Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)

Follow That Dream

1. My bestie and I once ...

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

2. When I'm nervous ...

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

3. My hair ...

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

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

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

5. My favorite aunt ...

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

6. I have a hard time understanding ...

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

7. You know I like you if ...

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

8. When I was 5 years old ...

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

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll) 

Thank U, Next (2018) 

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

1) In this song, Ariana Grande thanks her former boyfriends for what they taught her about love, life, patience and pain. Do you believe you have learned more from your successes, or your mistakes? 

Sadly, I seem to only learn from hard times, i.e. mistakes. Right now I'm facing a complete personality overhaul so I don't lose my job.

2) One of the young men mentioned in the song is Pete Davidson, a cast member of Saturday Night Live. SNL has been on for more than 45 years now. Who is your all-time favorite cast member? 

Gilda. Though Kate McKinnon is pretty amazing.

3) Thinking of funny people ... As you can see from the video, Ariana performed "Thank U, Next" on Ellen Degeneres' talk show. Ellen makes people laugh every afternoon. Who in your life can you always count on to make you laugh or smile? 

I got a call Thursday from a friend/acquaintance who knew I needed to buck up. He almost always makes me smile and he did it again on one of my worst days in awhile. I am so fortunate to have so many friends like this. If it's not an actual person, "The Dollop" podcast often makes me cry with hilarity.

4) It looks like Ariana Grande's personal romantic saga will have a happy ending because at Christmastime, she announced her engagement. Do you know anyone who is getting married in 2021? 

Nope. That is, I don't know if I know anyone getting married this year.

5) Ariana loves Harry Potter and named her dogs Snape, Lily and Sirius Black after characters in the J.K. Rowling books. Are you a Harry Potter fan? 

I like the stories.

6) She loves board games, especially Monopoly. Sam isn't crazy about Monopoly because it takes so long. How about you? Are you a Monopoly fan? 

Not really, and for the same reason as Sam.

7) In 2018, the year this song was released, Toys R Us closed all its stores and went out of business. Who received the last toy you purchased? What was it? 

Beast got a mini-sock-monkey for Christmas from me. Oh, and a light/memory game, which I haven't actually seen in his hands yet.

8) Also in 2018, Aretha Franklin died. What's your favorite Aretha song? 

Any song Aretha sang was tremendous. "Chain of Fools" is a favorite, but honestly...ANYthing.

 9) Random question: Are you more likely to shed a tear at a wedding or during a movie?

Both? The vows always make me mushy inside, and there is almost always some pathos that forces me to cry in a movie.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Alec Clayton

1. If there's a personal god, what quality would you most like that person to have (and why)?

This question confuses me. Maybe I'm out of practice on answering questions. I'm going to answer, instead, what is the most important to me quality of God. That is, especially this week, that he is always there, always reliable, always forgiving, always putting up with whatever my current attitude is. That is big.

2. What's your death-row meal?

There would be pasta. Basically a good Italian meal, with wine and cheese and meat and fruit and bread and good dessert, all perfectly cooked.

3. Assuming we make it through this outbreak with minimal loss of life, what do you think our big takeaway should be?

We need to take care of each other.
(but I'm not optimistic in the Big Picture; OTOH, my local community is absolutely wonderful)

4. Whom do you find yourself missing more than you would've predicted?

Well, I dreamed last night about two of my three sisters, which was weird since one of them is dead and the other one I think just shows up, with her husband, to irritate me. In the last month, I've also dreamed about my mom regularly, a first since she died 10 years ago, and holy crap do I miss being able to sit with Beast and kick him into gear!!

5. What brings you the most joy? Not happiness, not contentment -- JOY.

Laughter. Real laughter: silliness, giggling, gut-busting. Doesn't have to be me laughing: watching it on Zoom or YouTube works almost as well.

6. Do you find yourself regretting anything you've said or done on social media?

Only everything.

7. What are your favorite and least favorite things about your body and face?

Least favorite: size. Favorite: its sturdiness, my toes, my hair, my mouth.

8. ...and your life?

Least favorite: Let me count the ways, but the big one is not being able to see (or help) Beast in any way. Favorite: my job, my friends (I'm very lucky), my house.

9. How's the self-isolation affecting your libido?

ha ha ha ha....my husband's been in a nursing home now for over 2 years. What libido?

10. Which three places in the physical universe would you most like to visit?

The Valley of the Kings, all of Australia, Mars.

11. On whom did you have a crush years ago? Have you ever told them?

So many... Some of them know and we laugh about it. Some I'll take to the grave.

12. How have your religious views changed since you were in high school?

I'd like to hope I've gotten kinder and more understanding of others.

13. If you could change one law, what would it be?

Can we just legalize cannabis everywhere in the U.S. for crying out loud! I'm not even going for a big one here, just this.

14. If you could add one commandment to the original ten, what would it be?

"Pull your head out of your ass!"

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
No One's Here to Sleep (2013)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is the theme of How to Get Away with Murder, the legal drama that premiered in 2014 and airs on Thursday nights. Are you a fan?

Nope. I don't watch network TV. I don't watch TV much at all these days.

2) The song's refrain says, "I'll never catch up with you." Behind the wheel, do you carefully observe the speed limit? Or do you have a lead foot, making it hard for anyone to catch up with you?

Somewhere in between. I set my cruise control at 3-5 mph over the limit because anything less than that is too slow around here.

3) How to Get Away with Murder is about Annalise Keating, a law professor at a top Philadelphia university. She has a reputation for being tough, demanding and able to turn her students into successful defense attorneys. Tell us about a teacher who helped prepare you for life after graduation.

I'm still in contact (via Facebook) with one of my Communication profs who taught me a great deal about how see patterns in and reasons for communicative behavior in conversations. Blew my mind. I use what I learned in one of his classes literally EVERY day. Thanks, Pete!

4) The students she feels show the most promise -- and are recruited to help her solve murders -- are known as The Keating Four. Did you ever sense that you were your teacher's favorite?

I was a classic Teacher's Pet for most of my academic career. Somehow I had already figured out a lot of those comm. "rules" before college.... :)

5) Viola Davis was just nominated for an Emmy for playing Professor Keating. Ms. Davis was born on a farm in SC. Have you spent more of your life in a rural, suburban or urban setting?

I grew up solidly suburban, then lived for a few years in a fairly urban environment, and now I'm in what I call the exurbs: on a train line directly into The Big City, but surrounded by farms and woods.

6) Next to Annalise Keating, Viola Davis is best known for her Oscar-nominated role as Aibileen in the movie, The Help. Have you seen it?

Nope. I also don't see movies very often.

7) In 2014, the year How to Get Away with Murder premiered, we lost two famous comedians: Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Who was the last person to make you laugh out loud? (This means actually, literally laughing out loud, not just keystroking LOL.)

It was probably something on Midsomer Murders (Netflix) or maybe Beast when I saw him earlier. I definitely giggled with Trud at breakfast this morning while we caught up on our crazy lives.

8) The 2014 Olympics were held in Sochi. Have you ever been to Russia? If not, is it a dream destination of yours?

I have. I went with a class in college in January 1985, when it was still the USSR. I would love to go back, but I don't think it's happening at this rate. Both politically and financially it's just not in the cards.

9) Random question: The sign on the railing says, "Wet Paint." Do you touch the railing to see if it's really wet?

Nope. I believe signs.

Friday 5

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One is Silver; the Other Gold
I pretty much never ask year-end questions at year’s end, but I like these. So let’s do it. I love year-end reflection!

1. Who made you laugh most in 2017?

   Most often, I'm sure it was Beast. Most deeply, I have to kind of give this to the podcasts I've found in the last few months: The Dollop and My Favorite Murder, among others.

2. What’s something you learned or discovered in 2017?

   How to listen to podcasts (thank you, Spotify); how to 'listen' to my phone in the car (see "podcasts). More importantly, I got a big smackdown on thinking I have any of the big stuff in life under anything close to control.

3. In what way was 2017 better than 2016?

   I quite honestly cannot think of even one improvement, personal or national, this year. It's been hell.

4. What was your most pleasing purchase in 2017?

   About the only thing we've bought of value this year was medical care. I have a couple of new articles of clothing that I like, but I can't think of anything important and life-changing other than medical stuff. OK, I was pretty impressed with myself for buying, loading, and using water-softener salt all alone. 🙌

5. When in 2017 were you pleasantly surprised?

   I have unbelievably amazing friends. I mean, I knew this, but the settling out of who's reliable and who isn't there is interesting, and mostly positive.

Friday 5

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Nor Any Drop to Drink

1. What’s a memory you have of a nearby stream?

   There's a little creek near us that feeds a man-made lake. In going to see Sparky, the roads cross it at least 3 times. It's a little twisty to say the least. It's also weirdly tiny.

2. What’s a good film scene or song lyric involving a river?

   So many religious songs about the Jordan. I'm going with "Take Me to the River." Apparently there's a movie with that title, which I've only just discovered.

3. What fond memory do you have of a lake?

   I didn't really grow up around lakes. In fact, I was quickly informed when a college friend visited me in Colorado that the Soda Lakes outside Denver are simply ponds. So yeah.

4. What’s the most fascinating sea creature?

   I think octopus are amazing.

5. What’s something that caused you to cry tears of laughter?

   This isn't a great weekend to ask me that. I do, however, tend to laugh hard at kids being silly and owning it.

Sunday Stealing

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The Boat Questions

1. YOU HAVE 10 BUCKS AND NEED TO BUY SNACKS AT A GAS STATION. WHAT DO YOU GET?

Couple of bottles of pop, a candy bar, and a big bag of Cheetos.

2. IF YOU WERE REINCARNATED AS SOME SORT OF SEA DWELLING CREATURE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?

I wouldn't mind being an octopus.

NINE years ago!!?

3. WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE REDHEAD?

My son.

4. WHAT DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU'RE AT A DINER?

Of late, it's been either a chicken Caesar salad or a grilled chicken sandwich. Unless it's breakfast in which case the call is for bacon and an English muffin with honey.

5. LAST BOOK YOU READ?

The last one I finished is Just My Luck; I won it in a book giveaway from GoodReads.

6. DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF UNDERWEAR?

I have a couple of pair of VS boy-shorts that are super comfy. Actually, everything from there is super comfy. I'd link but the chick wearing the ones I like somehow "forgot" her bra ...sigh.

7. DESCRIBE THE LAST TIME YOU WERE INJURED.

I pinched the outside of my hand in a folding door yesterday. Somehow the thumb on my other hand is very sore today too, though I don't know why. I get hurt pretty much daily, but in little ways mostly.

8. ROCK CONCERT OR SYMPHONY? LAST SEEN?

The last music event I saw was probably at church, so more likely to be nearer the classical end of the scale than rock.

9. IF SOMEONE WERE TO BUY YOU A GIFT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?

I don't need anything right now. Maybe some energy and productivity.

10. WHAT TYPE OF SHIRT DO YOU BEST IN?

I live in T-shirts of various types.

11. IF YOU COULD USE ONLY ONE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Well, car of course. I mean I love trains and planes, but they don't go EVERYwhere.

12. WHAT IS YOUR DEADLY SIN?

Sloth.

13. MOST RECENT MOVIE YOU'VE WATCHED IN A THEATER? RATE IT.

Sparky & I went to see "Fantastic Beasts..." last weekend. It was delightful, though some of the FX were a little dicey.

14. IF YOU COULD INVENT ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would dearly love to excise this whole year from everyone's reality. Including Trump's election. The future is no longer a safe place for me to think about much.

15. NAME AN ACTOR/ACTRESS YOU'VE HAD THE HOTS FOR?

I used to think Tom Cruise was hot, until he went insane on live TV. And Brad Pitt is gorgeous. I just like to look at them--I'm not interested in knowing them.

16. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITY? LAST TIME THERE?

Denver. Too long.

17. WHAT'S THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW?

"Blurry"--because my eyes are.

18. WHAT TYPE OF PET DO YOU HAVE?

We have one guinea pig.

19. WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED THE LONGEST?

In this county. For 22 years.

20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT SPENT $100 ON YOU?

Uh, me? I bought some new shoes last month.

21. WHAT'S THE LAST PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU BOUGHT?

Those shoes just mentioned.

22. WHAT WAS/IS YOUR FAVORITE JOB?

I love my current job.

23. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST??

Kids' laughter gets me, and general absurdity.

24. WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING?

Summer.

25. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

Driving 45 minutes one-way to see Beast today, and then turning around and driving home. It's supposed to snow all day and I'm not looking forward to the drive home at all. It could be tricky getting out of the parking lot there and the roads might have gone to hell by 4. Oh well....

Friday 5, delayed*

(Link in meme-roll)
The Force Which Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower

1. When did you last have to force your way into something?

   I honestly can't think of a thing! I had some trouble opening a jar of spaghetti sauce the other day, but in terms of Big Stuff, I'm most trying to force myself to stay OUT of things.

2. What’s something you’ve recently used physical force on?

   That jar mentioned above. Various cleaning projects. Humping books around the library. I don't really do a ton of "forcing" things; it seems counter-productive.

3. What was the last food you had to force down your throat?

   Me? Having to force myself to eat? Ha ha ha. Probably the last thing was a couple of months ago doing the prep for a colonoscopy. Not because it was horrible-tasting, but really, drinking 2 gallons of water in about 5 hours isn't fun.

4. When did you last have to force a smile or a laugh?

   I do this every day, all the time. It's more like a nervous tic now.

5. What are the best and worst things about the Star Wars movies?

   Best is the different ways it gets people to talk about some pretty major issues, coming at them from lots of different angles that appeal to lots of different kinds of people. Worst is, hands-down, the wooden scripts. And I'm not a fan of the overall lack of non-cis non-white, non-human, characters. For a big galaxy, most everyon looks and behaves suspiciously like WASPland.

* I left the house yesterday at 7:30 a.m. and returned home at about 9:40 p.m. I took a look at these questions at that point and the TITLE of this week's post confused me so much that I went to bed. 😲

Sunday Stealing

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

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

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

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

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

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

   I do that. So, yes.

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

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

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

   Thursday morning was not a particularly calm and sane period.

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Do you think you have a unique name?

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Hello, the soundtrack to junior high....

13. What are you doing in 2 hours?

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

14. What is the last thing you ate?

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

15. Do you love your job?

    I do.

16. When is the last time you showered?

    This morning at 7:30 a.m.

17. Who is the last person you texted?

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

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

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

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


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

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


    Yup.

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

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

22. Will this week be a good one?

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

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

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

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

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

25. Have you been to New York City?

    Nope. Someday. Maybe.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Don't You Care? (1967)
If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

1) What's something that seems to fascinate everyone else, but you just don't care about?

Instagram. Why?

2) The lyrics refer to "the times we cried and laughed." Which did you do more recently, cry or laugh?

I laugh far far more than I cry, always. But sometimes that laughter is either in spite of tears or to hide the tears.

3) In the song, our hero seems surprised that his girlfriend doesn't believe him. Are you more believing and trusting, or suspicious and skeptical?

I'm a weird blend of naive and skeptical. I don't love being cynical, but I do tend to see through people's BS far more often than not.

4) This song is just over two minutes long, which seems short for a song but awful long when Sam is waiting for her chicken soup to heat in the microwave. What's the last thing you heated in a microwave?

Hmmm. Mashed potatoes Tuesday night? I think?

5) This week's band, The Buckinghams, was one of the first acts to perform at Chicago's premiere summer festival, The Taste of Chicago.* Let's think ahead: Have you made any plans for Summer 2016?

Nope. I'm intent on trying to get a week in March to go visit a friend who just bought a house in Minnesota.

6) In 1967, when this song was popular, Rolling Stone magazine published its first issue. What magazines do you subscribe to? Do they arrive in the mail, or do you read them online?

Entertainment Weekly, Ms., Presbyterian Outlook, and BookMarks. I still read the paper versions most of the time.

7) Country star/American Idol judge Keith Urban was born in 1967. Are you watching the final season of American Idol?

I haven't watched any American Idol, except in clips on other shows or on YouTube.

8) In 1967, the average cost of a movie ticket was $1.25. By 2015, it had risen $8.60. What's the last movie you saw in a theater?

SW:TFA. We're probably going to see it once more this afternoon.

9) Random question: Sam's taking everyone out to dinner and she's buying. Would you prefer the steak or the lobster?

Can't I do surf n turf? Actually, I think I'll go with steak; I usually get about 3 bites of lobster before I feel full and sort of sick. So rich.

__________
*Though back in 1970, it was called ChicagoFest.

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.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Let's Not Be Difficult Meme

1. Do you like your movies and books to be more lighthearted or serious?

My first reaction was to say that it depends on the subject of the book. But actually, having a sense of the absurdity and irony about life around us helps no matter what the topic is. I don't tend to like overly earnest or dead-serious books, fiction or not. I also don't like total silliness, though. It's a tough balance.

2. What’s more important, first impressions or lasting impact?

More important is lasting impact. But if you fail at the first impression you don't often get to hang around to have impact later.

3. Order these areas of psychological health from what you need the least improvement into what you need the most improvement in: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, environmental, spiritual

Intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, environmental, physical.

4. Do you react appropriately to things and control your feelings?

Oh, who the hell knows? Apparently, I do not have a good grasp of this at work, but I think I'm pretty stable and normal.

5. Do you have stable relationships?

Speaking of which....yes.

6. Do you need to be in a relationship to feel good about yourself?

I need to be in some kind of relationship, yes. Does it have to be love? Not really.

7. Which is the clearest and most concise, your thoughts, your speech or your writing? Which is the least clear and concise?

My writing tends to be most concise when I'm being attentive, because I can edit out egregiously stupid things. Least clear are probably my unfiltered thoughts. I'm definitely a girl this way: I have to verbalize to clarify.

8. Are you always trying to learn new things?

Yes. It can be quite painful, but is almost always rewarding in the end.

9. Do you feel at peace?

In a general sense, yes. There are a few specifics that are far from peaceful, but I'm working on coming to terms with those.

10. Do you have strong morals and ethics that you believe in and adhere to?

Strong ones I believe in. Adhering to them can be a little harder when push comes to shove.

11. Do you think of the needs of all humanity or just the needs of yourself and those you know?

I think about both. I tend to do things more for the people I know than for the good of the universe. Which makes me kind of a jerk, but also pretty normal. It's certainly not something I'm very proud of.

12. Do you recycle?

Yes. As much as possible. It's my saving grace, perhaps, for question 11.

13. Are you active in your community?

Not really. I feel like I do a great deal for my community at work, and I do some volunteering during the school year, so my conscience is clear. However, I've been mulling over getting involved with CASA for awhile. I'm just not sure how much time it would require, and I do hoard my quiet, home times a bit.

14. Are you sensitive to the needs of others?

Yes. To a fault. I'm finding it a little easier lately to set those aside without guilt, but it's hard. I wish I could do more to help people sometimes.

15. Do you dress up to go out?

Five minutes ago, I was standing on my front porch in my nightshirt at 11 a.m. Great timing! I try to dress appropriately for the situation. I'll be at a funeral this afternoon and did check last night to be sure I had something to wear in case I needed to shop this morning. Not only do I have something that will be ok, it's actually more than ok due to the circumstances in play today. I don't, however, make a point of dolling myself up very often. I'm way more casual and more interested in comfort than I am about makeup and what-all.

16. What could make you lose respect for someone?

Lying, hypocrisy, endless (bad) excuses for lousy behavior, and rudeness to others. One of Beast's best friends at work was a super-nice guy named Larry who was as kind and friendly of a guy as anyone we knew. When the two of them ended up spending a lot of time entertaining clients, it turned out that Larry was a complete prick at restaurants: yelling at waitresses, sending his food back for idiotic reasons, tipping poorly, etc. Beast and I both lost a lot of respect for him for that, and it was horribly embarrassing for Beast in front of the clients. He often had to stay after everyone left to increase the tip and/or apologize to the staff, and then make "I'm so sorry" calls the next day to clients.

17. If you won $1,000 every week until you die, would you still go to work?

That would total $52,000 a year, and the government would take some of that in taxes. I can't live here for that, so yes, I'll be heading off to work daily.

18. What trend has been getting on your nerves lately?

Poor cell-phone etiquette drives me nuts. These are not new devices, people. Turn them off when they will disturb others (church, meetings, stage performances, funerals, etc.), or at least set them to vibrate. And don't haul them out to check every time you get a message signal when you're talking F2F with someone. It's really bloody rude, especially if you're talking to an employee who is trying to help you. I do not have time to stand and listen to your husband's difficulties with finding the right kind of yogurt at WalMart, or your wife's complaints about traffic when she should be DRIVING not talking! And for God's sake....WHY do we all SHOUT into our phones??

19. Do you forgive yourself when you make a mistake?

Eventually. Most of the time.

20. Is ignorance really bliss?

Until you realize how stupid you've been and belatedly feel like a tool. Sometimes, in other words, yes. And sometimes ignorance is annoying and/or dangerous.

21. What can be described as ‘even better than the real thing’?

U2 has it pretty much right on.

22. What’s in your wallet right now?

The usual wallet-y stuff: money, license, credit cards, "loyalty" cards up the wazoo, insurance stuff....my CPR card, Sparky's bank account number, a three-year-old Weight Watcher's booklet. I really need to clean the damn thing out. No pictures, because I've known too many people who've lost their wallet and their only/last photo of [important person]. Credit cards, etc., are replaceable; pictures less so. Also, we had a speaker at the library last week who talked about RFID readers and wallets, so I'm considering lining my wallet with tin foil. Yes, I'm aware that this makes me sound like a lunatic, but I'm too cheap to buy a metal wallet.

23. Do you write letters that you never send?

Yes.

24. Do you ever get the feeling people are laughing at you?

Not so much anymore, but only because I really don't fookin' care anymore. When I do stupid things, I fully expect others to laugh. When people are just being mean, that says so much more about them than me that I don't let it bother me, at least not like it did when I was young and trying to impress everyone.

25. Who’s the one person you’d like to drop a house on?

Interestingly, we were talking about the Wicked Witch yesterday at work, and her ruby slippers. The house-dropping didn't come up, but I'd really like to drop a eally Big House on all the politicians who use scare tactics, half-truths and full-blown lies to forward their agenda. Note that I'm not specifying a particular party, because there are connivers everywhere. However, I'm pretty sure if you've read anything else here before you'll know that I feel one U.S. political party especially needs a big-ass 100-story condo building dropped on it.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
I Want To Be Famous Meme

1. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

I'd like to be famous for being the least famous person ever. In other words, I have no interest at all in ever being "known."

2. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

I do, whenever I'm calling a business I've never called. Also whenever I call the insurance company, or to ask a favor. I don't want to sound like an idiot, and I want to make sure I cover all the points needed.

3. What would constitute a "perfect" day for you?

A sunny warm day in the mountains of Colorado, just looking at scenery, listening to wind and animals, and soaking it up.

4. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

I sing to myself regularly. If I were at work listening to music without headphones, it would be a daily occurrence. I believe I probably warbled at a coworker Friday, believe it or not; I remember because she commented on it. Really singing? Probably something with Sparky or Beast, though I don't remember anything specific.

5. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

Mind, with some stipulations. I don't want to go down the road my sister traveled with MSA. I'd prefer to keep mind AND body at a similar status level throughout my life.

6. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?

No clue. Hopefully fast and relatively painlessly, since I'm allergic to morphine.

7. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

God.

8. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

I would have a better personal relationship with my mom. I wish we'd sorted out our differences.

9. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

The ability to keep my opinions to myself!

10. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

Nope, not interested.

11. What does friendship mean to you?

Give and take. Compromise. Loyalty. Laughter. Shared history.

12. What roles do love and affection play in your life?

I'm not sure I even understand that question. It's important for me to feel safe and loved and I like people who aren't afraid to let those feelings show. Is that what we're looking for here?

13. When did you last laugh?

I've been laughing at the post-match coverage of Wimbledon pretty regularly. If I were Djokovic's wife, I'd be pretty jealous of that trophy!

14. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Morning. Although with my current psycho sleep schedule, mornings pretty much suck. I'm usually awake between 1 and 3 a.m., so I guess that's still morning though, right?

15. Seen anything weird lately?

Every day at work, yes. Actually, yesterday Beast found all his mom's parent's jewelry--in a paper bag in a drawer, so secure--and went through it. One ring is quite odd. It's an asymmetrical circle, looks like a crystal made of silver, is studded with small diamonds, and is probably 3/4" around. So weird. I did snag a hematite ring from the stash that I actually like, by most of the rest is way too showy and huge for my taste.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Very Much Questions Meme

1. What was the last clothing item that you bought?

It's either the socks I mentioned the other day or a package of underwear. I'm a damned exciting person.

2. If you could stay one age forever, what age would you choose?

I enjoyed 27 and 28.

3. When you say “lol”, are you really laughing?

Sometimes. Often, in fact.

4. What is the most interesting thing you’ve done in the past year?

I've done a TON of work on myself, internally. Seems like it's a lot of backing up to take another run at it, but I do see progress overall. And, of course, the Rose Bowl and Parade were simply awesome.

5. If you started a business, what would it be?

It would involve writing, the internet, research, and/or organizing/cleaning.

6. Do your friends/family/coworkers know about your blog?

Some do. Most do not.

7. How long does it take you to write an average blog post?

Here, about 10 minutes or so. On the rare days I post elsewhere, it takes longer.

8. How do you keep up with the blogs you follow?

Inoreader, now that Google pulled the plug on GReader and Bloglines bailed.

9. What is your bedtime?

I'm usually in bed by 10.

10. Introvert or extrovert?

More introvert than not.

11. What is your biggest wish?

"I always drink to world peace."

12. What is the best job you ever had?

Being a mom has been wonderful. I also really like cataloging at work, and to a great extent, doing reference work.

13. Dog person/cat person/both/neither?

I prefer dogs, but since I'm allergic to both (moreso cats, but dogs too), I'm a "neither" nowadays.

14. If you had $1,000 to spend any way you wanted, what would you do with it?

I'd go order new kitchen counters RIGHT NOW.

15. How do you “dress” your toast?

Mostly just butter. Sometimes honey.

16. How do you feel about snow?

As long as I'm inside looking at it, I love snow. When I have to be dealing with moving it, or driving in it, I'm less thrilled.

17. What was the worst job you ever had?

Lately, my current job has been a bear--many many days of sitting in my driveway not wanting to pull out and head to work. Otherwise, my first full-time job was often absolutely awful.

18. What song can you not stop listening to?

"Uptown Funk" gets stuck in my head ALL THE TIME.

19. Love your name or hate it?

I'm ok with it at this point. I used to hate it.

20. How did you choose your blog/twitter handle?

My blog 'name' is a shortened version of my job. My Twitter name is my initials, but I rarely tweet.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Anyday Meme

1. What is your dream career, and what path do you plan to take to get there?

I'm in it, and I take the same path to it every morning. Unless I detour past McD's for a large diet Coke.

2. Who do you aspire most to be like?

Do I sound like a lunatic if my answer is "Jesus"?

3. What do you like in a best friend?

Someone who likes me, who has a sense of humor and a sense of boundaries.

4. Do you currently have any squishes (people you really want to be best friends with)?

There are some people I'd like to get to know better, but as much as I like the concept of 'squishes' I don't think I have any right now.

5. What is your ideal platonic relationship?

Hanging out laughing, doing nothing much, talking about books and people and Important Things.

6. Best late night IM/phone conversation story.

I don't really do late-night stuff--too busy sleeping. Unless you count the call I made to neighbors last month at 3 a.m. because my house was flooding and Beast was bleeding.

7. List one person you’d like to wear the sweater of, one person you’d like to bake cookies with, and one person you’d like to drive around and get lost with. (can be celebrities or fictional characters, has to be three different people and not all the same person)

I would love to still have one of my dad's sweaters, unwashed, that smelled of him. I'll bake cookies--or just eat cookie dough!!--with Amy and/or Jenny. Getting lost would be fun on my own, or with Sparky if I'm feeling mean--he HATES being lost!

8. Describe your current best friend(s).

If you do a search on the blog for "best friends" you'll find many descriptions of them. I'm rather fiercely loyal to my besties; the list hasn't changed.

9. What is a strange, little-known fact about you?

I do my own pedicures. Only had about three "professional" ones in my life.

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

Does "Grandma" count?

11. If you could have tea and pleasant conversation with one person, who would it be?

Dorothy Parker.

12. If you had a time machine, what era would you go to?

I'd like to go whenever it meant that I'd have a) absolutely equal rights with men, and b) meds that would make my dog allergies moot.

13. What celebrity or historical figure would you love to have as your best friend and why?

I think Jennifer Garner would be fun to hang out with.

14. What fictional character would you love to have as your best friend and why?

Laura Ingalls and I are already best buds.

15. If you could have one wish, what would it be (cannot be related to romance or sex)?

World peace and justice. I know, but really....can't we just stop fighting for awhile??

16. If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only take one item, what would it be?

A rescue flare.

17. If you could pick one career other than the one you are pursuing/plan to pursue, what would it be?

Professional sleeper.

[and with that answer, I keeled over on the sofa and slept for an hour]

18. What is your best memory you have with a friend?

Awkward-wording much? I have a lot of great friend memories. Let's go with my best friend in junior high/high school walking to my house after school one day and rolling around in hysterics shouting my middle name. ... I have no idea.

19. Do you have any peculiar interests that most people don’t know about?

I love reading about early church history, the history of the era of Jesus, and how Christianity got started.

20. What were your favorite childhood toys? Do you still have them?

I have one little stuffed pink mouse from my childhood, and my Raggedy Anne doll. Neither is in good shape. RI shouldn't be doused in perfume, for one thing.

21. Favorite baked good?

Oh, no, I'm not playing favorites here! I love them all.

22. If your best friend were here right now, what would you do with them (cannot list best friend as your romantic/sexual partner) ?

There would be giggling. That's all I'm saying.

23. Who would you love to play video games with?

Someone who sucks only slightly less than I do at them. Which excludes almost everyone I know under 40 (and a few over 40).

24. If you could visit any country, which one would it be?

I would like to see Egypt before I die.

25. Are there any friends you miss having around?

All of them.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Stitches

1. Where on your body have you had stitches, and what were the circumstances?

   The only places Iv'e had stitches have been for surgery: on my abdomen and my throat.

2. Who most recently left you in stitches?

   I'm prone to laughing really hard to "Whose Line Is It?" to the point of crying.

3. “A stitch in time saves nine,” says the proverb, which means that mending one small tear in a fabric now prevents having to make nine stitches later when the damage is worse. How has this been illustrated in your life?

   Well, prevention is almost always cheaper than repair. I'm a big believer in it. Beast isn't so aware of it in terms of clothing, but in other ways he's all over this idea.

4. What are your thoughts on Disney’s Lilo & Stitch?

   Never saw it.

5. What experience do you have with needle and thread?

   I can sew. I don't like it much, but I can do basic stuff by hand and with a machine. I still have a lot of the thread that came with my sewing box when I got married. Yes, it was an engagement gift from my sister Ellen. I like embroidery, though.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
But Seriously…

1. What’s something most people just don’t take seriously enough?

   Other people's feelings.

2. What’s something most people take too seriously?

   Themselves.

3. What kind of serious business are you up to today?

   Well, I worked till 2, which was seriously annoying for several reasons.

4. When did you last get the giggles at a time when you were expected to be serious?

   I'm rather hopeless at laughing inappropriately. I don't care, though. I try NOT to laugh AT people, though, or rather I try to assure people that my nervous (or otherwise mistimed) giggles are not directed at them.

5. What are some foods you think of as serious, and what are some you think of as funny?

   Brussels sprouts, onions, bread, steak, and pie are serious. Cake, carrots, apples, peanut butter, and pizza are funny.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Threes Meme

1. Three things that scare me:

green-yellow skies, something bad happening to my loved ones, deep water.

2. Three people who make me laugh:

Beast, Sparky, Amy.

3. Three things I love:

baked goods, blue sky, pine forests.

4. Three things I hate:

liver & onions, weeks and weeks of gray weather, mean people.

5. Three things I don't understand:

high-level math, people who enjoy gamesmanship, Chinese.

6. Three things on my desk:

At home: Palm Sunday palms from Florence, Sparky's Robin Hood hat from Nottingham, lots and lots and lots of paper.
At work: books, empty ink cartridges, lots and lots and lots of paper.

7. Three things I'm doing right now:

breathing, trying not to scratch, meming.

8. Three things I want to do before I die:

get to know my grandchild(ren), travel to Egypt, live in the mountains.

9. Three things I can do:

proofread (other people's writing), live in the moment, make awesome mac n cheese.

10. Three things I can't do:

the splits, trigonometry, keep things tidy.

11. Three things you should listen to:

God, my inner voice, Bach.

12. Three things you should never listen to:

that other inner voice, racist/sexist hip-hop, other people's conversations.

13. Three things I'd like to learn:

Greek, proper knitting (and I'd like to learn to enjoy it too), self-control.

14. Three favorite foods:

pasta, tiramisu, cheese. Not in one dish, though, please.

15. Three beverages I drink regularly:

water, diet Dr. Pepper, diet Coke.

16. Three shows I watched as a kid:

Little House on the Prairie, M*A*S*H, 60 Minutes. Yes really.
In the daytime, it was Bewitched, Gilligan's Island, I Dream of Jeannie.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Why Do You Want To Know That Meme?

1. What TV gameshow/reality show would you like to be on?

I used to think I'd do ok on Jeopardy! These days I'm not so sure. It might be fun to do Deal or No Deal if that's still on.

2. What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?

I have no idea. That was probably close to 30 years ago. Maybe RHPS?

3. If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?

Retirement. In other words, I'd either dump it all in savings/investment, or pay off the mortgage and then save the rest.

4. One place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to?

We were watching a show about Moscow this morning. Now I desperately want to go back to Russia. In warm weather this time.

5. Do you trust easily?

Depends on what we're talking about. Yes, in some ways like expecting people to do their jobs properly and things of that sort. Not so much when it comes to keeping secrets and being reliable about time.

6. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?

A bit of both. I'm getting much better at thinking things through, but still fly off the handle regularly.

7. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?

I wish Beast's recovery was going better. That is, I wish it were moving faster. And my boss/work in general pisses me off at least weekly. Even this week, when I wasn't even there the whole time!

8. Do you have a good body image?

I'm realistic.

9. What is your favorite fruit?

Pears.

10. I’m always being asked…

... if I used to work/live somewhere else where I've never been. I look like EVERYone, apparently.

11. The last big belly laugh I had was…

... prior to my surgery. I can't remember exactly, but it had something to do with Whose Line Is It Anyway?

12. What websites do you visit daily?

Facebook, Blogger, Gmail, Inoreader, GoodReads, Random.org at home. Connexion, NIC, SAM, Amazon, work's homepage, Daily Schedule, IMdB, EBSCO, WorldCat, LCSH-ES and LOC Authorities at work, along with the first list.

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?

Open-necked shirts. I don't have very many warm ones, so it's mostly PJs this week.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

I didn't get tagged, but the person who posted this is weirdly similar to me except she lives 1000+ as the crow flies from me and teaches high school in a lovely--but cold!--part of the world when she's not knitting and/or reading.

15. What's the last song that got stuck in your head?

I haven't heard much actual music this week, so I have luckily not had anything stuck.

16. Favorite clothing?

Right now it's flannel and heavy cotton; warm things.

17. Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?

Only when they've been turned into Rice Krispie Treats.

18. What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground?

I'd look to see if someone dropped it, and if it were a hopeless cause (like the middle of a park or a street), I'd keep it, and probably use it for something not-so-much-for-me. If it were in a shop or something, I'd probably turn it in to the information desk.

19. Items you couldn't go without during the day?

Chapstick, glasses, food, air. The usual.

20. What should you be doing right now?

I don't really have a "supposed to" list this week. I just took some Tylenol. Beast just turned off the TV, so I think I'm going to read some fairy tales and hold the guinea piggies while Beast cleans their cage.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six

1. When is the last time you spent time, in person, with your best friend?

Aside from Beast, it's been a VERY long time, over a year, probably close to 16 or 17 months. Missed a chance today, probably my last chance in a few months.

2. When is the last time you went for a drive with absolutely nowhere to go and no plan in mind, but just wanted to see a new place?

I used to drive around incessantly...haven't done it lately. Not for a really long time.

3. When is the last time you walked along a beach?

Last month, actually.

4. When is the last time you found a way to truly think “outside the box”?

I pretty much have to do this every day when I'm at the Reference Desk.

5. When is the last time you literally did “laugh out loud”?

When I slid on top of Beast giving him a hug in his chair a half an hour ago or so.

6. When is the last time you took what you genuinely felt was a major leap of faith?

The last time I thought Beast was drinking.