Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)

Why deny the obvious?

1. What has you feelin’ groovy? 

Not much. It's raining. I bailed on work partway through the last two days (the floor is tilting, like vertigo) and I'm not enjoying much. 

2. Where do you often stop when you are homeward bound?

Most of the time I just want to be at home ASAP. Sometimes I stop at DQ--it's around the corner at work--but otherwise, I'm full-speed to the house.

3. When were you most recently awake far too late in the evening?

I was awakened Weds or Thurs in the wee hours (1:45) by 20 minutes of fireworks popping off--no bangs, just "pop pop pop" for awhile. I was wide awake before they finally stopped. I hate those people so much.

4. Where might you go to hear the sound of silence?

Space. It sounds lovely. [I spent the morning with about 25 children who were mostly fine but there were definitely chaotic moments.]

5. What proves you are still crazy after all these years?

The fact that I still keep going to work after 37 years (minus a couple I spent with Sparky when she was a baby). I'm tiiiiired.

Saturday 9 x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
Don't Talk to Strangers (1982)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) When did you recently have a conversation with a complete stranger? What did you two discuss?

I've been having most of my IRL conversations this week with strangers. We mostly discuss Beast, him being the Center of Everyone's Current Attention at the moment.

2) In the video for this song, a woman is having a "hot" conversation on a corded, rotary dial phone in her bedroom. Do you have a landline? If so, do you have an extension in your bedroom?

I do have a landline still, with long-distance coverage. And there is an extension in the bedroom, which has a curly cord on it! No rotary dials in the house, more's the pity.

3) This week's artist, Rick Springfield, says he wrote this song when he was worried that his girlfriend (now his wife) would cheat on him when he was touring. Would you describe yourself as suspicious or trusting?

I'm far far far far more trusting than I should be. And yet wholly unsurprised by shitty behavior when it happens.

4) He became a daytime heartthrob as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital. Do you think it would be cool to have a really attractive doctor? Or would it make you uncomfortable?

I have had a gorgeous doctor. I currently have a doctor who is just absolutely adorable (he used to be gorgeous and then he hit middle age). It makes going to the doctor fun, seriously. However, these were/are both generalists. It would be AWFUL having an attractive gynie. That's where I draw the line! lol

5) He's discussed how sad he was when, as a boy, he had to leave his dog Elvis behind when the family left Australia. While you were growing up, did your family often move?

My parents lived in the house my dad built in 1946/7 until 1994, a year after Sparky was born. Same house for all the kids in my family, same house for 47 years of their 53-year-marriage.

6) In 1982, when this song was popular, Italy won the World Cup. Do you ever watch soccer?

I do, but very occasionally. I love to listen to the commentary in either foreign languages or in "British" because it's quite a lot different from American sportscasts during which THEY NEVER STOP TALKING! I love occasional silence and focus in watching sports.

7) "Smiley," the first emoticon, was introduced in 1982. Do you use emoticons in your communication? Or do you avoid them?

I use them more than I should. I'm such a girl!

8) The Vietnam Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC, in 1982. Do you know any veterans of that conflict? If so, tell us about him or her.

One of my best friends' second husband was a pilot of a helo on the day Saigon evacuated. He's the least-obvious veteran I've ever known. He's also the only person I know well who was in Vietnam. A lot of my brother's classmates were drafted; he avoided it by going to college (and having bad eyesight). I have never asked how many people from his class died there. It might be worth asking.

9) Random Question: Your friends are throwing a birthday "roast" in your honor. Which one quality of yours are you sure will be singled out for laughs?

My OCD, detail-orientation will surely be raised.

Da Doo Ron Ron (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song begins by stating that he met her on a Monday and his heart stood still. How did your past week start? It may be a lot to expect you to report that you met someone who made your heart stand still, but did anything noteworthy occur?

A lot of things have my heart super-active this week in various respects, but not because I met someone. "Noteworthy"? Yeah, a week ago last night, Beast was airlifted to a trauma hospital with severe head injuries from a fall sometime in the afternoon down the steps in our house. He is still not participating in what the rest of us agree is reality. I've spent at least 5 hours every day since then sitting in his hospital room.

2) While making hit records, Shaun Cassidy also starred as Joe Hardy on the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books have been popular with generations of American kids. Were you a fan?

Oh My God!! I read most of the books, and I watched that show obsessively for the first couple of years. I was In Love with Parker Stevenson, and I have the album this very song is on! Yes, the LP album, played over and over and over on my parents' stereo in the living room. If I had been aware of the sound eyeballs rolling in parental heads made, I'd have never heard a note of the record. But they let me listen.

3) Shaun went to Beverly Hills High School. Over the decades, BHHS has had many good football teams. Do you remember what sports your school excelled at?

Absolutely none that I'm aware of. We suuuuuucked at football, and I ignored all the other sports except wrestling, which I think we were ok in (you'd think I'd know--I was a regular volunteer at meets!). THE BAND however, was the best band in the metro area for years and years.

4) Shaun followed his older half-brother, David Cassidy, into TV/records/teen stardom. Do you have siblings? If yes, what career paths did they follow?

[Aside: David Cassidy was my very first heartthrob. I was, uh, 7? when I fell in love with him.] Marie managed and set up daycares and otherwise worked in childcare her whole career. Oh, she taught for a few years too. Ellen taught middle school and then temped and got her master's degree in business before she died. Jean taught--in Africa--and then got her master's degree in library science and worked in the equivalent of a high school library till she got too ill to work. Mind you, all three of my sisters HAD TO QUIT WORK when they had kids, although maybe it was less of a thing for Jean because she got at least a year of leave after a baby's birth before she had to go back. Socialized medicine dontcha know. The other two, though: women didn't work back then while pregnant or when they have a husband and kids. My brother, Del, was an airport firefighter for most of his career till he became management and then retired a few years ago. He currently works at Lowe's where he just follows directions and makes no decisions whatsoever at work. It sounds lovely.

5) His middle name is Paul, after his maternal grandfather. Tell us something about one of your grandparents.

They all had RIDICULOUS names! When we were looking for baby names for Sparky, it was horrific what our options were for family names. I mean we had to reuse Beast's first name--it's a family tradition--but had free rein on the middle name. Dear God the options! Clarence, Albert, Grover, and the French version of Adolf. Jeebus God!! All we needed was Ernie and Oscar and we'd've had a TV show!

6) Shaun's mother, actress Shirley Jones, reports that he was more than 3 weeks late and born by Cesarean. Have you heard family legends about your arrival into the world?

I was a week late. Mom drank a whole bottle of cod liver oil (or was it castor oil?) so I'd just finally appear! And then when labor did start, apparently everyone in town who was pregnant also went into labor. Mom talked about nearly giving birth to me in the hall because there was a line for the delivery room (remember this was the dark ages of putting Mom to sleep and not letting Dad in the room). I had two friends in high school whose moms were in the hospital giving birth at the same time as my mom was having me. Oh, and she had to beg to stay an extra night because she didn't want to go home to face two teens, a ten-year-old and a baby. I'm surprised she didn't hop a train and ride the rails. It would have been easier in some respects!!

7) "Da Doo Ron Ron" was originally recorded by The Crystals. Can you think of another song that has been a hit by more than one artist?

A lot of the Motown hits from the 60s have been redone (often by white people) since then. The originals are almost always better, although I've a soft spot for Phil Collins' version of "You Can't Hurry Love."

8) In 1977, when this version of "Da Doo Ron Ron" was popular, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak incorporated Apple. Are you Mac or Android?

I am SO Android it's painful! I don't even own an iPod; never have!

9) Random Question: You're exhausted. You collapse into bed and are about to drift into slumber when you hear the drip-drip-drip of the bathroom faucet. Would you kick off the covers and go turn it off? Or would you stay in bed, letting it drip until morning?

Hmm, specifically dripping? I would totally go shut it off. I grew up conserving water. Lots of other things, though--squeaky fans, vents clicking, loud music across the street--I'd stick the earplugs in and go right to sleep.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Halloween Meme

1. What is the worst treat to get when trick-or-treating?

Toothpaste, or Jack Chick tracts.

2. What character from any horror film would you most like to play?

I don't really do horror films, so none. Either I'd be saying I want to be a victim or a crazed killer. Neither appeals.

3. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho? (why)

In real life or as a costume?? IRL=alien. Costume=zombie.

4. How many Halloween, Friday the 13th, or Nightmare on Elm Street movies combined do you have on dvd?

Not a single one, thanks. Even Beast hasn't bought them, and he will at least sit through them!

5. What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?

Psycho is definitely up there. In a different direction entirely, Platoon and Shoah are also terrifying.

6. Lamest costume you have worn on Halloween?

I haven't worn a costume in quite some time, so ... those. We are costuming tomorrow at work though, so I'll be "did up."

7. Favorite Halloween treat?

I liked all the variety of things in the bag, to be honest. Except lollipops--I never really "got" suckers. I mean I got them to eat, but the attraction frankly escapes me.

8. Friendly-faced jack o’lantern or scary one?

Don't really care, but it should have something to do with Halloween, yes? So "Hamilton" pumpkins, "C" (Cubs or Cleveland) pumpkins, random letters on pumpkins....no. They're very artistic and all (sometimes) but NOT Halloween-y.

9. Have you ever had nightmares about a scary movie character chasing you?

I did as a child. I don't have too many "chasing me in terror" dreams anymore. My bad dreams are usually stress, yelling, and falling.

10. Best thing about Halloween?

Are you kidding? The candy of course! For me, I like the kids' costumes as they wander the neighborhood too.

11. Strangest Halloween custom you’ve heard of?

I can't help but feel sorry for countries without pumpkins. England has a lot of carved turnips, and it just doesn't work as well. (Even if that's where the whole tradition started, apparently)

12. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)?

Uhm. I'd say Beast and I are about tied on this. One thing I really hate is having to work till halfway through trick-or-treat hours .... I miss all the little kids.

13. Are you superstitious? If so, name at least one superstition of yours.

I'm not really. I do try hard not to say certain patrons' names out loud at work because even when they've been gone awhile, it seems to bring them back in the building. I'm not kidding, either: Red-Faced Man was gone for easily 3 years, and no sooner did I bring him up than (boom) two weeks later he reappeared. smh

14. What's your best Halloween memory?

I really enjoy handing out candy to kids. There was one year that was so warm that I literally had the screen-door window open like a Dutch door handing candy over it.

15. At what age were you allowed to go trick-or-treating by yourself?

Probably about 10. I don't honestly remember, but I had to be done before it got dark.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Tubular Bells (1973)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) According to Reader's Digest, The Exorcist is the scariest movie of all time. Have you seen it, and if so, did it scare you?

I was not yet 10 when it came out, but my brother went...and had to leave to throw up halfway through. He was more scared than his girlfriend. Anyway, I've read the book. It's scary. Not Stephen-King-scary, but pretty good. I don't "do" horror movies at all.

2) The Exorcist has been made into a TV series on Fox, premiering last month. Have you become a fan of any of the season's new shows?

Nope.

3) "Tubular Bells" is a popular ringtone for both Android and iPhone. What's your ringtone?

My default is a riff on "Who Are You" by The Who. My extended family gets Rachmaninoff, people to whom it applies get "Help Me Rhonda" or "Awesome God" or "Work Work" or "You've Got a Friend." Beast and Sparky share "The Sweetest Thing." All of which goes a long way toward saying I'm that nerdy.

4) As Halloween approaches, do you watch more scary shows and movies?

Nope. Well, I mean, most of what we watch has a Halloween-themed show every year, but no I don't do scary.

5) Do you have any recurring nightmares?

Nothing beyond 'trapped at work' dreams.

6) Have you carved a jack o' lantern this year?

Nope. Doubtful that we will, either. We need to go get a few punkins at least tho.

7) Do you like the taste of pumpkin seeds?

I do, but not enough to make my own.

8) What will the trick or treaters who knock on your door get?

Right now I've got all non-chocolate, non-nut stuff. We're on our way to get those punkins and I'll pick up another bag or two of candy as well.

9) A Halloween "let's pretend:" Back in the 1950s, a home in your neighborhood was the site of a gruesome murder/suicide. Relatives retained ownership of the house but declined to live there. During the ensuing decades, a legend grew: The tragic couple haunts the halls. Generations of schoolchildren insist they heard strange sounds and saw curtains often move mysteriously. Now the house is about to be demolished. A local charity is raising money by sponsoring a Halloween sleepover. Would you be willing to stay in this haunted house over night?

Sure.
Look, the first house we bought was the site of a murder-suicide by the just-previous owners. After moving in, we chose a dog from the pound and brought her home. She was never a fan of our bedroom--where the killing happened--so at first we thought about ghosts and woo-woo and all that. Then we took up the cheap carpet and discovered that the floor had never been properly cleaned underneath it, and the previous carpet pad wasn't replaced either. Once Beast--my hero, seriously--got the pad out and the floor cleaned and then sanded down and stained, our puppy was much happier about being in there with us. She just didn't like the scent of death.
So, no, I don't really believe in ghosts or hauntings, though I do believe that when something like this happens inside a house or other building, it does change the place in a non-physical way. Hard to explain what I mean, but it's not something I'm afraid of, just aware of.

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!"

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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!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Gongerling Meme

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)

When we built the house we currently live in, we each had a "want" list. Beast wanted a fireplace in the living room, so we rearranged one wall of windows and stuck in a rock fireplace with built-in cupboards on either side. I wanted the 'pantry' turned into a full-wall bookshelf in the kitchen and the laundry room turned into the pantry. Done. (oh, and a porch) Sparky wanted a hidey hole or "secret clubhouse" space--he was 10 at that point--and we cut a small door into the storage area under the eaves behind his bedroom and presto!

Nowadays, I think my only request would be a shit-ton of storage because we really own way too much stuff. It's ridiculous.

2. What is your dream car?

A chocolate brown soft-top Jeep. I'd settle for yellow. And it has to come with a dog.

3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog.

Inoreader because I can read EVERYthing there. This is closely followed by Facebook, which I think I could ALSO read on Inoreader if I set it up that way!

4. iPhone or Droid, which do you want/have?

I have a Samsung Android phone. I do not support Apple.

5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?

Play a game, read a book, take a nap. Eat. Some of these are more helpful than others, both in the short- and long-term.

6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.

Teenagers crack me up. Not in large sheeplike masses, but individually. They are simply so much fun to get to know.

7. What did you want to be when you grew up?

Free. Out of my parents' house. Otherwise, I just wanted to not be bossed around by everyone on such a regular basis. It wasn't always delightful being the youngest kid.

8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?

The only one I would have ever considered was The Amazing Race, but I'm way too out of shape to do it now!

9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up? (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)

In grade school it was Mrs. Morley (her married name--she was Ms. Groff before that) was, in my 10-year-old eyes the living image of Cher. So cool and nice and modern. In middle school...Mr. Gilchrist was a riot, and I learned a lot from Mrs. White. High school...it seems unkind not to say my band director because everyone else would, and I did like him, but I have to go with either Miss Fitz or Ms. Philippe for a number of reasons.

10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?

One free pass only means I'm likely to get hooked and want to keep doing it. It wouldn't be awful if I could get away with robbing a bank without injuring anyone, though.

11. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago this week was our last vacation with family friends that we'd traveled with for 5-6 years at that point. We got involved in youth group after that and that ate up our vacation time every year. All the grown-ups went to college together and one of their kids is my godson. I've talked about him before--he's an adult now but as a child he was a fucking nightmare (and remember, I like kids!)--and Sparky actually requested that we not go with them anymore because he literally hated this kid. Ironically, I found out last Monday, he and Sparky are now working quite literally yards from each other, not together precisely but in the same place. The dad agreed last night to be Beast's temporary AA sponsor until Beast can get someone who lives closer. Life is weird.

12. By this time next year, I ...

...will be a year older. I am not making any plans beyond the next hour or so. Not today for sure. There's far too much up in the air to even consider what 2017 will look like.

13. What is something that you need to do but you've procrastinated on?

Sort through the aforementioned piles of crap in this house.

14. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime?

Hmmm. Dr. Kovac from ER? Beast would expect me to say Sam from NCIS:LA.

15. What is your greatest pet peeve?

The thing that gets me going the fastest is stupid driving in front of me on the road.

16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?

More than 100 miles away from home (rather than more than 100 miles round trip) was our trip to the Caribbean in April. We've been to visit Sparky since then, but that's about 105 miles round-trip, more or less).

17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

Dictionary, though I do use the online thesaurus regularly when I get tired of using the same word. (you are all thinking, "not enough" now, aren't you?!) I haven't used our paper dictionary here at home for years, though.

18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?

Believe it or not, Cat. is not my real first name!

19. What are you dreading at the moment?

Being The Enforcer. Rather, I'm dreading the thought of perhaps having to do that. I hate being the Bad Cop.

20. Do you have a meme you think we should steal? (Yes, an old trick. But c'mon now. I gotta give it a shot. It's a lot harder to find memes now. But it's ok to answer "You're lazy" an call it a day.)

Here ya go, Bud. I can't guaranteed any of them are GOOD questions, but there's a lot to choose from there.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Thriller (1983)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this video, Michael Jackson is transformed into a "werecat," with fangs, claws, yellow eyes and whiskers. What monster or ghoul frightened you the most?

I don't remember ever being afraid of "monsters" as a child. Life itself scared me, but not creatures, perhaps because I was pretty sheltered and safe with the people in my life. I actually remember a childhood dream about monsters, but they weren't really scary, more like Sesame Street monsters (though this was prior to Sesame Street, because I am actually that old). The stuff that scared me was people being scary. I had to be removed my from the auditorium about 5 minutes into my sister's high school production of "Oliver!" because of Mr. Bumble's shouting.

2) Michael sings that evil things that will be lurking "close to midnight." Where will you be at midnight tonight?

I hope I'm in bed asleep! Long morning tomorrow--I'm liturgist for one of the worship services, and I teach Sunday School with the middle school kids during the other hour.

3) Horror movie icon Vincent Price does the voice over on "Thriller." What's your favorite scary movie?

I don't like scary movies. I suppose I'd have to go with "Psycho" but I don't really think that's horror, more Extreme Suspense. I spend a lot of time hiding my eyes in regular movies--the first "Lord of the Rings" flick, for instance, I spent most of the last 10 minutes with my face buried in Beast's shoulder. He told me afterwards that I would be better off not seeing the rest of the trilogy at all.

4) Mr. Price's House of Wax, made in 1953, was one of the first 3D movies. What's the most recent 3D movie you saw?

I don't see those either. The 3D-ness messes with my equilibrium somehow (or my vision, perhaps? like motion sickness anyway) and I tend to get nauseous.

5) Horror fans might be surprised to know that, despite his sinister image, Mr. Price enjoyed very genteel and relaxing hobbies, like cooking, gardening and painting. What would we be surprised to learn about you?

I loved Vincent Price because I saw him on talk shows when I was a kid and he always seemed so nice! People IRL would be surprised about almost every blog entry I've done. People online, I suspect, might be surprised at how soft-hearted I am.

6) A Halloween tradition is the jack-o-lantern. Did you carve a pumpkin this year?

Nope, but we do have pumpkins on the front porch at least. I need to get the candy out for trick-or-treat tonight, too.

7) According to Yahoo!, the most popular costume of Halloween 2014 was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Will you be in costume this Halloween? If not, who or what would you most like to dress up as?

Hell no! I stopped dressing up eons ago. The only costume I'll be wearing in the forseeable future is something for my workplace's 1xxth birthday party. A coworker is making me a period dress, so I can look like a proper bluestocking of that era!

8) When you went trick or treating as a kid, did you usually wear a store-bought costume, or was it DIY?

Usually it was homemade, which sucked...until one year I begged hard enough that Mom got a store-bought one and I realized how crap they are/were. Thin nylon, unusable mask, incomplete overall, and I don't even remember what I was supposed to be!!

9) When trick-or-treaters show up at your door, what candy will they get?

I've got a mix of Jolly Rancher and mini-chocolate bars. I think. Actually, I don't remember what I've got exactly! :-) Everyone gets a big handful from the bowl. We go through about 3 big bags a year.
It just occurred to me that I should check the "official" trick-or-treat times for today. Guess I should get myself sorted out fairly soon: the kids can start at 3! It runs till 8, but we never really see anyone much after 7. And then we'll reset all the clocks in the house and go to bed. We are so freakin' exciting at our house!

Sunday Stealing x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
That Alphabet Thing Meme

A: Accent --

I'm Midwestern, so I sound like everyone on TV.
OK, yes, I know that's not true, but I have definitely lost most of my western (Colorado-y) drawl.

B: Breakfast --

Usually a bagel with a couple of slices of cheese. We stopped at Bob Evans the other day on the way home and snagged a box of corn muffins on the way out, so I've had one of those the last couple of mornings. So good!

C: Chore you hate --

I hate doing anything with the floor: vacuuming, sweeping, mopping. Frustratingly unpermanent.

D: Dad's name --

He was named after his grandfather (and my brother's son is named after him). It is a name shared by a book of the New Testament and has been in the top 20 names for boys for the past 95 years, dropping more recently. In fact, up until 1980, it was in the top 5 every year.

E: Essential everyday item --

Glasses.

F: Flavor ice cream --

Peppermint or birthday cake.

G: Gold or silver --

Silver.

H: Hometown --

I grew up not too far from where I-70 and I-25 intersect. In fact, US highways 285 and 85 cross less than a mile from the house in which I grew up.

I: Insomnia --

Yes, you rang? ...
Every night.

J: Job title --

"Head of Technical Services" but actually a Reference Librarian also.

K: Kids --

Love 'em. They crack me up, and make me smile and generally hopeful for the future. I have one of my own, although he'll be 23 on his next birthday. On the other hand, my nieces and nephews are all reproducing now, so I have 7 great-nephews with two babies on the way, due in December-ish. They are all The Most Beautiful Kids in the World.

M: Mother's birthplace --

She was born in the same city in which she gave birth to me.

N: Number of significant others --

Just the one at the moment. Seems like plenty to me, or even one too many sometimes. ;-)

O: Overnight hospital stays --

Two overnight stays totaling 8 nights.

P: Phobia --

I'm not a huge fan of crowds.

Q: Quick at --

Alphabetizing.

R: Religious affiliation --

Presbyterian.

S: Siblings --

Once upon a time there were five of us. We're at three and holding now.

T: Time you wake up --

With an alarm, it runs between 5:45 and 7:30. Otherwise, whenever.

U: Unnatural hair colors --

I added some red to my hair for about 12 years until a few years ago. Since then it's been brown-turning-gray.

V: Vegetable you refuse to eat --

Brussels sprouts. They may be the reason I'm not interested in going to Belgium.

W: Worst habit --

Probably a pretty close race between biting my nails and jumping to conclusions.

X: X-rays --

Mostly dental. Some random torso stuff--do mammos and bone scans count?--and my throat (thyroid, parathyroid).

Y: Yummy --

Cookies!

Z: Zodiac sign --

I'm a Scorp.

___________________________________

Swiped Meme

1. Did someone die in that last movie you watched?

We went and saw A Walk in the Woods a couple of weeks ago. There were no deaths. Well, not exactly "none", but... OOPS? Spoiler alert? (hah) Pretty good, if you're an old fart.

2. Are the trees pretty colors outside for you now or at all?

Ours haven't started changing yet, but those around us are well on their way.

3. Have you ever made a bad first impression on someone's parents?

Probably. I have no idea. Not as a child--I was a good kid well into college. Now, I just don't try very hard unless their child is someone important to me.

4. When's the last time you video recorded something on TV?

We DVR a bunch of shows every week to watch later: CSI: Cyber, NCIS, NCIS:LA and NCIS:NO, Whose Line..., Deadliest Catch, and The Bait, SNL. Beast does Bill Maher's show and several car shows.

5. What is a career you wanted to have when you were younger, and still kind of want to have now?

I wouldn't mind being a teacher, still, if I could just do the teaching part, not the paperwork and parent/admin bullshit.

6. What are your views on sunflowers?

I wasn't aware I needed to have a view on them. I like them. I like their seeds. They need to be planted far from walls or they tip over.

7. What is your favorite incense or candle scent?

"Clean" or vanilla works fine for me.

8. Caramel apples or candy apples?

Caramel always.

9. Have you ever walked into a wall?

I run into walls with shoulders, hips and legs semi-regularly. I ran full-tilt into a wall in gym class when I was 10 or so. Cuz I'm all coordinated like that.

10. Would you ever or do you make your dog wear a bandana?

I have done worse to my dogs in the past, but I no longer have a dog to dress up like Barbie.

11. Do you find dandelions when they're gone all white pretty?

Not particularly. By that point they look like they're weeds, IMO.

12. What makes you laugh?

Baby giggles, silly animals, Whose Line Is It?, puns (smart ones), unexpectedness.

13. The scariest moment of your life?

This past Wednesday was full of Scary. Basically, from 11 a.m. on was one hurdle after another, interspersed with frustration and boredom: figuring out the St. Louis Arch entrance amid the masses of construction, riding up to the top and looking down, waiting for Beast to come back for me in a rather shady-feeling part of town, hearing him say he might be having a heart attack, running to the urgent care to ask for help (their help? calling 911--that's it), driving a rental RV through downtown St. Louis, trying to find a parking place near a hospital I knew nothing about, waiting for treatment (for 5 hours), Beast being in so much pain he was on the verge of throwing up, walking to the parking lot (twice) in the dark in a not-great part of town, driving the RV back across town to an RV site and setting it up, sleeping alone in it, packing it up in the morning and driving BACK to the hospital.... Those were the highlights.

14. What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought lately?

I got some cute S&Ps before vacation went south. And a good overview book about Mary Lincoln.

15. What’s the worst you’ve had to do because of losing a bet?

I don't think I've ever made the kind of bet that requires me to do anything besides pay up. And I never gamble more than I'm willing to lose.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Viva la Vida (2008)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The song refers to the singing of choirs. Have you ever been in a choir or a vocal group?

I was in choir in junior high for awhile. Not really my thing; I prefer band, or at least instrument. But I have a decent voice, and the director at church keeps harassing me to join the church choir. If only I could tolerate the petty bickering that I know goes on.

2) Chris Martin sings of when he "ruled the world." If you were in charge and had infinite power, what would you change right away?

I'd take care of the kids.

3) Chris used to be married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow. USA Today, The Washington Post and The Daily Telegraph have all run articles about how Gwyneth seems to annoy so very many people. What celebrity gets on your nerves?

Most of them. In fact, ALL of those whose last names start with Kardashian (or are blood relatives).

4) Coldplay's first big hit was, "Yellow." What color are you wearing right now?

Red Ferrari shirt, jeans, gold earrings. Just got home from work. Too tired to go up and change.

5) Sam remembers when she used to hear this song everywhere and can't believe that was 7 years ago! When is the last time you had a similar "my, how time flies!" moment?

I'm having a hard time believing that Hurricane Katrina was 10 years ago.

6) In 2008, when "Viva la Vida" was popular, John Grisham's latest legal thriller, The Appeal, was jumping off bookshelves. What have you read this summer?

My favorite book so far this year has been Pioneer Girl. I'm a huge LIW freak, and so I bought my own copy. But I've read finished about 70 other books so far since January 1, and there have been some other good ones: In Paradise (Matthiessen), Code Name Verity (Wein), Farthing (Walton), Misterioso (Dahl), The Poacher's Son and Trespasser (Doiron), Joseph Anton (Rushdie), Watching the English (Fox)...to name the best of the crop.

7) Thinking of books: Let's say a biographer has taken the task of writing your biography. What would you title your life story?

I'm really hoping I'll be dead when/if this every happens. I'll let them pick. I might suggest I Hate Publishers since I say it at least once a week at work.

8) 2008 is also the year Paul Newman died of cancer. Name a Newman movie.

The Color of Money. Why that one? No clue--I haven't actually watched it.

9) Random question: Do you like garlic?

I do. My mom was not enthralled with it, never really cooked with it, but when I discovered it....wow! What a revelation!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Crazy Random Twenty Meme

Have you ever demolished a wall or building?

I've participated in demolition, yes. My dad was in construction, which often starts with destruction. Beast is a big fan of demo, too. 

If you and a friend both wanted the same thing would you let the friend get it first?

Sure. Of course it depends on what "it" was, and if there was only one "it" left on Earth. And some other vagaries of the situation as they arose.

Have you ever argued over who should pay for something?

I'm pretty sure everyone except my niece Katharine and everyone under age 20 has done this.

Do you have any family heirlooms?

We are stuffed to the gills with family heirlooms. Got rid of several yesterday--they are now Sparky's responsibility. Still have over twice as many as what he took left here.

Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?

Probably not. If I believed in past lives, I'm sure I would have no fun stories of exciting and wealthy past lives. We've always been serfs.

What's your favorite ocean?

I do like the Pacific.

Do you correct peoples mistakes?

Sometimes. I'm getting better at biting my tongue. If it's seriously dangerous, though, I will speak up.

Have you ever helped out an injured animal?

Yes, I've had pets. Also, we took a maimed bunny found in our yard to the vet once. Our dog caught it and broke its back legs, poor thing.

Do you throw bread for the ducks?

Not anymore. They need to learn to fend for themselves.

Do you think babies are little bundles of joy or smelly noisy things?

They are both. Most are in the middle of this spectrum, but there are always outliers that live towards the extreme ends.

Do you give money to buskers?

Not usually. Then again, there aren't a lot of (any) buskers in my area.

Do you ever forward or reply to chain mails?

No. Hate them. Please, if I see another "If you have a sister/aunt/friend..." thing on Facebook I might vomit. And the ones that say "I'll bet none of my so-called 'Christian' friends will post this..." about God -- those I want to kill. With fire!

Do you often have a tune in your head you can't name?

No, I can usually name whatever I've got scrolling through.

Has anyone ever approached you thinking you were someone else?

All . The . Time. I love people who ask--after I've said that no, I'm not [whoever they think I am]--"are you sure?" Yeah, dammit, I'm pretty clear on my family and former workplaces!!

Have you ever starred in an amateur or professional video?

My father-in-law filmed every-damn-thing. Beast did too when we were first married. My brother-in-law took some classic Super-8 of me hula-hooping at about age 8.

Have you ever been in a position of authority?

I'm middle management. And a mom. And a teacher. So, yeah.

If you were ruler of your own country what would you call it?

"In Desperate Trouble"

And what title would you give yourself?

Now that its former owner is retired, "Bumbler-in-Chief" will do.

If you invented a monster what would you call it?

"Cat., Upon Awakening"

And what features would it have?

Really scary hair and squinty, blind eyes. Incoherence is a bonus, too.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Would You Rather Meme, part two

1. Would you rather go to a movie or to dinner alone?

   I've done dinner alone. I've never been to a movie alone. I need to remedy that. So I guess it's movie.

2. Would you rather always say everything on your mind or never speak again?

   Lately, I've been trying to do the latter, but I'm congenitally built to do the former.

3. Would you rather make a phone call or send a text?

   Text. I'm not big on phone calls.

4. Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie?

   Book, of course.

5. Would you rather be the most popular person at work or school or the smartest?

   Smartest, but I'd like to not be a jerk about it.

6. Would you rather put a stop to war or end world hunger?

   I suspect that a positive way to end the causes of war would eventually sort out hunger.

7. Would you rather spend the night in a luxury hotel room or camping surrounded by beautiful scenery?

   Hotel. I hate camping.

8. Would you rather explore space or the ocean?

   Space. I would love to go to space. And seeing as how I can't swim....

9. Would you rather go deep sea diving or bungee jumping?

   See previous question re swimming. So bungees it is.

10. Would you rather be a kid your whole life or an adult your whole life?

    It's tempting to say kid, but really kids get shit on so regularly by the world that I'm going to say adult.

11. Would you rather go on a cruise with friends or with your spouse?

    I'm pretty torn on this one. Can't I go with both?

12. Would you rather lose your keys or your cell phone?

    Cell phone. Missing keys would make me nuts.

13. Would you rather eat a meal of cow tongue or octopus?

    Octopus, properly fried up.

14. Would you rather have x-ray vision or magnified hearing?

    Honestly, neither. My hearing is already too acute, and I don't really need to see through stuff.

15. Would you rather work in a group or work alone?

    Alone.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
American Pie (1971)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In the lyrics, Don McLean refers to having once been a paper boy. When you were a kid, what job or household chores did you do for spending money?

My family didn't work this way. Everyone did chores as requested/assigned because we were part of the household. This meant we always had to ask for money from Mom & Dad. Yes, it pretty much sucked. I started babysitting at 12 for other people's kids for money.

2) Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye. What's the last drink you ordered?

It's been months since I've had a drink of any kind. I would assume the last time I got one at a bar/restaurant was a Stoli tonic, lime twist. It's my usual. I may snag a glass of wine at a meeting this Tuesday night, but it always makes me overheat and turn bright red, and it takes about this much booze to get me tipsy anymore so maybe not.

3) He drove to the levee but it was dry. When is the last time it rained where you are?

Yesterday/overnight. It's "unseasonably cool" today and they can't decide what the weather is going to do for the weekend. Even within the same forecast online there are multiple answers.

4) When McLean was working on the song, he wrote the lyrics out in long hand. It took him 16 pages of lined notebook paper. Today it's a laptop/smartphone/tablet world, and Sam can't remember the last time she hand wrote anything longer than a sign on her front door that read, "Bell broken. Plz knock." What about you? What's the last thing you wrote with pen or pencil?

I take notes regularly at meetings which serves the benefit of keeping my mind occupied so I don't fall asleep AND keeps my mouth shut. I write, in pencil, in books daily at work. I write notes to people on scratch paper, take reserve requests and spell words for people to copy and write people's login information down.... I hand-write a lot. Not in big chunks anymore, but a lot. And still practice my penmanship. I'm such a throwback!

5) McLean's most recent CD is called "Addicted to Black," in reference to Olivia in The Twelfth Night. Quick! Without looking it up, name another character from Shakespeare.

Polonius.

6) Don was born in New Rochelle, New York, which was named one of The Best Walking Cities in America by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). What about your neighborhood? Is it easily walkable?

There are no sidewalks in my neighborhood, but also minimal traffic. We're one of those island subdivisions that you wouldn't drive through unless you're visiting someone or live here. And our house is at the very back, so there's literally NO reason to drive on our street unless you live on it or are visiting (or lost--quite likely). It's walkable. People here walk it, with and without dogs. I've walked it. But it doesn't go anywhere, just circles. On the other hand, we have two parks in the subdivision and people drive kids to them.  smh

7) In 1971, the year this song was popular, Walt Disney World officially opened. Have you ever been to DisneyLand or Disney World?

Been to both. Would like to return to Epcot and Animal Kingdom since the latter was brand-new when we were there and not quite finished, and the day we went to Epcot I felt very ill and we bailed at lunchtime after "Germany." Zero, or less, interest in seeing anything else.

8) Also in 1971, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie. This doll was a "sun-loving California girl" and had a distinct tan. Have you ever used a tanning bed?

Well that's not where I thought this question would go! I had a Malibu Barbie as a child, but I will never, ever use a tanning bed. I have stark white northern European skin and have done enough damage to it with the, yknow, actual sun.

9) American Pie is also the name of a 1999 movie. Have you seen it?

Yuck. No.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Idiomatic Transmission

1. What’s something in your life that’s on the fritz?

My endocrine system has been messed up for awhile. I'm hoping this week's events have gotten it back on the road to normalcy.

2. What have you recently handled with kid gloves?

The egos of the kids in my Sunday School class. Middle school is no time to have yet another person beating on you.

3. On what task do you continue to plug away?

I keep on trying to catch up with the backlog at work. Ha ha ha ha...never gonna happen.

4. This past week, what’s something you’ve sailed through?

My surgery went very, very well, all things considered. Checked in at 6, checked out by 5:30, home by 8. Just some residual soreness and occasional tingling in my hands and the horrible-looking line on my throat is all I have to show from it.

5. What have you had to hold your horses on, and what’s the reason?

I'm not running any marathons for awhile, or doing any heavy lifting. ...as if I were planning to do either of those things anyway.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) How do you feel when you do something that is very good?

Proud, and then I feel bad that I feel proud about something like that.

2) Do you like to dance? When was the last time you danced?

I car-dance with some regularity. The last time I danced on my feet was probably while cooking or putting away dishes with a CD in the player in there.

3) How do you feel about TV commercials? Are there some channels with better (or worse) ones?

I hate them. The non-premium channels are the pits: A&E, Ion, and all the Discover channels. I especially hate the "trans-v@gin@l mesh" and mesothelioma ads.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.Public Domain Photo

This reminds me of summer mission trips with our high school group at church. I miss those kids...and those days.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Best Song Ever
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here. (This is their official video and it begins with a skit; music starts at 2:25.)

1) Dancing all night to the best song ever would be good for the cardiovascular system. When is the last time you exercised?

Depends on what you consider exercise. I don't work out, and I'm terribly out of shape. My heart rate gets up if I walk through the library too fast at closing. smh

2) The girl in this song is the daughter of a dentist. "Dentophobia" is fear of dentists. How do you feel about going to the dentist?

I was at the dentist last week. My hygienist is good, my dentist is very good, and they give good painkillers when necessary. I've never been afraid of the dentist, and I've had plenty of dental work done. It's like the annual Pap--unpleasant but necessary.

3) One Direction performed this on Good Morning, America. Do you watch morning TV? If so, which show?

I've watched Today since college, pretty much exclusively. I used to be pretty addicted to it, but in the past decade or so, I can't be arsed. It's all crap, really.

4) Listening to upbeat pop songs like this one makes Sam feel young. When is the last time you participated in an activity commonly connected to childen (like swinging on a swing, drinking chocolate milk, playing a board game, etc.)?

I don't really like chocolate milk, and it's way too cold to go to a park and swing (and I think the swings are under snow at this point anyway). Board game? Not recently. I can't think of anything childlike I've done recently, but I do hang out with a pretty decent number of teens semi-regularly. Does that count?

5) One of the boys, Louis Tomlinson, was an actor before joining the band. How many different professions have you tried? What were they?

I was a babysitter most of my teenaged years, a shelver at a library, worked and then scheduled in my college's language laboratory, did lots of basic secretarial work off and on over those years, made clam sauce and other Italian food over the course of one memorable week, delivered newspapers for a couple of years, and of course Mommed. Oh, and all those Mom-volunteer jobs: PTO, classroom help, school store, dance decor. And church-volunteer stuff too. LOTS of Sunday School teaching over the years....

6) The fans that have made One Direction millionaires are also the target audience for series like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and Wimpy Kid. Do you read Young Adult literature?

Uhm, I think a lot of readers of The Hunger Games are substantially older than the 1D fans, and combining that series with the Wimpy Kid books is quite weird since that is definitely more the upper elementary age group, not middle school or high school. ANYHOO, though, yes, I read YA books, always have. There have always been absolutely amazing books being written "for kids" that a lot of adults miss out on. Oh, well, their loss.

7) If this is the "best song ever," what song do you consider the worst? Tell us which song just sets your teeth on edge.

Anything, ANYthing, Mariah Carey sings--she makes me want to scream and throw things. I'm not a fan of Geddy Lee's voice either, so Rush is ruined for the most part. And Robert Palmer, ugh.

8) One Direction performed at the Royal Variety Show for Queen Elizabeth. If you found yourself presented to Her Majesty, what would you say?

Oh dear God I would mumble and stutter and be ridiculous, I'm sure.

9) Right now, is your life moving in the right direction or are you feeling a bit aimless?

I'm not sure what the right direction looks like, but I'm ok with where things are headed right now.

RevGal Friday Five

(Link in meme-roll)
Moments of Triumph Edition
List five triumphs – they can be professional or they can be personal.

1. I cataloged about 30 books pretty much from scratch today, 98% of which were in Spanish. Two were completely from scratch--no one else has purchased them and cataloged them into OCLC--and the rest had lousy vendor records in OCLC that I had to clean up. Five of them were individual books about the members of One Direction. Yes, in Spanish. Shoot.Me.
2. I didn't completely embarrass my son when we Skyped last weekend with his new girlfriend. She seems nice. He says she thinks we seem "pretty awesome."
3. I'm back into dealing with teenagers, helping out with the middle school Sunday School class. So far I haven't actually shrieked at anyone, though it's becoming more likely every week. The best part though is that I'm NOT dealing with any passive-aggressiveness. Gawd, the last few months of (elementary) Sunday School last year were awful. Grown-ups suuuuckkkkk!!
4. I understand* RDA!!! Monday's workshop was really good, and then next day someone posted another really good manual on Autocat, so I feel like a pig in shit with all the newly-understood and -exampled materials I've got.
5. I started going to Al-Anon. There's one tonight--it will be my fourth meeting if I go. I'm tired. And this group isn't the one I prefer, but...well, seriously, after one meeting it's hardly fair to bail already. The other group lost a member last week, a guy who was at the first meeting I was at; he committed suicide less than 48 hours after that meeting. There is plenty of pain in the world.

* That is, I know how to create and/or spot a good RDA record. I still think a lot of the changes are pure BS.

Thursday 13

Things Starting with I

1. Imps. This word reminds me of a friend who uses it as a 'handle' online. It's made up of the initials of all the members of her household.
2. Insipid. There is a lot of this in the world. Mostly it doesn't bother me, but sometimes I just want to scream at Teh Stoopud.
3. Indexer. One career I briefly considered. I imagine there are still people who specialize in this, but there can't be many now that computers do the actual work. Too bad. It sounds like fun.
4. Inverness. Possibly one of the prettiest cities in the U.K., especially on warm summer nights.
5. Iatrogenic. I recently learned the meaning for this word. It's definitely not something you want to hear at the doctor's office, or the hospital. But quite often you will experience iatrogenic reactions to medication. One can hope they are mild.
6. Idle. I idle away far too much of my time. It's not good.
7. Insects. There's a 6-year-old boy who visits the library semi-regularly with his mom--an employee--who has made it a habit of coming to visit me to take the plastic bugs out of my desk so he can "scare" the Head of Circ by arranging them on her desk. I need to restock; some of them have disappeared. I'm hoping to last till Halloween.
8. Icing. The best part of the cake. No contest.
9. Invalid. Interesting how this can be pronounced two different ways that mean such completely different things. ...or not, I guess... Probably why one of the pronunciations is now considered extremely non-P.C.
10. Islam. Consider this challenge: make a list of every single thing you 'know' about Islam. Then double check. Probably mostly what you 'know' isn't true, assuming your list even has anything on it.
11. Intellectual. I think I hang around with too many people with big brains. It may be making me into a snob. I hope not; I fight it.
12. Island. I would love to own one. Of course, it has to be one with all mod cons, including internet and trash pickup, and a not-too-complicated way to rejoin the world when I'm ready.
13. Inspire. In the past week, at least two people at work have said that something I did or said inspired them to do something. What? Well, one of them has said over and over that because I stopped coloring my hair she has felt emboldened to do the same. Since she's got me by at least 12 or 13 years, and since she did her own hair-dying, it's only right that she let it grow out. Still, she doesn't know what to do with it now, and that's too bad. [I don't remember what the other 'inspirational' thing was...surely something equally important.]

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Eve Was Framed Meme

1. Why is your favorite color your favorite?

I just like blue. It calms me, reminds me of home, and even warms me up, which I know isn't what it's "supposed" to do. But it does.

2. Do you prefer dogs or cats or do you just hate animals, and want to kill baby seals?

I like dogs, baby seals and kittens, and most other furry critters.

3. How much time do you spend on the computer?

Eight hours at work, another 5-6 at home. Yes, am a junkie.

4. Not including porn, what do you do on the computer?

Work, play games, do memes, read, check up on friends/family, veg out.

5. Are you a clock watcher?

Not as much as I used to be, and this weekend, I've just had to turn that part of my brain off completely. If you watch the clock in the hospital, you're just asking for trouble.

6. What do you/did you look for in a partner?

A good sense of humor is a must.

7. What type of clothing do you prefer?

Comfy.

8. What is your favorite type of music?

I really like electronica and house, but I'll listen to almost anything. I'm especially loving the mashups concept lately.

9. Do you believe in the paranormal, Ghosts, ESP, levitation, spoon bending?

Nope. I am the female James Randi.

10. The most important question: Do you have a innie or outie belly button?

Innie.

11. What kind of car do you drive?

ca. 2007 Ford Explorer.

12. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun or The Boys Are Back in Town?

I like 'em both. Maybe someone should do a mashup--huh.

13. Camping or the Ritz?

Ritz. Hate camping.

14. What food are you craving RIGHT NOW . . . did you eat it?

An entire bag of jellybeans would be wonderful, but we don't have any in the house.

15. The most thrilling place you've ever visited. Why?

Delphi.

16. If you could slip into the skin of one public figure--celebrity, artist,--who would it be?

Hmmm...can't think of anyone I'd really want to impersonate.

17. Look up from your computer. What do you see first?

The TV; we're watching DVR'd NCIS episodes.

18. Sum up your philosophy of life in one sentence. You can borrow it from someone else, if you'd like.

"It is what it is."

19. Name the one thing you just don't understand about kids today.

I don't have a problem with kids; I have a problem with adults who have kids and don't take that responsibility seriously. And adults in general, frankly.

20. If you could steal one work of art from a museum or gallery, which would it be?

It's going to be hard to steal the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

W.T.F.

(Link in meme-roll)
Bert & Ernie may be left-handed but they're not gay

1) Today (Aug. 12) is National Middle Child's Day. What is your placement in your family's birth order?

I am unequivocally the baby. But because I was so long after the other kids (10 years between me and my bro), I'm also almost an only.

2) Tomorrow (Aug. 13) is International Left-handers' Day. Are you right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous?

Right-handed. My left arm is pretty much there only for balance (and today, to cause me great pain in my back...sigh).

3) Are there any weird combinations of food that you love to consume -- like a hamburger made with a sliced doughnut instead of a bun (or something a little less odd than that)?

I like potato chips, the ripply kind, on a white bread and American cheese (and butter) sandwich. It's actually about the only way I do like potato chips.

4) After a petition for Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie to get married grew to more than 5,000 signatures, Sesame Street has come out and said Bert and Ernie aren't gay and won't be getting married. Have you ever wanted two fictional characters of the same sex to become lovers?

No, I can't say as I have. And Bert & Ernie aren't gay. Jeez, people, get a freakin' life. It's a TV show, not real life. Sesame Street muppets are asexual anyway.

5) What is a common misconception people have about you?

That I'm quiet, kind, and organized. STEE-RIKE, YER OUT!

6) Tomorrow (Aug. 13) is National Garage Sale Day. Have you ever seen anything weird for sale at a garage/yard/rummage sale?

That's usually ALL I see at garage sales! That's also why I stopped attending them.

7) Do you have any extreme hobbies (sky diving, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, etc.)?

I've always wanted to go sky-diving or bungee-jumping. I'm afraid that ship has sailed, however.

8) Today is National Kool-Aid Day. Do you like to drink Kool-Aid or another child-oriented drink?

No, thank you; way too sweet, even for me! I used to eat the pre-sugared mix out of the can as a kid though. (see #3 above for why I felt the need to share this).

9) Korean researchers have supposedly determined that the lower the ratio between the length of a man's index finger and his ring finger, the larger his penis may be. (Read the article here if you so choose.) Would you ever be a participant in a study determining such intimate details about the human body?

I can't believe I just read this article. I will say that nowhere in there did it clearly state that these guys willingly participated in the study. I mean, really: how many guys are likely to be thrilled with a bunch of people standing around and measuring "when it had been stretched as much as possible." And how does one determine "as much as possible" anyway? Going to go wash my brain now....

10) Tomorrow there will be a full moon. Do you believe the superstition that weird things happen on the night of the full moon?

...brain has been scrubbed. The full moon absolutely causes people to act weird. I know scientists have studied this too and come to a different conclusion, but I'm pretty sure nothing at all was "stretched as much as possible." Great, I need to wash my brain again, now. {{shudder}}

Thursday Thunks

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Would you try a dog food flavored jelly bean? What about skunk spray or vomit flavored?

No. Way. Who needs that kind of shit?

2. Are any keys on your keyboard worn off?

The curl on the J is on its way out, but that's it, aside from a bad case of shininess on some of the keys.

3. Why are the lids on coffins nailed/locked/sealed? Are we afraid they are going to get out?

Well, sorta. Bodies do sometimes bloat. The real question is why so many people spend so much money on coffins that never decay. What a waste of space and money.

4. True love. Define it.

Caring deeply for someone else in a way that doesn't diminish yourself.

5. Where is the strangest place you are ever fallen asleep?

I can't think of anywhere particularly strange. The older I get, however, the easier it is to drop out in seconds.

6. A doctor walks up to you and says "I will change anything you want ... big or small... doesn't matter how much it costs, I'll do it for free!". What do you have him fix or change on your body?

Let's get those allergies fixed up, but the key here is my immune system, so start there.

7. The last picture you took - share it. Well, if it's not something we would probably find in Bud's recent photos.

It's on my phone, and believe me I am no in the mood to deal with downloading it and posting it here.

8. Blue or black ink. Your preference?

Black. But really, I prefer pencil.

9. You are walking down the sidewalk on a city street and you see a little girl, about 3 or 4 years old, she asks you if you can tie her shoe for her. What do you do?

Nope. I would not touch her, but I would call 911 and stay with her if her minder wasn't evidently present.

10. What channel numbers are ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX for you?

Uh...well, I can access ABC on channels 7, 12, 17, or 27; NBC on channels 4, 5, 13, or 15; CBS on 2, 3, 23, or 58. I don't watch FOX. Ever.

11. Did/do you have any marriage deal breakers?

Abuse or jail time = goodbye.