Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Would You Rather Meme

1. Would you rather be stuck on an island alone or with someone who talks incessantly?

   Alone. Even if the other person didn't talk incessantly, I'd probably rather be alone.

2. Would you rather be too hot or too cold?

   Too cold. I can always put more clothes on. (and the circle is complete: I remember being gobsmacked when my sister Ellen said this to me in 1975 on a hot and humid day in Wisconsin, and I swore I'd never feel that way...oh well)

3. Would you rather have a cook or a maid?

   Cook. But a cook who cleans up the kitchen!

4. Would you rather be the youngest or the oldest sibling?

   I'm happy being the youngest, thanks. But once again, we're ignoring the middle kids.

5. Would you rather get rich through hard work or through winning the lottery?

   Hard work.

6. Would you rather have a 10-hour dinner with a headstrong politician from an opposing party, or attend a 10-hour concert for a music group you detest?

   Dinner. I can always wear earplugs and at least with this option, I'll be sitting down and eating theoretically decent food.

7. Would you rather be an Olympic gold medalist or a Nobel Peace Prize winner?

   Honestly, neither sounds attractive. Lots of very hard work for both, but I suppose I'd have fewer outright enemies as an Olympian.

8. Would you rather have a desk job or an outdoor job?

   Desk job. No contest!

9. Would you rather live at the top of a tall NYC apartment building or at the top of a mountain?

   Mountain. duh

10. Would you rather have Rambo or The Terminator on your side?

    Terminator, though probably at least in part because I've never seen a Rambo film.

11. Would you rather be proposed to in private or in front of family and friends?

    Private, please. Beast proposed to me in a restaurant, but without giant fanfare.

12. Would you rather have to sew all your clothes or grow your own food?

    I really hate sewing. But I really really hate weeding, and I do not want to have to start butchering my meat. So....sewing it is, I guess.

13. Would you rather hear the good news or the bad news first?

    Bad news first.

14. Would you rather be your own boss or work for someone else?

    I would love to work for myself, but I'd probably never get anything done, so it might not work out so well.

15. Would you rather have nosy neighbors or noisy neighbors?

    Nosy. I hate noise, but curtains and years of practice in shutting down nosy questions goes a lot way. Also, often nosy neighbors are also good to have around, as I've found out in dire circumstances.

16. Would you rather be on a survival reality show or dating game show?

    I'll MC either. I'm not doing any televised competing, however.

17. Would you rather be too busy or be bored?

    I'm not a fan of sitting around doing nothing at all. So, keep me too busy. [I was with Beast while he got an(other) MRI this week and stupidly brought my ereader to keep me occupied. No electronics near the room-sized magnet. So I sat there for 45 minutes with, literally, nothing to do while seated in a chair that doesn't allow napping. I was crawling out of my skin by the end.]

18. Would you rather watch the big game at home or live at the stadium?

    At home. I hate crowds.

19. Would you rather spend the day with your favorite athlete or you favorite movie star?

    Athlete. Now I have to pick which one that would be. There is more than one option.

20. Would you rather live where it is constantly winter or where it is constantly summer?

    Summer, but not humid summer.

the world shrieks and sinks talons into our hearts. This we call memory

(From Amy...with her title)

Have you ever written a love letter?

Yes. The question really should be whether I've ever mailed that letter. ;-) [yes, I have done this--several of them--written and mailed]

How many Valentine's cards did you receive this year?

I think I got one from Beast...? That was over 6 months ago...who knows, really. The only person in my immediate family who's in trouble for lack of cards is NOT Beast.

Have you ever made a ball of twine or rubber bands?

Better a ball than finding the twine all over the floor/drawer tangled in everything else. As for rubber bands, I once bought a ball of them...and the vast majority dried up before I could put them to use. I almost never use them. I don't like the way they make my hands smell. OTOH, I used to chew on them when I was a kid. Yeee-uuuuck!!

Could you ever be a living organ donor?

I could! Just ask. I've been on the bone marrow registry for over 20 years, waiting.

Have you ever made someone cry?

I am Mommy, hear me roar! Usually roaring involves "no," of course. And I've caused tears in others too, including (I'm sure) my parents and other family and friends near and far.

If you could have a full scholarship to any university what would you choose to study?

Theology? I wouldn't mind going to seminary...IF I had all the time and money in the world, and patience to deal with the more 'traditional' students.

Do you prefer honey or jam?

Honey. No contest. The fresher the better. I don't like chunks in my bread-spread.

How fast can you get changed?

If it's a one-for-one change--T-shirt/jeans to T-shirt/jeans--probably 90 seconds. If socks, underwear, jewelry, or a change in the level of dressiness is involved, it could take me 20 minutes or so. Or more if we're adding in nylons and a totally different hairstyle. And of course, this assumes that the clothes I'm changing into have already been pulled together before I start shedding.

Would you rather be the fella in a movie who gets the girl or the baddie with all the good lines?

Oh, I'm all about the sidekick with all the good lines. That doesn't mean I'm a baddie, but I prefer comedy to romance.

Would you rather have a man's top half and a woman's bottom half or visa versa?

I'd pretty much rather be one or the other all over, my apologies to hermaphrodites and intergender people everywhere.

If you met a genie who offered you three wishes, what would you wish for? "More wishes" does not count!

First would be that all the kids living horrible lives be sorted into better living conditions.
Secondly, everyone forgets everything about how to build nuclear armaments and the mere thought of developing them becomes as taboo as incest across all cultures (and we can safely dismantle the bombs already extant).
Finally, people who make their living off fostering hatefulness all develop a horrific, new, incurable visually-repulsive disease that can only be cured by being kind 24/7 for at least 10 years.

Have you ever been fishing?

I have. Twice. Maybe thrice. Yaaawwwwwnnnnn.

What was the last social faux pas you made?

I would think that walking into the workroom yesterday at about 4:02 and, as I walked the 20 feet to my desk, saying with increasing volume as I approached said work area, "...fuck fuck fuck Fuck Fuck FUCK FUCK FUCK!!" would count, no? There are some infuriatingly stupid people in the world. And no, this is not in reference to a coworker, either.

See what happens when Beast goes to bed really early?

You Think Jetsetting is Luxurious

For you, luxury is all about seeing the world in style. You'd like all the benefits of travel without the fuss. You are curious about this planet, especially when it comes to bucket list experiences. You want to do it all. If you had all the money in the world, you'd travel the world. Preferably in your own private plane, boat, and car. Even if you can't travel in the way you'd like to be accustomed to, you try to get out there and see as much as you can. You love adventure and novelty. Travel tickles your brain and inspires your heart in a way nothing else can. One day you may be able to travel the world full time, even if just for a while. You are dedicated to finding a way to make it happen.

The Luxury Test

Pretty accurate, though I don't really 'do' bucket lists and I don't need things to be luxurious. I don't want to be uncomfortable, though.

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Your Irish First Name is Quinn

You are an even tempered, thoughtful, and wise person. You make good decisions and give good advice. You are never one to get caught up in the moment. You have a lot of perspective on every issue. You are often the person to play devil's advocate. It's not that you like to argue - you just want people to consider every argument carefully. You take ethics seriously. You want to do the right thing no matter what, even if it's not popular. You are true to yourself. Quinn, meaning counsel, intelligence, and wisdom is the perfect name for you. You embody all of those things. You may not feel like you have a lot of wisdom in your life yet, but those around you would disagree. You are the wisest person most people know.

What's Your Irish First Name?

Huh. I'm not sure about the wisdom stuff, but I do have a good deal of perspective and believe that ethics are worth thinking about. And I like the name "Quinn."

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You Are Balanced

Your approach to money is pretty average. You spend a little and save a little. Of course, you enjoy getting a great deal, but you also give into a fair amount of impulse purchases. A frugal lifestyle seems depressing to you, and you can't imagine going without just to sock away a lot of money. You love to go out and have fun. The things you buy make you happy. And there's nothing wrong with that. It seems like you have a healthy approach to spending money, as long as you're staying within your means. If you're not sure if you're spending too much (or too little) consider trying a budget for a few months.

Are You Cheap?

I'm not a spendthrift, but I've been known to be wasteful. I do go without things though. I'm really kind of a train-wreck about money, I think.

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You Show Yourself Some Compassion

Whenever possible, you try to be easy on yourself. You aren't always compassionate, but you try. You believe it's important to cut yourself a break, because no one else might. And you're doing the best you can. You live a hectic life, and sometimes it's hard to find the time or energy for self-care. You are still looking for the right balance. And when you're having a hard day, it may be difficult to not beat up on yourself a bit when you're feeling worn down. No worries if you're not as self-compassionate as you'd like to be. You're getting there, and that's the important thing. Remember to be easy on yourself in every way. Even when you make mistakes, it doesn't mean that you're broken.

Are You Compassionate Toward Yourself?

I've been known to be ridiculously hard on myself. I'm better than I used to be, and I'm not a masochist at all.

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You Are Quiet

You are the silent type, but that doesn't mean you're not engaged. You are always listening. You just feel less social than most people, and you're okay with that. You don't push yourself into being something you're not. Your style is very personal and even a bit plain to the outside eye. You don't need to have showy things. Each object you own is beloved and special. You tend to own things for their comfort or nostalgia value. You find alone time comforting. You don't feel quite like yourself unless you are able to retreat. You have created your own world and safe space. You are at peace every time you come back to it.

The Sofa Test

Wow, this is quite accurate!

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You Are a Rule Taker

You are not a big fan of rules, but you know they serve their purpose... at least following them does. You'll grit your teeth and play by the book, but that doesn't mean you like it. You just prefer following the rules to getting in trouble. Whenever possible, you don't like to set up too many rules in your own life. There's enough rules you already have to follow. You try to be as free form and unscheduled as possible. You don't like having any extra obligations. You tend to believe that things go more smoothly if people follow the rules. Rules aren't fun. That's why they're rules. If the rules are already in place, you will follow them. You just don't impose new rules on yourself or others.

Are You a Rule Breaker or a Rule Maker?

Again, pretty accurate. I like rules, as long as they make sense.

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Your Heaven on Earth is a Sandy Beach

When you travel, you're not just looking to relax - you're looking to check out completely. And nothing takes you away from your normal life more than a sandy beach, with the ocean crashing around you. You love the feeling of the sun on your skin, and you're always up for a little bit of swimming or splashing. Bonus points if you can stay at an all inclusive resort where your every whim and desire is catered to. Consider a classic beach destination like Hawaii or the Greek islands for your next vacation. And of course, a luxury hotel. Or if you want to mix things up a bit, pick a smaller island or a remote part of Asia. Then you'll get a beach to yourself!

What's Your Heaven on Earth?

Aside from sun and the Greek islands, this is pretty wrong. I like sand, but since I can't swim beaches are a little wasted on me. Give me mountains any day of the week.

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Little Things Capture Your Heart

You are moved by the smaller things in life. Even the tiniest detail, when done right, can delight you. You don't like huge gestures, and in fact, you shy away from them. You prefer to make each day a little special. You cherish peace, thoughtfulness, and completeness. Nothing goes unnoticed or unappreciated in your world. You think ordinary life is wonderful as is. No need to make big sweeping changes or statements. You are exhausted by too many dramatics, even if they're in the name of romance or fun. You prefer to keep things simple. It's not that hard to put a smile on your face. Just knowing that someone is trying is often enough for you.

What Captures Your Heart?

OK, this is a fairly good fit, though the occasional grand gesture isn't unwelcome.

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Your Energy Makes You Funky

You're the type of person who's always on the move. You've lived several lives in less time than [some?] people live one. You don't wear down easily, and even when you do, it's easy to find a way to energize yourself. You don't stay still for long. Novelty energizes you, and because you like new things, you've seen and experienced a lot. And you feel like there is much more to see. You think boredom is a choice, and you refuse to choose it. Whenever you're feeling the tiniest bit bored, you just get up and do something... anything! You inspire those around you to be more and do more. You have a proactive attitude, and you think it's important to keep going. You aren't exactly an optimist, but you are a fixer. If there's a problem in your life, you get out there and take it on!

What Makes You Funky?

Yup, definitely a fixer, and this week at work has been rather awful: have spent it finding things to do because my main job is at a standstill due to cascading technological and personnel issues.

No Rutting

You Could Get Into a Rut

So far, you are doing a pretty good job at mixing things up in your life. You have some variety going on. You are not in a rut, but you are not completely immune from getting into one either. You do like your habits sometimes. Whenever you are given the choice, try to do the new thing rather than the established practice. Make that one of your few habits. By forcing yourself outside your comfort zone, you can make your life almost completely rut proof. And a rut proof life is an amazing life. People who stay out of ruts are more creative and innovative. If you want to leave your mark on the world, staying out of ruts is how you get there!

Are You Stuck in a Rut?

I try hard not to get too rutted. ...er, that's weird, but basically I try hard to mix things up. Up to a point.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Drift Away (RIP Dobie Gray)

1. Who or what bores you enough to mentally drift away?

Any discussion about corporate life in America, the ins and outs of business, whether in theory or practice, economics...and also esoteric hobbies that I'm not into. Like birdwatching.

2. How many members of your family not living with you do you see on during the holidays?

I try for zero, but I just got a message from my niece (Katherine) and I guess we'll have to figure something out for a meet-up with them since it's been almost 6 months since we last saw them.

3. When spending time with family, how long after you arrive do you begin to feel "antsy" about being there too long?

I can't be in Katherine and Alan's house more than about an hour before I actually do need to start leaving--four cats, yo. If I'm visiting out of town--as in "can't get home tonight"--I usually spend at least part of the day holed up in whatever sleeping area I've been assigned. My family does tend to make me a little crazy.

4. Does your family more generally get along at a holiday gathering or are there generally arguments?

My family is quite stereotypically Italian...without any of the actual Mediterranean genetics.

5. Are you ever embarrassed by your family around friends?

Fuck yeah. One member in particular. I'm talking to you, Jan! I grew up embarrassed by others in my family, but I'm trying like hell to overcome that at this point.

6. Of the celebrities that died in 2011, who will you miss the most?

In my day-to-day life, none of them, but I will miss FIL. And I didn't remember that Clarence Clemons had died this year. :-(

7. When you watch a movie in a movie theater, do you like the theater filled to capacity, halfway full, or nearly empty? Does your answer change depending on the type of movie you're seeing or do you feel the same way regardless of the movie or genre?

Not packed. Not empty. Maybe 1/4 full?

8. What’s one really cool/useful/nice thing you purchased for yourself this year?

Most recently: new vacuum attachments to replace the ones that have disappeared or been ruined. Shoulda got new extenders too.

9. Are you in the holiday spirit yet?

I have been, but right now this very second, I'm not feeling it. Last night's party was fun, though.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
13 Time-Wasters Employed This Week

1. The Sims Social (on Facebook)
2. Memes (ahem)
3. Reading
4. Crosswords
5. Bubble Shooter (thanks, Amy)
6. Catching up on RSS feeds
7. Watching silly movies
8. Watch taped TV shows
9. Chatting with friends (not that this is really wasted time, but neither is reading)
10. Downloading free books to my Nook
11. Cheering for the Packer
12. Sitting in assorted drive-thru lanes
13. Watching lame-ass commercials on TV (WHY don't I just mute them?)

W.T.F.

(Link in meme-roll)
Boredom has taken over

1) July is "Anti-Boredom Month." What is your favorite cure for boredom?

Sleep. Or getting up and moving.

2) One of my coworker/friends has been set up with a man by one of her other friends. She is hesitant about the whole situation. Have you ever been set up on a date? If so, how did it go?

Ugh. No. My high school friends attempted this once, for prom, which I wasn't interested in attending ANYway. Nope, not gonna happen!

3) I used to talk in my sleep. In fact, I could carry on a conversation with someone when I was fully asleep, and my mom used this fact when I was a teenager to find out if I did anything wrong and was hiding it from my parents. If you were talking your sleep tonight, what do you think you would say?

Nothing very interesting. I had a pretty boring day outside of the part where I took my father-in-law to the doctor...no, that was even boring since the doctor basically said, "OK, you're fine, it's healed, go home." So, it would probably be anxious comments about the party on Sunday.

4) Why do you think cats like to get in boxes and bags so much? No matter how many times I see it happen, it makes no sense to me. What is the appeal of being inside a box/bag?

I have no idea why cats do anything. My understanding is--I've never owned a cat, mind you--they do whatever they want. However, I like to be inside closed spaces sometimes, so...maybe cats feel the same way?

5) How do you flush the toilet in a public restroom (with your bare hand, by hand using a paper towel, with your foot, or some other method)?

For fuck's sake, are we really all that paranoid about germs?? I use my hand of course. And yes, I even sit on the damn toilet (unless there is a really good reason not to, of course).

6) With all the attention on the Casey Anthony murder trial, there is a lot of attention on court cases. I have no desire to ever be placed on a jury because I don't want someone's life balancing on my opinions. Have you ever been called for jury duty? If so, what type of case did you sit on the jury for? If not, do you want to serve on a jury?

Yes, I've been called and made it into a courtroom for voir dire where I was summarily dismissed for reading the paper (and remembering the events of the case--it was an armed robbery). There's your out: be well-informed and you'll never have to be on a jury. (hah)

7) If you could have sex with any superhero, who would you choose and why?

Uhm, really? I don't know enough about superheroes as a group, but I guess I sorta like Batman. From the comics, not the movies.

8) On Tuesday, I noticed that one of the bosses at my office spent our daily staff meeting doodling Superman shields all over his notebook instead of actually paying attention to the meeting. Do you doodle when you're bored? If so, what do you normally doodle?

Yes, I do doodle when bored. I mostly just draw lines and connect them. No actual art, just lines. Or I write the alphabet over and over.

9) Will you use the restroom with your significant other in the room?

Is this "will I pee in front of my husband?" or are we sharing a public restroom? Cuz, totally different issues here, though the answer is the same: no.

10) If you could be one for just 24 hours, what cereal box cartoon character would you be? Why?

I can't even name more than a couple of these...uhm, the Froot Loops toucan, maybe? Just cuz he's sorta goofy, but not in a totally sugar-filled annoying manic way. Unless he's changed.

W.T.F. Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
Getting a little freaky on Friday

1) If your life was a TV game show, what current show or type of show would best reflect the life you've lived?

Jeopardy. Not the word itself, but all the questions about random trivia.

2) We all know the story of "Freaky Friday" (two people change places and live in the other person's body for a day or two). If you could become any member of your family for just one day, who would you become?

I think the best person would be my niece, but it would be a horrendous day because I'd spend the whole time worrying about how she was screwing up MY life.

3) The current issue of Redbook magazine talks about how to handle your children walking in on you having sex. ... Did you ever hear your parents or *shudder* walk in on them having sex? What happened once they found out that you overheard it or saw them? Did they talk to you about it or just pretend it didn't happen?

As far as I'm concerned my parents had sex precisely 5 times. I don't even want to think about this. Moving on...

4) On opposite end of the spectrum, one of my ex-boyfriends once got a gun pulled on him when he was caught having sex with a hunter's teenage daughter. Did anyone ever catch you during a sexual activity?

It sort of depends on your definition of "sexual activity" but in general terms, no.

5) My father, an art teacher and professional artist, always said that the most beautiful people in the world usually have symmetrical faces. If beauty is mostly based on bilateral symmetry, why do you think most hairstyles are asymmetrical?

Most hairstyles are asymmetrical?? Where the heck do you live? Not around here, for sure. Middle part, maybe bangs. Yeah. People whose hair LOOKS asymmetrical probably GROWS that way; mine definitely does, no matter how I try to keep it the same on both sides.

6) Would you eat a bowl of live crickets for $10,000?

Nope. Anything still alive is not (intentionally) going into my stomach.

7) List 5 things that simply bore you to tears.

Discussions of cars and other mechanical things.
Airports.
Mopping/sweeping/dusting.
Other peoples' bragging or repetitive stories.
Star Wars.

8) Tell me about one of your totally useless possessions and how you came to own it, and don't try to tell me you don't have at least one useless item because we all have 'em.

I have a lot of ridiculous souvenirs. Uhm, let's go with the plates and platters that decorate the top of my kitchen cupboards. There are 11, I think, and two pretty bottles. At least 3 of those I purchased specifically to display--they match nothing in my house. Four are from Beast's mom's collection of pewter. Two are part of my mom's china set. Two were gifts from Beast's mom. I do use some of them once in awhile, so they aren't totally useless. Well, except the bottles, of course. ;-)

9) If farting was a career, my younger brother could seriously be a billionaire. What is a "skill" you naturally possess that you wish you could make a living doing?

Sleeping comes to mind. Avoiding work does, as well.

10) If your significant other created a scavenger hunt for your birthday during which you had to drive around town and gather clues to locate your gift, would you find it romantic or annoying?

It would be funny. Maybe I'll do that for Beast one of these days. Or, actually, Sparky would appreciate it more, I think. Beast would probably be towards the "annoyed" end of the continuum.

11) The circus is in my town this weekend. If you joined the circus, what act would you most want to perform?

I would love to trapeze! Heights don't bother me much and I love to swing.

12) What do you think would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs? I know I'd be in heaven if it happened, but what about you?

There'd be a lot of cat and dog corpses around. No thanks.

13) Today (June 24) is “UFO Day.” The first documented UFO sighting was on this day. Do you believe in life on other planets?

I believe there is a statistically significant likelihood of something else being alive somewhere else in the universe. Finding it is pretty unlikely, however.

Doo-dee-doodly-oo

You Are Having a Distracted Day

You have a strong sense of humor, and that includes a tendency to make fun of yourself. You are a[n] very organized and even scientific person. You like figuring things out. You're trying to figure out what your next step is. You're feeling a little stuck right now. You are quiet and reserved. You feel most at ease when you are able to keep to yourself.

The Doodle Test

Pretty accurate. I do the same doodles now that I was doing in high school; nothing has changed. But I only do them when I'm terminally bored. So, yeah, if you see me doing it--it's not a good reflection on whoever's talking.

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)
You've Got Mail

1. From whom did you get your last e-mail?

I guess that would be the email I forwarded from work to my Gmail account about church stuff. Before that, it was something at work about the Children's Department. Whee.

2. What is the most recent movie that you have seen in a theater?

I haven't sat in a theater for a movie in a long time, so...no clue. It was, I think, with Sparky?

3. Have you ever seen a ghost?

Not that I'm aware of.

4. Ever loved someone so much it made you cry?

Oh for FUCK's sake...the timing on this...yeah, oh yeah, that plus a bunch of other painful things.

5. What are you most afraid of?

The same things I always say when I'm asked this question in a meme...

6. What do you do when you are bored?

This. Facebook stuff. Read. Sometimes I even just sit and stare into space.

7. Other than the author of this mess of a meme, whose blog are you most curious to see their answers?

Whoever I've got time to go read, I suppose. I'm not overly social in this way.

8. Name three thing from your bucket list.

Ain't got one.

9. Who was the last person who complimented you on how you looked, that actually was a surprise?

Hmm. Not sure. Honestly, no clue whatsoever.

10. Do you remember Berleen?

Uhm, I remember her name. Never actually met her F2F.

11. What was the last concert that you attended where the band was much better than you imagined?

The opening act U2 had the last time was so much better than the one they had the time before that. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the good band, just the crap one.

12. What’s the next band you’re either planning to see or want to?

I think my concert days are pretty near done. I don't enjoy the crowd thing.

13. What were the last things do you imagine that Kimber threw off the roof?

Her shoes? Does she throw things off the roof on a regular basis? If so, she oughta move here; she'd fit right in in my town.

Wednesday Wickedness

(Link in meme-roll)
Today ... Hugh Grant

1. “Basically, my life is so boring, it's embarrassing.” How boring do you think your life is?

Lately, it hasn't been very boring at all, much to my chagrin. I've come to appreciate boredom in my middle years. Boredom means nothing bad is happening.

2. “But I just know from experience that accent wise, even if you're an accent genius, crossing the Atlantic is the hardest thing in the world either way.” Can you do any accents? If not, do you know someone who is good at it?

I tend to pick up the rhythms of speech wherever I am. Over the years, it's become obvious to me that it's not so much the way we pronounce things that changes, it's the emphasis and tone and timbre we use that makes a difference.

3. “For any new technology there is always controversy and there always some fear associated with it.” What technology did you at first fear that you now could not live without?

I can't think of anything technological that I've feared on sight. There's a lot I don't understand immediately, but I'm more likely to go see what the fuss is about and then jump in early (if possible) than be afraid of things.

4. “I cling to the fantasy that I could have done something more creative. Like actually writing a script, or writing a book. But the awful truth is that I... probably can't!” Do you, or have you ever, thought you have a book in you?

Don't we all? Of course I've thought about writing a book; I see books on a regular basis that I know I could improve on (at least) or write better.

5. “I had Courtney Love's left bosom out of her dress on my plate in front of me. It was extraordinary. I didn't know where to look.” Have you ever been in a similar type of situation?

I have never met Courtney Love or her bosom(s). Nor, for that matter, anyone's bosoms but my own. Having said that, I can come up with dozens of situations where I wasn't sure where to look.

6. “The moral of filmmaking in Britain is that you will be screwed by the weather.” How does the weather effect [sic] where you live?

Really, the weather doesn't affect where I live: having a job and a child in school affects where I live. I would like to live somewhere a lot less humid in the summer and a lot less fucking-cold-and-gray in the winter, but then I'd also like world peace and my sisters back too.

7. “When I think about actors I know, I'd much rather hear about who they're shagging than what film they're doing next.” How about you? Are you more interested in you favorite artist’s next work, or the TMZ side of it all?

There are very few actors I really care about the 'artistry' side of their work, and come to think of it those are the ones whose personal lives are pretty opaque. Odd, isn't it? It's fun to watch a train-wreck (ahem, Lindsay Lohan, ahem), but it's hard to respect them as 'artists' when they seem intent on eviscerating themselves.

8. “Women are frightening. If you get to 41 as a man, you're quite battle-scarred.” Have you ever felt “battled-scarred” by a relationship or relationships in general? If yes, do tell.

Well, hello, I'm 46 and just came back from burying another sister this weekend. Life is all about the battle scars.

9. “You know everyone loves to be the villain.” Do you tend to root for the bad guy?

Nope. Never have, unless the Good Guy is a complete asshat. I tend to root for the smart people and underdogs.

10. “I think that's the whole point of Bridget Jones. It's all about that it's okay to fail.” What have you failed at and learned a lot from?

The only thing I can think of right now is failing to care about relatives who don't really seem to want a relationship. I can think of one in particular who seems to do everything he can to make sure we keep away and then complain about how shitty his relationships are. I'm pretty tired of being his verbal punching bag.

Patrick's Place

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Saturday 6

1. What's the most exciting thing you have planned for this weekend?

Last night's play was pretty fun. There's a concert tomorrow. And youth group meetings are never short on excitement--that's tomorrow night.

2. What is the most exciting adventure you’ve ever been part of?

Participating in rebuilding D'Iberville, MS. Or spending 10 days in Italy with no Italian language skills, no guidebook, limited money and glorious freedom.

3. A friend offers you the chance to go skydiving: you’ll be strapped to a professional skydiver who will actually operate the parachute for the two of you, so all you have to worry about is the experience itself. Would you take your friend up on the offer?

I'd probably kill her in my rush past her to get on the plane! YES YES YES!

4. How long has it been since you tried a completely different cuisine?

Quite awhile. I don't live near a lot of ethnic variety unless you count roadkill.

5. Take the quiz: Is Your Life Boring?

You Live an Exciting Life

You are anything but a bore. You make sure that life is full of excitement. You have an adventurous spirit, and you don't like to sit still for too long. If you feel like doing something, you don't think about it. You just do it. There's no way you could ever live a boring life. There's too much to do and not enough time.

Is Your Life Boring?

Pretty close. My life right now=NOT boring. Certainly busy, if not particularly exciting.

6. What is the biggest fear you feel you have definitely overcome?

Going places alone. I'm better than I ever used to be, but not where I'd like to be.