Sunday Stealing--Alpha Meme (stolen from A Blog in the Rough)

My roommate and I once: awoke to find a naked man meditating in the middle of our living room floor with a strategically placed bag of crystals in his lap. You can't make this stuff up.

Never in my life have I: plucked my eyebrows, and I'm not going to start.

High school was: the unhappiest time of my life.

When I’m nervous: I talk more.

My hair: never does what I want it to, but I'm grateful to have some.

When I was 5: I liked to read. Just like now.

When I turn my head left: I see an air conditioner and my cat, Nunzio.

I should be: packing a bag for the hospital.

By this time next year: I'm going to feel better.

My favorite aunt is: very cool. Aunts are special because they still love you like relatives, but don't have all that mother baggage.

I have a hard time understanding: people who say one thing, do another, and don't see the conflict.

You know I like you if: I make you CDs.

My ideal breakfast is: a fruit plate in the balcony room of a cruise ship with my love.

If you visit my home town: you will think, "It's beautiful, but there is nothing there."

If you spend the night at my house: you will sleep on the couch, the floor, or an air mattress because we aren't equipped for many guests. There will also be cat shenanigans.

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds: pigs, of course.

I shouldn’t have been: so quick to rule out a nap this afternoon.

Last night I: slept really well.

A better name for me would be: Black Ice, which is my name on Mafia Wars.

I’ve been told I look like: Jodie Foster, Paul Williams, Charlie Brown, my uncle, and at one time or another, both of my parents.

If I could have any car, it would be: a Hovercraft.

Thursday Thunks, last week and this

Thanks to "Through Thick and Thin", I am getting hooked up with blogs with memes on them...like a moth to a flame, I am.

1. Have you seen the new Star Trek movie, and if so what did you think?

I went because I love Mr. Salted. It was just all right for me. (thank you, Randy Jackson)

2. Which popular sitcom character (past or present) are you most like?

I'd say Roseanne, but I don't have any kids. I'm probably more like Jackie, so I'd say I'm a combo of the two.

3. What kind of dreams do you have?

Strange, detailed, thought-provoking, disturbing. Never boring. Wake up scratching my head.


4. Bugger it. Go get a tattoo and come back. Right, now answer me this, what ees eet?

One of my paintings, the eyes of Buddha, and/or a memorial tattoo for my dearly departed friend.

5. Do you think you could be on American Idol with the singing voice you have now without any voice training?

No way.

6. How much wood, would a woodchuck chuck? If a woodchuck could chuck wood?

My answer is always the same--if he's chucking it and I'm not, I could care less!

7. If you were a tree in a Dr. Seuss book, what would you look like?

I'd be shaped like the Lorax.

8. Twilight? I'm addicted/Who cares/What the hell is Twilight?

I've only read the first book, and I have seen the movie. I think they are poorly written; I want to slap Bella upside her head, and Edward is a douchebag.

9. Do you think Kimber and Berleen do a dube while writing these questions?

I don't know, I just started :)

10. What the worst injury you've ever had?

The ankle that I broke 20 years ago that I now have to have reconstructive surgery on. Boo. Hiss.

11. What is your favorite dessert?

Chocolate mousse, apple pie, lemon pie. I'll take things I'm not supposed to eat anymore for $500, Alex.

12. What do you prefer...beach or mountains?

Beach. But I like beaches wear you wear sweaters, like the Oregon Coast.

13. What movie have you seen that still make you cry? Oh, a ton. "The Business of Fancydancing" about killed me.

14. Why are you making me submit a question? Are you too lazy to think of one yourself?

Again, I just started. :)

15. how often do you do laundry?

Pretty much daily. There are always towels and blankets and stuff to wash even if I'm caught up on clothes.

16. What is your favorite movie of all time, and why?

"American Beauty" is one...it's a beautiful illustration of human frailty.

17. If you won a million dollars in the lottery, would you keep working?

NO WAY!

18. If there was a war of the gummies, would you be on the gummi bear side or the gummi worm side?

Bears.

19. What's your favorite comic strip?

I love Pearls Before Swine.

20. Close your eyes… imagine you are in the perfect room/place… describe it.

I'll do a room. Hardwood floors, doors/windows/entryways that are rounded at the top, lots of natural light, built-in shelves full of books, walls a light color, a cool rug, a comfy sofa, a little desk with a laptop, a window seat, a cat or two...

21. How many states have you been in?

WA, OR, CA, NY, ID, MT, CO, NY, VT, MA, CT, RI, NH, VA, DC, FL, IL, NJ, NV...19.

22. If a sexist Man is called a pig, what is a sexist Woman called?

I'm stealing Through Thick and Thin's answer..."smart".

23. You see the one person who you absolutely despise. If you were guaranteed that he/she couldn't say or do anything back to you.... What would you do??

Make his heart stop with the sheer power of my mind.

24. How many states are to the right of you?

All but 4, so...55.

25. You can go anywhere in the world for free. Where are you?

I'm in England. And I may not come back.


26. HOW MANY FINGERS AM I HOLDING UP?

Three.

27. Are you a boxing fan? Do you think there will be a rematch of the Hatton-Pacquiao fight?

No. I have no idea. I feel bad for Mike Tyson because his daughter just died.

28. What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?

Squid. And my grandmother's potato salad. They were nowhere near each other and this did not happen at the same time. She uses Miracle Whip, and that is Just Wrong.

29. Is it cloudy right now?

Yeah, the type that burn off.

30. What is your dream job?

Not really having or needing one...I would (a) seriously pursue writing and (b) go volunteer with animals so I could play with them and walk dogs part-time--after my ankle's fixed and I can walk again.

31. Someone gives you a $500 gift card to WalMart or Target. What are you going to buy? A laptop.

32. When you were little, what did you want to be "when you grow up"? And, how much different is your occupation now from where you thought it would be when you were younger? I never wanted to be anything but a writer. I don't really have an occupation right now so I'll have to get back to you on that answer.

33. what was your favorite toy as a child?

A pen and paper.

34. How do you think these things up??

My mind is quick like a bunny. My body, not so much.

35. Why do you think so many "fake" veterans get away with pretending? Why don't people question them more (especially the media who eats up their stories?)

Because most people would rather believe the best about people, and want to believe heroes exist.

36. What is the last place you had a good cry and why?

At home. It's safe here. And life.

37. What do you mean?

I mean what I say.

38. Which Sesame Street Character do you relate with the most and why?

Cookie Monster. I still want to marry him, but it would be like marrying my Muppet doppelganger.

39. What song one would you listen to over and over if you absolutely had to?

"Scarborough Fair"

40. Did you ever make what you believed at the time to be a horrible mistake - that in hindsight turned out to lead you on the best path in your life?

I quit grad school. That was a really good decision.

41. If you could change one thing on your person, what would it be?

Weight. Especially stomach.

42. What’s your favorite show to watch on television nowadays?

"Breaking Bad". It's fantastic.

43. Do you believe there is life after death?

Yes.

Saturday 9: Hot Fun in the Summertime Meme

1. Is summer your favorite season? Why?

No way. It's my least favorite. I hate hot weather, I can't be out in the sun because I burn so fast, and I'm never comfortable.

2. Do you exercise more in the summer because you wear less clothing?

No, I exercise less because it's too freakin' hot already. Inside with the A/C on and some ice water is where I probably am.

3. Do you enjoy tanning or are you more concerned about the dangers of basking in the sun?

It is physically impossible for me to get a tan. I'm nine shades whiter than a white person, okay? Frog-belly white. Kraft mayonnaise white. You can see my veins through to the bone. I'm out there with umbrellas, sunscreen, hats. People laugh but I have pretty nice skin for a 40-year-old.


4. You are on the beach when a waiter appears for your drink order. What do you ask for?

Water, probably. I've had a few enjoyable days drinking Mudslides or something lovely like that, but alcohol just makes me hotter.

5. Do you camp in the summertime?

No way. Too old to sleep on the ground. Don't like bugs. Allergic to bees. My idea of camping is a room at the Travelodge.

6. What was your favorite summer vacation as a kid?

They were not my happy time. I'll just leave it at that.

7. Do you enjoy sleeping outdoors?

No, though I have a couple of fond memories of doing it as a kid...in Becky's yard with the boom box on the long extension cord, looking up at the stars and listening to KISW.

8. Do you throw a summer barbecue every year?

You're funny. This quiz is making me feel like the most antisocial misanthrope on the planet. My husband likes to grill. It annoys me because it takes too much effort but I just let him rock on with his bad self. The meat tastes good, anyway,and he cleans up afterward.

9. Have you ever been to a nude beach? If yes, what did you think?

No. It wouldn't faze me, but it wouldn't be anywhere I'd want to be on purpose.

A meme that's about a week late

1. Who do you think is sexy?

My husband, and guys like him—smart, sweet, thoughtful, funny, just plain good people. Good fathers, sons, husbands, friends, brothers. Guys who shovel the walk so you don’t have to.

2. When does it become love?

You just know.

3. Are you a good dancer?

I’m not bad. I have fun. :)

4. What magazines do you read?

People, Utne Reader, Consumer Reports, Rolling Stone, International Figure Skating. I like Bust and a lot of others. Magazines are fun. “Beauty” magazines are verboten chez moi; all they do is tell you to feel insecure so you buy the products they advertise and keep buying their magazines in hope of redeeming your not-nearly-fabulous-enough self. And who the hell needs that? Not me.

5. If you could have any name, what would you call yourself?

The one I have. I picked it. :)

6. Have you ever ridden in a limo? If yes, when?

I never have.

7. What is something you really like to do?

Read, write, take pictures, sleep, laugh.

8. Last chance: Who wins Idol, Kris Allen or Adam Lambert?

Well, as it turns out, Kris! I thought it could have gone either way.

9. If you had to, what animal would you choose to be?

Any cat a certain couple among my friends own. Theirs only drinks Brita water!

Steal-a-meme

1. Is there a particular smell that turns you on? If so, what is it? Mr. Salted

2. Have you ever tried or considered trying a Master Cleanse type method to lose weight? I haven't.

3. When you browsing a book store for reading material, do you find yourself checking out a book solely based on the cover design? No, but I do check out books because I like their titles.

4. Which 80's trend were you least happy to see come back this year; big shoulder pads or neon? I didn't know shoulder pads came back. Joan Crawford must be smiling in her grave.

5. How long do you think could you disappear for until someone would notice your absence and start looking for you? If I stopped answering the phone, probably just a few hours.

6. Have you ever walked out of a movie and asked for your money back? Which movie(s) and why? I walked out of "Feeling Minnesota". I didn't ask for my money back, though.

7. Have you ever changed your plans because of something you read in your horoscope?
Nope.

8. If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be? Madame Black.

Steal-a-meme

1. What are your current obsessions?
Crystal Light Focus. Advil. The "Adventureland" soundtrack.

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
Anything cotton, loose, and comfy.

3. What's for dinner?
Leftover sloppy Joes. I had a dream about sloppy Joes, which I hadn't had in about ten years, and a coupon--a lethal combination. They were okay, but didn't taste as good as the dream.

4. Last thing you bought?
Claritin

5. What are you listening to?
The computer hum, my neck pop, cars going by

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be?
I'd want to be Athena. Does Wonder Woman count? I look like the Venus of Willendorf (ancient statue of a fertility goddess).

7. Favorite holiday spots?
The Oregon Coast, a cruise ship with a balcony room, Red Caboose Getaway

8. Reading right now?
I just finished "Grunge is Dead" last night. I'm working through Natalie Goldberg's "Old Friend From Far Away". "Anatomy of a Food Addiction" in my group/class.

9. 4 words to describe yourself.
Melancholy.
Funny.
Creative.
Loved.

10. Guilty pleasure?
Chocolate, "Divorce Court", one-hit wonders.

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?
My fabulous friends. Margaret Cho. Christopher Guest movies.

12. Planning to travel to next?
Can't afford it, willfully not thinking about it. I'm signing us up for every sweepstakes to win a trip I can find.

13. Best thing you ate or drank lately?
Seriously? The Ghirardelli chocolate squares I shouldn't have had yesterday.

14. When did you last get tipsy?
Last summer.

15. Care to share some wisdom?
Life is too short to expend emotional energy on those who only drain yours. Concurrently: to thine own self be true.

16. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you?
There are a few: your friendship is the greatest gift of my life. You have the most beautiful heart I've ever known. You are my chosen sister. You are my soul mate. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. We don't throw people away. All of these came from different sources--so I'm a very lucky person.

17. If you could have just one more conversation with a person from your past, who would it be? Jeff. I miss him so much.

18. Do your friends tend to be male or female?
At this point in my life, it's an equal balance. Women get cooler as they get older. :)

19. What is in your car’s trunk? Reusable grocery bags and a case of water.

I'd like to tell you that there are various fucktard parts in there but alas, it's just my reusable grocery bags

20. What was the last CD that you purchased? The "Adventureland" soundtrack

21. What is your favorite movie and why? I really love "American Beauty" and "Ghost World". So much truth, humor, tragedy, great acting, etc. "Airplane!" and "Soapdish" can always, ALWAYS make me laugh. "Walk the Line" and "Good Night and Good Luck" are both incredible fact-based films.

22. If you could wake up with a new talent tomorrow, what would it be? Being able to work for The Man with a smile and not have to shower afterward.

23. What is your favorite day of the week and why? the weekend, because it's chill.

24. What are you wearing when you feel you’re at your best? Makeup and earrings, comfortable clothes that I feel good in.

25. When was the last time you cried? Last week.

26. What items (if any) do you get embarrassed to purchase? None. I was always the one my friends sent in to buy their condoms and pregnancy tests when we were "underage"...I didn't care.

27) If you could have the ability to solve problems quickly and easily or the ability to know without a doubt every time a person told a lie, which ability would you want and why? Probably the problems one. I have good lying radar.

28) Do you nap a lot? Yes, because I'm not a good sleeper.

29) If you were given a free house that was full furnished, where in the world would you like it to be? Cannon Beach, OR

30) Name three things that you could not live without.
Loved ones
Pets
Water

31) What would you like in your hands right now?
Chocolate

32) What would you change or eliminate about yourself?
How much I love chocolate

33) As a child, what type of career did you want?
A writer

34) What’s your favorite book from the past year?
There are too many! I'm a speedy, prolific reader.

35)Is there a comfort food from your childhood that you still enjoy?
Cooked chocolate pudding with the skin on it. Haven't had it in YEARS.