(Courtesy of Restaurant Refugee)
1. You’re about to get into the Cash Cab in NYC. You can choose any two or three people (from your actual life) to be with you. Name the people with you and why? My aunt, since she thinks she knows everything and would make for great (read: annoying) reality tv, and my seven year old cousin, since it's his favorite show.
2. The TV gods have appeared before you in the form of a burning remote. They instruct you to select any canceled television show to be returned to the airwaves. You do, however, have to make your case to them. What show, what’s your argument in favor? Veronica Mars. It was smart, funny, original, and it had a lot more story left to tell. It's also the reason that I'm still boycotting the CW.
3. It’s not summer in DC (or your city of origin, or your favorite city if you wish) without _______________? It's not summer in DC without Screen on the Green. Thank heavens they managed to save it.
4. The best summer accessory in your repertoire is? Sunscreen for my fair, fair skin, since nothing's worse than a horrible summer sunburn. And giant sunglasses.
5. It took you a while to get on board with the _______________ trend but once you did, you don’t know how you lived without it. Flip-flops. I used to be totally against them, but now I can't imagine commuting with anything else on my feet.
6. The song to which you are embarrassed to admit that you know all of the words? Embarrassed? Me? Never. I am proud of the fact that I can sing along to just about any 'N Sync or Backstreet Boys song.
7. Your favorite memory of summer is? Trying to catch lightning bugs with my siblings. Every time I see lightning bugs now, I smile.
8. The memory you would love to create this summer is? A vacation. Any vacation.
9. According to Confucius, real knowledge exists in the understanding of what one doesn’t know. What don’t you know? I don't know what the future holds. But I'm starting to understand that it's the process of getting there -- and not the result -- that really matters.
10. What question do you wish were included in this meme? Favorite summer food or beverage. And I'd probably respond with ripe watermelon. Nothing is better when you're outside on a hot day.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The value of having alternatives
This evening, I came out on the winning side of a negotiation with a ticket scalper. And, in retrospect, I think that almost all of my negotiations with scalpers turn out well. So, I've decided to pass my wisdom on to everyone here.
Here goes:
To win in a negotiation you have to have alternatives. If you are desperate to buy or sell your tickets, YOU WILL LOSE.
Here's an example. I was in Pittsburgh several years ago, and wanted to go to a Pirates game. It was about 7:15, 10 minutes after the game started. I was walking across the Roberto Clemente bridge, on my way up to the stadium ticket office, and the scalpers started trying to sell to me. They weren't giving me any kind of deal, so I kept walking. One finally asked me what I wanted. I said, "The game's already started. I can buy a ticket from you, or I can buy a ticket from the gate. You can't get a refund on the tickets you're holding. So it's your choice whether you want to deal with me." I got the ticket, lower deck behind home plate, about 1/3 of the way down, for $10.
Tonight was no different. At work, I told one of my coworkers that it would be my goal to trade my two decent upper-deck seats for one good seat in the lower deck.
So, when I got out of Metro this evening, I turned to the first scalper who asked me if I had extra tickets and told him I had a pair. He asked me what I wanted. I said "Face value." He said he couldn't give me that, the best he could do was half. I started walking. He then offered me an extra $10. I told him no and kept on walking. This exact same scenario played out a couple of times.
Finally, the last scalper decided to have a conversation with me. I told him that I had a pair of tickets, and would part with one or both of them, but not for less than face value -- and that I knew that there were plenty of Red Sox fans willing to pay. At first he protested. He explained that he couldn't pay me face value because then he wouldn't have any room to negotiate with the buyers.
Since this guy took the time to explain his predicament, rather than walking away, I explained my position: I wanted to go to the game, but I had alternatives. I could sell both tickets, at a premium, and try to buy a single ticket. I could use one ticket and sell the other, probably for less, but still for a fair amount. Or I could use one ticket and trade in the unused one for a different game -- which means I'd get full value for it.
In other words, I had alternatives, all of which were more palatable than selling him my pair of tickets for less than face value. If he wanted my pair of tickets, he'd have to give me what I wanted.
So finally, he offered a trade. One ticket in the lower deck, on the first base side, about halfway down, on the aisle. A $40 ticket for my pair of $20 tickets.
I took him up on the offer. I got exactly what I wanted.
Here goes:
To win in a negotiation you have to have alternatives. If you are desperate to buy or sell your tickets, YOU WILL LOSE.
Here's an example. I was in Pittsburgh several years ago, and wanted to go to a Pirates game. It was about 7:15, 10 minutes after the game started. I was walking across the Roberto Clemente bridge, on my way up to the stadium ticket office, and the scalpers started trying to sell to me. They weren't giving me any kind of deal, so I kept walking. One finally asked me what I wanted. I said, "The game's already started. I can buy a ticket from you, or I can buy a ticket from the gate. You can't get a refund on the tickets you're holding. So it's your choice whether you want to deal with me." I got the ticket, lower deck behind home plate, about 1/3 of the way down, for $10.
Tonight was no different. At work, I told one of my coworkers that it would be my goal to trade my two decent upper-deck seats for one good seat in the lower deck.
So, when I got out of Metro this evening, I turned to the first scalper who asked me if I had extra tickets and told him I had a pair. He asked me what I wanted. I said "Face value." He said he couldn't give me that, the best he could do was half. I started walking. He then offered me an extra $10. I told him no and kept on walking. This exact same scenario played out a couple of times.
Finally, the last scalper decided to have a conversation with me. I told him that I had a pair of tickets, and would part with one or both of them, but not for less than face value -- and that I knew that there were plenty of Red Sox fans willing to pay. At first he protested. He explained that he couldn't pay me face value because then he wouldn't have any room to negotiate with the buyers.
Since this guy took the time to explain his predicament, rather than walking away, I explained my position: I wanted to go to the game, but I had alternatives. I could sell both tickets, at a premium, and try to buy a single ticket. I could use one ticket and sell the other, probably for less, but still for a fair amount. Or I could use one ticket and trade in the unused one for a different game -- which means I'd get full value for it.
In other words, I had alternatives, all of which were more palatable than selling him my pair of tickets for less than face value. If he wanted my pair of tickets, he'd have to give me what I wanted.
So finally, he offered a trade. One ticket in the lower deck, on the first base side, about halfway down, on the aisle. A $40 ticket for my pair of $20 tickets.
I took him up on the offer. I got exactly what I wanted.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Observation #4: Tragedy and Humanity
I was riding the Metro into work this morning, and my mind naturally drifted to yesterday's tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a sort-of kinship with them, in a way that only people who have lost others in a very shocking and sudden way could possibly understand.
Then I looked across the crowded train and had a moment of clarity: Other than perhaps the very smallest children, every single person on that train has, at some point, been touched by tragedy. Maybe big, maybe little, maybe someone close, maybe indirectly, but this shared experience of loss is one of the main things that makes us human.
Then I looked across the crowded train and had a moment of clarity: Other than perhaps the very smallest children, every single person on that train has, at some point, been touched by tragedy. Maybe big, maybe little, maybe someone close, maybe indirectly, but this shared experience of loss is one of the main things that makes us human.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Month of Living Pescetarianly
At the beginning of the month, I embarked on an adventure: I decided to give up all meat and poultry for one month.
I had a couple of reasons for doing this. The most important reason was that I've been trying to be healthier since my mom died, and I thought that a mostly vegetarian diet would be healthy. But honestly, the idea only occurred to me after reading some literature about how meat is not particularly good for the environment.
So I decided to try it out.
The results have been mixed. Ultimately, I didn't lose any weight, and I may have gained a pound or two. I don't feel any healthier, and in fact, before I started taking an iron supplement, my anemia was so bad that, for a couple of days, I was barely functioning.
My conclusions:
1. I have no problem giving up poultry. I did not crave it at all during the entire month. I can't say the same thing about red meat.
2. I really like fish, and, despite eating it all month, I have yet to get bored of it. There are a lot of varieties and a lot of options on how to prepare it.
3. Even keeping a mostly-vegetarian diet, I don't eat enough vegetables.
4. I eat way too much cheese. It's probably my favorite food.
5. I really don't eat a lot of shellfish. I don't order it in restaurants very often, and I don't cook it in my house -- except for lobster ravioli from the Italian Store.
6. Actually, I really don't cook anything in my house. Even with watching my diet, I only cooked in the house about 8 times during the entire month.
7. Cupcakes are not a healthy dinner.
So, am I going to stay pescetarian? Probably not. The siren call of steak will, ultimately, be too hard to resist -- but I'm not rushing to eat it either. I think what that means is that I'm going to limit my meat and poultry consumption, now that I know that I don't have to eat it every day.
I had a couple of reasons for doing this. The most important reason was that I've been trying to be healthier since my mom died, and I thought that a mostly vegetarian diet would be healthy. But honestly, the idea only occurred to me after reading some literature about how meat is not particularly good for the environment.
So I decided to try it out.
The results have been mixed. Ultimately, I didn't lose any weight, and I may have gained a pound or two. I don't feel any healthier, and in fact, before I started taking an iron supplement, my anemia was so bad that, for a couple of days, I was barely functioning.
My conclusions:
1. I have no problem giving up poultry. I did not crave it at all during the entire month. I can't say the same thing about red meat.
2. I really like fish, and, despite eating it all month, I have yet to get bored of it. There are a lot of varieties and a lot of options on how to prepare it.
3. Even keeping a mostly-vegetarian diet, I don't eat enough vegetables.
4. I eat way too much cheese. It's probably my favorite food.
5. I really don't eat a lot of shellfish. I don't order it in restaurants very often, and I don't cook it in my house -- except for lobster ravioli from the Italian Store.
6. Actually, I really don't cook anything in my house. Even with watching my diet, I only cooked in the house about 8 times during the entire month.
7. Cupcakes are not a healthy dinner.
So, am I going to stay pescetarian? Probably not. The siren call of steak will, ultimately, be too hard to resist -- but I'm not rushing to eat it either. I think what that means is that I'm going to limit my meat and poultry consumption, now that I know that I don't have to eat it every day.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The good, the bad, and the ugly -- Twitter style
It's been almost a month since my last confession post. I've been neglectful, but mostly, I've been busy. I have, however, been twittering as much or more than usual. I'm not sure whether that's because it's quicker or because most of my thoughts are not more than 140 characters long.
Today, I had a bunch of things happen, but I did not twitter them. Here is what it would have looked like if I had.
The good:
1. thinks that, in her case, casual Fridays are really flip-flop Fridays.
2. just ate a sandwich from Cowgirl Creamery and cupcake (Morning Call) from Red Velvet. Dee-lish.
3. is looking forward to sitting out by the pool. Loves three-day weekends.
The bad:
1. started the day with Metro doors closing on her, causing a painful and unsightly cut on her hand.
2. got a sunburn from being outside for twenty minutes at lunch. Clearly this means that she does not get out enough.
3. has so much work to bring home that it's not even funny.
The ugly:
1. developed a new Tourette's like tic after finding large bug in her hair.
2. can't believe that she may have agreed to drive to the beach this weekend. Ugh, can you say 'traffic nightmare'?
3. while packing up her computer, stumbled across an inventory of her mother's jewelery. What a depressing way to start a weekend.
Today, I had a bunch of things happen, but I did not twitter them. Here is what it would have looked like if I had.
The good:
1. thinks that, in her case, casual Fridays are really flip-flop Fridays.
2. just ate a sandwich from Cowgirl Creamery and cupcake (Morning Call) from Red Velvet. Dee-lish.
3. is looking forward to sitting out by the pool. Loves three-day weekends.
The bad:
1. started the day with Metro doors closing on her, causing a painful and unsightly cut on her hand.
2. got a sunburn from being outside for twenty minutes at lunch. Clearly this means that she does not get out enough.
3. has so much work to bring home that it's not even funny.
The ugly:
1. developed a new Tourette's like tic after finding large bug in her hair.
2. can't believe that she may have agreed to drive to the beach this weekend. Ugh, can you say 'traffic nightmare'?
3. while packing up her computer, stumbled across an inventory of her mother's jewelery. What a depressing way to start a weekend.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Yes or no?
Rules:
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No!
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and Asks!
Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the Fun. Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag as many of your friends as you'd like to. Then see what happens.
----------------------------------------------
Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? Yes
Been arrested? No
Kissed someone you didn't like? Yes
Fell in love with one of your facebook friends? Yes
Kissed in the rain? Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes
Has someone borrowed money from you and not paid it back? Yes
Ran a red light? No
Been suspended from school? Yes
Totaled your car/motorbike in an accident? No
Been fired from a job? Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
Been in a near fatal accident? No
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes
Sang in the shower? Yes
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Yes
Broken a bone? Yes
Working your dream job? No
Blacked out from drinking? Yes
Played a prank on someone? Yes
Felt like killing someone? No
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes
Shot a gun? No
Donated Blood? Yes
Eaten Shrimp? Yes
Eaten cheesecake? Yes
Still in love with someone from your past? No
Think about the future? Yes
Believe in love? Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes
Talk in your sleep? No
Laughed until you peed your pants? Yes
Play/Played a musical instrument? Yes
Lived outside of the country? Yes
Gone Sky Diving? No
Gone Para sailing? No
Been skinny dipping? Yes
Lived in 3 or more states? Yes
Afraid of heights? Yes
Dated someone longer than you should have? Yes
Pierced a body part? Yes
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No!
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages or comments you and Asks!
Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the Fun. Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag as many of your friends as you'd like to. Then see what happens.
----------------------------------------------
Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? Yes
Been arrested? No
Kissed someone you didn't like? Yes
Fell in love with one of your facebook friends? Yes
Kissed in the rain? Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes
Has someone borrowed money from you and not paid it back? Yes
Ran a red light? No
Been suspended from school? Yes
Totaled your car/motorbike in an accident? No
Been fired from a job? Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
Been in a near fatal accident? No
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes
Sang in the shower? Yes
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Yes
Broken a bone? Yes
Working your dream job? No
Blacked out from drinking? Yes
Played a prank on someone? Yes
Felt like killing someone? No
Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes
Shot a gun? No
Donated Blood? Yes
Eaten Shrimp? Yes
Eaten cheesecake? Yes
Still in love with someone from your past? No
Think about the future? Yes
Believe in love? Yes
Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes
Talk in your sleep? No
Laughed until you peed your pants? Yes
Play/Played a musical instrument? Yes
Lived outside of the country? Yes
Gone Sky Diving? No
Gone Para sailing? No
Been skinny dipping? Yes
Lived in 3 or more states? Yes
Afraid of heights? Yes
Dated someone longer than you should have? Yes
Pierced a body part? Yes
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Relationships, trust, and forgiveness
(Ed. Note: Bear with me here, since this is shaping up to be an oddly academic discussion of personal matters. Feel free to read between the lines as necessary.)
Over the course of my life, I've heard countless people say that the cornerstone of a good relationship is trust. As a corollary of that rule, it should follow that a lack of trust means that a relationship is not good. That seems like pure, mathematical, Socratic logic, right?
What does it mean, then, if it's not a question of trusting the other person -- you just don't really care what he or she does? Or, maybe more precisely, you only care what he or she does to the extent that it directly affects you? My current hypothesis is that, under those circumstances, it's not precisely a bad relationship -- it's more likely that it's not really a relationship at all.
And then, there's the whole interplay between trust and forgiveness. If you think you have forgiven someone for hurting you in the past, but you don't know if you can trust them not to hurt you again, have you really forgiven them? Based on the above, again my hypothesis is no -- it's not really forgiveness as much as it's acceptance. But maybe that's too fine a line to draw. Maybe I'm splitting hairs.
Over the course of my life, I've heard countless people say that the cornerstone of a good relationship is trust. As a corollary of that rule, it should follow that a lack of trust means that a relationship is not good. That seems like pure, mathematical, Socratic logic, right?
What does it mean, then, if it's not a question of trusting the other person -- you just don't really care what he or she does? Or, maybe more precisely, you only care what he or she does to the extent that it directly affects you? My current hypothesis is that, under those circumstances, it's not precisely a bad relationship -- it's more likely that it's not really a relationship at all.
And then, there's the whole interplay between trust and forgiveness. If you think you have forgiven someone for hurting you in the past, but you don't know if you can trust them not to hurt you again, have you really forgiven them? Based on the above, again my hypothesis is no -- it's not really forgiveness as much as it's acceptance. But maybe that's too fine a line to draw. Maybe I'm splitting hairs.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Playground Swing
Lately, everything in my life is so fraught with meaning, and everywhere I look, I encounter so many responsibilities and commitments and obligations. It's enough to make me want to crawl into bed, pull the blanket up over my head, and not come out for a week.
When I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago, I took a break from my sister and the baby and spent a beautiful afternoon in the park with my friends and their kids. Somehow, I found myself sitting in a playground swing for the first time in years, possibly decades. I slowly started swinging. The higher the swing climbed, the more exhiliratingly free I felt. My worries and the tasks of the day seemed to fade into the distance as I swung back and forth, and the only things remaining in my consciousness were these bits and pieces of a poem from my childhood -- something about going up in a swing, up in the air so blue. For a moment, I was no longer the adult me -- instead I had returned to childhood -- innocence, freedom, and endless possibilities.
Sadly, there came a time when I had to come back to earth, literally and figuratively. But I'm still trying to somehow keep my grasp on that feeling.
When I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago, I took a break from my sister and the baby and spent a beautiful afternoon in the park with my friends and their kids. Somehow, I found myself sitting in a playground swing for the first time in years, possibly decades. I slowly started swinging. The higher the swing climbed, the more exhiliratingly free I felt. My worries and the tasks of the day seemed to fade into the distance as I swung back and forth, and the only things remaining in my consciousness were these bits and pieces of a poem from my childhood -- something about going up in a swing, up in the air so blue. For a moment, I was no longer the adult me -- instead I had returned to childhood -- innocence, freedom, and endless possibilities.
Sadly, there came a time when I had to come back to earth, literally and figuratively. But I'm still trying to somehow keep my grasp on that feeling.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Love
I've been spending this week looking into my new nephew's giant navy blue eyes and welcoming him into the world. He's only a week old, and already I love this little boy so much. Not just because he's part my sister and part her boyfriend -- or part my mom and my dad and my grandparents -- but because he's his own brand new little person, unique from everyone who has been here before or will be here afterwards.
I told him yesterday that I couldn't love him more if he had come from my own body -- which is completely true. I could have dozens of my own children, hundreds of nieces and nephews and cousins, and my friends could have thousands of babies, and I would still find it easy to love each of them limitlessly. That's because love itself is limitless.
But love is also timeless -- a hard truth that I learned because of my mom's death. On the plane, I was re-reading one of my favorite books from my childhood -- A Wrinkle in Time -- and I was struck by that very concept. For those who know the plot of the book, you know the basics. But one of the characters says "[T]he things that are seen are temporal. But the things which are not seen are eternal." I've thought about that quote, and I'm sure that it can be interpreted in a thousand ways, with religious and philosophical and god-knows-what-other-kind-of overtones -- but to me, it means that love is infinite, plain and simple.
I told him yesterday that I couldn't love him more if he had come from my own body -- which is completely true. I could have dozens of my own children, hundreds of nieces and nephews and cousins, and my friends could have thousands of babies, and I would still find it easy to love each of them limitlessly. That's because love itself is limitless.
But love is also timeless -- a hard truth that I learned because of my mom's death. On the plane, I was re-reading one of my favorite books from my childhood -- A Wrinkle in Time -- and I was struck by that very concept. For those who know the plot of the book, you know the basics. But one of the characters says "[T]he things that are seen are temporal. But the things which are not seen are eternal." I've thought about that quote, and I'm sure that it can be interpreted in a thousand ways, with religious and philosophical and god-knows-what-other-kind-of overtones -- but to me, it means that love is infinite, plain and simple.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Senior Memories
Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!!
Copy and paste the questions into your notes section, fill in the answers, and tag your friends to see their answers.
IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR DID YOU...
1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes.
2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Almost, but not quite.
3. Did you car pool to school? For a couple of weeks, until Ryan got tired of having to pick me up.
4. What kind of car did you have? None -- my dad told me to find a boy to drive me around.
5. What kind of car do you have now? 2001 VW Jetta with 35,000 miles on it. It's good to live in a place with public transportation.
6. It's Friday night...where are you now? Out at dinner. If I'm lucky there will be drinks, too.
7. It is Friday night...where were you then? Probably sleeping over one of my friend's houses so I can actually DO something.
8. What kind of job did you have in high school? None.
9. What kind of job do you do now? Lawyer.
10. Were you a party animal? No. At least not comparatively.
11. Were you considered a flirt? I don't think so.
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Nope.
13. Were you a nerd? I think I was either a slightly nerdy normal kid or a really cool nerd.
14. Did you get suspended or expelled? Not during senior year. I think I got a one-day suspension for skipping math in 10th grade -- we got caught because we decided to get breakfast at Bageland. Although maybe that was just a Saturday detention.
15. Can you sing the fight song? Hell, no. I never could, either.
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? Senior year it was definitely Ms. Arena.
17. Where did you sit during lunch? Senior year I did an "independent study" which meant that I sat in the guidance office and occasionally delivered passes. So I got to take whichever lunch I felt like - which usually meant that I took part of both, wherever my friends were.
18. What was your school's full name? Coral Springs High School.
19. When did you graduate? 1993.
20. What was your school mascot? Colts.
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Probably not.
22. Did you have fun at Prom? Yes.
23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? Yes, although lately it's mostly text messages.
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? If I can manage it. The last one was fun.
25. Do you still talk to people from school? Yes, and not just via Facebook.
26. School Colors? Green and Blue.
Copy and paste the questions into your notes section, fill in the answers, and tag your friends to see their answers.
IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR DID YOU...
1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes.
2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Almost, but not quite.
3. Did you car pool to school? For a couple of weeks, until Ryan got tired of having to pick me up.
4. What kind of car did you have? None -- my dad told me to find a boy to drive me around.
5. What kind of car do you have now? 2001 VW Jetta with 35,000 miles on it. It's good to live in a place with public transportation.
6. It's Friday night...where are you now? Out at dinner. If I'm lucky there will be drinks, too.
7. It is Friday night...where were you then? Probably sleeping over one of my friend's houses so I can actually DO something.
8. What kind of job did you have in high school? None.
9. What kind of job do you do now? Lawyer.
10. Were you a party animal? No. At least not comparatively.
11. Were you considered a flirt? I don't think so.
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Nope.
13. Were you a nerd? I think I was either a slightly nerdy normal kid or a really cool nerd.
14. Did you get suspended or expelled? Not during senior year. I think I got a one-day suspension for skipping math in 10th grade -- we got caught because we decided to get breakfast at Bageland. Although maybe that was just a Saturday detention.
15. Can you sing the fight song? Hell, no. I never could, either.
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? Senior year it was definitely Ms. Arena.
17. Where did you sit during lunch? Senior year I did an "independent study" which meant that I sat in the guidance office and occasionally delivered passes. So I got to take whichever lunch I felt like - which usually meant that I took part of both, wherever my friends were.
18. What was your school's full name? Coral Springs High School.
19. When did you graduate? 1993.
20. What was your school mascot? Colts.
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Probably not.
22. Did you have fun at Prom? Yes.
23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? Yes, although lately it's mostly text messages.
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? If I can manage it. The last one was fun.
25. Do you still talk to people from school? Yes, and not just via Facebook.
26. School Colors? Green and Blue.
Monday, March 23, 2009
My life, as described by U2
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, "cleverly" answer these questions. Pass it on to 10 people and include me!
Pick Your Artist: U2
Are you male or female: The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Describe yourself: So Cruel
How do you feel about yourself: Magnificent
Describe where you currently live: City of Blinding Lights
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Where the Streets Have No Name
Your best friend is: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Your favorite color is: White as Snow
You know: Love is Blindness
What's the weather like: Electrical Storm
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Even Better than the Real Thing
What is life to you: Running to Stand Still
Your love life: Mysterious Ways
What is the best advice you have to give: Walk On
If you could change your name, what would it be: Miss Sarajevo
Your favorite food is: Crumbs from Your Table
Pick Your Artist: U2
Are you male or female: The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Describe yourself: So Cruel
How do you feel about yourself: Magnificent
Describe where you currently live: City of Blinding Lights
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Where the Streets Have No Name
Your best friend is: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Your favorite color is: White as Snow
You know: Love is Blindness
What's the weather like: Electrical Storm
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Even Better than the Real Thing
What is life to you: Running to Stand Still
Your love life: Mysterious Ways
What is the best advice you have to give: Walk On
If you could change your name, what would it be: Miss Sarajevo
Your favorite food is: Crumbs from Your Table
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Three Things
THREE NAMES I GO BY
1. Dara
2. D
3. Pookie (but only by my sister)
THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Lawyer
2. Target employee
3. Intern
THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Arlington, VA
2. Coral Springs, FL
3. Marlboro, NJ
THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH
1. Lost
2. 30 Rock
3. How I Met Your Mother
THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN
1. Jerusalem
2. London
3. Marrakesh
THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO
1. Canada
2. Australia
3. Japan
THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Gnocchi
2. Cupcakes
3. Steak
THREE THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. The birth of my nephew
2. Taking a vacation
3. Going to sleep
THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED
1. Remy, the family dog
2. Assorted goldfish
3. Various betta fishes
THREE FAVORITE BANDS/ ARTISTS
1. U2
2. The Beatles
3. The Police
THREE FAVORITE TEAMS TO WATCH
1. New York Giants
2. Washington Capitals
3. Washington Nationals
THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Diet Coke
2. Green Tea
3. Vodka and soda
1. Dara
2. D
3. Pookie (but only by my sister)
THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE
1. Lawyer
2. Target employee
3. Intern
THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Arlington, VA
2. Coral Springs, FL
3. Marlboro, NJ
THREE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH
1. Lost
2. 30 Rock
3. How I Met Your Mother
THREE PLACES I HAVE BEEN
1. Jerusalem
2. London
3. Marrakesh
THREE PLACES I WANT TO GO
1. Canada
2. Australia
3. Japan
THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS
1. Gnocchi
2. Cupcakes
3. Steak
THREE THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
1. The birth of my nephew
2. Taking a vacation
3. Going to sleep
THREE PETS THAT YOU HAVE OWNED
1. Remy, the family dog
2. Assorted goldfish
3. Various betta fishes
THREE FAVORITE BANDS/ ARTISTS
1. U2
2. The Beatles
3. The Police
THREE FAVORITE TEAMS TO WATCH
1. New York Giants
2. Washington Capitals
3. Washington Nationals
THREE FAVORITE DRINKS
1. Diet Coke
2. Green Tea
3. Vodka and soda
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Momentarily
I know I've been awfully quiet lately, posting mostly memes and quizzes. Not that I'm really still all that focused on trying to sort things out in my head, in private. Instead, I've taken a new approach to my life -- the "Stop thinking and do whatever feels good in the moment" approach.
I know me, and therefore, I know that this will not last. I am fully aware. Eventually I will need more -- I will need a plan, possibilities, an idea of what the future may bring. But right now, it's all I can handle. More importantly, it's giving me what I need.
I know me, and therefore, I know that this will not last. I am fully aware. Eventually I will need more -- I will need a plan, possibilities, an idea of what the future may bring. But right now, it's all I can handle. More importantly, it's giving me what I need.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Author meme
List the top 25 authors who have inspired you or made you think over the course of your life (in no particular order):
1. Edgar Allen Poe
2. William Shakespeare
3. Mark Twain
4. George Orwell
5. Margaret Atwood
6. Salman Rushdie
7. Douglas Coupland
8. Graham Swift
9. Kurt Vonnegut
10. F. Scott Fitzgerald
11. Dr. Seuss
12. Vladimir Nabokov
13. Madeleine L'Engle
14. Louisa May Alcott
15. Margaret Mitchell
16. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
17. Harper Lee
18. Dave Eggers
19. E.M. Forster
20. William Faulkner
21. Edith Wharton
22. L.M. Montgomery
23. Nick Hornby
24. Gabriel Garcia Marquez
25. Albert Camus
1. Edgar Allen Poe
2. William Shakespeare
3. Mark Twain
4. George Orwell
5. Margaret Atwood
6. Salman Rushdie
7. Douglas Coupland
8. Graham Swift
9. Kurt Vonnegut
10. F. Scott Fitzgerald
11. Dr. Seuss
12. Vladimir Nabokov
13. Madeleine L'Engle
14. Louisa May Alcott
15. Margaret Mitchell
16. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
17. Harper Lee
18. Dave Eggers
19. E.M. Forster
20. William Faulkner
21. Edith Wharton
22. L.M. Montgomery
23. Nick Hornby
24. Gabriel Garcia Marquez
25. Albert Camus
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Thoughts on Religulous
I have always been somewhat of an agnostic, a doubter. I respect a lot of the traditions and the history associated with religion, but I have never really been able to accept that which has no proof, no physical evidence. It's gotten worse since my mom died -- I tell people that I am "off god." Still, sometimes I wish that I had faith -- that I was able to shut off my rationality and my doubt and just believe in some greater power that is more substantial than the mere feeling that putting out good, positive energy will serve me better than negative energy.
That should give you a sense of the playing field with which I went in to watching Religulous. To me, it seemed like an interesting concept: Comedian Bill Maher taking a critical look at religion and calling it out on some of its irrationalities. And the movie worked for me, right up until the end, where Maher took everything he presented over the past 90 minutes and quickly proclaimed his thesis: Religion will destroy the world.
I felt like I had whiplash. Going from "doubt is healthy" to "organized religion is going to destroy the world" is too great a leap, even for me. Don't get me wrong: I can see the absurdities in a lot of religious concepts, and I can agree that there is a level of fundamentalism that is dangerous -- particularly when people follow leaders blindly, without thought. And I guess that's the best explanation of why I disagree: It's not religion per se that's the problem; it's a lack of critical thinking.
That should give you a sense of the playing field with which I went in to watching Religulous. To me, it seemed like an interesting concept: Comedian Bill Maher taking a critical look at religion and calling it out on some of its irrationalities. And the movie worked for me, right up until the end, where Maher took everything he presented over the past 90 minutes and quickly proclaimed his thesis: Religion will destroy the world.
I felt like I had whiplash. Going from "doubt is healthy" to "organized religion is going to destroy the world" is too great a leap, even for me. Don't get me wrong: I can see the absurdities in a lot of religious concepts, and I can agree that there is a level of fundamentalism that is dangerous -- particularly when people follow leaders blindly, without thought. And I guess that's the best explanation of why I disagree: It's not religion per se that's the problem; it's a lack of critical thinking.
ABC Meme
Age: Old enough to know better than to answer the question.
Believe in Magic: I am sure that there are things in the universe that we cannot explain and that others would consider magic.
Cake or pie: Both. Apple or pumpkin pie or yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
Day or Night: Night.
Eyes: Green/Blue/Gray.
First thoughts waking up: Snooze.
Goals: Being happy in the moment.
Holiday: Halloween.
Instrument: I have a guitar, a casio keyboard, a harmonica, and some maracas. I could totally start a band right now.
Jewelry: Earrings, ring, necklace, watch.
Keep a journal: Always.
Love: Books.
Movies: Gone With The Wind. Before Sunrise. Office Space.
Number: I like numbers that are divisible by 3.
One wish: Love.
Piercing: 5 earrings. One cartilage piercing. Former belly button piercing.
Quail: Once. Meh.
Reality T.V: Project Runway.
Shower: Hot.
Tattoos: Butterfly, right shoulder.
Unpredictable: On occasion. I am unpredictably unpredictable.
Vacation spot(s): Anywhere with good company.
Worst feeling: Intestinal infection. Trust me on this.
X-Rays: Teeth. Arm. Fingers. Foot.
Year it is now: 2009.
Zoo animal: Monkey.
Believe in Magic: I am sure that there are things in the universe that we cannot explain and that others would consider magic.
Cake or pie: Both. Apple or pumpkin pie or yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
Day or Night: Night.
Eyes: Green/Blue/Gray.
First thoughts waking up: Snooze.
Goals: Being happy in the moment.
Holiday: Halloween.
Instrument: I have a guitar, a casio keyboard, a harmonica, and some maracas. I could totally start a band right now.
Jewelry: Earrings, ring, necklace, watch.
Keep a journal: Always.
Love: Books.
Movies: Gone With The Wind. Before Sunrise. Office Space.
Number: I like numbers that are divisible by 3.
One wish: Love.
Piercing: 5 earrings. One cartilage piercing. Former belly button piercing.
Quail: Once. Meh.
Reality T.V: Project Runway.
Shower: Hot.
Tattoos: Butterfly, right shoulder.
Unpredictable: On occasion. I am unpredictably unpredictable.
Vacation spot(s): Anywhere with good company.
Worst feeling: Intestinal infection. Trust me on this.
X-Rays: Teeth. Arm. Fingers. Foot.
Year it is now: 2009.
Zoo animal: Monkey.
Monday, March 02, 2009
100 (More) Things
1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
On my right knee, from the metro escalator going to a Nationals game. I bled for almost the entire game, but Justin kept telling me that I didn't need stitches.
2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Currently, a Beatles poster and a Sting poster.
3. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 5 WORDS
Funny, short, smart, pragmatic, logical.
4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Pop and rock, mostly.
5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
5:16 p.m.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
Fulfillment.
7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
My mom.
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
A letter that my dad wrote to me when I was 12, and the jewelry that my mother gave to me.
9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
Not quite 5'2".
10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
A little.
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
No. I like the dark.
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
My dad.
13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
That I might really be unlovable.
14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Dark hair, blue eyes.
15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
I have no idea, but the next time it happens, I hope it's not during a football game!
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Diet Coke or Tea.
17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Buffalo mozzarella.
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Something sugary.
19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
Unequivocally, black.
20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
No, eew.
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Probably the toy lamb I got from my grandfather when I was a baby, since it was the only thing he ever gave to me. But in that regard, the gift itself was not particularly meaningful, it was the circumstance of the gift.
22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
To the extent that the word "crush" implies unrequited, then no, not this minute.
23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
No, but I am very flexible.
24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
I don't really have a favorite brand. I have a favorite store -- Anthropologie.
25. WHO IS YOUR FAV FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Tina Fey and Robert Downey, Jr.
26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
Nope.
27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Probably not. I'm generally more guarded than that.
29. WHEN DID YOU LAST SING TO YOURSELF OR TO SOMEONE ELSE?
In the car yesterday.
30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
11.
31. BLONDES, BRUNETTES OR RED HEADS?
Brunettes.
32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
"If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces." Wm. Shakespeare.
33. FAVORITE PLACE?
Bed.
34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yes.
35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Bad knees. Inability to reach things on the top shelf. Failing to live in the moment.
36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Yes.
37. FIRST JOB?
Babysitting.
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yes.
39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE?
Yes. Maybe more than one.
40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Watching The Daily Show.
41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
Yes, out-patient.
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My eyes.
43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
No.
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I'm sure I'll think of something by November.
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
I would like to have at least one so that I can name her after my mom.
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
two of my great-grandmothers, but only in Hebrew.
47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I have three -- lack of intelligence, lack of humor, poor grammar.
48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
Writing classes.
49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Aveda Shampure.
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes.
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Very rare roast beef.
53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Not particularly.
54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Totally.
55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
Yeah, as long as both parties understand what's going on.
56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Initially, yes -- but the degree of relevance declines over time.
57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
Sarcasm and the occasional passive-aggression.
58. WOULD YOU EVER LIKE TO BE FAMOUS/A CELEBRITY? IF SO, IN WHAT WAY?
Sometimes. But only for the shoes.
59. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
Happiness, whatever that means.
60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Dolls.
61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
A lot, since the iPhone syncs with my address book.
62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
Alas, I am too old to have grown up with the silly purple dinosaur!
63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Yes. I'm afraid that it is my natural state.
64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Mac and Cheese.
65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Sense of humor. Tolerance of me. And chemistry.
66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
D.
67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?
Seeing the future.
68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Lost.
69. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Torture them.
70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Coffee Heath Bar Crunch.
71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
Yes.
72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
If I bring it in there.
73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
Sleep.
74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
The South of France.
75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
If it makes them happy.
76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Stephen Colbert interviewing David Byrne from the Talking Heads. Crazy!
77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Diet Coke.
78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My Nana.
79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Eye color.
80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Sleep, read, go to movies, watch tv, hang out with my friends.
81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
My situation.
82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
Baseball season!
83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Peanut M&Ms.
84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Best friend, worst enemy, same person: My sister.
85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Brown.
86. EYE COLOR?
green/blue/gray
87. SHOE SIZE?
6.5 or 7.
88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Chick-fil-A
89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Ray's the Steaks.
90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Yes, but I always eat too much.
91. WATCH TV TODAY?
Right now, as a matter of fact.
92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Opening Day!
93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
Piano. A little guitar.
94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
Democrat.
95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Both, hopefully.
96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships.
97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
Diet Coke.
98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
Yes, but it would probably drive me crazy.
99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Just finished All the King's Men. Will start a new book tomorrow.
100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE!
Interesting. Complicated. Impossible to explain.
On my right knee, from the metro escalator going to a Nationals game. I bled for almost the entire game, but Justin kept telling me that I didn't need stitches.
2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Currently, a Beatles poster and a Sting poster.
3. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 5 WORDS
Funny, short, smart, pragmatic, logical.
4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Pop and rock, mostly.
5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
5:16 p.m.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
Fulfillment.
7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
My mom.
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
A letter that my dad wrote to me when I was 12, and the jewelry that my mother gave to me.
9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
Not quite 5'2".
10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
A little.
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
No. I like the dark.
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
My dad.
13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
That I might really be unlovable.
14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Dark hair, blue eyes.
15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
I have no idea, but the next time it happens, I hope it's not during a football game!
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Diet Coke or Tea.
17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Buffalo mozzarella.
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Something sugary.
19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
Unequivocally, black.
20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
No, eew.
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Probably the toy lamb I got from my grandfather when I was a baby, since it was the only thing he ever gave to me. But in that regard, the gift itself was not particularly meaningful, it was the circumstance of the gift.
22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
To the extent that the word "crush" implies unrequited, then no, not this minute.
23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
No, but I am very flexible.
24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
I don't really have a favorite brand. I have a favorite store -- Anthropologie.
25. WHO IS YOUR FAV FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY?
Tina Fey and Robert Downey, Jr.
26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
Nope.
27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Probably not. I'm generally more guarded than that.
29. WHEN DID YOU LAST SING TO YOURSELF OR TO SOMEONE ELSE?
In the car yesterday.
30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
11.
31. BLONDES, BRUNETTES OR RED HEADS?
Brunettes.
32. FAVORITE QUOTE?
"If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages princes' palaces." Wm. Shakespeare.
33. FAVORITE PLACE?
Bed.
34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
Yes.
35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Bad knees. Inability to reach things on the top shelf. Failing to live in the moment.
36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Yes.
37. FIRST JOB?
Babysitting.
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Yes.
39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE?
Yes. Maybe more than one.
40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Watching The Daily Show.
41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
Yes, out-patient.
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My eyes.
43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
No.
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I'm sure I'll think of something by November.
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
I would like to have at least one so that I can name her after my mom.
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
two of my great-grandmothers, but only in Hebrew.
47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I have three -- lack of intelligence, lack of humor, poor grammar.
48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
Writing classes.
49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Aveda Shampure.
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes.
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Very rare roast beef.
53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
Not particularly.
54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Totally.
55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
Yeah, as long as both parties understand what's going on.
56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Initially, yes -- but the degree of relevance declines over time.
57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
Sarcasm and the occasional passive-aggression.
58. WOULD YOU EVER LIKE TO BE FAMOUS/A CELEBRITY? IF SO, IN WHAT WAY?
Sometimes. But only for the shoes.
59. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
Happiness, whatever that means.
60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Dolls.
61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
A lot, since the iPhone syncs with my address book.
62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
Alas, I am too old to have grown up with the silly purple dinosaur!
63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Yes. I'm afraid that it is my natural state.
64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
Mac and Cheese.
65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Sense of humor. Tolerance of me. And chemistry.
66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
D.
67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?
Seeing the future.
68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Lost.
69. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Torture them.
70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Coffee Heath Bar Crunch.
71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
Yes.
72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
If I bring it in there.
73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
Sleep.
74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
The South of France.
75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
If it makes them happy.
76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Stephen Colbert interviewing David Byrne from the Talking Heads. Crazy!
77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Diet Coke.
78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My Nana.
79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Eye color.
80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Sleep, read, go to movies, watch tv, hang out with my friends.
81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
My situation.
82. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
Baseball season!
83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Peanut M&Ms.
84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Best friend, worst enemy, same person: My sister.
85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
Brown.
86. EYE COLOR?
green/blue/gray
87. SHOE SIZE?
6.5 or 7.
88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Chick-fil-A
89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Ray's the Steaks.
90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Yes, but I always eat too much.
91. WATCH TV TODAY?
Right now, as a matter of fact.
92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Opening Day!
93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
Piano. A little guitar.
94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
Democrat.
95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Both, hopefully.
96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
Relationships.
97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
Diet Coke.
98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
Yes, but it would probably drive me crazy.
99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Just finished All the King's Men. Will start a new book tomorrow.
100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE!
Interesting. Complicated. Impossible to explain.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Learning to live in the moment
I know I have some tendencies that are very “Type A.” I like answers, concrete details. I like order and organization. I like rules and laws. I like maps and taking the most direct route. I like having a plan.
On the other hand, I am the least “Type A” person in the world. I am not particularly aggressive. I am non-confrontational. I am willing to go along with the flow on most things. I think I am pretty laid back.
My brother and sister would probably say that I am bossy. And when we were younger, I certainly did my share of oldest sister bossing. But in my real life, my adult life, I try to avoid telling anyone what to do -- although, admittedly, it's mostly because I detest being told what to do by others.
It might seem like these two sides of my personality would be contradictory, but I don’t think so: I go along with the flow until I can’t possibly do it anymore. Or, as I said to someone the other day, I reserve my right, as a woman, to change my mind. He thought that was “cute,” but I was dead serious when I said it.
Anyway, these tendencies are on my mind lately as I’m trying more and more to adjust to being happy in the moment, with the way things are -- without necessarily needing rules or definitions or limitations. It’s definitely an adjustment.
On the other hand, I am the least “Type A” person in the world. I am not particularly aggressive. I am non-confrontational. I am willing to go along with the flow on most things. I think I am pretty laid back.
My brother and sister would probably say that I am bossy. And when we were younger, I certainly did my share of oldest sister bossing. But in my real life, my adult life, I try to avoid telling anyone what to do -- although, admittedly, it's mostly because I detest being told what to do by others.
It might seem like these two sides of my personality would be contradictory, but I don’t think so: I go along with the flow until I can’t possibly do it anymore. Or, as I said to someone the other day, I reserve my right, as a woman, to change my mind. He thought that was “cute,” but I was dead serious when I said it.
Anyway, these tendencies are on my mind lately as I’m trying more and more to adjust to being happy in the moment, with the way things are -- without necessarily needing rules or definitions or limitations. It’s definitely an adjustment.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
BBC Book List Meme
The BBC believes most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here. How do your reading habits stack up?
Instructions: Look at the list and put an 'X' after those you have read.
1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen ()
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (X)
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (X)
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (X)
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (X)
6. The Bible (x) (Most of it, anyway.)
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (X)
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (X)
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman ()
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens ()
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (X)
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (X)
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (X)
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare (X)
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (X)
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (X)
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk ( )
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (X)
19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (X)
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot ( )
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell (X)
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (X)
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens ()
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy ()
25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams (X)
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh (X)
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky (X)
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck (X)
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (X)
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame ()
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ( )
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ( )
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis ()
34. Emma - Jane Austen ()
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen ()
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (X) (doesn't 33 cover this?)
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini - (X)
38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres ( )
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden ()
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell (X)
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X)
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (X)
44. A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving ( )
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins ( )
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (X) (and all the sequels too.)
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy ( )
48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood (X) (All women should read this book!)
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding (X)
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan (X)
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel (X)
52. Dune - Frank Herbert ()
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons ()
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen ()
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth ()
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon ()
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens ()
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley ()
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon ()
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (X)
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck (X)
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (X)
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt ( )
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold ()
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (X)
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac (X)
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy ()
68. Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding (X)
69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie (X)
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville (X)
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens (X)
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker (X)
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (X)
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson ()
75. Ulysses - James Joyce () (Started it three times, though.)
76. The Inferno - Dante (X)
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome ()
78. Germinal - Emile Zola ()
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray ()
80. Possession - AS Byatt ()
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (X)
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell ()
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker ()
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro ()
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert ()
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry ()
87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White (X) (Yet, as much as I love this book, it's not nearly as dear to me as his style manual.)
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom ()
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle () (do some count?)
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton ()
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad (X)
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (X)
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks ()
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams ()
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ()
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute ()
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas (X)
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X)
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (X)
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ()
I count 52. I can do better.
Instructions: Look at the list and put an 'X' after those you have read.
1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen ()
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (X)
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte (X)
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (X)
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (X)
6. The Bible (x) (Most of it, anyway.)
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte (X)
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell (X)
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman ()
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens ()
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (X)
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy (X)
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (X)
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare (X)
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier (X)
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (X)
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk ( )
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (X)
19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger (X)
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot ( )
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell (X)
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (X)
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens ()
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy ()
25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams (X)
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh (X)
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky (X)
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck (X)
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll (X)
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame ()
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ( )
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ( )
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis ()
34. Emma - Jane Austen ()
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen ()
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (X) (doesn't 33 cover this?)
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini - (X)
38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres ( )
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden ()
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell (X)
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X)
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (X)
44. A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving ( )
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins ( )
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (X) (and all the sequels too.)
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy ( )
48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood (X) (All women should read this book!)
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding (X)
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan (X)
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel (X)
52. Dune - Frank Herbert ()
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons ()
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen ()
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth ()
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon ()
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens ()
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley ()
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon ()
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (X)
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck (X)
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (X)
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt ( )
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold ()
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (X)
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac (X)
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy ()
68. Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding (X)
69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie (X)
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville (X)
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens (X)
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker (X)
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (X)
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson ()
75. Ulysses - James Joyce () (Started it three times, though.)
76. The Inferno - Dante (X)
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome ()
78. Germinal - Emile Zola ()
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray ()
80. Possession - AS Byatt ()
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (X)
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell ()
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker ()
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro ()
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert ()
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry ()
87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White (X) (Yet, as much as I love this book, it's not nearly as dear to me as his style manual.)
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom ()
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle () (do some count?)
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton ()
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad (X)
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery (X)
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks ()
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams ()
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ()
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute ()
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas (X)
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X)
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (X)
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ()
I count 52. I can do better.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Bucket List Meme
Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not, then send it to your friends (including me).
THINGS YOU HAVE DONE DURING YOUR LIFETIME:
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
(X) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(X) Gotten lost
(X) Visited Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep-
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa
(X) Kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
( ) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(X) Lived in more than one country
(X) Lived in more than one State/Province
(X) Admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Wished upon a falling star
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
( ) Visited the Statue of Liberty
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X) Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding
( ) Hiked through a slot canyon
(X) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(X) Been to Disneyland or Disney World
( ) Truly believe in the power of prayer
( ) Hiked through a rain forest
( ) Gone whale-watching
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Gone to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Witnessed a glacier calf
(X) Gone White Water Rafting
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing(or tried to)
( ) Been snow-skiing/snowboarding
(X) Been to Westminster Abbey
(X) Been to the Louvre / Prado
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean
(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(X) Been to a National Football League game
(X) Been to National Hockey League game
THINGS YOU HAVE DONE DURING YOUR LIFETIME:
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
(X) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(X) Gotten lost
(X) Visited Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep-
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa
(X) Kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
( ) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(X) Lived in more than one country
(X) Lived in more than one State/Province
(X) Admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X) Wished upon a falling star
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
( ) Visited the Statue of Liberty
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X) Been on a cruise
(X) Traveled by train
( ) Traveled by motorcycle
(X) Been horse back riding
( ) Hiked through a slot canyon
(X) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(X) Been to Disneyland or Disney World
( ) Truly believe in the power of prayer
( ) Hiked through a rain forest
( ) Gone whale-watching
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Gone to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Witnessed a glacier calf
(X) Gone White Water Rafting
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( ) Been water-skiing(or tried to)
( ) Been snow-skiing/snowboarding
(X) Been to Westminster Abbey
(X) Been to the Louvre / Prado
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean
(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game
(X) Been to a National Football League game
(X) Been to National Hockey League game
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