Red Nose

The "What's Your Story" Meme

A longer catch-up post is in the works, but here's the scoop in a nutshell:

• Yay Wellbutrin, even though I had a bit of a meltdown at work the other day.
• Speaking of work, GRRRRRR.

But for now, Sunday Stealing!

1. What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten in public?
It's probably particularly strange, but it was to me. When I was in Milan way back on Aught-Three, I went to dinner with some of the other conference folks. Earlier in the trip, I had eaten the most delicious risotto I'd ever had, so I looked for a risotto on the menu. Sure enough, there was one: Risotto Negro. "Why not?" I thought. Well, I found out why not. The risotto was made with squid ink, which made the rice black. It was awful (to me). Worse, it had a very unfortunate effect on my digestive system.

2. If you had to go on an adventure, with elves, dwarves, or hobbits, who would you take and why?
I'd take Joe, of course, because we like to have our adventures together.

3. You are at a rural retreat lodge somewhere deep in Wisconsin or Canada. You are approached by a taxidermist who hands you a stuffed badger and asks you to put it in your lap. What do you do next?
I'd put it in my lap. It's stuffed!

4. If you were given biscotti, would you prefer it with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
Coffee, regardless of the flavor of the biscotti. Cookies go better with hot chocolate, and cucumber sandwiches go better with tea.

5. In your opinion, who is the funniest man or woman alive today.
That's a tough one! I love me some Ron White, but John Cleese is still alive. As for women, I love Melissa McCarthy.

 6. If you were given thirty seconds on television to say something, what would it be?
Look, people, behave yourselves. Be kind to each other. Give me money, please? Thank you.

7. What is your idea of the most romantic date setting ever?
An intimate, cozy restaurant by the ocean, at sunset on a summer day.

8. If you could go on one date with a movie or television star, who would it be and why?
I'd love to have a date with all three guys from Top Gear UK, because I'd probably get to ride in a really really really powerful and fancy car.

9. What is the worst song you have ever heard?
I pretty much gag every I hear "The Unicorn", by the Irish Rovers.

10. If you could live anywhere else, where would it be?
Ocean City. My tastes are modest.

11. Who- in your opinion- was the greatest person to ever live?
Probably the early humanoid who figured out how to make fire.

Sunday Stealing on Oscar Night

First Job: Babysitting. I started babysitting for my nephew when I was 12. I got paid, so I figure it counts!

First Real Job: Santa's Helper, during Christmas season at a local mall. It was horrible. I quit two days before Christmas Eve.

First Volunteer Job: Day Camp Counselor

First Car: 1970 Chevy Nova

First Record: LP or 45? Oh, I'll just do both. First 45: Bernadette, by the Four Tops. First LP: The Beatles Second Album, because the store was sold out of Meet the Beatles.

First Sport Played: Does kickball during recess count? Because that's about it, except maybe for volleyball during phys ed class in high school.

First Concert: The Righteous Brothers.

First Country Visited: France -- I was 15, on a study tour sponsored by my high school. I spent three weeks in Orsay (near Paris) and three weeks in Antibes. We took French class in the morning and went on tours in the afternoon. My little group also took a three-day side trip to Rome, because our chaperone's boyfriend lived there. It was really wonderful.

First Kiss: On that very side trip to Rome, with a boy named Luigi, who was a friend of my chaperone's boyfriend.

First Speech: I gave the speech for my kindergarten graduation. It was also my first acting role, because I was dressed up like the principal, Mother Bernadette. Yes, I was a mini-nun.

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend: My first real boyfriend was a boy named Charlie. I was a sophomore in high school; he was a senior. He played guitar in a rock and roll band and took me to many concerts, including my first. He broke up with me after awhile. When I was in college, he tried to get back together with me, but I had moved on.

First Encounter with a Famous Person: Does being on the Bozo the Clown show when Willard Scott was Bozo count? I say it does!

First Brush With Death: I had double pneumonia when I was five. My mom told me later that I was very very sick, and she was terribly afraid that I wouldn't make it. The only reason I wasn't hospitalized was because the doctor -- who was friends with my parents -- came to house every day to give me a shot.

First House/Flat Owned: Our first home purchase was a two-bedroom condo. It was a great apartment.

First Film Seen at a Cinema: Cinderella, when I was five. (Geez, a lot of this stuff happened when I five!)

First Media Appearance (Radio, Newspaper, TV): I was on a local kid's show called Ranger Hal when I was nine. I even won a prize!

First Hospital Stay: I think I'm very fortunate that my first hospital stay was when I had SonnyeBoy. And a good thing too, because my uterus turned inside out after he was born.

First Book You Remember Reading: Dick and Jane -- the first grade reader.

First Pet: Molly, a tiger cat.

First Election You Voted In: 1972 -- I voted for George McGovern.

Sunday Stealing on Tuesday

Work continues to continue; my resume made it past the pre-screening; my Caps are battling the Senators and it's all tied up. So how about a nice, distracting meme?

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was getting ready for the first seminar of the new year, frantically finishing up my first course for my new job. What a difference 10 years makes!

2. By this time next year, I ...
...hope to be settled into a new home and new job in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Apparently, the only indigenous mammal there is the fruit bat. Put THAT in your bag of useless information!

3. Do you think the United States will elect a female President in your lifetime? Do you think this would be a good thing?
Yes. Whether or not it's a good thing depends, of course, on her political views. For example: Hillary Clinton = good thing; Sarah Palin = not a good thing.

4. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime?
Eric Northman. Or Leonard Hofstadter.

5. Who is your greatest enemy?
I'd like to think that I don't have any enemies.
 
6. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?
We travelled to western Maryland just before Christmas for a family party.

7. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
The dictionary, mostly to check spelling.

8. Do you have a nickname? What is it?
No, unless you count "Mom".

9. What are you dreading at the moment?
My performance review tomorrow. Well, I'm not really dreading it; I think these events are more like a trip to the dentist. You've got to do them twice a year, and you're lucky if it's painless.

10. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?
No, I let that go years ago.

11. If you find an outfit you love, but the size on the label is larger than you want, do you buy the outfit? Why or why not?
If it fits, looks good, and I have the money, I buy it.

12. Even the biggest slackers are anal-retentive about something? What are you anal-retentive about?
Balancing the checkbook. And flossing.

13. Out of all the books you read as a child, which one had the biggest influence on how you are today?
Mr. Bear Squash-You-All-Flat. Or maybe Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.

14. Which Golden Girl would you want to spend a night on the town with?
The one played by Bea Arthur.

15. What is the one product you would never buy in its generic form even if the generic is half the price?
Geez, I don't know!

16. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
Eight, I think. I was lying awake when I glimpsed my parents carrying our Christmas presents downstairs. I was okay with it because I suspected it anyway.

17. What is the one smell that turns your stomach without fail?
Rotten meat.

18. If someone holds out a carton of milk to you and asks you to sniff it to see if its spoiled, do you?
Sure. Rotten milk doesn't turn my stomach, and I'd rather smell it than drink it.

19. You have a completely free day and $2000.00, What are you doing?
Day o' Beauty and a fabulous meal or two.

20. What is the most used item in your home?
Probably the TV. Gotta keep up with Eric and Leonard!

New Year Sunday Stealing (Continued)

Before we get to today's Sunday Stealing, here's a brief Public Service Announcement:

There's still time to vote for the entry you want me to use as a audition piece for Listen to Your Mother. To vote, go here, read the candidate entries, then vote!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled meme.

21) What’s something you’ve always wanted?
A million dollars!

22) Do you have hairy legs?
Not particularly. They get less hairy as I age, to the point where I really don't have to shave at all anymore. Of course, I didn't shave anything in the 70s, because I was a good hippie chick.

23) What does “Semper Fidelis” stand for?
"Semper Fidelis" is the motto of the United States Marine Corps; it means "Always Faithful."

24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?
I'd rather swim in a lake, but I'd rather float and play in the ocean. I can't really swim in the ocean; those pesky waves keep getting in the way.

25) Do you wear a lot of black?
In pants, yes. I have a half dozen pairs of black pants. In tops and dresses, however, I prefer colors and prints.

26) Describe your hair:
Shoulder length, graying, not as thick as it used to be, wavy.

27) Do you have Entomophobia?
I wouldn't say I have a full-blown phobia, but I do not care for most bugs.

28) Are you an adult?
Depends on how you define "adult," but I suppose I am.

29) Do you own or rent?
Own.

30) Do you have a tan?
Nope. Not even in summer. When I realized (after suffering from a couple nasty sunburns) that I do not tan, I gave up on trying. I just slather on the sunblock.

31) Are you addicted to TV?
No. I can stop any time. I just choose not to.

32) Do you enjoy spending time with your In-laws?
Yes - I love my in-laws! (I'm referring to Joe's siblings here; my parents-in-law are no longer with us.)

33) Are you a sugar freak?
No. I can stop any time. I just choose not to. (Actually, I'm cutting way back on sugar; it's incompatible with Type II diabetes, unfortunately.)

34) What happened to Larry King?
He got old. He was always crazy.

35) What sign are you?
Sun in Capricorn, Moon in Libra, and Scorpio rising.

36) What do you wish on your birthday?
I always wish for a million dollars. Alas, my wish never comes true!

37) Who did you copy this from?
The Sunday Stealing site.

38) Do you eat breakfast?
Yes, every day. I can't function unless I have breakfast. After all, it's the most important meal of the day!

39) What would you name the royal baby?
Depends on the gender.

40) Do you buy a newspaper?
We subscribe to the Sunday Washington Post; otherwise, no. I pick up the free Post Express every day to read on the subway, though.

New Year Sunday Stealing

Well, the first quarter of the Skins-Seahawks game was delightful! The rest of the game, not so much. And not only that, I have to go back to work tomorrow. So let's cheer up with the first Sunday Stealing of the new year.

1) What side of the heart do you draw first? 
I actually had to do this a couple of times to see which side I draw first -- and it's the right side.

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose? 
When I did dive, I always dove head first, so I never plugged my nose because my hands were over my head.

3) What color is your razor? 
Orange. It's a Bic disposable.

4) What is your blood-type? 
A-negative. It's relatively rare.

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours? 
A very generous billionaire. Failing that, Joe.

6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you? 
I don't know! If anyone has ever spread rumors about me, I guess I never heard about them.

7) How do you feel about carrots? 
I feel that they are pretty tasty.

8) How many chairs at the dining room table? 
Alas, I do not have a dining room table! I do have a kitchen table, though. It has three chairs.

9) Which is the best Spice Girl? 
Cinnamon. Oh, wait...

10) Do you know what time it is? 
Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song? 
Alas, no.

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator? 
Press the Emergency button to alert the people who could get me out of the elevator. Then I would post about it on Facebook. Then I would wait.

13) What’s your favorite kind of gum? 
Juicy Fruit.

14) All’s fair in love and war? 
I've never really know what that means, except that it tends to be used as an excuse for bad behavior.

15) Do you have a crush on anyone? 
Alas, no.

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning? 
How can you use a word correctly if you don't know the meaning?

17) Do you like to sleep? 
It's my favorite hobby!

18) Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings time? 
Not offhand, but I know how to look it up!

19) Do you know the words to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart? 
Alas, no.

20) Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 mustang?
Sure! Drop it off anytime!

Lazy Sunday Stealing

Well, it's the last day of my Thanksgiving vacation and I have been taking it easy.

Therefore, I shall take it easy on the blogging front with today's edition of Sunday Stealing.

1. Where was your profile picture taken?
I believe this question is about my Facebook profile picture -- if so, it was taken in my bathroom.

2. Name someone who made you laugh today.
Joe, of course.

3. Do you believe exes can be friends?
Yes. It ain't easy though.

4. How do you feel about Dr Pepper?
I like it, but I like Classic Coke best.

5. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Joe, of course.

6. Are you upset about anything?
Well, I'm not exactly upset, but I do wish my vacation wasn't ending. I guess I'm feeling more wistful than upset -- wait a sec -- okay. I'm upset at the Ravens. They do not look good today, alas. Wait! First down, Ravens! There's still a chance they could pull this off!!

7. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Seeing as how mine has lasted 33 years, I'd say yes! If, however, you'd asked me that 35 years ago, I would probably have had a different answer.

8. Are you a bad influence?
Of course!! Where's the fun in being a good influence, I ask you??

9. Night out or night in?
Tonight? In, after I pick up Joe from work in a couple of hours.

10. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Yes. I'm willing to bet that you can guess who.

11. What song is stuck in your head?
There's No Business LIke Show Business, because I saw the movie with yesterday. Nobody can sing that song like Ethel Merman!

12. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?
Santa Claus! With lots of presents! And cash!

13. Do you smile a lot?
Yes. It beats the alternative!

Time for Sunday Stealing

Time for another Sunday Stealing! I always seem to come in on the latter parts of these memes, hence the numbers starting at 15.

15. How would you describe your childhood in general?

Pretty happy and free of angst. I had a pretty rough year in eighth grade, though.

16. What is your earliest memory?

Pulling into the driveway of the cottage we were renting in Ocean City. I couldn't have been more than four. I distinctly remember walking over the dune to see the ocean -- the start of my love affair with the beach.

17. How much schooling have you had?

I have a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, followed by lots of courses, seminars, and such in clowning and technical communication. Yeah, weird.

18. Did you enjoy school?

I did (except for eighth grade). In fact, I've always said that if I won the lottery, I'd go back to school and just audit all of the courses that interested me.

19. Stop and count, Since you were born until today; how many homes have you lived in?

Seven. No wait -- nine. For awhile there we were moving yearly, but we've been in our current home for 25 years now.

20. While growing up, did you have any role models?

Well, I had kind of a crush on my fourth grade teacher, Sister Moya, but I think my mom was probably my biggest role model.

21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?

Fine -- I had the usual sibling squabbles with my older brother and younger sister. My older sister was already a grown-up when I was a kid.

22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A nun. Hah!

23. What were your favorite activities 3 years ago?

Let's see... that would be 2009. Much of my energy that year was taken up with caring for my mother, so all of my favorite activities kind of fell by the wayside.

24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?

I was a goody two-shoes, anxious to please and follow the rules. Annnnd... that didn't last past adolescence.

25. As a child, were you popular?

I never thought that much about being popular when I was a kid, until eighth grade, when I wasn't.

26. When and with whom was your first kiss?

Olie Bedell, at a teen club dance, the summer between eighth and ninth grades. Well, I really don't think it could really be called a kiss. Let me change that to Charlie Hermann, my first real boyfriend.

27. Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.

My Aunt Ruth and my sixth-grade English teacher, Sister Aloisa, taught me grammar, which certainly is a large part of what I do today. I got my sense of humor from my Pop, which led me to clowning and comedy and finding the funny wherever I can.

28. What’s next?

Dinner.

Another Sunday Stealing

Yes, I know it's been a week. Yes, I know this is a meme. So be it!

 

1. You have been awarded the time off from work and an all-expenses paid week anywhere in the United States. The catch is that it must be somewhere you have not been before. Where do you choose to visit?
I would visit Key West, Florida. I've always wanted to go to Key West, just to hang out and watch the sunset, drink colorful beverages and make friends with the six-toed cats.

2. Name three of your guilty pleasures.
Toddlers and Tiaras, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and Dirty Dancing.

3. The best kind of Girl Scout Cookie is:
Thin Mints! No, wait -- Samoas! No, wait -- Tagalongs! Oh hell, wait -- Thin Mints!

4. What do you value most in other people?
Integrity.

5. Be honest. Do you sneak some raw cookie dough when you’re baking cookies?
Of course!! Why else would anyone go to the trouble of baking cookies?

6. Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that something you thought was a bad thing was actually a blessing in disguise?!
No. Pretty much every bad thing that's ever happened to me has been a bad thing.

7. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited?
It's a tie between the north shore of Oahu and Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.

8. Are you more of a thinker or a feeler?
Feeler.

9. Name three things you are thankful for right now.
Bon Ami, air conditioning, and Joe.

10. Have you ever participated in a three-legged race?
Sure. During grade school, the annual school picnic featured three-legged races, sack races, water balloon tosses, you name it.

11. When you are at an event that plays the National Anthem, do you place your hand over your heart?
Of course!! And I sing along, too!

 

Second meme:

12. What kind of work do you do?
I develop web-based training courses. I also edit murky prose, write job aids, and get irritated.

13. During the course of your lifetime, which job or career has been your favorite or most fulfilling?
Clowning. Too bad I wasn't very good at it! (By the way, I am only counting jobs or careers that I got paid for.)

14. Do you think it’s necessary in your life to have a day-to-day “career” that is meaningful and service-oriented or do you function better in “just a job” with a steady paycheck?
Oh hell, I don't know. If "meaningful and service-oriented" doesn't pay the bills, that's bad. If "just a job" sucks your soul away, that's bad. On the other hand, if "meaningful and service-oriented" really is and pays the bills, that's about as good as it gets, and if "just a job" enables you to do something you love in you spare time, that's pretty damn good too.

15. Was there ever a time in your life when you wanted to stay home with your children instead of working, even if it meant less money in the household?
Yes, when I had a child.

16. Tell us your worst boss story.
I once had a boss who threw a hissy fit over a survey I developed, because she thought I was trying to discredit her ideas. She actually wrote this on the review copy that I'd sent her. I actually went to HR about it, and transferred out of her department shortly after that. (I still have the survey!)

17. Have your ever been the boss?
Yep. It was not all it was cracked up to be.

18. What is your dream occupation?
Oops. I forgot to answer this one earlier. My dream occupation? Billionaire. (Thanks l'empress!)

Stormy Sunday Stealing

Time once again for Sunday Stealing! This one is called the Useless Questions meme.

Have you ever written a song?
Yes, I wrote a blues tune in college when I got stood up by a guy I was crushing on. It was not good.

Have you ever been in the opposite sex's public toilet?
Yes, but only by accident.

Are you superstitious?
Well, I know that the Caps win when I wear my Rock the Red socks, but no, I'm not superstitious at all!

What's the most daring thing you've done?
I ran away (okay, not really) and joined the circus.

Did you have a baby blanket? Do you still sleep with it?
I did! It was blue, but no, I do not still have it. I think my mother finally took it away from me when it was close to disintegrating.

Have you ever tried to cut your own hair? If yes, how’d it work out?
Yes. Badly.

Have you ever sleepwalked?
No.

If you could be any age, what age would you be?
Hmm... I think I would be 60. Oh, wait!

What is your dream car?
Bugatti Veyron.

What is your favorite cartoon of all time?
Rocky and Bullwinkle, also known as Moose and Squirrel.

If you were in a car sinking in a lake, what would you do first?
If I didn't have my emergency window-breaking hammer, I'd wait until the passenger compartment was full of water (yes, I'd be holding my breath), then I'd open the door. I saw this on Mythbusters.

Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Yes -- I was nine and very excited to be going to the hospital in an ambulance! I wasn't hurt very badly, thank goodness, but the ambulance was called just the same.

How many foreign countries have you visited?
Let's see... Canada, France, Italy, Monaco, Vatican City (yes, it does so count!), Switzerland, and Finland. I'm not counting Ireland or England, because I just transferred planes in those countries.

If you fell into quicksand, would you try to swim or try to float?
Neither. I'd holler for Lassie, who would alert Timmy, who would tell his Mom and Dad, who would get a rope and come rescue me!

Do you talk in your sleep?
Rarely. I know that I have tried to scream in my sleep, but it generally comes out of my mouth as a groan, or so Joe tells me.

Have you ever slipped in the bathtub?
No. I have, however, fallen off the toilet.

If you could invite any movie star to your home for dinner, who would it be?
Harpo Marx.

Have you ever re-gifted?
Sure!

If you could attend an Olympic Event, what would it be?
Ice hockey!

If you could participate in an Olympic Event, what would it be?
Women's ice hockey! Of course, first I'd have to get good at skating, then learn how to play the game, and then get good at it, all of which is unlikely at this point. Alas.

If you won a $5,000 shopping spree to any store, which store would you pick?
I'd split it between Target and Igigi.

What do you think is your best feature?
I have great legs!

If you were to win an Oscar, what kind of movie would it be for?
A comedy along the lines of Young Frankenstein.

Which of the five senses is most important to you?
Touch.

Would you be a more successful painter or singer?
Painter -- I can slap two coats on a wall with the best of 'em!

How many years will/did you end up going to college?
I went to college for four years.

Have you ever had surgery?
Yes -- appendectomy, gall bladder, and hernia.

What do you like to collect?
Hundred dollar bills. Unfortunately, my collection is very small. Like nonexistent.

How many collectibles do you have?
I have some very pretty collectible crystal salt dishes. One or two might actually be worth a couple bucks.

Feeling Like Stealing

I am officially on vacation through the fourth of July, therefore I am lazy, therefore it's a good day for Sunday Stealing! (Somehow, I missed the first 100 questions, but such is life.)

101. Name 4 things you always have with you.

My wedding rings, my wallet, a picture of Sonnyeboy with my mom, and a letter from my late friend Tommy.

102. How many SERIOUS exes do you have?

SERIOUS exes? As opposed to serious exes? Hmm. I'll say three, although I'm sure was more SERIOUS about them than they were about me.

103. What causes you to you admire people?

Intelligence, compassion, talent, sense of humor -- but more how they embody these traits than just having them.

104. Do you like sports?

Yes, most of them.

105. Would you have sex after marriage? Why or why not?

I would, I have, and I do -- because it's fun! Also, y'know, intimacy and all that.

106. What is your favorite male name?

It's a tie between Joseph and Patrick.

107. Do animals go to Heaven?

If there is a heaven, then of course. It wouldn't be heaven without them. Except snakes. And mosquitoes. Well, they wouldn't be in my heaven.

108. Last time you had a great time with your dad?

I took my Pop to an Old-Timer's Baseball Classic game at RFK Stadium in the early 80s. It was really fun -- kind of a pay back for all the baseball games he took me to when I was a kid. He got sick shortly after that.

109. What is your favorite hair style?

For me, the simpler the better -- no bangs, layered, somewhere between my ears and shoulders.

110. Do you like your name?

Yes! It's a complete (though ungrammatical) sentence!

111. When was the last time that you quit your job?

Almost 10 years ago, when I laid myself off after getting my current job.

112. When you wake up, what is the first thing you think?

What time is it?

113. Have you ever pulled an all-niter?

Yes, but not for many years.

114. What is the perfect day for you?

Any time that I'm at the beach, regardless of the weather, with Joe and SonnyeBoy.

115. Last time you cleaned the bathroom?

Last week.

116. Have you ever failed a grade? Why?

Nope.

117. Have you met anyone online?

I've met lots of people online -- but not in a romantic sense.

118. Have you ever smoked?

I have smoked exactly two cigarettes in my life. I have, however, smoked a lot of... never mind.

119. Do you like celebrities?

It depends on the celebrity.

120. Do you like traveling?

I love being in different places; I'm not so crazy about getting to different places, unless I'm going by train. I love traveling by train.