning this race handily.

4. Favorite color?

Blue. Almost every shade of blue: robin's-egg, sky, navy, teal, midnight, turquoise, milky, denim. Bring on the blue! My top is in the lighter range (baby boy or pale sky), but I'm not overly fussy.

5. Can you drive?

Yes. I am the only person in the house doing that these days, so it's a good thing. Beast lost his license last fall, and he shouldn't be driving anyway as he can't actually feel or control his feet very well. Hence the advance to cane and now walker to get around. I live with an 90-year-old (he's actually 53).

6. 3 pet peeves.

Intentional stupidity.
People who are just mean-spirited and nasty toward others.
Humidity.

7. Last person you hugged.

Beast. Of course.

8. Something you miss.

I miss my dad right now.

9. What song is stuck in your head at the moment?

I seem to be song-free right now, which is fine. Something will come along. In fact, if I go read everyone's answers, I'll end up with one of those for sure.

10. Favorite quote.

"It is not your job to complete the task of perfecting the world, but neither are you free to desst from it." [Mishnah]

11. Favorite band.

Probably U2. It cycles.

12. Something you're excited for.

I had to take in a ring for repair and resetting a couple of weeks ago. It's ready--I should go get it. The payoff is even better due to the jeweler being next to Olive Garden, so we'll probably pick up some OGtogo.

13. Favorite movie.

Shoah

14. What type of phone do you have?

Samsung. It's about 3 years old now--but it still works so why change it? Works fine.

15. Favorite animal.

Wolf. Or if we need a specific entity, then Pintobean our cavy.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Chicago Crazy Questions

1) What was your dream growing up?

I don't remember really having "plans" or hopes for specific adult things aside from not having to answer to people (ha ha ha -- what a joke!). I do remember a couple of really weird, scary literal dreams, though.

2) What talent do you wish you had?

I wish I had more sticktuitiveness. I do think some people are innately better at seeing things through.

3) If I bought you a drink what would it be?

Long Island Iced Tea. Or Stoli rocks, lime twist.

4) What was the last book you read?

The last one I finished was Atlas Obscura. If you're an armchair adventurer, I recommend it.

5) Worst Habit?

Laziness.

6) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?

If I saw you, Bud, I would. However, I generally don't stop for people walking.

7) What is your favorite sport?

To watch: football. To play: uh.... bocce?

8) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?

Call for help and then try not to think about whether I have to pee.

9) Worst thing to ever happen to you?

I try not to dwell on the tragedies of life. What I consider "worst" might be other people's pretty good days.

10) Tell me one weird fact about you.

I think if you read my blog, you will (or have) become abundantly aware of just how weird I am.

11) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?

I would be mortified if someone showed up today. The place is a pit, a sty, and I just can't keep up. But, I'd welcome you in and clear a place for you to sit a spell.

12) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?

I would LOVE to be half my weight, literally. I have now achieved double my weight in my 20s. :'(

13) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?

Depends on what we're doing, but I'm more likely to be the chicken-shit overly-conscientious one.

14) Ever been arrested?

Nope. Just a couple of traffic tickets.

15) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?

Pay down the mortgage.

16) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?

This. And read.

17) Biggest pet peeve?

Mean, nasty people.

18) In one word, how would you describe yourself?

Empathetic.

19) Do you believe in/appreciate romance?

Meh.

Friday 5 x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
Quarters

1. The first quarter of 2017 is now behind us. How has it been?

   LONG!! Holy crap, this year is just creeping by. I'm pretty sure it's a combination of living with an invalid, having a crazy-child running our country, and worrying about everything....it's wiping me out.

2. How has this past quarter of your life been surprisingly good?

   Uhm. It really hasn't been. It's a nice night, birds are singing, I'm watching Emergency on TV (not the 70s drama, this is a reality show from Canada). It's kind of fun listening to the accents.

3. When did you last drop quarters into a vending machine?

   I can't even remember. We have coin kiosks at work for making copies (etc.) so I use--and definitely HEAR--them all the time.

4. How do you feel about your state’s twenty-five-cent coin? If you’re not in the U.S., which of the coins do you think is especially striking?

   I had to Google it since I haven't paid the slightest attention to all of the hullabaloo about them. It's got the state's Favorite Son on it, the skyline for our biggest city, and some farm buildings. Whee.

5. Google’s corporate headquarters is called the Googleplex. What would be a good name for the corporate headquarters of your life?

   Messy, dusty, untidy, chaotic. Sorry, I don't have any creative way of phrasing that.

Gimme One Reason

1. What makes you unreasonably irritated?

   Stupidity. Man, everyone was irritating me today: other drivers, a couple of regular patrons that are incredibly needy (and stupid), office staff at the doctor's office.... It was just an irritating day.

2. What are you unreasonably particular about?

   Having facts to support a point of view. If you just "believe" it, that's fine, but it doesn't mean the rest of us have to "believe" it on your say-so. Bring me some data, or go to hell. [Though, to be honest, I don't think this is at all unreasonable....]

3. What’s something that’s unreasonably complicated?

   Disability sign-up. Beast's application was submitted 3 months ago. It's still "pending."

4. What are the best reasons for working in your field?

   I get to do something I think is important to society--literacy, reading, exploring, fact-finding, providing access to all of the above--and get paid a decent wage for it. I work with great people, and every day is different.

5. What are some good reasons for the most recent silly purchase you made?

   I was hungry for something sweet, watching Beast eat his M&Ms. So I went and bought junk food. I suck.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Shannon's Moments Meme, Part One
I kinda just did this a couple of weeks ago, but it's enough different that I'll do it again.

1. Do you like blue cheese?

Not alone, but with some other goodies (steak, etc.) it's dynamite!

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how did you quit?

No, thank God I never started. I'm virtually certain I'd never have been able to stop.

3. Do you own a gun? How are your feelings about gun control/2nd Amendment rights?

I do not, because I know myself well enough to know exactly how dangerous that would be. I am not anti-gun, however. If you like hunting, or collecting armament, fine. I just do not see any reason for ANYone to own a functional auto or semi-auto. There's only one use for them, and it ain't dead-heading peonies!

4. What is your favorite flavor of water or liquor flavors?

I like my water plain old water-flavored, preferably not overly chlorinated. I like my liquor fairly flavorless generally too. Plain Stoli, maybe a lime twist, is sufficient. I really can't do extremely sweet drinks at all anymore...shudder.

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit? Why?

Nope. Serves no purpose except to make my blood pressure rise, which isn't helpful. I figure, by the time I've committed to seeing the doctor, I've already decided I need help solving whatever problem I've got at the moment.
This is all despite the fact that I actively hated going to the doctor as a child since it seemed to always involve an injection for something or other. And the doc was super-creepy. If I ever get that vibe off anyone now, I'm outta there.

6. How do you like your hot dogs?

Cold straight out of the package. If we're talking about food-truck dogs then no relish, heavy mustard, and some onions. I'll get ketchup too, unless I'm in Chi-town where it's pretty much illegal.

7. Although it’s been asked a lot, tell us about a favorite movie that you haven’t shared before.

I can't think of a movie that I haven't talked about. I don't really see that many movies, not compared to most people, so I go to the very few I love regularly to answer this. I've always liked "Fiddler on the Roof" mostly for the cinematography, and after actually seeing Siberia, it's even more amazing. Ditto for "Dr. Zhivago" a movie in which I could happily turn off the volume and watch in silence.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

Diet caffeinated pop. More caffeine = more better.

9. In a dating situation, have you ever misrepresented yourself to seem cooler or hipper? (Yes we know for most of you it was long ago…)

Of course. I never in my life felt hip or cool, but who admits that to someone they're interested in impressing??

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Why?

I have a necklace my mom's best childhood friend gave me that she got while she was a missionary in Persia (Iran) in the 50s. It is mother-of-pearl, painted with two different scenes--one on either side--and too large and an odd-length for most outfits. I love it to death though. I love it for its own sake, but also because it reminds me of Mom and N. and how weirdly the world changes--N. gave it to me in about 1979, just before the Iranian Hostage Crisis commenced; I loved wearing it as a stealth thing that people who were yelling about killing all Iranians wouldn't/didn't get.

11. Favorite hobby? Tell us about it so we understand it.

I read. A lot. Because my life is terminally boring--and that's fine--and I like to crawl inside other people's heads and see what motivates them. One of the books I'm reading right now, The Home for Wayward Clocks is reminding me that this is one of the best parts of reading. All the everyday people doing everyday things that seem so outlandish to me, but not to them.

12. Do you have A.D.D., or have you suspected it?

Nope. Except in the sense that I am rarely ever doing just one thing anymore. It's blogging-and-TV-watching, music-and-cataloging, conversation-and-cooking.

13. What’s a thing you dislike or would change about yourself?

I need to do better about thinking further ahead than the next half hour on the Really Big Stuff in Life. I tend to be a little hedonistic and don't properly plan things out. Which, if you knew what my calendar looked like, would surprise you, I'm sure.

14. Middle name? Like it or not?

I have one. I like it. It's short, succinct, and uncommon, though hardly rare. Y'all have definitely heard of it. There's a very famous doctor that has made it more accessible. I've always been glad, secretly, that it wasn't "the" middle name that all the (popular) girls in high school seemed to have.

15. Name three random thoughts you might have on this week:

I might never catch up on cataloging at work, but I have nearly run myself out of project-work. Beast has 7 days, which is worth celebrating. It's beautiful outside today, tempting me to go out and sit on the porch which will undoubtedly lead to me feeling absolutely shitty later. (see above re thinking ahead)

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Tell us a bit about them.

I regularly drink dark diet soda, water, and pretty much nothing else. Occasional glasses of white soda when I'm feeling like I need to de-caffeinate closer to bedtime.

17. Current worry:

I'm weaning myself away from incessant worrying. I am, however, starting to think about what I'm wearing for this upcoming wedding, and what else I should be taking for the trip. Also on my mind is what Sparky needs to take, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS because HE IS 23 and I don't need to pack for him anymore!!! And this is why I have to stop worrying about stuff; it's almost always just about this stupid.

18. Current annoyance:

I can't think of anything that annoying right now. Overall, I would say that there is a large rash of idiotic behavior on the Big World Stage right now, and I'm so very sick of idiots.

19. Favorite place to be in the summer? Give us a wee bit more than “the beach”.

Well, in my case it's not the beach; it's the mountains. Any mountaintop, a ways away from "civilization" with wildflowers, sunshine, and rarefied air. I'm not fussy. I haven't had anything of this sort in a very long time and I'm craving it.

20. How do you usually ring in the new year? If forced (how we’d do that without Judd coming to your house, if you even know who he was) to do something new, what would it be?

I don't do anything very exciting. We stay home. Often we fondue. I'm usually in bed either well before midnight or not too long after. I have no interest whatever in hanging out or driving near drunks, so yeah.

21. What have you done this summer that’s special? Pictures please.

I haven't done anything this summer to speak of. Our vacations this year are April and September, so the summer has been 13 weeks of work. That's fine. But I don't got pix.

22. Have you ever walked into a room with just shoes on?

Well, if shower shoes count as shoes, then yes.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter Meme

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

It's been a very long time. I (hand)write notes to Beast fairly often, but I can't tell you the last time I sent a letter--not a store-bought card with my signature--in the mail.

Can you change the oil on a car?

I could if I wanted to, but I'd really rather just pay someone to do it if/when Beast stops taking care of it.

Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

Yup. No clue if I was actually speeding, but since then I am careful to set my cruise control for the exact speed limit on that road.

Run out of gas?

Nope. Not quite, though I've been within a few miles of it more than once.

Favorite kind of sandwich?

Roast beef with horseradish and swiss on wheat bread. Or flat cheese and potato chip on white bread with butter.

Best thing to eat for breakfast?

Donuts.

What is your usual bedtime?

It hovers around 9, but I almost always read or do puzzles for awhile before I sleep.

Are you lazy?

For sure. I'm the queen of this!

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

I remember a clown costume and a rabbit costume vividly and absolutely nothing else. I know I was costumed every year though.

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

I do. I still get Ms., Entertainment Weekly, and a Presbyterian Church publication.

Which are better, Legos or Lincoln Logs?

Lincoln Logs, but only if they're wooden!

Are you stubborn?

Oh my God, yes!

Who is better…Leno or Letterman?

Uhm. Aren't they both gone now? I didn't really care for either of their shows.

Ever watch soap operas?

Not for 25 years.

Afraid of heights?

Nope.

Sing in the car?

All the time.

Dance in the shower?

This seems very dangerous. No.

Dance in the car?

Yes. Also dangerous, but I'm careful.

Ever used a gun?

Not a real one.

Do you think musicals are cheesy?

I LOVE musicals!! The cheesier the better.

Is Christmas stressful?

Yes!!

Ever eat a pierogi?

Uh, yeah. I've been to Milwaukee and other places where lots of Polish people settled back in the day.

Major annoyance right now?

Beast's health tops everything. It's like a freaking brush fire: neck fixed, shoulder flares and subsides, week-long flu bug, self-pity, numb fingers, post-nasal drip that never ends, alcohol more or less off the table (he says), depression, soreness from PT or therapeutic massage, achy joints from weather weirdness, sinus problems develop into an endless cough, complete lack of stamina, minor Lyme disease, and now we've spotted another bulging disc in this thoracic region! That doesn't even get into the glucose and blood-sugar issues. So basically, I'm married to an 80-year-old.

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Grocery checker, teacher, the usual girl stuff, and writer of course.

Do you believe in ghosts?

I believe in something like ghosts.

The past is what makes up who we are. Don't let it become your burden

(Swiped from Amy, the Source of All Goodness)

How tall are you?

171 cm or so.

Do you have a hidden talent and if so, what?

The speed at which I can alphabetize paper slips is astounding. Then there's my rapid-fire updating of OCLC records. But my best talent is sleeping, even when in a situation that would find most people with eyes uncloseable.

What is your biggest blog-related pet peeve?

I guess it's those people who think that because they can post something up on a website it endows them with the same skills as someone who has studied journalism and made a career of it. I have a specific site in mind (they call themselves "County Watchdogs" but really they're just mean-spirited gossips), but I'm not limiting myself to them. "Citizen Journalism" is unreliable at best.

What is your biggest non-blog-related pet peeve?

Meanness. Why we gotta be so bloody MEAN to each other all the time??

What’s your favorite song?

Depends on the day. Of late, "St. Teresa" (Joan Osborne) has been popping up with some regularity.

What’s your favorite Etsy shop?

I don't think I've ever bought anything from anyone on Etsy, but I follow the Tumblr of the woman who does this shop and she (and her work) cracks me up.

What’s your favorite way to spend your free time when you’re alone?

Reading, puzzling (as in Sudoku and crosswords), Facebooking. Mostly in that order.

What’s your favorite junk food?

Those damned Lofthouse iced sugar cookies.

Do you have a pet or pets?

We are down to just Pintobean the guinea pig. Unless you count the dust dinosaurs....

What are your number one favorite non-fiction and fiction books?

Overall, the Kent Haruf novels are my favorites. I mean as the story of the town of Holt. Nonfiction....hmmm, the one that's keeping my sanity the best is probably someone Al-Anon related. A lot of the stuff is inane and insipid, but there's almost always a little nugget of thought-provoking stuff to chew on.

What’s your favorite beauty product?

Burt's Bees lip balm. Not the mango, but the peppermint stuff is wonderful!

When were you last embarrassed and what happened?

I'm mortified that I've been incredibly credible. Again. Why do I believe what people tell me rather than believing the evidence my senses are screaming at me?!

If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Diet Dr. Pepper.

What’s your favorite movie?

The ones that make me laugh the hardest--for obviously different reasons--are Paint Your Wagon, RHPS, and Heathers. The best one EVER is Shoah, but you best bring a truck of Kleenex, some ulcer meds, and something to chew on to keep from screaming, and do NOT watch it if at all depressed.

What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep etc.?

I was co-valedictorian--six of us were within 1/100th in GPA so they weenied out and refused to pick one (I was probably 3 or 4 out of about 300 in my class)--and a huge band-nerd-slash-brainiac.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Right now, that house on Tierra del Fuego, or in the middle of the Mojave, sounds fabulous.

PC or Mac?

PC, because I haven't use an Apple product since approximately 1987. I don't hate them, but it's just easier to use the same basic product at home and at work. This minimizes the hassle in sending files back and forth--though I think nowadays that's less of a problem. It used to be a huge hassle.

Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boyfriend/girlfriend?

Hah! First of all, I'm married, nearly 30 years in at this point. Secondly, Beast is not exactly Mr. Romantic. However, he did surprise me with those damned sugar cookies recently. ;-)

Favorite celeb?

I don't really like "celebs." There are a lot of famous people that I like because they are doing good and admirable things: Jimmy Carter, Meredith Vieiera, Michelle Obama, even Prince Charles. I don't tend to care too much about people who are famous for being famous (I'm looking at you, Housewives and Kardashians and Survivor has-beens, et al.).

Which blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with?

I am friends with several of the bloggers I follow. One of my besties IRL and several who've crossed into Facebook-friendships. Now that is some weird shit there. If we're talking Big Famous People....Lynne Murphy from this blog is my idol. Funny and smart, and clever, and real.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Gag Me Meme

Do you have a sensitive gag reflex?

Not particularly, definitely not as bad as people who can't help clean up a "situation" because they're afraid they'll contribute more vomit. I once worked with someone with nearly-grown children who told me she couldn't handle when the kids got sick because then she would too. WTF? It's not fun, but really?

Where are you the most ticklish?

Like I'm gonna TELL you? Hah! I learned young that you don't give that kind of info to your older brot.... uhm, enemies!

What was the last situation to upset you?

Sparky made a comment on Facebook yesterday upon which one of his friends commented. I responded and was let us just say underwhelmed by his attitude toward my response, education, my job, and me. I left quickly thereafter; Beast continued the conversation private, but about 45 minutes ago he finally threw in the towel. There is no one so ignorant as a know-it-all recent college grad.

Have you ever had an online argument?

Oops, well, yes. This was only the most recent. I am, actually, much quicker to call myself out when things devolve. I also am VERY unafraid of the Block function on Facebook. Some people are just irritating on purpose, and whether they mean to be or not, I don't need more hassle than I've already got.

Do you like to listen to music while filling out surveys (memes)?

Nope, usually it's TV. Right now it's my Howie (Long) and crew on FOX NFL. I love Howie...sigh

How long do you spend on the phone each day, on average?

Talking on the phone? Less than 1. I don't like talking on the phone, but I use my phone for a lot of other things besides phone calls.

Is anything in your hair right now, like gel, hairspray, etc.?

Nope. It's still too humid for product. Once winter really arrives, I'll start using gel again.

When was the last time you were up before the sun? Do you like wearing sunglasses? Why or why not?

What do these questions have to do with each other, really? I'm up before sunrise about 50% of the time overall. Unless you count insomnia in which case, I'm up before the sun every night. My sunglasses are my glasses--they have magic lenses that darken in sunlight. I haven't ever worn sunglasses in my life, except Rx ones.

Last show you watched?

We're watching foo'baw now, just switched to the Cowboys-Eagles game. Hi, CC! [she and my bro live in Dallas; she's originally from Philly]

Next vacation you’re going on?

We're doing a run through the Ozarks next month. I'm going to Mansfield, MO. If you need to ask why there, you're clearly not addicted to the childhood books I am.

Do you regret doing anything you’ve done this week?

How about just today?? I regret stuff almost hourly. Nothing major today, to be fair, but there are some things I wish I'd've done yesterday that are still looming. And some other stuff that I missed the boat.

Last night you felt?

Yes. I did. { snerk }

What are you wearing right now?

Gray cotton capris, gray T-shirt that says "Born Free" on it, underwear, jewelry and a hair clip to keep my bangs off my face.

Have you ever kissed underneath the stars?

Yup. In fact, that's where most of my early kisses happened.

What are you doing now?

Watching TV and answering circular questions.

What plans do you have for tonight?

The Pack plays tonight!! We'll probably order a 'za to eat while we watch. And we need to tidy up the house for the cleaning ladies this week.

What’s the very first thing you do when you wake up, other than breathe?

Look at the clock and figure out if I need to get up or if this is one of the usual many false-alarms: 12:28, 3:12, 5:01...

Do you like reading?

Huh. Yeah. It's ok.

Do you ever think about stuff and start crying?

I occasionally think about people and cry. Things? Not so much.

Have you ever kicked a vending machine?

Uh, no. That would be counterproductive. Remember, I grew up in the era of "TILT" on pinball machines....

Do people consider you smart?

Probably. Except people who think they're smarter than me. ;-)

Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone?

This sounds like some sort of existential question that I'm not really equipped to answer today. Anyway, I think Beckett died before the Internet Age was upon us.

Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you?

Very much so. While I wouldn't say I'm hyper-aware, I am usually pretty clear on where people are and what's going on in a broad sense.

How much money did you spend yesterday?

Not a thin dime. I didn't leave my yard, and I didn't shop online.

Is there anything in your past that you’d like to try again?

Sure. Lots of things. I've a long and storied past, some events of which would be a blast to relive.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Under

1. What goes under grape jelly?

   ...bread? I don't actually use grape jelly--there's none in the house.

2. What goes under your car?

   The road.

3. What gets under your skin?

   The most minor things. Nasal voices. Whining. The fact that it has been nearly non-stop fireworks around the neighborhood for two weeks. Humidity.

4. What’s the underlying cause of your latest figurative headache?

   Actually, there hasn't been anything particularly headache-inducing lately, just the usual frustrations of not getting traction at work because of staffing levels.

5. What do your underlings generally think of you?

   I think they're ok with me, usually, though I would be hard-pressed to remember ever calling them underlings. I don't think the issues I have at work have anything to do with the people I supervise.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Can’t Help Myself I’m Falling

1. When did you last trip and fall?

   I went ass-over-teakettle two weeks ago Tuesday when I was in the parking garage by the hospital. Sheet ice. I haven't tripped and fallen in awhile. I do a lot of sliding into falling.

2. What’s a fond memory you have of this past autumn?

   We rented a cottage about 100 yards from one of the Big Lakes for a weekend. It was a good weekend, till Beast decided to get loaded on the last night. That wasn't awesome. 2014 was not a year for "fond memory"-making.

3. What’s a nice waterfall you’ve visited?

   Hardraw Force is amazing and pretty close to perfect. Plus, the only access to the base is through a pub, which is just so very British.

4. What are your thoughts on Jimmy Fallon as host of The Tonight Show?

   I like him, but I never watch any late-night TV. I'm in bed by then every night.

5. Who has most recently fallen out of your favor?

   I'm feeling pretty cheerful about most people lately. Beast did fall, literally, last weekend in a way that hacked me off bigtime, and ended up in the ER for a few hours. He hasn't fallen out of favor exactly, but he's definitely not at the top of my Reliable and Trustworthy List right now.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
summer meme

Favorite summer flower:

Roses. Garden roses, not long-stem.

Flavor of ice cream:

Caramel. Peppermint. Birthday cake.

Mode of transportation:

Car. I used to enjoy flying, but it is such a freakin' hassle now. I do enjoy trains though too. Just not U.S. trains.

Music:

Seriously? I listen to everything. My Spotify 'favorites' list is about 35 hours long.

Food:

Carbs.

Favorite game to play:

Trivial Pursuit, but no one will play against me.

Earliest childhood summer memory:

Endless hot, sweaty, dirty summers.

Favorite drink:

Diet Dr. Pepper. I like Stoli too: neat, rocks, or mixed.

Favorite snack:

Cookies. Really, almost anything sweet.

Place to read:

Anywhere, but I guess bed gets the edge.

Most annoying:

I am pretty annoyed with a bunch of things at work, the place itself AND the profession at large.

How I handle the heat:

I stay out of it.

Pet peeve:

People who don't listen, especially those who don't listen because they think they know everything.

All-time favorite bathing suit:

I had a couple of teeny bikinis back in the day....

Best time of day:

Morning, once I'm awake-ish, but before I have to do any work.

Most romantic:

Taking the time to listen to another person and spend time in ways they like, good food, relaxation.

Summer movie:

Oh, hell, I don't know.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
90, part 2

30. Do you read your horoscope?

Not unless it's sitting there in front of me.

31. Where was the last place you bought something?

I went grocery shopping yesterday and then stopped for breakfast at BK.

32. How do you feel about your hair right now?

It's a bit wind-blown and probably a little trashed, but overall I have few hair issues.

33. Do you bite your nails?

Yup, more's the pity.

34. Do you have any expensive jewelry?

I do. Not outrageously expensive, but two rings with gems, a couple of fancy necklaces and several pairs of gemstone earrings. I think there's a squash-blossom set similar to this somewhere too; that was my mother-in-law's and I haven't worn it yet. If I lived about 900 miles west and south, I'd be tempted to wear it every damn day though.

35. Have you ever been told you speak fast?

Yes. I speak about twice the speed I grew up speaking. People east of the Mississippi and north of about the 40-degree latitude line talk fuckingfast!

36. Is your laugh usually hearty?

Not 'usually' but occasionally it's loud, yes.

37. How fast have you driven a car?

I've hit 90 while passing people. It's not just talking people do fast around here.

38. Have you ever smoked?

Only while angry, from the ears.

39. What was your favorite subject in school?

I did well in most subjects, but preferred English and History.

40. Do you have cell phone provider loyalty?

Not really. We use Sprint now, and it's been fine. Inertia tends to rule in this area.

41. What type of boy or girl do you usually fall for?

I don't really have a type, unless we're talking about the under-5-years-old set. Then, a cute grin and a giggle melts my heart.

42. Do you have any hidden talents?

They're pretty well hidden from me as well. I can alphabetize at warp speed; does that count?

43. Favorite song?

We sang part of "Amazing Grace" at church today. I love that song.

44. Do you like to sing at all?

Yes, I do. I don't necessarily sound great, but I do like singing.

45. Dream job?

What I do now, only doing it at home without the annoying people.

46. Where does most of your family live?

I have family at the following latitudes/longitudes: 52°N/1°W, 51°N/2°W, 40°N/3°W, 40°N/73°W, 36°N/82°W, 41°N/88°W, 42°N/87°W, 43°N/88°W, 32°N/96°W, 32°N/97°W, and 38°N/107°W. There is no "most"--the most at any of those locations is 4, and the least is 1.

47. Are you an only child or do you have siblings?

My parents raised 5 kids to adulthood. Three of us are still hanging on.

48. Would you consider yourself to be spoiled?

I am very spoiled.

49. What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?

Today? "Mmmph, snooze alarm" probably sums it up.

50. Do you drink?

Of course, or I'd be dead. I have an occasional glass of wine, and I love me some Stoli, but I rarely have it anymore.

51. Know any other languages?

I can make do in Spanish, and I can read several other European languages, kinda.

52. Ever write a coded message?

When I was about 10, yes. Sometimes I feel like I'm speaking in code all the time, or maybe just a completely different language from what those around me are capable of understanding.

53. Have you ever been in someone else's wedding?

Yes. Quite a few times, actually.

54. Do you have any children?

I have one.

55. Did you take a nap today?

I predict there may be a short one in my future today.

56. Who has the same birthday as you?

Two high school friends were born on the same day as me in the same hospital. As for famous people, Wikipedia says I share date and year with an American actor and singer, an American journalist, blogger, and activist, and a Japanese actor, none of whom I've ever heard of. One of the Bay City Rollers was born on my birthday; I never knew that! Thank you, Wikipedia.

57. Ever met anyone famous before?

I met Stephen T0b0l0wski briefly once.

58. Do you want to be famous one day?

HELL no.

59. Any pet peeves?

Soooo many!! lol Trying to pare them down, but I have to say that intentional, cultivated stupidity is probably the biggest one overall.

60. Are you multitasking right now?

Well, sort of: Beast is flipping back and forth between the U.S. Open (golf) and the Michigan 400 (NASCAR) but I'm not paying a lot of attention to that. They're both serving to put me to sleep. See #55.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Blues in the Night (1952)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Was last night a good night for you? Or were you singing the blues?

It was ok. Took over 4 hours to settle into deep sleep, and I woke up way too early, but otherwise it was fine.

2) In this song, Rosemary Clooney sings about hearing "big talk" she didn't quite believe. What's the last fib, tall tale or out and out lie you heard?

Right now I'm trying to decide if something someone said last night was true or not. I may just have a touch of paranoia. Otherwise, the standard, "I'm fine" is one I hear every day.

3) Rosemary Clooney has a well-known nephew -- George, the Oscar winner and frequent People magazine cover story. Do you have any nieces or nephews?

I have four of each, and four great-nephews. We seem to be lacking in the girl genes in the latest generation, but I love them all, even though none of them is famous. Well, one is an elected person at city level, but otherwise, no famous people.

4) Ms. Clooney married the same man twice. They married, had five children and divorced. Then three years later, they tried again ... and divorced again. Have you ever been tempted to give it another try with one of your former loves?

I broke up with my high school boyfriend who eventually wore me down and we started dating again briefly. He had far more invested in our future together than I did.

5) Singers as diverse as Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler and Amy Winehouse have said they admired and were influenced by Rosemary Clooney. If you could meet any artist (singer, writer, actor, director, painter, musician ...), who would it be?

It would be a hoot to hang with U2 for a day or two, in the studio and out.

6) 1952, the year this record was a hit, is also the year the "Big Bang Theory" was introduced by physicists Ralph Alpher and George Gamow. That is too lofty a topic for this humble meme, so instead we'll just ask: Do you watch the TV show of the same name?

Nope. I hear enough about it second- and third-hand, thankyouverymuch.

7) Sam Winters just broke her right thumbnail. While she won't go so far as saying it has her singing the blues, she must admit it bugs her. What little annoyances are you dealing with today?

The usual: my pants are too tight, I have too many shoes to store effectively, my house isn't as clean as I'd like (or as tidy), and I'm tired. But really, it's a gorgeous day and I've gotten a fair amount accomplished, so I'm not all that irritated really.

8) The house next door to Sam's has a FOR SALE on the lawn. Are you contemplating a move?

No! Perish the thought. Beast is, however, contemplating a rummage sale. This is nearly as awful as moving, but if it means getting rid of a bunch of stuff we've had stored for over 3 years now from his parents' house, I'm in.

9) What's your search engine of choice: Google, Bing, Yahoo or Ask?

Google.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The 20Q Meme

1. When you buy a greetings [sic] card are the words or the picture more important to you?

Words. Often it's a two-fer situation, however. [I'm amused that this is starting out as a Brit-meme]

2. What's your favorite kind of cake?

Yes. lol OK, I prefer white cake and frosting, lots of frosting.

3. Do you ever make gifts for people, if so what, or do you buy them?

I mostly buy things. Crafts are not my thing.

4. You are chosen to have lunch with the President. The condition is you only get to ask one question. What do you ask?

This is going to be a long, and quiet, lunch if I can only ask one question. I'd probably blow it with "How are you today?" What I really want to know, however, is what he thinks of a Hillary/Michelle (or vice versa) ticket for 2016.

5. Which do you dislike most: pop-up ads or spam email?

Pop-ups. Though, since those have been effectively blocked on my computers and I still get the occasional spam email in various accounts...maybe spam. I just don't understand how spammers make money--who clicks on these things??

6. What was the best party you've ever been to?

Wow. Uh, there've been some really awesome staff Christmas parties in the past: which white elephant sucks the most? But I'm sort of partial to Beast's surprise party for finishing grad school. He was totally gobsmacked when he arrived--and it was our pastor at the time who kept him out of our house while things were set up.

7. Which is worse, being in a place that is too loud, or too quiet?

Too loud.

8. You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50. You are then told that you may either keep it or exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty. Do you keep the first envelope, or do you take your chances with the second?

Go big or go home: I'll be trading. After all, I'm no worse off than I was to start if the second envelope is empty.

9. Do you wish cellphone etiquette was a required class upon purchasing one?

Good God, I just wish people had common sense. While on vacation, I stopped in the bathroom of a restaurant as we were leaving. A woman who had been seated nearby came in a few minutes later on her cell phone WHICH WAS ON SPEAKER! So I rattled the TP holder good and loud, flushed (twice), fumbled loudly the stall door, banged on the paper towel holder. Really, people. Phone calls in the bathroom are NOT . OK.
On the up side, this hasn't happened to me in quite a long time so most people seem to have figured this out. I wonder if this is ever an issue in men's rooms?

10. What's the most messed up food combination that you've had that was actually good?

Uhm. If it tastes good I don't consider it messed up. But getting past the messed-up concept can be a stumbling-block. I don't often feel adventuresome.

11. What's one of your most random pet peeves (something that annoys you)?

Aside from phone calls in public restrooms? hah Slackers. I work with one. She really needs a boot up her ass that will loft her out the door, permanently. Such a freakin' waste of space, air, and salary.

12. When is the last time you had home cooking?

I made chili on Friday. Last of the season. It's quite spicy--chorizo FTW.

13. If you could be a fictional character from a book who would you choose?

Nancy Drew of course.

14. If you could be in a television sit-com, which would you choose?

For various reasons, Gilligan's Island is appealing today. I'd prefer to live on the "other side of the island" though, if at all possible. Maybe me and the Professor could share accommodations....

15. If you could be any animal or creature for one day, what would it be?

Wolf.

16. What's your favorite girl's name?

Jo.

17. What's your favorite boy's name?

David.

18. What's your supermarket of choice?

Meijer. Though I'm a new fan of Peapod, too.

19. If you were to attend a costume party tonight, what or whom would you go as?

Myself, thankyouverymuch. I don't really 'do' costumes anymore.

20. What is your concession stand must-have at the movies?

SweetTarts or Skittles. Well, and a drink.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Fast Dozen Meme

1. What is the last book that you passed on to someone else to read?

   I haven't done this in a very long time. I've found that beloved books aren't universally beloved.

2. The one song you secretly or not so secretly want to sing at karaoke?

   Something really easy, that's for sure! Mostly because I secretly (or not) have zero interest in karaoke.

3. If you had to pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?

   Jo. I'd probably stick with my dad's last name. I find it amusing.

4. What do you wish your administrator or boss would notice?

   How hard I'm working to NOT SCREAM AT certain people who ANNOY THE CRAP out of me at work.

5. What is your biggest pet peeve?

   Intentional and planned-out stupidity.

6. What holds you back in pursuing your biggest dream?

   Laziness.

7. Why do you think you are a lovable person?

   Hmm. Well, I don't stink, I don't snore (much, loudly), I can cook, I'm generally agreeable. What's not to love?

8. If every day had an extra hour in it, what would you do with it?

   Sleep.

9. The last song you turned up in your car or house was?

   I haven't listened to any music in the care lately. I did have the radio on yesterday while I filed paperwork but I honestly don't remember one single song.

10. What is a secret talent you may have?

    I'm really good at proofreading OTHER people's stuff. I can't find my own errors, but yours will be a piece of cake!

11. Your favorite thing to do outside when it's not too cold out in the winter?

    Stand in the sun and absorb Vitamin D.

12. How do you respond if someone asks you an inappropriate or nosy question?

    "Really?" Or I just laugh. You wouldn't believe how often I get asked weird things at work. Everything from "When are you due?" (uh, not pregnant) to "Are you sure you never worked in [nearby suburb]?" (yes, pretty sure I'd know if I had) to "How much do you make?" (public record, but you have to do the legwork).

Thursday 13

Things Starting with I

1. Imps. This word reminds me of a friend who uses it as a 'handle' online. It's made up of the initials of all the members of her household.
2. Insipid. There is a lot of this in the world. Mostly it doesn't bother me, but sometimes I just want to scream at Teh Stoopud.
3. Indexer. One career I briefly considered. I imagine there are still people who specialize in this, but there can't be many now that computers do the actual work. Too bad. It sounds like fun.
4. Inverness. Possibly one of the prettiest cities in the U.K., especially on warm summer nights.
5. Iatrogenic. I recently learned the meaning for this word. It's definitely not something you want to hear at the doctor's office, or the hospital. But quite often you will experience iatrogenic reactions to medication. One can hope they are mild.
6. Idle. I idle away far too much of my time. It's not good.
7. Insects. There's a 6-year-old boy who visits the library semi-regularly with his mom--an employee--who has made it a habit of coming to visit me to take the plastic bugs out of my desk so he can "scare" the Head of Circ by arranging them on her desk. I need to restock; some of them have disappeared. I'm hoping to last till Halloween.
8. Icing. The best part of the cake. No contest.
9. Invalid. Interesting how this can be pronounced two different ways that mean such completely different things. ...or not, I guess... Probably why one of the pronunciations is now considered extremely non-P.C.
10. Islam. Consider this challenge: make a list of every single thing you 'know' about Islam. Then double check. Probably mostly what you 'know' isn't true, assuming your list even has anything on it.
11. Intellectual. I think I hang around with too many people with big brains. It may be making me into a snob. I hope not; I fight it.
12. Island. I would love to own one. Of course, it has to be one with all mod cons, including internet and trash pickup, and a not-too-complicated way to rejoin the world when I'm ready.
13. Inspire. In the past week, at least two people at work have said that something I did or said inspired them to do something. What? Well, one of them has said over and over that because I stopped coloring my hair she has felt emboldened to do the same. Since she's got me by at least 12 or 13 years, and since she did her own hair-dying, it's only right that she let it grow out. Still, she doesn't know what to do with it now, and that's too bad. [I don't remember what the other 'inspirational' thing was...surely something equally important.]

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
The Way We Were

1) In honor of Valentine's Day next week, what's the most romantic movie you can think of?

Of those I've seen, I have to hand it to Dr. Zhivago for making frigid cold look sexy, which it's decidedly NOT. But yeah, a great love story, among other things.

2) The Way We Were was a tearjerker. Do you think that most real-life love stories end in heartbreak? Or do you believe in happily ever after?

I do NOT believe in "happily ever after" at all! I do think that love means there will be heartbreak, because no one can live up to the perception of those first heady days of head-over-heels attraction. Eventually, the loved one will do something dumb/hurtful. That's when the rubber meets the road: is it love or just being-in-love-with-love?

3) What's your favorite love song?

"You're My Home" by Billy Joel and "The Sweetest Thing" by U2, though I also really like "Fuckin' Perfect" by Pink a whole lot.

4) In 1993, Barbra Streisand married actor James Brolin, who first became famous as Dr. Steven Kiley on Marcus Welby, MD. Who is your favorite TV doctor?

lol This is going to sound weird, but I really like Dr. G for her no-nonsense attitude and dedication to truth and kindness. In the spirit of the question, however, I'll toss in Dr. Kovač from ER. Ooh, the naughty thoughts about him...!

5) In 2012, Streisand renewed her contract with Columbia, where's she's been recording since 1963. So she's been with the same label for fifty years! Where have you worked the longest, and how long was that?

Well, I've been at my current place of work for 17 years, I've been a mom for 20 (unless you count pregnancy as part of momhood), and a wife for 26.5. I only get financially recompensed for one of those, of course.

6) Sam Winters once worked as a hostess in a chic bistro in Worcester, PA. That's why she frequently gets frustrated by bad service in restaurants -- she's certain she could make it run more smoothly. Where do you find yourself getting annoyed most often?

I don't really get annoyed in retail establishments very often, certainly not at the staff (unless they're just unpleasant or stupid). I do get irritated with other shoppers, however. And drivers who aren't paying attention make me INSANE with frustration! Seriously: hang up and drive!

7) Have you ever taken a polygraph test?

Nope. I wonder if I'd pass?

8) Crunchy, smooth or organic peanut butter?

Smooth. Peter Pan or Jif, either one is fine.

9) Describe your favorite sweater.

It's all stretched out, cozy, comfy, a little snagged and torn in spots, soft and WARM. It's an odd combination of maroons and dark green and blue stripes with a heavy turtleneck. It's also reserved for the really yucky and/or coldest days. Mostly I wear fleece in the winter; less itchy than anything else I can find, though I'm thinking a couple of silk long-sleeved undershirts may be my next purchase. I'm ripping the skin off my arms and torso like mad this year!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Who Are You Meme

1. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Normally, my answer for this is "intentional stupidity" but I think I need to get over this because I really see it too often to dwell on it; all it will do is shorten my life. So...pet peeve...let's see. I think I'll go with cold feet, which I have right now. But! I can do something about that.

2. Where and when were you born?

I was born nearly half a century ago at Porter Memorial Hospital, in Denver.

3. Where did your parents meet?

They were set up on a blind date by friends Lucille and Richie; Richie was Dad's friend and...hmmm, maybe Lucille went to church with Mom? I'm not sure. Anyway. Lucille was the school secretary at my high school when I attended there, and she and her husband lived in the only other house with the same floor plan as the house in which I grew up. Yes, my dad built them both.

4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like in four words?

Sigh....
Marie: serious, oldest, healthiest, bossy
Ellen: funny, tactless, redheaded, dead
Jean: librarian, English, idealistic, dead
Del: male, firefighter, irritating, loud

5. Where do you live now, and with whom?

I live in northern Flyover Country with Beast and the two (guinea) pigs. And Sparky, when he deigns to come home from college.

6. What is your occupation?

I'm a librarian at a small-to-medium-sized public library.

7. Write a full description of yourself.

Uhm, sorry, no. Read the damn blog(s).

8. To which social class do you belong?

OK, I have been REALLY good so far, but I can't maintain the snark-free answers when faced with this. Don't you know we have no class in America? (in all senses) We are a classless society, y'all. Actually, I do sort of believe this, in the permanent, immutable, can't-ever-leave-the-class-you're-born-into sense. In the poor/rich/middle, of course we have classes.

9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?

I have a great deal of dis-ease, a bucketload of allergies, and virtually no physical strength. But my brain? My brain is in pretty good shape, all things considered.

10. Are you right- or left-handed?

Right. Which isn't to say I don't actually HAVE a left hand....

11. What does your voice sound like?

I think I have a very weird accent, a blend of western overlaid with midwest, but I try to keep my voice under control. I do whinge a lot, though. Hate that.

12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?

You mean aside from the big Anglo-Saxon guns? I guess the winners might be "Actually", "Really," and "and."

13. What do you have in your pockets?

I'm not currently wearing anything with pockets. Normally I have chapstick and my phone in my pockets. If I'm at work, I also have my work keys.

14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?

You left out tics. ;-) None of my mannerisms or habits are at all strange or annoying to me, though I'm sure others find them BEYOND irritating and bizarre. Probably better to ask them. I do have a very loud laugh when I'm surprised by something, and when I'm drifting off to sleep my feet waggle around. That has driven Beast nuts for 26 years now.

Which brings us full-circle back to feet. Tra-la.

Monday Listicles

(Link in meme-roll)
10 Sounds That Drive Me Bonkers

1. The background music for "How It Works" on Discovery. Bad porn music + 80s videogame "soundtracks" = me leaving the room.
2. Endlessly barking dogs
3. Car horns
4. Whining
5. Arguments
6. People yelling into their cell phones
7. Babies/Children who need attention but have been ignored so long that they're desperate
8. Stealth giggling. Call me paranoid. ;-)
9. People yapping about non-work stuff when I'm trying to focus on something (in the workroom, i.e. my "office")
10. Squeaky chalkboards

OK, so these are arranged more by location than anything else, although #1 is definitely #1-most-annoying! After that, it's mostly home-based noises, and then not-home, and then specifically work.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

(found here)
#85

1. The summer Olympics begin next week and London is playing host. If you had the chance to go in person what (non-Olympic) London site would you most like to visit?

Hmm, ok, I'm banning anything I've already done. So, maybe I'll get to Covent Garden, and walk the Serpentine, or do more than just the river area on the south side of the Thames. Hey, a boat on the Thames might be good. How about inside Parliament; do they do tours? There are also close to a hundred Underground stations I haven't explored.... And the changing of the guard at Buck House. Preferably on a not-crowded day (ha ha ha ha).

2. What is something in your life right now that feels like an Olympic event?

Work. Work sux right now; who am I kidding--it's sucked pretty solidly for 3 years now. Today was an Olympic event all by itself. I anticipate more marathon training for the next 6 weeks too. Good Lord, I hope the end of the rainbow brings sunshine and roses for all!

3. What's your favorite supper to prepare and serve when it's too hot to cook?

Huh, definitely not a question you should ask me: when I don't want to cook, we order out or have the house specialty known familiarly as "Fend." As in "fend for yourself: if it's not nailed down or furry-green, it's yours to eat!"

4. July 18th is National Get Out of the Doghouse Day...when was the last time you were 'in the doghouse?'

For real? Feels like I've been visiting there quite a lot in the past several months, but honestly all my coolest toys and blankets are there, so I don't much mind anymore.

5. What television commercial do you find particularly irritating or inappropriate? You may not answer with 'all of them'. I know some of you were thinking about it.

I really hate the GEICO Caveman ads, and anything else of that ilk. Actually, most of the GEICO ads annoy me; those eyeballs are bad too. Let's see... This is hard because we pretty much always mute the ads. OH! The Ci@lis/Vi@gr@ ads! Those things are the absolute worst. Ever notice how about half of them have no women in them at all?

6. Share one interesting piece of news from the year you were born.

Kennedy was shot. That's all anyone remembers about that year. It was also the year the Beatles hit it big in England, but they hadn't 'crossed over' yet. And for the geeks in the crowd, the first X-Men comic debuted.

7. What's the best part of your average day?

Going to sleep. Yes, I'm aware that makes me a very sad person.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I miss being able to participate in our church's VBS. I was there part of Monday morning and most of yesterday, but I can't come to the finale. Sad.

#86

1. The Summer Olympics officially begin this Friday...will you be watching? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?

I love the Olympics; they bring back good memories from my childhood (in spite of the fact that my earliest clear Olympic memory is of Jim McKay talking about these weirdos wearing black hoods and standing on balconies with guns which wasn't very exciting to this 9-year-old--go back to Mark Spitz, already! Yeah, Munich, 1972. No, I'm really looking forward to the swimming and diving, and I love watching the gymnasts. And the runners. Wow, the track and field stuff just really is fun. I'm even looking forward to the marathon, which was really interesting to watch in Athens. Sigh. Can't . Wait .

2. Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

I love "down" days, with a pure piercing passion that ... doesn't really go with being lazy. Nothing better than the day stretching out in front of you with nothing planned. Heaven.

3. July 25 is 'officially' Threading the Needle day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?

Although my mother hated sewing, she made sure each of us girls (not my brother, though he's picked it up as an adult, for mending, etc.) knew our way around a needle and thread and a sewing machine. Mostly what I learned from Mom about sewing was the tension in the air whenever she made something. I don't find it fun, but I can make curtains and rehem pants.

4. Threading the Needle can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?

I feel like I have to do this at work all the time. There are the patrons, some of whom are mildly unbalanced and some of whom are ready to come completely unhinged at the drop of a paperclip. And then there's the petty bullshit that I can't stand, from a couple of staff members. Ugh. Headphones, take me away (when I'm cataloging, not when I'm sitting at the reference desk, of course!).

5. Kidney, pinto, black, or navy-your favorite bean?

I'm not fussy, but I also don't have a big love affair going on with beans. I guess I like garbanzos and refrieds, probably because they're the highest in Something Bad for Me.

6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?

We've done a couple of them over the years. I loathe them. All our unused/unwanted items go directly to thrift shops now. We probably made a couple of hundred dollars at the ones we had, but it was so completely not work all the work and hassle.

7. What makes you roll your eyes?

Teh Stoopud. Sometimes I worry that I roll my eyes so much they're going to roll right out of my head, which--if it happened to someone else--would make me roll my eyes harder. But wow, some things, the only thing you can do is look heavenward, right? lol

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My boss gave her notice at the end of last week. My first reaction: "THANK GOD!" My next reaction: "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out!" This woman is an emotional and professional train-wreck, and she's not been a boon to the library, though in fairness I have to say that nearly anyone would have struggled; the economic situation in the past three years has been (uh, duh) hard. However, today's staff meeting nearly did me in. I'm beginning to think we should just play Bob at these meetings and take a shot every time she fails to answer a direct question. We'd all be blotto in 15 minutes. There is that niggling voice in my head that we could do worse than here--and believe me, I know whereof I speak. I was just talking to someone last week about how library administration seems to attract the worst candidates. I think I just found my new topic of Prayer Without Ceasing, at least till September.