Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Animate
I had occasion Thursday to think about the Chinese zodiac, which I put absolutely no stock in except for its cultural value in the state where I live, which has an enormous Asian population. These questions were inspired by those thoughts.

1. In what ways are you like an ox?

   I seem to have the overall constitution of an ox. I tend to just keep plugging along physically through most of life's swervy bits.

2. In what ways are you like a rabbit?

   I tend to hop from project to project with very little forethought or planning.

3. In what ways are you like a snake?

   I don't (usually) strike without warning. You do have to pay attention, though, because the warning is often subtle.

4. In what ways are you like a goat?

   I eat almost anything. I'm pretty sure I've recently eaten at least one slightly moldy slice of bread and maybe some moldy cheese. Still upright. {see #1}

5. In what ways are you like a rooster?

   I guess...? "...full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" is occasionally my MO.

Sunday Stealing x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
That Alphabet Thing Meme

A: Accent --

I'm Midwestern, so I sound like everyone on TV.
OK, yes, I know that's not true, but I have definitely lost most of my western (Colorado-y) drawl.

B: Breakfast --

Usually a bagel with a couple of slices of cheese. We stopped at Bob Evans the other day on the way home and snagged a box of corn muffins on the way out, so I've had one of those the last couple of mornings. So good!

C: Chore you hate --

I hate doing anything with the floor: vacuuming, sweeping, mopping. Frustratingly unpermanent.

D: Dad's name --

He was named after his grandfather (and my brother's son is named after him). It is a name shared by a book of the New Testament and has been in the top 20 names for boys for the past 95 years, dropping more recently. In fact, up until 1980, it was in the top 5 every year.

E: Essential everyday item --

Glasses.

F: Flavor ice cream --

Peppermint or birthday cake.

G: Gold or silver --

Silver.

H: Hometown --

I grew up not too far from where I-70 and I-25 intersect. In fact, US highways 285 and 85 cross less than a mile from the house in which I grew up.

I: Insomnia --

Yes, you rang? ...
Every night.

J: Job title --

"Head of Technical Services" but actually a Reference Librarian also.

K: Kids --

Love 'em. They crack me up, and make me smile and generally hopeful for the future. I have one of my own, although he'll be 23 on his next birthday. On the other hand, my nieces and nephews are all reproducing now, so I have 7 great-nephews with two babies on the way, due in December-ish. They are all The Most Beautiful Kids in the World.

M: Mother's birthplace --

She was born in the same city in which she gave birth to me.

N: Number of significant others --

Just the one at the moment. Seems like plenty to me, or even one too many sometimes. ;-)

O: Overnight hospital stays --

Two overnight stays totaling 8 nights.

P: Phobia --

I'm not a huge fan of crowds.

Q: Quick at --

Alphabetizing.

R: Religious affiliation --

Presbyterian.

S: Siblings --

Once upon a time there were five of us. We're at three and holding now.

T: Time you wake up --

With an alarm, it runs between 5:45 and 7:30. Otherwise, whenever.

U: Unnatural hair colors --

I added some red to my hair for about 12 years until a few years ago. Since then it's been brown-turning-gray.

V: Vegetable you refuse to eat --

Brussels sprouts. They may be the reason I'm not interested in going to Belgium.

W: Worst habit --

Probably a pretty close race between biting my nails and jumping to conclusions.

X: X-rays --

Mostly dental. Some random torso stuff--do mammos and bone scans count?--and my throat (thyroid, parathyroid).

Y: Yummy --

Cookies!

Z: Zodiac sign --

I'm a Scorp.

___________________________________

Swiped Meme

1. Did someone die in that last movie you watched?

We went and saw A Walk in the Woods a couple of weeks ago. There were no deaths. Well, not exactly "none", but... OOPS? Spoiler alert? (hah) Pretty good, if you're an old fart.

2. Are the trees pretty colors outside for you now or at all?

Ours haven't started changing yet, but those around us are well on their way.

3. Have you ever made a bad first impression on someone's parents?

Probably. I have no idea. Not as a child--I was a good kid well into college. Now, I just don't try very hard unless their child is someone important to me.

4. When's the last time you video recorded something on TV?

We DVR a bunch of shows every week to watch later: CSI: Cyber, NCIS, NCIS:LA and NCIS:NO, Whose Line..., Deadliest Catch, and The Bait, SNL. Beast does Bill Maher's show and several car shows.

5. What is a career you wanted to have when you were younger, and still kind of want to have now?

I wouldn't mind being a teacher, still, if I could just do the teaching part, not the paperwork and parent/admin bullshit.

6. What are your views on sunflowers?

I wasn't aware I needed to have a view on them. I like them. I like their seeds. They need to be planted far from walls or they tip over.

7. What is your favorite incense or candle scent?

"Clean" or vanilla works fine for me.

8. Caramel apples or candy apples?

Caramel always.

9. Have you ever walked into a wall?

I run into walls with shoulders, hips and legs semi-regularly. I ran full-tilt into a wall in gym class when I was 10 or so. Cuz I'm all coordinated like that.

10. Would you ever or do you make your dog wear a bandana?

I have done worse to my dogs in the past, but I no longer have a dog to dress up like Barbie.

11. Do you find dandelions when they're gone all white pretty?

Not particularly. By that point they look like they're weeds, IMO.

12. What makes you laugh?

Baby giggles, silly animals, Whose Line Is It?, puns (smart ones), unexpectedness.

13. The scariest moment of your life?

This past Wednesday was full of Scary. Basically, from 11 a.m. on was one hurdle after another, interspersed with frustration and boredom: figuring out the St. Louis Arch entrance amid the masses of construction, riding up to the top and looking down, waiting for Beast to come back for me in a rather shady-feeling part of town, hearing him say he might be having a heart attack, running to the urgent care to ask for help (their help? calling 911--that's it), driving a rental RV through downtown St. Louis, trying to find a parking place near a hospital I knew nothing about, waiting for treatment (for 5 hours), Beast being in so much pain he was on the verge of throwing up, walking to the parking lot (twice) in the dark in a not-great part of town, driving the RV back across town to an RV site and setting it up, sleeping alone in it, packing it up in the morning and driving BACK to the hospital.... Those were the highlights.

14. What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought lately?

I got some cute S&Ps before vacation went south. And a good overview book about Mary Lincoln.

15. What’s the worst you’ve had to do because of losing a bet?

I don't think I've ever made the kind of bet that requires me to do anything besides pay up. And I never gamble more than I'm willing to lose.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Stay with Me (2014)
... because Kwizgiver recommended it
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Sam Smith explains that this song is about just not wanting to wake up alone. How about you? Are you comfortable being by yourself?

I adore being alone. Alone is awesome. Part of the reason for feeling this way is having learned to entertain myself as a child, being the youngest of 5, far younger than everyone else. My nearest sib moved permanently out of the house when I was about 10. There weren't really too many kids in the neighborhood. And nowadays, Beast travels for work and is gone probably 60% of each month. I come home to an empty house during the work-week a lot. It's nice not to have to be social after a long day of sociability at work.

2) Last year a lawsuit filed by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, who maintained that "Stay with Me" was really just "I Won't Back Down." Petty and Lynne won. Have you ever served on a jury?

I was called and went through part of voir dire before being dismissed (for recalling the article in the paper about the defendant). Your timing is great though: this week I received a summons for Grand Jury duty next month. Whee!

3) Smith performed this on The David Letterman Show. Did you watch Dave's final episode last May?

Nope. But that's par--I think I might have sat through, at most, 5 full episodes of the show over it's entire run. I never really 'got' Dave's humor.

4) Smith says his style was influenced by ladies with "massive voices," including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Chaka Kahn, and Whitney Houston. Of those four, which do you listen to most often?

Adele probably edges out Amy at this point. I never listen to Whitney without hearing Beast sneering in my head, and ... well, Chaka isn't really on my list. What about Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. Melissa Etheridge?? Janis Joplin?? Mary J? Beyonce? Sam, you disappoint me.

5) Speaking of style, Mr. Smith is a smart dressed man who looks comfortable and dapper as he walks the red carpet in a tux. Do you enjoy getting dressed up for special occasions?

Not particularly. If I had stylists and what-all, it might be different, but I don't so it pretty much sucks.

6) "Occasions" is a word that makes Crazy Sam stumble because she can never remember how to spell it correctly. Are you a good speller?

Yes, but I'm full of self-doubt so I'm not ashamed of using spell-check and looking up words. "Occasion" isn't one of my bugbears, but i have a lot of trouble with double-vowel words ("niece," "gauge," etc.), and the -ant/-ent endings

7) Sam Smith was born on May 19, which makes him a Taurus. When did you last check your horoscope?

The last time we ate at a Chinese restaurant, which is the wrong kind of horoscope, I realize. I don't follow astrology much at all.

8) Tauruses are supposed to be reliable, organized and ambitious. Do any of those three adjectives describe you?

I'm fairly reliable, and occasionally organized. Not ambitious at all. Good think I wasn't born in late May/early June, eh?

9) Random question: Look at the floor. Do you see carpet, rug, hard wood or tile?

Wood laminate.

Friday 5

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Gung Hee Fat Choy
Where I come from, Chinese New Year is a big deal (although it’s not really part of my inherited culture, and I usually pay it little attention), and the festivities begin tonight. Here are five questions inspired by the occasion.

1. What’s your experience with firecrackers and sparklers?

I'm not a huge fan of personal use. I like fireworks on the 4th of July though.

2. What was the occasion the last time you gave someone money as a gift?

That's my go-to gift for service people at Christmas, so...then.

3. What’s the reddest thing you own?

I don't really do red too often, but I have a red Antique Archaeology shirt similar to this one:



4. What animal represents you in the Chinese zodiac, and what qualities do you have in common with it? (this is just for fun; please don’t take it seriously)

I'm a Rabbit, which means this:

Timid and attractive, the Rabbits of the Chinese Zodiac tend to act more like bunnies, whether they like it or not! This Sign is extremely popular and has a wide circle of family and friends. Its compassionate nature leads it to be very protective of those it holds dear, but where romance is concerned, the Rabbit's sentimentality can lead it to idealize relationships. The sweet, sensitive Rabbit often ends up giving more of itself to a partner than is realistic or healthy. The good news is, when this Sign goes off-balance, the Rabbit's core group of friends and its stable home life help bring it back to center. The Rabbit is a rather delicate Sign that needs a solid base in order to thrive. Lacking close, supportive friends and family, the Rabbit might just break down in tears at the first sign of conflict. Emotional upsets in this Sign's life can even lead to physical illnesses. Rabbits dislike arguments and other conflict and will try anything to avoid a fight; this results in something of a pushover nature. Rabbits can also lapse into pessimism and may seem stuck in life -- often to mask their insecure natures. Rabbits tend to move through life's lessons at their own, rather contemplative pace; it's a waste of time to become exasperated with this Sign's seeming disinterest in facing its problems and conquering them. With the right partner -- meaning someone whose high principles won't allow it to take advantage of this sensitive, giving Sign -- the Rabbit can make an incredibly loving and protective partner or family member. Rabbits love to entertain at home and always make sure their house is comfortable and tastefully-furnished. What Rabbits need most is a stronger sense of self-worth and the security that comes with it. Their discerning natures, coupled with some hard-won assertiveness, will help these happy creatures go far.

5. What’s your favorite order in a Chinese restaurant?

I love Mongolian Beef. And Crab Rangoon.

Blogthings

Your Wild Side is a Pisces

Your wild side may not seem that wild to outsiders, but you know how truly crazy you can be... in a good way. You are wildly creative and expressive. You have an unique view on the world, and you need an outlet for it. You may not act out or take noticeable risks, but that doesn't mean you're boring. You have a fascinating life that you mostly keep to yourself. You are the type of person who thinks most wild stuff is mostly a distraction. Your type of wild is deeper and more permanent.

What Sign is Your Wild Side?

Well, this is scarily accurate.... Maybe I should do my hair that way, eh?

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
My Random Randomness Meme, part 3

1) What room are you in?

Living room.

2) Can you solve a rubix cube?

No, though I can spell it properly.

3) Are you psychic in any way?

There are some occasional incidents that are randomly freaky but probably just coincidence.

4) What star sign are you?

Scorpio. Comin' up, yo!

5) What's your favorite color?

Blue.

6) What's your lucky number?

I don't really believe in "lucky" numbers, but I like 3 and 16.

7) Do you have any chores that should be done now?

Always. There's a load of laundry each in the washer and dryer.

8) Did you have a cherished childhood teddy bear or other toy?

Yes. I have a small pink mouse that was purchased at the Denver train station when I was very little.

9) What was the last thing you bought from a vending machine?

I bought animal crackers for "dinner" last Monday before a meeting.

10) What shoe size are you?

9-10 women's.

11) How many pairs of shoes do you own?

That's along the lines of asking my age, only in my case, I'm more likely to tell you my age than the size of my shoe collection. It might be that I don't know exactly, or that I can't count that high.

12) If you were prime minister/ruler of the world what laws would you make?

"Be kind", "Do unto others, etc.", "Stop with your ego trip already."

13) If you were a super hero what powers would you have?

Invisibility.

14) ...and what would your hero name be?

Invisibrarian?

15) ...and what outfit would you wear?

How would that matter? I'd be invisible!

16) What was your last dream about?

I don't remember. First time in several days--I've had some weird waking-up dreams this week. Today, I was just so freakin' tired that I wasn't even dreaming. Yay for sleeping 4-7 a.m.!!

17) What would you do if you won the lottery?

Not tell anyone except Beast, and our accountant for as long as possible.

18) Would you like to build/design your own house?

Been there, done it. It turned out even better than I could have dreamed. I love this house! We have the floor plans--if we ever move, I'm voting we rebuild it at the other end.

19) Which form of public transport do you prefer?

I love riding on trains. Show me a subway or commuter rail and I'm all about it! I especially love The Tube in London, but I've also ridden the Metro/a in Beijing, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rome, D.C. and Chicago (not the L, just Metrarail).

21) Can you juggle?

Only metaphorically.

Brain Side

Your Brain is an Aquarius

Your way of thinking is totally original and difficult for outsiders to grasp. Your thoughts are one of a kind. You are definitely on your own wavelength, and people who know you well are still surprised with what you come up with. You are drawn toward ideas that are progressive and independent minded. You are all about changing the status quo. While you are a futurist at heart, you don't imagine a future without humanity. You are a humanitarian first and foremost.

What Sign is Your Brain?

Unusual for me to agree 100% with a result, but there you go.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. What is your traditional zodiac sign?

Well, hmmm, my sign is Scorpio, but based on the rest of these questions (see, I do occasionally read ahead!), this seems to be based on the year I was born I am a water rabbit.

2. How often, if ever, do you read your horoscope?

Never. Or I guess once a year or less would be "rarely" if we're being technical. I do, vaguely, know how to do a star chart though, again for the traditional star signs.

3. Check out the Geek Zodiak [sic]*: What is your birth year the year of?

Dear God in Heaven, I'm a Superhero. Shoot me know, ok; let's just get that over with!

4. Which of the merits listed do you think is most accurate to your personality?

Let's see, given the choice among "selfless," "moral," and "vigilant" I guess I have to go with ... whatever is behind curtain #3.

5. Which of the demerits listed do you think is most accurate to your personality?

Yes. I've been called all three, sometimes all at once.

6. Which single merit or demerit listed for your sign do you think is most inaccurate to your personality?

Oh, hell, they're all right--as in all things zodiacal--about as often as they are dead wrong. This is why I gave up on the whole thing. It's stupid.

* I'm not sure if I think a geek would misspell this word out of lack of awareness or some kind of joke (that I don't get). Either way, it's egregious and very very annoying.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday 6

1. Under which traditional zodiac sign does your birthday fall?

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Scorpio.

2. Go to this page and click on the appropriate symbol: what does it say about your zodiac symbol that you feel is most accurate?

Just going off the keywords here, but these seem accurate: Loyal, Passionate (when not medicated, especially), Resourceful (binder clips rule the world!), Dynamic, Obsessive, Unyielding

3. What trait does it describe that you think least describes your personality?

I'm not that observant, and I don't think I "do" jealousy. This could be dangerous, no?

4. Now check out this schedule of zodiac signs from Time magazine. What does this adjusted lineup claim that your sign should be?

I'm now a Libra. Insert derisive laugh here.

5. If your sign changed, what is most accurate about your “new” zodiac sign’s personality traits?

I'll go with these: Idealistic, Hospitable, Indecisive. However, I think Superficial and Unreliable might apply at times, too.

6. Assuming your zodiac sign did change, would you be more likely to claim to be whichever sign you felt was more accurate, or just stick with the traditional zodiac sign that has always been associated with your birthdate?

I'm sticking with the old one, simply because I'm used to it AND it fits better.

Manic Monday

(Link in blogroll)

Do you recycle? Why or why not?

This question, 15 minutes after I told Sparky, "Just pitch [the aluminum baking pan]. It's too much trouble to rinse out and recycle." So yes, I do, but apparently only when it' convenient. I'll plead an exception tonight anyway: horrific headache. I may have to -- GASP! -- abstain from further computer-ing, in fact.

Would you rather be a pirate or a prince/princess?

I remember feeling distinctly 'princessy' (or at least celebrity-ish) in Russia toward the end of my time there. Life was so different for us--in our high-end Western-style hotel--compared to the overwhelming mass of the people living unaware of the impending end-times of the Soviet system. Being so separate and coddled was very uncomfortable to this egalitarian American chick. I noticed how it was changing me in a bad way when I had a temper tantrum over the beryozka being closed at 3 p.m. and thus depriving me of potable beverages of a non-alcoholic variety. "Stupid way to run a country! Who closes a store in the middle of the afternoon?!" And then, "Damn, get over yourself, bitch," resounded in my head when I realized our tour guide had heard me griping, she of the skunk-striped hair and the B52 bra and 5-year-out-of-date fashion. Because, that was top-of-the-line in the Soviet Union, and she had spent 6 hours that day touring us around, would spend another 4 hours after dinner shepherding us to the opera (yawn--Rossini sung in Russian); the in-between hours were probably spent standing in several lines to buy whatever food the shops had for her to take home. Spoiled little bitchy American = me.

I have no interest in robbing and killing people, which is, as near as I can tell, the job description for Pirate.

Are you into astrology? If yes, how does it affect your life?

Nope. I have created several star charts over the years, but it's pretty amazing that, if you leave the dates and names off the charts (or the daily predictions), they can be applied almost indiscriminately to people. Methinks, therefore, that astrology may be a humbug.

Ass-trology

Swiped this from someone else's blog.
Let the Stars Reveal Your Mr. Right

You scored 50% Air
In romance, you're drawn to the qualities of an Air Sign. You're turned on by a man's intellect and sense of humor more than his net worth or fine physique. You desire a mate who will match you wit for wit and keep you up all night talking. Air Signs prefer to keep things light and even, so if you want love that's playful, you might be most turned on by a Gemini, a Libra or an Aquarius mate. Read more about these Sun Signs to discover more about their motivations and desires.

You scored 40% Water
In romance, you lean toward qualities exhibited by Water Signs. You seek a mate who is kind and compassionate, not afraid to feel, someone to whom you can really bare your soul. You appreciate romance and sentiment, and though the man you long for may be a bit shy or innocent, he is very, very generous and open-minded. You'd probably love to be with a Cancer, a Scorpio or a Pisces lover. Read more about these Sun Signs to discover more about their motivations and desires.

You scored 10% Fire
In romance, you're drawn to the qualities of a Fire Sign mate, someone ambitious, ardent and active. You don't like hesitant men -- you like a guy who'll take a chance and make the first move. Impatiently passionate, you need someone who will show you a good time -- and the world. You have a good chance of finding happiness with an Aries, a Leo or a Sagittarius man. Read more about these Sun Signs to discover more about their motivations and desires.

You scored 0% Earth
In romance, you lean toward qualities exhibited by Earth Signs. You're turned on by affluence and opulence. While you crave status and security, you also want a man with a sensual streak as strong as his stock portfolio. You like to take things slowly and make informed decisions, so you may find a Taurus, a Virgo or a Capricorn lover to be the sexiest match for you. Read more about these Sun Signs to discover more about their motivations and desires.

I italicized the parts that I agree with, so it looks like this thing turned out pretty close to accurate. Weird.