Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Thanks a LOT

1. What would you sarcastically like to thank your local government for?

   "Thank you for not giving me access to the lake I pay taxes to take care of."

2. What would you sarcastically like to thank your body for?

   "Thanks for falling apart right on schedule."

3. What would you sarcastically like to thank your neighbors for?

   "Thanks for the fireworks at random times ALL THE DAMNED YEAR!"

4. What would you sarcastically like to thank the internet for?

   "Thanks for keeping me informed of all the truthiness."

5. What would you sarcastically like to thank November for?

   "Thanks for the truly miserable weather."

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Lady Bird
Five questions inspired by the new Greta Gerwig film Lady Bird, which I recommend.

1. What was moving out of your parents’ home like?

   After I graduated from college, I went home for about three weeks, packed up my life (??) and when I left in June it was to get married. It was weird, looking back from here.

2. What makes popular kids in high school popular, and how were you like or unlike them?

   I don't have a clue where the "popular" comes from. It seems to be some combination of looks, smarts (not necessarily academics), and protection of some kind. I was not in the cool crowd.

3. When you were in high school, where in the neighborhood did schoolmates hang out?

   In my neighborhood, there were no other kids. Seriously, two blocks in either direction there were a grand total of 10 people under 20. However, we had a local mall that was at that time the biggest in the world (yay us) and most kids hung out there.

4. What was learning to drive like?

   My dad was pretty good about it. Mom was psycho. My driver's ed teacher was creepy and useless. I didn't get my license till about 6 months after I turned 16.

5. What were your most difficult and least difficult subjects in high school?

   I intentionally didn't take hard science classes, because those would have been hard. Otherwise, gym was probably my worst class. I was good in literally every other class, really enjoyed myself.

Saturday 9 x 4

(Link in meme-roll)
Monster Mash (1962)
Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here.

1) In your younger days, did you ever trick or treat while dressed as a monster or ghoul?

I don't think so. I don't remember most of my costumes, but I can't see my parents doing anything scarier with me than basic black-hatted witch.

2) Do you enjoy being frightened by celluloid boys-gone-bad, like Michael Myers (Halloween) or Jason (Friday the 13th)?

Not at all. Have not seen any of these movies, ever.

3) When you were a kid, did you ever TP a neighbor's house or indulge in any other Halloween acts of vandalism? (Don't worry, the statute of limitations is up.)

Absolutely not.

4) Will you be attending any Halloween parties this year? If so, will you dress up?

Oops, uh, no. I wasn't home at all on Halloween: worked 7 a.m to 6 p.m., met my sponsor for dinner, then went to a meeting, arrived back home around 9:30.

5) Can you see any Halloween decorations as you answer these 9 questions?

Nope. Then again, next week is Thanksgiving, so I wouldn't be likely to see much at this point, even if I could see outside.

6) While Halloween is most popular in the United States and Canada, and isn't really celebrated at all in Japan or South Korea. How would you explain our Halloween customs to a visitor from another land?

Kids run around in costume begging for candy. It's a bit weird.

7) "Monster Mash" is one of Halloween's most played songs. Are you happy to hear it every year? Or does it set your teeth on edge?

I actually never heard it this year.

8) This week's featured artist, Bobby "Boris" Pickett, started as a stand-up comedian who incorporated his imitations of Boris Karlof and Bela Lugosi into his act. Can you impersonate anyone?

I don't think so.

9) Dick Clark was an impossibly young looking 33 in this week's featured clip. Are you often told you look good for your age?

Well, last week someone asked if Beast is my son. He's literally 6 days younger than me. Yeah, that was a suuuper-good day.

+ + + + + + +

Suddenly I See (2005)Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is a tribute to Patti Smith, the rocker who inspired KT Tunstall. What woman who has inspired you?

My mom and grandmothers. Gloria Steinem. Margaret Sanger. Sandra Day O'Connor. People from my church(es).

2) In this video, you can see a turntable and an LP. When is the last time you played a record?

Oh boy. Decades. I mean, our stereo is set up and ready to go, but it's too much hassle to get out the records themselves. Oh. Wait. I played a 78 on our Crosley to put it onto a CD for work last year.

3) Growing up, Ms. Tunstall seldom sang at home because her father is severely hearing impaired and music interfered with his sensitive hearing aid. Do you, or does anyone in your family, wear a hearing aid?

My dad did. No one here does now though. The day is probably coming.

4) In high school, she got experience performing on street corners. Have you ever tipped a street musician?

Ayup.

5) When this song was popular, Microsoft introduced the Xbox 360 to North America. Are you into gaming?

Not really. Sparky very happily presented something on our Skype call today, "See what I just got?!" It's a game. "It's the NEW Pokemon game; it just came out." Oh.

6) In 2005, Prince Charles married his long-time love, Camilla Parker Bowles. At the time of their wedding, 73% of Brits said they disapproved of her. Today, her popularity has increased somewhat and her disapproval has dropped to 55%. Do you know anyone who married someone you didn't like? Did their spouse grow on you with time?

Yes. And no.

7) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was popular in theaters. Who is your favorite "Harry Potter" character?

Hermione of course!! ...though I have a soft spot for Ron, too.

8) In 2005, YouTube was introduced by three young men who met while working at PayPal. What's the last thing you paid for using PayPal?

I have never used PayPal. That's rather shocking, I guess.

9) Random Question: After a long, exhausting day of travel, you check into a motel. The room is not at all to your liking. It's next to the ice machine, so you can hear cubes dropping noisily into metal buckets. Your view is of the parking lot. The bathtowels and thin and tiny. In short, you feel like you're being ripped off. Do you grab your bag, turn on your heel and check out, hoping there are better accommodations nearby? Or do you say, "What the hell, it's only one night," and climb into bed?

Depends on how tired I am and if the bathroom is clean. If I'm beat...I'll probably just crash and then leave a rude note online. If the bathroom is scummy though, I'm definitely out. Dirty bathroom, buggy bed, bye-bye.

+ + + + + + +

Get Down Tonight (1975)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Tonight, KC has three things on his "to-do" list: do a little dance, make a little love and get down. Tell us three things you'd like to accomplish this weekend.

Update the checkbook and balance it. Take a bath. Make a list of all the calls and errands I need to do Monday.

2) This week's song is considered emblematic of disco, a genre that had as many detractors as fans. Is there a kind of music you simply cannot stand?

I don't like experimental weirdness that is clearly just pompous self-aggrandizement.

3) Before becoming a musician, KC, aka Harry Casey, worked in a record store. In those days, record stores were very popular. Peaches, Coconuts, Sam Goody and Tower Records are four store chains that once dotted the landscape but now are gone. Today, if you wanted to purchase a CD, where would you turn?

Amazon.

4) One of his duties at the record store was unloading the big corrugated shippers filled with LPs. What's the heaviest thing you've lifted lately?

I've been humping stuff in and out of various medical facilities pretty much daily--this last one, I'm bringing in clothes and schlepping them back home to wash every day. Thank God our water is free.

5) KC is proud that he's lived his entire life in Miami-Dade County. Do you expect to change your address in the next year or so?

It is eminently possible if Beast can't figure out stairs but is otherwise able to come home.

6) In 1975, the year this song was popular, former Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa disappeared, never to be seen again. Many theories flourish about what may have happened to him. Is there a famous criminal case that has a hold on your attention?

I've been addicted to Jack the Ripper since sophomore/junior year of high school. I've done two term papers on him and that era/place in history.

7) Jaws was the most popular movie of 1975. Are you afraid of sharks?

Not particularly. I can't swim, so....

8) Actress Angelina Jolie was born in 1975. People magazine once named her "most beautiful." Who is the most beautiful woman you can think of?

That I know personally? I work with a couple of striking women. I can't think of anyone I think who stops traffic or anything...

9) Random question: A wizard offers you a choice -- would you like your life to stay as it is right now (in terms of your health, your career, your relationships and your finances) for the next 5 years, or would you like to take a chance that the future will be brighter?

Oh, hell, the future has to be better than the present! Right?

+ + + + + + +

Son of a Preacher Man (1968)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, who turned it down. What's the most recent thing that you said "no" to?

Helping Beast in the bathroom this afternoon. This is what the nurses are paid for. Most of the rest of the stuff that goes on there, I'm willing to help with. Not that, though.

2) Two years later, Aretha recorded "Son of a Preacher Man." What's something you changed your mind about?

I've been doing a lot of back-and-forth about Beast coming home.

3) This song tells the tale of Billy Ray, a young man who could be very persuasive. If we wanted to change your mind about something, would you be more easily swayed by an emotional argument, or with verifiable facts?

I would be unlikely to be swayed by someone trying to change my mind at all. I don't do well with being told what to do.

4) If you ordered a "Son of a Preacher Man" in a bar, you'd get a cocktail made with peppermint schnapps, gin and lemonade. When did you last have lemonade? Was it just lemonade, or was it spiked with alcohol?

Good gawd that sounds AWFUL! I can't even think of a time I've had lemonade in the past 6 months. It's not really my thing, but it would have been just lemonade.

5) Dusty had a thing for maps. She admired them artistically and enjoyed using them to take long car trips. Do you use printed maps? Or do you rely on technology, like GPS or Google Maps?

I almost exclusively use the GPS in my car, and look at Google Maps ahead of time.

6) As a girl, she attended convent school. There, one of the nuns discouraged Dusty from performing, telling her that if she would do better to be a mother or a librarian. When you were growing up, did the adults in your world encourage your dreams?

Nope. Which is ridiculous, actually, considering that I come from a long line of women who worked for pay.

7) That nun inspired Dusty's first major act of rebellion. In an attempt to make herself look less like a future librarian or housewife, she bleached her hair platinum blonde. In school, were you much of a rebel? Or did you conform to the expectations adults had of you?

Oh, I was quiet and relatively well-behaved in school. But remember those striking-looking women? One of them has several tats, wears 6" heels and short skirts, dyes her hair in random colorful streaks....and is a librarian. So, hey nun, fuck right off.

8) Early in her career, Dusty provided the entertainment at a family summer camp. She appeared on the bill with a clown, a fire-eater and a hypnotist. Have you ever been hypnotized?

Nope. Hell to the no, not in public for sure!!

9) Random question: Have you ever played matchmaker to your friends? If yes, did your efforts lead to romance?

I have, to spectacularly zero effect. Setting up two non-communicative people is just stupid.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Q & A Questions

1. where is your significant other?

About 10 feet away from me in his recliner eating M&Ms, watching golf, and reading the news. Probably throwing heat into his back as well. He's quite the multitasker, my Beastie.

2. your favorite thing?

WHERE is it? I'm not even sure I HAVE a favorite thing that can be located. OK, I kind of OD'd on my mom's day gift Friday: The Hamilton Mixtape. I've got all the songs buzzing around my head in confusion this weekend. The actual CD is currently in the car.

3. your dream last night?

I don't remember anything from last night. Of late, Beast is the one having all the weird dreams. Mine have been unmemorable, literally.

4. your goal?

I don't "do" goals.

5. your hobby?

Reading. Although of late, I've been doing more napping and noodling on the Internet.

6. where do you want to be in 6 years?

I'd like to be right here. I have a feeling, however, that we'll need to move to a flat house (i.e. a ranch) in that time frame because of Beast's health issues. We'll see. It's not something I want to do, certainly.

7. where were you last night?

I was here on the sofa till about 8:30 when we went to bed.

8. what you're not?

I'm not a lot of things: short, stupid, male, African... In fact, I'm probably more NOT than AM.

9. one of your wish list items?

I had to go look at my wish list on Amazon. I'll go with this: Cartier Zeste de Soleil Eau de Toilette Spray

10. your pet?

Pinto Bean the guinea pig is what we have left. How will I answer this question when he's gone??

11. missing someone?

I was seriously missing Dad this morning at church. We sang a song that never fails to remind me of him.

12. your car?

Is blue.

13. something you're not wearing?

Sox.

14. love someone?

Do I? Yes.

15. when is the last time you laughed?

About 5 minutes ago when our neighbor kid came to the door and peered in. He was finishing up mowing and he'd already come to the door about 4 times today, so I laughed and told him, "Just come in; you basically live here now."

16. last time you cried?

Friday? Definitely Thursday. No Kleenex in the ER, either--I was handed a stack of gauze pads.

17. favorite past time?

Sleep.

18. are you a hater or a lover?

I'm working hard on removing hate from the equation, so the default is lover. Truthfully, I'm aiming more at "don't care, don't matter."

19. any vices?

Yeah, I'm not mastering this "eating healthy" thing at all.

20. favorite questions blog other than Sunday Stealing?

Saturday 9, Friday 5, Unconscious Mutterings. There are some weekday ones I'd like to do, but I just do not have the energy/time for them. Many of my favorites are listed in the Memeroll to the right.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
I Won't Last a Day without You (1972)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.*

1) This song makes reference to rainbows. Have you seen one lately?

It hasn't been sunny around here during rain lately. No rainbows. Just a lot of water falling down. OTOH, several gay friends post rainbows regularly on Facebook, so....

2) When Sam heard this song, it occurred to her that she wouldn't last a day without a game of online Yahtzee. What little commonplace pleasure reliably brightens your day?

I have my crosswords and Nook games at bedtime that soothe me into restfulness.

3) Richard Carpenter was emphatic that his group's name was "Carpenters," NO "the." Whenever he hears the group referred to as "The Carpenters," it gets on his nerves. What little commonplace annoyance reliably sets you off?

"Jew-ler-ee" is not a word. Neither are "Lye-ber-ree", "N(y)oo-ku-lur" or "Ho-made." That last one is at least mildly amusing.

4) Karen Carpenter said she drank iced tea all day long. What beverage do you think you'll have with your next meal?

Diet Dr. Pepper. I suppose you could count the big handful of raw walnuts as lunch, and I'm currently drinking DDP.

5) "I Won't Last a Day without You" was written by Oscar-winning composer Paul Williams. He also tried his hand at acting, most notably appearing with Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit. Back in the 1970s, the three movies in the Smokey series were very popular. Have you seen any of them?

Uh, yeah, hello! I was on the young end of the prime demographic for watching Burt Reynolds in his heyday. I've always thought he and Sally (Field) were the perfect couple. ...sigh

6) This song was recorded in 1973 by Diana Ross. Now in her 70s, Miss Ross is still going strong with a busy calendar of appearances in 2017. What's your favorite Diana Ross song?

I've been hearing "I'm Coming Out" quite regularly lately on Spotify (see footnote below), but my favorite is "MacArthur Park" just because it's so freakin' over-the-top and melodramatic! I worry about that cake being out in the rain...

7) In 1972, the year this song was popular, the United States and the United Kingdom joined forces and launched the Copernicus satellite. Today it's remembered for the discovery of long-period pulsars. Crazy Sam got bored writing this question. Do you enjoy reading about science?

Not astronomy. Beast is the Science Stud in my house, though I enjoy some biology/physiology stuff. Chemistry, physics, astronomy....yaaaaawwnnnnnn! My niece is an astrophysicist and even SHE doesn't work in her field!

8) Before Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz was American's premier Olympic swimmer. In 1972 he won seven Gold Medals. After making millions in endorsements and TV appearances, he settled into a career as a realtor in Los Angeles. Are you contemplating a change in residence any time soon? If you move, will you be consulting a realtor?

Mark Spitz is a realtor!? (hey, there's another word that is on my list of peeves: it's "ree-uhl-tor" not "ree-luh-tur"!) OK, the thought of moving makes me physically ill, but I think we need to start being realistic. Beast struggles up our stairs, and there are a lot of them--7 to get to the main floor from outside, 15 to the 2nd floor bedrooms, another 7 down to the basement--and I worry that I'm going to find him dead at the bottom one day after a fall. He, of course, wants to stay put here. And before we really consider moving, we need to repaint and replace some floors. And then we'll call one of the many realtors we know, yes.

9) Random question: Which of these is completely, 100% UNTRUE of you -- boring, lazy or stupid?

I'm not 100% stupid. I have my blonde moments (my hair is going from dark brown to gray, so I'm getting closer to blonde these days anyway!), but I'm far lazier and more boring than I am stupid.

_____________
*Yet again, I heard this song this past week. We have to stop listening to the same Spotify, Sam!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The King of the Beasts Meme

1. Would you post a picture of you for us?

Probably not. I'm pretty incognito here. Oh, all right. If you insist.

2. Would you date an 18-year-old at the age you are now?

Hell no! Just the mere thought of dealing with 18-year-old...ugh.

3. Do you prefer to work with women or men? Why?

I have spent my career working mostly with women. I often think a superfluity of men might be a nice change.

4. Do you have any opposite sex friends?

Yes I do. I even have an intersex friend. [I'm not a fan of this question]

5. Can you commit to one person?

I've been married for 29 years and 355 days. Any guesses?

6. If you’re married or in a relationship have you ever been tempted to cheat?

Not seriously. Nope.

7. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2018?

Probably not. Maybe? Who knows, really?

8. If the person you are interested in says they like someone else, what would try to sway them?

I'd be pissed. Forget "sway"--I'd be busy throwing his ass to the curb.

9. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Better than I used to be, but I also care less than I did when I was younger. Mostly I'm in hiding at work every day all day, and let it all out everywhere else.

11. When was the last time you cried?

This past week, I think? I don't remember. It happens so often it's a bit hard to track.

12. Have you ever fell for someone you didn’t expect to?

Oh, the grammar! Ack. And yes. Bigtime. Quote from me in high school: "I'd never date a football player!!" Hah.

13. What is something you have to do tomorrow?

Get up and go to work. Call Angela to make an appointment to talk about wills. That's two things.

14. Name something you dislike about the day you’re having.

I'm not getting a great deal accomplished. And I feel a little guilty about bailing on a social commitment that starts in half an hour.

15. Have you ever wanted more from one of your best friends of the opposite sex?

....plock

16. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have?

Of course.
...so basically the person who wrote this basically WAS 18, which makes that first question a lot less icky....

17. Who was the last person you talked to before you went to bed last night?

Beast of course.

18. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?

Yup.

19. When was the last time that you were jealous in a romance situation?

Eons.

20. If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?

It would have been nice if 1994 hadn't rolled out the way it did. But it did, and I survived somehow.

21. Did you have a good day yesterday? What did you do?

Beast and I spent Friday night in the town where Sparky lives, which is also where we went to college. Yesterday we helped him move The Big Stuff--furniture, bed, TV--out of his old apartment and into his new place. The apartment he's leaving is adorable and cool, but his roommate has been a nightmare. I hadn't visited while he lived there, and OMG the kitchen! OMG OMG OMG. I'm not a clean-freak at all, but eew the smell alone was unreal. His new one smells strongly of smoke, and looks like 1977 never really went away. But he's his own boss now--so maybe the kitchen won't stink when I see him next.

22. If a person you had wished you could have a relationship with for a long time and you suddenly found yourself together alone, what would you be doing right now?

Correcting the wording of this question because it will take that long to figure out....

23. Do you replay things that have happened in your head?

I can be a bit obsessive, yes.

24. Don’t tell me lies, is the last person you texted attractive?

It was Beast, so.

25. Is your life anything like it was two years ago? Is it a good or bad thing?

It's better. Mostly. Not always, not permanently, but overall better.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Consider Yourself Meme

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6) Have problems sleeping?

Do I? Uh, yeah.

7) Are you free with your feelings?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Getting yelled at by someone I care about.

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

With. I would be dead without technology.

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

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

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

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

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Hello, Dolly (1964)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about a woman returning to the town where she was happiest. How many towns have you lived in?

Technically, six, though at 8 addresses.

2) Crazy Sam played Ernestina in her high school production of Hello, Dolly! and still remembers one of her lines: "Hey, you with the big ears! What are you doing after the show?" Tell us something that you memorized for school that is still rattling around in your brain.

"About above across after against along around among at..." from Mrs. White's list of prepositions we had to memorize in 7th grade.

3) This week's featured artist, Louis Armstrong, got his start entertaining diners on riverboat dinner cruises. Have you ever taken a dinner cruise?

Yes, actually, on Lake Erie for MIL and FIL's anniversary dinner many years ago.

4) Armstrong took his nickname, "Satchmo," from "Satchel Mouth" -- a slang term for someone with a wide mouth, which Louis believed was his most distinguishing feature. What do you think people notice first about you?

These days, it's probably my weight. I'd like it to be my smile.

5) In 1936, Louis became the first African American to get featured billing in a Hollywood movie. Have you seen any of this summer's big movies?

Nope.

6) When "Hello, Dolly" composer Jerry was growing up, he was close to an aunt named Belle who encouraged his love of music. Tell us about one of your aunts or uncles.

The only one I have any firm memories of is Aunt Miriam, my dad's sister. Her kids were only slightly older than me. There were my mother's brothers, but they were gone before I was old enough to have any memories of them...and family conflict essentially cut us off anyway before I was 6. Aunt Miriam was pretty uptight and "weird" but she did buy Marcia (her daughter) and me sno-cones once, which I remember my parents being pissed off about for some reason.

7) Though famous for composing the scores of Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry Herman can't read music. Can you?

Yes I can. Since I was a wee tot.

8) Now retired, Mr. Herman lives in Miami. This is Miami's "wet season," which lasts into October. When did it last rain where you are?

Tuesday? I think? It's been chilly and cloudy a lot this week, with some gully-washers.

9) Random question: Have you suffered a sunburn this summer?

Nope. Haven't been in the sun at all.

Sunday Salon

(Link in meme-roll)

Scene: Living room. 8:23 a.m. Beast is upstairs showering. We've checked in our sleep overnight and recovery from yesterday's moving day. Looks like a cloudy, potentially-rainy day outside.

Today's Plan: We're off to church in 20 minutes. Then home where I will rearrange what's left in Sparky's room, sort and start laundry, and clean the guinea pig cage. Beast needs to do the bills. We'll probably watch a race.

Drinking: I should just skip this one: the answer is always the same. Diet Dr. Pepper straight from the can.

Listening to: It's very quiet in the house: clock ticking, laptop keys tick-tacking as I type, and the laptop fan. I love living where it's quiet. I can hear Beast getting ready and feeding the piggies. He's got his usual "drainage cough" which he refuses to see a doctor about....

Participating in: The usual. I got a jury duty summons this week for the entire month of September; it's for grand-jury, rather than petit, which explains the longer time for service. Also, kinda more fun from my perspective.

Blogging about: The usual. Spending more time on Facebook and reading other people's stuff than writing my own. I did finish a couple of books this week, so I need to update the reviews on GoodReads and transfer them to the book blog.

Giving thanks for: I'm really pleased at the place Sparky moved into yesterday. It's very small but adorable and full of character. We got to meet one of his longest-term college friends--but not his roommate, weirdly, even though he was supposed to have been there "all day"--and I snuck in some religious quotes by lining his dresser drawers with wrapping paper with Bible verses. God's got his back, even though he doesn't seem to "need" God right now. So today is my first official full day as an Empty Nester.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Looking for Alaska

1. Alaska’s motto is “North to the future.” Where’s somewhere north you’ll be traveling some time in the future?

   We'll be moving Sparky into his first real apartment in about 3 weeks. It's about an hour north of here, which means his commute to his most distant workplace will be 35 minutes instead of 90. The nearer workplace will be about 6 blocks.

2. Alaska is the westernmost of the [continental] United States. What’s the farthest west you’ve been in your country?

   California. Specifically, San Francisco.

3. Alaska’s state flower is the forget-me-not. What’s something you really need to remember to take care of before the weekend’s up?

   Hmm, can't think of anything I need to do. Other people have lists of things; I have to work tomorrow and I have a funeral to attend Sunday but otherwise no commitments. Well, I suppose I should get a card for the funeral....

4. Alaska has cities named Chicken, Beaver, Pelican, Eagle, Badger, and Bear Creek. What place names near where you live are named after animals?

   We have some water named after critters--rivers, lakes, etc.--and some towns named after the water. But I can't think of any animal towns. There's a Beaverton 'area' inside the county, and much further places named after buffalo, eagles, and elk. Otherwise...not a lot of animal stuff. Mostly, the names around here are early settlers or places people came from.

5. What’s something interesting you know about Alaska?

   I suspect that there is probably a hefty percentage of residents with some Russian and/or Asian blood in their veins. It would be interesting to know how many people still speak Russian at home. I could go look it up but I'm lazy tonight.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Here I Go Again (1982)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song originally appeared on Whitesnake's Saints and Sinners album. Are you feeling more saintly or sinful this morning?

I have serious Protestant Guilt Issues, so I'm almost always feeling sinful in some way. Today, I should be cooking and cleaning and doing laundry. But I'm not, I'm doing this instead.

2) Whitesnake was formed by Brit David Coverdale, who now lives in Lake Tahoe, NV. Have you ever wanted to relocate to another country?

I used to think it would be more fun to live somewhere else, but in the end I wouldn't want to be there forever. My sister married an Englishman and spent her entire adult life in England, raising kids, working, etc. It was financially hard on them but they did bring the family to the States (and we traveled there) often enough that we are still close with all of them.

3) In the song, Coverdale says he "was born to walk alone." Do you enjoy time on your own? Or do you quickly get bored or lonely?

I like being alone. I grew up with no other kids in the house, so I learned early to entertain myself.

4) During the band's 1980s heyday, Coverdale was known for his skintight leather pants. Do you own leather pants or slacks?

Uhm, no. Never have. Imagine how warm and sweaty they'd be! Ick.

5) What about snakeskin?

I do not own any skakeskin clothes, either. Where in the world would I buy, much less wear, that?!

6) It's estimated that 20,000 people die of snake bite every year. Approximately 1,000 suffer fatal spider bites. Less than 50 are killed each year by sharks. Considering sharks, spiders and snakes, which do you find scariest?

Since I can't swim, sharks barely make my Top 1000 Scary Things. Snakes at least you can see if you're watching and avoid most of the time. And most of them aren't poisonous. Spiders are stealthy, though, and usually small and hard to see and have more venom by size than snakes. Beast was bitten by a spider in high school and his arm swelled up tremendously and still occasionally twinges in a not-football-injury-way. So, I give spiders the win, but I actually live in a part of the country where none of them are particularly scary; I actually like the spiders around here because they eat the skeeters.

7) In 1982, when this song was popular, the world lost Princess Grace of Monaco. Before she became a royal, she was film star Grace Kelly. Have you ever seen a Grace Kelly movie?

I actually don't think I have. My dad thought she was absolutely wonderful though, and didn't really 'approve' of many movies made after she 'retired.'

8) Speaking of movies, the top-grossing film of 1982 was ET: The Extra Terrestrial. Have you seen it?

Of course. More than once, of course. I even saw it in a theater, which is fairly uncommon for me. ... I wonder if Sparky has seen it? Probably when he was little. We used to (still do?) own a VHS copy of it.

9) Random question: How many timepieces will you have to reset when we spring ahead this weekend?

Four in the kitchen, two in the living room, two in my bedroom. Sparky can reset the one in his room. Eventually we should do those in the spare room and the basement. Our phones and ereaders will reset themselves, thank God!! I can't remember if my car resets itself.
I'm just glad I don't work tomorrow--all our clocks will have to be reset before we open, which makes for a lot of hassle. We always miss a couple as well, so we'll be playing catch-up all week.

For me this song will always and forever be about Tawny Kitaen's antics on the hood of the car. And, well, inside the car. Ever notice she and Coverdale have the same hairstyle in the video? ;-D

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) What cartoon character best represents your personal philosophy?

I'm a fan of both "Underdog" and "Mighty Mouse." Perhaps it's because it's harder to find them so I'm not bored with them, but even as a kid I preferred them to the Warner Bros and Disney cartoons.

2) What makes a good neighbor? If you have an exceptional one, give them a shout-out (anonymously or not).

I'm surrounded by really good neighbors, several of whom happen to be named "Cindy" but I'm pretty sure that's not why they're so awesome. The guys are pretty cool too. ;-)

3) If you could live a nomadic life, would you? Where would you go? How would you decide? What would life be like without a "home base"?

I wouldn't mind spending part of the year RVing around, or maybe doing that for a solid block of time till I got sick to death of it. If it were Beast and me, we'd probably do something like take turns, or maybe he'd just let me pick and he'd do all the driving. I would always want to have a home to come back to, though.

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 is an historical photo of a sharecropper's son in the first half of the 20th century. He's adorable, but very solemn and somewhat anxious-looking. And check those overalls: I think they're leather! I wonder what happened to him later in life....

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Blues in the Night (1952)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Was last night a good night for you? Or were you singing the blues?

It was ok. Took over 4 hours to settle into deep sleep, and I woke up way too early, but otherwise it was fine.

2) In this song, Rosemary Clooney sings about hearing "big talk" she didn't quite believe. What's the last fib, tall tale or out and out lie you heard?

Right now I'm trying to decide if something someone said last night was true or not. I may just have a touch of paranoia. Otherwise, the standard, "I'm fine" is one I hear every day.

3) Rosemary Clooney has a well-known nephew -- George, the Oscar winner and frequent People magazine cover story. Do you have any nieces or nephews?

I have four of each, and four great-nephews. We seem to be lacking in the girl genes in the latest generation, but I love them all, even though none of them is famous. Well, one is an elected person at city level, but otherwise, no famous people.

4) Ms. Clooney married the same man twice. They married, had five children and divorced. Then three years later, they tried again ... and divorced again. Have you ever been tempted to give it another try with one of your former loves?

I broke up with my high school boyfriend who eventually wore me down and we started dating again briefly. He had far more invested in our future together than I did.

5) Singers as diverse as Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler and Amy Winehouse have said they admired and were influenced by Rosemary Clooney. If you could meet any artist (singer, writer, actor, director, painter, musician ...), who would it be?

It would be a hoot to hang with U2 for a day or two, in the studio and out.

6) 1952, the year this record was a hit, is also the year the "Big Bang Theory" was introduced by physicists Ralph Alpher and George Gamow. That is too lofty a topic for this humble meme, so instead we'll just ask: Do you watch the TV show of the same name?

Nope. I hear enough about it second- and third-hand, thankyouverymuch.

7) Sam Winters just broke her right thumbnail. While she won't go so far as saying it has her singing the blues, she must admit it bugs her. What little annoyances are you dealing with today?

The usual: my pants are too tight, I have too many shoes to store effectively, my house isn't as clean as I'd like (or as tidy), and I'm tired. But really, it's a gorgeous day and I've gotten a fair amount accomplished, so I'm not all that irritated really.

8) The house next door to Sam's has a FOR SALE on the lawn. Are you contemplating a move?

No! Perish the thought. Beast is, however, contemplating a rummage sale. This is nearly as awful as moving, but if it means getting rid of a bunch of stuff we've had stored for over 3 years now from his parents' house, I'm in.

9) What's your search engine of choice: Google, Bing, Yahoo or Ask?

Google.

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six
For all of these questions, assume you've just won a lottery and you now have $20 million in your bank account (and that's after taxes)!

1. Which charity or organization would receive the first donation you make?

Probably the PCUSA, although perhaps Habitat or Heifer Project would be first. Those are the triumvirate.

2. Which bill would you be most likely to pay off first?

The house. It's the only big bill we really have.

3. What practical, needed thing that you haven't had the money to buy would you purchase first?

I don't think there's anything we really need, but it would be great to hire a cook.

4. What completely impractical, but fun, product would you purchase first?

Oh, hell, I don't know.... I don't tend to go for impractical stuff. Maybe a hot tub/jacuzzi?

5. Where is the first place you'd be likely to travel?

Australia and New Zealand.

6. How far from your current home would you be most likely to relocate, if you'd relocate at all?

I would love to own a small house in the mountains of Colorado. I'm not sure I'm ready to pull up stakes and move there permanently, but a getaway would be nice.

Follow Friday Four Fill-in

(Link in meme-roll)

1. I get my best ideas in the shower, or drifting off to sleep.

2. When I am unable to sleep I do a crossword or a Sudoku.

3. When I have a cold, I like to sleep.

4. Watching a bureaucracy move (or not) can be frustrating.

Seems to be a theme here...maybe it's my bedtime?

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Our House

1. I read that Bud Weiser & Kathy moved into their new house! When was the last time you moved? Where to?

Dang, it didn't make the local rag here; this is why I hate the papers around here! lol I last moved house in 2003 into this here location. I hope never to have to move again; I love this house too much, and I have WAY too much cleaning and throwing-away-of-things to do before I can do that.

2. If they were making a Hall of Fame for the blogosphere, name a blogger or two who you think should make the list. Why?

I don't really believe in these sorts of things. I don't read any big name-brand blogs at all because I find them as boring as the newspapers. I have a few that I've read for years because I know and/or like the people who write them, and what they write about interests me. That doesn't mean they are the "best of the blogosphere" (shudder--that word!), but it means I like 'em a lot.

3. What are couple of funny things you remember your parents saying? (Like, “They're starving there in China, so finish what you've got.” - John Lennon) Do you say them to your kids?

"Keep looking. You'll find it in the last place you look." (I never heard that as obvious, just that things end up in the weirdest places when you don't keep them organized.) "Keep your shirt on!" (like I wouldn't??) "Eat your beans. They'll put hair on your chest." (Uh, thanks Dad, no.) "I'm not talking to hear my own voice!!" (Yeah, THAT one I use(d)!!)
Most of the time, I try NOT to use these sayings, except ironically, because I absolutely hear my parents' voices in my mouth when I say 'em.

4. What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Being alive. At least four times over, that I'm aware of: being born at all (not going there, not here), surviving allergies (having had numerous major allergic reactions, I'm aware that a couple of them could have killed me had there been no appropriate medical intervention), surviving childbirth (women died in childbirth in situations like I was in, and so did their babies), abdominal surgery (any one of the problems that were addressed while the doctors were in there mucking about might have killed me by now).
And there are the almost-wrecks...the stupid decisions that worked out...etc.

5. What is it too late for?

More kids from this here bod.

6. What do you try to stay away from?

Stupid. I try like hell, but it keeps STALKING me, cracker-ass punk.

7. When you get into a disagreement or fight, how often are you the first to apologize?

Usually. Almost always. In fact, I have to make a point NOT to do so when it's not my fault that things blew up.

8. Tell us about a current issue that you’re unhappy with.

Oh, hell, where to start. I'm really annoyed with my boss, and I wish she'd just bloody well leave so we can hire someone who actually WORKS for a living and leaves the rest of us the fook alone to do our jobs the way we've always managed to do without being asked, daily (or more often), "Anything you need? Anything I can do for you? How are things going?" Just fuck . right . off . woman!

9. How often do you update your blog/site and why?

This one I update almost daily because of the memes. The daily one, I don't update more than once every couple of weeks because I don't have anything much to say about life that's not downright bitchy.

Cinn's Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
you don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

[01] What is the greatest distance you have ever moved?

About 1,000 miles, piecemeal, over about four years.

[02] Where would you like to live?

About 1000 miles from here. ;-)

[03] If you were moving, would you rent a U-Haul and do it yourself, or hire movers?

HIRE MOVERS! I will NEVER move again without movers. Ever. The end.

[04] When was the last time you moved?

Eight years ago.

[05] In what residence have you most felt at home?

Wow. Well, it pretty much has to be my childhood home, which I guess means I had a pretty good childhood. Right? But I really, really love this house.