Wednesday Hodgepodge

(Link in meme-roll)

1. What's something you're curious about right now? 

I am quite UNcurious about almost everything right now. Too much stress in my life, so I'm keeping the focus on the next step I need to take. ... Once I figure out what that is.

2. If you could plan the perfect girl's weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months? 

Bwaahh ha ha ha ha ha
No.

3. What's the most unique item in your refrigerator right now? 

I just found some prosciutto that I forgot I bought. How long is too long to keep prosciutto? I also keep my Ozempic in there--because I'm diabetic! Not because I have a strong need to be skinny.

4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging? 

Everydamnthing. Maybe less work-related stuff today (though I have my annual eval today so that could change--every conversation with my boss has a tendency to piss me off in some way or another), more house-related stuff (guys are here working on some repairs that should've been done Weds, but then ... wasn't).

5. Do you collect anything? If so why that? 

My stock answer for this is "dust." I also have quite a healthy collection of salt-and-pepper containers. All covered in DUST. 😇 Generally though, I have too damn much of everything; if you need it, ask me and I probably have at least one. It's stupid. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Despite everything--or maybe because of everything--I have yet to really break down and sob for hours. I guess (going back to question #1) I am a little curious about when that dam will break. I don't WANT to do it, but it's going to happen eventually.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll) 

Watching my figure 

1. What are some figurines you own?

I have several display cabinets around the house, most of which are because at some point I started collecting salt-n-peppers. But I've got some childhood doodads and some souvenir things from trips, too. I'll try to take a pic and post the biggest display.  (don't hold your breath--it's been a rough week and I may never leave my recliner again)  

2. What are you trying to figure out? 

Why I insist on thinking the best of people before I know them. I have been so very disappointed, especially this week.

3. Two circles or one continuous motion: how do you write the figure 8? 

Mostly, it's all one line, but sometimes I use the two-circle method. Usually the latter is when I'm making it a POINT to be seen. Sometimes, it's because my first attempt ended up looking like a messing 5 or 3.

4. How do you feel about Fig Newtons? 

I like them! But the seeds in them are a little disconcerting when I haven't eaten one for awhile.

5. What’s a good metaphor to describe your first week of 2021?

Shitstorm comes to mind....

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Tammy (1957)
In celebration of Debbie Reynolds
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1. In this song,Tammy sings of being able to hear "the breeze from the bayou." What sounds can you hear as you answer these questions?

We're watching an SNL we missed from earlier this fall, the one with Tom Hanks hosting just before the election. It's really weird watching it now, but also really funny.

2. This week's song was the theme of a popular movie about a girl who grew up on a houseboat in Mississippi. Looking back on 2016, did you spend much time on or around water?

We took a cruise in the spring. I guess that counts: 7 days on the Caribbean. Yup.

3. In addition to being an Oscar-nominated actress, this week's artist, Debbie Reynolds, was a big movie fan. She amassed an amazing cache of movie memorabilia. Do you collect anything?

Dust. Oh and S&Ps. Got another set this Christmas.

4. Though she never won a competitive Oscar for acting, Debbie Reynolds was awarded the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award earlier this year for 60 years of charity work. While she supported many causes throughout her life, one she was closest to was The Girl Scouts. She was not only a Scout herself, she was a leader when daughter Carrie was young and a fundraiser throughout her life. Were you ever in Boy or Girl Scouts?

I was a Girl Scout for a couple of years. I attended Boy Scout meetings when I was tiny because my brother was a member, and maybe my parents were leaders? Why was I there otherwise?

6. The New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations in both Disney World in Florida and Sydney, Australia coordinate pyrotechnics and music. Are you expecting either fireworks or live music on your New Year's Eve celebration?

There will be fireworks and drunken shouting, occasionally loud music. Does that count?

7. According to the National Insurance Bureau, more cars are stolen on New Year's Eve than any other single day. Are you confident your vehicle(s) will be safe and sound this Saturday night?

Yes I am. It will be in my garage. I doubt I'm leaving the house today.

8. Do you have any New Year's Resolutions for 2017?

Nope. I'm doing my usual anti-resolutions.

9. Looking back on 2016, what surprised you?

Only every-damn-thing. And usually not in a good way.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Why Do You Want To Know That Meme, part two

25. List 3 activities that you can only enjoy by yourself.

Everything I keep thinking of I think of a reason that it wouldn't be bad with others. Seriously, the only thing I can think of is going to the bathroom, which--if you've ever had a toddler in your life 24/7--is actually something worth looking forward to. Anyway, other options I came up with and discarded are napping, reading, etc.

26. If you could live in any biome* (and survive) which biome would you live in? (*a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.)

Mountains. No contest.

27. How do you like being roused in the morning?

I don't. There's no good way, there are only less-annoying ways.

28. How was your day? What did you do?

It's only 2:50! OK, granted it looks like it's nearly sunset because it's so stinkin' foggy again today... I was at church by 7, taught Sunday School, went to the worship service, came home, started laundry--I think we need a new washer, yay, not--ran to the mini-mart for milk for mac-n-cheese tonight...this. I'm going to be napping sometime soon. And there's a memorial service for the mom of a friend tonight that I should go to, but I really feel lousy. We'll see.

29. What did your last text message say?

The last PM I sent Sparky was "np" last night. The last text message was probably to Chris yesterday telling her I would be late for our meetup. And the last GChat was "In case ur awake....omw home" to Beast yesterday afternoon.

30. Do you respond to texts quickly?

Sometimes. Not always.

31. Who was the last person you called?

Pepper. Yes, that's her real name--well, I mean, that's the name she goes by not something I made up.

32. List 5 things that are on your wish list.

A personal chef. A personal trainer. A personal pilot and plane. And washer that empties and spins the water out.

33. If you were famous, what do you think you would be famous for?

I shudder to think...!

34. Winter or summer?

Autumn. If it's summer in the mountains, then summer. If it's humid...shoot me.

35. What is a quality that all people should have?

Oh, no. Uh-uh, you are NOT going to get me telling people what everyone should be like. All people should be who they were created to be, which may (and does) end up being irritating and inconvenient an awful lot of the time.

36. If you could have a large collection of one item, what would that item be?

I have an awful lot of books, and slightly fewer S&Ps. I'd like a large collection of chores completed, but that's not likely.

37. What have you been thinking about lately?

Beast's shoulder/spine. How much and how badly I need to lose a lot of weight. How absolutely exhausted I am all the time--I'm sure this is due to a medication swap a couple of weeks ago. How we are the only house in our neighborhood with no holiday decor in sight. A friend's son who nearly died last weekend. You know, the usual stuff.

38. What is the secret to a happy life?

Lowered expectations of others, reasonable expectations of yourself, and chocolate.

39. What are some phrases you say often?

"Really?" "Hey..." "...just..." "I'm sorry, what?"

40. Favorite food?

Iced sugar cookies.

41. What is your wish for the world?

That we could all just get over our egos and accept ourselves and others as they are, not how we think they should be.

42. What are some of your greatest fears?

Something horrible happening to Sparky. Large, unruly crowds. Active shooters in the workplace. A long lingering death.

43. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?

A picture of a local landmark? No, actually, I think it was probably the gun violence chart for last night's Facebook post. Last week's stats: 455 incidents, 122 of which had 0 injuries. 130 people died. 284 were injured.

44. Most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen (in real life)?

Babies. Love lighting up faces. Ouray.

45. Spicy food: Like or dislike?

I like it. My stomach, however, no longer tolerates it well.

46. Scary movies: Like or dislike?

Dislike gore. Suspense is ok.

47. Do you like to travel?

YES!! I wish I could do it all the time!!

48. Any regrets?

What's my time frame? I think I'm regret-free for the last 15 or so minutes.

49. Do you like rain?

I like rain that starts and ends in reasonable time frames. So this multi-day drizzle thing that's been going on for the weekend is not my thing at all.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
That's All (1983)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In the lyrics, Phil Collins sings of a time he was wrong when he thought he was right. Tell us about a recent time when you got it wrong.

I got WAAAAY over-involved in a conversation on Facebook today that I really should've walked away from. It wasn't my issue, and I ended up getting irritated with stupid people saying stupid things, and then getting pissed and feeling like an idiot for popping off at people...and then wondering why I got so involved in someone else's drama in the first place. Gah....

2) The song is addressed to a lover that Phil clearly feels is contrary. When he says, "day," she says, "night." Is there anyone in your life who seems to disagree with you all or most of the time?

...uhm. It's possible that I'm that guy. {facepalm}

3) This was Genesis' first Top 10 hit in the US. Can you name another Phil Collins or Genesis song?

"Sussudio." "Illegal Alien." "Invisible Touch." "I Can't Dance." "Follow You Follow Me." "In the Air Tonight." "Abacab." "Jesus He Knows Me." I was a bit of a fan back in the 80s, yo.

4) Phil Collins is a model train enthusiast. Is there anything special that you collect?

By default, I have a large-ish S&P collection, though compared to some most of the people in the pictures at that link, I'm a mere piker!

5) Collins was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. At the ceremony, he delivered the commencement address. When did you last give a presentation or deliver a speech?

Hmmm. I guess it's been awhile. I did a couple of Sundays' worth of liturgy at church in the spring. I'm up again this fall at some point. I will probably pontificate at the next meeting of the catalogers in my consortium. ...
Oh, snap! I talk at meetings every week!! Though, technically, it's not a speech. I've led the meetings a couple of times, and actually this reminds me that I do need to come up with something for next week about "Forgetting."
Also, Sunday School starts up again tomorrow, so I guess I'll be talking there, too.

6) One of Phil Collins' early solo albums was called, Hello, I Must Be Going. He took the title from a song in the 1930 Marx Bros. movie, Animal Crackers. What's the last black and white movie or TV show that you watched?

Honestly? I find black-and-white to be difficult to watch. I struggle with b&w photography too. It's not a snob thing: it's just hard for me to focus properly. I can't think of a black-and-white show/movie I've watched in the past year, unless we happened across a Twilight Zone or something by accident.

7) In 1983, when this song was popular, the Lotus 1-2-3 program made it easier for PC users to build spreadsheets. Are you answering these questions on a PC or a Mac? Laptop or desktop? Tablet or phone?

I'm on a 7!?-year-old Gateway laptop (the sticker on the bottom says 2008--holy shit! I need a new computer!). Haven't ever owned a Mac--see no reason to change that now. It's too hard for me to type fast on a tablet or phone, so I only use those for texting or very quick Google searches.

8) 1983 is also the year when McDonald's introduced McNuggets. What's your favorite chicken recipe (assuming it's not McNuggets)?

My mom's baked chicken "recipe" is pretty good. And the recipe I got at my bridal shower from a neighbor lady--whose daughter was my flute teacher--for hot chicken salad is awesome. I've been craving it for awhile, but I need to gather the ingredients.

9) In 1983, President Reagan signed the bill making Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday. What's your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. Relatively low-stress, revolves around food and family and football, and doesn't involve presents or endless decision-making on what to serve people. It's all programmed: just add people!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Useless Questions Meme

· Have you ever written a song?

Nope. I leave that sort of thing to Sparky. He's written several. Not sure any of them have been set to music or been performed, but he's got pages and pages of lyrics. Not that I'm allowed to see any of them.

· Have you ever been in the opposite sex's public toilet?

Of course. I work in a library. I have to make sure all the bathrooms are empty before we leave. At my first job, the fusebox was in the men's room, and it was my job on nights I worked closing to go flicker the lights at 10 minutes before closing.

· Are you superstitious?

More than I'd like to admit.

· What's the most daring thing you've done?

I have no glib answer for this. Lately, I have to say getting up and facing the day feels pretty damn daring sometimes.

· Did you have a baby blanket? Do you still sleep with it?

I probably did, I'm sure I did. I didn't hang on to it past babyhood though. In fact, maybe that's one of the blankets my mom dumped on me a decade or so ago that I eventually threw out.

· Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? If yes, how’d it work out?

Uh, yeah. I did once memorable time as a child. It didn't go well. Inch-and-a-half-long bangs is not really a good look. I've cut small areas as an adult, to even things out, once in awhile, but not often.

· Have you ever sleepwalked?

Yes. I only know about once, again as a child. It's entirely possible I've done it as an adult too, but no one has caught me.

· If you could be any age, what age would you be?

25 sounds good. Old enough to do everything including renting a car, and young enough to enjoy it.

· What is your dream car?

Mechanically faultless, comfy inside, GPS and XM radio and heated seats. Basically, Beast's car. Be nice, though, if it got good gas mileage.

· What is your favorite cartoon of all time?

Wow. I totally used to read all the funnies on Sunday, up until about 15 years ago. My favorite overall is probably anything by Berke Breathed, but so many bring back good memories.

· If you were in a car sinking in a lake, what would you do first?

Break the window and get out. 'Course, since I can't swim, it wouldn't help much. [I do have one of these in the car, just in case.]

· Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?

Nope. Why is it that when you get the opportunity to do this, mostly your mind is focused so completely EVERYwhere else?

· How many foreign countries have you visited?

My TripAdvisor says 13.

· If you fell into quicksand, would you try to swim or try to float?

I'd be still. Seems to me that's the agreed-upon best-case scenario.

· Do you talk in your sleep?

Yep. Not nearly as much as Beast does, though.

· Have you ever slipped in the bathtub?

Yes, but I recovered safely each time. So far.

· If you could invite any movie star to your home for dinner, who would it be?

Gwyneth could come cook for us, I guess.

· Have you ever re-gifted?

Of course.

· If you could attend an Olympic Event, what would it be?

It would be the least populous event. Biathlon? Women's weightlifting? Ping-pong? Whatever. I do not like crowds.

· If you could participate in an Olympic Event, what would it be?

Nothing athletic. So maybe shooting...which is ridiculous since I've never even held a real gun.

· If you won a $5,000 shopping spree to any store, which store would you pick?

Meijer.

· What do you think is your best feature?

My brain.

· If you were to win an Oscar, what kind of movie would it be for?

Probably a comedy, or a horrible scum-uncovering documentary.

· Which of the five senses is most important to you?

I fear the loss of my vision the most.

· Would you be a more successful painter or singer?

Painter. People will buy ANYthing if they're convinced it's art. But you can't fake-sing.

· How many years will/did you end up going to college?

Four years of undergrad, three semesters of grad school and a lot of continuing ed over the years.

· Have you ever had surgery?

Yup.

· What do you like to collect?

Dust.

· How many collectibles do you have?

Does Beast count? I have about five dozen sets of S&Ps. Maybe more. I haven't actually counted them.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Imaginary Meme, Part Three

41. Growing up, who was the easier mark: Mom or Dad?

Dad, totally; his currency was guilt while Mom's was yelling and/or spanking.

42. What is the stupidest pet that you ever saw?

I've never really understood why people want ferrets; they smell weird. And I do NOT get fish as pets. We have had a large fish tank at work for 12 years; I still don't get the attraction.

43. Tell us about a band whose every CD is a "must have."

I don't think there's one that every single person should own but IMHO everyone should have listened to Sgt. Pepper at least once.

44. Where you surprised when Jim Parsons came out?

Who? What? Do I care if/when someone "comes out"? Only if it's someone in my family, and then only because it would be a relief to have it out in the open.

45. Have you ever shoplifted?

They're way too heavy for me....

46. We currently have a person who plays both this meme and Saturday 9 who signs in to Mr. Linky every week. Yet, if you click on that link, you are told that only "members" can read the blog. Why do you think that person even bothers to sign in or for that matter, do the meme? (Don't misunderstand, we have no rules and we aren't angry. But it is damn peculiar, no?)

I'd guess they don't realize they have that setting flipped that way, or they haven't thought it through. I think "peculiar" is being kind though; I'd say that whoever this is is just really fuckin' dumb.

47. Have you ever driven a Ferrari?

No. But I got the shirt anyway, although mine has a zip front rather than buttons.

48. What do you call those little plastic things on the ends of shoelaces?

They're aglets. Never ask a librarian a trivia question....

49. Have you ever walked more than a mile?

Of course. At one time even. I used to hike around the mountains for a full day, for Pete's sake! Even last year in Italy and England, I walked miles every day.

50. Do you believe in magic?

"...in a young girl's heart"?
I believe in magic tricks, but not controlled magical occurrences.

51. Have you ever been arrested?

I've gotten two traffic tickets, so yes.

52. Have you ever skinny dipped?

Nope. Can't swim, so the whole thing seems a bit dubious to me.

53. Explain what you think about hippies.

I don't, if I can help it. Seriously, the only true hippies who are left are somewhere between 60 and 75 years old. That's terrifying.

54. New York or California?

For what? California has better wine, weather, and accents, New York has better Revolutionary War sites and trees.

55. Have you ever been dumped?

Nope. Unless we're talking about friends (not dates).

56. What are you wearing right now?

SoulSeed T (ecru, white and yellow), gray short yoga pants, underwear, rings, earrings, nail polish, and hair gel.

57. John Edwards had a mistrial. How do you think he conducted himself after the verdict?

lol...I thought that said "John Edwards had a minstrel"!! I think I need either a nap or new glasses. John Edwards' life and mine have no lines of intersection, so I don't really much care; he's irrelevant to me.

58. Did you watch the series finale of House?

I have not watched one scene of that show. It just does not appeal.

59. You may need to go back a long way if you are old like Harriet. Who was the last person who asked you out? (Or that asked you out. Same dumb question either way.)

No, a person isn't a "that", so they are different questions. And well, if we're talking dates, that would be Beast. Out shopping or for a platonic day out, probably Amy.

60. Do you have any collections?

Innumerable. We're now naming all our dust-bunnies, for instance.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
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.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Would you prefer to have your own swimming pool or your own airplane? Why?

Seeing as how I can't swim, I'll go with airplane. I know someone who's a small-craft pilot--come to think of it, I know several airline pilots as well--so I think I'd be ready to travel in a heartbeat. We're less than 10 minutes from a small airport, too.

2) Which items in your house do you think will bring in the most money at an antique store in a century?

Huh. Assuming they don't get broken, I'd bet on the small Roseville vase of my mom's and perhaps some of the furniture and/or s&p's. Nothing of ours, per se, just the stuff we've inherited. I don't buy stuff as an investment; I buy it cuz I like it. It would be weird if the motley collection of books I have will be worth anything in 100 years, though.

3) Do you shop around when you look for clothes or do you buy the first thing you like?

I hate shopping (have I mentioned that?), so if I find something that's at least in the right ballpark, playing something that looks like the right game, I buy it. This often leads to me buying stuff that I wear once and realize is all wrong, but I rarely pay much for things, so....

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

Lots of good presents yesterday. Great Christmas day in that way, and in every other. Boxing Day...not as great.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Blue Memory Meme, Part One

1) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?

"All of you: shut up, sit down, stop fighting, and hands off everyone elses' stuff!"

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

It would be interesting to meet and talk to librarians from all over the world, specifically those in parts of the world that may not have as much access to libraries as we do here.

3) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

Alone? Seriously, I'm very much leaning toward Tierra del Fuego. I hear it's about as nice as it gets there about now.

4) What do you think about most?

I try hard not to think about anything much. I'm getting very good at it, too.

5) You have the opportunity to spend a romantic night with the music celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

Yuck. I can't think of any musicians I'd want to spend any romantic time with any musicians, since most of those I like are either married or emotionally fucked.

6) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

I'd like to have NOT wrecked my truck last spring.

7) What's your strangest talent?

Judging by how much I've been doing it lately, maybe French-braiding my hair in under 5 minutes.

8) What would be a question you'd be afraid to tell the truth on?

"Does this dress make my ass look big?"

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

Not that I'm aware of.

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

Uhm? Probably within a month or so, but certainly not in any grandiose way; probably at my desk at work. I'm more likely to air-drum or air-piano, to be honest.

11) Do you have any strange phobias?

I have answered this the same way 4 times in the past on this meme. Feel free to search the site--I've even provided a search box for you in the right-hand column. Go on. I'll wait.

12) What's your religion?

Christian. Or if you want to be sectarian about it, Presbyterian.

13) What is your current desktop picture?

Mighty Mouse in a sea of orange.

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

Getting in or out of a car.

15) What's the last song you listened to?

...I know the radio was on in the car on the way home from church, but I can't remember a single song. Probably for the best. And all the songs at church today were ones I participated in, so I have no good answer for this.

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

U2.

17) What was the last lie you told?

"I'll wait." I didn't.

18) Do you believe in karma?

My answer is buried in this post.

19) What is a saying you say a lot?

You mean, aside from short-and-sweet ones like "SHIT!"? So, then, yeah... ;-)

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

Weakness: laziness. Strength: I'm going with Kiril's answer in Sunday School this morning, which was "I'm pretty smart."

21) Who is your celebrity crush?

I guess Mark Harmon. Though I do like the way Brad Pitt looks most of the time.

22) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word: heart.

A Valentine's Day heart.

23) How do you vent your anger?

Yell, scream, pout, growl.... Or, mostly, put on headphones and hope the music washes it away. It didn't work so well yesterday at work.

24) Do you have a collection of anything?

LOTS of things, right now. Our house is fairly bursting with stuff we've accidentally collected. I do have a collection of S&Ps, but ... mostly I collect dust.

25) What is your favorite word?

See #19: I'd say I'm in a running tie between "shit" and "crap" depending on locale. Sorry, Mom.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
 A Long December

1. Looking back at it now, how were your holidays and your time on New Year's Eve?

I think they were super-fab and awesome. Don't remember any drama at the time. I like drama-free, probably because any get-together with my nearest relatives tends to be VERY fucking DRAMATIC.

2. Do you have any unusual collections?

I have a LOT of S&Ps and even more dust.

3. If you could train a machine to do one thing for you whenever you wanted, what would you have it do?

Worry. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just dump all those things that keep you awake at night into a machine just before climbing into bed?

4. What is one thing that makes you cry?

Children who are hurt.

5. What do you love to do on the weekend?

S L E E P in past 7.

6. Do you and your family get along?

My household gets along fine. I get along great with my British rellies, and my oldest sister. My brother is a pain, one of my nieces is a fucking nightmare (see #1 above) as is her father, but everyone else is great.

7. Have you ever gotten kicked out somewhere? If yes, do tell.

I once was not allowed into a seedy bar in a working-class neighborhood in Milwaukee because I was wearing Harley-Davidson leather. In Milwaukee. Where they build Harley engines. And I looked TOTALLY like a biker in my jacket, of course. [not]

8. Who do you normally turn to when you need to complain about something?

Beast. Isn't that part of the marriage contract: "...love, honor and listen to incessant whining..."?

9. What is the last thing you ordered on-line?

Wow ... uhm ... thinking.... Oh, duh, ebooks for my Nook, on Wednesday.

Late Monday memes

Manic Monday

Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?

I like 'em, within reason. If they are too hard for me, I quit.

Do you have any unusual collections?

Just dust, and s&p sets.

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?

Probably my smart mouth.

_____________________________________________


Curious as a Cat

1) If you could train a person or animal to do one thing for you whenever you wanted, and then return to you, what would you have it do?

Shop, cook, and clean up. In short, I want a chef.

2) What kind of cowardice do you most despise?

Refusing to admit when you're wrong.

3) Did March come in "like a lion" this year, or leave that way? Or both, or neither?

I don't remember how it came in, actually, but it's certainly leaving like worm. Or a duck.

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 is a very weird still life. Very Dali-esque. The teardrop on the right is either a giant Hershey's Kiss or a chiseled-out dish. Those blue things? No clue. It's all weird. Kinda dreamy. Looks cold.