1. What is your Favorite Christmas Movie?
“Her Majesty’s Secret Service”
2. What is your Least favorite Christmas Movie
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (That’s right. That’s what I said.)
3. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Sting’s version of “I Saw Three Ships” is currently my favorite.
4. What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Okay, for some reason, everywhere I go this year they are playing “Little Saint Nick” by the Beach Boys and it is starting to get to me.
5. What is your favorite Christmas drink? (e.g., egg nog, hot chocolate)
Mimosas
6. What is your favorite Christmas memory?
I’m not sure I have just one…but the Denver Christmas where everyone was there and we were all tripping over cousins and I got to experience real snow and we were overwhelmed with good food…that was a good one…
7. What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
Hmmmm…my doll house was pretty neat…I had the bike Christmas…then there was the iPod Touch I got last year…
8. What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
I got a purse from a well-meaning aunt during my least girly-girl phase. Of course, now, if she would like to buy me a purse…
9. What do you LOVE about the holidays?
I like how the most random people just say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to you as you go about your normal routine. During the times when we would normally just ignore each other, in December you start chatting and wishing each other well.
10. What annoys you about the holidays?
People who automatically assume the holidays are going to be a huge burden and consequently miss all the fun.
11. Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
I have a really pretty star for the top of my tree.
12. What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
Pecan tasties
13. Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
I’m a Who, socks and all.
14. Christmas light displays—love them or hate them?
The more ridiculous the better
15. Santa's at the mall—fun times or creepy?
Okay, I admit it, I’m a little scared of the mall Santa.
16. Christmas cards—do you send them, yes or no?
Yes
17. What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
The family getting together and showering each other with attention.
18. What is the worst thing about Christmas?
This year: snarky Target commercials.
19. When do you put the tree up and take it down?
I think I’m going to skip the tree this year because I’m not sure where it will fit in my little apartment, but I know the big tree is waiting for me at Mom’s.
20. Out of the 12 Days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your truelove to give to you?
Hello? Five golden rings!
21. Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
A little too much nog in her egg.
22. Who is your favorite reindeer?
Blitzen: the German reindeer
23. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
Yep, and I’ve been very very good.
24. What is your favorite smell at Christmas time?
Whatever’s cooking in my Mom’s kitchen.
25. What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
Everybody happy and healthy at home.
Showing posts with label tag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tag. Show all posts
December 10, 2009
June 15, 2009
The Nearly 100
San posted this one over at her turtle. It’s ridiculously long, but I’ve got five days till my Paris vacation and I’m suffering from major goof-off-itis. If you have participated in one of the following 100 things, bold it. (I should point out that the list of 100 was short three when I copy-and-pasted so I made some up to get the true one hundred.)
1. Started my own blog Apparently so.
2. Slept under the stars And thought at the time, this will be a poignant memory at some point in my future. (Check.)
3. Played in a band No, though I still have dreams…
4. Visited Hawaii Pretty much all it’s cracked up to be.
5. Watched a meteor shower And made some wishes.
6. Given more than I can afford to charity Almost habitually. I am my mother's daughter.
7. Been to Disneyland/world Still need to get to the one in Florida.
8. Climbed a mountain I did go up one of the Mt. Franklin hiking trails, but it didn’t go all the way to the top.
9. Held a praying mantis No, are you insane?!
10. Sung a solo No, but I’ve sung many the duet in my car.
11. Bungee jumped No, again with the insanity?!
12. Visited Paris Once, for my 17th birthday, and I will be returning soon for my 30th.
13. Watched lightning at sea No, but I’ve seen heat lightening in the desert which I’m betting is at least as cool.
14. Taught myself an art from scratch If you count scrapbooking and you would if you could see my scrapbooks.
15. Adopted a child No, but I’ve bowled for kids’ sake (Big Brothers, Big Sisters fundraiser).
16. Had food poisoning Yes. Hardcore, wish-I-were-dead, couldn’t eat for two weeks, after that could only eat plain tortillas for a month, got it from seafood food poisoning. Don’t recommend it.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty Haven’t even seen her in person.
18. Grown my own vegetables Unless you count bean sprouts for a grade school science project.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France Yes, she refused to come to Texas.
20. Slept on an overnight train From Rome to Paris.
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked No, though I’ve bummed a few rides off of friends.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill Sha–you think?
24. Built a snow fort No, but I’ve built many a couch-cushion-sheet fort.
25. Held a lamb No, smelly.
26. Gone skinny dipping Jumped a fence to go skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon “In the time it takes to run a marathon I could have a dinner party and a glass of wine.”—Kate Mulgrew
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice While being serenaded in Italian.
29. Seen a total eclipse Both moon and sun.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset Yes, though the sunrises have always been under duress.
31. Hit a home run I think I might have kicked one once in kickball.
32. Been on a cruise One to Cozumel and one to Alaska. I highly recommend the one to Alaska.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language No, but the cursing is self-taught.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied I probably have but I’ve never believed it.
38. Filled out a meme that claimed to be a list of a 100 but wasn’t really because they left out 38, 39, and 90
39. Been sarcastic
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David And seen the David’s Herald Johnson
41. Sung karaoke Once. At a small private party. Possibly drinking. I don’t want to talk about it.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt Right on time.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant No, but I’ve had one buy me a meal. Though, honestly, by that time we were becoming fast friends.
44. Visited Africa No, but I’m willing.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight More than once, but I think Miami Beach was most memorable.
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted Kind of. I painted a watercolor self-portrait in my high school art class.
48. Gone deep sea fishing No, but I’ve gone night club trawling.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person A. Maze. Ing.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris Well, I got to the halfway point. Then the wind started to blow. Were you aware that the entire Tower moves in the wind? I had a panic attack and came down quickly. I did make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas. Apparently, alcohol is a big help.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling Snorkeled in Hawaii.
52. Kissed in the rain No, sigh.
53. Played in the mud I’ll have you know I was a mud pie master chef.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater There was a working one outside of El Paso for quite some time, though I’m not sure it’s still there. I remember my Dad taking us and him hooking the speaker on the car door, but that’s about it.
55. Been in a movie Unless you count home videos.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China No, but I’m willing.
57. Started a business Oh, I’ve started some business...
58. Taken a martial arts class I got to orange belt in karate. One of the bravest things I ever did. Kind of wish I had stuck with it.
59. Visited Russia No, but I went to the Little Russia Gift Shoppe in Skagway, Alaska and had a ball.
60. Served at a soup kitchen Kind of. I prepared meals for a meals-on-wheels program.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies Yes, door-to-door. One of the other bravest things I’ve ever done.
62. Gone whale watching Yes, outside of Juneau. Totally worth it just for hearing 40 adults go “oooohhhh” in unison like little kids.
63. Got flowers for no reason Like, I was walking through the HEB flower department and thought, “Those look nice. I think I’ll get some of those.”? No? Sigh.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma Donated blood two times. Passed out two times. Have been disinclined to participate since.
65. Gone sky diving See #50.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check No, but only because I took my mother’s sage council and got overdraft protection
68. Flown in a helicopter No, but I think I want to.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy Ha. Ha ha. Yes. Just a few…shelves. I never stopped getting them.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar But I prefer escargot.
72. Pieced a quilt No, but I hand stitched a butterfly in the Girl Scouts.
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades But I been down to the bayou.
75. Been fired from a job Does the college newspaper count? It feels like it should count.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London Sort of. From across the street, over a large crowd of heads, if I jumped.
77. Broken a bone Fractured a wrist and pulled a couple ribs.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle No, but I’ve ridden in a speeding dune buggy driven by a one armed man who was drinking a beer.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person A. Maze. Ing.
80. Published a book I have several assessment related volumes to my name. Working on the personal stuff.
81. Visited the Vatican Wow. Big. Like big big.
82. Bought a brand new car No, though my father let me say I did while he did the, you know, purchasing.
83. Walked in Jerusalem No, but I vomited in Las Vegas and then went back to dancing.
84. Had my picture in the newspaper Academic Decathlon champions. Oh yeah.
85. Read the entire Bible No, but I like that tower of Babylon bit.
86. Visited the White House No. When we were in Washington, D.C. we couldn’t go on the tour for some reason (renovations or something) and it seemed quite disappointing. However, the next day, they got us up at dawn (see 30.) so we would be the first in line at the Washington Monument. It's 5:30 in the morning, we’re about to get off the bus when someone yelled, “Look it’s the President, he’s jogging by.” No kidding! We piled out of the bus. Bill Clinton stopped, shook hands, posed for photos, and went jogging on his way. So, I let the White House thing go.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating Not the same animal, no. Unless you count mussels.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life Not that I’m aware of.
90. Been to Graceland (I made up my own because, again, the list was lacking.) No, but I wanna. I really really wanna.
91. Met someone famous See 86.
92. Joined a book club No, but not for lack of trying.
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby No, but I’ve been accused of having a cow more than once.
95. Seen the Alamo in person I’ve made out in front of the Alamo. (For anyone reading this who hasn’t seen the Alamo, it’s smack dab in the middle of downtown SA near some of the bigger party bars and clubs so this isn’t as shocking as it might seem. Really. It was only kind of in bad taste.)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake Not really, but I went and stuck two fingers in just for this type of question.
97. Been involved in a law suit I’ve been a member of a jury.
98. Owned a cell phone It’s 2009 and I’m an American.
99. Been stung by a bee No, but I been the victim of a couple wasps.
100. Ridden an elephant I swear I have an early childhood memory of doing this at a zoo somewhere, but there seems to be no photographic evidence to support this.
1. Started my own blog Apparently so.
2. Slept under the stars And thought at the time, this will be a poignant memory at some point in my future. (Check.)
3. Played in a band No, though I still have dreams…
4. Visited Hawaii Pretty much all it’s cracked up to be.
5. Watched a meteor shower And made some wishes.
6. Given more than I can afford to charity Almost habitually. I am my mother's daughter.
7. Been to Disneyland/world Still need to get to the one in Florida.
8. Climbed a mountain I did go up one of the Mt. Franklin hiking trails, but it didn’t go all the way to the top.
9. Held a praying mantis No, are you insane?!
10. Sung a solo No, but I’ve sung many the duet in my car.
11. Bungee jumped No, again with the insanity?!
12. Visited Paris Once, for my 17th birthday, and I will be returning soon for my 30th.
13. Watched lightning at sea No, but I’ve seen heat lightening in the desert which I’m betting is at least as cool.
14. Taught myself an art from scratch If you count scrapbooking and you would if you could see my scrapbooks.
15. Adopted a child No, but I’ve bowled for kids’ sake (Big Brothers, Big Sisters fundraiser).
16. Had food poisoning Yes. Hardcore, wish-I-were-dead, couldn’t eat for two weeks, after that could only eat plain tortillas for a month, got it from seafood food poisoning. Don’t recommend it.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty Haven’t even seen her in person.
18. Grown my own vegetables Unless you count bean sprouts for a grade school science project.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France Yes, she refused to come to Texas.
20. Slept on an overnight train From Rome to Paris.
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked No, though I’ve bummed a few rides off of friends.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill Sha–you think?
24. Built a snow fort No, but I’ve built many a couch-cushion-sheet fort.
25. Held a lamb No, smelly.
26. Gone skinny dipping Jumped a fence to go skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon “In the time it takes to run a marathon I could have a dinner party and a glass of wine.”—Kate Mulgrew
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice While being serenaded in Italian.
29. Seen a total eclipse Both moon and sun.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset Yes, though the sunrises have always been under duress.
31. Hit a home run I think I might have kicked one once in kickball.
32. Been on a cruise One to Cozumel and one to Alaska. I highly recommend the one to Alaska.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language No, but the cursing is self-taught.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied I probably have but I’ve never believed it.
38. Filled out a meme that claimed to be a list of a 100 but wasn’t really because they left out 38, 39, and 90
39. Been sarcastic
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David And seen the David’s Herald Johnson
41. Sung karaoke Once. At a small private party. Possibly drinking. I don’t want to talk about it.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt Right on time.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant No, but I’ve had one buy me a meal. Though, honestly, by that time we were becoming fast friends.
44. Visited Africa No, but I’m willing.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight More than once, but I think Miami Beach was most memorable.
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted Kind of. I painted a watercolor self-portrait in my high school art class.
48. Gone deep sea fishing No, but I’ve gone night club trawling.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person A. Maze. Ing.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris Well, I got to the halfway point. Then the wind started to blow. Were you aware that the entire Tower moves in the wind? I had a panic attack and came down quickly. I did make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas. Apparently, alcohol is a big help.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling Snorkeled in Hawaii.
52. Kissed in the rain No, sigh.
53. Played in the mud I’ll have you know I was a mud pie master chef.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater There was a working one outside of El Paso for quite some time, though I’m not sure it’s still there. I remember my Dad taking us and him hooking the speaker on the car door, but that’s about it.
55. Been in a movie Unless you count home videos.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China No, but I’m willing.
57. Started a business Oh, I’ve started some business...
58. Taken a martial arts class I got to orange belt in karate. One of the bravest things I ever did. Kind of wish I had stuck with it.
59. Visited Russia No, but I went to the Little Russia Gift Shoppe in Skagway, Alaska and had a ball.
60. Served at a soup kitchen Kind of. I prepared meals for a meals-on-wheels program.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies Yes, door-to-door. One of the other bravest things I’ve ever done.
62. Gone whale watching Yes, outside of Juneau. Totally worth it just for hearing 40 adults go “oooohhhh” in unison like little kids.
63. Got flowers for no reason Like, I was walking through the HEB flower department and thought, “Those look nice. I think I’ll get some of those.”? No? Sigh.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma Donated blood two times. Passed out two times. Have been disinclined to participate since.
65. Gone sky diving See #50.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check No, but only because I took my mother’s sage council and got overdraft protection
68. Flown in a helicopter No, but I think I want to.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy Ha. Ha ha. Yes. Just a few…shelves. I never stopped getting them.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar But I prefer escargot.
72. Pieced a quilt No, but I hand stitched a butterfly in the Girl Scouts.
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades But I been down to the bayou.
75. Been fired from a job Does the college newspaper count? It feels like it should count.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London Sort of. From across the street, over a large crowd of heads, if I jumped.
77. Broken a bone Fractured a wrist and pulled a couple ribs.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle No, but I’ve ridden in a speeding dune buggy driven by a one armed man who was drinking a beer.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person A. Maze. Ing.
80. Published a book I have several assessment related volumes to my name. Working on the personal stuff.
81. Visited the Vatican Wow. Big. Like big big.
82. Bought a brand new car No, though my father let me say I did while he did the, you know, purchasing.
83. Walked in Jerusalem No, but I vomited in Las Vegas and then went back to dancing.
84. Had my picture in the newspaper Academic Decathlon champions. Oh yeah.
85. Read the entire Bible No, but I like that tower of Babylon bit.
86. Visited the White House No. When we were in Washington, D.C. we couldn’t go on the tour for some reason (renovations or something) and it seemed quite disappointing. However, the next day, they got us up at dawn (see 30.) so we would be the first in line at the Washington Monument. It's 5:30 in the morning, we’re about to get off the bus when someone yelled, “Look it’s the President, he’s jogging by.” No kidding! We piled out of the bus. Bill Clinton stopped, shook hands, posed for photos, and went jogging on his way. So, I let the White House thing go.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating Not the same animal, no. Unless you count mussels.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life Not that I’m aware of.
90. Been to Graceland (I made up my own because, again, the list was lacking.) No, but I wanna. I really really wanna.
91. Met someone famous See 86.
92. Joined a book club No, but not for lack of trying.
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby No, but I’ve been accused of having a cow more than once.
95. Seen the Alamo in person I’ve made out in front of the Alamo. (For anyone reading this who hasn’t seen the Alamo, it’s smack dab in the middle of downtown SA near some of the bigger party bars and clubs so this isn’t as shocking as it might seem. Really. It was only kind of in bad taste.)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake Not really, but I went and stuck two fingers in just for this type of question.
97. Been involved in a law suit I’ve been a member of a jury.
98. Owned a cell phone It’s 2009 and I’m an American.
99. Been stung by a bee No, but I been the victim of a couple wasps.
100. Ridden an elephant I swear I have an early childhood memory of doing this at a zoo somewhere, but there seems to be no photographic evidence to support this.
April 8, 2009
A Game of Tag
The latest game of tag by way of Murat11 from the lands of a few other turtles. Answer all the questions, except one that you don’t like. Replace the unloved question with a new one of your own. Then, add a new question.
What is your obsession at the moment?
Paris, France. Come June 22, little lost in the world me will be 30. I’m mostly all empowered about it, with an occasional bout of, “Oh come on, really?!” I figured nothing less than fabulousness is called for to celebrate such a moment. So, Mom and I are planning a jaunt to Paris. Where to stay? What to do? What will it cost? Apparently the difference between visiting Paris now and visiting Paris at 17 is an awareness of logistics.
What are you not wearing at the moment?
A tiara, though I could totally rock it out if I were.
Do you nap regularly?
I get home from work just in time to watch the nightly news with Brian Williams. Perhaps it’s his dulcet tones, or the comfy factor of my couch, but I’ve developed the habit of falling asleep about halfway through the national news and waking right at the beginning of the local.
What’s your theme song?
“Everybody” by Macy Gray
What do you want to change?
The mood at work. It’s so tense right now.
What are you going to have for dinner?
Lemon-thyme zucchini and goat cheese pizza. It’s a Weight Watchers recipe and is perfect for spring.
Your last purchase?
Bananas and Easter candy
What are you listening to at the moment?
“Migra” by Santana
Favorite weather?
Sunny and warm enough for short-sleeves but cool enough for porch sitting
Your goals?
Surviving and thriving
Say something to the person who tagged you:
Hey Murat, tell the missus that the Son of Pears has happily embraced Home Comforts this year with a check, a drive, and now there’s talk of a bake sale. Her candle continues to burn.
Favorite vacation location?
Right now, Paris. Though I love to go and see, so anywhere and everywhere.
Films you can watch over and over again:
The James Bonds, the Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, the Matrices, the Pirates of the Caribbeans, the Wallace and Grommets, the Hellboys, the X-Men, the Batmans…
What movie(s) will you never see again?
A.I., Eye of the Beholder, Transformers, Babylon A.D…Okay, actually I might watch that again even though it was a suckfest. What can I say, I like bubblegum movies. Sometimes I’m entranced by the sheer awfulness.
Favorite tea?
I was going to name something fancy here, but honestly I’m happy with my mug of green tea with lemon.
Book you are currently reading?
“First Among Sequels” by Jasper Fforde
What do you want to do one day?
Buy a house. Funny, that’s the first thing that came to mind.
Which quality would you like to have?
Published
Name one of your qualities:
Clever
What are you waiting for?
I ask myself that all the time. I currently have found no satisfying answer.
Which old-fashioned trend do you hope will soon return?
Hats. Let’s all wear more hats.
One song you're embarrassed to admit to liking:
“Womanizer” by Britney Spears. I give her studio team credit for making a catchy dance number.
Milkshake or crème brulee?
Milkshake
February 19, 2009
Why, yes...
| You Belong in Dublin |
 You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town. |
What European City Do You Belong In?
January 6, 2009
In the Cards
You are The High Priestess
Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.
The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
December 4, 2008
Tag Tag Tag
List seven unusual things about yourself.
1. I dabble in chiromancy and oneiromancy.
2. My Dad has one leg. (Or one leg, two spares, and a two switchable feet, depending on how you look at it.) This has never seemed unusual to me as he’s been this way as long as I’ve known him, but it tends to surprise others. In fact, when friends find out they tend to say something like, “You never told me that!” I find this unusual because when was I supposed to bring that up in conversation. “Yes, I would like another slice of pizza and my father is an amputee. Vietnam. Go figure.”
3. I have a fascination with sunken ships. It all started when they discovered the Titanic. I remember cutting out pictures of the debris from my mother’s Time magazine. I now own several books on the subject—not just the Titanic, but all sunken ships. My mother has theorized that in a past life I drowned on the Titanic. Recently I discovered that Saint Anne is credited with saving a group of sailors from a storm at Beaupré, and therefore the Quebecois consider her the patron saint of sailors.
4. My college roommate’s nickname for me was Satan. She seemed to think I was trying to get her to choke, but it was only an accident. That happened more than once. Seriously, we’d be having an innocent conversation among friends, when Miss A of the big D clan would say something along the lines of, “That’s because Anne is Satan!” I mean, really. It’s not like I caused her to vomit. More than that one time.
5. I don’t really want to see the new Star Trek movie. I am a through and through Star Trek fan. I watched all the shows. I insert quotes from the movies into everyday conversation (“This gazpacho is good. You know what else is best served cold?”). I know the difference between a Trekkie and a Trekker. I went to the Las Vegas Star Trek Experience twice. I love, truly love, Star Trek. But I think they’re totally gonna mess it all up with this stupid-ass prequel.
6. I, for a dark brief span of time, played World of Warcraft. It’s a long story that might involve an attractive male…
7. I read War and Peace mostly so I could tell people that I read War and Peace. Luckily for me, it turned out to be a pretty good yarn.
1. I dabble in chiromancy and oneiromancy.
2. My Dad has one leg. (Or one leg, two spares, and a two switchable feet, depending on how you look at it.) This has never seemed unusual to me as he’s been this way as long as I’ve known him, but it tends to surprise others. In fact, when friends find out they tend to say something like, “You never told me that!” I find this unusual because when was I supposed to bring that up in conversation. “Yes, I would like another slice of pizza and my father is an amputee. Vietnam. Go figure.”
3. I have a fascination with sunken ships. It all started when they discovered the Titanic. I remember cutting out pictures of the debris from my mother’s Time magazine. I now own several books on the subject—not just the Titanic, but all sunken ships. My mother has theorized that in a past life I drowned on the Titanic. Recently I discovered that Saint Anne is credited with saving a group of sailors from a storm at Beaupré, and therefore the Quebecois consider her the patron saint of sailors.
4. My college roommate’s nickname for me was Satan. She seemed to think I was trying to get her to choke, but it was only an accident. That happened more than once. Seriously, we’d be having an innocent conversation among friends, when Miss A of the big D clan would say something along the lines of, “That’s because Anne is Satan!” I mean, really. It’s not like I caused her to vomit. More than that one time.
5. I don’t really want to see the new Star Trek movie. I am a through and through Star Trek fan. I watched all the shows. I insert quotes from the movies into everyday conversation (“This gazpacho is good. You know what else is best served cold?”). I know the difference between a Trekkie and a Trekker. I went to the Las Vegas Star Trek Experience twice. I love, truly love, Star Trek. But I think they’re totally gonna mess it all up with this stupid-ass prequel.
6. I, for a dark brief span of time, played World of Warcraft. It’s a long story that might involve an attractive male…
7. I read War and Peace mostly so I could tell people that I read War and Peace. Luckily for me, it turned out to be a pretty good yarn.
Tag Tag
Pick up the nearest book (not your favorite or the coolest, the nearest) and find the fifth sentence on the 46th page. Then add the next two to five sentences.
Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story
by Libby Riddles and Tim Jones
We couldn’t tell who they were or what they were doing. Another team came across the lake. John and I tried to figure out who it was. Finally the team trotted close enough for us to holler, “Who the heck is that?” The bearded driver passed by, shouting, “Paulsen. I’m one of those darn Minnesota drivers. That’s why you don’t know me.”
November 24, 2008
Tag
Choose books for each of the following categories and explain why they are must-reads in 30 words or less. (Or, as in my case, 30 words exactly for maximum fun.)
Fiction: Shogun by James Clavell
The story line is almost unimportant compared to James Clavell’s storytelling. His ability to develop characters and to describe places is what makes this novel such a quick read.
The story line is almost unimportant compared to James Clavell’s storytelling. His ability to develop characters and to describe places is what makes this novel such a quick read.
Autobiography: Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph by T. E. Lawrence
A compilation of history, an ode to the desert, an honest account by a victim, an apology, a litany of regret, and astounding moments of clarity amongst the swirling sands.
A compilation of history, an ode to the desert, an honest account by a victim, an apology, a litany of regret, and astounding moments of clarity amongst the swirling sands.
Non-fiction: Outwitting History by Aaron Lansky
Any literary geek or history buff or sentimental fool can’t help but love a tale such as this: saving Yiddish literature from woes of time. It’s a cultural survival story.
Any literary geek or history buff or sentimental fool can’t help but love a tale such as this: saving Yiddish literature from woes of time. It’s a cultural survival story.
Any book of your choosing: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Historical fiction tends to be romances in costume, but this novel is the hard, thoroughly researched, facts of the Battle of Gettysburg humanized and accessible through the precepts of fiction.
August 1, 2008
Favorite Way to Waste Time on a Friday: TAG!
Lee posted another one on her page so I thought I’d take a break and play. I have a slight disclaimer though: I’m too indecisive and my tastes too varied to ever have a true favorite anything. This list is just a few of the things that first came to mind.
FAVORITE
Sport: Baseball. There is something intrinsically pleasing about sitting in a park, drinking a beer, eating a hot dog, and shouting at a bunch of husky men in tight clothing as they play on a beautiful sunny day. God bless Americana.
Yatzee Color: I don’t Yatzee. No particular reason, I just have never been introduced to the game. In Trivial Pursuit, though, I’m partial to the brown pie.
Movie: Hellboy. (For those of you familiar with my Star Wars addiction, see the above disclaimer.) Guillermo del Toro is a visual effects god, or at least a crazy artistry wizard. The richness of his movies is astounding. Hellboy is a comic book movie, no doubt, but Guillermo and the dedication of the actors makes it so much more. I love the characters, the blurry lines of good and evil, the humor, the pathos, and the way Guillermo serves it up. Few things are as beautiful as the image of the demon standing in the rain with his dead father’s crucifix wrapped around his wrist. Hellboy waves his hand in front of his face, “I can’t change this,” and you have to love him. And the sequel was so completely satisfying.
Broadway Play I've Seen: Spamalot! Pure joyous laughter.
Song: “Your Mouth Into Mine” by Black Francis. The song is his dedication to Herman Brood and it’s the song I would write and dedicate to him if I could do such things. “I got into your heart—it was no big deal.”
Favorite U.S. City Visited: I crazy fell in love with Chicago. I was ready to move when my friend suggested I visit her in the winter.
Favorite Foreign City Visited: I was blown away by Florence. Florence was the Italy I was looking for when I was disappointed by Rome. Rome is a big, dirty, metropolitan city. It is still a fantastic place, but I had romantic suppositions for it that it did not fulfill. I had no expectations for Florence, and there was the dreamy Italy I was looking for.
Book: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. (Again, see disclaimer.) This is one of those books that just grabbed hold of me. Its subject matter is so exotic yet so relatable. From cover to cover it had me entranced. It’s a lovely treat of a novel.
Children’s Book: Alexander and the Magic Mouse by Martha Sanders and illustrated by Phillip Fix. Oh, how I loved that alligator. The image of him practicing smiling extra wide so people would like him is indelibly etched in my mind. The illustrations are magical.
Classic TV Show: "A-Team." “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Recent TV Show: "Eureka." Funny and smart sci-fi. Not to mention a hunky leading man.
Actor: Richard Dean Anderson. MacGyver and Col. O’Neil—you can’t beat that!
Actress: Milla Jovovich. Kick ass, take names, rock those skin-tight futuristic costumes!
Perfume: I don’t wear perfume. I do sometimes use Bath and Body Works scented fig and brown sugar lotion.
Food: Rare ribeye with a side of garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms.
Dessert: My Mom’s homemade German chocolate cake.
Chain Restaurant: P.F. Chang’s
Local Restaurant: Bourbon Street. I’ve never had a bad meal there and I dream of their shrimp.
Car: I lust in my heart after James Bond’s most recent Aston Martin.
Condiment: Spicy mustard
Kitchen Appliance: Coffee maker, but of course.
Home Appliance: Washing machine. It’s been several years since I’ve had to carry to my laundry to a laundromat/community laundry room, and I’m still very happy about that.
Beauty Product: Chrome nail polish. It’s soooooo bitchin’.
Favorite Clothing: My long-sleeve Trinity University oversized shirt. Worn to perfect softness, it comforts me like an old friend.
HGTV Show: Design Star, I guess. Not so much with the HGTV.
Food Network show: Ace of Cakes. I love watching creative people being happy as they do something well. I’m sure Mary Alice and I would be best friends if we were to ever meet.
Author: Jasper Fforde is the latest to make that list. Hysterically clever.
Male Songwriter: Frank Black (a.k.a. Black Francis) “It’s like jelly roll, like sculpture.”
Holiday: Christmas. Food, family, peace on earth.
Christmas Ballet: I agree with Lee. Is there another one besides Nutcracker?
Disney Character: Lilo of Lilo and Stitch. I rarely identify so completely with a cartoon character.
Alcoholic Drink: Silo has an espresso martini that is crazy wonderful.
Non Alcoholic Drink: Grande soy vanilla latte
Magazine: Real Simple
Animated Movie: Wallace and Grommit: Curse of the Ware-Rabbit
Mini Series: Tin Man. A very fun retelling of The Wizard of Oz. I recommend it to the Netflixers.
Season: Crab
Male Vocalist: Paul Simon “Maybe it was a third world, maybe it was his first time around…”
(He and Frank were in a death match for songwriter, so I felt he should win something.)
(He and Frank were in a death match for songwriter, so I felt he should win something.)
Female Vocalist: Sheryl Crow “…come outside and join the human race, but I don’t feel so human.”
Musical Group: Artic Monkeys “There’s only new music so there’s new ring tones”
Day of Week: Tuesday
Household Chore: Seriously? Who likes household chores? Cleaning the mirrors, I guess.
Ice Cream: Brindle’s Azteca
Candy: Gummi Bears
Artist: Dale Chihouly
Quotation: “You need a million things, a million things will come to you.”—Yogi Bahjan
I’ve been repeating that one a lot recently.
I’ve been repeating that one a lot recently.
June 18, 2008
Wordzzle Tag
I’m a little slow on the response to this challenge from Chrysalis Dreams. In summation, produce a paragraph using the following words.
spaghetti, larkspur, Prilosec, roaring lion, adamant, green green grass of home, paradox, filibuster, face cream, trout fishing
I cheated a tad and produced a small scene, but it’s mostly dialog so it reads quickly.
+++
Lisa stares at the television above the restaurant’s bar. Even on mute she can tell the C-SPANned senator has worked himself up into quite the filibuster. His crinkled red face and large hand gestures indicate an adamant patriotic call to action if ever there was one.
“Hey, do you need anything from the store?” Bill says as he scans the menu.
She doesn’t respond. She’s too busy wondering why chain restaurants bother to have TVs. They’re mounted too high up to see properly. Even if they weren’t permanently left on mute they would be difficult to hear over the various restaurant noises.
“Hey. You. Store. Anything?” Bill tries again.
And why C-SPAN? Is the bartender a poly sci major? Surely they can’t think that the clientele of a family-friendly chain restaurant is just so caught up on C-SPAN that they might not eat out unless it’s featured above their heads as they chow down on greasy fries.
“Did I tell you my father called?” Bill says to the side of Lisa’s head. “He was kidnapped by aliens while trout fishing.”
Lisa doesn’t register the words but she can tell there’s a tone in Bill’s voice. Her busy thoughts reluctantly drag themselves away from the ongoing restaurant TV paradox. She looks at him.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I’m going to stop by the store on the way home tonight, do you need anything?” Bill says with exaggerated enunciation.
She smiles sardonically.
“Well, I need—oh no, never mind,” she says.
“What?”
“I need face cream, but I’ll just get it myself.”
“I can get if for you.”
“You’ll get the wrong kind,” she says gently.
He rolls his eyes.
“You get the wrong fabric softener once…” he sighs.
“I said unscented and you got Spring Valley. I can’t use Spring Valley because it makes me itch,” she says. “Why do they have to put scents in everything? I don’t even know what a spring valley is supposed to smell like!”
“Like cooing birds, new larkspur, and the green green grass of home, I imagine,” Bill says philosophically.
“Hmph,” Lisa replies.
The waitress appears and asks them for their order.
“Cob salad,” Lisa answers.
“The chicken parmigiana sandwich,” Bill says.
“That comes with a side of spaghetti or fettuccine,” the waitress says.
“Spaghetti.”
Lisa gives him a look.
“I skipped breakfast,” he says, “and my stomach is a roaring lion. From the green green spring valley.”
Lisa smiles while rolling her eyes.
“I hope the lion remembered his Prilosec,” she sighs.
spaghetti, larkspur, Prilosec, roaring lion, adamant, green green grass of home, paradox, filibuster, face cream, trout fishing
I cheated a tad and produced a small scene, but it’s mostly dialog so it reads quickly.
+++
Lisa stares at the television above the restaurant’s bar. Even on mute she can tell the C-SPANned senator has worked himself up into quite the filibuster. His crinkled red face and large hand gestures indicate an adamant patriotic call to action if ever there was one.
“Hey, do you need anything from the store?” Bill says as he scans the menu.
She doesn’t respond. She’s too busy wondering why chain restaurants bother to have TVs. They’re mounted too high up to see properly. Even if they weren’t permanently left on mute they would be difficult to hear over the various restaurant noises.
“Hey. You. Store. Anything?” Bill tries again.
And why C-SPAN? Is the bartender a poly sci major? Surely they can’t think that the clientele of a family-friendly chain restaurant is just so caught up on C-SPAN that they might not eat out unless it’s featured above their heads as they chow down on greasy fries.
“Did I tell you my father called?” Bill says to the side of Lisa’s head. “He was kidnapped by aliens while trout fishing.”
Lisa doesn’t register the words but she can tell there’s a tone in Bill’s voice. Her busy thoughts reluctantly drag themselves away from the ongoing restaurant TV paradox. She looks at him.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I’m going to stop by the store on the way home tonight, do you need anything?” Bill says with exaggerated enunciation.
She smiles sardonically.
“Well, I need—oh no, never mind,” she says.
“What?”
“I need face cream, but I’ll just get it myself.”
“I can get if for you.”
“You’ll get the wrong kind,” she says gently.
He rolls his eyes.
“You get the wrong fabric softener once…” he sighs.
“I said unscented and you got Spring Valley. I can’t use Spring Valley because it makes me itch,” she says. “Why do they have to put scents in everything? I don’t even know what a spring valley is supposed to smell like!”
“Like cooing birds, new larkspur, and the green green grass of home, I imagine,” Bill says philosophically.
“Hmph,” Lisa replies.
The waitress appears and asks them for their order.
“Cob salad,” Lisa answers.
“The chicken parmigiana sandwich,” Bill says.
“That comes with a side of spaghetti or fettuccine,” the waitress says.
“Spaghetti.”
Lisa gives him a look.
“I skipped breakfast,” he says, “and my stomach is a roaring lion. From the green green spring valley.”
Lisa smiles while rolling her eyes.
“I hope the lion remembered his Prilosec,” she sighs.
May 29, 2008
Six
Okay, I’m too lazy to post all the rules of this meme, but Lee tagged me. You can see the rules over at her place, Chrysalis Dreams. Basically, it says to list six random things about me.
1. I’m a numismatist. (And I am not ashamed.)
2. My favorite cake is German chocolate cake. My mother makes the best German chocolate cake in the world. Some of that other stuff they call German chocolate cake just isn’t worth eating when compared to my mother’s.
3. I have a tattoo of the Chartres labyrinth on my back.
4. I love the song “Wand’rin’ Star” from the musical Paint Your Wagon. (And I am not ashamed.)
5. I only started watching the new Battlestar Galactica because Lucy Lawless of Xena fame joined the cast as an evil robot and it’s a stupid show that’s overly dramatic and I liked the old campy Battlestar Galactica much better because it had that robot dog thing and Starbuck was Face from the A Team and not some neurotic blonde who can’t commit which makes Apollo cry in every single stupid stupid episode and who the hell cares—WHY ISN’T THERE MORE ROBOT FIGHTING?! (I am so ashamed.)
(Bonus fact: “WHY ISN’T THERE MORE ROBOT FIGHTING?” was my main complaint about the new Transformers movie too.)
6. I’ve never worn braces.
May 28, 2008
Now This One I Like
As someone who tries to complete a crossword puzzle everyday, I can go for this quiz.
| You Are a Crossword Puzzle |
 You are a wordsmith. You have a way with words, and you're very literate. You are a mysterious person who enjoys dropping little clues every now and then. |
May 27, 2008
The Lion Tags Tonight
Ten Years Ago: May 1998
Let’s see…I would be ending my first year of college right about then. I wish I had a significant insight on the moment, but mostly I remember learning to dislike packing and moving all my stuff. I’m sure I felt a sense of victory. As a naturally shy person who never wanted to leave home, getting through my first year of college was no small feat. As I recall there was a sense of relief, an “okay, I can do this” sort of feeling.
I, no doubt, was a tad disappointed, too. College wasn’t quite like the sitcoms made out. I did not find my social group (that would take another year). I did not become best friends with my roommate (that took two more years). I did not find my purpose in life through a collision of events (still looking). I did not fall in love (yeah, that one is still in the air). Also, much to my surprise, I didn’t magically change into a new person. I was still undeniably me. At the time I’m sure I found that a trifle confusing. (Doesn’t everything change when big things happen?) It would be a few more years before I figured that one out.
But, to be honest, that’s just guessing. The only clear memory I have is trying to cram my worldly possessions into my Mustang and my Dad’s Bronco during the hot humidity of a San Antonio May, while my annoying roommate tried to manipulate me into taking her to Sonic. And that uniquely dorm smell lingering in the air.
Five Things on Today’s To Do List
1. Get out of bed (Check)
2. Email “Happy Birthday” to brother (Oh, crap! Hold on…..okay, check.)
3. Check-in with my work chicas (Check)
4. Worry momentarily about Amy and Co. (Check, check, check, check…)
5. Go to Yoga (To do)
Five Things I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire
1. College funds for various small children in my life.
2. Hybrid Lexus.
3. So many shoes they’ll have to start calling me Imelda.
4. Big ole’ closet in roomy house in the hill country for the shoes in question.
5. Start planning the trips.
Three Bad Habits
1. I am prone to lollygagging.
2. I am prone to eating...everything.
3. Focusing all my hate and unhappiness on Kobe Bryant. (Not really. I don’t consider that a bad habit. How about impulse shopping?)
Five Places I’ve Lived
1. Costa de Oro
2. Shook
3. Magnolia
4. Talavera
5. Gold Canyon
Five Jobs I’ve Had
1. Entertainment Reporter
2. Transcriber
3. Palm Reader
4. Coordinator
5. Editor
Let’s see…I would be ending my first year of college right about then. I wish I had a significant insight on the moment, but mostly I remember learning to dislike packing and moving all my stuff. I’m sure I felt a sense of victory. As a naturally shy person who never wanted to leave home, getting through my first year of college was no small feat. As I recall there was a sense of relief, an “okay, I can do this” sort of feeling.
I, no doubt, was a tad disappointed, too. College wasn’t quite like the sitcoms made out. I did not find my social group (that would take another year). I did not become best friends with my roommate (that took two more years). I did not find my purpose in life through a collision of events (still looking). I did not fall in love (yeah, that one is still in the air). Also, much to my surprise, I didn’t magically change into a new person. I was still undeniably me. At the time I’m sure I found that a trifle confusing. (Doesn’t everything change when big things happen?) It would be a few more years before I figured that one out.
But, to be honest, that’s just guessing. The only clear memory I have is trying to cram my worldly possessions into my Mustang and my Dad’s Bronco during the hot humidity of a San Antonio May, while my annoying roommate tried to manipulate me into taking her to Sonic. And that uniquely dorm smell lingering in the air.
Five Things on Today’s To Do List
1. Get out of bed (Check)
2. Email “Happy Birthday” to brother (Oh, crap! Hold on…..okay, check.)
3. Check-in with my work chicas (Check)
4. Worry momentarily about Amy and Co. (Check, check, check, check…)
5. Go to Yoga (To do)
Five Things I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire
1. College funds for various small children in my life.
2. Hybrid Lexus.
3. So many shoes they’ll have to start calling me Imelda.
4. Big ole’ closet in roomy house in the hill country for the shoes in question.
5. Start planning the trips.
Three Bad Habits
1. I am prone to lollygagging.
2. I am prone to eating...everything.
3. Focusing all my hate and unhappiness on Kobe Bryant. (Not really. I don’t consider that a bad habit. How about impulse shopping?)
Five Places I’ve Lived
1. Costa de Oro
2. Shook
3. Magnolia
4. Talavera
5. Gold Canyon
Five Jobs I’ve Had
1. Entertainment Reporter
2. Transcriber
3. Palm Reader
4. Coordinator
5. Editor
April 19, 2008
Really?
No. Seriously? I mean Alan Rickman can read poetry to me in the garden any day, but running across fields through rain just to look at some guy's house (roll eyes)....
April 7, 2008
Longest Tag Ever
1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
A box of Kleenex and a case full of CDs. (Ooh, there might be a country song in that line.)
2. When was the last time you threw up?
In January during the flu. Luckily, I had given up eating at that point…
3. What’s your favorite curse word?
Cunt. Before anyone complains, I got one so I can wield it, motherfucker.
4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Jimmie Sue (via comments), Christina (usual stuff), and Ariane (gave me the answer I wanted).
5. What were you doing at 8 a.m. this morning?
Rolling my lazy ass out of bed, late as usual.
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Asking Ariane if I was right to stet Development’s edit.
7. Where were you born?
Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas
8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
More than one. (Huh, that’s interesting.)
9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
“That’s what weekends are for.”
10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Depends entirely on who’s making the flavors. One favorite: Brindle’s Azteca. (Those of you in San Antonio should go try it now.)
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Green tea with lemon.
12. What are you wearing right now?
Work clothes and super cute new summer shoes.
13. What was the last thing you ate?
A PB and J. (Crunchy. Raspberry.)
14. Have you bought any new clothes this week?
Do shoes count?
15. Where were you last?
The ladies’ room. (Yes, I washed my hands. Why would you even think that when you read that answer?)
16. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
I lingered long enough to check the score of the Spurs game while I was flipping.
17. Who won?
The Spurs were down at that particular moment.
18. Who is the last person you sent a comment/message while blogging?
Murat 11. (He hasn’t read The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul!)
19. Ever go camping?
I have, begrudgingly. I don’t see doing it again, but I never thought I would before. So…
20. Where do you live?
San Antonio, Texas
21. What song are you listening to?
“Holiday in Spain” by Counting Crows
22. Do you tan?
I pale white or bright red. Those are my options.
23. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Depends. I like a straw in a cup but I’m a straight from the can sort of gal.
24. What did your last text message say?
From Rae-cho: Anne. Bluebonnet update please. Any pictures?
My reply: Mild clumpage. Pics soon.
25. Who’s your best friend?
Amy wins!
26. What are you doing tomorrow?
I going to yoga to burn some of the karma I racked up this morning.
27. Where is your mom right now?
El Paso, Texas. She seems to be at…hmmm…work…yes, I definitely feel that it’s work…I can feel her annoyance at a teenager…
28. Look to your right, what do you see?
Funnily enough, a Counting Crows poster. (That’s crazy timing is what that is.) I also see edit rounds and a reviewing board.
29. What color is your watch?
The one I’m wearing is silver, but I have a watch in most colors.
30. What do you think of when you think of where you live?
Breakfast tacos, Fiesta, and twisted mesquites.
31. Ever ridden on a roller coaster?
Yeah. I ride them just often enough to appreciate my relationship with the ground. Nice ground. Lovely ground.
32. What is your birthstone?
The pearl. I spent part of my youth wishing it was tiger’s eye, but I’m on good terms with pearls now.
33. Do you go in at a fast-food place or just hit the drive through?
Usually I’m going for fast food precisely for the fact that I can drive through. With all things, though, there are exceptions.
34. What is your favorite number?
22
35. Do you have a dog?
No, and I won’t be judged.
36. Last person you talked to on the phone?
Mark
37. Have you met anyone famous?
I had my picture taken with William Shatner and just about died I was sooooo happy.
38. Any plans today?
Yes, at work I have several, but I won’t go into detail because it’s not terribly thrilling.
39. How many states have you lived in?
Just the one that counts.
40. Ever go to college?
Go Trinity Tigers!
41. Where are you right now?
On the wrong side of 25 and single.
(According to a genre of fiction Amy and I discovered in the bargain bin at Borders. Think titles like: The Panic Years. For those of you concerned about my feminist inklings, I refer you to number 3.)
42. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Assessments
43. Are you struggling to forgive someone right now?
Yes. Yes I am.
44. Are you allergic to anything?
Bermuda grass smut. (Among other things, but that’s the one that makes me smile.)
45. Favorite pair of shoes?
Too. Many. Choices. Brain. In. Overload. Processing. Processing.
(But to pick one among the favorites: my brown leather Tevas. Cute and practical. Like moi.)
April 2, 2008
Book-o-rama
1. One Book That Changed Your Life
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I inhaled that book while all my classmates bitterly complained about the unjust educational system that forced them to read it. I also discussed it excitedly with my teacher who kept checking her book of Cliff’s Notes to see if I was right. I knew about then that I was a literary geek and would have to seek out my own kind.
2. One Book You Have Read More Than Once
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammet. It’s just an incredibly good read. Fast-paced story and diction to lust after.
3. One Book You Would Want on a Desert Island
I hate stupid desert island questions. I’m always slightly insulted by the implication that I would ever put myself in the sort of situation where I could be marooned. Then there’s the immediate reaction to list some sort of survival guide or ship building reference book, which isn’t the point of the question I suppose. But if I must…the Oxford English Dictionary. You either know why or you don’t. I’ve decided to be too oblique to ‘splain it to you.
4. One Book That Made You Laugh
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams. The precursor, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, also made me giggle but somehow The Long Dark… was just better. The disapproving soda machine, the clean sheets, the bit about the refrigerator, oh my.
5. One Book That Made You Cry
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. Like a baby. Over an elf’s socks. I am such a geek. (There are others, of course, but this is the one that leapt to mind. Damn that J. K.!)
6. One Book You Wish Had Been Written
Errr. Hmm. Well…I still haven’t found a satisfying Tarot card instructional.
7. One Book You Wish Had Never Been Written
Anything dune-esque after Dune by Frank Herbert. Dune was so crazy brilliant nothing can help to shine as bright. Frank’s sequels could compare, but I hated what he did to the characters. The ridiculous series that continues to spawn in its name I refuse to even consider.
8. One Book You are Currently Reading
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I know, I know, it’s fairly ubiquitous right now, isn’t it? It’s also entertaining and funny. (And her constant asides to make sardonic comments about her own writing gives me much hope for my authorial career.)
9. One Book You Have Been Meaning to Read
Ha. So I buy books much faster than I read them. Also, I receive books faster than I read them. I have a little over two shelves of books to be read. I also have a to-buy-to-read-later list. Not a complaint, just how it goes. On deck, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (though my booklist is subject to change without notice). The prevalence of sci-fi fantasy on this list has suddenly made me shy. Hasn’t it always been thus?
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I inhaled that book while all my classmates bitterly complained about the unjust educational system that forced them to read it. I also discussed it excitedly with my teacher who kept checking her book of Cliff’s Notes to see if I was right. I knew about then that I was a literary geek and would have to seek out my own kind.
2. One Book You Have Read More Than Once
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammet. It’s just an incredibly good read. Fast-paced story and diction to lust after.
3. One Book You Would Want on a Desert Island
I hate stupid desert island questions. I’m always slightly insulted by the implication that I would ever put myself in the sort of situation where I could be marooned. Then there’s the immediate reaction to list some sort of survival guide or ship building reference book, which isn’t the point of the question I suppose. But if I must…the Oxford English Dictionary. You either know why or you don’t. I’ve decided to be too oblique to ‘splain it to you.
4. One Book That Made You Laugh
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams. The precursor, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, also made me giggle but somehow The Long Dark… was just better. The disapproving soda machine, the clean sheets, the bit about the refrigerator, oh my.
5. One Book That Made You Cry
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. Like a baby. Over an elf’s socks. I am such a geek. (There are others, of course, but this is the one that leapt to mind. Damn that J. K.!)
6. One Book You Wish Had Been Written
Errr. Hmm. Well…I still haven’t found a satisfying Tarot card instructional.
7. One Book You Wish Had Never Been Written
Anything dune-esque after Dune by Frank Herbert. Dune was so crazy brilliant nothing can help to shine as bright. Frank’s sequels could compare, but I hated what he did to the characters. The ridiculous series that continues to spawn in its name I refuse to even consider.
8. One Book You are Currently Reading
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I know, I know, it’s fairly ubiquitous right now, isn’t it? It’s also entertaining and funny. (And her constant asides to make sardonic comments about her own writing gives me much hope for my authorial career.)
9. One Book You Have Been Meaning to Read
Ha. So I buy books much faster than I read them. Also, I receive books faster than I read them. I have a little over two shelves of books to be read. I also have a to-buy-to-read-later list. Not a complaint, just how it goes. On deck, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (though my booklist is subject to change without notice). The prevalence of sci-fi fantasy on this list has suddenly made me shy. Hasn’t it always been thus?
March 21, 2008
Tag
A riff on a tag of someone else’s declarative statements. Okay. Here goes:
1. I am a lip balm addict.
Yes, I am. And I am not ashamed. To be specific, I am a Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm addict. (The stick version. Those of you using your fingers to stick into miniature jars of goo to apply said balm have cooties. Yes you do. Do too.) My frequent balming led one friend to comment that the applying of lip balm only causes your lips to create less moisture which in turn leads to the use of more lip balm. I explained to her that was fine by me because I have more lip balm at home and clearly, then, lip balm is one of the things that separates us from the monkeys.
2. I can walk pretty fast in high heels.
It depends on what part of the day you catch me. I don’t wear heels too often so there is always a wobbly readjustment period in the early morning. Mid-morning, afternoonish I can zip around pretty well. By the end of the day the stupid things start to hurt, I slow down a bit, and I remember why I don’t wear them that often. Of course, if you catch me at night whilst drinking and dancing in a swanky establishment, well then, I’m a movie star and will feel no pain till tomorrow afternoon.
3. I love broccoli.
When I was little, my grandmother got me to eat broccoli by telling me that they were miniature trees. To this day, while dining on that divine little vegetable, my inner Godzilla roars at the unhappy picnickers of Central Park as I devour their shade givers and plan to schmorgesborg my way to the subway.
4. My current favorite movie is A Star is Born.
Uhg! Remade overly dramatic contrived 70’s fondue cheesey cheese, uhg! Love is an easy chair, ugh ugh! (I must digress to comment, though, that Kris Kristofferson has one of those gravelly whisky cowboy voices that all women born in Texas must occasionally fall prey too.) If you must go with retro Barbra Streisand (why? why?) at least go with What’s Up, Doc? It’s worth a viewing just for the scene where everyone tells Ryan O’Neal he’s upside down. Plus, anything with Madeline Khan…
My current favorite movie is Chocolat, which I recently rediscovered thanks to the movie channel. It’s really a love story between a mother and daughter, but there ain’t nothin’ wrong with the Johnny Depp interludes. Best line from the movie, it always gets me: “Why can’t you wear black shoes like the other mothers!?”
5. I really missed seeing the Oscars this year.
Me too! The show occurred during my enforced television hiatus. (See “Moved” for all the sad sad details.) Seeing the dresses later in a magazine just wasn’t the same. Sigh. Poor poor me.
6. I love making (and eating) good American pancakes.
I love my Mom making and then me eating German-style waffles. Cue, “Nobody Does It Better.”
7. I have a dozen scarves.
No, but I wish I did. I have lusted in my heart over other women’s scarves. I wear my two with quite élan, but think what I could do with a dozen! Sigh. Poor poor me.
1. I am a lip balm addict.
Yes, I am. And I am not ashamed. To be specific, I am a Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm addict. (The stick version. Those of you using your fingers to stick into miniature jars of goo to apply said balm have cooties. Yes you do. Do too.) My frequent balming led one friend to comment that the applying of lip balm only causes your lips to create less moisture which in turn leads to the use of more lip balm. I explained to her that was fine by me because I have more lip balm at home and clearly, then, lip balm is one of the things that separates us from the monkeys.
2. I can walk pretty fast in high heels.
It depends on what part of the day you catch me. I don’t wear heels too often so there is always a wobbly readjustment period in the early morning. Mid-morning, afternoonish I can zip around pretty well. By the end of the day the stupid things start to hurt, I slow down a bit, and I remember why I don’t wear them that often. Of course, if you catch me at night whilst drinking and dancing in a swanky establishment, well then, I’m a movie star and will feel no pain till tomorrow afternoon.
3. I love broccoli.
When I was little, my grandmother got me to eat broccoli by telling me that they were miniature trees. To this day, while dining on that divine little vegetable, my inner Godzilla roars at the unhappy picnickers of Central Park as I devour their shade givers and plan to schmorgesborg my way to the subway.
4. My current favorite movie is A Star is Born.
Uhg! Remade overly dramatic contrived 70’s fondue cheesey cheese, uhg! Love is an easy chair, ugh ugh! (I must digress to comment, though, that Kris Kristofferson has one of those gravelly whisky cowboy voices that all women born in Texas must occasionally fall prey too.) If you must go with retro Barbra Streisand (why? why?) at least go with What’s Up, Doc? It’s worth a viewing just for the scene where everyone tells Ryan O’Neal he’s upside down. Plus, anything with Madeline Khan…
My current favorite movie is Chocolat, which I recently rediscovered thanks to the movie channel. It’s really a love story between a mother and daughter, but there ain’t nothin’ wrong with the Johnny Depp interludes. Best line from the movie, it always gets me: “Why can’t you wear black shoes like the other mothers!?”
5. I really missed seeing the Oscars this year.
Me too! The show occurred during my enforced television hiatus. (See “Moved” for all the sad sad details.) Seeing the dresses later in a magazine just wasn’t the same. Sigh. Poor poor me.
6. I love making (and eating) good American pancakes.
I love my Mom making and then me eating German-style waffles. Cue, “Nobody Does It Better.”
7. I have a dozen scarves.
No, but I wish I did. I have lusted in my heart over other women’s scarves. I wear my two with quite élan, but think what I could do with a dozen! Sigh. Poor poor me.
February 18, 2008
Work Shmork
I reject this test. Not a single Star Wars question to be found! This was how much of a computer geek are you, not a sci-fi geek. There is no spoon, people, there is no spoon.
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