Sunday Stealing

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Thought Provoking Questions
These are questions suggested by Markandangel

If you could instill one piece of advice in a newborn baby’s mind, what advice would you give?

Hell no! I'll be taking advice from this source, not polluting it with my stupidity!

What is the most desirable trait another person can possess?

Self-awareness.

What are you most grateful for?

Small moments of joy and painlessness.

Is stealing to feed a starving child wrong?

Nope.

What do you want most?

Peace.

Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

I tend toward doing things right as often as possible; I need to pay more attention to doing the right things regardless of perfectibility.

What has life taught you recently?

Just cutting back on food intake or eating healthier food doesn't cause weight loss. So frustrating.

What is the one thing you would most like to change about the world?

I would really like people to spend more time listening with an open mind.

Where do you find inspiration?

Kids and animals, some weather (e.g. thunderstorms) and sleep.

Can you describe your life in a six word sentence?

"Just take it as it comes."

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

Because pride. Ego, if you prefer.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

Aside from kindness, I'd actually like to leave as little impact as possible. Call me nuts.

What is the most defining moment of your life thus far?

Life continues after tragedy, and there are ALWAYS things to be learned, often from surprising people and events.

In the haste of your daily life, what are you not seeing?

Realistically, if I'm not seeing it, I'm, uh, ... not seeing it.
To answer the implicit question, I'm often very unaware of how set in my ways I am.

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

"I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to—what I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can’t help myself because I’m no longer doing it.... When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway." (Romans 7:15-17a, 19 (NLB))

Paul had one answer for that. I tend to agree with him in the abstract sense: because it feels better to do the wrong thing often. Or it is or seems easier.

What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?

Music. Sleep. Venting to a trusted person.

Have you ever regretted something you did not say or do?

Only every motherlovin' day! Good God, this is my life. "Regrets, I have a few..."

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

Ayup. Usually with a twist because God's a funny guy.

Why do we think of others the most when they’re gone?

I don't really think I do; I am fairly certain I think about my Mom now as often as I did when she was still around. However, I think we all like to think about past times of our lives that seem much easier than today. I also strong distrust this rosy view of the past. My life wasn't appreciably "better" in my 20s, though some things were easier. Other things were pretty awful and I'd never want to do it again.

What is your most beloved childhood memory?

I've been thinking a lot lately about playing jacks (metal ones!) on the sidewalk in front on my house. We had a driveway pad that was very smooth so my hand didn't get all torn up scooping. I loved jacks....

Sunday Stealing

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Something different

1. What is a normal thing that took you an embarrassingly long time to learn?

How to pump gas? I was terrified till I was in my thirties of looking stupid at the pump because I didn't know what I was doing. ...because, yeah, the guys inside have time to watch people pumping gas?? smh

2. In what ways are you old-fashioned?

I believe in people doing things for themselves to the extent that they are able and in community to improve culture. I believe in love. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, but not being stupid. I believe in telling the truth, even if sometimes that hurts.

3. What is the best sandwich you've ever eaten? Where did you get it? What made it so delicious?

I suspect the best sandwich I ever had was something made at home and carried up a hiking path to the point where I was super-hungry and ready to eat. I have no memory of this mythic sandwich, but that tends to be when I enjoy food the most: after lots of sweat, outside, great view, good friends nearby.

4. What are you currently not bragging about that you should totally brag about?

We started a MASSIVE reorganization at work on August 1. It has gone in unexpected directions already, and I see that continuing to happen. I haven't lost my shit once yet. This is seriously amazing. Also, the finished product will be awesome, eventually. Give me a decade and it will be completely done!

5. What food have you never tasted and are most interested in trying?

I'd like to try more varieties of Indian and middle-eastern foods.

6. What history facts were you surprised to learn because it was never covered in school?

I never learned about the Sand Creek Massacre despite growing up less than 200 miles from where it happened.

7. What is something that you waited entirely too long to start or stop doing? What made you say "Why did I wait so long?"

It has taken me most of my life to really stop internalizing the opinions of people I don't know or care about. Why do they get to spend so much time in my head in place of people who love me??

8. What socially expected thing do you hate doing the most? What thing about polite society really grinds your gears?

I really hate hypocrisy.

9. What is something about your city that I should know if I'm going to visit? What is the hidden "must see" that you always tell friends and visitors to not miss

Well, there was a very popular movie filmed here in the early 90s that has become a bit of a "thing" to celebrate every year. There's a tour of sites from the movie and other slightly random things. I can do the tour in my sleep at this point.

10. What do you miss most about childhood?

The endless days, and waking up every morning to do it again only different.

11. What "fact" did you learn in school that is not true or no longer true?

...that the President always deserves respect.

12. What's your favorite piece of useless trivia?

I know SO MUCH useless trivia!! From the location of several dozen topics in Dewey Decimal to jersey numbers of football players from the 70s to how to make a white sauce in the kitchen to airport codes for a lot of cities. Really, it's ridiculous that no one will play Trivial Pursuit with me........!!

13. What's your best go to homemade "lazy" meal

Easiest hot food is spaghetti and a salad. The one I like the most is mac n cheese and sausage. However, I'm having a bagel sandwich with two kinds of cheese for lunch and I do that a LOT!

14. What's the title of this current chapter in your life?

"Surgeons and Pain Control for Beast"

15. What is a habit or practice that you learned from your childhood that you didn't realize was "weird" until you were an adult?

Apparently, shouting through the house isn't done by every family. Like, yelling up the stairs for someone--Beast's family apparently didn't do that. Who knew?

From Amy

(This Amy)

What is more difficult for you, looking into someone's eyes when you are telling them how you feel, or looking into someone's eyes when they are telling you how they feel?

In general I prefer to look at people when THEY are talking. I'm easily distracted by facial tics and nonverbals and I'd never finish what I need to say if I looked at the reaction while I was saying it.

Think of the last time you were REALLY angry. WHY were you angry? Do you still feel the same way?

I really haven't been ANGRY for awhile. That's amazing to say! I spent much of 2014 and 2015 in a whirl of furious defensiveness and paranoia. I think the last time I really lost my shit at all was when someone at work got all condescending at me. It's the same person who always does that when put on the spot; I should know better than to rise to the bait after 20 years. However, to my credit, instead of stomping around and being childish, I simply said, "Please don't use that tone with me." She told me to "just go home." So I did.

You are on a flight from Honolulu to Chicago non-stop. There is a fire in the back of the plane. You have enough time to make ONE phone call. Who do you call? What do you tell them?

Are you kidding? In stressful moments, I can barely get my phone logged in, much less actually use it as a phone! By the time I get my brain sorted to do this, I'd be a crispy critter already. But thanks for that great thought as I prepare for an 8-hour flight on Monday...

You are at the doctor’s office and he has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? What do you do with your remaining days? Would you be afraid?

If it's going to mean a noticeable decline over that month, I'd have to tell people: Beast, Sparky, work. If it meant dropping dead suddenly I'd probably make sure my insurance was paid up, my will and burial wishes were clear and findable, and then get on a plane to someplace lovely.

You can have one of the following two things. Which do you choose? Why? - Love and Trust.

I don't think you can have either without the other. It's a little symbiotic. However, since I've actually been thinking about what trust means in my life lately, I'll take the love, as in GIVING it to others. I guess I'd rather receive trust.

You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late even once more, you are fired. Do you take the time to save the dog's life? Why or why not?

Weirdly, I just heard about something like this scenario being put to the test at a seminary, and most everyone failed. Massively. So while I say I'd stop and do something for the dog, I am realistic enough to know that I probably wouldn't. That's assuming I even noticed the situation in the first place!

Would you rather be hurt by the one you trust the most or the one you love the most?

I'd really rather not be hurt, honestly. Having been hurt regularly and most often by someone I thought I could trust, whom I also love, I will say that the failure in trust is a difficult blow. I know he still loves me.

Your best friend confesses that he/she has feelings for you, more than just friendship. He/she is falling in love with you. What do you (or did you) do/say?

I'd ask for a chance to think and then I'd shut up so I didn't say anything hurtful. This does mean different things depending on which friend we're talking about. Frankly, for most of my besties, it would be odd after this many years to find that out.

Think of the last person who you know that died. You have the chance to give them 1 hour of life back, but you have to give up one year of yours. Do you do it? Why or why not?

The last person I know who died didn't necessarily deserve an hour of extra time.... The last person that I love who died would kill me for doing something like this, so I'd be sacrificing a lot more (I hope) than a year!

Are you the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend?

If this question was reworded to read "Am I a good friend to myself?" I would say that generally yes and improving.

Does love = sex?

Absolutely not! Some love sometimes includes some kind of sexual component, but most love a lot of the time has zero to do with sex.

Your boss tells your coworker that they have to let them go because of work shortage, and they are the newest employee. You have been there much longer. Your coworker has a family to support and no other means of income. Do you go to your boss and offer to leave the company? Why or why not?

Nope. Because I like my job and the newest employee at my workplace couldn't do what I do, so that would be a ridiculous thing to do.

When was the last time you told someone HONESTLY how you felt regardless of how difficult it was for you to say? Who was it? What did you have to tell the person?

I am not exactly shy about this. And I'm learning to be much more up front, but less confrontational, about this kind of thing. Better to get it dealt with now that wait for it to fester.

What would be (or what was) harder for you to tell a member of the opposite sex, you love them or that you do not love them back?

I really struggled to say "I love you" when I was younger because my family doesn't haul that one out and use it very often. On the other hand, I seem to have had no problem being mean; my family is better at that...?

What do you think would be the hardest thing for you to give up? Why would it be hard to lose?

My independence.

Excluding romantic love, when was the last time you told someone you loved them. Who were they to you?

I think I texted a friend this yesterday. She had some family stuff going on, and she is just a kind person and she says it all the time too.

If there was one moment and one time in the last month what would you change and why?

Whatever one moment I choose, I'm virtually certain it would involve shutting up this time around.

Imagine it is a dark night, you are alone, it is raining outside, you hear someone walking around outside your window. WHO do you wish was there with you?

The police. Whom I would have already called.

Would you give a homeless person CPR if they were dying? Why or why not?

Of course. Because being homeless doesn't preclude someone's right to have a life.

You are holding onto your grandmother’s hand and the hand of a newborn that you do not know as they hang over the edge of a cliff. You have to let one go to save the other. Who do you let fall to their death? What was your rationale for making the decision?

My grandmother has been dead longer than the author has been alive. Save the baby.

Are you old fashioned?

Yes. Except in terms of gender roles. Unless that could be interpreted as Ancient Fashioned.

When was the last time you were nice to someone and did NOT expect anything in return for it?

At work. Every damned day. I expect very very little from my public service interactions, so every time someone doesn't yell at me or talk nonsense to me or otherwise act weird, I'm very grateful.

Which would you choose, true love with a guarantee of a broken heart, or never loved at all? Why?

I'll always go for love. Why would you only get one chance at love? We have multiple chances for love every fucking day!

If you could do anything or wish anything, what would it be?

I would really love for people to CALM THE FUCK DOWN and stop taking everything so damned personally. The world does not revolve around any single one of us. Get real and get over it.

Friday 5

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Neither Here nor There

1. What’s something you have a love-hate relationship with?

   Sweets. I love 'em. My pancreas, not so much.

2. What’s an issue you’ve teeter-tottered on?

   To be honest, I've waffled on Hillary over the years. She's not my favorite, but she's also not int he bottom 50% of options.

3. What was the topic of your most memorable back-and-forth with someone?

   "Most memorable"? All I can think of right now is politics, because I feel like I'm drowning in them again. I'm just so bloody tired of arguing.

4. In personal and professional relationships, which end of the give-and-take do you seem to do more of?

   Overall, I hope, I think, I'm pretty balanced. Today, it's been all give with one person though.

5. Which of your recent days was the most up-and-down?

   That would totes be the past 24 hours: like 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. or so. Life ... changed. Certainly for the person mentioned in #4. I hope.

Sunday Stealing

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The King of the Beasts Meme

1. Would you post a picture of you for us?

Probably not. I'm pretty incognito here. Oh, all right. If you insist.

2. Would you date an 18-year-old at the age you are now?

Hell no! Just the mere thought of dealing with 18-year-old...ugh.

3. Do you prefer to work with women or men? Why?

I have spent my career working mostly with women. I often think a superfluity of men might be a nice change.

4. Do you have any opposite sex friends?

Yes I do. I even have an intersex friend. [I'm not a fan of this question]

5. Can you commit to one person?

I've been married for 29 years and 355 days. Any guesses?

6. If you’re married or in a relationship have you ever been tempted to cheat?

Not seriously. Nope.

7. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2018?

Probably not. Maybe? Who knows, really?

8. If the person you are interested in says they like someone else, what would try to sway them?

I'd be pissed. Forget "sway"--I'd be busy throwing his ass to the curb.

9. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Better than I used to be, but I also care less than I did when I was younger. Mostly I'm in hiding at work every day all day, and let it all out everywhere else.

11. When was the last time you cried?

This past week, I think? I don't remember. It happens so often it's a bit hard to track.

12. Have you ever fell for someone you didn’t expect to?

Oh, the grammar! Ack. And yes. Bigtime. Quote from me in high school: "I'd never date a football player!!" Hah.

13. What is something you have to do tomorrow?

Get up and go to work. Call Angela to make an appointment to talk about wills. That's two things.

14. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having.

I'm not getting a great deal accomplished. And I feel a little guilty about bailing on a social commitment that starts in half an hour.

15. Have you ever wanted more from one of your best friends of the opposite sex?

....plock

16. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have?

Of course.
...so basically the person who wrote this basically WAS 18, which makes that first question a lot less icky....

17. Who was the last person you talked to before you went to bed last night?

Beast of course.

18. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?

Yup.

19. When was the last time that you were jealous in a romance situation?

Eons.

20. If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?

It would have been nice if 1994 hadn't rolled out the way it did. But it did, and I survived somehow.

21. Did you have a good day yesterday? What did you do?

Beast and I spent Friday night in the town where Sparky lives, which is also where we went to college. Yesterday we helped him move The Big Stuff--furniture, bed, TV--out of his old apartment and into his new place. The apartment he's leaving is adorable and cool, but his roommate has been a nightmare. I hadn't visited while he lived there, and OMG the kitchen! OMG OMG OMG. I'm not a clean-freak at all, but eew the smell alone was unreal. His new one smells strongly of smoke, and looks like 1977 never really went away. But he's his own boss now--so maybe the kitchen won't stink when I see him next.

22. If a person you had wished you could have a relationship with for a long time and you suddenly found yourself together alone, what would you be doing right now?

Correcting the wording of this question because it will take that long to figure out....

23. Do you replay things that have happened in your head?

I can be a bit obsessive, yes.

24. Don’t tell me lies, is the last person you texted attractive?

It was Beast, so.

25. Is your life anything like it was two years ago? Is it a good or bad thing?

It's better. Mostly. Not always, not permanently, but overall better.

Sunday Stealing

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Meal Skipper Meme

1. Do you skip meals sometimes?

Probably not nearly as often as I ought to. I find myself eating because it's "lunchtime" or whatever and realizing that I'm not even actually hungry.

2. Last time you overate?

At least a week. There hasn't been a lot of time for big meals this week.

3. Do you like Mexican food?

I love it!

4. Do you like Chinese food?

Yes, some.

5. Do you like Italian food?

OMG, YES!

6. Do you like American food?

Uh, yeah.

7. Have you ever been on a diet?

Too many times.

8. Do you like vegetables?

Yes.

9. On a scale from 1 to 5 how much do you eat a day (1= not eating, 5= eating 3 meals)?

5. Actually more like 5+.

b>10. Do you think you eat healthily?

Not as well as I could, certainly.

11. Do you think you are ugly?

Well, I don't scare children or animals....

12. Do you like your hair?

I have good hair.

13. Do you like the way you look?

I'd like to be approx 20 again and a little more clued in to what works for me in terms of clothes and hair.

14. Would you want to change anything?

Now? Yes. Will I? I can certainly try harder.

15. Do you ever wear a lucky color?

I don't really have a lucky color. I have some "magical" clothing though, for instance my Reggie White Packers jersey.

16. Do you care how other people see you?

Well, again, I don't really want to scare anyone, but in the main I'm invisible to the majority of people these days and that's fine.

17. Do you or have you ever worn braces?

Yup. Two years of hell in junior high.

18. Do you wear glasses and/or contacts?

I'm effectively blind without my glasses. Tried contacts in college--and that led to me developing a giant panoply of heath issues. Plus, they were fussy and mostly annoying.

19. Do you want to gain weight, lose weight, or stay about the same?

I need to lose weight. Actually, what I need to do is cut back on sugar; if I did that, I'd lose weight too.

20. What do you do if you have the flu?

Drink water, sleep as much as I can, and probably mope around the house feeling lousy.

21. How many tries to get your driver's license?

Got it on the first try.

22. Are you saving up for anything in the future?

Does retirement count?

23. Do you have a lot of spare time?

More than I've earned for sure.

24. Do you consider yourself a responsible person?

Yes. Except when I'm really notat all, which is rare. It's like a little seizure when I act irresponsibly: out of control and (fortunately) pretty rare.

25. Do you consider yourself a lazy person?

HELL yess!!

Sunday Stealing

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This Year Meme

This Year:
A bad habit I'm going to break:

Popping off without thinking. I really have to get a handle on this.

A new skill I'd like to learn:

Oh, I don't know. Walking away? Managing my boss?

A person I'd like to be more like:

I'd like to get better at being my better self, honestly. Though there are several women at church who serve as good role models: Vel, Cheryl, Shel, Kel (what's with all the "l" names?), and of course there are several people in my life whose purpose seems to be primarily as reminders of what NOT to do!

A good deed I'm going to do:

I think I'll try being more mindful of starting a pay-it forward line when I'm in various drive-thrus in town.

A place I'd like to visit:

The parts of Missouri and Arkansas that were on our list for last October that had to be canceled. And maybe my nieces babies overseas.

A book I'd like to read:

I've decided that I am going to read Umberto Eco this year. First up: The Name of the Rose.

A letter I'm going to write:

I need to write Rosellen and Tom and apologize for 'outing' their news before they did it. I'm an idiot. (see the first question)

A new food I'd like to try:

I've heard that there's this kind of food group called "healthy" and I'm hoping to get better about eating it more regularly.

I'm going to do better at:

...keeping things from becoming overwhelming on the stack-and-do-later front at work and at home.

Saturday 9

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Happy Holidays! (from the archives) [previously answered here]

1. As you can see, Sam loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. Yet some children are reluctant to climb into Jolly Old St. Nick's lap. Did you enjoy the tradition or were you shy? Or did you by pass it altogether -- either because you wrote him a letter or because your family didn't celebrate Christmas?

I only remember going to see Santa once as a child. That doesn't mean I only did it once, but I only remember the one time. I was probably rather shy, but I don't remember being afraid.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there?

At work I'm firmly ensconced on the Naughty List, despite my best efforts to change that. I was actually told it would be easier to deal with me if I was angry all the time. I believe I'm done being friendly with the majority of my coworkers if that's the guff I get back from the boss, who of course won't (can't) tell me specifically who is "afraid" of me, just that "people" are. So my (early) New Year's Resolution is that I will discuss work-related issues only when I'm at work. I've blocked all but two coworkers from most of my Facebook posts (because apparently someone went running to Daddy the boss about something I posted there in which I used zero names or specifics). So, yeah, not feeling overly Nice.

3. Did you ship any gifts to friends and family this year? If so, which one traveled the farthest?

I shipped the Christmas ornament of the year to all the great-nephews. Next year there'll be great-nieces! In fact, any second now there'll be girls--Rosellen is massively pregnant with twins. Anyway. The farthest away I shipped was Leicester, England, for Simi and A.

4. Did you buy yourself a gift this year?

Of course I did! :-)

5. What's your favorite holiday-themed movie?

I don't really care about holiday movies. We didn't watch any this year at all. Yesterday, we caught the last half of "Ghostbusters" which is a weird movie for Christmas.

6. Thinking of movies, Christmas is lucrative for Hollywood. Have you ever gone to a movie theater on Christmas Day?

I have, a couple of times! The one I remember vividly is the year my Dad and Ellen died, we left Sparky with my mom and went to see "Little Women"--the Winona Ryder version--across the street from her apartment. It was a lovely day, and a lovely movie.

7. Have you ever suffered an embarrassing moment at the company Christmas party?

I try to behave, and only embarrass myself to the extent that I have a horrible tendency to develop foot-in-mouth disease at bad times, but not limited to parties, and not brought on by over-festive-ness.

8. What's your favorite beverage in cold weather?

The same as any other time of year. Oh, I'll have tea occasionally, but not that often.

9. Share a memory from last Christmas.

I don't remember much about Christmas Day last year. We were prepping for our trip to Pasadena to see the Tournament of Roses Parade, and Sparky was prepping for his month-long study in Hawaii. Last year was also the first time we all went to the Christkindlmarkt in the Giant City Near Us. I hope it won't be the last, though this year it wasn't happening because of Beast's medical situation.

Friday 5

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Fresh Catch

1. What were your feelings the last time you stood on a scale?

   Well, they weren't happy. But I was at the doctor's so I was also a bit distracted by the nurse talking to me.

2. In what ways are you old schoool [sic]{hee}, and in what ways are you new school?

   I'm old school financially and in some respects spiritually and morally. I'm into new technology and like trying new things. I try to weigh things on their merits not on their history.

3. What big event is coming down the pike for you?

   My son is moving into his own apartment in two weeks. It probably is a bigger deal than it feels like. So much that I know that he doesn't know he needs to know....

4. In which social situations do you thrive, and in which do you flounder?

   I like social situations that involve word-play and intelligent conversation. I suck at social niceties and small talk and gossip.

5. When was the last time a fad hooked you?

   Oh, probably yesterday. This week. Recently. I'm kind of a sucker for fads. I can't think of what it would be, unless it's a new song or a phrase. I've been using What the Actual Fuck? a lot lately.

Sunday Stealing

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Would You Rather Meme, part one

1. Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?

   Oh. Dear. I can't pick. I would LOVE to meet my grandparents in their prime--they were all in their 80s (or dead) when I was born. But--assuming Sparky ever reproduces--I'd like to see how the world is working out for his children and grandchildren. Seriously. Can't pick.

2. Would you rather have more time or more money?

   I don't need more money, but I'd probably just waste the extra time as much as I do now.

3. Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?

   Pause, so I wouldn't need a rewind button. I also need to remember to use it.

4. Would you rather be able to talk with the animals or speak all foreign languages?

   Oh crap another impossible choice! But I already talk to animals (lol) so I'll go with foreign languages. I'd like to be able to understand animals (and foreign languages) too, for the record.

5. Would you rather win the lottery or live twice as long?

   Lottery. I've no interest in being decrepit for any longer than I already will be. But since I never buy a lottery ticket....

6. Would you feel worse if no one showed up to your wedding or to your funeral?

   Wedding. I don't care about the funeral--I'll be dead. But it would suck for Sparky & Beast, I guess.

7. Would you rather be without internet for a week, or without your phone?

   Internet. But I use my phone mostly for internet these days anyway.

8. Would you rather meet George Washington, or the current President?

   Obama FTW!! Maybe when he's done in D.C.

9. Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing?

   Hearing. My dad was partly deaf, so I have no problem seeing the good parts of that. But I would miss music....

10. Would you rather work more hours per day, but fewer days or work fewer hours per day, but more days?

    If I could work alone 3 12-hour days and one half, I would be ecstatic. But that ain't happening, not one part of it.

11. Would you rather listen to music from the 70’s or music from today?

    I listen to both, and everything in between and beyond. I'd probably pick 70s, though.

12. Would you rather become someone else or just stay you?

    I'm ok with just me. Maybe less of me, but still me.

13. Would you rather be Batman or Spiderman?

    Batman. He's normal (sorta).

14. Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator?

    Long term, ski lift. I would hate to be enclosed for very long, and the whole peeing thing... But a ski lift could be cold after awhile, so it would be nice to be warm. also, I could probably, maybe, figure out how to get out of an elevator car, but I'm not sure I could figure out a ski lift hack.

15. For your birthday, would you rather receive cash or gifts?

    I'd rather you donate to a good cause in my name.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Think of a topic or issue about which you've switched your opinion. Why the change?

I'm slowly learning that I don't need to participate in every argument in the world. I don't even need to have an opinion in most of them. And it's actually BAD for me to get involved in arguments that are about other people's lives. Keeping quiet is hard, but necessary. Why change? I'd like to be a better person, that's all.

2) What kind of trophy would you like to win?

I'm really not at all interested in trophies. Something else to dust. Just...no.

3) What household chore do you like the most?

I don't mind washing dishes, although I hate to do all the prep for just a couple of things, so I usually wait for things to pile up a little.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
Public Domain Photo

I really love this time of year when all the leaves put on their last show. It reminds me of the cycle of life and that the best time for beauty isn't always in the beginning of life (spring) but later. That's a very hopeful point of view for me right now.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Random 20

1. Have you had an argument with anyone recently? If so, do you still have issues with that person?

Beast and I had a pretty intense discussion yesterday. Do we still have issues? Yes. Was yesterday's resolved. I think so.
Otherwise, I haven't had an argument with anyone. My temper is gradually becoming more biddable.

2. Are you talking to anyone while filling this in? How about texting/chatting on Facebook?

I'm alone in the house with two guinea pigs. Beast is on his way home from church after a post-church meeting. He just told me via text he's stopping for gas, via text, so he will probably be walking in the door at some point while I'm still filling this out.

3. Have you done something recently that helped someone else, in any way?

I taught Sunday School this morning, so there is a faint hope that something I said stuck for one of those squirrels. Also, I helped a few people on Friday at work, it being my job and all.

4. Who was the last person to pay you a compliment?

Vickie.

5. Is there anything that’s happened in the past month, that you wish you could go back in time and change?

Pretty much every day there's something I wish had happened differently.

6. What colour is your purse/wallet?

My wallet--I don't carry a purse--is dark green leather with the Packer "G" embossed on it. It has black polka-dot duct tape holding a seam together inside.

7. What’s the closest item to you that’s black?

The laptop inside is almost all black, except for the screen right now. The screen of my cell is black. Some shoes on the floor in front of the couch are black. The background on the footstool is black. The text of the magazine open next to me is black. I think that's all.

8. Think about what you looked like 5 years ago. How did you look different, compared to the way you look now?

I had longer, differently-colored hair, and I was probably 20 lbs. lighter. Probably less wrinkly and my skin hadn't started to have that weird 'old' texture around my throat and upper chest. Different glasses too.

9. Before Facebook became popular, did you use any other social networking site, like Bebo or Myspace?

I had--probably still have?--a MySpace account, but I couldn't figure out why, or what to do with it. I signed up for Friendster, but never used it. Mostly, I blogged and emailed.

10. Has someone of the opposite sex ever sung to you? If so, how did you respond to it?

Actually yes. I can't remember the details, to be honest, because I was totally mortified.

11. When did you last hug someone of the opposite sex?

This morning, maybe at church? If not, I did hug Beast before I left for Sunday School.

12. Have you ever seen the film “Casablanca”? Did you like it?

I really really need to watch this film! It's one of the few "you have GOT to see it!" things that seems like something I'd actually enjoy.

13. Do you have a relative whose name begins with ‘L’? Tell me about him/her.

One of my sister's real name--as opposed to her blog name--started with L. She was a fun, intense, thoughtful, 'spicy' person and I miss her sense of adventure and positive attitude and honesty more than I can explain. She died 19 years 10 months ago and one day ago, which was about 25 years longer than most people expected when she was about 21. Anyone who says that grief gets easier with time isn't telling the whole truth. I don't cry every day anymore, but I'm starting to tear up right now. Shit.

14. Are you a secretive person?

Uhm, yes. I prefer to call it "super-private" but whatever.

15. When did you last eat?

I had half a donut after church which seems to have carried me well for the past two hours. I should probably go get something a little more substantial, but I'm really not that hungry.

16. If you were going to buy a present for a special person, what would you generally choose?

I almost always try for useful things, or fun things. If it's useful AND fun, so much the better. I bought $350 worth of Christmas ornaments at Hallmark yesterday for gifts. Because I'm totally insane...

17. If I’m going to buy you a box of chocolates, which kind should I definitely NOT get?

I do not like fruit and chocolate together. And mint chocolate is not my thing either. Otherwise, I'm not too fussy.

18. Is there something you generally always ask for help with?

Yardwork. Being outside near growing things here brings on allergies like gangbusters. I also usually as for help with lifting large unwieldy things because I don't trust my sense of balance even without carrying anything!

19. If you had to give up your phone or your computer, which would it be?

Oooh. I can use both for almost everything, but I'd have to Skype everyone with my computer. So, I'll go with keeping my phone. But I can't really surf the net effectively on my phone. Or post to Blogger. ;-)

20. Has anyone called you gorgeous/beautiful today?

Not that I'm aware of. That's fine: I have a big-ass zit erupting on my nose, so I'm not feeling too beautiful today anyway.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. V is for VACATION: Where is a place you’d really like to take a vacation trip to if money were no object?

Australia and New Zealand. A slow tour, several weeks long at least. I'd like to go back to Russia and some nearby countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), too.

2. V is for VACILLATE: Do you consider someone who changes his opinion on something weak or wise?

Depends on a lot of things. One thing is how often these changes occur, and how thoughtful they are. Generally, though if someone thinks something through and changes his mind, I give him a lot of credit for admitting he was wrong.

3. V is for VACUUM: As a general rule, how often should a common area like a living room be vacuumed?

When there are crumbs sticking to your feet. I don't know, really--weekly? More if you have very small children and/or pets. Less if it's just you and you're fairly neat.

4. V is for VAGAS: Have you ever experienced lightheadedness or actually fainted from having blood drawn or seeing blood?

No. I don't faint, but I do get wibbly-wobbly in my gut once in awhile. It's not the blood; it's watching the needle going in.

5. V is for VEXILLOLOGY: Other than the United States, which country’s national flag do you like most?

I'm partial to the flags of the United Kingdom, but there are some really lovely flags out there. For a cool variant, though, you can't beat Nepal.

6. V is for VINOLENT: What is your favorite kind of wine?

I'm quite partial to Gewürztraminer, which isn't easy to find in most restaurants, but I have a small stash here at home.

Patrick's Place (times 2)

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six #518

1. K is for KAINTOPHOBIA: As a general rule, do you usually embrace the unknown of change or are you more reluctant to accept the idea of change?

I like change. Change is good.

2. K is for KARMA: Do you tend to believe that what goes around comes around, or do you believe things just happen?

I think to a large degree we create the world in which we live, at least inside our heads. If you do people wrong, and if you aren't a sociopath, it will come around in one way or another.

3. K is for KIN: How far from you does your nearest relative not living with you actually live?

My niece Katherine and her family live about 45 miles from us; my nephews James and Don live 45 miles from us. We form the point of a very wide, flattened V.

4. K is for KINDNESS: What is the last random act of kindness performed toward you by a stranger?

A woman dug through her purse to find me a pen while I was at the reference desk yesterday--seriously, we had no black or blue pens? Just golf pencils, Sharpies, and a red pen.

5. K is for KISS: How old were you when you experienced your first kiss?

I'm assuming you mean romantic. So about 14? I can't remember which year for sure, but probably 8th grade.

6. K is for KNOT: How many kinds of knots do you know how to tie?

Well, I can do some embroidery, along with general knot-tying. Maybe 10?

Saturday Six #519

1. L is for LABIOMANCY: How good are you at reading people's lips when you can't hear a conversation?

I find, the older I get, I hear much better when I watch people's mouths. I don't think I'm actually going deaf, but I do lip read for sure.

2. L is for LAMPADEPHORE: If you had the opportunity to run with the Olympic torch, would you? Why or why not?

Aside from the fact that I can't actually run, sure.

3. L is for LARYNGITIS: What's the longest you've had to go without your voice?

Probably not more than a day or so. Never even two full days. My vocal cords don't seem to be my weak point; just my throat in general.

4. L is for LID: If we checked your kitchen cabinets, would we find that you had more container lids than bottoms, more bottoms than lids, or the same amount of each?

I'm pretty close to the same number of both; I clean out the cupboard fairly regularly. If anything I run low on lids, since they break more often.

5. L is for LOCK: A security company ad promises its app will let you lock up your home by remote control from your phone. Given the rise of hacking, how much would you trust this technology?

I don't need it, that's for sure. This house is locked up unless we're actually walking in or out the door. We mostly use the garage door to access, so...don't need to remote lock it.

6. L is for LUXURY: If you were buying a new car, what luxury in a new car that your old one doesn't have would you most look forward to having?

Ironically in light of the previous question, I'd really like a remote starter.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?

My perception is that we're less racist, less homophobic, slightly less sexist, and more open about the existence of bad things (abuse, disease, etc.).

2. How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?

Two words: "helicopter parents."

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?

"Star light, star bright/First star I see tonight/I wish I may, I wish I might/Have the wish I wish tonight."

4. Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway.

I don't listen to the radio, so if a song is overplayed it would be because I'm listening to it over and over. The one that comes to mind immediately is Pink's "Fuckin' Perfect" (not the edited version).

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?

Not since I lived at home in my teens. It's just way too much work when DQ is right around the corner and is actually less horrific from a nutritional standpoint than homemade is.

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?

Encourage them and then let them take ownership. Generally. Of course, there will always be a few who just need to be pushed because they don't really want to work for whatever reason. I find the carrot approach tends to work better than the stick, though the stick is way more tempting to use, and easier in the short run.

7. When was the last time you were without power?

Sometime in the last six weeks. I know we lost power at least briefly overnight once this summer, and we were out for a couple of hours another time. We lose power all the damn time, so it's hardly noteworthy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I really hate allergy season. I really totally completely loathe corn pollen. And I don't feel good. And my eyes are completely fubar.

Lots of Curiosity in this Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Have you ever been arrested?

Nope. Never spent time in custody. Hoping to keep that record intact untill I die.

2) In what ways would you like to change the world?

I'm trying to keep my corner of it from imploding at any given moment by trying to be kind. I'm actually nicer in person than on the blog(s).

3) Has a book ever brought you to tears?

Only about twice a month for most of my life.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

This nail needs driving--it's a hazard to feet and the structural integrity of whatever it's supposed to be holding together.

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1) What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you as a result of procrastinating?

I can't right now think of a specific incident, but there've been a few missed opportunities, for sure.

2) Are you a member of the Mile High Club?

Nope, though I did grow up in the Mile High City, so if we stretch the definition... lol

3) What's worse, extremely cold weather or extremely hot weather?

I hate hot+humid. Abhor it! Otherwise, I don't mind hot. But it's easier to deal with cold--you can always find ways to warm up, but it's hard to cool down.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

I find butterflies really interesting. This one is unusually un-colorful, but still lovely.

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1) Describe your "good china," whether you actually own any or not.

I have both of my grandmother's china sets, plus my parents'. We use the latter on Thanksgiving: it's beige with pale green outer rims, very '50/'60s-standard. I love them. I didn't ask for china when we got married: seemed silly to ask for dishes we'd have to store for 10 years.

2) When are you happiest?

When I'm relaxed and accomplishing something important (to me).

3) If you could turn into two people right now, what are the first two things you'd want to do?

I'd go on vacation, like, permanently. And the other one of me would stick around and keep earning money to pay for that vacation.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

There was a day when hang-gliding looked like the most fun ever. Now, this photo kinda scares me: what if you impaled your glider on one of the arms of the turbines?? So, yeah, I'm too old for this I think.

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1) You discover that the person you're head-over-heels about loves good homemade & handmade desserts. What will you concoct when you have this person over?

Hmm, looks like it's apple crumble all around with (maybe even homemade) whipped cream on top.

2) What would you leave in your will for the person you care about the most?

My money, and the name of a good attorney/accountant. OK, seriously: family mementos and a big mess to clean up. It's only fair, right? Reality is somewhere in the middle of all this, of course.

3) What do you consider to the most valuable thing you own: when you were a child/teenager/now?

When I was a child, it was probably one of my toys, maybe my jacks. As a teen, probably my diary. Now...probably this computer. Or...jeez, maybe my family Bibles?

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

Huge much? Since I know the photo is actually of a prison, it astounds me that we (still) spend so much money in our (used broadly here: this is in Australia) culture on locking people up.

+ + + + + + + +
1) How often do you clean between your toes?

Directly and intentionally? Not real often, but then again, they don't really get that dirty.

2) What is your favorite way to waste time at work without getting caught?

I've been known to check Facebook. I read through random interesting-looking books quite regularly (is that really time-wasting, though?). Oh, and there's the regular chit-chat with coworkers.

3) If you could have had the starring role in one film already made, which movie would you pick?

So tempting to say Maria in "The Sound of Music".... I can't think of any other heroines I'd want to be. Well, ok, maybe Professor McGonnigle.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

Awesome to see strong black women running things. The world would be a better place if we saw more of this, I think.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Departures

1. Starting with a little one: my best friend left town over the weekend last week. She went to her big brother's wedding. Weddings are fraught quite often. I suspect the wedding was actually the easy part of the weekend in this case.
2. At the end of June, a 22-year employee at the library I nicknamed years ago "Complainer Tech" retired. While I was sorry to see her go because she really can't afford to retire (financially), the past month has been so very heavenly. We have spent the month uncovering 'proof' that she needed to leave.
3. My boss is leaving. THANK GOD. Oops, did I say that? Oh well, the secret's out now. She leaves on the 31st.
4. Our newest professional staff member, who started last September, is leaving. Her last day is tomorrow. I've told her several times this week that I hate her. I don't, of course, but I'm very very sad.
5. Our old (20-years-old old) bed was replaced today by a spankin' new king-size sleep-number bed. Sparky inherited the old mattress and box-springs for now. Now he can take his futon up to college when he goes next month (next month!! omg).
6. When the mattress got moved, the heated mattress pad was jettisoned. It doesn't fit the new bed, but more importantly, there's a short in the wiring which has been worrying me for the past year. I'll get another one for (at least) my side of the bed, but I don't want Sparky to catch fire in bed. [obviously, in my mind, it's perfectly ok for me to catch fire...I'm an idiot]
7. So yeah...Sparky's leaving for his sophomore year of college in a month. New roommate, but just two doors down from the room he was in last year. So, familiar enough for him, and for us.
8. Lots of money has been flying out the door lately too: bed, textbooks, clothes, gifts, health stuff, food. Buy-bye money!
9. Beast has started back on his travel regimen. He was on the road last week Tuesday-Friday night, and the week before for 3-4 days as well. This week, he is wiped out to the point of going to bed early every night. I'm hoping that the new bed helps him sleep more productively. If not, I think I have an agreement from him to see the doctor; this isn't 'normal' tired.
10. I have spent the past couple of months waking up between 1 and 3 virtually every night. There's just a lot of stress, though at the point I'm awake I don't feel particularly stressed. I read, do a crossword, whatever, till I'm tired again, and generally get back to sleep after 45 minutes or sometimes two hours. It's a little like when I was pregnant: I kind of wandered around a lot at night then too. It's peaceful and again I'm learning that I really only need 5 or 6 hours' rest a night to function. But I miss my sleep.
11. I've left Jango after using it almost exclusively for the past 3 years or so for work tunes. I tried to add some specific songs last week and discovered that their new interface won't let you do that. You can add bands, and watch videos of specific songs. But you can't actually add songs. Fine. Buh-bye!! Hello again, Pandora. And now I have even more reason to figure out Spotify.
12. A weird confluence of events over the past 5 months or so means that I have broken my longstanding schedule of baths 3-4 times a week for the past 10 years. I think I've had maybe two long soaks this summer. I need to rethink this, before winter arrives.
13. This week, Sparky's very good friend Jet moved back to the house in which he grew up two states away from us. His parents have finally completed their very lengthy divorce proceedings and mom pretty much couldn't wait to get the hell out of the vicinity of her husband. The whole thing is awful. Saturday, Jet brought his mom's van over for Beast to check out; the brakes seemed off somehow. Yup. His dad had installed one of the drums (I think) wrong, so it was actually unsafe to drive across town much less across country. There was no money to repair it, so Jet's dad did it, after consulting with Beast. Jet brought it back over later Saturday and he did manage to do it right. The truck they rented from Budget arrived without a functional speedometer, Jet's mom didn't have a key for the house in Ohio until they arrived, Jet told me today that his room was turned into the dog pen by the renters, so it's trashed, PLUS there seems to have been a flea problem, AND their electricity was being shut off tonight because mom doesn't have money to have the account switched to her name. They are, essentially, waiting for dad to show up with his maintenance money so they can afford ANYthing! Oh, and Jet's in his senior year of high school, and found out a couple of weeks ago that he has already taken all the classes the high school there offers. So he'll spend his senior year at the local community college taking classes. I just want to DO something. And there's nothing really I can do.

Saturday 9 18

(Link in meme-roll)
Changes (last week's questions)

1. Do you believe people can truly change?

Wow, the timing for this was freakishly appropriate! Not that I saw the questions last week when they was posted.
OK, yes, of course people can change, if they want to badly enough, if they are motivated, and/or if they get help and support in areas they need it.

2. Do you think there is anything wrong with being average?

No one is average; that is sort of the point of averages, isn't it? Averages normalize everyone into one blob, where people are eminently un-blob-like. Except when we are busy being sheep: baa baa baa.

3. Do you believe in fairy tale love?

Nope. Haven't ever actually witnessed it so...no.

4. Has anyone ever spread something malicious about you?

Sure. Welcome to middle-school girls at their best. Some girls never outgrow that, either; I know quite a lot of adult women whose emotional and social skills stopped evolving at 13.

5. Have you ever done something at a party that you've ever regretted?

Fuck yeah! It's enough to permanently ruin parties for me! lol

6. How do you go about setting your goals?

I don't. Seriously, when the schools started having us do this--towards the end of high school a bit, and then definitely in college--I was literally unable to complete the assignments. I ended up desperately throwing shit on the paper just to have stuff to turn in. (This is never a bad idea in our culture, is it? Getting credit for "doing your homework" even though the result is actually pure bullshit.) I still don't do 5-year-plans, goal-setting, bucket lists, or 100 Things About Me lists. My brain does not work that way; if I want to do something, I start doing it, or I just don't.

7. Do you believe you deserve everything you want?

Yeah, of course I do. And by the way, I want YOUR car, YOUR money, YOUR life, and YOUR house. You ok with that? Oh, sorry, too bad for you. [no, I don't]

8. Do you have people in your life you could always count on?

Again with the amazing timing. Yes. I have a stupendous support network, which I may or may not deserve. Thank God for them!

9. Did you ever make a close friend from someone that you've dated?

Yup.

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Hot Fun In the Summertime (this week's questions)

1. What do you have planned for fun in the summertime?

This summer, I have nothing planned at all. It is my 30th high school reunion year, but I'm probably not going to the parties, which is fine. The reunion ten years ago was pretty good, but I'm not sure I'm at a place right now that would allow me to enjoy this sort of thing. Otherwise, the summer stretches out in front of much the same way it has since I was a child: seemingly endless, full of possibility, and hot.

2. Who was the last celebrity that you thought was bright until you saw them interviewed?

Most of them. It's much rarer to have the opposite reaction, to be honest.

3. Do you think that the U.S. and our present war(s) seem to just ignore our history?

I think people tend to see what they want to see in the past, and act accordingly. We Americans laughed at the Russians when they got stuck in Afghanistan in the '80s, and then conveniently forgot about the history of wars in that region when we invaded in 2002. I don't, however, think just the U.S. does this.

4. Have you ever conformed just to "fit in"?

Nope. Never. Especially not as a child! [is there ANYone who hasn't done this??]

5. Do you feel that you at times do not enjoy the moment because you are worried about what will come next?

Hello world, you've found out my dirty little (not-so-) secret.

6. Does it seem that when you learn more about yourself, that others' opinions of you seem stupid?

Yes, to an extent. This is what happens in college for sure, and whenever you realize that your parents don't really know you as well as you and they think, and various other times in life.

7. In rock & roll history, what bands or artists do you think made the biggest impact?

Elvis. The Beatles. James Brown. The punk movement as a whole. Michael Jackson. Madonna. I dunno. There are probably far more "unsung" movers and shakers, like Quincy Jones for instance, that changed the direction of pop culture.

8. Who do you blame for the state of the economy? Why?

I blame all of us. And Bernie Madoff.

9. Do you get upset and do you think you're being lazy when you do nothing?

Yes. And that's why I didn't do memes this past week. I really need to STOP being lazy.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The OC 25 Meme

1. What is your origin of your first name? What about any nicknames? My sisters named me after a friend. We all have names that are difficult to shorten (mine's the easiest), and my parents did not countenance nicknames.

2. Have you any claims to fame? Absolutely none.

3. If you were famous, how would you introduce yourself to someone who had never heard of you? I wouldn't be famous for a million dollars.

4. Which of your country's achievements do you hold in highest regard? I love that people still expect to U.S. to support the Little Guy. I know from the inside, and from some outsiders, we have a lot of mud on our face, but people still do love the idea of "the land of the free" at least.

5. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Older.

6. What was your most prized possession as a child? Do you still have it? Depends on what age. I no longer have my Barbie, but I did eventually get my Laura books back (they were 'donated' to my oldest nieces without my approval when I was about 13). I don't have Snake anymore, but I have most of the posters (from Tiger Beat & Teen Beat) that graced my walls as a teen.

7. What would you change about yourself, if you could? I would have more focus.

8. What are you obsessed with? RDA, which is just annoying.

9. What is your greatest achievement so far, or the high point of your career?  (oops, missed this one) My greatest achievement is not ruining my son; he's turning out to be a pretty cool guy.  Career-wise, I have no idea--this is not my goal at work, I guess.

10. When/where were you happiest? The summer of 1975 was absolutely wonderful. I stayed with my sister and her family for 5 weeks while my parents went overseas to see another sister. I didn't really have to answer to Ellen the way I did to my mom--not that she was permissive, but it was just more laid back.

11. And the lowest point in your life thus far? This past year has pretty much sucked since we got back from Italy and England last April. Two family funerals, 3 overnight stays at the hospital for Beast, plus a couple more where he was only in the ER briefly. I had my own ER visit last April too. Sparky heading to college without any real focus on my part. Work has been one low-morale day after another for the whole staff. I haven't felt connected to my real life for over a year.

12. What was the best decision you ever made? Getting married to Beast, and having a baby with him.

13. If you have any body modifications, which was most painful, or which do you regret the most? If you haven't got any, do you have any planned, or would you ever consider getting any? The only body modifications I've had have not been planned ahead, although you could argue that childbirth was a choice I made. I have pierced ears which were no big deal. I had braces--they were not fun. I've had surgery: that totally sucked.

14. What is the most idiotic thing you have ever done while intoxicated? Having "one more."

15. What is your favorite joke? Three dancers walk into a bar...

16. What is the coolest/most impressive thing you own? Hmm. I don't know. I don't really buy things to impress people. I like most everything in my house, I like my car.... Meh.

17. When did you last cry, and why? I teared up during the worship service this morning. I actually cried at the end of Tenebrae after holding it together for the whole of the service...till Amazing Grace started playing.

18. What's the best piece of advice you've ever had? "Don't pick up snakes."

19. Similarly, what's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for you? Listening. And telling me things I don't know about myself.

20. Have you any vices? Nothing that doesn't involve sugar.

21. Do you regret anything? Only about everything. I try, and mostly succeed, not to dwell on it.

22. What is the best invention ever? Central heat and A/C.

23. How would you describe your relationship with your family? Distant (my birth family). Male-based (my household).

24. Who is your biggest inspiration? Smart people's words.

25. What are you going to do when you've finished Sunday Stealing? Take off my socks--my feet are hot--and go get some jelly beans from the kitchen.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Her Head Is Part Missing Meme

1. What is your most annoying habit?

The one that annoys me the most is biting my nails and cuticles. Other people probably would have different answers, including barking at them when I'm stressed out.

2. What habit would you change of your partners? (come on no-one is perfect!) [Editor's note: Not only does it assume you have A partner, but it is written as though you have multiple ones. If you do not currently have a partner or many partners, simply tell us about your last one. BW]

Of ALL my partners (ha ha ha) I would probably change their communication habits. Of my current partner, I would change his back. He needs a brand-new one.

3. Horrors or Chick Flicks?

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of either, but since I haven't made it through a horror movie in decades, we'll go with chick flicks. I'm more inclined to like action flicks or historical documentaries.

4. What is the most outrageous thing you have done in the back row of the movies?

I'm pretty sure I've never sat in the back row at a movie. [thus avoiding the meat--ahem--of the question]

5. When have you lied to get a job?

I haven't. I'm not such a great liar in these circumstances.

6. What one thing is on your list to do before you hit 30, 40, 50 or whatever significant birthday is next?

This presumes I have a List somewhere of Things To Do. I would love to get my photos sorted out, and I would love to get my parents files organized, and I would LOVE for my brother to give me Dad's slides so I could organize and digitize those.

7. Classic or modern films and why?

More important to me that they be GOOD films.

8. If you were a vampire who would be the first person you would bite?

The first person I'd probably drain (and kill) would be...hmmmm, the people I want dead are not people I'd want to bite. Yuck.

9. If you had the power to make one thing better, what would it be?

I would fix the way magazines are currently doing their digital download editions. Some of them are doing fairly well, but the ones I prefer to read are NOT. I'd add to all of them the ability to "tear out a page" for later use.

10. What makes a great blog?

Humor, decent spelling and grammar, limited obsessive navel-gazing, and honesty.

11. What was the inspiration that brought your blog to the blogosphere?

My first "a-ha" was that it was a great way to track my reading. I'd been doing that in paper format for over a decade (I think) before the blog. Now I have an easy way of keeping a formatted list that I can print off--after some horking around to make it pretty on paper--and go back and review at any time.

12. What easily ticks you off (puts you in a bad mood) quickly?

People with shitty attitudes about every-damn-thing. I'm thinking of you, CT.

13. How many children do you have?

I have personally given birth once to a boy. On Fb, I have a son and a daughter--her request. After 6 years of leading our church youth group, and multiple other years of teaching Sunday School, I feel like I have rooms-full of kids.

14. Is there anything you have ever regretted writing on your blog?

Yup. And for the most part I have deleted, rewritten or hidden those things.

15. What’s your favorite blog post you have written this year so far?

I've done 119 posts on this blog this year. I've done approximately 70 posts in other venues. Having now spent 15 minutes grazing through the past three months, I somewhat randomly will assign "favorite" to this post for no reason other than because it's a good snapshot of Life as a Librarian.

16. Do you ever enter other bloggers' competitions, and have you ever been lucky?

Nope.

17. If you could be anyone else for the day, who would you choose and why?

I wouldn't mind a day as Beast since I could probably dispense with one of his problem customers and figure out what the hell he does all day.

18. If you could time travel to any period of history what era would you visit?

Now and here. I certainly would not want to be a woman before about 1960 in any culture.

19. If you had to be genetically modified, would you rather have a third arm, a third leg, a second head or some other modification???

I'd just like to be cloned so I could do two things at once, and do them both well.

20. Which Disney character can you most relate to?

Jiminy Cricket.