Sunday Stealing

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Friday Questions

1. Have you ever tried to learn (or re-learn) a foreign language as an adult? Which one? What worked for you?

I have a minor in Spanish, but I've really had to relearn how to speak it properly as an adult. I definitely still hear it better than I say it.

2. Do you donate blood? Do you know your blood type?

I'm O+ (boring), and I can't donate anymore. Too much bad ju-ju in my body these days.

3. Have you ever been in a play or musical?

As a tiny child, yes, once. I've been in the orchestra of a couple of musicals.

4. Do you use certain text or ring tones for specific people? Who gets their own? Or do you just use the default on your phone?

Oh yeah. My extended family has been designated the Darth Vader Theme. Beast is a U2 song--wow, that's a bummer, since it's doubtful he'll ever call me again--Sparky is "Crazy Train" from Ozzy, and I've got the doctors and other people like that set up with their own sound. I'm really pathetic, to be honest. Oh, and a small number of best friends have their own ring too.

5. When did you get your first digital camera? Do you still shoot on actual film, or all digital now?

I think we bought our digital camera towards the end of the 90s. It might still be around here somewhere, too.

6. What do you think someone else would say the most daring thing you’ve done is?

Oh, I don't know. People would undoubtedly say different things about this.

7. Do you talk with your hands?

Yes. Bigtime.

8. Do you have a lucky number? What is it, and what is the story behind it?

Not really. I like 3.

9. What kind of milk did you drink, growing up? And now?

2% as a kid, sometimes mixed with powdered milk (yuck). We 'graduated' to skim by the time I was a teen. Now I rarely have milk in the house.

10. What is your favorite kind of pie?

Fruit with a nice light crust.

11. Are you a note taker?

Yup. And a doodler.

12. Do you have an eclectic mug collection, or is your stuff all matchy matchy?

We have a shit-ton of coffee mugs which are basically never used since I don't drink coffee at all, and Beast can't drink coffee--and isn't at home anyway. I need to clean the house out, starting some time later than today.

13. Do you have a junk drawer in your house/garage/at work/wherever?

At home, yes. I guess I do at work too, come to think of it.

14. What is the longest amount of time you’ve worked at one job – and what was/is it?

I've been employed at my current workplace for just about exactly 22 years.

15. How old were you when you took your first commercial flight? To where did you fly?

We flew Denver to Milwaukee when I was a small child. I remember because it was my brother's first flight too and I remember him looking out the window as we landed. I was probably 4.

Friday 5

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Into the Lens

1. What was your first camera like?

My first camera--received at about age 12 or 13--was an Instamatic similar to this one. It used 110 cartridges, which I



believe had either 12 or 24 pictures each. Ridiculously awful pictures by today's standards, but cheap and simple. It had a spot for a flash cube, which could go right on top, or on a little pedestal that attached, like the one at the right*. I got it prior to my first trip to visit my sister Jean in England when I was 14, and I kept a little notebook to write down what each picture I took was. I think I used, maybe 4 rolls of film in three weeks? I still have the scrapbook I made with those photos.....

2. What kinds of accessories have you purchased for a camera?

Unless a carrying case or that flash attachment and flashbulbs (hundreds of those!) counts, none.

3. When did you last shoot photos on film, and how many rolls of unshot film do you have in your house?

I haven't used film in close to a decade if not more. We still have a film camera, but we took the last roll in for development ages ago.

4. Digital photography has all kinds of advantages over film photography, but what’s better about shooting on film and having to get it developed and printed?

My brother-in-law Jan, who is annoying as hell and a photography fanatic, is STILL sure that "this digital thing" is just a fad, much like he thinks color photography isn't quite legit. He used to have a darkroom, so I think he enjoyed putzing with the chemicals and doing his own matting and framing. Whatever. It's increasingly hard for him to find his favorite film, which he moans about regularly. He thinks film produces a 'more realistic' image--I think he's stupid. But I'm not a "photographer" so what do I know? In fact, his insanity about his hobbies (don't even mention Amtrak to him!!) makes me all but hurl everytime someone (anyone) brings them up, whether he's part of the conversation or not. My dad was a bit of a camera nerd, and I always wanted to be like him, but Jan has ruined the whole thing for me with 50 years of smug condescension and fussiness. /rant (sorry)

5. How do you manage your digital photos?

Very very poorly. One day, I am going to wade through Dropbox and name and date everything and create folders and so forth. Really, I am.

*The more I look at the photo with the flash pedestal, the more sure I am that this was the model I had, with the little flag sticker over the lens. Jeez. I wonder what happened to that camera....?

Sunday Stealing

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Unusual Things

1. Who was the last person of the opposite sex you laid in a bed with?

Well, Beast, of course.

2. Where was the last place you went out to eat?

"Went out" as in "sat in the restaurant" was Jimmy John's with Sparky on Thursday. "Went out" as in ate food made by someone besides me was DQ on Friday.

3. What was the last alcoholic beverage you consumed?

I had a glass of wine at a meeting about two weeks ago.

4. Which do you prefer - eyes or lips?

I prefer having both, thanks.

5. Medicine, fine arts, or law?

As ... what? Profession? Hobby? I honestly can't even figure out how to answer this. I'm not much interested in law or people who spend time thinking about law, but the other two are interesting to me. If I had to pick one of those broad areas in which to work, it would be fine arts.

6. Best kind of pizza?

California Pizza Kitchen's chicken and spinach white flatbread pizza.

7. Is your bedroom window open?

Nope. The front door is, and the A/C is on, so I need to remedy one or the other of those situations.

8. What is in store for your future?

Old age. At least, I sort of hope so...

9. Who was the last band you saw live?

I'm wearing a T-shirt right now for Starship, and I think (sadly) that was it. About 4 years ago now. Not really into concert-going anymore.

10. Do you take care of your friends while they are sick?

Only if they live with or near me. To be less flip, it depends on the illness. A cold, yes, I'll stop by if asked or hit the grocery store for them or whatever, but generally people just want to sleep and I can't help with that. Serious illness, though, I try to do what I can.

11. Any historical figures that you envy?

Hmmm. I envy the original disciples for being able to know Jesus in person--but really, I wish they'd've asked more sensible questions or written better lecture notes or something! I kind of envy whoever Shakespeare was writing all those love sonnets to. I've never really thought about envy in terms of historical personages though. Interesting concept.

12. How many songs are on your iTunes?

Zero. I don't use iTunes.

13. What brand of digital camera do you own?

Uhm....? I have no idea. I use my phone pretty exclusively. Maybe we have a baby Canon digital thingy.

14. When was the last time you got a good workout?

Hah!

15. Are you experienced?

Yes.

16. If you need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first?

Farm & Fleet or Kohls.

17. Are you a quitter?

At times. In some areas, I excel at quitting, in fact.

18. What are two bands or singers that you will always love?

Billy Joel. U2.

19. What of the seven deadly sins are you guilty of?

Oh, I'm definitely quite the Queen of Sloth. I can probably hold my own on a couple of others, but Sloth, yeah, that's what I'm all about.

20. Did you just have to Google the seven deadly sins to see what they were?

Nah. I couldn't name them all for you if you asked, but I know my skillset. ;-)

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. How old were you the first time you ever snapped a photo, even if using someone else’s camera?

I think I snagged someone's small camera after the Christmas of Cameras (all the kids got instamatics), but I mostly knew better than to touch "real" cameras (Dad's, Jan's, etc.). I had a mini-instamatic for our trip to England when I was 14. So stylin'!

2. Have you ever owned a film camera or developed your own photos?

Well, yeah, see above re instamatics. I still have a 35 mm AF sitting in plain sight on the bookshelf in the upstairs hall, but I haven't used it, or our digital camera, in years. Camera phone FTW. Jan used to have a darkroom and developed all his own (black-and-white) film; he's a dinosaur who categorically refuses to use digital media, still.

3. Who was the first person you remember taking a photo of?

I'm sure it was a family member, probably Dad.

4. Describe a photo from your childhood that means a great deal to you and why it does.

Here's the thing: Dad took dozens of photos a month, developed them onto slides, and all of those slides are at my brother's house where he said he'd organize them. I doubt he's done jack-shit, though, and there are at least two pictures I want. One is of me and my mom's brother Del, and another is of my brother sitting on the edge of a drop-off overlooking Dallas Divide* calmly taking a picture, holding his sunglasses in his teeth. When Dad took that picture, Mom was having "ten cat fits" about my brother being about a foot from the edge of a thousand-foot fall.

5. How many photo albums (or scrapbooks) do you have of old family photos?

My family was a big scrapbook-keeping family, but I have several from when I was addicted to Creative Memories in the 90s and early 00s; since then I've been very bad about keeping things in order....

6. How many photos (in total) do you have hanging on your walls in your home?

We FINALLY hung the photos that had been sitting on the front stairs for about 8 months. There are probably about 20 in the whole house, and 95% are on the wall of the stairway.

The view bro was going for, minus the trees in front.

Sunday Stealing

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More Meme, Part Two

What would you choose to be famous for?

AbsoROOTry nuffing. I have no interest in being famous. If I have to be famous, I'd like to be famous anonymously.

If you have a webcam, are you ever paranoid people can see you?

All they will see is me typing/playing games/reading or the front of the couch when I set my laptop on the floor. Oh, I suppose, when I log off, they could theoretically see an up-close view of my computer base, since I always close the lid when I log off, and the camera is just above the screen.

Do you find it difficult to sleep at night? Any reason(s) why?

I have developed a bad habit of being awake sometime between 1 and 3 a.m. every night. It's annoying. I have no idea what wakes me up, short of sheer habit (or a full bladder).

If you had to go on a game show, which would you choose?

Perish the thought!! If I had to, I'd pick "Wheel of Fortune" since I'm almost certain I wouldn't embarrass myself. "Jeopardy" would be the one that other people might suggest, but I'd end up with crap categories or generally end up being stupid.

What about if you had to go on a reality show?

I would, quite honestly, be likely to slit my wrists if I absolutely had to do this.

Which would you choose then?

OK, Beast and I have talked about doing "The Amazing Race" but I'm pretty sure we'd be one of the first teams out, or maybe I'd be the person doing all the whining and bitching. Probably both of those options. So, anyway, I'm not looking, but if Phil Keoghan showed up with his camera crew and forced me into it, I'd probably do it. Anyone else though: shoot me, please.

Tell me about your favorite TV show:

I really like all the alphabet shows: NCIS, NCIS:LA, CSI, L&O:SVU et al.. And "Life in the E.R."

Why were you last irritated?

Well, I'm currently rather irritated with Clay Matthews for a really STUPID tackle he just made out of bounds. smh Don't be one of those guys, Clay, c'mon!

What time did you get up this morning?

My clock read 8-0-something the first time I remember looking at it.

The last city you were in: Where was it and do you like it there?

Well, technically, I was in the city in which I work this morning to get some groceries.... lol The latest trip to a Big City in which I don't live, work, or otherwise visit weekly was July when we went to Obama's home town. It's not a particularly gorgeous city, but there is always a lot going on.

Do you like the countryside?

Yes. However, right now the countryside around here doesn't much like me. Still, it's pretty nice seeing farm animals on my way to work.

If you see someone yawn, do you often yawn as well?

I do. Particularly when I'm already sleepy.

Recommend me a good movie:

If you never saw "The Piano", you should. I fell in love with Harvey Keitel after seeing him in this and "Thelma & Louise" in short order. And Holly Hunter was exceptional, as was Anna Paquin.

Do you think you’d make a good model?

No. Please.

Would you ever want to be one?

I'd be so freakin' bored! No. Standing around doing nothing is one of the definitions of Hell for me.

How often do you change your hairstyle?

About once a decade whether I need to or not.

What does it look like now?

Well, the usual, with a clip holding the bangs off my forehead. It's humid and sticky here today and my hair"s heavy and sweat-inducing.

Do you have a favorite day of the week? Which is it?

I like Mondays. And Wednesdays, oddly; that is the longest day of my week, but at the end I know it's usually an easy slide till bedtime, and Friday.

Are you alone?

In an extremely philosophical and metaphorical sense, we are all alone (unless you believe in God, of course). But, Beast is across the room watching the same football game I am.

When is the last time you were on the phone after 2 am?

About a kabillion years. No lie--I honestly don't remember talking to anyone at that time.

The Queen's Meme

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The All Over The Place Meme

1. Pretend you are making a passion quilt. What would be on the center square?

OK, so it pretty much has to be a book, innit? Nice that they're easy and rectilinear....

2. One of those traffic cameras catches you running a red light and you get a ticket in the mail. What else did the camera catch inside your vehicle that you might not want everyone to see?

Me filing my nails or at least biting them? Talking back to the book on CD.

3. When is the last time you had to cancel plans?

Seems like almost everything I've planned has been cancelled for the past several months. I can't even remember what was the most recent. The biggest, for me overall, was the couple of days Elizabeth & Wayne & Justin were supposed to stay here last month which blew up in the biggest possible way.

4. What is your favorite magazine?

Entertainment Weekly.

5. What is the riskiest thing you have ever done?

Staying. Don't know yet how it's all going to play out.

6. Have you ever worked in an office with someone who drove you crazy? What did they do and how did you handle it?

Uhm, yeah. Have you read my blog, like ev-ah?

7. What is the weirdest or most unusual thing you've ever done in an elevator?

Nothing very interesting, that I can think of right now.

Sunday Stealing

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The 99'er Meme: Part 1

1) Put your iTunes on shuffle. Give me the first 6 songs that pop up.

I don't use iTunes, but I'll give you the last six and the next six tunes on Jango.
Last six:

1. I Want Candy (Bow Wow Wow)
2. Zarartou (Cheb Mami)
3. Mr. President (LL Cool J)
4. Our Time Now (Plain White T's)
5. Over My Head (The Summer Obsession)
6. Shake It (Metro Station)

Next six:

1. Wire (U2)
2. Sitting on a Fence (The Housemartins)
3. More Than This (Live) (Roxy Music)
4. Castanets (Alejandro Escovedo)
5. Chances Are (Sheryl Crow)
6. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (Alison Moyet)

2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

I would love to meet Nelson Mandela.

3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

"[believ-]ing our encounter with the Divine to be the definitive one. In..." from The Evolution of Faith (Phillip Gulley), one of the six books equidistant from me.

4) What do you think about most?

I try hard not to think about much.

5) What does your latest text message from someone else say?

"Hmmmmm. Calzone please." from Beast about 3 hours ago.

6) Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

I can't sleep naked, unless I'm really hot or really sick.

7) What's your strangest talent?

Alphabetizing at warp speed? Or, while waiting for a cop to show up, walking by a sign and noting that the handwritten part says "Welome" instead of "Welcome."

8) Women.... (finish the sentence); Men.... (finish the sentence)

Women need to man up; men need to turn down the macho.

9) Ever had a poem or song written about you?

Yes. Embarrassing. I have made it a practice never to date or hang around poets or lyricists since then.

10) When is the last time you played the air guitar?

I've hired that out: Sparky takes care of that for me. So, yeah, about ten years. ;-)

11) Do you have any strange phobias?

I'm said this a million times: all my fears make perfect sense. To me.

12) Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

I don't think so. Except Kleenex. And a nasopharyngeal tube...well, a doctor did that... medications.... yeah, nothing that shouldn't have gone there, for sure.

13) What's your religion?

I'm an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Impressed? Don't be. Not for that. In all seriousness, I like PCUSA polity because it makes more sense than other options in running life inside a church.

14) If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

Walking to or from my car. This time of year, it will be done as quickly as safely possible.

15) Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

BE. HIND.

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

U2.

17) What was the last lie you told?

I can't think of one. Maybe that I "had" to bug outta church before the service ended this morning. I could've probably stayed and helped put the bells away, etc., but I was worried about Beast and about getting to work on time.

18) Do you believe in karma?

Not. As. Such. If you go over to the right-hand column and search for "believe karma" you can see how I've answered this question a kabillion other times.

19) What does your URL mean?

Really? You must ask this? How long have you been using the internet?

20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

Greatest weakness: I tend toward a short fuse and not suffering fools gladly. Greatest strength: I laugh inappropriately. For instance, today I was called "the b-word" and "rude-ass" and nearly cracked up at the absurdity of an adult saying "the b-word" instead of just saying "bitch" and the fact that this guy was so far past rude on the Rudeness Scale but calling ME rude-ass.

21) Who is your celebrity crush?

Still crushing on William Petersen. And George Eads.

22) Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Nope. Can't swim, so I don't even go non-skinny-dipping.

23) How do you vent your anger?

There is yelling, there is crying, there is blood rushing to my face (and if things are really bad, rushing OUT of my face), I see red.... Honestly, all of these things will happen given enough provocation, but not necessarily in the order listed.

24) Do you have a collection of anything?

S&Ps. And dust.

25) Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?

Talking on the phone without video. Sparky moves around too much for me to be really comfortable Skyping with him; it causes motion-sickness if I watch him too closely.

Manic Monday

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If you knew that every minute of the next 24 hours of your life would be recorded on camera is there anything you would change about your habits?

I'd probably avoid picking my nose. ;-) Are the cameras going to follow me into the bathroom too? Bummer. It's really a horrible thought. Thanks, Lisa, for making me shudder out of paranoia.

If you could take a one-month trip to any single destination in the world and money is not a consideration, where would you go?

Australia from mid-January to mid-Feburary. Can I at least travel around the country/continent if I leave it that vague?

What is the best example of "perfection" that you can think of?

Babies' and small children's giggles, like this: