Saturday 9

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Black Is Black (1966)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Black is this week's signature color because Friday, November 27, was "Black Friday," when retailers cut their prices and consumers flock to the stores. Did you score any "Black Friday" bargains?

I don't 'do' Black Friday. I work almost every year on that day, and even when/if I don't, I loathe crowds, so the whole Black Friday thing just sounds like hell on earth. I thank God every year that I'm not in retail.

2) WalMart, Best Buy, Toys R Us and Target have all heavily advertised their "Black Friday" sales. If you could have a $50 gift card to one of those stores, which would choose? What would you spend the $50 on?

I would spend it online at Target.com.

3) Star Wars items are predicted to be big sellers this Black Friday. Are you a big sci-fi fan? Are there any sci-fi fans on your holiday gift list?

Yeah, there'll be some SW items under the tree for sure this year. To be fair, there usually is something SW-based under our tree.

4) Feasting and football are also popular Thanksgiving weekend pastimes. Do your Thursday-Sunday plans include pigging out or watching a game?

Duh. Really, despite the best efforts of my lunatic niece Katherine, we watch football all day Thursday, much of Saturday and all Sunday afternoon.

5) At Thanksgiving dinners, Crazy Sam's homemade gravy is always a hit. (Probably because she's so generous with the cognac, which gives the gravy a nutty taste.) Do you have a signature dish?

I'm going to have to try the cognac.... My signature dish is the turkey. This year was a little weird: the skin was overcooked, and I used so many lemons to stuff it that it was basically turkey soup by the time it needed to come out of the oven. We had to ladle out about 6 cups of liquid before we could lift it out of the oven. One project for the weekend is to clean the oven. And the floor around the oven. The whole kitchen floor, really.

6) What did you give thanks for on Thanksgiving 2015?

By the time I sit down, I'm just grateful no one is injured, the food is all on the table, and the fact that I can sit! OK, and for the faces around me. I actually did say grace this year.

7) Monday is Cyber Monday, when shoppers can save big online. Do you shop confidently over the Internet, or do you worry about security breaches and identity theft?

I don't worry about security online. At least, I don't worry about it anymore than I worry about my credit card in person. Restaurants...seriously, think about it: your card is out of sight for how long while they do who knows what? Yeah. And I've only ever been hacked in person, probably overseas. So I really do not worry about online shopping.

8) This week's featured band, Los Bravos, was international. Their members came from both Germany and Spain. If you could travel to any foreign country in the world, which would you choose?

I would love to visit several Middle Eastern countries--Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Israel, Iran, Iraq--but I'm not confident enough to do so without a tour group of some kind. And body armor.

9) The band's name, Los Bravos, can be translated to mean, "The Brave." Do you consider yourself gutsy?

I do. "Foolhardy" is another word that might fit at times.

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. When is the last time you spent time, in person, with your best friend?

Aside from Beast, it's been a VERY long time, over a year, probably close to 16 or 17 months. Missed a chance today, probably my last chance in a few months.

2. When is the last time you went for a drive with absolutely nowhere to go and no plan in mind, but just wanted to see a new place?

I used to drive around incessantly...haven't done it lately. Not for a really long time.

3. When is the last time you walked along a beach?

Last month, actually.

4. When is the last time you found a way to truly think “outside the box”?

I pretty much have to do this every day when I'm at the Reference Desk.

5. When is the last time you literally did “laugh out loud”?

When I slid on top of Beast giving him a hug in his chair a half an hour ago or so.

6. When is the last time you took what you genuinely felt was a major leap of faith?

The last time I thought Beast was drinking.

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. V is for VACCINE: Do you believe children should be required to be vaccinated before they’re allowed to attend public schools? Why or why not?

Yes. The number of people who have been proven to have had reactions from vaccinations is remarkably small, the study that caused the uproar saying that vaccinations were dangerous has been repeatedly discounted by further studies, and the diseases being vaccinated against are killers. If you don't want to vaccinate your kids, then home-school them far away from the rest of the kids in the world. Having ranted, however, I do think there must be a way to figure which small percentage of children react badly to the shots before they are vaccinated.

2. V is for VALOR: Whom do you know personally that you consider to be particularly courageous?

Lots of people: my brother was a firefighter (and before that, and EMT and a cop). Several people at my church get up to face the day in spite of multitudes of reasons they could easily just ... not.

3. V is for VALUE: Which store do you feel generally offers the best deals on things you want?

Ultimately, the small stores. Yes, you can get whatever more cheaply at Wal-Mart, but you're paying through the nose in other ways: lack of backup if something goes wrong, lack of training for staff if you have questions, and the fact that almost everyone that works there is barely being paid enough to live on.

4. V is for VEGETABLE: Which single vegetable do you tend to use most when you cook?

Corn, I guess.

5. V is for VERTIGO: What’s the tallest building you’ve been inside?

I've been in the two big ones in the City of Big Shoulders. Once each; I resent having to PAY to ride an elevator, at least I resent paying $15+ for that privilege.

6. V is for VULCAN: Who is your favorite Star Trek character?

Picard. Of course. DUU-UUH! lol

Curious as a Cat

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1) What is the most disgusting thing you've ever had in your mouth?

Vomit. Sorry. But really, what could possibly be worse than that?

2) What is the boldest thing you've ever done?

I know the one thing I got a lot of flack (and sideways props) for was when I verbally took on a group of drunks one Fourth of July when they threw their bag full of garbage into our midst. All of my group was freaking out, but the other guys backed down. Whatever.
Personally, I have felt much bolder the times I've stood up for myself with my family and wit someone I'm bound by etiquette not to speak ill of.

3) If you could pick one person you know well to be more religious (or spiritual), who would it be?

First of all, we all have to make our own peace with our spirituality, which may look completely different from what I think is 'right.' However, I wish my brother would climb down off his high horse.

4) What is partner's best feature?

Honest trustworthiness.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. Photo © Cat. 2007

I'm pretty shocked at how well this photo turned out! It's a freeze frame of one of the rides at the Mall of America in mid-flight. I love all the different straight lines that are just slightly off. It really is right side up: the people are sideways in the 'car' in the center. Those poles you see that support the rollercoaster track actually move as the coasters go over them. Ack. I'm sure it's safe. Really. But you won't catch me riding any of those things here!

Más y más Blogthings

You Are a One Piece Swimsuit

You are a bit conservative and traditional. And you are not at the beach to put your body on display! You are a low maintenance person. You like to look good, but you're not vain. Your taste tends to be sophisticated. You always opt for classy over trashy.

What Kind of Swimsuit Are You?

I wouldn't say I always opt for classy, but I try not to opt for trashy, ever.

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You Have Fairly Healthy Relationships

You try your best in relationships, and you do a pretty good job. You're as considerate, honest, and giving as you can be. There's always more that you can do, and sometimes you do leave people feeling a bit neglected. Great relationships don't happen overnight. As long as you keep making improvements, your relationships will get better!

Do You Have Healthy Relationships?

Well, here's the thing: I've reached the point in my life--right now--that I am too cranky to deal with 'making improvements' in myself. I'm just trying to keep the boat that is my life afloat. As for feeling neglected, well, hello and welcome to my family-of-origin. Take a seat and make yourself at home; eventually someone will notice you, but probably not until you a) do something stupid, or b) get in their way.

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You Are Not Very Bold

You['d] rather let things happen in your life than assert yourself. You feel like it's better to go with the flow than make waves. And while you're definitely known as the type of person who gets along with everyone, you may be selling yourself short. When you don't assert yourself, you sometimes end up settling too much!

Are You Bold?

I totally do NOT need more waves in my life. I can barely handle what I've got now, thanks very much you condescending little gnat of a quiz! There's more to boldness than moving around the world; sometimes staying where you are and facing reality is bolder than traipsing off to India to eat, pray, and/or love. Grrrr.......

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You Are a Fairly Green Driver

You[r] driving isn't the greenest, but it's greener than most people['s]. Whether you have a fuel efficient car or try not to speed, you try not to use a lot of gas. You do your best to drive less. However, it's not always possible. You may end up driving more than you'd like, but at least you're doing what you can!

Are You a Green Driver?

My driving may not be green, but my truck IS. So there.