Sunday Stealing

The ASK Meme, part one

1. What’s your favorite candle scent? I like the holiday scents, like cinnamon apple.

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister? The late Nora Ephron. I think she would have been the ideal older sister!

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother? Vince Vaughn


4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married? 78

5. Do you know a hoarder? I'm a garden variety slob, not a hoarder. I read the book Coming Clean about growing up with hoarder parents and it was moving and sobering.

6. Can you do a split? No

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike? Very young. I remember riding up and down the block, over and over again, by myself by the time I was in third grade.

8. How many oceans have you swam in? 3 -- Atlantic, Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.

9. How many countries have you been to? 6 -- US, Canada, France, Germany, Lichtenstein, Switzerland.

10. Is anyone in your family in the military? My oldest nephew is on the USS Nimitz.

11. Have you named any of your body parts? No

12. If you had a child today, what would you name him/her? Mary or Michael

13. What’s the worst grade you got on a test? F

14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child? That Girl




15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight? That's too specific. I do remember going as an Asian girl, wearing a costume my uncle brought back from Thailand. It was my favorite color (blue) with black toggles closures. I remember it so distinctly, but I can't swear that it was the year I was 8.


16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series? Nope

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent? I think if I had a British accent, people would think I was smart.

18. Did your mother go to college? No

19. Are your grandparents still married? My grandparents are dead

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons? No

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is? Yes

22. What was the first amusement park you’ve been to? KiddieLand. It's closed now, and the carousel was up for auction just yesterday. It didn't sell, no one made the minimum bid. I'm glad. I was afraid someone was going to buy it and then tear it apart. I suspect anyone willing to spend nearly a million would keep it in tact.

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in? Spanish

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?  Gray

25. Is your father bald? Yes, and he was very sensitive about it. I don't know why, as both his dad and his brother were bald, too.

November Challenge

Day 17 -- Something you're proud of

Yesterday I had lunch with my nephew.* He's in 8th grade now. I try to see him once a month. I'm proud that we're able to maintain this relationship as he grows into a teen. I think adolescents need someone they can turn to who isn't their parent -- I know I did! -- and I want him to know I'm available.

*He dips his pizza crusts in ketchup before he eats them.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: 1, 2, 3, 4

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, the singer tells his girl he appreciates how she makes him feel. Who is the most supportive person in your life? My Aunt Jo. My dad's sister and my godmother. She re-entered my life about 3 years ago, just as I was losing my mom's brother and godfather, an uncle I loved very much. Her renewed presence is such a gift.

2)  Our singer only has to count to 4, which is a cinch. Do you understand the more sophisticated math sciences, like geometry and algebra? I'm hopeless.
 
3) This video features a couple who shared their first kiss behind the high school. Tell us about your first kiss. A neighborhood boy. Two years older than I! I remember little about it, except being mortified that my braces would make it uncomfortable for him. Apparently I needn't have worried.

4) Filmed in Chicago, this video features the Art Institute of Chicago, home to works by Monet, Gauguin and Van Gogh. How do you express your creativity? (Draw, paint, write, sing or play music ... ) I write.

5) Chicago is home to two of the world's tallest buildings -- the Willis aka Sears Tower and

The John Hancock Center (which appears briefly in this video). Both have observation decks that offer panoramic views of the city. Are you afraid of heights? Nope. I live in Chicago and a cab driver told me that tourists call it "Willis Tower" but locals still say, "Sears Tower."

6) The Plain White T's got their start in Lombard, a suburb of Chicago and home to Yorktown Center -- a huge, two story shopping mall. Do you enjoy going to the mall, or would you rather shop online, or in small, independent stores? I'm a mall rat.

7) Naturally Yorktown Center has a food court. Would you prefer a pretzel from Auntie Anne's, a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon or a cookie from Mrs. Field's? I suppose Mrs. Field's because it offers a greater selection.

8) While we're at the mall … Imagine you're at the customer service counter of a big department store. As you wait for help, you see an older lady pocket a Timex watch. Would you turn her in or look the other way? I don't know. I'd be afraid to confront her because what I misunderstood what I saw? Maybe I'd point her out to a clerk and whisper my suspicions.

9) Which puzzle would you have more success with: crossword or sudoku? I've never done sodoku, so I'll say crossword.

November Challenge

Day 16 -- Something you think "what if" about
 

"At home"

That was the title of the email my best friend sent yesterday afternoon. His hernia operation was not without complication, lasting twice as long as scheduled, but it was ultimately successful, he's fine now and under the covers in his own bedroom for the next two days.

I am relieved that he's OK, and grateful that he thought to send me the good word. I'm a worrier.

November Challenge

Day 15 -- My zodiac/horoscope and if it fits

I was born on the cusp, but I have been reassured that because of the way the planet aligned at the very moment I was born, I am a Sagittarius.

True of me:

• Freedom loving a strong need to express my views (hence this blog)

• Eternal optimist. (I think that's why I battle depression; I expect things to go well and am disappointed when they don't.)

• Honest, open and often too blunt.

•  Irresponsible and restless (guilty as charged).

•  Loves animals.

Not true of me:

•  Love to socialize and meet new people

•  Prefers every day to be different

•  Drawn to glamour

Two Questions I Can't Ask

I found out yesterday, much to my shock and dismay, that my best friend is having surgery today! He mentioned, for the first time, that he's been back and forth to his doctor's office a lot over the last two weeks.

HUH? WHAT?

He has diabetes and I was worried that this medical crisis had to do with the condition he's been managing with so much success. He says "no," that this trip to the hospital is an outpatient procedure to repair a hernia.

He will not say any more about it. I am assuming that he has been in quite a bit of pain for at least two weeks, but instead he wants to talk about the money he and his wife raised with the fundraiser they held in their backyard. It was a chili cookoff,  60 people attended, and they made more than $8,000 for their daughter's ballet school. Impressive, yes, BUT HE'S IN PAIN AND HE'S HAVING SURGERY!

So now I am assuming there is something about this hernia that embarrasses him. I told him I worry whenever someone approaches him with a scalpel and removes anything, anything at all. He reassured me that it's laparascopic, nothing major, and nothing to worry about.

And how is he paying for this? I've read that the average cost for this procedure is about $7,000. He's been unemployed for 15 months. Is he still on COBRA? Has his millionaire father-in-law been supporting the family? I can't ask. The money relationship with father-in-law has always been fraught with tension and danger and I simply can't go there. I can't ask him if he's taking money from the man he once believed was trying to buy his family.

It makes me sad, because I miss the days when we could talk to one another about anything. If he's in pain -- physical or psychic -- he can always tell me.

November Challenge

Day 14 -- What I wore today

Old Navy jeans (Flirt), a pale blue Studio Works sweater that laces at the collar from Carson's (perhaps it's Bergner's or Younker's in our part of the country) and blue/black plaid cloth flats.

November Challenge

Day 13 -- My opinion about my body and how comfortable I am with it

I can't get over how fat I've become, and I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. It endangers my health and makes me feel completely invisible to the opposite sex, which makes me sad.

 

And yet here it is 11/13 and look how many times I've been to the health club this month (graphic at right). 

 

I have been busy at work, which is great, and makes my customary lunchtime workout impossible. But the club near my house is open nearly 24 hours/day, including weekends, and I could go there. I just haven't. 

 

My lazy approach to my weight is, I think, akin to alcoholism. Just as an alcoholic has to want to quit drinking, I have to want ... REALLY WANT ... to lose weight. And as unhappy as I feel, somehow I haven't reached that spot.

November Challenge

Day 12 -- Five guys whom you find attractive

Oh, I am all over this one, as I give this topic an inordinate amount of thought.

1) Bruce Springsteen
2) Bruce Willis*
3) George Stephanopolous
4) George Clooney
5) Pierce Brosnan

*The inclusion of my hair-challenged Republican dream date reminds me of that Sesame Street rhyme, "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong ..."

November Challenge

Day 10 -- Put your music player on shuffle and write the first 10 songs that play

I've taken a few days off from this Challenge. My Saturday 9 duties of helping Crazy Sam and then my Nanowrimo Novel have presented more pressing duties. But this one is pretty easy, and it represents my taste so well!

1) All My Loving -- The Beatles
2) Emotionally Yours -- Bob Dylan
3) Kicking & Screaming -- Garth Brooks
4) If Only You Knew -- Patti LaBelle
5) Another Day -- Paul McCartney
6) Dark Lady -- Cher
7) Stoney End -- Barbra Streisand
8) Manchester, England -- Hair Soundtrack
9) I Get a Kick Out of You -- Frank Sinatra
10) All Shook Up -- Elvis Presley

Happy Birthday to Me -- Part 1

Sunday I enjoyed my first birthday celebration. I'm surprised and pleased to report that I had a lovely time with (the often prickly) Kathy!

We went to Ina's, an independent Chicago institution that's been around for more than 30 years but is closing its doors on New Year's Eve. Ina's breakfast menu is not only peerless, the proprietress herself has been a supporter of good causes for as long as I can remember. (In time for Veteran's Day, Ina's was promoting the Honor Flight Network.) Lines are long and the place is always packed with people like me who want to say goodbye, so I appreciate Kathy enthusiastically supporting my choice.

Then she bought me a book by Bobby Orr. Kathy knows little and cares less about sports, but she saw an interview with Orr on CBS Sunday Morning and decided his story was one that would resonate with me. It was a thoughtful gift and I appreciate it, as well.

Her life is still as turbulent as ever. Since I last saw her, she was in a major car crash, became a great grandmother when her teenage granddaughter got pregnant by one boy while dating another (she's now not with either of them), her daughter has remarried and now Kathy, her daughter, her daughter's new husband, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild two cats and a pitbull mix are all living together under the same roof.

Much of the fractious-ness in our relationship stems, I think, from her unhappiness with her own life, and her perception that somehow mine is all sunshine and lollipops. That's why I think it's good that we see each other only occasionally. We get along in small doses.

The four hours we spent together yesterday were so pleasant, and such a great kick off to my birthday celebration.

Sunday Stealing

The What's What Meme

What is on your bed right now? A book, a magazine, and an afghan that I haven't needed yet

What’s your favorite word or phrase? Deuteronomy. It's fun to say.

What is the best ice cream flavor? 

Did you wake up smiling this morning?
 I'm sorry but I don't remember

Is there something in your life you used to have, and now miss? Seeing my best friend day in/day out

What major company would you like to work for? Nothing comes to mind.

What time do you wake up on a typical morning? Between 6 and 7 AM

What holiday makes you sad? Easter. It was such a big deal when I was a kid, mostly because of my uncle. He put such care and imagination into hiding our baskets! But here we are: I'm an adult and he's gone now.

Where does a good night’s sleep rank on your priorities? Meh

One song that makes you cry? "At Seventeen," by Janis Ian. My teen years were not good. Below you'll find the sad, sad lyrics.

JANIS IAN lyrics - At Seventeen 

How old was your mom when she had you? 22

When is the last time you went to the beach? July. I went to Pere Marquette Beach in Michigan. I was visiting my niece and her boyfriend.

What is the most random object around you? A snowglobe depicting the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

 What is your favorite sushi? Sorry, but I don't like sushi.

What food do you find disgusting? Tomatoes. Their consistency (or lack thereof) gives me the willies.

If you could have any type of dog in the world, what would it be? A friendly one

What was the last meal that you made for yourself? Define "made." Yesterday I microwaved a quiche. If that doesn't count, well then Thursday I made myself a steak.

Is the hard drive on your computer full or getting close to being full? Nope

Are there any songs that you prefer the acoustic version over the regular version? I like the acoustic remake of "Layla." I've never been a fan of long guitar solos.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Potential New Boyfriend

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here. 
 
1) In this song, Dolly Parton locks eyes with a definite maybe. What's the first thing that attracts you to a potential new boyfriend or girlfriend? If you're currently in a relationship, what first attracted you to your partner? Hair. Hair is very important to me because I am a very shallow woman.
 
2) When Dolly was still a very young girl, she met Johnny Cash, who told her to follow her instincts and pursue a music career. Obviously this worked out very well for her. What's the best advice you ever received? "Don't listen to what they say, watch what they do." A very wise coworker told me this. In the corporate world, executives have been known to say things they don't necessarily mean to further their agendas, so it's better not to trust the words but monitor the deeds.


3) Dolly enjoys telling interviewers how she met her husband at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Do you have a load of dirty clothes, or some other household chore, waiting for you after you finish this week's Saturday 9? I love my new futon, but cat hair does find its way into the nooks and crannies and to vacuum it properly I must open it and ... well ... I don't feel like it. But I really should do that today!


 
4) Dolly's Imagination Library is a charity devoted to children's literacy. What book did you

enjoy as a kid? Or, if you're a parent, what book did you enjoy sharing with your own children? I loved, loved, LOVED this book about Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire. The storytelling is highly relate-able and the illustrations are gorgeous. If you have a young book lover on your gift list, I couldn't recommend this more highly. (Of course, I'm an unabashed Abe-o-phile and believe the world would be an inherently better place if all kids grew up reading about Lincoln.)


5) Dolly's theme park, Dollywood, is a very popular vacation destination. When you have time off, would you rather travel or have friends/relatives visit you? I prefer traveling and staying in hotels. I'm visiting my cousin Rose later this month and staying with her and, I must confess, I'm dreading some aspects of it. I like my quiet, alone time. (I know I'm being ridiculous. She loves me and is looking forward to doing anything I want to do.)

6) Dolly is godmother to Miley Cyrus. If you could advise Miley, what would you say? Little girls look up to you, you dipshit. Don't brag/joke about how much pot and tobacco you smoke. What is this, 1960? We know how UNcool smoking is for our lungs and our skin. (I'm looking at you, too, Rihanna.)

7) Dolly has earned a reputation for being very warm and friendly to the public. Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? To this day, Bruce Springsteen is the only man to dip me back and kiss me. Yes, it was awesome. (I've blogged about this before, and if you want to read it, click here.)

8) As you can see by the photo, this song was originally released on vinyl. Do you still have any old-school LPs or 45s? Yes. I never play them, but I cannot part with them.
 
9) Sam simply cannot stand Dish TV's Hopper commercial, where hysterical grown men hide under the bed and up in a tree house because they're afraid of ... something. What commercial just bugs the beejeesus out of you? There's an Aflac commercial during which the duck is preparing to tape a commercial and he keeps saying "Aflac" in different ways. The kid who prompts him says he's afraid he's going to get fired. The commercial bugs me because I don't get it. I don't mean I don't think it's funny, I mean I don't understand what it means.

 

Me and my Nano

I've written 7000 words for my November novel, More Real than Anything. According to conventional Nanowrimo wisdom, my wordcount should be double that if I'm to finish my 50,000 word book by November 30.

I write to deadline. It's what I do. Therefore this bothers me, even though there is no downside to not finishing my Nanowrimo attempt. Plus, I like my heroine, Dorothy. She's the editor of a very popular 1960s-1970s era teeny bopper rag. She truly cares about her young readers and the message she sends their way on the pages of the fictional Teen Datebook. And she just fell into this success when her first career as a model fizzled. As you can see, Dorothy is very real to me and I have many plans for her. I just have to get down to it and write it!

Nanowrimo isn't the only thing I haven't had time for. I also didn't work out one single day this week! I feel mega-pudgy right now. (Thank God I don't have a scale!)

The upside to all of this is that I have been very busy at work. The days just fly by, and I feel more secure in my position at the agency. That's a relief.

November Challenge

Day 7 -- Five Pet Peeves

1) Smokers who assume the "No smoking within 5 ft of this entrance" signs apply to everyone but them.

2) Space hogs who think their backpacks deserve a separate seat on the el and their water bottles get space on the lockerroom bench.

3) "I'm just not a cat person" and "I don't like yappy little dogs" and other forms of critter-ism. Animals don't choose how they're born, any more than you did.

4) Comments about absolutely predictable and completely un-unusual weather. It's November in Chicago. YES, it gets dark early and YES, it's cold. Just like it was last year and in 1963 and 1813. Either shut up or move to Florida.

5) Cashiers who don't say "thank you" when our transaction is complete. The worst offenders are commonly found at the post office.

WWW. WEDNESDAY

To play along, just answer the following three questions ...

• What are you currently reading? The Presidents Club by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. It's about the relationships between each of our modern Presidents and his predecessors.

I didn't expect to enjoy reading about the Presidents before my time, like Hoover, Truman and Eisenhower, but I am. It's an easy read, and surprisingly relevant. If these men of both parties can get it together to help one another, why can't the rest of Washington? This book reinforces why it would be inadvisable to have a "my way or the highway" Tea Partier in the Oval Office. A President has to facilitate government's function, not shut it down.

• What did you recently finish reading? Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin. A compulsively readable book about dysfunctional friendship, misplaced values and a deeply flawed hero. I grew up on Carson's Tonight Show and Johnny remains the gold standard (though I prefer to watch The Daily Show and TCR, which are very different shows). It is sobering to learn how little happiness automatically comes with talent, luck, brains and money. The author was there for 18 years and he seems honest if not always objective (I admire the way Bushkin admitted his own missteps, and how easily he was seduced by the money and perks), so I believed this tale. And it leaves me sad that Johnny died alone. No service. And, since he was cremated, there isn't even a gravesite. He's just *POOF* gone.

That's part of why I'm surprised this book is near the top of the NYTimes Best Seller list. I wasn't sure anyone still remembered Johnny and the jokes he told in the monolog about "Bombastic Bushkin." I guess I was wrong.


• What do you think you’ll read next? I don't know. It should be Five Days at Memorial about the Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans and how they coped during the crisis of Katrina. But months ago I began The Last Word by Lisa Lutz and got distracted ... maybe I want to return to her wacky creation, The Spellman Family.

To see how others responded, click here.

November Challenge

Day 6 -- My views on mainstream music

I don't hear it much. Of Billboard's top 10, I've only heard two ("Roar" and "Wrecking Ball"), and those I'm familiar with from TV.

This revelation leaves me wistful. I remember being a girl of 7 and 8 and absolutely NEEDING to know which song was #1. Carrying my little transistor into the bathroom with me so I could get the news while taking my before-bed bath, or wrapping aluminum foil around the antenna while trying to get a signal in the family's little summer cabin in Wisconsin. Now I simply don't care.

I guess mainstream music is supposed to belong to the young.

November Challenge

Day 5 -- Five things I want to say to an ex 

1) I often wonder how you feel about today's Tea Party Movement
2) I learned that you got a pilot's license and hope you are being careful
3) How is your son?
4) I hope you are happy
5) You were the love of my life

Teaser Tuesday

Here's how to play this meme.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin. Page 228.

After signing the final divorce decree, Johnny turned to her and said, "What I'll miss most is being able to talk to you." As far as I know, he never spoke to Joanna again.

November Challenge

Day 4 -- Bullet point my day 

•  Wake up.

•  Feed cats, check email and fart around on the internet.

•  Shower and sing with the oldies (interestingly, I was singing along with a song/artist I really loathe, "Modern Love" by David Bowie; I just always sing with my shower radio). I'm loving my new shower head, installed Friday by Cute Handyman.

•   Watched my favorite morning show, Morning Joe and saw extensive of coverage of Double Down (aka Game Change 2). I don't think I'll read this one. My TBR is already very, very deep and besides, 2012 just wasn't as interesting as 2008.

•  Decided which jeans and blouse to wear. (Dark jeans, lt blue t and print cardigan)

Oh hell, I can't do this anymore! It was a Monday. Let's just leave it at that!

Dona Nobis Pacem

One voice. One subject. One day. BlogBlast for Peace.

November Challenge

Day 3 -- A book I love

This month marks the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's death, and the bookstores are filled with tomes commemorating his life and times. And yet you won't find my favorite: JFK: Reckless Youth, because it's out of print. Devoted to young Jack's early life, it was supposed to be volume one, with volume two covering the last 16 years -- from Congress to Dallas. But the Kennedy family was so outraged that they withdrew their support and the second book never happened.

And that's a shame, because it's not only the best I've read about John Kennedy, it's one of the best books I've read, period. Hamilton is a Brit by birth and his outsider's take on the US adds dimension and texture to stories I thought I already knew. If you can find it, pick it up. The story itself is compelling -- taking the future President from birth to Congress, a span of about 30 years. And the spin is masterful -- how a man who looked to have the world beat with his looks, wealth and charm was really struggling with physical and emotional pain every step of the way.

Remember, no matter how good someone's life looks on the outside, you have no idea how it feels to live it. That's the life lesson I learned from this extraordinary book.

Sunday Stealing

Time Keeps On Slippin'
 
1) Do you think Daylight Saving Time is still necessary? I have no opinion on this. And, when you consider how opinionated I am, this is noteworthy.

2) How long does it take you to adjust to the time change? I'll be good with it by Monday.

3) What's the hardest part of the time change? I don't think there's anything hard about it. I struggle sometimes when I travel, especially to California. But this single hour business isn't much.

4) How many clocks are in your house? Three: one in the kitchen, two alarm clocks in the bedroom.

5) Are you generally early, late, or on time? Late.

6) If an invitation to an event listed the time as 8-11pm, what time would you arrive? 8:15. I don't want to be first to arrive.

7) Do you wear a watch? Always.

8) Have you ever glanced at the time and had to glance again because you didn't pay attention the first time? Always.

9) Are most of your clocks digital or dial? Dial.

10) What does your alarm clock sound like? They both have very tinny and annoying twin bell alarms.

11) Do you use the snooze feature on your alarm clock? They don't have snooze features. Both are very old school. Here's Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory. It's the one that goes off first. The second one, similar in design, is the Beatles.

12) Does clock ticking drive you nuts? Nope.

November Challenge -- Catch Up Day

Day One -- Five Ways to Win My Heart

•  Have integrity
•  Have a sense of humor
•  Be smarter than I am
•  Take the world around you seriously
•  Have really good hair

Day Two -- Something I Feel Strongly About

Guns. You do not need an assault rifle. Are you active military? No? Then let me repeat, you do not need an assault rifle. This is not "an attack" on your Second Amendment right. This is common sense. To paraphrase Sarah Palin (who gets everything backwards anyway), do not reload, retreat. I am so fucking sick of the crazy and the criminal being able to squeeze off approx. 10 rounds/second. No way do I believe this is what our forefathers had in mind.

Look what I found!

Kwizgiver and Boss Nurse are doing this. And so shall I!