Have you ever? Meme

I stole this from Nicole’s blog. It’s a list of activities/experiences. I have marked them according to the following:

Things I've already done: bold
Things I want to do: italicize
Things I haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. started my own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited Hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than I can afford to charity
7. been to Disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain (well, it was technically a butte, but I’m counting it!)
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited Paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught myself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. grown my own vegetables
19. seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when I was not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon (but I’ve done 2 5k’s and a 5 mile…)
28. ridden a gondola in Venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen Niagara Falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of my ancestors (I guess that’s Germany and Lithuania??)
35. seen an Amish community
36. taught myself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen Michelangelo's David in person
41. sung karaoke
42. seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited Africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had my portrait painted (if you count a caricature)
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the Sistine Chapel in person (pinch-me moment!)
50. been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling (But I want to snorkel again, in less tumultuous waters)
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud (surely as a child...)
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the Great Wall of China
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason (doesn’t say someone ELSE has to have gotten them for you)
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. eaten caviar (eww)
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in Times Square
74. toured the Everglades
75. been fired from a job (laid off)
76. seen the changing of the guard in London
77. broken a bone (foot)
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the Vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. had my picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire Bible
86. visited the White House
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous (I know! 30 years in LA, you’d think this’d be cake)
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the Alamo in person
96. swum in the Great Salt Lake
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee

Me by the numbers

I'm making up my own meme, folks. Watch out!

1. Number of emails in your personal INBOX: 56 (but only 6 unread)

2. Number of degrees you set your summertime thermostat to: 78

3. Number of live plants in your home: 3

4. Number of clean dinner plates in your cupboard right now: 4

5. Number of loads of laundry you do in a typical week: 2 (white, colors)

6. Number of ceiling fans in your home: 2 (living room, bedroom)

7. Number of CD's in your car right now: 10 (only for when my iPod is dead)

8. Number of times you ate out in the past week: 0

9. Number of trips you've taken on an airplane in the past year: 9 (Vermont, NYC, Baltimore, Tallahassee, Philadelphia, Philadelphia again, Los Angeles, London, Chicago) (In the next 4 weeks I'll be flying to Mississippi, Denver, Mississippi again, and Oklahoma)

10. Number of pets you own: 1 (cat)

11. Number of magazines you subscribe to: 0 (but for some reason I get Self for free)

12. Number of dresses or skirts you wore last week: 0

13. Number of photographs you carry in your wallet or purse: 0 (unless you count the ones on my digital camera)

14. Number of gallons it usually takes to fill your vehicle: 15

15. Number of times you go to the movies in a typical month: 1

16. Number of times you hit the snooze button before getting up: 1

17. Number of minutes it takes you to get ready in the morning: 75

18. Number of sweetener packets you put in a regular cup of coffee: 4 (prefer Splenda, Equal, or Sweet & Low)

19. Number of remote controls you have in the living room: 3 (cable, TV, DVD/receiver)

20. Number of times you brush your teeth in a day: 2

21. Number of vitamins you take in a day: 4 (multi, C, 2 flax oil)

22. Number of ounces of water you drink in a day: about 50

23. Number of schools you've gone to: 6 (Pinecrest Elem, Arroyo Seco Jr. High, Saugus High, UCSD, Dartmouth, CSUN)

24. Number of states you've lived in: 3 (California, New Hampshire, North Carolina)

25. Number of times you've served jury duty: 1 (didn't make it onto a jury though)

26. Number of presidential elections you've voted in: 3 (Clinton, Gore, Kerry...and the 4th: Obama!)

27. Number of times you've been hospitalized: 1 (epiglotitis when I was four)

28. Number of blogs you read every day: 8 (unless I'm really busy, then I at least make sure to hit LOL Cats)

29. Number of weddings you've been to: 5

30. Number of Twitter updates as of right now: 204

Meme time

Back in the day, I would come across memes I wanted to do all the time. Nowadays, not so much. I had to actively search for this meme. It came from here. It was kind of hard to complete. I tried not to cop out on too many questions. But like, #18, if someone can answer that I'd be very impressed.

1. My uncle once – flew out here for vacation and went to Washington, D.C. with us.

2. Never in my life – have I burped the alphabet.

3. When I was 5 – Reagan became president.

4. High school was – stressful.

5. I will never forget losing – and then finding my bag of souvenirs in Rome.

6. I once met – a guy in the Bahamas with a loogie on his shirt.

7. There's this person I know who – doesn’t like cheese. Oh, the horror!

8. Once at a bar – in London I saw Emma Jane Thommen perform.

9. By noon I'm usually – thinking about lunch.

10. Last night – I watched the season finale of The Next Food Network Star.

11. If only I had – endless patience, working with stupid customers would be so much easier.

12. Next time I go to church – will probably be for a wedding. Not mine though.

13. What worries me most – is that Obama will get elected and end up being a disappointment.

14. When I turn my head left, I see – a black and white Venice poster.

15. When I turn my head right, I see – a black and white Paris poster.

16. You know I'm bored when – I start cleaning.

17. What I miss most about the eighties – is the relative innocence of the world compared to now.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare, I'd be – I have no idea.

19. By this time next year – I will have watched 1,460 hours of television.

20. A better name for me would be – I like my name just fine, thanks.

21. I have a hard time understanding – why people don’t recycle more.

22. If I ever went back to school – I'd study zoology.

23. You know I like you if – I send you postcards.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I'd thank would be – my parents.

25. Take my advice, never – take a mega dose of niacin. You will feel like you’re on fire!

26. My ideal breakfast is – a breakfast burrito with eggs, cheese, beans, salsa, and avocado.

27. A song I love, but do not have, is – I pretty much have everything I want, thanks to iTunes.

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest – we go to In 'n' Out!

29. Why won't people – be a little more aware?

30. If you spend the night at my house – you can be the first to stay in my guest room!

31. I'd stop my wedding for – Stephen Colbert.

32. The world could do without – flies.

33. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than – live without A/C.

34. My favorite blonde is – my niece Cassidy.

35. Paper clips are more useful than – a gum wrapper.

36. If I do anything well, it's – pampering myself with pedicures and massages.

iPod Meme

Instructions: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. -- from Heather

I will admit that the answers sometimes were really dumb, so I did it twice and below are the best of the combined results.

How does the world see you?
First: The Nutcracker
Second: The Perfect Nanny (kids from Mary Poppins)
Yikes!

Will I have a happy life?
A Little Respect (Erasure)

What do my friends really think of me?
Belong (REM)

What do people secretly think of me?
First: Tangled Up in Blue (Natalie Merchant cover of Bob Dylan)
Second: Funny Honey (Renee Zellweger in Chicago)

How can I be happy?
Baby Girl (Sugarland)
Guess that means I should make my dreams come true so I can stay in the Ritz

What should I do with my life?
First: Mr. Jones (Counting Crows)
Second: Wonderwall (Oasis)
Great songs, but what are they even about?

Will I ever have children?
There Will Come A Day (Faith Hill)
Wow, all righty then!

What is some good advice for me?
Losing My Religion (REM)
Literally, don't have any to lose; idiomatically, to lose one's patience--not generally good advice

How will I be remembered?
Building a Mystery (Sarah McLachlan)
They say Scorpios are mysterious...

What is my signature dancing song?
The Smurfs Theme
At least it wasn't Family Ties

What do I think my current theme song is?
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (Boy George)
Maybe two years ago, but certainly not now

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Higher Ground (UB40)
I LOVE this song!! Awesome message.

What song will play at my funeral?
First: Beauty and the Beast (Celine Dion)
Um...
Second: Latin Chant (Evita)
Eerie...

What type of men/women do you like?
Waiting for That Day (George Michael)

What is my day going to be like?
Candle in the Wind (live) (Elton John)
That's depressing.

In the mood for a little meme?

Came across this by doing a search for memes, and modified it a bit to suit my tastes.

1. "If I could be an inn-keeper..."
I would have a bed and breakfast in Monterey or Cambria or some other area of the central California coast. Vermont is nice and all, but too snowy.

2. "If I could be a scientist..."
It's hard not to say "I'd find the cure for cancer and AIDS" and all the other terrible diseases. But I think that answer better fits with the question, "If I had three wishes..." So, really, if I were a scientist, I would probably be working in the field of zoology, and I'd be trying to save endangered species.

3. "If I could be a farmer..."
I would definitely run an organic operation, and I would have free-range chickens (genuinely free-range, not the ridiculous legal definition of of free-range) and grow whatever grows best in the climate where I have my farm. Hopefully that would include avocados. I'd want cows and sheep and pigs and stuff, but not for slaughter, ever.

4. "If I could be a celebrity..."
I'd totally want to hang out with other celebrities, but only the down to earth and fun ones. Like Ellen--she doesn't go out and party, she stays home and plays board games. You can always tell when Ellen interviews someone if they would be fun to hang out with. And I'd definitely put my fame to use by supporting a really great cause. The only problem would be picking one.

5. "If I could be a photographer..."
I would want to be a travel photographer and visit the Greek Isles and Australia and Scotland and stay in fab hotels and take pictures of the water and the buildings and the markets and the sunsets.

I need a meme

Search that phrase in Google and this is what you get. So.

1. Name a movie you have seen more than 10 times.
Love Actually.

2. Name a movie you saw multiple times in the theater.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

3. Name an actor who would make you more inclined to see a movie.
I'll see just about anything Julia Roberts or Drew Barrymore is in.

4. Name an actor who would make you less inclined to see a movie.
Bernie Mac

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.
Titanic. "What to do?"

6. Name a movie musical in which you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Lion King

7. Name a movie you have been known to sing along with.
Evita, Chicago, Lion King, Mary Poppins

8. Name a movie you would recommend everyone see.
The World's Fastest Indian. It is a surprising little gem.

9. Name a movie you own. (I will add: ...that no one would expect--MM)
Team America: World Police

10. Name an actor who launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.
The only person that comes to mind is Will Smith, because that was the answer of the blogger I got this meme from.

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?
I vaguely remember going as a child, but don't remember exactly what we saw.

12. Ever made out in a movie?
No. That would be a waste of money.

13. Name a movie you keep meaning to see but just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Citizen Kane. It's at the top of all those lists, and I really should see it.

14. Ever walked out of a movie?
No...but I've turned off some I've rented. Like Reservoir Dogs and Epic Movie. Wanted to walk out of Mary Reilly (which contradicts #3 above, but...)

15. Name a movie that made you cry.
Mr. Holland's Opus

16. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
I can't remember! Maybe The Queen?

17. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?
Romantic comedy

18. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?
Back to the Future is my first vivid theater memory. It was very full.

19. What movie do you wish you’d never seen?
12 Monkeys. Just awful.

20. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
Transamerica.

21. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen?
I remember being disturbed by the ending of Blair Witch. The kid in the corner? Yikes.

22. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen?
The time I laughed the hardest was definitely at South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. I was breathless and crying for the first 30 minutes.

23. What was the first R-rated film you saw? Or perhaps the one you knew your parents didn't want you to see...but you did anyway?
I watched Footloose at my friend Leigh's house. (Funny sidenote: I just checked IMDB to make sure my memory wasn't failing me, and yes, Footloose was originally rated R, but has since been downgraded to a PG!! Ah, modern mores.)

24. My bonus question: What movie did you expect to hate but actually enjoyed?
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Totally not my typical kind of movie. I got dragged to it and ended up laughing my butt off the whole time!

25. And just to make it an even 25, bonus question 2: What movie would you like to see remade?
Wizard of Oz. Julia as Dorothy, Mike Meyers as Scarecrow, John Cusack as Tin Man, Will Farrell as the Lion, Jim Carrey as the Wizard, Reese Witherspoon as Glenda the Good Witch, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the Wicked Witch (I'd say Meryl Streep or Emma Thompson but they've both already done witchy types). How funny would it be if Robin Williams was Uncle Henry and Nathan Lane was Aunty Em?!

My accent

I was challenged to take this quiz by an "anonymous" commenter, so I obliged. While you're taking it, you feel kind of silly, because the answers are so very obvious. (Does "father" rhyme with "bother"? Duh!) So it's funny that people from different parts of the country would have completely different answers. In the end, it pegged me correctly.

What American accent do you have?
Created by Xavier on Memegen.net

Western. Like Midland, Western is another accent that people consider neutral. So, you might not actually be from the Western half of the country, but you definitely sound like it.

Take this quiz now - it's easy!

We're going to start with "cot" and "caught." When you say those words do they sound the same or different?

Same Same, no wait I mean different, maybe, a little bit different... Different

Meme time

Heather of Blog, Blah, Blah did a cool interview meme the other day, and invited her readers to participate. Basically, she asks me three questions, and I respond in my own blog, then invite my readers to participate. The rules say that if you want to be interviewed by me, just leave a comment saying so (with your email address), and I'll send you questions.

Without further ado, here goes!

1. I know you have recently taken up residence in North Carolina. What's your favorite part of living in NC? What do you miss most about your old home?

My favorite part of living in NC is the natural beauty of it. Don't get me wrong--CA has remarkably beautiful places to visit--Yosemite, the northern coast, Napa Valley, etc. But NC's beauty is where you live. Forests line the freeway I commute on. Flowers bloom everywhere. There are rivers and lakes and ponds all over the place. What I miss most about CA is my friends, and the state's comprehensive recycling programs. That, and living next to a major airport where you can get a direct flight to Europe. Which leads me to...

2. I saw on your blog that you are going to England next year. What do you most want to see and what would you be okay not seeing if you ran out of time and had to scratch something off the list?

The top of my list is the Tower Bridge Key Ceremony. Apparently you have to write in advance for tickets, so relatively few people get to see it. From what I've read, it's steeped in tradition centuries old, and quite the spectacle. If I run out of time, the first thing to be scratched off would be a museum. I know that the British National Museum is a must-see according to all the guide books, but while I find art somewhat interesting, it would definitely take a back seat to something like the flea market on Portobello Road, or a day trip to Stonehenge.

3. I liked the question that was posed to me and so I am also going to ask it of you: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your 19-year-old self?

That's a tricky question. A few years ago, I would have said without a doubt that I'd tell my 19-year-old self to not take the easy road majoring in history, and instead hunker down and major in math, because it would have given me more, better paying career options. But I might not have become a teacher, which means I would have never met my best friend, and that would be awful. Although, I might have met a husband instead, but really you can never know. And frankly, I am very satisfied with my career right now, so there are no regrets.

So since the math major advice is not something I would give myself any longer, instead I would tell myself to live life more fully, to experience more things. I lived in San Diego for three years in college and never went to Sea World. I lived in New Hampshire for three months and barely explored beyond my dorm room. I lived a mile from the beach in LA for a year and only went once. Lately I've tried to be more adventurous and I think that having a blog has really helped me try new things, if for no other reason than to report back on how they went.

I hope I did your interview questions justice, Heather. If anyone wants to be "interviewed" by me, just leave a comment and I'll ask you some questions. It's fun!

One word

Use ony one word…..Not as easy as you might think. From Heather.

1. Cell phone?
two

2. Your Vehicle?
sleek

3. Your hair?
straight

5. Your parents?
best

6. Your favorite thing?
laughing

7. Your dream last night?
photos

8. Your favorite drink?
peachy

10. The room you’re in?
living

11. Your ex?
disorganized

12. You are?
earnest

13. What do you want to be in 10 years?
regretless

14. Who did you hang out with today?
coworkers

15. What you’re not?
wasteful

16. Muffins?
nah

17. One of your wish list items?
TV

18. Where's the ______ ?
tofu

19. The last thing you did?
read

20. What are you wearing?
jammies

21. Your favorite TV show?
Grey's

22. Your pet(s)?
precious

23. Your computer?
addicted

24. Your life?
comfortable

25. Your mood?
relaxed

26. Missing?
Nicole

27. What are you thinking about right now?
lots

28. Your shoes?
uncomfortable

29. Your work?
fulfilling

30. Your summer?
sticky

31. Your favorite color?
multiple

End-of-the-Year Meme

If you've been a blogger for all of '06, this is a fun meme to recap the year with. As seen on Teri's blog, the rule says to use the first sentence of the first post from each month. However, after assembling that list of boring lines, I could not bring myself to subject you to them yet again. (I apologize way too often for not posting enough!) So instead, I will pick my favorite line from each month's first post. Links will take you to the full post.

January
Oh the drama that can arise over the spectre of self-improvement--the struggle, the cautious optimism, the fear of failure, the fear of success, the fear of the unknown world which awaits, if only.

February
I think we are witnessing the tragic and yet perversely hilarious gradual decline of yours truly's mental capacity.

March
The Odyssey is almost six months old and except for one major sticking point (someone hire me!) I'm pretty much settled into my new state.
(By the way, I got hired two days later!!)

April*
I'd say the peak of the storm lasted no more than 10 minutes, but what a thrilling 10 minutes it was.
*Chosen from the 2nd post of the month; the first post was "100 Things."

May
I think I might actually be getting too much sleep.

June
When it comes to electronics I usually spring for all the bells and whistles, because, well, they're my sprinkles.

July
I would say that the highlight of my trip was Helen, GA.

August
I just drove four and a half hours to Alleghany County, Virginia, so his [James Lileks'] observations are ringing especially true for me.

September
We've entered the -Ber months, which means that Christmas is right around the corner and then 2007 and before you know it it'll be 2008 and the state quarters program will be over and there will be no reason to pay with cash ever again!

October
My parents and I made the five-hour trek not to gaze upon the seat of our nation's government, but rather to gaze upon a 2005 Honda Accord coupe.

November
This weekend is all about cleaning up and cleaning out (even though it's not spring), but hopefully by Sunday I'll have a chance to put a few words and pics together and share them with y'all.

December
It was somewhat surreal to be walking up and down the aisles, because TJ's is so closely associated with California in my mind, that I had to keep reminding myself I was in Cary.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter "P"

I love the randomness of this meme. I asked Heather for a letter, and now my task is to name 10 things I love that start with the letter "P." Here goes!

1. Planning vacations
2. Popping my gum
3. Picture taking (er...photography)
4. Petting Comet
5. Picking out yarn for a new knitting project
6. Pillows
7. Peeling the wrapper off a piece of chocolate
8. Phoning friends and family
9. Playing Natalie Merchant songs
10. Posting on my blog!

If you’d like to play, leave a comment and I’ll assign you a letter. :)

Holiday Time Meme

from Nicole's blog

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate. Preferably minty.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Wrapped, of course.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights on both.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope.

5. When do you put up your decorations?
It’s different every year. I don’t put much up, ever since the Tree Incident of ’99. But the office is done, and my parents’ house is mostly done.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)
Mashed potatoes.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
My mom loved the Dr. Seuss cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, and it was a tradition to watch it every year. And of course, there’s a whole “roast beast” story that we won’t go into right now.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I have no idea.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We never did growing up, but I think we have the past few Christmases.

10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas tree?
I don’t have one, so I’ll describe my parents’ tree (I did help decorate it, after all). It’s got white lights, some of which twinkle, and it has a ton of Hallmark ornaments collected over the years. It has a few that my brother and I made as children, and a few that I received as gifts over the years. My favorites are the Lion King ornaments and the embroidered ornament that my third grade teacher made for me. She made one for everyone with their initials on it.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Pretty to look at, but what a mess. And this is coming from someone who’s never shoveled a driveway in her life.

12. Can you ice skate?
I did go ice skating once or twice, but who knows if I could do it now.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I get great stuff every year, but for some reason my first thought when reading this question was the year I got a Cabbage Patch Kid AND a giant teddy bear (both of which I still have, by the way). I was on Cloud 9. I have a Polaroid of me posing with those two toys and I just went to go find it. Yeah, right. I really need to organize all my photos (I’m talking physical photos, here.) New Year’s Resolution?

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
How can I answer this without sounding trite? See “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Well, it’s not a dessert per se, but my favorite treat is the mint chocolate M&M’s and the mint chocolate Hershey’s Kisses.

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Well, in addition to the Grinch, I always liked going to pick out the Christmas tree. Alas, we’ve gone artificial now. But they ARE much easier to decorate!

17. What tops your tree?
There’s an angel on top of my parents’ tree.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
I love giving, when I have a good gift idea. But when I don’t, it’s not as fun.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
For some reason, I always liked “What Child is This?” And I remember learning “Do You Hear What I Hear?” in third grade; I was shocked that there was a Christmas carol I’d never heard before! My favorite Christmas CD is Amy Grant’s “Home for Christmas.”

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or yummy?
They’re tasty, but I’d rather spend my calories on M&M’s, thanks.

Interesting quiz

Ever wonder what dialect of American English you speak? Here's a neat quiz to find out!

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Natalie writes about my life

A meme from SJ

This was so fun! And surprisingly easy!

Choose a band/artist and answer ONLY in titles of their songs:
Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs


1. Are you male or female?
I'm Not the Man

2. Describe yourself:
Scorpio Rising

3. How do some people feel about you:
Let the Mystery Be

4. How do you feel about yourself:
Headstrong

5. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend:
Break Your Heart

6. Describe your current significant other:
Few and Far Between

7. Describe where you want to be:
Lowlands of Holland

8. Describe how you live:
Like the Weather

9. Describe how you love:
Kind and Generous

10. What would you ask for if you had just one wish:
Peace Train

11. Share a few words of wisdom:
Wonder

12. Now say goodbye:
Just Can't Last

November 12

From Moki

1. Go to Wikipedia.
2. In the Search box, type your birth month and day (but not year).
3. List three events that happened on your birthday.
4. List two important birthdays and one interesting death.
5. One holiday or observance (if any).

Historical events
1439 - Plymouth, England, becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.
1936 - In California, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opens to traffic.


1946 - A branch of the Exchange National Bank in Chicago, Illinois opens the first ten drive-up teller windows.
1980 - The NASA space probe Voyager I makes its closest approach to Saturn.


Births
1815 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton, American women's rights activist (d. 1902)
1840 - Auguste Rodin, French sculptor (d. 1917)

No interesting deaths or holidays on Nov. 12, but there's this:
In Back To The Future, November 12, 1955 is the date of the famous Hill Valley lightning storm.

Melissa needs...

Have you ever tried Googling yourself? It can be kind of shocking to see where your name pops up--both when it's really you, as well as when it's someone else with your same name! For instance, there's a Mrs. Melissa Mertz who is a high school English teacher in Ellington, CT; a Melissa Mertz who is co-vice president of Ball State's Natural Resources and Environmental Management club; and a Melissa Mertz who is director of victim services at New York City's Bellevue Hospital.

I stumbled upon a meme that is kind of like that, but with a twist. You Google your name and the word needs, as in "Melissa needs," including the quotation marks. Then you just post the first ten results. It's kinda funny. In a slightly incestuous turn, some of the top results were other blogger's lists of what they found when doing this search. Also, I got some repeats in my top ten, so I did the first ten unique ones. Here you go:

1. Melissa needs a fuller understanding to be sure she is on the right track.
2. Melissa needs to board the blob ship that is hovering overhead.
3. Melissa needs to get off the porch rail!!!
4. Melissa Needs Maintenance Manuals!
5. Melissa needs a camp job in July.
6. Melissa needs attention and will do “things” for attention.
7. Melissa needs blood will you help me?
8. Melissa needs to move to a new convent to complete the next part of her religious journey.
9. Melissa Needs Your Help - Kittens/cats Up For Adoption ...
10. Melissa needs to take a break.
11. Melissa needs to find a new agent.

Okay, so it was 11.

So here's something kinda cool. I was checking out my visitor stats and noticed that someone came to visit me from The Write Coast, and I discovered that the (obviously discerning) writer of that blog lists my blog as one of her "favorite reads!" So I thought I'd give her an Ellen-style HOLLA! By the way, I saw the above meme on Listaholic, which is her other blog. I love lists too! She has some awesome memes and it will be hard to choose which one to do next.

Oui oui

This post will probably interest only one reader (that's you, Coupy-coup!) but that's reason enough to post it if you ask me. And I like the little graphic too.

Your French Name is:

Monique Foucher

What's Your French Name?

100 Things

I noticed that a lot of people have "100 Things" posted on their blogs. I thought I'd join in.

100 Things

1. I have never had a cavity.
2. According to Picasa, 10,102 photos reside on my hard drive.
3. I like to take pictures.
4. I save everything.
5. I worked as a professional petsitter for six months in Los Angeles.
6. When I was in fifth grade, I calculated how much I could make running a full-time babysitting business when I grew up. It was $350 a week. I showed my teacher and she commented that it was more lucrative than teaching.
7. I taught junior high history and Spanish for five years. Despite how miserable it made me, it’s the job I’m proudest of.
8. I have had six different addresses over the past ten years. This is not counting college.
9. My first trip on an airplane was at age 19, when I flew to Washington, D.C.
10. Since then, I have flown to Boston, Chicago (2x), Charlotte, Paris, and Rome, as well as a second time to D.C. I have flown out of, but not into, Venice.
11. I was a vegetarian for about 8 years. Then I began allowing myself chicken and turkey. I swore off poultry for a year after seeing chicks hatch at the science museum in Chicago, but am now back to eating bird.
12. I wanted to be a vegan, but could never imagine giving up cheese.
13. I saw the movie The Lion King four times in the theater, and I saw the Broadway version three times at the Pantages.
14. I lived without TV for a year, by choice.
15. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, San Diego in three years with a B.A. in history. I almost went to Pacific University in Portland, Oregon, but decided it was too small (1500 students) and too far away from home.
16. I often wonder where I’d be if I’d chosen a different college or a different major. Or even just taken four years.
    
17. Our parents allowed my best friend and me to go to San Francisco by ourselves between our junior and senior years of high school. I am still amazed by this.
18. I have yet to save a single penny for retirement. Many, many chide me for this.
19. I have climbed Saddleback Butte, elevation 3651 ft., in the Antelope Valley. This is the closest to “mountain climbing” I will probably ever come. I did not have my camera with me. Or water.
20. The only time I have ever stayed up all night was for Grad Night at Disneyland. Oh, wait. Also the night before I had to move out of my last apartment. Guess which one was more fun.
21. I have run two 5k’s, both in 2004. At my best I could run a 12-minute mile. I don’t run anymore.
22. The only professional sport I’ve been to a live game for is baseball.
23. I can’t stand the taste of tea, except when I have a cold. Then I love it.
24. I have been on the radio six times. Twice, I won concert tickets (Siouxsie and the Banshees—which I gave to a “goth” friend—and Sting). The third time, I was calling to request a song. They made me request something they were already going to play: The Bangles' “Eternal Flame.” The remaining times, I won CD’s: Alanis Morissette, Jewel, and Natalie Merchant.
25. I deeply appreciate order; the state of my apartment often indicates otherwise.
26. I have been to two funerals: one for my grandfather and one for a friend’s mother. Both were in high school.
27. I have been to two weddings: one for a high school friend, one for a college friend. Both were Asian girls marrying white guys. What’s up with that?
28. I have been to two baby showers: one for an elementary school friend, and one for a co-worker. Both had boys.
29. My first concert was Paul McCartney at Dodger Stadium. I was 16.
30. My childhood dog was Sparky, an Australian Shepherd.
31. I tend to be a rule follower, and I get irritated when people get away with breaking them.
32. Say what you will about the nutritional value of whole grains, I don’t like wheat bread and will choose white any day of the week. And occasionally rye or sourdough.
33. I appreciate the environmental and economical value of compact fluorescent lighting, but often choose incandescent anyway, for its infinitely more pleasing aesthetic value.
34. I was in a talent show in sixth grade. Two friends and I danced and lip-synched to Cyndi Lauper’s song “911.” Our first song choice, “Nasty,” by Janet Jackson, was rejected by the supervisor. Go figure.
35. At the first junior high assembly I went to the following year, the dance team’s routine was performed to Salt ‘n’ Pepa’s “Push It.” Yikes!
36. I’ve broken one bone: the fifth metatarsal in my right foot. I was carrying my dead Christmas tree down the stairs to the trash bin and I missed the last step. I have not had a Christmas tree since.
37. I talk to myself a lot.
38. I procrastinate like nobody’s business but I’ve never missed a deadline. Ever.
39. I always wanted to name my car, but could never come up with something clever.
40. I often wish I was more clever and more articulate.
41. Generally, I don’t drink. It’s not that I’m morally opposed to responsible consumption of alcohol. I just don’t like the taste.
42. I drink sparkling cider on New Year’s Eve.
43. I have never tried any illegal drugs. I was never offered any. I’ve never even seen any. I’ve smelled pot at concerts though. Yuck.
44. I have “cute” pajamas, but hardly ever wear them. I sleep in a pink long-sleeved t-shirt in the winter (with a sweatshirt on really cold nights) and in a gray tank top in the summer.
45. One of my favorite things about living alone is that the walk from the shower to the closet is "clothing optional."
46. I have 2705 songs (15.1 GB) on my iPod.
47. I was one of the first babies born at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia, CA. My dad worked there for at least a decade as an X-ray tech. It was less than a mile from my elementary school.
48. My eyesight is awful. I started wearing glasses in fifth grade. I switched to contacts in ninth. I switched back to glasses after I quit teaching.
49. I wear contacts daily, however, when I am getting ready in the morning. You try shaving your legs or putting on mascara blind!
50. One winter I let my leg and underarm hair grow out. I felt very rebellious (even though nobody knew).
    
51. I have a very acute sense of smell.
52. I love the smell of new electronics.
53. The closest I’ve lived to work was 1.4 miles.
54. The farthest I’ve lived from work was 39 miles.
55. I have baby-fine, stick-straight dark blonde hair.
56. I got a perm in eighth grade. Big mistake.
57. I have always voted Democratic in presidential elections. There have only been three presidential elections since I reached voting age.
58. As a child I was a huge bookworm. Then suddenly I hated reading. I hardly ever read what was assigned in high school and college. Only in the past few years have I started liking to read books again.
59. One of my biggest pet peeves is littering. When I see someone do it, I think to myself, “Who do you think you are, that you are too good to find a trash can?” (see #31)
60. I have a need to explain myself exhaustively. That’s why most of these are more than a single line.
61. I strive to be earth-friendly. I am committed to recycling. I want a hybrid. I wish solar and wind power were more popular.
62. Although I’ve been known to swear like a sailor while driving, and occasionally use some four-letter words, I bristle when people use foul language in front of me. I’m particularly sensitive to it in the workplace. I realize this makes me kind of hypocritical.
63. I loathe hypocrisy.
64. I collect postcards and magnets.
65. I have no food allergies.
66. I won an Easter coloring contest when I was young. The prize was 25 silver dollars.
67. I kind of want a tattoo, because most people wouldn’t expect it from me. But I don’t know what I’d get or where.
68. I took six weeks of accordion lessons. I also learned to play the recorder in school.
69. I have experienced lots of earthquakes, but only one scary one: Northridge 1994.
70. I am a perfectionist and a control freak.
71. I’ve seen 28 of the AFI’s 100 Greatest Films of All Time.
72. I watched Grease 2 over and over again when I was little. I wanted to change my name to Stephanie.
73. I don’t snore or sleepwalk. That I’m aware of.
74. I am envious of individuals with naturally high metabolism.
75. Someday I want someone to throw a surprise party for me.
76. I think about getting married and having kids a lot, but seriously wonder if either will ever happen.
77. I recently discovered that I really like ketchup. I’d stopped eating it in eleventh grade when my U.S. history teacher told us that there were worms in it.
78. I grew up on margarine, skim milk, and Jif. I’ve switched to butter, 1%, and all-natural peanut butter in adulthood.
79. I have something like 20 euros that I did not convert back into dollars when I returned from Paris and Italy because I like saving currency as a souvenir.
80. I went to Paris right after they switched to the euro and no one knew what the heck they were doing when they counted out change. In Montmartre, one guy gave me like 5 euros back when I was supposed to get 15. I went back 10 minutes later and the owner of the shop refunded my money and apologized.
81. I have thin and peely fingernails. I had acrylics for a few months once but found the upkeep annoying.
82. My handwriting used to be incredibly neat, but as I progressed through college, it got sloppier and sloppier. I wish I had pretty writing.
83. I love and adore my parents and feel so fortunate to have a close relationship with them. I appreciate them more every year.
84. My mom made me a strawberry pillow when I was little and I slept with it always. I still have it.
85. I love dogs but I love cats more.
86. I prefer romantic comedies but enjoy an occasional drama or action flick. I avoid any movie that can be described as “gritty.”
87. I own Legally Blonde, Jerry Maguire, etc. on DVD, but for some reason only watch these movies when they’re on TV—commercials, bleeps, and all.
88. My all-time favorite sitcom is Friends.
89. For years (and years) I believed that there was such a thing as roast beast, thanks to Dr. Seuss and my mom.
90. I subscribe to magazines that I don’t really read anymore. I accumulate stacks and stacks. When I move they get recycled.
91. Once I fasted for 24 hours. I slept through most of it.
92. I often have very bizarre dreams.
93. I prefer silver over gold.
94. I learned to knit five months ago. I’ve knitted 11 scarves and one blanket. Three other scarves are currently on needles.
95. I think cooked carrots are gross.
96. I would give up chocolate if I could get a daily massage.
97. I don’t enjoy getting haircuts because I am not good at making idle conversation with most hairstylists.
98. I wanted to be an architect but then I went to an architect career day and was told it’s a slavish, thankless job for 99% of them.
99. I love almost everything Google does. Gmail, Picasa, Google Earth, SMS search, maps, their special holiday logo art, etc. And of course Blogger!
100. For reasons unbeknownst to me, I hoard Post-It pads. I currently have 34 of them. I use them sparingly, as if this is my allotment for life and I couldn’t just drive to Staples and buy more.

Photo meme (part 1)

If a picture is worth a thousand words, here's my book...at least the first draft. ;-) Astute readers will notice missing numbers...I had a hard time coming up with photos for some of the questions, so stay tuned for part 2. Also, I tried to use only photos I took, but #5 and #14 were pilfered shamelessly from the web.

1. Who am I?


2. The person who knows me best:


5. I always carry:


9. My favorite mode of transport:


10. My eyes are:


12. To relax, I like to:


13. The town I live in is:


14. My worst habit:


(I can be quite judgmental and critical, and I don't want to be...I'm working on it.)

15. My guilty pleasure:


17. I think ___ is beautiful.


(My dear Comet)

Alphabet

Sorry updates are not as regular as they used to be. Also, forgive me for taking a little help from the meme world for tonight's edition. It had to be a quickie; it's already way past my bedtime! I did finish my postcards though--finally! More on the swap later. And just because this post needs a little color, here's a pretty picture I took while waiting at a stoplight the other day. I enjoy a landscaped median.


And now, me from A to Z.

A - Accent: none (although I suppose I have one according to my new Southern neighbors)

B - Breakfast Item: Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds, or Cinnamon Life

C - Chore you hate: vacuuming cat hair off the sofa

D - Destination of choice: Paris

E - Essential everyday item: Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle cream

F - Flavor ice cream: Chocolate

G - Gold or Silver?: Silver

H - Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

I - Insomnia: Nope

J - Job: Trainer

K - Kids: None

L - Living arrangements: apartment with cat

M - Mum's birthplace: Connecticut

N - Number of books you read a month: 1 or 2

O - Overnight hospital stays: one spell as a youngin' (~age 4)

P - Phobia: None really, but if I had to pick, I'd say tight spaces

Q - Quiet time activity: knitting

R - Religious Affiliation: None

S - Siblings: One brother (4 years younger)

T - Time you wake up: 6:20 am

U - Unnatural hair colors you've worn: lighter blond

V - Vegetable you refuse to eat: I'll try anything once

W - Worst Habit: laziness

X - X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, right foot

Y - Yummy: Cadbury mini eggs (dangerous!)

Z - Zodiac sign: Scorpio to the core