More Than You Probably Care To Know

100 (primarily useless) questions/answers
about me, but I still love filling these
hings out...which may be a tad narcissistic.
In any event, here you go:

1. How long has it been since you've ridden a school bus?
Middle School. And even then I thought I was too
cool for it. Since I also thought I was too cool for boots,
I would walk two and half miles home in a Michigan
winter to prove both. I think my mother gave up
on me at this point in time.

2. What do you think of frogs?
Not a huge fan, although I did like “Peace Frogs”
in the early 90’s.

3. What's the worst Christmas present you've ever gotten?
Can’t say I have gotten a bad Christmas present.
Ever.

4. Suppose you *had* to get some sort of tattoo, right now.
What would you get?
I am tattooed out. If I “had” to get something
it would be something somebody else forced on me
so I guess I wouldn’t have a say in it.

5. Which would you rather die from, burning to death or
"bird flu"?
I’d pick bird flu only because burning to death really
only happens if you are on a stake. Usually when fire
is involved you will either die from smoke inhalation
or you will be blown up. Either of those would be ok
I guess – but not burning to death.

6. If weed was legal, would you smoke it?
Maybe occasionally. Never been a huge fan though.

7. How about if heroin was legal?
No way Jose.

8. Do you use any kind of lip gloss/lip balm?
I usually forget to apply. If I see someone
else apply I remember that I have some in my purse
and will give it a whirl. I’m not a “reapplyer” of
any kind of make-up during the day.

9. Do you like pumpkin pie?
I’ll make it, but I don’t eat it.

10. Who do you want to be President (it doesn't have t
o be an actual candidate)?
Well, I wouldn’t wish the job on anyone I knew.
Actual candidate - Obama…I believe old white men have taken
this country as far as they can (see Question 27.)

11. If you were alive in the 1960s, would you have
been a hippie?
Semi – hippie. Peace, free love, bell bottoms…probably wouldn’t
have taken the psychedelics though.

12. Do you like dinosaurs? Which is your favorite?
Never met one, but their bones are fascinating.

13. What genre of music makes you want to shoot your ears off?
Hard core heavy metal.

14: What was the last board game you played?
Cranium…loved it.

15. Would you let your grandma set you up on a blind date?
Yes, she has a lot of lady friends who probably have
grandsons (assuming I was looking for a date).

16. Speaking of which, ever been hit on by a much, much older person?
Yep. And fell for him too.

17. You can't find the remote. Where is the first place you look?
First of all, we are talking “remotes” plural as it takes three to get
the system up and running. They have their own special ‘basket” though
and they are always there.

18. Where would you rather live, in a barn or in an inner-city
church basement?
Yikes. Barns scare me – too many horror movies.
But I am not a fan of the inner city either. I’ve seen some
beautiful ‘barn” style houses in the Hampton’s – will that work?

19. How do you feel about Hello Kitty?
I’m bewildered that it exists.

20. Paper or plastic?
Natural or recycled reusable bags. Trying very hard
to eliminate plastic bags from my life.
However, I can’t yet live without sandwich bags.

21: Compost heaps: yes or no?
Yes. I will have one soon I hope. They make great canisters
for city composting.

22: What kind of socks are you wearing right now?
None. I protest the wearing of socks in the summer.

23. Are you part of a "subculture"?
I have enough compartments in my own head, I
don’t really need to be part of a subculture.

24. Do you type with all your fingers, or just 2?
All of them. And sometimes I am amazed at my speed
and accuracy.

25. Do you believe in astrology?
Actually, I guess I do a little. Humans have been relying
on the heavens forever and I do believe we are connected
to the stars for more than direction. But I would never
call a hotline or believe a horoscope

26. Are you good at math?
I’m alright at math. I took a lot of it in college. But
I’m better at words.

27. Are you politically correct?
Not always. I think political correctness at its extreme denies
Our individual experiences and environment and our innate
human nature. However, I do think it is important to
educate yourself with respect to the reasons you harbor stereotypes.

28. Do you know what a semicolon is?
Yes, but I rarely know when I should use one.

29. Have you ever worn a Hawaiian shirt?
I wore a one piece Hawaiian short/shirt set at my
high school graduation open house. It was cinched
with an elastic waistband. I’m not sure what I was thinking.

30. Have you ever dated someone you didn't
really like? Why?
I think I have liked everyone I have ever dated at the
beginning – but I have stayed in relationships
after I quit liking someone.

31. Do you resent members of the opposite sex?
Not at all. I tend to resent people of my own sex.

32. Atlantic or Pacific?
-Atlantic, Atlantic, Atlantic. I hope that
I am successful enough to someday have
a little house overlooking that great body of water.

33. What animal do you most resemble?
Big Bird…does that count as an animal?


34. How often do you eat macaroni and cheese?
Maybe three or four times a year. Usually when I am
sick or sad.

35. Are you into philosophy? If so, what are your
philosophical influences?
I have always identified with transcendtalism. I like its
emphasis on individualism, self- reliance and the importance
of human intuition and rational thought…often at
odds with traditionalChristian views
though(not a big surprise).

36. What was the best concert you've ever been to?
Not really a concert – but the Beatles Love Cirque de
Soleil production in Vegas was awesome.
Since I was born too late to see the fab four it is
a concert in my mind. Other good shows…U2, Ben Haper and DMB,
Black Crows.

37. If someone gave you $100,000 to shave your head, would you?
Um, yes…anyone want to take me up on that?

38. Have you ever met a hermaphrodite?
I’ve never seen the proof, nor have I ever asked to. So the
answer is: who knows!

39. Do you sweat a lot?
No, I wish I sweat more. I overheat a bit when do
serious cardio, because my body refuses to sweat enough.
And I like to sweat!

40. What, if any, hair products do you use?
Shampoo and conditioner and this stuff to make
it less frizzy and more shiny after I blow dry it. I
wish I had the patience to pay more attention to
my hair.

41. Do you enjoy thrill rides (roller coasters, etc.)?
I love anything that makes me lose my stomach and makes
me really nervous before riding it. I haven’t
been on a ride like that in years though.
And I do have a strict rule against riding anything that
is assembled and disassembled by men with less teeth than a four
year old.

42. Have you ever seen a 3-D movie?
Yes. Jaws 3…many years ago. There was a scene where maggots
came crawling at you. First and last.

43. What should someone do if they deliberately want
to make a bad impression on you?
Tell me they are conservative Christian who is adamant that
the “religious right” has got it all figured out.

44. Have you ever drank a whole bottle of liquor by yourself?
I’ve probably tried, failed, regretted it, forgot and tried again.
But it has been a long time.

45. Does anyone know you're filling out this survey right now?
I suspect Sam is waiting for it to appear on my blog.

46. Do you smoke cigarettes, and if so, what kind?
Well, I’ve been known to smoke a few here and there when
I am having cocktails…but I don’t consider myself a smoker,
I’ve never had a habit and I don’t buy cigarettes.

47. What word processing program is on your computer?
-Word.

48. Have you ever read "The Odyssey"? What did you think of it?
-Yes, but I’m not really into “epic Greek poems”.

49. What's the worst insult anyone's ever given you?
Don’t know, but I’m sure it was behind my back.

50. The best compliment?
”You’re one of a kind.”…I think that was a
compliment, right? ;-)

51. Do you sleep with your door open or closed?
Open. I do not like closed doors. I want to know if
someone is creeping up the stairs. But I do not
sleep closest to the door…that’s the
man’s job.

52. What is your favorite item from your favorite fast-food
restaurant?
Whopper – BK. Very special treat.

53. Do small children like you?
I think so. I like them.

54. Do animals like you?
See 53.

55. Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
Too hot. I spend a great majority of my year being too cold.

56. What's your favorite beer?
Blue Moon on draft. Beer is my last choice though…
wine first then rum then beer.

57. Have you ever lived in a college dorm? If not, do you think
you could handle it?
No…I never lived in a dorm. But I wish I had.

58. Have you ever met a psychotic person (officially diagnosed)?
Yes. I have represented individuals who have been diagnosed.

59. Which show sucks less: "The Hills" or "Wheel Of Fortune"?
Matt HATES it when I watch The Hills. So I don’t see
it very often. ButIt sucks less though.

60. Do you like spicy food?
Yes. The older I get, the more I like it.

61. Do you read poetry? If so, who is your favorite poet?
No.

62. What else could you be doing, other than filling out this survey?
Sleeping…which I will be doing shortly.

63. What is your earliest memory?
Falling down the porch stairs in Spring Lake.
My mother swears I was too young to remember it
(I was two and a half) but I have always
remembered it. It wasn’t a big event that anyone
talked about so that I would remember it second hand.

64. What is something you consider "classy"?
A man who respects a woman’s femininity.

65. What video/computer games do you like?
Not much of a gamer. But I do like Rock Band.

66. Do you know your IQ, and if so, what is it?
I do know my IQ but don’t think it is a very
accurate representation of how one manifests
their intelligence.

67. Do you drink TAB?
No. I only drink Coke and only when it is
mixed with rum.

68. Do you talk about your friends behind their backs?
I talk about my friends when they are not with me but I try
not to talk behind their backs.

69. Do you use abbreviations such as LOL or OMG outside of IMs?
OMG, no way. LOL.

70. What is your favorite vegetable?
I love vegetables. Squash of any kind, eggplant, corn,
Lettuce, broccoli, beets, carrots, beans…but I HATE celery.
It tastes like dirt.

71. Sweet or sour?
Sweet and sour.

72. What's the longest airplane ride you've ever been on?
Bombay, India to Detroit…with a short layover in London.
Ughhh!

73. Do you regularly take any medication?
No. None whatsoever.

74. What's the closest you've ever come to dying?
No near death experiences for me. I have never even been admitted
to a hospital.

75. What are you really proud of that not many people know about?
I’m a foster parent for abused llamas…I don’t know, I guess that
I’m a darn good cook!

76. Are you really into high school or college sports?
Not high school…but I like college football and basketball.

77. Do you regularly spend money on things you don't need?
Um…yes. But usually for my house, not for me personally.

78. Have you ever practiced archery?
Yeah, at camp one summer. Not really interested.

79. Do you eat the cherry on top of your ice cream sundae?
Yes, I do and I am proud of it.

80. What does the color yellow make you think of?
legal pads.

81. What is your local newspaper called?
The Record Eagle. Or as many of us like to call it the
“Wretched Eagle”

82. What city do you wish was your hometown?
I never know what hometown means, is it where I grew
up or where I call home now? As long as I’m on a body of water…
its good enough for me.

83. You've just farted loudly in public. What do you do?
Keep a poker face.

84. Have you ever had a lucid dream?
Way too often.

85. How about sleep paralysis?
No, but my arms fall asleep once and a while.

86. How often do you dream about zombies?
Once in a while. But when I fall down and play dead
they stop chasing me. seriously.

87. What kind of accent do you have (EVERYONE has one)?
-Midwestern. But I quickly pick up and mimic other people’s accents.
I think it would disappear pretty quickly if I moved somewhere else.

88. Do you think mushrooms are cool-looking?
They are kind of boring.

89. Are you dyslexic?
I mix the letters b and p when I write and type and
don’t often catch it until I proofread.

90. Do you think it's interesting to study religions other than
the one you practice?
Well, I don’t practice any religion but I think it is
important to learn about them all. No one religion
has it all ‘right’ in my opinion. I believe there are
tenants of every religion which are useful in becoming
more enlightened. I also think we understand people
better in a global sense if we understand their religion.
Unfortunately, immoral religious leaders have used
religion to lead the masses, keep them ignorant, divide
societies and families and foster war and hatred since
the beginning of time. WHEW! I'll get off my soapbox now.

91. Have you ever felt an earthquake?
Yes, once in San Francisco and once in LA.

92. Suppose you're the greatest painter who ever lived, but
you can only paint one last picture before you die. What is
your painting of?
A portrait of an old woman.

93. What is the sexiest color of finger/toenail polish?
Toes red. Fingers naked.

94. What is the worst job you could possibly imagine having?
Any job where I would have to kill animals.

95. Do you think pigs are cute?
Not particularly.

96. Do you pay your own bills?
Damn right I do.

97. How many methods of contraception are you aware of?
A few, but I’ve never really used them.

98. Do you own ripped jeans that weren't ripped on purpose?
Yes I do. Every pair of jeans I buy at the
Buckle end up ripping at some point.

99. Can you give a good back massage?
No, but I am a good back scratcher.

100. What do you do before you go to sleep?
Not really a routine sort of person before bed…I’m
tired and I crash and then start my routine in the AM.

Our Summer Holiday

I love that Europeans go on holiday, rather than vacation. I try to use the term any chance I get. So with no further delay...photos from our European holiday!



This is the whole lot of us in London. Matt's uncle, Christopher Connolly, lives in central London. This photo was taken, on his terrace, shortly after our arrival. Matt has his arm around his uncle Chris. Both Chris and Achilles (behind me in the white) are such gracious hosts. They don't let us lift a finger while we are there...and they share wonderful stories and wine with us!

After we settled in we hit some history hot spots including the British Museum. I'll tell you what, the British were not shy about taking things from other countries during their rule!

The gates of Babylon:



The facade of the Parthenon:



A little bit of Egypt:



Can't forget Rome:



We also toured the British Library and the National Art Gallery, both of which were amazing.

Matt and I took the Eurostar to Paris for a couple of days...it was my first time there and I was so excited. It had been ten years since Matt had been there and we both really enjoyed ourselves...good wine, good food and a new Louis Vuitton were had!

We stayed in the Latin Quarter and would highly recommend the area. Very close to our hotel was the famous Paris landmark, Fontaine St-Michel (French is such a beautiful language, the fact that St- Michel is pronounced "san michelle" is just the tip of the iceberg!)I thought it was just stunning:





My favorite Paris attraction was Notre Dame. What an incredible cathedral, the magnitude of which cannot be expressed in pictures:



Stained glass interior:



Prayer candles: MY FAVORITE IMAGE OF THE TRIP!



And of course, not trip to Paris would be complete w/o the Eiffel Tower:



Or the Arc de Triomphe:



Or the Louvre:



Or Matt!




We had a great time, and are already planning our next trip! Hopefully in a couple of years we will once again visit London (it will always be our favorite) and spend a few days in Spain!