Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Hello (2015)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This video begins with Adele and her flip phone. Is your cell phone a simple or a smart phone?

I've got a smart phone, and I'm addicted to it. Not sure what we're going to do when we're overseas!!

2) As soon as her cell is fully charged, Sam disconnects the adapter from the outlet to save electricity. Are you careful about conserving energy?

I literally NEVER unplug my chargers from the wall. So, no. I'm actually embarrassed by the amount of electricity we could save by doing some very basic things. Oh well...the time for that may be coming.

3) Adele sings that she must have a called a thousand times but her former lover never picked up. Think about the last call you made. Did you get through? Did you leave a voice mail? Or did you just hang up?

I called Beast yesterday morning to see about meeting up for lunch. He picked up.

4) Adele brews a cup of tea in the video. How often do you drink tea1? Year round? Only in winter? Never?

Rarely. In the winter, sometimes. I'll drink more tea in the next month than I will for the remainder of 2016!

5) Adele told Glamour magazine she like two sugars in her tea. Do you watch your sugar intake?

I am trying to do so. Today was NOT a good day in that department....sigh.

6) This song is about reaching out to someone and extending an apology. When is the last time you said, "I'm sorry?"

I'm sure I said it to someone at work today. Like many American women, I over-apologize. The last time I meant it was yesterday when I did the usual "open mouth, insert foot" thing at the aforementioned lunch date.

7) Adele was a heavy smoker who enjoyed the habit and didn't quit until 2015, after doctors convinced her it contributed to her chronic throat problems. What's something you know you should do for your health?

See #5.

8) Even though she is one of the world's highest-earning entertainers, she recently had her credit card rejected while shopping at H&M. She admits she was "mortified." Have you ever experienced that moment at the counter when your card was rejected?

Not in public, but my card was rejected over the phone while buying Sparky's college laptop 5 years ago this summer (too big a charge which triggered the hold). And a few weeks ago again--with an out-of-state attorney--the card was held because of "suspicious" activity. Clearly I need to send more money to out-of-state attorneys. THAT was embarrassing!

9) Random question: When you were a kid, did you keep a neat or messy bedroom?

In retrospect, it was fairly clean. The routine was that every Saturday morning was housecleaning day. Mom did the laundry and the rest of the house while I was stuck in my room all morning supposedly tidying and so forth. I wasn't THAT messy, but I didn't exactly kill myself cleaning most days. Once we ate lunch, I was free to do other activities. Mostly that meant going to the mall with Mom and then the library. What the hell did we need at the mall EVERY BLOODY WEEK!?!

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Margaritaville (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song Jimmy sings of "booze in the blender." What do you prepare in your blender?

Milkshakes and fondue dips. Not at the same time.

2) As the song opens, Jimmy is sitting on his front porch swing. Describe the front porch of the building you're in right now.

We have a wonderful porch! Right now there's just a couple of (stacked) chairs and a small table on it--summer never really arrived for sitting out there; it was either too hot or too cold (mostly the latter). It's about 5 feet deep and runs the whole front of the house. Surrounded by bushes, recently trimmed.

3) Jimmy sings of being able to smell boiling shrimp. Do you prefer your shrimp boiled, glazed or breaded?

Not glazed. I like shrimp almost any way, including cold.

4) During the song, he mentions his flip flops. Have you put your flip flops and sandals away till spring? Or is it still warm enough to wear them?

I just did this morning. They may be retrieved, but most of the summer shoes are put away. Now I need to go get some new non-summer shoes.

5) Jimmy Buffett had hoped this song would be recorded by Elvis Presley, but The King died before he could perform it. What's the first Elvis song that comes to mind?

"Love Me Tender" [Ironically, perhaps: I'm watching "Flipping Las Vegas" right now...lol]

6) Buffett fans are known as Parrotheads. Concert attire for a well-dressed Parrothead often includes a Hawaiian shirt and a foam fin hat. What will you be wearing tonight?

The black capris and navy T I'm currently wearing. We're not going anywhere, and even if we did hit the store, this would be acceptable. My hair is kind of an issue however.

7) Loyal Parrotheads paid between $500 and $5000 to see Mr. Buffet at a fundraiser for Barack Obama's 2012 Presidential campaign. What's the most you would pay for a concert ticket?

I think my limit is probably $100 or so. And they'd better be good seats!

8) Jimmy is an outspoken environmentalist and supports causes like ocean conservation, saving the manatees and expanding the Dallas Zoo. What steps do you take to help save the planet?

We've been recycling paper/plastic/glass for our entire marriage. I try to reuse and upcycle most everything I buy, and I really REALLY don't like shopping, so buying loads of extra shit is not my thing. And I try to plan my driving to burn less gas but that's not always possible here.

9) Uh-oh. When Jimmy and the Coral Reefers played in Wisconsin this past August, more than two dozen concertgoers got tickets for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Do you believe pot should be legalized?

Yes, for cryin' out loud. They're talking about licensing a dispensary in my town though, so that's good. Though pot isn't legal without a prescription in this state, I'm hoping things change soon.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) Do you think it is necessary to have alcohol at a party in order to have a good time?

Nope. In fact, that often makes the whole situation less fun.

2) Who is the one person you hope isn’t reading your blog? Why?

Pretty much anyone I share a blood tie with...except Sparky. And most of my co-irkers.

3) If you had to, what part of your body--currently hole-free--would you get pierced?

I'd probably be terribly boring and do a hole in my (ear) cartilage. But I really have no interest in other piercings. It's kind of passé.

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

It looks like a disaster area, where people just drove a ways out of town and dumped whatever they had lying around in their garage--or factory. God alone knows what was/is in those barrels and how poisonous the contents was. Plus, it's just fugly.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
The After St. Patty's Day Meme (aka The Green Meme)

1. How many green things are within your reach?

I see a book cover, an empty box of allergy medicine, and a box of (miniature) cow tipping paraphernalia. There's another book that's got sort of a mint-colored frame around the edge of the cover. Oh, and two blankets and a tassel that has come off one of those blankets.

2. Have you ever been green with envy?

Pretty regularly...though I haven't been paying a lot of attention to what I should be envying lately. Tonight, I'm envying "normal" life.

3. Do you like split pea soup?

I adore split pea soup, with chunks of ham and crunchy croutons.... Great: now I'm hungry.

4. Have you gone green?

I've been at least partially green for decades. We've recycled since we got married, mostly out of cheap-i-tude.

5. Do green Leprechauns scare you?

Not as much as the purple and pink ones.

6. What color was the Wicked Witch of The West's face in the Wizard of Oz?

Well, based on the theme here, I'll go with green. Which I knew anyway, of course.

7. Tell us about your last experience with a frog...or a toad...or a prince. You pick.

The frogs are singing like cuh-RAY-zee this week. In March, which is a solid month earlier than normal. Lots of frogs having babies pretty soon. Maybe they'll come visit our ditch and driveway like they did the first year we lived here.

The Queen's Meme

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The Green Meme

1. Do you recycle?

Yes, we do. Not to the degree that we probably could, but we've got extra buckets. I keep saying I'm going to start a compost pile, but I haven't yet.

2. Have you ever hung clothes on a line instead of using the clothes dryer?

That's mostly how my mom dried clothes when I was a kid. We have never lived in a house with a clothesline, and I'm pretty sure they're illegal in our subdivision. And anyway, I'm allergic to grass, so hanging out my clothes would be stupid.

3. Do you walk or bike to work to save energy?

I work 9 miles from work and right now the high daily temps are in the upper 30s. So no. In the summer, I wouldn't because of the country roads I'd have to deal with.

4. Do you use a water filter for your tap water or do you buy bottled water?

We have a well. And a water softener. And a filter in the fridge for the water in the door. But I drink tap water daily.

5. How many trees do you kill each year buying new books?

Not many. I use library books almost exclusively. Doesn't everyone?

6. Have you ever considered recycling your cellphone?

Yup. We mostly do, but at the phone store, not in public.

7. All you need are a few simple non-toxic ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap to clean your home. Are you willing to throw away the bottled chemicals?

You left out one ingredient: elbow grease. Lots and lots of elbow grease. And for that reason, I tend to only use green products on lightweight dirt.

Monday Mayhem

(Link in meme-roll)
The Color Green

1. What is your favorite green food?

Broccoli? Celery? Hey no: PISTACHIOS!!

2. What is your most hated green food?

Not real fond of avocados, or unripe apples.

3. What is green that grosses you out?

Creeping charlie.

4. What is green that you love?

Trees.

5. What is green that you never want to see again?

Sick-bird poo.

6. Have you ever seen a green person?

I've seen some people on the verge of vomiting, and they do tend to be a little greenish.

7. Have you ever been green?

See #6. Having thrown up a few times...yeah.

8. Do you try to be green?

Yeah. I don't knock myself out on it--I could certainly do more--but I do what I can.

9. What is the best green thing in the world?

Kermit the Frog.

10. What green thing should we avoid?

Mold, on bread.

Prints

You Try to Tread Lightly

You would like to make the world a better place, but you also don't want to inflict any damage on it. You try to live a green and sustainable life. The environment matters deeply to you. You are thoughtful in your decisions and words. You think everyone should try harder not to harm one another. You don't think big... in fact, you tend to think small. You know that one small action can make a big difference.

The Footprint Test

Really?
OK then.

Manic Monday

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Do you recycle? Why or why not?

This question, 15 minutes after I told Sparky, "Just pitch [the aluminum baking pan]. It's too much trouble to rinse out and recycle." So yes, I do, but apparently only when it' convenient. I'll plead an exception tonight anyway: horrific headache. I may have to -- GASP! -- abstain from further computer-ing, in fact.

Would you rather be a pirate or a prince/princess?

I remember feeling distinctly 'princessy' (or at least celebrity-ish) in Russia toward the end of my time there. Life was so different for us--in our high-end Western-style hotel--compared to the overwhelming mass of the people living unaware of the impending end-times of the Soviet system. Being so separate and coddled was very uncomfortable to this egalitarian American chick. I noticed how it was changing me in a bad way when I had a temper tantrum over the beryozka being closed at 3 p.m. and thus depriving me of potable beverages of a non-alcoholic variety. "Stupid way to run a country! Who closes a store in the middle of the afternoon?!" And then, "Damn, get over yourself, bitch," resounded in my head when I realized our tour guide had heard me griping, she of the skunk-striped hair and the B52 bra and 5-year-out-of-date fashion. Because, that was top-of-the-line in the Soviet Union, and she had spent 6 hours that day touring us around, would spend another 4 hours after dinner shepherding us to the opera (yawn--Rossini sung in Russian); the in-between hours were probably spent standing in several lines to buy whatever food the shops had for her to take home. Spoiled little bitchy American = me.

I have no interest in robbing and killing people, which is, as near as I can tell, the job description for Pirate.

Are you into astrology? If yes, how does it affect your life?

Nope. I have created several star charts over the years, but it's pretty amazing that, if you leave the dates and names off the charts (or the daily predictions), they can be applied almost indiscriminately to people. Methinks, therefore, that astrology may be a humbug.

Four for Friday

(Link in blogroll)

Q1 - Replacement: If you had to choose one item from your home to represent you in a photograph, what would you choose?

I'm afraid it would be a stack: a book, a laptop, and a pencil. Yes, it's all symbolic, including the stack instead of one thing.

Q2 - Banking: Do you bank the old-fashioned way--inside your bank's local branch--or do you conduct your banking online or through an ATM machine? Related: Do you bank with a national banking institution (think: Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Chase, etc.) or a locally owned community bank?

I go in our bank maybe four times a year, and drive through maybe twice that often. Otherwise, everything is done by EFT or ATM or online. We use a local bank. By intention. I want my money nearby, working in my own community.

Q3 - Global Warming: Historically, support for environmental protection in the United States has been relatively nonpartisan. Republicans pointed with pride to Theodore Roosevelt's crucial role in promoting the conservation of natural resources by establishing national parks and forests, and Democrats applauded Franklin Delano Roosevelt's efforts to include conservation as part of the "New Deal" via the Soil Conservation Service and related programs. Although a majority of Americans believe the seriousness of global warming is either correctly portrayed in the news or underestimated, a record-high 41%, according to new Gallup poll, now say it is exaggerated (and most of those who feel that way are Republicans). The 2009 Gallup Environment survey measured public concern about eight specific environmental issues. Not only does global warming rank last on the basis of the total percentage concerned either a great deal or a fair amount, but it is the only issue for which public concern dropped significantly in the past year (pollution of drinking water and toxic contamination of water and soil ranked highest). Do you believe global warming is a serious problem caused by humans, a natural occurrence, or a bunch of made up hooey?

I think it's a natural phenomena which as been horrifically enhanced by human ignorance and we need to do something about it. Now. [and if these statistics don't prove that many Republicans are clueless about science, I don't know what would]

Q4 - LEGOS: On this date in 1999, LEGOLAND California--the only LEGOLAND outside of Europe--opened in Carlsbad, California. If you could afford to commission (warning: pop-up window ahead) full-time LEGO artist Sean Kenney to make anything for you, what would you ask him to create?

This is so weird: one of my coworkers is currently on her way with her family to visit Legoland in Carlsbad!
Anyway. Having played with Duplos and Legos for years with kids, I'm kinda not interested in having anymore of them around...at least until there are grandchildren. Unless dude can build me a functional robot that cooks good food and cleans up afterwards!

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. If you could recycle only one of the following, would you be most likely to choose paper, aluminum cans or plastic containers?

Plastic. The rest will (eventually) degrade back into nature.

2. Check out your bathroom: what color are the metal fixtures: silver, gold, bronze, or pewter? (If you know the actual material rather than just the color, name it too.)

They're chrome. They could stand a little cleaning, but under the water spots, shiny silver.

3. When cooking, do you prefer non-stick surfaces or traditional surfaces? Do you have more copper-bottomed pots or stainless steel?

I gave up on non-stick a long time ago because they AREN'T. We have Revereware, with the copper bottoms, and one cast-iron skillet.

4. Take the quiz: What’s Metal Are You?

When I took it a couple of weeks ago, I was Copper.

5. Consider the jewelry you wear most often: is it gold, silver, platinum or something else?

I wear a LOT of different earrings. Some gold, some silver and a lot of cheap stuff. Ditto necklaces. I would say 75% of what I wear is sterling.

6. Have you ever had a piece of jewelry turn your skin a different color? Did anyone else notice before you did?

Like every other teenage girl in the late 70s, I had a spoon ring. My finger turned green under it, so I coated the inside of the ring with clear nail polish...which actually helped till it wore off. ;-) I have made smarter choices in jewelry selection since then. Oh, and I noticed the green before anyone else did.

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Sunday Seven

Name the last seven people you talked to on your cell phone.

The last seven calls: Sparky, Beast, Sparky, Beast's workplace, Beast, Sparky, Beast
The last seven separate numbers: Sparky, Beast, Beast's workplace, Del, Amy, Del's workplace, S.O.

Four for Friday

(Link in blogroll)

Q1 - Popcorn and Candy: According to the author of "Why Popcorn Costs So Much at the Movies, And Other Pricing Puzzles" (University of California-Irvine Professor Richard McKenzie), buying your movie candy at a local drugstore or Costco can save you as much as 86% from what the theater charges on a price per ounce basis. When you go to the movies, what type of candy and refreshments do you usually buy, or do smuggle yours into the theatre?

I buy at the local theatre, since that's how they make all their money. At the theatre where they charge $10 for a seat, I smuggle what I can in.

Q2 - Then & Now: A recent special issue of People magazine focusing on child actors from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, profiled more than 100 former showbiz kids with an emphasis on where they are in their lives today. Are there any child actors you would like an update on? If so, which one(s)?

Nope. I can do my own research, thanks: I am a librarian.

Q3 - Pollution: Recent reports indicate that as much as 46,000 pieces of floating plastic can be found per square mile of ocean. If you were enjoying time at the beach by wading in the water, and you noticed garbage floating nearby, would you collect it and throw it away once you were back on shore?

Probably, within reason. But I almost never go to a beach.

Q4 - Right Now: What is your most pressing concern right now?

Health of my loved ones. It all comes down to terminal illness, y'know?

Thursday Threesome

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::Red Light, Green Light::

Onesome: Red-- candles for Valentine's Day? Are you decorating this year? Planning? Scheming? Deferring?

I probably have some red candles somewhere, but I almost never decorate for anything aside from Christmas.

Twosome: Light, Green--? ...or would that be 'teal'? What color is your kitchen area? What color should it be {g}?

We're still debating. Right now it's builder white. Maybe it'll stay that way, but there's a lot of work to be done in there before that happens.

Threesome: Light-- up the place and save energy with these newer CFL/twisty bulbs? Have you tried any yet? How are they working out?

We've actually been using them for awhile, but we're making more of an effort to use them in more places.

Four for Friday

(Link in blogroll)

Q1 - Crossing: When you arrive at a street corner equipped with a "Cross / Do Not Cross" sign that can be triggered by the push of a button, and you notice someone is already waiting by the button to cross the street in the same or opposite direction as you, do you push the button or simply assume the other person already did?

I always push it. I don't even think about it. They don't light up like elevator buttons, so you can't tell, and I think I was conditioned early to push the crosswalk button. I don't push elevator buttons if they are already lit!

Q2 - Cash: President Bush and Congressional leaders have reached a tentative agreement on a $150 billion tax relief effort to help stimulate the U.S. economy. Specifically, working Americans who have earned income of $3,000 or more will be eligible for a minimum rebate of $300 for themselves or $600 for a couple filing jointly. Based on the amount of federal income taxes paid, that rebate rises as high as $600 for an individual and $1,200 for a couple filing jointly. In addition to the individual rebate, families will receive an additional $300 per child credit. The individual rebate and the child credit phase out starting at $75,000 in income for individuals or $150,000 in family income. If you were receive a check in the mail tomorrow (as a result of a tax relief effort like this one) what would you do it / how would you spend the money? Additionally, do you welcome such "tax relief" efforts--the ones aimed at stimulating the economy--or do you think the President and Congressional leaders are out of touch with what we want or need with regard to tax relief?

I think these are ridiculous, akin to clipping coupons as a way to save money, when lowering the prices (i.e. taxes) across the board would be more helpful to people. What would I use the money for? All the tax-relief money we've received in the past has gone directly to church; I expect this one will as well. We're having our cake and eating it: using the money for a good cause but NOT stimulating the economy as such. The economy doesn't need my help one way or the other.

Q3 - Presidential Race: Have you listened to or watched any speeches or debates by presidential candidates? If so, what did you think? If not, will you make it a point to watch any speeches or debates prior to Election Day?

Nothing as yet. I will tune in at the conventions this summer. Up till then, I can't be bothered. We need to shorten the campaign trail by about 2 years.

Q4 - Eradication: Every large, mature Lodgepole Pine forest in Colorado will be dead within three to five years, killed in a Mountain Pine Beetle infestation unprecedented in Colorado, forestry officials recently announced. Do you think the Mountain Pine Beetle should be left alone to do its thing, or should the State of Colorado do everything within its power to save its Lodgepole Pine forests?

Hmmm, well, I'm sure the neighboring states aren't too keen on just letting it go, but I think I would (just let it go). I do NOT think we should pesticide the entire state! I saw evidence of something like this going on in the Smokeys last summer and it's sad for us but that's nature.

Monday's a Bitch

(Link at left)
Earth Day

1. Do you make an effort to be environmentally friendly?

I have done this for so long that I no longer notice what I do. I always could do better. My dream? A composting bin. OK, so sue me, I'm weird. In reality, I'm not as careful about recycling as I used to be.

2. Did you see "An Inconvenient Truth"? Did you find it effective?

Haven't seen it. Eventually I probably will. Preacing to the choir doesn't interest me.

3. Would you drive a Smart Car?

I'd drive it, yeah. Would I buy one? Doubtful: too small, scarily small. I think that might be a sign of middle age, noticing size relative to other vehicles?

4. How many continents have you been on?

Three.

5. Did you ever watch "Captain Planet"?

Nope. No clue. Looks like I'm too old.

Gweeeeeen

Your Life is 48% Green

You're life is pretty green - and you know a lot about how to live an eco friendly life. So congratulate yourself for being good to the earth. And maybe think about implementing some of the ideas from this quiz!

How Green Is Your Life?

I used to be better; I've gotten really lazy.