Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)

Follow That Dream

1. My bestie and I once ...

giggled and rolled around my bed over a really dumb pun on my middle name for far too long. I don't think either of us reached "laugh till you pee" status, but oh my god we were in hysterics. All either of us has to say to each other to this day 45ish years later is that dumb pun.
Hi, Kermie! (or were you Bear?)

2. When I'm nervous ...

I bite my cuticles. Also when I'm bored. But thanks to the wonders of modern medicine I am rarely nervous. I do, however, have the occasional anxiety attacks, which are a whole other deal that involves my heart speeding up and a total inability to focus or sit still. 

3. My hair ...

is uncombed this morning. I have a big barrette holding it off my neck and face so I could wash my face. 

4. When I turn to the left, I see ...

(if I were standing) the dining room which is stacked with random effluvia that really needs to be sorted and disposed of. However, since I'm sitting, when I look left I mostly just see the end-table with pop, hemp gummies, an empty bento that had my breakfast in it, my pill box, etc. We won't mention the lower shelf...

5. My favorite aunt ...

 ... the only aunt I actually remember wasn't a barrel of laughs, though she did buy me a blue sno-cone once (which pissed off my parents). The only other aunt I kind of remember babysat me during my sister Ellen's wedding reception when I was 5 or 6. I barely remember her. My parents' Families of Origin were quite distant from my world, being as how both of them were late-in-life babies and so was I. My grandmas were pushing or well-over 80 when I appeared, so it was a full two generations between me and them.

6. I have a hard time understanding ...

anything involving finance. I just go completely blank in my head and retain nothing. I understand basics--paying bills, credit cards, interest accrual--but planning for my future feels like some kind of arcane magic.

7. You know I like you if ...

I offer to spend time with you outside of required meetings or whatever. "Spend time" in this case involves social media time or actual F2F meetups. 

8. When I was 5 years old ...

four major leaders in my county had been assassinated since my arrival on the planet; my sister had survived a disease that killed 97% of those who were diagnosed, my grandpa had died, and my dad had survived his first heart attack. Is it any wonder I was a little stressed as a kid? It wasn't exactly a calm, safe place in 1968 in the U.S. 

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (1987)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Gracie Slick challenges, "Let them say we're crazy!" Tell us about something you're glad you did, even though your friends or family may have advised you against it.

Oh, jeez, almost everything I've done that's fun someone has warned me against doing. Or at least looked askance at me. Good thing I tend to be risk-averse unless challenged! I'm glad I went overseas my junior year of college to (what was then) the U.S.S.R. and China, and Mongolia. The reward was going to Italy at the end, which got me through some awful moments in assorted Soviet airports. No one thought this was a good idea, including me, but I was dared so my big mouth got me behind the Iron Curtain. And my risk-aversion got me back out. 😀 

2) Slick is the lead singer of Jefferson Starship. This band got its start in 1965 as Jefferson Airplane but updated their name in 1974. Part of their reasoning was that by the 1970s, airplane travel was commonplace. In 2023, an estimated 820 million Americans flew domestically. When was your most recent flight? When is your next one?

Sparky and I flew to Phoenix a year ago last February just to get the hell out of Gray Frozen Darkness for a weekend. It was the first time we'd been on a plane in 5+ years. The trip there was not comfortable at all, the flight home was better (and I got to see the Barbie movie!), but the whole traveling thing was nerve-wracking.
We're heading East this fall, but I think we'll drive, even though it'll be a long three-day drive. We have business to take care of in Maine.

3) Songwriter Albert Hammond said the song was inspired by his divorce. After years of legal wrangling, he was finally free to marry his long-time, long-suffering girlfriend. They're still married today. What is something you waited a long time for? Was it worth the wait?

Waiting for children (child in my case) to reach adulthood feels like a kabillion years, and then once they're legal adults it feels like no time at all. 

4) Albert Hammond is perhaps best known as the one-hit wonder who sang, "It Never Rains in Southern California." Is rain expected where you are today?

Nope, no rain today. We're in a pattern of wind and cold with some general gloom. I'm NOT wearing socks anymore though! It's spring (despite the 55-degree F high today) dammit! I'm also glad not to have to have AC going too, though. 

5) He co-wrote the song with Diane Warren. In January, she lost her home to the Los Angeles fires. When a friend is confronted by heartache or tragedy, what can you say or do for them? What shouldn't you say or do?

Let them tell you what they need, unless they seem stuck in "freak-out mode." NEVER say, "I know just how you feel" or anything of the sort. I promise, even if you went through the same scenario, you do NOT know how they are feeling. Silence and hugs, listening more than talking. All of which is really hard. For me.

6) "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" was the love theme to the romantic fantasy Mannequin. In that movie, a department store mannequin comes to life and falls for a struggling artist. While it was a moderate success at the box office, the gritty Vietnam drama Platoon was a much bigger hit. When you sit down to watch a movie, what genre would you prefer (fantasy, romance, comedy, drama, etc.)?

I want a comedy with some action, not lowbrow stupidity. I don't see too many movies anymore because they irritate me, and I get fidgety and bored sitting still so long. Late-onset ADHD? Sparky curates my movie-viewing these days. Last up was the last Deadpool movie, which was pretty close to the perfect sweet spot. I guess some would say this is lowbrow stupidity, but at least it wasn't Adam Sandler. 
(Incidentally, I ever saw Mannequin--though I love the lead actor--but I did sit in a theater full of Vietnam Vets to see Platoon. Like full, need-an-usher-to-find-an-empty-seat full.)

7) In 1987, when this song was popular, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aretha was proud of her Detroit roots. Have you been to Michigan? If yes, where did you go?

I have been to Michigan a couple of times, to East Lansing once and to Windsor once. I have been told the Detroit airport is pretty dope but haven't ever needed to stop there.
But can we talk about taking until 1987 to honor a woman in rock and roll? When it was Rosetta Tharpe who "invented" it??? Men piss me off so much, so hard, so often.

Incidentally, it took me awhile to figure out why we were talking about Michigan instead of Ohio because the HoF is in Cleveland. 

8) In 1987, the Chevy Corvette made news by adding a low tire pressure light to its dashboard. When you're driving and a yellow warning light comes on, do you handle the issue promptly? Or is it something you'll get to when you get around to it?

lol  My check engine light has been on for at least 2 years now. The car is also 14 years old. If a different light came on, I'd handle it fairly quickly, but My Car Guy told me to just ignore the engine light so I'm following his directions. I need a new car, but there is literally not enough time to think about that right now.

9) Random question: A magic mirror reflects your appearance five years from today. Would you look at it?

I don't even look properly in the mirror much daily. I'm sure I'll be another half-centimeter shorter, far grayer, and just as blind. Honestly, if I had to pick me out of a crowd, I'm not sure I could do it.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll) 

January, Part 2 (Misc Questions) 

            

 1. Can you eat with chopsticks? 

I can, but not well and I'd likely starve to death if I tried.

 2. Could you tell real money from counterfeit? 

Probably. I don't see a lot of money anymore. Plastic and EFTs are my best friends.

 3. What do you think about school uniforms? 

I see both sides of the question. I would've hated hated hated them, but I think that's the default student setting.

 4. What ancient civilization would you most like to visit? 

I would like to know about the Incan Empire.

 5. What would make a great new Crayola color? 

There are never enough choices for blue. 💙

 6. If an art project is created with the intent of getting rich and famous, does that cast doubt over its significance as a work of art? 

Nope.

 7. What do you get in trouble for the most? 

Saying things. I have (yet another) post-it reminder on my monitor at work that just says STFU.

 8. Do you blow your nose in public? 

I mean, if necessary. ??  These days, it's a hassle, though so I have to find a closed room.

 9. If all the nations in the world are in debt, where did all the money go? 

Quick note to all: money isn't real. Our imaginations make it worth things.

 10. Is it as easy to make you happy now as it was when you were a child? 

Probably. I don't recall being a particularly "happy" child, although I had a wonderful childhood.

 11. Who knows more ... you, or your parents? 

My parents are dead these many long years hence. So, me, by default, which is frightening.

 12. What instrument would you like to be famous for playing? 

Bagpipes.

 13. Would you have sex with a stranger for one million dollars? 

Nope. Add a B to the amount and I'd totally consider some very vanilla sex. No weird shit.

 14. Are you completely in control of your body? 

Hah! Not even close.

 15. What is the coolest web site you know of?

I'm enjoying Blogger again.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Art Historic

Classical: If you were an Olympian god, what would you be known for?

Laughter in the face of Tragedy.

Byzantine: Do you prefer gold or silver accessories?

Silver.

Medieval: Are you religious?

Yes, as a matter of fact.

Gothic: What is your favourite historic building?

I absolutely adore Durham Cathedral. It's just ... comforting? Calming? Homey? It's also, somewhat unintentionally ironically, very Gothic in a particularly medieval way.

Renaissance: Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt enlightened or changed?

The day after Sparky was born, I remember the clear thought that "life will never be the same."

Baroque: Do you enjoy the finer things in life?

Some of them. I like food. I'm not so much about other so-called "fine things."

Rococo: Is your bedroom full of trinkets and pictures? If so, which pictures adorn your walls?

It's definitely not FULL of them! I have the print we got from my parents for a wedding present (in the frame Dad made), a painting by Beast's grandma, a photo of Copenhagen that my brother-in-law took, and some other odds and ends. Not a lot of decor, just dust and things that don't have 'real homes.'

Neoclassicism: If something came back into fashion, what do you hope it would be?

I would like to see more round-toed dressy shoes. I hate pointy toes on shoes.

Romanticism: Do you often see things in a positive light?

I try very hard to do that so I don't spiral into catatonia.

Pre-Raphaelite: Which book would you like to see turned into a film?

I'd prefer if movies would find their own writers for awhile, ones that don't need super-heroes or war.

Impressionism: Do you look for details or take everything in at once?

I think I'm more of a Big Picture person right now.

Art Nouveau: When were you last at the theatre?

Live theatre has been a very long time. Movie theater...coupla months.

Surrealism: Why does the porcupine think it's a duck?

Because it's delusional.

Pop Art: Do you enjoy pop culture?

I do, to a point. I find people endlessly interesting and weird.

Contemporary: What did you do today?

Got up (trust me, it was not easy today), got dressed, went to see Beast, came home, cried, ate lunch, took a nap, avoided thinking about the 7 million things I need to do, this, read out of a couple of books....

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Jump (1984)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) David Lee Roth does a lot of jumping in this video. He credits his flashy moves to his study with marital artist Benny Urquidez. Have you ever tried karate, judo, or jiu-jitzu?

No, but I've been considering finding a tai ch'i class.

2) Dave claims to be fluent in Spanish. Say something "en español."

Entonces, David, si realmente hablas español, ¿Por qué eres tan necio?

3) Dave appeared as himself in an episode of The Sopranos, playing poker with Tony Soprano. Are you a good poker player?

I'm better than you'd expect.

4) Though known for his prowess on the guitar, Eddie Van Halen wrote the opening of this song at the keyboard when he was still new to the synthesizer. When do you recently venture outside your comfort zone? Was it a success?

Every damned day lately. I'm just trying to keep my balance at this point. At least no drunks hugged and kissed me this week at work....

5) Eddie's older brother Alex is the Van Halen drummer and his son, Wolfie, began touring with the band in 2007. Have you ever worked with a family member?

I used to work for my dad once in awhile. I went to work once with Mom and answered phones when most of the office couldn't get to work and they were closed.

6) Van Halen's first man[a]ger was Marshall Berle. Mr. Berle's uncle was Milton Berle. Does the name Milton Berle mean anything to you?

Mostly because of Happy Days and watching talk shows when I was a wee tot.

7) In 1984, when this song was popular, AT&T/Bell Telephone was broken up into 24 separate companies. Today, who is your phone provider?

My cell is Sprint; my landline is Frontier Communications.

8) Also in 1984, Michael Jackson was severely burned while filming a Pepsi commercial. Would we find any Pepsi in your kitchen right now?

Actually, no. Aldi's only sells Coke products. Beast normally only drinks diet Pepsi, but I haven't bought any specifically and on purpose since September.

9) Random question: Have you ever been so angry that you kicked or hit an inanimate object?

Well, yeah. I stopped that when it hurt my toes and did nothing to the inanimate object. Now I just hang my head down and cry; it's about as useful and less painful. Usually.

*This song was, for a few weeks, the 7:00 a.m. wakeup song when I was in college. It never failed to get me AND my roommate moving if only to fling the clock radio across the room to shut it off! 😁

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Art History

1. Do you look forward to the spring?

I live in the upper Midwest; the promise of spring is what keeps us all alive from Christmas Day on every winter. "Oh, I saw a bird today!" "Hey, we got two days of sun in a row!" "Are those tree limbs faintly green?"

2. Which area of the sciences do you enjoy the most?

I love physiology. Not so much biology, but the function of systems together. How things are built to work as a unit.

3. If you could own a classical statue in the form of any figure from myth, religion, or even modern fiction, who would you choose?

Athena. I would love to have a copy of the Athena that stood in the Acropolis when it was in its heyday. Of course, we don't know for sure what that statue looked like--I'd want a miniature of it, not full-size, for the record--despite the fake in Nashville. Why Athena? The goddess of wisdom and war.

4. Do you have a good relationship with your mother?

Probably the best I've ever had with her. I mean, we never argue anymore ... (sad face) ... she died 8 years ago.

5. What is your favorite mythological story?

Hmmm. Trying to do this without looking at anything to prompt me. I kind of love the story of Apollo driving the sun across the sky every day. And the story of Prometheus bringing fire to humans, and the punishment he suffered for it. Pretty brutal.

6. If you put on a big feast, what would you serve?

Chicken, burgers, brats, lots of salads, cake, pie. Basically summer cookout fare. However, my usual feast "style" is Thanksgiving-based, so turkey, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, bread, pie pie pie.

7. How do you have fun? (What is your favorite 'Earthly Delight'?)

Reading? Traveling for sure. Laughing for sure.

8. Do you often look for hidden messages and meanings?

Most of the time. Usually not in the moment, but later. However, I'm also very prone to reminding myself that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

9. Have you ever received an award or special position?

Yup.

10. If a revolution was about to happen in your country, would you be part of it?

Oh, this is the part that's timely! hee Well, let's put it this way: I visited the Soviet Union at the end of its life as a country. When the U.S. starts to feel like that, I'll be fighting. My dad fought in WW2, I have read extensively about the Holocaust, and when I see that happening here I'll be fighting. I'll let you decide if either of those (or both) scenarios have any application today.

11. Have you ever planned an act of revenge?

Oh, I've done a LOT of planning!! The question is whether I've ever carried any plans out, though, isn't it?
A former boss told me once that the best way to get through a fraught situation is to quietly plan the demise of the person causing trouble. This has stood me in good stead through many meetings since.

12. What is the most dramatic thing you have ever done?

I don't generally DO dramatic. Maybe throwing the bag of trash back at the people who flung it one night decades ago at the lakefront on July 4. All the boys in our group were like, "Sit DOWN, what are you DOING!?!" I've done some really shocking, scary things over the years, but I wouldn't call them dramatic per se.

13. Do you care about your weight?

I care, but it's clear that I don't care enough to deal with it responsibly.

14. Is your life moving too slowly or too fast?

It's really moving at a pretty reasonable speed right now. Parts could go faster. Parts could slow down some.

15. Do you prefer to stay in the shade?

Yes. I'm a pale-skinned, easily-burned person. And, metaphorically, yes.

16. If you could have any mural on your ceiling, what would it look like?

I wouldn't. These have always made me wonder about the people living in the house. Do you WANT people to be staring up while you're talking to them? Or do you expect people to be so bored that they need something to look at while they're visiting?

17. Do you enjoy the countryside?

heh ... Yeah, I do.

18. Are you a romantic?

Nope.

19. What is your favorite historic subject?

Early Church history, c. A.D. 30 to 200. I also like WW2 stuff, as mentioned above. And the Middle Ages. I just like history, can you tell?

20. Do you prefer landscape paintings?

Nope. I've always needed to have some people in the frame to interest me. I have memories of ENDLESS slide shows of landscapes/scenery as a child. "Didn't you take any pictures of PEOPLE, Dad???"

21. Are you interested in social issues?

Uh, yeah. You could probably say that. Those (few) of you on my Facebook feed are probably rolling your eyes and going, "Nonstop, man, nonstop."

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Something different

1. What is a normal thing that took you an embarrassingly long time to learn?

How to pump gas? I was terrified till I was in my thirties of looking stupid at the pump because I didn't know what I was doing. ...because, yeah, the guys inside have time to watch people pumping gas?? smh

2. In what ways are you old-fashioned?

I believe in people doing things for themselves to the extent that they are able and in community to improve culture. I believe in love. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, but not being stupid. I believe in telling the truth, even if sometimes that hurts.

3. What is the best sandwich you've ever eaten? Where did you get it? What made it so delicious?

I suspect the best sandwich I ever had was something made at home and carried up a hiking path to the point where I was super-hungry and ready to eat. I have no memory of this mythic sandwich, but that tends to be when I enjoy food the most: after lots of sweat, outside, great view, good friends nearby.

4. What are you currently not bragging about that you should totally brag about?

We started a MASSIVE reorganization at work on August 1. It has gone in unexpected directions already, and I see that continuing to happen. I haven't lost my shit once yet. This is seriously amazing. Also, the finished product will be awesome, eventually. Give me a decade and it will be completely done!

5. What food have you never tasted and are most interested in trying?

I'd like to try more varieties of Indian and middle-eastern foods.

6. What history facts were you surprised to learn because it was never covered in school?

I never learned about the Sand Creek Massacre despite growing up less than 200 miles from where it happened.

7. What is something that you waited entirely too long to start or stop doing? What made you say "Why did I wait so long?"

It has taken me most of my life to really stop internalizing the opinions of people I don't know or care about. Why do they get to spend so much time in my head in place of people who love me??

8. What socially expected thing do you hate doing the most? What thing about polite society really grinds your gears?

I really hate hypocrisy.

9. What is something about your city that I should know if I'm going to visit? What is the hidden "must see" that you always tell friends and visitors to not miss

Well, there was a very popular movie filmed here in the early 90s that has become a bit of a "thing" to celebrate every year. There's a tour of sites from the movie and other slightly random things. I can do the tour in my sleep at this point.

10. What do you miss most about childhood?

The endless days, and waking up every morning to do it again only different.

11. What "fact" did you learn in school that is not true or no longer true?

...that the President always deserves respect.

12. What's your favorite piece of useless trivia?

I know SO MUCH useless trivia!! From the location of several dozen topics in Dewey Decimal to jersey numbers of football players from the 70s to how to make a white sauce in the kitchen to airport codes for a lot of cities. Really, it's ridiculous that no one will play Trivial Pursuit with me........!!

13. What's your best go to homemade "lazy" meal

Easiest hot food is spaghetti and a salad. The one I like the most is mac n cheese and sausage. However, I'm having a bagel sandwich with two kinds of cheese for lunch and I do that a LOT!

14. What's the title of this current chapter in your life?

"Surgeons and Pain Control for Beast"

15. What is a habit or practice that you learned from your childhood that you didn't realize was "weird" until you were an adult?

Apparently, shouting through the house isn't done by every family. Like, yelling up the stairs for someone--Beast's family apparently didn't do that. Who knew?

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Some Guys Have All the Luck (1984)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Do you consider yourself lucky?

Oh for sure! No doubt. I should be dead a few times over--the fact that I'm not is, if not luck, a miracle.

2) When did you last risk money in a game of chance (lottery, raffle ticket, slot machine, etc.)? How did you do?

I don't play the lottery. I don't play slots around here. When I'm in Vegas, I through some money away, but never more than $100 or so. I only do raffles to support the cause the raffle is raising money for.

3) There's a major football game this weekend. Will you be watching? Do you have any money riding on the outcome?

No money on it, but I'm really hoping Atlanta can whup those Pats. I'll be watching the ads.

4) The composer of this song, Jeff Fortgang, is an interesting guy who's had two disparate careers: first pop musician, then Yale-educated clinical psychologist. It's possible that many of the patients who see him for help with anxiety or depression have no idea that he wrote this song. What's something your coworkers (or, if you're not working, casual friends) would be surprised to know about you?

I've worked with several of the same people for over 21 years. I'm not real sure there's anything that would be surprising to them. At this point, perhaps the mere fact that I used to be skinny (and I was VERY skinny as a kid).

5) Similarly, fans are often surprised to learn that this week's featured artist, Rod Stewart, is a history buff who loves reading about WWII. Is there a period of time or historic event that has captured your interest?

I have read an awful lot (pun intended) about the Holocaust, both the 'mechanics' of it and the human cost of it.
I've also read a lot of stuff about 'the historical Jesus' and the very early years of people believing he was ... something.

6) Rod met his current wife as the result of a dare. Penny Lancaster, then in her 20s, spotted the decades-older celebrity in a bar and only approached him because her friends bet her she didn't have the guts to talk to him. Are you, like Penny, vulnerable to peer pressure? Can your friends talk you into doing things you might not otherwise do?

I'm vulnerable to dares like this, though less-so than when I was young. However, I'm also really stubborn and if I don't want to do something I can be a total "party pooper." If it doesn't fit in my ethos (or if I just don't wanna for whatever reason, tbh), I'm not going to be dared into it!

7) Rod vividly recalls being 11 years old and going to see Little Richard perform in a film comedy called The Girl Can't Help It. When you were a kid, did you enjoy going to the movies? What do you recall seeing?

We didn't go to movies too often. I can only think of about 5 that I saw: "Tora, Tora, Tora!" (I thought it was a bullfighting movie--uh, no), "Paint Your Wagon", "The Apple Dumpling Gang", "Herbie the Love Bug", "The Lady and the Tramp".... There may have been more, but I sure doubt it.

8) The lyrics tell of when Rod's car overheats and he calls a friend, who doesn't come through. Tell us about a time recently when you were there and helped a buddy out.

Uhm. I do this often enough that it's not really memorable. Sorry. I don't keep score on this. The only thing I can think of is that a coworker nearly passed out at lunch Thursday, and a couple of us sat her down and fussed over her till she felt ok--and extracted a promise to get to the doctor ASAP.

9) The lyrics mention that "some guys do nothing but complain." Who do you know who is like that? Do you have a friend, relative or coworker who just always seems to find fault?

OMG. One of my former coworkers was the WORST! Just awful. I feel kind of bad because we have been told that since retiring, she has developed serious dementia, so now we're all wondering if the earlier behavior was a cover. It was, however, a nightmare to deal with day to day.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Wish List Meme, part one

1.) What are 3 things on your wish list and why?

Well, in the Big Wish Scheme, I pretty much have to go with Trump not being elected, world peace, and a winter that isn't horrible. In the Amazon wishlist scheme of things the top three things on my list currently are a pot scraper, a book of color photo spreads of libraries, and a Gogol Bordello CD.

2.) Do you miss your childhood?

Sometimes. Then again, I was completely powerless, not to mention clueless, so I don't really miss it, not truly. Nice to be ignorant sometimes though....

3.) What do you do on your spare time on the weekends?

This, mostly. I don't have a lot of free time on weekends these days.

4.) What do you appreciate most in your life?

My family and friends. I know: how trite. But I do appreciate them putting up with me, and without them everything else would be haRdddd.

5.) Would you rather be rich or healthy?

Healthy.

6.) If you could go back in time would you and why?

Not permanently. I'd like to go back and visit, and be invisible while doing so.

7.) Favorite game as a child?

Either jumprope or jacks.

8.) What is your dream career?

I'm in it!! OK, maybe archivist or something where there are no members of the public allowed. Generally, though, I do love my job.

9.) What do you do in your free time?

Didn't we cover this? I read. I do this. I Facebook.

10.) Favorite clothing stores?

Wherever they have nice stuff that fits me and doesn't cost a mint. I'm really not that fussy.

11.) What TV shows can't you live without?

There really aren't any that I can't live without. I enjoy all the NCISes and Whose Line Is It? and a few others, but I could easily live without TV.

12.) 3 things you need in your life are:

Air, water, God.

13.) What can't you sleep without?

If I knew this...man, I have been sleeping for absolute SHIT lately. I think I just need to take something at this point--I'm tired ALL the time!

14.) Who do you have a celebrity crush on?

Mark Harmon? Barack Obama? Michelle Obama??

15.) What is your favorite Season and why?

Autumn. It's less humid, the trees are putting on a good show, and the holidays all involve FOOD!

16.) What is your favorite Wild Animal?

Wolf.

17.) Name 3 of your favorite childhood shows:

Bewitched, Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeannie.

18.) If you could live as a character in a movie who would it be?

Nope. Character in a book, now I could list dozens of those. Movies are too short.

19.) Favorite vegetables?

Corn, peas, beans (almost all kinds!), spinach... It's easier to list what I don't like at all: tomatoes, and cukes.

20.) Favorite fruit?

Apples, bananas, peaches, berries, kiwis.... Again, it's probably easier to list those I don't like: {{crickets}}

21.) If you had a dragon what would you name it?

I wouldn't. I'd just ask it what it preferred to be called.

22.) What do you put on hotdogs?

If this is available: ketchup, mustard, onions, celery salt. Otherwise, I can go with whatever's available off that list, or nothing at all.

23.) Do you play online games?

Not so much.

24.) What's your favorite way to get inspired?

Sleep. Seriously, I need to physically recharge and feel awake or there is not a lot of inspiration happening for me.

25.) Do you have a middle name?

Yes.
...
That's not it, but I do have one.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Musical Perceptions Meme

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born and lived my first 18 years happily in suburban Denver.

2. Where do you live now?

Via the shortest route on Google Maps, I currently live 999 miles from the home in which I grew up. 😢

3. What do you think about religion?

I think it's between me and whatever god(s) I do or do not believe in. Especially if nothing I'm doing has any impact whatsoever on you.

4. When did you start using online social media?

Way back in about 1991, I was on the Prodigy boards (BBS) especially active in Ten Forward, where we discussed, in intense detail, EVERY WORD of EVERY EPISODE of ST:TNG. Among other silliness.

5. What did you study to be?

Educated.

6. How are you at this point of your career?

Still educated, but losing brain cells daily. And I love my work.

7. Do you use your real name on a blog?

Hell no!

8. Do people you work with read your blog?

Hell no!

9. Are you on the job market?

I'm not but my husband is. Anyone know about any sales jobs in niche chemistry and construction markets?

10. If you could go back in time to meet someone famous but now deceased, who would it be?

After today's Sunday School lesson, I'm really feeling the need to check in with Mary about the deets around her alleged virginity. This is not something I'm really comfortable talking to anyone about, but the kids at church...they have questions!!

Sunday Stealing x3

(Link in meme-roll)
The Alice Through the Looking Glass Meme

If your life was a book, what would be its title?

Plot? What Plot? seems about right.

Who is/was the weirdest person in your life?

I see weird people DAILY. You want weird coworkers, weird family members, weird members of the public, weird neighbors? I have someone--at least one person--in each category. Mostly, I enjoy Teh Weeerd. Sometimes, it makes me want to punch walls. Today was about half and half.

What is a special thing that someone once did for you?

I think the trick here is to notice the special things more than it is to expect big gestures of love from people. Possibly the nicest thing someone's done for me this week is driving me from work to pick up Beast after he had a diabetic situation Friday night. But the flight attendants on the plane, the car driver, and others I don't even know about were spectacularly on-point last Monday on our trip home from vacation.

If you could erase someone off the planet, who would it be?

My first reaction was political. Instead I'll just say that I'm not going to be sad when Crazy Cat Woman retires from my workplace in less than a month.

What’s a big goal that you have?

I have never been a Big Goal person. I'd like to retire someday. That's looking more and more like it will be some fairy-tale distance away.

If you could time travel and meet yourself at 16, what would you tell yourself?

Like I would listen to someone my age at 16?? I'd probably just pat myself on the back and suggest being a little more careful around booze and people who love it.

If it were the last day of your life, how would you spend it?

With kids. It would be wonderful to just sit around and play with some toddlers or babies, read them some books, get some sticky hugs and kisses...what a way to go.

If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be and why?

I would kind of like to meet Tammy Duckworth. She seems like the kind of straight shooter in person that I like in public office. I'd like to tell her that not only do I appreciate her service in the military, but I appreciate her service to our country since she came back home.

What is one thing that you would never do that others you know have done?

I'm pretty sure that I'll never drive drunk.

What is one romance depicted in film that you’d love to experience?

Wow. Uhm. I'm not much of a romance-watcher. The Tracy-Hepburn dynamic, though, that is fun.

Describe yourself in just one sentence.

"O.M.G." (and not in any theological sense)

Who is the most beautiful person on earth?

Really, any random newborn is pretty awesome. It may be the last time we are every fully ourselves, right after birth, before we start wearing other peoples' expectations.

What was the best experience in your life?

I've had a lot of good experiences. One of the best was getting my mom giggling during church in the middle of quiet prayer and then both of us giggling through the Lord's Prayer. It was strange, epic, and 100% unlikely.

If you could rule the world, what would you change?

So . Many . Things. Certain famous people who talk bullshit will be wearing a lot of duct tape over their mouths until they learn how to STFU when they have nothing productive to say.

Where were you when you heard the news of 9/11?

At church. Beast called while I was doing some volunteer work. I got in the car and turned on the radio while I headed home, turned on the TV when I got there and got a call from our brand-new pastor who had no TV service. So I watched the second tower fall with him and his wife, who was totes panicking: "I need to go to the grocery store! We need to stock up on food!"

+ + + + + + + + +

The Martial Arts Meme

Who was the last person that you held hands with?

Beast. Yesterday, I think.

Are you loud, outgoing or shy?

Yup. All of the above on varying occasions.

Who are you looking forward to see[ing]?

I can't think of anyone I'm desperate to see. I just finally met all but one of my great-nephews and -nieces, so it would be nice to see the only remaining unmet one. I'm not sure about going to Texas anytime soon though, and my understanding is that his parents are perhaps not together anymore. This makes me sad, but I'm treating it as rumor till I hear from someone definitively.

Are you easy to get along with?

Usually. Unless you're an idiot. Then I might be a little hard on you.

Have you ever given up on someone, only to let them back into your lives? Why?

Yes. Once. I shoulda stuck to my guns, but fortunately it wasn't a huge waste of time.

If you were ill, which TV doctor or nurse would you want to take care of you?

Honestly, if I were terrifically and suddenly ill, Johnny Gage's presence at my side in the ambulance could probably manage to put me back on the road to health before even arriving at the ER.

Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Yes, it does. I'm so my parents' kid. Having admitted that, I tried very hard to keep my personal ooshiness out of sight whenever Sparky was in need of straight talk. The need to be honest definitely trumped the prude in me.

Who was the last person that you had serious conversation with?

Beast, after I got home from work today. Life is fraught right now and sometimes emotions boil over.

What was the last text message you received about?

Last Fbook PM: "Fair. :P I've just started throwing 'yins' into casual conversation."
Last text: "Yea. She makes a good date."
Last Google Hangout: "Almost got a ticket for not using hands free"
WhatsApp: "Haha! Guess that's a nice sort of problem to have?"
Not one is from the same person and they are all completely unrelated issues, but there is some sense of continuity there.

Do you believe in luck and/or miracles?

I completely believe in miracles! My life is full of them. Luck too, mostly of the good variety. I have to say, though, that this is another case of seeing what you look for and getting back from life what you put out into the world.

What good thing happened this summer?

Uhm. It was not exactly a stellar summer. I found some serenity and some freedom. Sparky got out of a lousy roommate situation and into a new apartment of his own. And then a EEEUUUGGGE implosion for Beast at the end of summer from which we'll be recovering for quite awhile. We still haven't seen all the final ramifications as yet. So I'm learning some more about patience, too.

Convince us why we should or should not believe in life on other planets?

You can believe whatever you want, as far as I'm concerned. Until we actually find life in space, you have that option. I find it hard to believe that we're alone, as big as the universe is, but I also doubt extraterrestrial life will look anything like us, should we ever run into it.

Who was your first crush on?

David Cassidy. I was 9. Or maybe 8.

Favorite part of daily routine?

Washing my face, brushing my teeth, putting on pajamas, and climbing into bed with my Nook to read or puzzle.

Do you like your neighbors?

Of the ones I know, all but one are good people. We have some new people we haven't met yet. And the neighborhood Dirty Old Man is (YAY!) moving. Or at least the house is for sale.

What’s your worst feature?

My teeth. They are really getting yellow as I age. :(

Have you ever had trust issues?

Huh. Not until the last few years. I'm still horribly gullible, though.

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The "Doing Questions Like It's 2003" Meme

Tell us about your pets. If you don’t have one, share why you don’t.

We have one lazy little guinea pig named Pinto. He's a cutie, but he will be the last. I'm retiring my zoological chores when he dies.

Name three things that are close to you.

Physically close? I'm surrounded by heaps of stuff that have accrued as I unpacked last week. There are three things here I need to mail tomorrow, a book about the discovery of Richard III (brought home from vacation), and a half a liter of Diet Coke that I've been working on all afternoon.

How was the weather for your summer?

It was good. Too muggy here at the end, but I can't complain about the temperatures: they never got wildly out-of-control hot.

What was the last film you saw? Did you like it?

We went and saw the last Star Trek movie when it came out. It was ok. I like the original timeline better.

Tell us about the last trip that you took.

We just got back last Monday from visiting my English family and attending the wedding of my nephew there. He was married in Bristol in probably the weirdest and yet the most fun wedding I've ever attended. Then we spent about a week driving to my nieces' homes in northern and central England and meeting and getting to know their kids. The weather was wonderful, and the kids were great, and it was good to see people I haven't been able to spend time with in 5 years.

Where do you buy groceries? Why?

Meijer, mostly, and increasingly Aldi. And a local standalone grocery. And a local chain that's only in the immediate metropolitan area in which I live. Mostly in that order.

Tell us something that you did today. Or will do if you haven’t had your morning coffee yet.

I worked. Today was Crazy Cat Woman's and Supplies' last Sunday to work before they retire. I'm sad that Supplies is going--in spite of her politics being 180 from mine, I've really come to like and admire her--but CCW can't leave soon enough. Anyway, I found the provenance of an unusual photo of JFK and Jackie for a patron. That was fun.

Have you pulled an all-nighter?

Kinda did that a couple of weeks ago on the flight to England. I might've gotten an hour of sorta-sleep on the plane. Maybe. At most. Before that was probably the last overseas flight, or staying up with family emergencies.

Can you taste the difference between Pepsi & Coke?

Yep.

Tell us about your siblings. How many and what do they do?

Tell ya what. Here's my family. Go read. It's current. This is not a question I love answering.

What’s the oldest thing that you own?

Several pieces of furniture. My grandparents' china (boxed in the basement). Some books that are well over 100 years old--nothing fancy or worth money, I hasten to add!

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Two Thousand Zero Zero Party Over Oops Out of Time

1. What’s your favorite song from 1999?

It's kind of a toss-up between "Unpretty" and "Livin' La Vida Loca." I had no idea it's been 17 years since Ricky-Mania started! I've got the Shania CD too, and it got played A LOT!!

2. What are some of your favorite films from 1999?

I can recall seeing precisely three of the movies on that list: Phantom Menace, Matrix, and Toy Story 2, and I think only one of those in a theater. One was a giant yawn, one was pretty funny, and the third was deeper than I ever thought that kind of movie could be.

3. What’s something interesting that happened on your birthday in 1999?

u>On my birthday, not much. Beast's birthday is soon after mine, and there was all kinds of stuff on his: collapsing people-killing bonfires, non-fatal plane crashes, and an international call for peace in Chechnya. Between our two birthdays, Neopets were introduced!!

4. How did you ring in the new year as 1999 became 2000?

We stayed home, of course, and Sparky tried his hardest to last till midnight. He did ok for an almost-seven-year-old and lasted till about 11 before crashing in the papa-san chair in the living room. I have an awesome photo of him somewhere in his Winnie-the-Pooh slippers and jammies, comatose at the beginning of the new year.

5. What’s something that’s gotten better since 1999?

Internet speed.

I miss Prince so much....sigh....

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Jackals Meme

Question 1: Who is your favorite Musical Artist?

My regular go-tos include Melissa Etheridge, Billy Joel, Tobymac, U2, and musicals. However, I listen to lots of different stuff because I'm very easily bored.

Question 2: What is your favorite album by that Artist?

Uh, woops. I don't really have a favorite album. I've been jonesing for a little Chorus Line lately, so I should probably go dig that out.

Question 3: Who is your Favorite Blogger?

I subscribe to close to 150 feeds; of those, there are maybe 6 that I visit literally every time they post: Kwizgiver, WTIT, Amy, Gal, local news headlines, and Awful Library Books. There are others who are close to making the cut, but right now I have 363 articles to catch up on, so...yeah. I'm a nerd.

Question 4: If you could meet anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and what is interesting about them?

I can't pick one person. Mostly, today, I'd like to go back a few decades and hang out with my dad when he was young.

Question 5: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Adult. Seriously, I didn't have big plans; I just wanted to stop having my parents boss me around. Silly me--I had no idea how dull adulthood is for very long stretches at a time!

Question 6: What is the most interesting piece of Trivia that you know?

This, you're asking a librarian?? I know so much trivia I can't even pick a direction in which to start. If we want random library stuff..., 641.5 is the Dewey Number for cookbooks, 796.357 is the number for baseball, and Melvil Dui (a.k.a Melville Dewey) was very interested in spelling reform.

Question 7: If you could live in any point of history when would it be and why?

Now. I wouldn't like to have been a woman at any other point in history.

Question 8: What do you think of the election in the U.S. so far?

I try very hard not to. I mean, my (British) niece Facebook-messaged all of us in the family the day Ted Cruz dropped out: ""Wait, so Trump really COULD BE PRESIDENT?!" Yes, we've all been told we could be president when we grew up, but none of us wanted the dumbass throwing spitwads from the back row to be in charge, did we?? [Disclaimer: I might or might not have been that dumbass at some point in my educational career....]

Question 9: What is your favorite TV drama? What do you like about it?

Favorite is probably "Criminal Minds" in reruns. Why? One word: Shemar. OK, and a photo, so you know what I mean:

Question 10: What is the most interesting job you've ever had?

I love my job now. It's rarely truly boring, there's always some kind of drama going on, the vast majority of my coworkers are outstanding people working their asses off, and I get to answer random questions all day (some days) and see all the new materials first (most days). What's not to like?

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Doodley-Do Meme

Do you keep notes, drawings or letters that people give you?

I do. There's a coloring book page on our fridge that's at least 4 years old. My eldest great-nephew's artwork is also there, from about 2014. And cards and letters and everything. They aren't in a good order, and I randomly have a mad CLEAN EVERYTHING DAY and swaths of my life get pitched rather chaotically.

How many true best friends are present in your life?

There are three people I consider my besties.

Do you currently have a significant other?

I currently appear to have just that.

Would you be able to stand being in the same room as someone you hate?

I do it often enough....

Do you depend on people at all, in any way?

Of course I do! We ALL do. Do you drive on public roads, rely on calling police or fire in emergencies, shop at ANY store for ANYthing.... Yeah, folks, we all depend on each other. Deal with it.

Have you ever lost a close friend?

Yes I have.

Has anybody ever held a grudge against you for a dumb reason?

My boss seems to have taken more than two years to get over a seriously major glare he got when he came up behind me and touched my head while I was wearing headphones.

Have you ever stayed up late talking to someone you like on the phone or online?

Yes, but not for years. These days, I have no doubt that I'd fall asleep if I did this.

Have you ever felt backstabbed by a close friend?

Yeah, this year has been rough that way. There are a bunch of people I thought I could trust at work that I no longer feel that way about. Essentially, no one at work can see about 1/2 of what I post on Facebook anymore because I seem to have walked into 7th grade without noticing it.

Have you ever regretted ignoring anybody?

I regret a lot of stuff I did in high school, and this is one of the things I regret the most. I was pretty nasty to one of the girls in all my honors classes all the way through.

Has a friend of yours ever confessed their love to you?

Aside from Beast? Well, and a couple of other guys before him....

Have you written or drawn anything for somebody else?

Yes.

Do you tend to hide your emotions from certain people? How do you hide them?

Yep. As I said, this year has been a period of relearning how to interact with pretty much everyone in my life. There are damned few people who see "me" much anymore.

Do your friends know how to make you smile in tough times?

Yeah, pretty much.

Could you picture yourself on a reality TV show?

NO WAY! There were some moments watching The Amazing Race that it looked fun, but then....nope.

Are you better at drawing or coloring?

Coloring.

Do you prefer meat or seafood?

In my book, seafood IS meat.

Have you ever read the Bill of Rights / Declaration of Independence?

Of course I have. Please. Are there people in this country who actually have made it through at least 10 years of education without doing this?

Would you rather become a police officer or a firefighter?

I'd rather not do either, and trust me so would you. I would be dangerously bad at either.

Saturday 9:

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

1) The very bad day described in this song began promisingly enough. The lyrics tells us, "Woke up an optimist, sun was shining, I'm positive." How did your day begin?

As usual, my bladder woke me up. Once I took care of that, I went back to bed and read for a short while and then went back to sleep for an hour.

2) This song refers to Monday morning. What's on your plate for Monday?

Work. Nothing special.

3) The lyrics request, "promise you'll pay my bail." Have you ever had to bail anyone out of jail? (Or have you been bailed out?)

Weirdly, I was talking to Beast about this earlier, sorta. My mom subbed for a bail-bondsperson once in awhile when I was a kid. [insert long story here] At least once, she had to take me with her to the jail to bond someone out. It made jail look less than inviting. But no, I've never been inside a cell, or at any jail as an adult.

4) Rihanna gets top billing in this all-star trio. She says that when she was a little girl, she used to walk around singing "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin. What's your favorite song from a Disney movie?

"Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious" is a favorite. I like most of the songs from that movie. And almost all the songs from The Lion King as well.

5) Rihanna dated outfielder Matt Kemp when he was with the LA Dodgers. Opening Day is less than a month away. Are you a baseball fan?

Not particularly. Maybe we can find a game that the whole family can attend this summer. We did that a couple of years ago and it was a riot, plus I got a great photo of my nephew with his [second cousin?]...anyway, his cousin's baby.

6) Kanye West also sings on this week's song. When he was a little boy, he spent a year in China with his mother. Have you ever lived overseas (as opposed to just visiting on vacation)?

Nope. Always kind of wanted to, but my sister lived in England all her adult life and I know the whole expat gig isn't flowers and sunshine.

7) Mr. West is part owner of the Fatburger chain. Do you like grilled onions on your burger?

Hmm. I think I'd rather have raw onion, if onion is to be had.

8) This week's third artist, Paul McCartney, is a vegetarian. Think about your most recent meal. Did it include chicken, pork, or beef? Eggs or dairy?

My most recent actual 'meal' was brunch this morning with my P.E.O. officers--out-going and in-coming. It was danish & cut fresh fruit followed by frittata and salad and then handmade local chocolates. It was less than 1/3 of what I would consider a fill-up, but perfectly delicious as far as it went.

9) Paul was born at 2:00 PM on a Thursday. Do you know what day of the week you were born? Do you know the exact time?

I know I was born on a Tuesday--because I've looked it up. I have no real idea what time. At one point, I convinced myself it was late in the day, almost the next day, because it would have been cool to have had a Friday the 13th birthday periodically. But I don't know if it's true, and it's too late to find out. Unless it's actually written on my birth certificate...which I don't think it is.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
How Are Ya Today Meme

1. Okay, here we go. How are ya today?

   OK. Just sat up from my weekly NASCAR nap--seriously, the sound of the wheels just makes me sleeeeeepppyyyyyy. So I'm still adjusting to being upright and eyes-open.

2. Have you ever been so happy you felt invincible?

   I think this is what childhood feels like. I haven't felt totally carefree for a long time.

3. Would you ever refer to something as ‘bitter sweet’?

   I do that. So, yes.

4. Is there a person in this world you don’t think you could ever figure out?

   I'm completely confused by Donald Trump. I have no wish to figure him out, honestly. I just don't know what his end-game is.

5. When was the last time you were freaked out?

   Thursday morning was not a particularly calm and sane period.

6. Do you learn from ‘every’ mistake you make?

   In theory. I mean, I try to find something positive about even the worst situation. Often I can't come up with anything till the dust has settled.

7. Do you sometimes think that you’re too nice?

   I'm almost always too nice for my own good, but I'm learning.

8. Is there something you’re dying to tell someone?

   I pretty much speak my mind already. I'd love to say thank you to all the people in the world who don't spend their days making life worse for those around them.

9. Do you think you have a unique name?

   I absolutely do! I'm virtually certain there is no one with my name except me. How many people can say that?

10. Do you usually try to find the good in people?

    Yes. See #7 above re "too nice."

11. Do you look back on embarrassing moments and laugh about them?

    Eventually, yes. Often, in the middle of them, I'm able to appreciate how ridiculous I am.

12. Have you ever laughed just to save yourself from humiliation?

    Hello, the soundtrack to junior high....

13. What are you doing in 2 hours?

    Perhaps I'll do some tidying. The cleaning women come Tuesday and I'm hosting a meeting here that evening, so there is a great deal to be done before then.

14. What is the last thing you ate?

    I guess that would be the biscuits and gravy I had after church. Yum, filling, peppery, completely unhealthy. Homemade biscuits, too.

15. Do you love your job?

    I do.

16. When is the last time you showered?

    This morning at 7:30 a.m.

17. Who is the last person you texted?

    Probably Beast Friday night on my way home from my meeting.

18. When is the last time you were in a hospital?

    December 24, when Sparky & I picked Beast up after his surgery the previous day.

19. The last time you went out to eat, what did you order?


    That would be those biscuits and gravy. What--you think I made homemade biscuits and sausage gravy for myself!?

20. Do you tend to have a lot of those moments where you forget something that you wanted to say?


    Yup.

21. How long have you known the last person you text messaged?

    Beast and I met in the fall of 1982 when he was in my dorm room harassing my roommate, with whom he was taking chemistry.

22. Will this week be a good one?

    Anything's possible. I don't foresee any horrors.

23. Anything happen to you within the past month that made you really happy?

    Quite a few things. Sparky's general behavior, at least that which he's shared with us, has been exemplary on an "attaboy" level, work has been pretty good, and our vacation plans (thrown together in less than 5 hours from suggestion to plan to purchase) look like a blast.

24. Do you prefer to take showers at night or in the morning?

    Morning. If I sleep on hair that's even slightly damp, I will look like a scarecrow in the morning.

25. Have you been to New York City?

    Nope. Someday. Maybe.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
The Times of Your Life (1976)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is all about memories. How far back can you remember? What's your earliest memory?

I can remember bits and pieces back to age 3 or so. I have a very very vivid memory of a dream I had before I turned 5. I know it was then because we got new living room furniture when I was just about 5 and the dream took place amid OLD living room furniture. I remembered the dream after I had it but couldn't figure it out until a few years later looking at old photos and recognizing the furniture from my dream!

2) The first line is "Good morning, yesterday." What do you remember about yesterday morning?

Fridays I need to be at work by 8, so I'm up an hour earlier than usual and I'd had two short nights in a row. I'm still tired. Otherwise, it was a normal morning for all intents and purposes.

3) This song was originally a 60-second jingle, featured in a commercial for Kodak film. Do you ever use film? Or are all your pictures digital?

Never use it anymore. Still have lots and lots of non-digital photos though.

4) Who took the most recent photo of you?

I have no idea. Probably Beast, unless it was at work.

5) This week's featured artist, Paul Anka, was born in Canada and enjoyed appearing in a made-for-TV Perry Mason movie with fellow Canadian, Raymond Burr. Do you enjoy courtroom dramas?

I like Law & Order in various incarnations, yes.

6) At 15, Anka won a supermarket contest by collecting the most Campbell soup can wrappers. The prize was a trip to New York. Do you enter contests and sweepstakes? Play the lottery?

I do not. I consider it a giant waste of my time. Note that I said "my" time. What others do with their time doesn't have to make sense to me.

7) This year Paul Anka performed throughout Florida (Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Clearwater and Fort Myers). The Sunshine State is a popular vacation destination. Do you have a favorite spot in Florida?

I do not. I've been there once--when Sparky was three, to Orlando, guess why--and was not enthralled. Laura Ingalls Wilder was not a fan, however, and that's good enough for me. I'm not a waterbug, so the ocean doesn't hold a lot of attraction to me.

8) In 1976, the year this song was on the charts, an earthquake hit China. Have you ever experienced an earthquake?

Yes I have. I grew up in Colorado, and there are occasional temblors there, though nothing very major at all. There've been a few here where I live now, but again, nothing worth getting worked up about. It's a a very strange feeling: either you don't feel anything but may notice things moving around the room, or you feel/hear some weird noises and bumping, like a car wreck outside.

9) Random question: Do you know CPR?

I just got recertified last summer. Never had to use it. Hope I never do. I pretty much get certified as insurance so I don't need it. They do a quick re-education on AEDs now with CPR classes, and I am much more likely to use that, to be honest.

Titanic YES!

You Are Molly Brown

You are as independent as they come, and you always make sure to have a grand time - no matter what the circumstances. You are a good person, and you don't judge others based on their backgrounds. You give everyone a fair shake.

What Titanic Character Are You?

So basically, if you pick Denver, you'll get Molly Brown. Nice. She was a cool chick.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
The One You Love (1982)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
In memory of Glenn Frey (1948-2016).

1) In this song, Glenn explores one of the great romantic conundrums. This week, Saturday 9 is confronting it, too. If you had to choose, would you prefer to be loved, or to be in love?

It's good to be loved. I mean, don't get me wrong, loving others is great, but right now I'm feeling needy and in need of some TLC. Not sick, just blerghy.

2) The song describes an awkward moment: an old boyfriend calls when a woman is on a date with someone new. To whom did you last say, "I can't talk now?"

I just don't answer if I can't talk. Cell phones have that nifty "ignore" feature. Actually, I'm excellent at ignoring old-fashioned ringing phones too.

3) The lyrics talk about heart vs. head. When you find yourself in that predicament, which usually wins -- heart or head?

It totally depends on the situation I'm (slowly) getting better at letting my head at least make an appearance before I pop off emotionally. In a crisis, I generally do shut down and go with practical, head-based responses, especially if I'm responsible for the situation, i.e., the only adult in sight.

4) This song was from Glenn Frey's solo album, No Fun Aloud. What fun stuff are you looking forward to this weekend?

The Broncos play tomorrow, against The Evil Empire. We're also having a guest music group at church so that will be fun.

5) Glenn Frey was born in Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit. The Motor City is known for car manufacturing. Is your car domestic or foreign?

We are a double-Ford family, triple if Sparky's involved in the list. This is VERY weird, since my family was Toyota, Chevy, Olds, Subaru, and Honda from childhood through my mid-20s. Then we bought a #%)@ing Plymouth Voyager, which SUCKED, so I was really really anti-Detroit at that point. But I love me our Fords! They are easy to drive, easy to fix, easy to use, and built to last.

6) The popular 1990s sitcomHome Improvement was set in Royal Oak. Are you handy around the house?

My dad was a builder and cabinetmaker with 4 daughters out of 5 kids. We all grew up handing THAT wrench or THOSE pliers to Dad, or HOLDing THIS STILL while he affixed it in place. I dug a 10x10x10 septic pit at 8,000 feet above sea-level with Dad when I was 20 and he was 64, by hand, then lined it with cinderblock, mixed home-made (from river gravel) concrete to hold it together, all in a week. Yeah, I know my way around fixing, building, repairing, finagling, and what shit should look like when its done. We're watching HGTV's Property Brothers right now, and yes I do inspect the work and sneer when they do idiotic shit.

7) Glenn Frey co-founded The Eagles in 1970. What's your favorite Eagles song?

I can't think of any Eagles songs I don't like, but my personal favorite for the humor is "Get Over It." Here's the video. Enjoy. Don't make me find your inner child....lol

8) The Eagles helped define "California Rock," but in recent years Glenn and his wife lived in Tribeca. Have you ever been to New York? If so, did you like it?

Haven't been, never really wanted to visit, but I think at some point I really must see it.

9) Glenn wrote "Smuggler's Blues" and "You Belong to the City" for the iconic 1980s TV show,Miami Vice. What else comes to mind when you think of the 80s?

Big hair, Aquanet, oversized shirts, Oliver North, Phil Collins, MTV, pegged pants, elf-boots, yuppies, long skirts, Thriller, Madonna, neon colors, skinny ties, Jheri curls, and the fear of Reagan blowing us all to kingdom come.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Consider Yourself Meme

1) Of the various cultures, ethnicities or nationalities you belong to, which most strongly do you consider yourself?

I'm an all-American mutt, of the Northern European variety.

2) Is there a culture you cannot claim heritage from but which you feel quite close to?

Not really. My family often behaves/behaved in a stereotypical Italian fashion, and I do love the food and culture. And the fact that it's warmer more often than here.

3) What's one language you wish you knew fluently?

Italian? lol OK, seriously, for more than 30 years, I've wanted to be able to speak Russian, or at least read it proficiently.

4) If you could move anywhere in the world and be guaranteed a job, etc., where would you go?

With my job, I actually could probably move anywhere. I'd want to be near Sparky, though, so I'll stay here.

5) If you had a time machine, and could witness any one event without altering or disturbing it, what would you want to see?

The problem here is that "one event" implies a discrete moment. Most of what I'd like to see is more of an evolution of thought. I'd kill to travel with Paul the Apostle and see for myself what was really going on in the early churches of Asia and Israel and Rome.

6) Have problems sleeping?

Do I? Uh, yeah.

7) Are you free with your feelings?

Many say I'm too free, I'm sure.

8) What is the one outfit/piece of clothing/accessory you own that makes you feel incredibly good whenever you wear it? Why?

Jeans. And I'm not overly fussy about which ones. Just jeans.

9) What do you do to make yourself feel better when you're in a funk?

Sleep. Read. Write. Cry. One or all four.

10) Has anyone ever surprised you in a way that let you know you were special? How?

Beast is remarkably good at this. He surprises me often enough to keep me guessing.

11) When you are having a "good day," how do you spread the happiness to others?

Jokes go a long way. Feeding people does as well.

12) What is one thing that puts you in a bad mood, no matter how good you were previously feeling?

Getting yelled at by someone I care about.

13) Would you rather live in a world with or without technology such as computers, cars, airplanes, bombs?

With. I would be dead without technology.

14) If you had to live without either heating in your house or air conditioning, which one would you keep?

I'd keep the heat, but summer's gonna suck. Perhaps we'll go north for three months. WAY north.

15) If you had to own five dogs, what kind would you get?

It would absolutely be five I picked up from the pound. But here's the thing: I'm allergic so this is oging to suck.