Wednesday Hodgepodge

(Link in meme-roll)

Volume 600

1. My very first edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge was published on November 10, 2010 (linked here if you're curious). Tell us something about your life from that era. 

Well, now that I've reread the post closest to that date from my previous blog--not the meme-blog--it looks like I was in mid Sandwich-Generation with a teen in the house and a father-in-law at the hospital for the day. I was negotiating Thanksgiving plans and frankly pissed with Katharine and Marie. Looking back, I wasn't being as bitchy as I felt then, just setting boundaries. The email I quoted that I sent to them could have been summed up by, "I've already planned for Thanksgiving at my house. If you can't make it over here, I'll be sorry not to see you." I think I remember caving in to their wishes, God help me!
Also, by the way, I hadn't found Wednesday Hodgepodge yet in 2010.

2. What's a song you love that relates to time in some way? 

The only thing that comes to mind at the mo is "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. It made me cry in the 80s. It would probably make me cry if I listened to it today.

3. May is nearly upon us. When did you last need to yell 'MAY DAY-MAY DAY!!'? 

Yesterday? At my therapist? Right before she whipped out her "note from the doctor" paperwork and informed me that I'm off work till Saturday. I'm ok with that. Frankly, I am fully ready to hand over complete control of my life to anyone else. Not permanently, just for a month or so.

4. How do you feel about food trucks? Is this a dining experience you enjoy?  Do you have a favorite What's something you've ordered from a food truck? 

I don't go anywhere there are crowds of people, so food trucks have never made my list of places to eat. I eat at the Fair, but otherwise I eat at drive-thrus or sit-down places only.

5. We're bidding farewell to April...what are three adjectives you might use to describe the month you're leaving behind. 

Frantic, flaky, funereal.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

As noted above I'm on forced 'vacation' from work for a few days after admitting to the doc that I'm not doing well. I honestly could not possible care less about anything going on at work (my idiot boss and a freaky public masterbating vlogger haven't even creased my brain at all--whatever, guys, just keep me out of it) despite needing to do evaluations for my folks and all the other BS that goes on there. If I could just go in and catalog for 8 straight hours a day for a week, I would be the happiest Cat on the planet.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
It's Just Another New Year's Eve (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Welcome to the last Saturday 9 of 2017! Thanks for a great year, everyone.

1) In this song, Barry Manilow declares New Year's Eve is "just another night." How do you feel about 12/31? Is it a special occasion or just another night?

Just another night of massive amounts of fireworks being set off in the middle of the night. I'm excited about the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day, but this year especially tomorrow is just nothing. Someone gave me a bottle of sparkling grape juice. Maybe I'll pop that open. woo . hoo

2) Barry sings that in the past year, "we've made mistakes." What in 2017 do you wish you could do over?

Oh jeeeeeez. This is why I don't do regrets; this YEAR is why I gave up regrets and do-overs decades ago. If I knew last year this time what was coming, I'm pretty sure things wouldn't have panned out at all the way they did. ... It might have been worse, I guess. {somehow}

3) He also sings of happy nights with friends. Tell us about a really good time you had in the past year.

Uhm. There were flashes of fun, some seriously hysterical laughs, and good times with kids. I didn't have a vacation, and my home-life essentially sucked. I'm learning a lot about myself--some of it's even good stuff--but over all, I don't remember "a really good time" this year. Maybe my discovery of podcasts?

4) The song references growing wiser, as well as older. What's something you learned or discovered in 2017?

I have always thought I was a tough chick, despite outside appearances. Now I know I am, and I'm not here to waste my time on anyone else's bullshit. I'm not going to stop anyone's bullshit, but I'm also not going to spend any time on it if I can stop myself. Also, some of the worst bullshit is that of people closest to me, or so I thought.

5) What do you wish you had spent more time doing during 2017?

Reading. Taking care of myself. Throwing things away.

6) What was the smartest thing you did all this past year?

Called for help. Often.

7) As this year comes to a close, what are you most grateful for?

Friends. Holy crap, I am so fortunate to have an amazing group of friends. Also, my niece has stepped up hard this year, and my brother has been a surprisingly helpful presence for me too.

8) When this week's featured artist, Barry Manilow, was a jingle writer, he wrote the famous "You deserve a break today at McDonald's" song. When's the last time you visited the Golden Arches?

Uhm. Tuesday, I think? For breakfast?

9) Random question: In high school, were you more popular with the boys or the girls?

I wasn't popular at all. I had a tight circle of (mostly) girls that I hung with. I was terrified of guys.

Friday 5 x5

(Link in meme-roll)
More (and more) Questions About Buildings and Food

1. What’s the best layered food?

   Dirt cake is right up there....

2. What’s the best rolled food?

   I like those little salami/cheese/tortilla things.

3. What’s the most recent cuisine you’ve tried for the first time from an ethnicity not your own?

   Uhm...I can't think of any new ethnic food I've eaten. I've been pretty narrowly focused on fast- or cheap food.

4. What’s a food that scares you?

   Live octopus, still moving. Thank you, "Amazing Race."

5. What’s something you eat solely because it’s good for you?

   Yogurt.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + October 6 through 10
Yeah. Another set of questions about my least favorite month!

1. The first week of October is National Customer Service Week in the United States and Kenya. Where have you received especially good customer service?

   My health insurance company has been so amazing and helpful though the past couple of months. So have all the medical people, but that's technically not customer service I guess.

2. The second Saturday in October was National Tree-Planting Day in Mongolia. When did you last do anything resembling tree-planting?

   I watered plants sometime recently....

3. October 4 was World Animal Day (the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals). What’s an obscure animal you know a thing or two about?

   Echidnas are cool.

4. October 6 was National Poetry Day in Ireland and the United Kingdom. What’s a line of poetry that springs to mind now that you’re thinking about poetry?

   "When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd..."

5. What’s in your pocket?

   Chapstick.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Functions

1. What are you holding your breath in anticipation of?

   I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, probably a little bit more than I should by rights.

2. What most recently gave you goosebumps?

   Something on the way to see Beast the other day made chills go up my spine. I can't remember what it was, just where I was.

3. What’s giving you that pain in the neck?

   Sleeping in chairs.

4. What’s making your heart ache?

   Everything is hard right now.

5. What are you yawning at?

   Life. I'm exhausted, and the news I got yesterday about Beast returning home needing 24/7 attention didn't exactly help.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Space

1. Of all the spaces in your residence, which is most powerfully your space?

   This corner of the couch, and the bathtub. The latter of which is calling to me rather stridently.

2. What’s the most spacious space in your everyday life?

   Sleep.

3. What’s a good song about space?

   The only one I can think of is "Major Tom."

4. What’s under your bed?

   Dust. Lots of it. I was down there a couple of nights ago picking up something that rolled under: yuck!

5. What are your thoughts on typing one or two spaces after sentences?

   I've been retrained to use just one space, but it's been hard.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Makin’ It

1. What skill seems like it would be really fun to learn?

   I bought a kit for making friendship bracelets today. That's about my level of fun and skill right now.

2. Which of the winter Olympic sports would you love to compete in?

   I'm pretty sure my only skill here is curling, and only if I don't have to have skates on.

3. What fun craft did you make when you were a kid, in school or at camp or somewhere else?

   I loved making plaster molds and painting them.

4. If everyone in the world is the best in the world at some very specific thing, what are you most likely the best at?

   Procrastinating important things and then running around like a crazy person to get them done at the last minute.

5. What’s something you own that was handmade by someone you know?

   The knitted blanket I took a nap under this afternoon was made by one of my college roommates.

How can I help?

YOU ENHANCE LIVES

You're the type of person who likes to work quietly behind the scenes. Very few people notice all that you do. You love to help, but you aren't looking for credit. You know that you do a lot simply being there for others. You are steady, dependable, and loyal. You aren't just a rock though - you also have a good spark that lights up the world. You bring lightness and depth, optimism and realism to others' lives. You are often what is missing.

Do You Empower, Enable, Enhance, or Engage?

Yeah, pretty much. I hate saying stuff like that last bit about myself, but I'll allow that it might be true, more or less.

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.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Shout Out The Answer Meme

Do you shout out the answers at the TV while watching quiz shows?

Only if I'm alone. I've discovered how annoying it is when someone does that while you're trying to watch (and figure out the answers).

Do you get over-involved with TV or movie plots at times?

Define "over-involved." lol
I've dreamed about TV shows. And yes, I do find myself pondering the show--or rather the characters--at odd times at work or while doing chores.

What's the highest hill or mountain you've ever climbed?

I grew up in the mountains of Colorado. While I never "climbed a mountain" in the sense of people doing Everest, I've been up my share of 12,000-foot+ high peaks. And rooted around the sides of several of those for fun too. From bottom to top in one go, that would be Big Squaw Mountain with my mother-in-law, Beast, and his brother in about 1988.

Do you have a piggy bank?

I do. One of these days I'll take a picture of it so I can post it. I love that bank!

What's the fastest you've ever traveled in a car?

TOO fast. I was in a car going close to 100 mph in traffic probably 20 years ago. It was exhilarating and stupid as hell.

Could you ever hand milk a cow?

Probably not. I suspect whichever cow got stuck with me would be pretty irritated pretty quickly, and I'd probably get smacked with a hoof or two. Also, I don't think my hands would hold up long enough. Yay, RSI.

Which was your favorite science? Biology, Physics or Chemistry?

Bio, once we got past cells. I hated the always-too-lengthy focus on cells, but systems, oh yeah! Loved muscles, skeletons, even nerves and digestive systems! OK, not a fan of all the stomach enzymes, but otherwise......SO COOL!

Have you ever had a surprise party? (that was an actual surprise)

I had two surprise baby showers before Sparky was born! Clearly, my brain wasn't working very well that both times I was 100% clueless. I threw a surprise graduation party for Beast when he got his MBA--at our house! He had no idea.

Have you ever warn clothing with the labels/tags still attached?

Nowadays, with the printed-on tags, I do it all the time. :-) And yes. Not too long ago, someone had to peel something off the back of my leg off of pants I was wearing for the first time. That was a little embarrassing.

Have you ever slipped on a banana skin?

Nope. I wonder where that comes from? Did people used to do that? Or was that a stand-in for all the piles of manure that used to litter streets prior to cars?

Are you scared of the dark?

Nope. I actually love darkness. I fully respect the power of darkness to mess with our senses, though. Ever been underground in a cave with no flashlight? Yeah. Awesome-scary.

Do you have a lawyer?

Hmmm. I know a fair number of attorneys, but I haven't paid any of them recently. We really need to go get our wills updated, though. Soon.

If you had a paid year off, what would you want to do?

Travel! I would love to do a world cruise.

How long did you[r] last phone call last?

...I can't even remember the last time I used a phone outside of work calls. My last work call, yesterday, was probably only a minute of actual phone time, with a period on hold in the middle. Personal call.....jeez, I think it's been over a week, when I call someone in Al-Anon about missing a meeting where I had meant to drop off boxes.

Have you ever helped someone across the road?

Yup. Everyone in my family is older than me, and many of them are or have been frail.

Have you ever been wolf whistled in public?

Ugh, thank God I'm old now!! I was first wolf-whistled while sitting on my front lawn when I was about 11. Who the FUCK does that?

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.

Blogthings

You Value Benevolence

You are a very generous person, and you feel like you get a lot from giving to others. You like to help. You worry about the world, and you do your best to improve things - especially on a community level. You nurture the people around you, whether they ask for your assistance or not. You quietly lend a hand in whatever way you can. You hate to see misery or suffering. You are an empathetic person, and you tend to take on the burdens of those you care about.

What Do You Value Most?

Well, yes.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

(Link in meme-roll)

1. What's something people might ask you for help with?

I just had the following exchange on Facebook:

Roger : Attention [high school alumni]! A question for you please. I seem to remember that in 1980 our class made a TIME CAPSULE, but I do not remember where it was buried. I think in was somewhere near the WEST edge of the football field very near the concrete wall close to the [gym], at the south end of the really tall wall. Do any of you remember this as well? I am hoping that 1. I am not hallucinating this (with due cause), and 2. if there was a time capsule that someone remembers it and where it is located. With all the demolition and new construction at [the school] it would be a shame if the capsule were lost or destroyed. Do any of you recall this?

Julie : I do not...

[me] : This rings a faint bell, but I'm pretty sure I never knew where it would be buried...prob b/c I'm not in your class.
Anything in your yearbook? Who was your class president, Head Girl/Boy? They would've been involved, surely, and may remember...?

[me] : Another option is for someone to hit the [Hometown] Library and look at the old papers to see if this was mentioned. That's a big time-suck, but I can't find anything on the [library] website to search online.

Roger : Smart [Cat.] :) SMART :) Thanks. Hopefully they will read this posting thread.

[me] : Ah shucks. I'm a librarian: it's what I do. ;)

Roger : Librarians are COOL. They have super investigative POWERS! ;-)

2. What's something you might ask someone else for help with?

Cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping...

3. Did your family take summer vacations when you were a child? If so, where did you go? If you're a parent, did/do you plan summer vacations with your own family? Did/do they resemble those you took as a child?

When I was a wee thing, we mostly went to my sister's in Wyoming, or up into the mountains on day trips, or to my other sister's in Wisconsin, or to my OTHER sister's college campus. When I was about 10 my parents purchased a small building in the mountains and we went there most of the time after that for vacations. My vacations have indeed gotten more like my parents'. When Sparky was little we did try to go somewhere for a couple of weeks every summer: WDW, England (the OTHER sister lived there), a nearby resort town where we rented a house with another family....

4. Pool-lake-ocean...which one is most appealing to you on a hot summer day?

INSIDE. Or the mountains. Why is that never an option on this question??

5. Have you ever justified using the expression, 'you gotta be cruel to be kind'? Was it really necessary or were you rationalizing?

I wouldn't say "cruel" but there is a certain level of firmness that is necessary in raising a child. Or training a dog. Or being disciplined about anything, really.

6. The Journal of Psychology recently mentioned the results of a survey identifying the ten most hated foods as: liver, lima beans, mayonnaise, mushrooms, eggs, okra, beets, Brussels sprouts, tuna, and gelatin. Of those foods, how many do you actually hate? Anything you'd add to the list?

The only ones I really can't gag down are liver and okra. Of the rest, I'm not a fan of Brussels sprouts or lima beans, but I like all the others.

7. What's your favorite book or movie set in a beach or lake town?

The only thing that comes to mind is Summer of '42. I'm sure I've read something since then--in fact, I really KNOW that I have--but I can't remember titles.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I really hope the part for the a/c comes tomorrow and Beast can get it fixed. I'm not enjoying the nights without dehumidification (it's only off when we're asleep or out of the house).

Wednesday Hodgepodge

(Link in meme-roll)

1. This week's Hodgepodge is Volume 123. What's something you've done recently that was as easy as 1-2-3?

Re-signing up with Weight Watchers was very painless and easy. The actual dieting itself isn't going so well quite yet, but I am eating somewhat less so that's a step.

2. The Wednesday Hodgepodge also happens to fall on the first day of May ...what is something you may do this month?

We may go on a short vacation at some point this month. We'll see. Nothing is set in stone yet.

3. The Englishman Horace Walpole is credited as saying, "The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think." How do you see it?

Yes. Better to do both in moderation.

4. May is National Hamburger Month...how often do you eat a burger? What are your must-haves when it comes to burgers? I assume you vegetarians won't be celebrating so tell us what you'd like instead?

I don't love burgers, but I probably have 2-3 a month. Beast makes them for dinner often. Those are good.

5. Pansies, petunias, geraniums, impatiens...of the four mentioned, which is your favorite in a patio pot? Will there be pots on your patio this spring? (Or whenever spring comes to your part of the globe?) Who does the gardening at your house?

I loathe geraniums. Impatiens makes me think of Mom, and petunias even more so: she had pansies in the front planters every year. Pansies are fine. Maybe I'll get some for this summer. But for the most part, Beast does the yard work because being outside for too long makes me sick.

6. When did you last (literally or figuratively) shout "Mayday, Mayday!"

Hmmm. Last week. Can't remember why. Something work-related.

7. Say farewell to your April in ten words or less.

"Cya. Wouldn't wanna be ya." April pretty much sucked this year for so many reasons, not least of which was the weather.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This has been a delightfully quiet and productive week at work. What a lovely change from the norm.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Self Esteem

1. How was your self esteem growing up?

In the toilet. I was never, ever good enough, even though I knew I was loved.

2. Do you ever have a hard time with morals?

Not in general. However, there's a LOT of gray areas, way more than I like to deal with.

3. Do you eat in bed? If yes, what?

Sure. Crackers. ;-) [I actually do, albeit infrequently.] Oh, and cough drops when I'm sick.

4. What was the last movie you hated and why?

I have come to strongly dislike the Star Wars movies.

5. Have you ever felt that you lost it all? If yes, explain.

I haven't ever actually lost everything, but there have been many times when the fear that I had fucked up so badly as to lose it all has been overwhelming.

6. Have you ever been stalked?

Not to my knowledge. Which means I haven't been, or I have been, but by someone extremely GOOD at stalking!

7. Do you believe in 'self help' for problems, or do you prefer therapy?

As if therapy means you don't do any work yourself? Uhm, yeah, NO! I start with looking for my own solutions and when (if) that doesn't work, I'll go talk to someone. I'm not averse to it, for sure.

8. What celebrity do you think should make a run for office?

None . Of . Them. Perish the thought!

9. Do you believe in happy endings? (We do. That why this is the last question!)

Happy endings are ones you make yourself. My happy ending might not be yours, but if it works for me, who are you to complain, right?

Wednesday Wickedness

(Link in meme-roll)
Today we picked Prince William

1. “I've had lots of kids come up and ask for my autograph, I've had a grandmother stop me and ask me if I know a good place to buy underwear.” Where do you buy your underwear?

No place where I'm ever asked for an autograph--just [occasionally] a signature.

2. “I'm always open for people saying I'm wrong because most of the time I am.” How often are you wrong?

Yeah, I have a teenager in the house: you do the math on this one!

3. “Harry can paint but I can't. He has our father's talent while I, on the other hand, am about the biggest idiot on a piece of canvas. I did do a couple of drawings at Eton which were put on display. Teachers thought they were examples of modern art, but in fact, I was just trying to paint a house!” What was the last thing that you drew?

If it counts, I colored in the circles in the letters on the typed agenda today. I don't actually draw 'representational' art either. Me 'n the Billster: tight buds.

4. “I do think I am a country boy at heart. I love the buzz of towns and going out with friends and sitting with them drinking and whatever -- it's fun -- but, at the same time, I like space and freedom.” How would you describe yourself?

"Thank God I'm a country [girl]!" {eyeroll} I am a suburbanite, through and through.

5. “I remember her as being a huge inspiration to me, someone to really look up to and admire.” He’s talking about his mom. Who do you admire?

Imagine if he were talking about Camilla! I'd have to kill him. I admire people who know how to keep their mouths shut when everyone around them is clamoring for them to say something.

6. “I think it's very important that you make your own decision about what you are. Therefore you're responsible for your actions, so you don't blame other people.” How do you think you are about taking responsibility for your actions?

Pretty good, mostly. But then I'm also a really good liar.

7. “My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring.” What are your guiding principles?

"To serve God, my country, and [hu]mankind, and to live by the Girl Scout Law." OK, really: "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow." (Hillel)

8. “Only the mad girls chase me, I think.” When you were, or if you are, single: What type of people chased you?

No clue. I have amnesia about most of that period.

9. “I don't deliberately select my friends because of their background. If I enjoy someone's company, then that's all that counts. I have many different friends who aren't from the same background as me and we get on really well -- it's brilliant.” How do you select your friends?

I don't. They select me!!

10. “People say it's not ambitious, but it is actually quite ambitious wanting to help people.” When was the last time that you volunteered to help people?

Today. It is (part of) my job.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Upside Down

1. When was the last time that you felt your world got turned upside down?

Let's see, looks like about 18 hours ago. Before that, maybe Thursday sometime. It's been a rocky week.

2. Should the United States do more to help its own citizens before helping people in other countries?

Well, there goes my day. I could write thousands of words on this, but my short(est) version is "No." However, I'll admit that if you are more moved by stuff in this country than elsewhere, then yeah, at least do something!

3. What was something you memorized for school and still can recall?

Mrs. White made us memorize a long list of prepositions (similar to this one) in 7th grade. "About above across after against around at before behind below beneath beside between beyond but by..."

4. With what types of people do you tend to associate?

Smart, witty people. I like to think of myself as Oscar Wilde. [Please insert eyeroll and snort as appropriate.]

5. Besides blogging what is the last creative thing that you've done?

My job is incessantly creative--making up call numbers out of sometimes pretty rarefied air. Like, where do we keep the stuff on The Trail of Tears? Not where LC does, that's for sure.

6. In nature, what outdoor activities do you enjoy the most?

Sitting in the sun. Walking in the sun.

7. When was the last time that you had a great belly laugh?

More than a week, I think.

8. What kind of fashion-sense attracts you?

Someone comfortable in their clothes, who is not dressing to be showy.

9. What traits in others turn you off?

Snobbishness and fakey-ness. Blowhards are not my friends, in general.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) How often do you whisper?

Despite the fact that I work in a library, it's relatively rare for me to whisper. I talk fairly quietly at times, but whispering...not so much. I always hear that old ad in my ear whenever I do whisper: "If you want to capture someone's attention, whisper."

2) When was the last time you called a help hotline? Did it solve the problem?

I guess that would be the Lost and Found about the bag I left on the commuter train last week. It has not been recovered, but "Delores" is a lovely, helpful person.

3) How much time do you spend on yourself daily on average?

I suppose a couple of hours, all told, most days. Except for the past three weeks.

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

Well, speaking of railroads...it reminds me of my lost overnight bag. :-( And Amtrak, which is a mixed memory: I love train travel, but I'm not a fan of being late, which Amtrak usually is (in my experience anyway).