Saturday 9:

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

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

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

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

Work. Nothing special.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Hard Time

1. What’s the story of someone you know who has spent time in prison?

   Actually...I haven't talked to him, but a good friend of ours with whom we used to go to church just was released from prison after serving time for fraud. Fraud committed in Louisiana. So, sort of a joke, really, since he was the only one involved who went to jail, and he is the only Yankee/non-local involved. But he did the crime, he did the time, and now he's out. I hadn't seen or spoken to him since his release, but weirdly Sparky and I saw him with his wife and daughter this morning while we were driving downtown and they were walking home from the Farmer's Market.

2. What is the most official trouble you’ve ever been in?

   Causing a car accident? Saying things I should'nt've that were hurtful and unnecessary certain is right up there, though.

3. What’s the last program you binge-watched?

   Deadliest Catch, I guess. I don't really do this, except to catch up on DVR'd stuff.

4. What would be good prison nicknames for a few people you know?

   Uhm. I'm not really up on prison slang or nicknames, so I think I'll just pass on this.

5. Of the usual prison jobs (library, electrical shop, laundry, cafeteria, gardener, clerical, etc.), which would you ask to be assigned to? Feel free to be creative!

   I fuckin' well better be certified to work in the library!

Curious as a Cat

(Link at left)

What aspect of your life do you think you could be persecuted for?

For my liberality in Christianity (yes, let gays be ordained and get the fuck OVER it!), for my liberality in what people "should" be "allowed" to do at the library (if you don't like what someone is doing online, don't look at the screen), my unwillingness to hand over confidential patron information.... Would I go to jail for these things? I'm not sure the church thing would put me in jail, but I could leave the church. The library stuff: yes, I could go to jail...would I? I hope I'd stand firm on my principles.

When was the last time you laughed so hard you couldn't stop?

I can't remember, but it was in the living room and involved a movie that Sparky didn't understand (I can't remember what movie, either--early senility).

If you could have the personality of any TV character, whose would you choose?

I'm tempted to say Grissom on CSI, but not his "bug thing." Maybe Sara Sidle. In reality, I've always wanted to be Samantha Stevens, but I fear I'm more of a Gilligan.

Four for Friday

(Link at left)

Q1 - Shopping Carts: When you're done using a store's shopping cart (bricks-and-mortar, not online), do you return the cart to the store, leave it in the parking lot, or push it into one of those storage areas that takes up all the great parking spots?

I leave it in a cart corral, usually. Unless it's as bloodyfeckingcold as it has been lately. I'm afraid I get really lazy when the temperature is under 5F.

Q2 - Global Warming: Do you think global warming is an environmental problem that is causing a serious impact now, or do you think global warming isn't having a serious impact?"

I think we're beginning to slide down the slope, and the speed of the depletion of resources is just going to increase unless we start taking some real steps to fiure out a solution.

Q3 - Prison: At the Southeast State Correctional Facility in Windsor, Vermont, inmates have been told that the facility's prison cats must go. According to SSC's new superintendent, the facility, which for years has allowed cats to come and go as they please, is not conducive to a pet program. If you were in charge of the facility, would you voluntarily parole Ziggy, Marmalade, Smokey and Shane, or would allow them to stay?

I'm allergic. I plead the 5th on this one. I don't care either way.
Seriously, I can see both sides of this, but being allergic trumps rationality.

Q4 - Taxes: After federal taxes are collected from the public, do you think the U.S. Congress thinks of the money more as taxpayer money to spend carefully or as their money to spend as they wish? How much of the money you pay in taxes do you think is spent on government programs that you personally favor and support?

I don't think they really think about where it comes from; it's just there. I'm sure that the largest chunk of my taxes pays for stuff I abhor. Rather disheartening. Thanks a lot! hah