Tea

(Found here)

black: how much personal space do you like?

I'm a midwesterner, so a fair amount compared to (for instance) southern Europeans, New Yorkers, etc. If you get close enough to me that I can smell your breath when you talk, you're too close. Especially if you had spicy/oniony food recently. Or, for cryin' out loud, BOOZE! Back the fuck right off!

chamomile: describe your sleep schedule

I shoot to head to bed by 9:30 so I can be asleep before 11. I'm usually awake at some point between 1 and 4 for an hour or so (usually more), and I'm out of bed no later than 7:30, though it varies from day to day. Often, I'm working on 5-6 hours average for several nights running. Or less.

dandelion: when you make wishes who are they for?

World peace. Me and Andie McDowell. Maybe there's something in the water around here....

elderflower: do you get sick often?

Define "often." I don't, not really, but I often feel like death in the colder months of the year, mostly psychosomatic.

fennel: how do you feel right now?

I'm exhausted. Considering I've had the last three days off work, I feel like I need a vacation! This semi-nursing situation at home just sucks. So much to worry about, all the time.

ginger: what animal do you act like?

I fear I am very much like my nickname on line. And often, not a very nice feline, either.

ginseng: post a photo of somewhere you feel calm

I don't have a picture of my bed, asleep. Or the driver's seat of my car on a country road with the sun shining and no worries.

green: list your top 3 motivators

1. Fear. 2. Love. 3. Stubbornness.

hibiscus: do you like when people try to start a conversation with you?

That is 100% dependent on the person. In general, when I'm out in public doing my own thing, no. At work, I don't mind, up to a point. And if you're creepy, do not talk to me. Ever.

kava: post your favorite color scheme

I like blue. Seriously, throw me in a blue room, or a room with blue furnishings and I'll be fine.

lavender: does physical activity help you relax?

Mindless stuff does...until it doesn't. I get antsy and bored if I do too much mindless physical stuff.

lemon: how differently do you behave when you're by yourself versus when you're with others?

I hope it's not a lot different. I suppose I talk to myself more when no one's around, since there's no one else to talk to. ;-)

matcha: do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?

Sunrise.

mint: what song gives you energy?

Almost anything by Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, or Pink will do.

nettle: is there anything you do when you feel guilty?

I get defensive and irritable.

oolong: where do you see yourself in five years?

Here is fine. I do hope that Beast isn't on Round Three of back pain. I'm tired of this.

peppermint: are you self righteous?

I can be, yes.

rooibos: if a conversation bothers you, will you speak up about it?

Oh, probably. I seem to have lost a lot of my etiquette filters over the years (assuming I had any to start with).

white: do you think family is important?

If your family isn't totally toxic, yes. Family is the most important thing, unless they are horrible people. I'm not, for a change, being flippant either. My family has a few nutjobs, but I love them all--when I don't want to bash them on their heads--and I know they've got my back. But we also tend to be generally rational, ethical, kind, and law-abiding.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
All Random

1) Do you prefer your pickle sliced thin, sliced thick, or in a spear?

I like my pickle to be dill. Otherwise, I'm not worried about the shape. Assuming they'll be in a sandwich, of course, I'd like them sliced. I'm really not fussy about pickles.

2) What kind of eggs do you like best for breakfast?

Depends on the day. Some days are omelet days. Some days are over-easy-with-toast days.

3) If you got 2 pennies for change, would you pocket them or leave them on the counter for the next person?

Inside the store, I usually leave them. Drive-thru, they go in my cup-holder.

4) You’re now in charge of the manners for the planet. Tell us the new rules for cellphone etiquette.

Oh, jeez, I'm just not EVEN.... If... No, I can't. The whole issue makes me so twitchy. Be polite: F2F is more important than whatever your phone is doing. That's the etiquette.

5) You’re about to write a novel. What genre will it be (sci fi, chick lit, historical fiction, comic …)?

I'd love to write a mystery. However, I'm pretty sure my strong suit is nonfiction.

6) Is it a bad thing to lie to save a friend’s feelings?

Depends on the size of the lie and how direct. "That shirt is cute" isn't really lie. "You're new haircut looks good" is more of a lie (if it doesn't). "I think your new boyfriend is awesome" when you know he's a serial cheater (or worse)...not ok.

7) Is your big toe your longest toe?

Actually, my second toe is a squidge longer from base to tip. My big toe, weirdly, starts higher.

8) Hot stone massage: yea or nay?

Sure. My therapist uses hot stones regularly. As long as they aren't burn-hot, it feels good.

9) Do you check the mirror before going out?

I mean ... at some point, I have looked in the mirror, yes. We don't have a mirror by either door, though, so I should probably remedy that.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The 20Q Meme

1. When you buy a greetings [sic] card are the words or the picture more important to you?

Words. Often it's a two-fer situation, however. [I'm amused that this is starting out as a Brit-meme]

2. What's your favorite kind of cake?

Yes. lol OK, I prefer white cake and frosting, lots of frosting.

3. Do you ever make gifts for people, if so what, or do you buy them?

I mostly buy things. Crafts are not my thing.

4. You are chosen to have lunch with the President. The condition is you only get to ask one question. What do you ask?

This is going to be a long, and quiet, lunch if I can only ask one question. I'd probably blow it with "How are you today?" What I really want to know, however, is what he thinks of a Hillary/Michelle (or vice versa) ticket for 2016.

5. Which do you dislike most: pop-up ads or spam email?

Pop-ups. Though, since those have been effectively blocked on my computers and I still get the occasional spam email in various accounts...maybe spam. I just don't understand how spammers make money--who clicks on these things??

6. What was the best party you've ever been to?

Wow. Uh, there've been some really awesome staff Christmas parties in the past: which white elephant sucks the most? But I'm sort of partial to Beast's surprise party for finishing grad school. He was totally gobsmacked when he arrived--and it was our pastor at the time who kept him out of our house while things were set up.

7. Which is worse, being in a place that is too loud, or too quiet?

Too loud.

8. You are offered an envelope that you know contains $50. You are then told that you may either keep it or exchange it for another envelope that may contain $500 or may be empty. Do you keep the first envelope, or do you take your chances with the second?

Go big or go home: I'll be trading. After all, I'm no worse off than I was to start if the second envelope is empty.

9. Do you wish cellphone etiquette was a required class upon purchasing one?

Good God, I just wish people had common sense. While on vacation, I stopped in the bathroom of a restaurant as we were leaving. A woman who had been seated nearby came in a few minutes later on her cell phone WHICH WAS ON SPEAKER! So I rattled the TP holder good and loud, flushed (twice), fumbled loudly the stall door, banged on the paper towel holder. Really, people. Phone calls in the bathroom are NOT . OK.
On the up side, this hasn't happened to me in quite a long time so most people seem to have figured this out. I wonder if this is ever an issue in men's rooms?

10. What's the most messed up food combination that you've had that was actually good?

Uhm. If it tastes good I don't consider it messed up. But getting past the messed-up concept can be a stumbling-block. I don't often feel adventuresome.

11. What's one of your most random pet peeves (something that annoys you)?

Aside from phone calls in public restrooms? hah Slackers. I work with one. She really needs a boot up her ass that will loft her out the door, permanently. Such a freakin' waste of space, air, and salary.

12. When is the last time you had home cooking?

I made chili on Friday. Last of the season. It's quite spicy--chorizo FTW.

13. If you could be a fictional character from a book who would you choose?

Nancy Drew of course.

14. If you could be in a television sit-com, which would you choose?

For various reasons, Gilligan's Island is appealing today. I'd prefer to live on the "other side of the island" though, if at all possible. Maybe me and the Professor could share accommodations....

15. If you could be any animal or creature for one day, what would it be?

Wolf.

16. What's your favorite girl's name?

Jo.

17. What's your favorite boy's name?

David.

18. What's your supermarket of choice?

Meijer. Though I'm a new fan of Peapod, too.

19. If you were to attend a costume party tonight, what or whom would you go as?

Myself, thankyouverymuch. I don't really 'do' costumes anymore.

20. What is your concession stand must-have at the movies?

SweetTarts or Skittles. Well, and a drink.

Monday Mayhem

(Link in meme-roll)
Gimme Your Best Response
You know those people who are always telling you how and what to do? We want to be prepared for the next time they provide us with their fine interventions.

1. Are you putting on weight? You face looks fat.

Seriously? My face never looks fat--I am blessed with that genetic blessing, so "Just a little dental surgery, thanks for asking. Nice of you to ask." I'd probably do my best to drool and spit on them while answering, too.

2. You should wash your clothes in the expensive detergent. What you are using is not working.

"Odd you should mention that brand. We just switched from that this week. Since this is from an earlier load, I guess it's a good thing we did switch, eh?!

3. Are you sure you should be eating that piece of cake?

"Why? Is it spiked? Or just yucky?" I have actually said words to that effect, in complete innocence. Didn't even realize it was a dig till much, much later.

4. You shouldn't be friends with that person.

"...because...?" or "Seriously? Are you my mom?" Though in my case, my mom's line was usually, "I just don't like that [name]" accompanied by a head shake.

5. That shirt is not the right color for you.

"Ssshhh! I'm trying to convince people here I'm not goth!"

6. Why would you work at that crappy job?

"Oh, but it's gotten so much better in the last couple of months!! In fact, things have been great since about...uh, yeah...the day after you left."

7. You're not cutting your steak correctly. This is how you should be doing it.

"Dude, I have a steak knife in my hand. Think this through, eh?" Again, I would say or have  said this pretty much verbatim.

8. Is that all you do all day is sit on your computer?

"Yup. Well, no, not ON it, but AT it, yes."

9. You should use Pledge on the dust in your house.

"Actually, I think I should use a dustcloth. Just spraying things on the wood tends not to work."

10. When are you going to get married/have kids/get divorced (choose which one relates to you)?

"Really? Even my MOM doesn't ask that, primarily because she's not an idiot."
By the way, none of them 'relate to me' as I am married/have spawned/am not interested in a divorce. How about "When are you going to retire?" or "When are you going to move closer with those grandkids?" or "When are you going to quit your job and come take care of me full time?"

11. I'm thinking about staying at your house for 2 weeks for my vacation.

"Great timing: that's when we'll be replumbing in all the bathrooms! You can HELP!"

12. When you are at the store will you get me 2 pounds of bananas and some bread? Oh, and here is some money so you can buy my mother some eggs, prunes and Depends. I'll need separate receipts of course.

Prunes AND Depends just begs for a comment all by itself, but I'll limit my response to "I'll keep the change. What size Depends?"
See, cuz I actually do this already for a few people. This is the only one I don't find particularly horrendous, unless it's being spoken to me by someone I don't know well.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) What genre of movies do you prefer?

Whatever else is going on, it HAS to have some kind of comedic element or you've lost me completely.

2) If you could have overheard a specific conversation between any two people, what would it be?

I would have loved to have heard the discussion between Jesus' parents around the time she became pregnant.

3) What behavior do you think is the most common but rudest?

Answering a call or a text in the middle of a F2F conversation. Which isn't to say that I haven't ever done this....

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'm so glad this high school football season is over. What a drag: they lost every game (not unexpected since they have no seniors on the team) and the weather SUCKED for every varsity game. Next year will be better, right?

Patrick's Place

(Link in blogroll)
Monday's Morals

You’re at a buffet-style restaurant eating dinner when you notice a man complaining loudly to a waitress about something that to you seems very trivial. When he gets up to walk towards the buffet, you notice that his fly is open. You’re already headed that way: would you tell him? Why or why not?

I wouldn't say anything to him regardless of his harangue at the waitress. I definitely come from WASP-land where it is acceptable, even required, to overlook other people's weirdness and behavior. I also recall mentioning it to someone once who leered at me as he zipped and actually said "And why were you looking there in the first place?" OMG-STFU!

Yes, I would feel a degree of epicaricacy about having these two situations together, but for me there's not really a connection between the two. The only people to whom I point out an unzipped fly (or gappy blouse) are friends.

Now, if you'd asked whether I'd point out that he'd dropped a $50 bill or his cell phone after berating the waitress... :-) [I might not--but I might chase him down and say, "Here. This is an example of how to be KIND to other people."]

Cinn's Friday 5

(Link in blogroll)
I was there when the bear ate his head, thought it was a candy.*

[01] If you were at a party, and saw an insect crawling on the wall behind your host, how would you react?

Depends on the type of insect. I would probably just quietly grab a napkin, grab the bug and squash it, and throw the napkin away. Whatever.

[02] Would you tell someone if you saw that they had a *ahem* nasal obstruction?

I'd just catch there eye and pointedly rub my hand across my nose.

[03] How would you tell someone that their fly is open?

"Barn door's open."

[04] How would you react if you were propositioned by your drunken mother-in-law/father-in-law?

Wow. Uh. I'd just tell 'em to back off. Here's the thing: something like this could actually happen if the Alzheimer's gets bad.

[05] If you were sent a letter from an ex that you were mad about, wanting you back, how would you respond?

I wouldn't answer. That would be someone from over 20 years ago, so I'm perfectly willing to continue to ignore any further communiques, too.

---

* I have no idea whatsoever this has to do with...anything...