Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Ask, ask, ASK--part 2

26 - Did you have an accident last year?

What sort of accident? I have not been involved in any vehicular accidents, but I've screwed up quite a few things in the past 12 months.

27 - Do you have any famous relatives?

There's a cousin of some kind who used to be a news anchor in Cleveland. ... So, no, not really. ;-)

28 - Did you ever had a kiss under the moonlight?

While I can't think of a specific time, I'm sure in 30 years of marriage (and three years of dating) we've kissed outside at night at least once.

29 - Have you ever been jealous?

Is the sky blue? Is the Pope Catholic? Of course I've been jealous!

30 - How can you prove your love to someone?

Depends entirely upon the person, I suppose, but there's a component of dependability involved. For me, anyway.

31 - What are you thinking right now?

"Why is my stomach SO growly tonight?!"

32 - Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love?

Head-desk. OF COURSE I HAVE!

33 - Can you live without internet?

I can, but it wouldn't be fun for the first few days.

34 - Have you been so emotional that you can’t find words to explain how you feel?

This is an almost-daily occurrence. I seem to be moving backwards in the vocabulary department.

35 - Did you ever badmouth someone?

hah, this week? Ya think?

36 - What do you prefer, jeans or skirt?

Jeans. I'm completely over skirts. Especially as part of Pantsuit Nation, I'm kinda unlikely to ever wear a skirt or dress again.

37 - Do you have trust issues?

Nope. Well, unless you mean, am I entirely too gullible?

38 - What's something that you made all on your own and are incredibly proud of?

My career. Somehow. OK, I had help from loads of people, but I suspect this would be true of most everything I've accomplished in life.

39 - Who’s the person who first comes to your mind when someone mentions “love”?

Beast.

40 - Who was the last person you hugged?

J.T., who came with me today to see Beast on visitation day.

41 - Do you believe in the phrase “If it’s meant to be, it will be”?

Up to a point. I mean, we are responsible for making sure things happen as they are supposed to, and for keeping things that shouldn't happen from happening.

42 - Do people praise you for your looks?

People rarely notice me except as part of the furniture these days. Which is just fine by me. The things I can eavesdrop on because people don't think I'm there....!

43 - Do you believe in destiny?

No. I really can't even say that word without hearing George McFly proclaiming, "You Are My Density!"

44 - Have you ever thought “I already found my soulmate”?

I don't really believe in soulmates either. Essentially, I don't do much magical thinking.

45 - Do you like nicknames that are from your name?

There really isn't much you can do to shorten my name. And that, my friends, is the reason all of my siblings and I have the names we have. My parents were not into the nickname thing at all!

46 - Could you ever be a vegan?

No way. I like meat too much!

47 - Do you currently have bruises on your body?

I'm sure I do. Where? I'll try to let you know when I discover them. I run into things ALL . THE . TIME.

48 - What should you be doing right now?

Paying bills. Going to bed.

49 - I read in a magazine that shoulder pads are coming back. Are you happy to hear this or do you not find them to be very attractive?

Heh. I don't really care. They're kind of a pain, to be honest, but I like them in jackets sometimes.

50 - Did you ever feel like you’re not good enough?

I gave this up for Lent this year.

what we have been makes us what we are

(From the Gerbster)

What type of music do you like?

"Good beat, easy to dance to" and something I would rate 70 or above if I were on American Bandstand. If you don't get the reference, it's because you're probably under 30 and not a fan of watching old AB eps.

Have you ever been skinnydipping?

Nope. When I was about 17, I attended my first funeral for a friend, Amy G. She was an athlete, a church pal, and a cool, nice person who made one very bad decision--to go swimming in a tarped pool at night, alone. The theory, one theory, at the time was that her heart gave out due to an issue she wasn't aware she had. Aside from not being able to swim, the experience--sneaking out, doing something randomly silly and potentially dangerous--soured me on silly-dangerous stuff like skinnydipping and playing chicken.

How many pillows do you sleep with?

I sleep with just one, but I have another to prop me up to read before I go to sleep. The downside of bifocals is I can't read lying down so easily.

What position do you often sleep in?

Usually my right side lately, in a modified fetal position. But I flip side to side a couple of times most nights.

What do you wear to bed?

Pajamas, or what I have on if it's relatively comfy: sweats, T-shirt, etc.

Could you ever go out with someone just 'cause they're rich?

I might were the world I live in totally different. That is, I'd 1) have to be single, 2) want to be going on dates, 3) be a completely different age/look than I am now, and 4) need a sugar daddy.

Have you ever contemplated suing someone?

Not me, personally. There's a definite trade-off in time, effort and sticktuitiveness, which has never balanced against whatever wrong has been done to me. However, my parents did participate in a class-action lawsuit back in the '60s when my sister nearly died, on her behalf. The plaintiffs won and the payout covered the down-payment on the house Ellen and Dean bought when they got married.

Do you believe in karma?

I don't think of it as quid pro quo but I definitely do think that you get back what you put out there in the world. If you're negative and paranoid, that's what you'll think the world is about. And if you're optimistic and kind, ditto.

Do you believe in revenge?

I believe that it is a delightful feeling to see someone bad "get theirs" but I wouldn't generally want to think I go out of my way to be vengeful.

Who is the most intelligent person you know?

I know lots of smart people. They aren't all necessarily "book-smart." My friend Annie and my niece Elizabeth are music-smart in a way I'm not able to be; that doesn't mean they didn't struggle with high-level math. I have several friends my age who have had very difficult lives in ways I can't imagine; they are smart about things I hope I never have to know. My nephew James is spatially smart: he can figure out how to take apart and fix anything mechanical; he's a complete idiot about people skills though. My sister Marie is very very smart about a lot of stuff, but her taste in men is horrible. A friend of mine, Lisa, is aMAZing with motivating people and pushing projects along, but she isn't at all academically-minded. Smartest? They're all smart. Most of them are smarter than me in some way, which is part of why I keep them around; theoretically, I might learn something!

What's the craziest thing you've ever done for someone?

If you think too hard about the whole childbirth and parenting process, you would never in a million years do it. The likelihood of pain and suffering on a scale unequaled by most anything else in life is terrifying--and I'm not just talking about physical pain here. The merest though of losing a child, of having to make end-of-life decisions about a child, of having to watch them injure and destroy themselves will (and should!) break the strongest heart. The craziest thing I've ever done is think I could get through parenthood without heartbreak. And we have an easy kid!!

Do you throw bread for the ducks?

Nope. I honestly never think of it, and I really do NOT want them in my yard...or geese. Geese are fucking evil.

Where do you like to go to on a first date?

Somewhere we can talk. So maybe not just a movie or theatrical event.

Survery [sic]

(Found at Amy's)

Do you believe in destiny, fate or free will?

I believe we are all allowed to fuck up our lives in whatever what we want, but God has a longer view than us and knows what we're going to do. Hence, grace. I don't find that concept complicated, but if you do, here's the Party Line. I don't believe in karma as such, or fate.

If you could talk to one species of animal which would it be?

I would love to be able to speak some version of "canine" preferably "wolf," though "mutt" would be more useful.

If you had friends 'round, what DVDs would you have to watch?

If I have friends over, I'm unlikely to waste our time watching a movie.

Do you like vanilla or chocolate?

I definitely prefer vanilla. I can add whatever I want to it from that point: caramel, hot fudge, nothing. Whatever sounds good.

Are you a giver or a receiver?

Depends. I like receiving, but I'm improving at giving as well.

Do you have any enemies?

I don't think so, in the stalking/killing/kidnapping sense. I'm the only enemy I know of.

Are you scared of needles?

Not scared, just sort of grossed-out by seeing them being used on people. I'd make the worst phlebotomist.

How many piercings do you have--if any?

Just one in each earlobe.

Have you ever got majorly lost trying to get somewhere?

Yes. And prior to GPS, even. Drive around enough and you'll figure it out.

Do you say "Zee" or "Zed" to describe the letter Z?

I grew up with "zee" so "zee" it is. Besides, the alphabet song has to be changed if I start using "zed" and I'm too lazy for that.

What was the last thing to make you feel happy?

Dinner out last night with my sweetie was fun.

What was the last thing to make you feel angry?

About two weeks ago, work beat me up and spit me out into a puddle of vomit that I'm still working on cleaning up.

You are walking to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss told you if you are late one more time you're fired. Do you save the dog?

I would certainly call 911, but I wouldn't be jumping into water to save a dog since that would just ensure both of us dying. I'd probably see if there was a way I could convince it to swim to the side or grab a branch of something. Being late for work is beside the point.
Then again, I haven't walked to work since I was in grad school. And you're assuming my usual tunnel vision would allow me to notice anything like this in the first place.

Are you the kind of friend you'd want to have as a friend yourself?

I'd probably be the most annoying friend to myself ever!! I think I'm a good friend, but there's chemistry in friendship, and I wouldn't want to be friends with someone just like myself.

Do you have any questions or queries about things you're just too scared or embarrassed to ask anyone about?

At my age, it's pretty damned hard to get embarrassed about anything. And honestly, for the things I might be embarrassed about, there's always Google. :-)

If you were a wrestler what would your stage name be?

I wouldn't, so the point is moot.

Patrick's Place (times 2)

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six #518

1. K is for KAINTOPHOBIA: As a general rule, do you usually embrace the unknown of change or are you more reluctant to accept the idea of change?

I like change. Change is good.

2. K is for KARMA: Do you tend to believe that what goes around comes around, or do you believe things just happen?

I think to a large degree we create the world in which we live, at least inside our heads. If you do people wrong, and if you aren't a sociopath, it will come around in one way or another.

3. K is for KIN: How far from you does your nearest relative not living with you actually live?

My niece Katherine and her family live about 45 miles from us; my nephews James and Don live 45 miles from us. We form the point of a very wide, flattened V.

4. K is for KINDNESS: What is the last random act of kindness performed toward you by a stranger?

A woman dug through her purse to find me a pen while I was at the reference desk yesterday--seriously, we had no black or blue pens? Just golf pencils, Sharpies, and a red pen.

5. K is for KISS: How old were you when you experienced your first kiss?

I'm assuming you mean romantic. So about 14? I can't remember which year for sure, but probably 8th grade.

6. K is for KNOT: How many kinds of knots do you know how to tie?

Well, I can do some embroidery, along with general knot-tying. Maybe 10?

Saturday Six #519

1. L is for LABIOMANCY: How good are you at reading people's lips when you can't hear a conversation?

I find, the older I get, I hear much better when I watch people's mouths. I don't think I'm actually going deaf, but I do lip read for sure.

2. L is for LAMPADEPHORE: If you had the opportunity to run with the Olympic torch, would you? Why or why not?

Aside from the fact that I can't actually run, sure.

3. L is for LARYNGITIS: What's the longest you've had to go without your voice?

Probably not more than a day or so. Never even two full days. My vocal cords don't seem to be my weak point; just my throat in general.

4. L is for LID: If we checked your kitchen cabinets, would we find that you had more container lids than bottoms, more bottoms than lids, or the same amount of each?

I'm pretty close to the same number of both; I clean out the cupboard fairly regularly. If anything I run low on lids, since they break more often.

5. L is for LOCK: A security company ad promises its app will let you lock up your home by remote control from your phone. Given the rise of hacking, how much would you trust this technology?

I don't need it, that's for sure. This house is locked up unless we're actually walking in or out the door. We mostly use the garage door to access, so...don't need to remote lock it.

6. L is for LUXURY: If you were buying a new car, what luxury in a new car that your old one doesn't have would you most look forward to having?

Ironically in light of the previous question, I'd really like a remote starter.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Imaginary Meme, Parts Four & Five

61. Ocean or pool?

I can't swim, so if there's a big deal to be made over the presence of water, I'd prefer it be 'natural' water.

62. Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays?

The nearest Ruby's is easily 35-40 minutes away; Fridays is "merely" 25 minutes from us. However, we are getting a Panera in town; w00t!!

63. Did you want to go to college?

I could not wait to get to college! I started planning on it seriously in 7th grade. "Get me the fuck OUTTA here!!"

64. What did you [do] last time at a mall?

I'm not sure how to answer this. I haven't been to a mall in well over a year, as far as I can remember. That was probably with Amy, which meant talking, wandering, ignoring the guys who wanted us to try out their massage chairs or hyperbaric chambers or whatever, giggling, and yeah, I guess we bought some stuff too.

65. Which close friend have you known the longest?

L. (since I was 5), though she's in Colorado and I'm ... not anymore. B. since freshman year in high school. J. & S. since the first week of freshman year of college. Beast from later that year. And Amy since 2003ish. There are others, but those are the biggest guns.

66. Why do you like the music you do?

"Good beat, easy to dance to." Lyrics? Meh, they're overrated.

67. Do you read much?

Not as much as I should.

68. Favorite country?

I love the U.S. But visiting Canada, the U.K., Italy, Greece, Mexico, and parts of Russia...sigh. I sorta do get homesick for those places I've visited and loved.

69. What is something you wish you were better at?

Remembering things.

70. What’s your favorite album/CD?

There are several of Melissa Etheridge's that I could listen to on repeat most of a day.

71. What's a good dinner order?

I suspect that if you order ANYthing from me, you'll be liable to get egged in a very non-edible sense.

72. Planes or boats?

Automobiles? I think the answer to this question is wholly dependent on where/how far I'm going.

73. One rumor that’s been spread about you:

"Don't make her angry. You wouldn't like her when she's angry." This is not an untrue rumor....

74. Who is your newest friend?

Hmmm, I'm not sure. On Facebook, I think it's the oldest son of our current pastor, whom I don't actually know very well. IRL, I guess maybe Sue at church, the 'newest' Sue. Church seems to be filled with Sues, so it matters which one. ;-)

75. Have you ever sat on a rooftop?

Yes. Yes I have. Not for MANY years now, but I have done so.

76. Was your last text useful?

Probably not. I haven't texted today, since I never picked up my phone off the nightstand after getting up this morning. Probably yesterday's last text was something like, "On my way home; cya soon."

77. Favorite soda?

Diet Dr. Pepper, though I call it "pop." Speaking of which, can someone just try to explain this whole "Dr. Pepper Ten" thing to me? Diet Dr. Pepper with 10 calories added back in, and marketed just to men? WTF??!

78. Do you like yourself?

There are days...and then there are other days....

79. The worst weather: Hot or cold?

I'm coming around to preferring cooler weather. I just cannot sleep in warm weather and I generally feel sort of sticky/dirty all the time when it's hot out. As my sister told me nearly 40 years ago, at least when it's cold you can add another layer....

80. Do you play an instrument?

We've covered this elsewhere: flute, some piano, handbells. Kazoo. Owl-hooting hands. I think that's probably all I'm willing to admit to.

81. What’s your favorite action movie?

I do like the Lethal Weapon movies. Die Hard 1 and 2 were good. And the Matrix trilogy.

82. Have (or are) you ever been involved someone much older than you?

Well, only to the extent that they're part of my family. Beast is actually (very) slightly younger than me.

83. Do you believe in lust at first sight?

Of course I do.

84. Favorite type of venomous snake?

OK, props for a brand-new question!! But, "favorite" venomous snake?? I don't really like any venomous snakes on principle.

85. Do you drink alcohol?

Only ethanol, and only good stuff. I sneer at the cheap shit, in general, at this point. If I'm going to drink, which I do rarely, I'm drinking quality.

86. If you wanted to talk to someone who'd lift your spirits, who'd you call?

Rachel. Or Liz. Or Beth. All three work with me.

87. What do you wear to feel sexy?

This is not a feeling I find myself looking for regularly. At all, in fact. So...I probably don't.

88. Do you like to learn?

It's my most favorite thing!!

89. Have you ever been hit on by someone who really overestimated their attractiveness?

Most men seem to be entirely clueless about their overall lack of good points in this area. I have no idea what the deal is here, but yeah, guys, you're just not all that and a bag of chips. [I'd probably go for the chips.]

90. Where did you last go on vacation?

Hmm. I guess the last vacation was our trip to Colorado last July while Sparky was in Germany.

91. Dallas (as in J.R. & Bobby) returns this week. What film or TV series would you loved to be resurrected?

It would be quite weird to see someone try Gilligan's Island, but I wouldn't watch it. My sitcom days are behind me.

92. Explain your karma beliefs.

Don't really believe in karma as such, but I do believe that what you get out of life is in pretty close approximation to what you put into it. If you are a sinkhole of negativity, chances are good that you're going to get handed a lot of that back, or at least you're going to perceive that's what life is about. Doesn't mean that I think bad things ONLY happen to bad people--that's just not true--but it does mean that one's ability to handle bad things is part of knowing how to deal with whatever life throws at you. ... And I think I just completely confused myself!

93. When do you think that you have a hard life?

I don't. Not very often. I try very hard not to dwell on the depressing things that have happened, because really, what's the point of doing that?

94. Favorite comic strip?

Still "Bloom County."

95. Have you ever broken a heart?

I've torn a few, by accident, no doubt.

96. Should pot be legalized?

Yes. YES! A thousand-million times YES!

97. Have you ever gone skinny dipping with someone that you shouldn't have?

I've never gone skinny dipping PERIOD.

98. What do you do when you're down?

Work on my bouncing skills. [actually, I do a lot of crying and beating myself up over things]

99. Last time you were really angry?

Just about exactly 8 days ago I was as angry as I've been in the past, oh, 2-3 years, if not longer. I could say as angry as I've EVER been, but that seems to be a stretch, but I was well past annoyed for sure!

100. What is your favorite flavor in general?

Mint. Plain mint; no chocolate, no vanilla, nothing cute, just mint.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The 99'er Meme: Part 1

1) Put your iTunes on shuffle. Give me the first 6 songs that pop up.

I don't use iTunes, but I'll give you the last six and the next six tunes on Jango.
Last six:

1. I Want Candy (Bow Wow Wow)
2. Zarartou (Cheb Mami)
3. Mr. President (LL Cool J)
4. Our Time Now (Plain White T's)
5. Over My Head (The Summer Obsession)
6. Shake It (Metro Station)

Next six:

1. Wire (U2)
2. Sitting on a Fence (The Housemartins)
3. More Than This (Live) (Roxy Music)
4. Castanets (Alejandro Escovedo)
5. Chances Are (Sheryl Crow)
6. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (Alison Moyet)

2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

I would love to meet Nelson Mandela.

3) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

"[believ-]ing our encounter with the Divine to be the definitive one. In..." from The Evolution of Faith (Phillip Gulley), one of the six books equidistant from me.

4) What do you think about most?

I try hard not to think about much.

5) What does your latest text message from someone else say?

"Hmmmmm. Calzone please." from Beast about 3 hours ago.

6) Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

I can't sleep naked, unless I'm really hot or really sick.

7) What's your strangest talent?

Alphabetizing at warp speed? Or, while waiting for a cop to show up, walking by a sign and noting that the handwritten part says "Welome" instead of "Welcome."

8) Women.... (finish the sentence); Men.... (finish the sentence)

Women need to man up; men need to turn down the macho.

9) Ever had a poem or song written about you?

Yes. Embarrassing. I have made it a practice never to date or hang around poets or lyricists since then.

10) When is the last time you played the air guitar?

I've hired that out: Sparky takes care of that for me. So, yeah, about ten years. ;-)

11) Do you have any strange phobias?

I'm said this a million times: all my fears make perfect sense. To me.

12) Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

I don't think so. Except Kleenex. And a nasopharyngeal tube...well, a doctor did that... medications.... yeah, nothing that shouldn't have gone there, for sure.

13) What's your religion?

I'm an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Impressed? Don't be. Not for that. In all seriousness, I like PCUSA polity because it makes more sense than other options in running life inside a church.

14) If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

Walking to or from my car. This time of year, it will be done as quickly as safely possible.

15) Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

BE. HIND.

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

U2.

17) What was the last lie you told?

I can't think of one. Maybe that I "had" to bug outta church before the service ended this morning. I could've probably stayed and helped put the bells away, etc., but I was worried about Beast and about getting to work on time.

18) Do you believe in karma?

Not. As. Such. If you go over to the right-hand column and search for "believe karma" you can see how I've answered this question a kabillion other times.

19) What does your URL mean?

Really? You must ask this? How long have you been using the internet?

20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

Greatest weakness: I tend toward a short fuse and not suffering fools gladly. Greatest strength: I laugh inappropriately. For instance, today I was called "the b-word" and "rude-ass" and nearly cracked up at the absurdity of an adult saying "the b-word" instead of just saying "bitch" and the fact that this guy was so far past rude on the Rudeness Scale but calling ME rude-ass.

21) Who is your celebrity crush?

Still crushing on William Petersen. And George Eads.

22) Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Nope. Can't swim, so I don't even go non-skinny-dipping.

23) How do you vent your anger?

There is yelling, there is crying, there is blood rushing to my face (and if things are really bad, rushing OUT of my face), I see red.... Honestly, all of these things will happen given enough provocation, but not necessarily in the order listed.

24) Do you have a collection of anything?

S&Ps. And dust.

25) Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?

Talking on the phone without video. Sparky moves around too much for me to be really comfortable Skyping with him; it causes motion-sickness if I watch him too closely.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Blue Memory Meme, Part One

1) If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?

"All of you: shut up, sit down, stop fighting, and hands off everyone elses' stuff!"

2) If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

It would be interesting to meet and talk to librarians from all over the world, specifically those in parts of the world that may not have as much access to libraries as we do here.

3) You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

Alone? Seriously, I'm very much leaning toward Tierra del Fuego. I hear it's about as nice as it gets there about now.

4) What do you think about most?

I try hard not to think about anything much. I'm getting very good at it, too.

5) You have the opportunity to spend a romantic night with the music celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

Yuck. I can't think of any musicians I'd want to spend any romantic time with any musicians, since most of those I like are either married or emotionally fucked.

6) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

I'd like to have NOT wrecked my truck last spring.

7) What's your strangest talent?

Judging by how much I've been doing it lately, maybe French-braiding my hair in under 5 minutes.

8) What would be a question you'd be afraid to tell the truth on?

"Does this dress make my ass look big?"

9) Ever had a poem or song written about you?

Not that I'm aware of.

10) When is the last time you played the air guitar?

Uhm? Probably within a month or so, but certainly not in any grandiose way; probably at my desk at work. I'm more likely to air-drum or air-piano, to be honest.

11) Do you have any strange phobias?

I have answered this the same way 4 times in the past on this meme. Feel free to search the site--I've even provided a search box for you in the right-hand column. Go on. I'll wait.

12) What's your religion?

Christian. Or if you want to be sectarian about it, Presbyterian.

13) What is your current desktop picture?

Mighty Mouse in a sea of orange.

14) When you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

Getting in or out of a car.

15) What's the last song you listened to?

...I know the radio was on in the car on the way home from church, but I can't remember a single song. Probably for the best. And all the songs at church today were ones I participated in, so I have no good answer for this.

16) Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

U2.

17) What was the last lie you told?

"I'll wait." I didn't.

18) Do you believe in karma?

My answer is buried in this post.

19) What is a saying you say a lot?

You mean, aside from short-and-sweet ones like "SHIT!"? So, then, yeah... ;-)

20) What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

Weakness: laziness. Strength: I'm going with Kiril's answer in Sunday School this morning, which was "I'm pretty smart."

21) Who is your celebrity crush?

I guess Mark Harmon. Though I do like the way Brad Pitt looks most of the time.

22) Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word: heart.

A Valentine's Day heart.

23) How do you vent your anger?

Yell, scream, pout, growl.... Or, mostly, put on headphones and hope the music washes it away. It didn't work so well yesterday at work.

24) Do you have a collection of anything?

LOTS of things, right now. Our house is fairly bursting with stuff we've accidentally collected. I do have a collection of S&Ps, but ... mostly I collect dust.

25) What is your favorite word?

See #19: I'd say I'm in a running tie between "shit" and "crap" depending on locale. Sorry, Mom.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
You Were Meant For Me

1. Have you ever felt that you were “made” for someone or some purpose?

There are those moments in life that feel as if you were in the precise right place, or precisely the perfect person, to handle something unusual. Sometimes it feels like God (or whatever your 'thing' is) plucked you out of Real Life and plopped you in front of something that was created just to show you how important you are. Sometimes you don't see how perfect a set-up things were until later. I don't really believe in "soulmates." I do think it's pretty obvious that I was made to be Sparky's mom in all the non-physical and obvious ways. He has taught me so much; I hope I've done half as well by him.

2. What do you do when you have a problem that you can't do anything about it?

My life is full of unsolvable problems; whose isn't? If it is minutiae, I just vent to good friends. If it's important, I ponder (otherwise known as 'stewing'). I try to hand all the situations over to God, though I find this difficult and despair of myself sometimes.

3. If marijuana were to be legalized, do you think it should be taxed?

Well, wouldn't that be the whole POINT of legalization at this stage? I mean, it's fairly readily available already. Not that I currently use it; just sayin'.

4. What is one thing you should never do on a first date?

Order spaghetti or ribs at the restaurant.

5. If someone (at gunpoint) forced you to receive a portrait tattoo of someone, who would it be?

Assuming I have one handy, I'd go with the photo of my son at 2 years old. He was fuckin' adorable!

6. Is tomorrow going to be a good day?

Gonna be a busy day. And I expect I'm going to be a wreck because of today's busy-ness. This weekend is not looking at ALL relaxing. Fun, though.

7. Anything fabulous happen to you last night?

"Fabulous"? Nnnnooooo...? Beast and I had a nice dinner out, talked about everything under the sun, watched Bill Maher... I don't think I obsessed about work too much--nice change, that--and...oh yeah, my sister called, by accident, on Skype. We had a good chat. That was nice. I told her about The Guide to Sleeping at Airports. It was germane.

8. For a few years in a row, you receive a nice tax refund: do you make an adjustment with your payroll deduction so they’ll take less, or do you leave it that way so that you can continue to receive the big check every spring?

I sorta like the big payout at the end, but financially it makes more sense to adjust things. In fact, this is one of last night's topics; I do need to ask my employer to take a little more out of my check.

9. When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?

I was pretty nervous all week about whether Sparky's cartooning club would get their act together in time to create something for today's event at the library. We (Beast & I--well, ok, just me, really) sponsored them @ $100 to create a 'hole' on the miniature golf course at my library. They did an outstanding job!

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
I Think We're Alone Now

1. What celebrity in a fantasy would you like to be alone with?

I think Julia Roberts and I should hang out together some time. She looks like a lot of fun and very sensible.

2. Have ever dated a good friend?

Yup. Well, technically, I dated him kind of before he was a 'good friend' and then we got to be very good friends and stopped dating...and then we got married.

3. What is the most embarrassing song that you like?

There are some Backstreet Boys songs I really love. Also, Andy Gibb songs, and Shaun Cassidy songs. Lame.

4. What is your favorite tear jerker movie?

Hands-down winner: Dr. Zhivago, with Omar Sharif and Alec Guinness. OMG, the beginning of my love/hate relationship with Russia.

5. What about yourself makes you least secure?

Up until recently, I would have immediately responded "everything." Nowadays, I think sideways looks from close friends are what does it for me. I no longer give one little shit for other people's opinions for the most part. FINALLY!

6. Do you believe in destiny?

Nope. Or rather, not as such. I've blathered on and on about this before.

7. What 'issue' do you think your opinion is so right about that you end up trying to sway others to your point of view?

I don't. I wouldn't like it if (when) someone started (starts) doing that to me, so I just don't. I state my opinion if asked, but trying to convince someone about the benefits of abortion or universal health care or the existence of God (or the opposite points of view) is useless unless it's a legitimate discussion not a diatribe.

8. What are 5 things you don't care about?

--Fancy clothes
--Golf (which is on the TV right now--the things I will tolerate for Beast!)
--Parental oneupmanship in schools
--Physics
--Proving/disproving the existence of anything remotely supernatural (see previous question)

9. Have you ever been in a situation where you weren't sure if you were seducing or being seduced?

lol Not for awhile, but yeah. That's part of the fun of flirting, no?

Wednesday Weirdness

(Link in blogroll)

1. What makes a person sexy to you?

Self-assurance. And broad shoulders.

2. When having the 'number of sex partners' talk with a potential significant other, would you be turned off if they had slept with more than a certain number of people? If yes, what is that number?

If Beast's count ever goes up, he's a dead man!

3. Once and for all, pocketbook sized dogs and the people who carry them in pocketbooks. Cute or crazy?

The dogs can't help it. The people are psycho.

4. Do you give up anything for Lent? If so, what?

I gave up sweets this year. It's killing me.

5. If you live with someone, what is the one thing you will never let them see you do?

"Never" is a mighty long time, and karma is a bitch. I'm not tempting her with an answer.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) When you were a child, was there something you looked forward to doing when you grew up? What is it, and have you done it?

I wanted to be able to talk to boys without blushing. I think I have achieved that goal. [Hey, the deal is that if you set your sights low, you stand a better chance of accomplishing goals, no?]

2) If you had a guardian angel, what would you name it?

"Butch." I dunno why: it literally just popped into my head when I started to type. Or, "Carol Ann." It's possible I've gone totally insane. Especially if the angel is a boy angel.

3) What have you done in the past week to help someone else?

I've done quite a few churchy things that either directly or indirectly help others. I've helped Beast with lots of household stuff that he shouldn't be doing because his back is messed up. I helped Sparky with his homework yesterday, and drove him to school early to fix up his speech before performing it (he's "inducting" Joey Ramone into the R&R Hall of Fame today in his speech class--I wanted him to check on "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg" which he said was about Reagan going to Philadelphia...uh, no). I went shopping today, too.

4) If you were reincarnated, what would be the worst thing you can think of to come back as?

This question reminds me of Trud--she has said for almost 7 years now that she hopes Osama bin Laden comes back as a cockroach so she can squish him. I think she needs to work on her Buddhism a bit more. ;-)

I would hate to come back as an insect. I wouldn't want to be anything slimy either: squids, leeches, etc. Give me mammal or give me rest.

5) 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

Remember that ad campaign in the 80s for The Incredible Edible Egg?
This also reminds me of dying Easter eggs--which we haven't done in a few years because Sparky is too old for that. Sez he.
Actually, eggs are very cool to look at and feel. They look totally even and smooth, but they aren't; they have bumps and ridges. They're pretty awesome: perfect packaging.

Karma

The Karma Test

My Result: noble nature

Doing good deeds seems to be their strong suit and such kind actions are an important way that they've earned their karma up to this point. By giving their time to the people and causes they care about most, they enhance life for their community as a whole. Being willing to lend a hand strengthens their current relationships and may come back to them positively in the future. In their concerted efforts to do what they can for the greater good, they generate positive karma for themselves and the universe.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=karmaogt&c=50652

...and, God knows, a little good karma can't hurt!

Manic Monday

(Link in blogroll)

If you could have a servant come to your house every day for one hour, what would you have them do?

Mop and vacuum. I don't do this enough. Also, dust.

Has your life ever been changed by an apparently random occurrence?

Depends on how one defines "random." I'm not sure life is really all that random, though it may feel that way at times. On the other hand, car accidents and terrible weather...those seem random. I've had several friends whose lives were changed the instant their motorcycle did something unexpected: one was paralyzed from the neck down, one was in a coma for weeks and eventually woke up totally changed.

You're having dinner with several friends and acquaintances. They all criticize a close friend of yours (not knowing he/she is a friend). The criticism is unjustified. What would you do?

I've had this happen numerous times, of course; who hasn't? Most of the time, when it's my turn to pile on, I just mention that S. was my roommate for two years, or G. has always treated me with kindness, or "Gosh, I never knew that about P. and I've known her for years!" And I smile and watch their faces. Proverbs 15:1

Friday Saturday Fun

(Link at left)
Your Future Friday

1. When you were in high school, how did you envision your future? Kids, college, marriage, professional, etc.?

In high school: I was going far away to college and never look back (I did the former, not so much the latter), I wasn't ever going to date a football player (I married one), I was going to adopt a bunch of children (I gave birth to one), I was going to work...somewhere (got that one right!). I had no idea, really. Does anyone, ever, really?

2. How does that compare to the reality of what was to come?

Well, some was semi-accurate, as noted. Much of my life is quite similar to my sisters' lives, which were (are?) models for me. But there have been some rather large differences, of course, as well. Honestly, in high school, I had no clear idea of what I was going to do afterwards except "college" and "far away from home."

3. What, if anything, would you change about your choices, had you had the benefit of knowing what was to come?

I might have started having babies earlier. I would DEFINITELY have found a different job and escaped PsychoBoss Hell faster! I would have visited Ellen much more after her cancer diagnosis. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would change a great deal.

4. Do you believe that the cliche about clouds and silver linings holds true, that out of bad can cause good?

I don't use that cliche that way; there is almost always a silver lining in every situation. And out of a horrible experience, something good can sometimes be found. I think they are two different thoughts; one is present (silver lining), one is past. The benefit of experience is being able to look at things that have happened to and around you and find the goodness in everything. It's not usually evident at the time.

5. What about karma? Does what goes around come around?

I think I do believe in something similar to karma, though not the exact literal definition of karma. I think sometimes we get into situations because we don't see them coming till it's too late, because we think we can't possibly ever experience that. And where we are blind is where we need to learn.

Friday Saturday Five

(Link at left)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1....

1. Name five favorite movies.

Heathers, RHPS, Shoah, Matrix, The Lion King.

2. Name four areas of interest you became interested in after you were done with your formal education.

Ecclesiastical history, the internet, parenting, blogging.

3. Name three things you would change about this world.

In no partcular order, I'd like to see more personal responsibility/accountability, less selfishness, and LOTS more kindness.

4. Name two of your favorite childhood toys.

Jumprope and jacks.

5. Name one person you could be handcuffed to for a full day.

At this point in my life? No one. There is no one. I'm kinda over the whole intense need for togetherness of adolescence and early love-and-marriage. I also prefer having a few moments of privacy in the bathroom, thanks.

Manic Monday

(Link at left)
You’ve won $100,000 – but have to give it all away. To which charity or institution would you donate it?

A chunk to PCUSA, a chunk to 46664, a chunk to NOW, and a chunk to the World Bank.

What do you think is the most soothing sound?

Car traffic echoing off cliffs, the lapping of water against the shore, a calm breeze over hills, baby snores.... I was talking to young friend of mine over the weekend and we both said how much the sound of distant trains through open windows at night makes us feel safe.

In reality, I think this answer is very specific to where you felt safe and calm as a child. For instance, in the summers as a child I went to sleep listening to stock car races about a mile away. I wouldn't really call that a soothing sound...and yet, it is. For me.

Does time heal all wounds?

Depends on your definition of healing. I think time does cover the immediate pain of the wound, but I also think that some things, if left untreated, will fester like worms and never properly be healed. And some wounds cause blood poisoning.

I do, emphatically, believe that time wounds all heels, though.

Saturday Six

(Link at left)
Karma

1. What is the most unlucky thing that has happened to you all week?

I don't think it's been unlucky, but it hasn't been a good week for my mouth to be in use. Still riding out the ripples on some really stupid comments. That's all I can think of.

2. Do bad things happen more often to good people or bad people?

Bad things happen. It's part of life. Part of the lesson I think we're all supposed to learn is that some of the bad stuff that happens can be made slightly (or sometimes wholly) less bad by the way we respond to it. The bad things/good people thing is, at least in part, the juxtaposition of that construct. Or, as my dad said, "Life's not fair." Get over it.

3. How much do you believe that you can improve your outlook in life (from a "fate" perspective) by doing good deeds and correcting past wrongs?

I don't believe in fate. I believe we can make our life easier to live by being kind and doing good in the world to the extent we are capable of doing so. By "easier" I don't mean relaxed/top o' the world "easy" either; I mean simpler, more ease-full, if you will.

4. Take the quiz:

What will happen to you in the future?

The Quiz of Luck - What Will Happen In Your Future?

Hello average (wo)man. Your future looks not good but not bad. You will have an average job. This job will seem average or good to everybody, but I am afraid that that is the best that I could tell you. If this stuff you are reading is wacko to you, please ignore it and read all possible answers and just pick one you like and take it for yourself. Do not feel disappointed if the stuff you are going to read right now is going to disappoint you. The college you went to or is going to go to was or is going to be above average, and it is known. If you tell somebody that you went to that college at that time they would say that it was good and they have heard of it. You have a number of people that are your friends Not too much and not too little. You may have heard of the word average right? Yes, that is the number of friends you have. I sure hope you have a happy life right now because you will go WEEEEEEEEE down. When you are older, adults and mostly kids will make fun of the baldness of your head even if you are a woman. Sorry. I knew that you were relieved for a moment but too bad now. It seems like you wont ever want to go out because kids will make fun of you. The good thing is that you will have the energy/strength to walk, but you wished that you didnt so you wouldnt have to go out. Sorry little (wo)man. Youll be stuck in a hospital after all of that happens. Youll die when you are 94. You wanted to commit suicide when you were about 92 the year you went to the hospital. How weird. Youll die on your birthday, too.
Take this quiz!



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Well. That was...enlightening (sarcasm warning).

5. Do you believe in fate, coincidence, or both?

I believe in coincidence. I don't believe in fate. I do believe in predestination. It's complicated.

6. Overall, when "bad things" happen, how often do you believe the victim generally "had it coming?"

I think that most everyone has 20/20 hindsight. I think sometimes people--and I include myself here--do really stupid things that bring bad things on (smoking comes to mind here), but I would certainly never say that most people deserve bad things to happen. Because, then, that's when karma will turn it around and bite you not in the ass, but the face!

3x Thursday

(Link at left)
Randomness

1. Do you believe that we as humans were meant to have just one person we are paired with for life? Why/why not?

I think everyone is different. Some people really can make it their whole lives in love with one person forever. Others, as in other things, tend to be a little distractable in this area. I dunno. I think it's great when couples are lauded for 50 years of marriage, but I suspect that some of those 50-year-marriages have been unadulterated (hee) hell for at least one of the partners. I think the virtue here is really in honesty. Don't go into a marriage on 90% hope, knowing in your heart that you really shouldn't. Don't stay in a marriage that you know is unhealthy and terminal. The trick is to know the difference between a lengthy speed bump and a very DEAD relationship.

2. What do you think about famous people who have huge egos and/or are general not nice people? Do you think they have any right to behave as such? Are you able to ignore them and still enjoy their work, or does their attitude just kill the experience for you? Why/why not?

I think we all need to cut each other some slack; what appears like a big ego, or for that matter a wonderful "family" guy/gal, may in actuality be a carefully constructed image (see Rock Hudson among others, for an example--which is not to say I fault him for anything at all, just that he was not the ladies' man he portrayed his whole career). I'm having some difficulty with Tom Cruise here. I used to like him a lot, then he appears to have completely done a swan dive into the deep end of insanity. Generally, I can't really ignore really egregious behavior (i.e. Mr. Cruise's comments on post-natal depression, or anything surrounding Paris Hilton), but a little disagreement with points of view, a little stupid behavior...eh, we all have those moments. Move on.
However, "not nice" as a behavior pattern--Brandon Davis, anyone?--get the fuck away from me. Though I'm not sure what that particular person's "work" actually is. I've been trying to come up with someone like this who actually works...how about Russell Crowe? Tyra Banks? Uhm. Worrisome. Walk carefully. Trust my own eyes. And get them some anger-management seminars! But having paparazzi in MY face all the frickin' time would probably cause ME to freak out, too....

3. Do you believe that our happiness may be all about how we handle life's changes and curve balls? Why/why not?

To a degree, I do. I think that what we do today in managing the vicissitudes of life has a very long-term effect on who we become later, and how we handle the Big Stuff as we age. I believe very strongly that our happiness is our own to create (or destroy) to a very great degree, because we certainly can't control much else. Depending on other people, or events outside our control, to determine our basic happiness with the world ultimately means that it's going to be impossible to achieve.

Five on Friday

(Link at left)
*Dies of Boredom*

1. What situations make you the most bored?

No book, no paper, no computer, nothing to listen to, no chance of getting any of the above in any reasonable time, and no people to watch or talk to.

2. What do you do to alleviate boredom?

Any of the above, and if desperate I will sing. :-)

3. On long car trips, what do you to to keep things fun?

Uhm, books on CD/tape, music, talking, sleeping, looking at the scenery.... There's also the Alphabet Game. And singing. :-)

4. On airplanes, what do you bring in your carryon to entertain yourself?

Writing utensils, crosswords, Sudokus, a magazine, a book... That usually covers it.

5. Are you the sort of person who complains when feeling bored?

No, not really. I learned early that the words "I'm bored" usually bring bad karma in the form of Too Much Work.

Karma

Found at Kwizgiver's

Cat., in the last year you've earned 796 karma points.
You've earned these points by doing good things, therefore allowing good things to circle back to you. There are 6 different ways people earn karma, and by looking at your responses to this test, we can tell that your noble nature is earning you the most karma.

Doing good deeds seems to be your strong suit and such kind actions are an important way that you've earned your karma up to this point. By giving your time to the people and causes you care about most, you enhance life for your community as a whole. Being willing to lend a hand strengthens your current relationships and may come back to you positively in the future. In your concerted efforts to do what you can for the greater good, you generate positive karma for yourself and the universe.

So, yeah, at least I've got that going for me.