Sunday Stealing

The Wackadoo Meme part 2

30.] What brand of batteries do you usually get? Walgreens' store brand.
 
31.] Are any of your friends pregnant or have kids?  One of my coworkers is about to pop. She's due on Monday.

32.] What is in your medicine cabinet? Qtips and bandaids and my supply of contact lenses

33.] What's your favorite aspect of the natural world?  I'm sorry but I don't understand this question.

34.] What's your favorite man made thing?  Language. It makes everything else possible.

35.] Can you whistle properly?  No

36.] What song do you think is the most widely heard in the world?  "Happy Birthday"

37.] Where's the strangest place a fast food restaurant was located? I remember reading that the McDonald's in Malasia sells chicken porridge.

38.] What states surround your state? Or are you not land locked? Missouri and Kentucky and Indiana and Wisconsin. I think that's it. (I'm in Illinois)

39.] Do you own binoculars or monoculars? What do you use them for?  I have binoculars that I've used for ballgames and concerts.

40.] Do you ever wish you had a telescope on the roof or attic to stargaze?  No

41.] What's your favorite chocolate bar?  It changes. Right now, Snickers.

42.] Do you fall asleep easy in cars? How about planes, trains and boats? Trains and cars, absolutely. I don't sail often -- it's been years -- and I'd hate to miss any of it. I do sleep well on planes but that's because I'm tranquilized.

43.] Would you rather live a year of your life in every major country or stay in the same place you live forever without vacations? I'd stay here, but thank you for asking.

44.] What will you not tolerate in a person?  Racism

45.] Do you forgive others easier or yourself? Why is this?  I forgive others more easily. I expect a lot from myself.

46.] How was God made, if He exists? I find this question vaguely offensive and am moving on.

47.] Have you ever done aqua aerobics or polo?  Does Marco Polo count?

48.] What age were you when you learned how to swim? Between fifth and sixth grade I took  swim classes at the high school. I still remember those horrible tank suits and our bathing caps. SHUDDER!

49.] What shows or characters scared you as a child? I don't know if this counts, but I remember being frightened by The Perry Mason theme. Not the show, just the theme.



50.] Do you stay up all night on New Years Eve/Day or go to bed after 12am?  I was in bed not long after midnight. But I did celebrate with friends.

51.] What's something unusual currently in your fridge?  Catnip.

52.] How about your freezer? Chocolate covered bananas

53.] What could you be doing now that is more productive?  Honestly? Anything but this would be more productive. I owe both my aunt and my cousin letters. I should be writing those.

54.] Give me some lyrics from the song that's stuck in your head? "Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA ..." Guess what show had a marathon on TBS this afternoon.

55.] What's your favorite type of firework? The Katy Perry kind.

It's Where I Left

I spent today in the village where I grew up. First I went to the dentist (No cavities! Atta, Gal!), then I stopped at the yard/bake sale being held to support the animal shelter that gave me Reynaldo. (I no
longer blame them.) Then I wandered up the street, carrying the coffee cake and kitty water bowl I'd just purchased and had a grilled cheese sandwich at the local fast food restaurant. I still had about 15 minutes to kill before my hair cut (who knew the dental appointment would go so smoothly?) so I went to the park across from my grade school.

It has two tennis courts, two basketball hoops, a sandy area for beach volleyball and a soccer field. There's a covered picnic area, drinking fountains, a porta potty and -- my favorite -- a swingset and slide.

And I had it all to myself!

On a sunny, warm Saturday afternoon, there were no kids playing soccer, no moms passing out sandwiches at the picnic table, no teens playing tennis, no elderly friends chatting on a picnic bench, no one reading under a tree.

It was sad and spooky.

I took advantage of the opportunity to climb onto a swing and fly through the air with the greatest of ease. I watched my K-8 career fly by, too, as I looked at my old school. I remembered which entrance I used for which grade.

Parks like this are used in my current hometown, by people of all ages. I wondered where everyone in girlhood town was. As I swung I heard laughter from a backyard pool party and the distant rumble of lawn being mowed. But I saw NO ONE from my high flying vantage point. I didn't even see any cars in driveways. (Don't parents make their kids wash the family car anymore?)

I don't recall it being like this when I was a kid. I recall riding my bike all over town, playing with jump ropes and hula hoops. And how I love(d) the swings!

At any rate, I enjoyed being outside so much today. I also realized anew I am happier in the town I currently call home.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Just Give Me a Reason

Thanks to Carielle for recommending this great song.

1) When she first burst onto the scene, Pink was a self-proclaimed tomboy. Now she's glam. Literally. She was on the cover of the June issue of Glamour and is a spokeswoman for Covergirl cosmetics. Does a celebrity endorsement increase your interest in a product? Yes, in that the commercial, display or print ad gets my attention faster. For example, I checked out the Rimmel eye makeup after spotting the Zooey Deschanel poster at CVS. But she didn't influence me to buy their brow pencil. I left the store without any cosmetics. (I was going to say "I left the store empty-handed," but that wouldn't be true. I always find something at CVS that I need. Milk, Kleenex, dishwasing liquid ... you know.)

2) This song is about a woman who feels her lover slipping away. Do you believe a couple can repair a relationship once it starts to sour? I haven't been able to, but then maybe I just haven't met the right guy yet.

3) As a little girl, Pink wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. If you could excel (or, if you do excel) at any sport, which one? I'd like to run. You can do it anywhere, it keeps you healthy, and people who do it seem to really enjoy it.
 

4) Pink is married to motorcycle pro Carey Hart. Have you ever ridden really fast on a motorcyle? Not since junior high.


5) When she found out she was pregnant, Pink says she gave up whiskey and cigarettes … but admits she misses the whiskey. Do you have a habit you know you should break? I drink way too much Coke.

6) In 2010, she fell out of the aerial harness that was supposed to carry her across the stage. Are you afraid of heights? Nope.

7) Pink enjoys showing off her tattoos. Do you have any body art? Nope.

8) Pink can be very salty in her language. When was the last time you cursed? Friday afternoon.

 

9) On her website, Pink sells 10 different t-shirts. Do you have a favorite t-shirt? What does it look like/say? My That Girl t-shirt because it makes people smile.

He REALLY likes pizza

My nephew and I got to The Taste of Chicago today just before 1:00 … and spent six hours there! It was impressive how he could put it away. We hit all three pizza booths (returning to one of them twice), as well as Billy Goat Tavern (twice), The Fudge Pot, Eli's Cheesecake and Rainbow Cone.

We had a good time. He's a very bright and sweet boy. At 13 he has discovered staying up late and sleeping in and really enjoys it. He's spent the summer on the computer, playing basketball with his buddies and flopping around in the above ground pool in the backyard. He likes creative writing and thinks he's good at it, and that's the class he's looking forward to most when school starts.

He can stubborn. We both got sunburned, but then I can get sunburned waiting for the bus. Six hours in the summer sun can toast anyone. I kept trying to get him slather on the sunscreen but he was very resistant. Especially about his face. I finally got him to put some on his arms, but it was a battle.

The Taste itself was fun for me, too. It's smaller this year -- fewer, but better, vendors and just 5 days instead of a week. The crowds, while still prodigious, are smaller and less ... well ... ganged up.

My highlights: (1) Every time I visit the Taste I try to sample something new. This year I went to the Kasia's Deli booth and got the strawberry/cheese blintz with chocolate sauce. I also really loved the peach cobbler from BJ's, but I had that last time. (2) Some CPS high school kids interviewed me for their class project, thinking that I was the happy mother of a student. Also, we rode the train downtown with my nephew's best friend, who didn't believe that my kid sister is actually younger than me. So that took some of the sting out of last Tuesday night's "senior moment."