Month: May 2011

Sunday Stealing (4)

The YOU CAN’T BE MISSED MEME – Conclusion

46. Would you ever try to quit one of your addictions, or better said: Bad Habits?
I need to quit procrastinating. Will I try to quit it? Eh, maybe tomorrow.

47. Could you ever kill yourself to save someone else?
Yes. When Aidan was entering the world, there were complications. I was ready to die so he could live. But I prayed that I’d at least be around long enough to meet him.

48. Does it matter if break up with someone or have them dump you?
It sucks either way.

49. Would you rather have a turtle or a frog for a pet?
Turtle. They look so cool.

50. Would you rather spend a day with Lady Gaga or Miley Cyrus?
Hmm. That’s a hard one, I’d imagine spending time with either would be hectic.

51. Would you rather learn to play piano or guitar?
Piano is so pretty, but guitars are portable. Plus, there are at least three of those in my apartment, one of them mine. I really need to learn and play that thing. I REALLY want to learn the djembe, though.

52. We’re going back to the day. Where did you get your kicks?
Reading and books. And watching Mickey Mouse Club.

53. What Asian country would you like to visit the most? Why?
I think Japan or India. Japan because of all the kawaii. India because of the yoga.

54. Have you ever thought that a passer-by was the one (think James Blunt, here)?
*crickets*

55. Ever told someone that your fake jewelery was really real?
LOL no. I usually only wear real jewelry anyway.

56. Where are the worst public restrooms?
Babies R Us.

57. What song was the latest one that got overplayed really fast?
Firework by Katy Perry. I like a lot of her stuff, but that song annoys me.

58. What Friends (American TV show from the 90s) character are you most like?
None of them. I mean, hello, major lack of diversity on that show. To be honest, I don’t find myself in a lot of TV characters.

59. When’s the last time you had a Popsicle?
Too long. I should fix that. (I’m thinking last summer, actually.)

60. What TV show from way back would you love to see reappear?
Popular. That show was so funny. I feel like Glee is the poor man’s Popular…with music.

Thanks for reading!

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Break Time! (Pictures, Long)

I love the Friday nights of a three-day weekend because I still have the entire weekend ahead of me. Three days of freedom. Sweet. 🙂

Life’s been pretty good lately. Those work weeks from hell are now in the past (there are more coming up but not for several weeks–we’ll let Future Ronni deal with that). I’ve discovered new music, met new cool people, and eaten a LOT of sushi! The weather is still acting way too wishy-washy. I wish it would break already. But fortunately, it’s been nice on the weekends and crappy during the work week, which is how I prefer it.

I’ve still been working out. These days, I alternate between yoga, the bike, and The Firm stability ball workout. I also toss in some New York City ballet and Denise Austin power kickboxing from time to time. I’ve also been lifting weights a bit. I’m thinking of getting and starting the 10-Minute Trainer. I work so many hours it’s sometimes hard to get motivated to work out when I get home. But I can spare ten minutes, right?

I’ve had the past two Tuesdays off from work, and they’ve both been amazing. On May 17th, I got up and did a great workout on the bike. Then I met with my Plurk friends Jon and Rho for brunch! We ate at Horizon Cafe, my favorite diner in Chicago. This is what I had:

Waffles!

Jealous, aren’t ya? 🙂 After brunch, we came to our place and hung out, and of course, took pictures!

Hanging with J and Rho

It was so much fun hanging out with them. I didn’t want them to leave. We play all day every day on Plurk, but it was totally better when I got to talk to them in person.

After Adam and I dropped them off at their hotel, we headed out to Naperville to Anderson’s bookshop so I could meet Sarah Dessen again! I’d met her during the summer of 2009, but I was not going to pass up the chance to meet my favorite author again. I was #31 in line, and when I got to her, she looked at me and said “I totally know you. You always comment on my blog.” She gave me two hugs! Oh my God, y’all. As if my day wasn’t already awesome, right?

Sarah Dessen | Anderson's Bookshop Naperville Sarah Dessen | Anderson's Bookshop Naperville

Sarah Dessen | Anderson's Bookshop Naperville

Sarah is a great speaker. She’s very entertaining and down-to-earth and honest. I really enjoyed listening to her read from her newest book WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE and having her share life tidbits with us. She’s very relatable and I think that’s what I like best about her. And of course, her books continue to be incredible. She really is an inspiration.

So, it was back to work for four days, then an evening with Jen, eating sushi and hanging out. I took her to her first kirtan, which she enjoyed. There was a kid there who was about 8 years old. He was clapping, singing and dancing, ALL WHILE HULA HOOPING. What! Yeah, that was pretty awesome. It was a great kirtan. I’m VERY much looking forward to Rich Logan’s Acoustikirtan on June 11th!

Jen came over again Sunday and we watched Twilight with RiffTrax. We need to make a date to watch New Moon with RiffTrax as well. Good times.

Crookshanks turned ten last weekend! Can you believe he is ten? And look how handsome he is:

Happy Birthday, Crookshanks!

I took this past Tuesday off because I wanted needed a break, and also because my s00j was in town! She was performing with two other tremendously talented women named Bekah Kelso and Ginger Doss at the Life Force Arts Center. The three of them together is known as The Traveling Fates and you guys, they are amazing. Their harmony is so tight you can bounce a dime off of it. I enjoyed every single song they sang. I could tell they were having a great time and enjoying singing together and singing for us. I ended buying both of Ginger’s CDs and the one Bekah had available, and I’ve been listening to them non-stop. I even made a “Traveling Fates” playlist in my iTunes at work, and will need to do so on my iPod. If you go to the Traveling Fates site (linked above), you can download a free compilation of some really great songs. DO IT.

But first, look at my pictures. 🙂

s00j Ginger Doss Bekah
s00j Ginger Bekah

s00j, Me, Bekah
s00j, me, and Bekah. Watch out now!

Seriously, it was a great show, performed in a great space, and attended by great people. It was a very good night.

Dancing the Night Away

Oh, and I have to share the picture of the meal I had before the show.

Mixed Grill
Mixed Grill. I couldn’t decide on which kabob to get, so I got this one which was a sampler of sorts. Super yummy.

And just randomly… The lilacs are finally starting to bloom! YAY lilacs!

Lilacs!!!

Oh so today, I went to The Disney Store. The one in Block 37, on the corner of State and Washington, smells amazing when you walk inside. Today, I found out that they’re actually offering the scent, called IMAGINATION, for purchase. I got the home fragrance and the body lotion. So, not only can my apartment smell like Disney, but I CAN TOO.

You’re so jealous. Admit it. Hee hee. Just kidding. It does smell really good, though. Woodsy and fresh.

Randomly, my upstairs neighbor is blasting O.P.P. What.

That’s all for now. I will leave you with a quick Friday Five, then Imma be out.

FRIDAY FIVE: In The Mood (4)

What puts you in a creative mood?
Reading a really good book. Looking at pins on Pinterest. Good music. Movie scores.

What puts you in a silly mood?
I’m almost always in a silly mood. Also, playing with Aidan. And watching funny stuff on TV.

What puts you in a contemplative mood?
Vivid dreams. Feeling unsettled or unsatisfied or discontent.

What puts you in a competitive mood?
Not much these days.

If you’d call yourself a talkative person, what puts you in a quiet mood? If you’d call yourself a quiet person, what puts you in a talkative mood?
I’m probably in the middle. Bringing up a subject I am passionate about, like Aidan, books, writing, yoga will make me talk a lot and loudly, too. I get quiet when I am upset, puzzled, or tired.

And that’s all, folks. PEACE!

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Sunday Stealing (3)

The YOU CAN’T BE MISSED MEME part 3

I know, I’m late. Please forgive me. The weekend kinda ran away from me. I wanted to continue the tradition of this meme, seeing as I’ve done the first two parts. So, here goes.

31. What is your absolute favorite dessert?
This is a hard one. I LOVE DESSERT. But I think I have to go with….lemon-flavored things like lemon bars or lemon cake. Strawberries or strawberry sauce drizzled on? BONUS. For example, this thing from The Cheesecake Factory:
Lemoncello Cream Torte™

I mean, LOOK AT IT. Yum!!!

32. What can someone do to make you smile, no matter what?
Hug me. Say something really silly. Buy me books.

33. What do the hip people think of you?
Eh. They probably think I try too hard.

34. What was the last gift you bought someone?
I bought some Retractable Sharpie markers for my favorite author Sarah Dessen. 🙂

35. What was your favorite class in high school?
Subject wise? I didn’t really have one. But based on the teachers? Well, I loved A.P. English with Miss Wheeler, Art with Mr. Petaway, and Honors Biology with Mr. Grubelnick.

36. How many spouses would be about right?
I suppose one is ideal… but I’m on number two and I plan to stay here.

37. What would you say was the most embarrassing moment of your life?
LOL. I still can’t talk about it!

38. Have you ever donated money to charity?
Absolutely.

39. Has porn ever had a positive place in a current or recent relationship?
No.

40. Would you ever dump the one you’re with for someone who makes an obvious play and is MUCH hotter?
Ew, no.

41. Have you ever disowned one of your relatives?
If by “disowned” you meant cut off contact for my own mental well-being, then yes.

42. Would you think it’s OK to cheat on someone if they’ve already cheated on you?
It’s hurtful either way.

43. Did you ever consider becoming a teacher?
Yes. Yes I have. I still do have fleeting thoughts of becoming a yoga instructor. But I think I’d do well as a teen librarian. Julie planted that idea in my head over a year ago and it’s niggled at me ever since. The thought of going back to school to get my master’s scares me to pieces, especially knowing there probably won’t be a job out there for me when I’m done. But to work with books and teens? That would be AMAZING. Just sayin’. So, we’ll see.

44. Would you ever give a hitch-hiker a ride somewhere?
No.

45. Would you ever try fasting for a whole week?
No. It would be too triggering for me.

Thank you for reading. I need to get to bed soon. And I PROMISE a real update before long. With pictures and everything!!!

Til next time!

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Sunday Stealing (2)

The YOU CAN’T BE MISSED MEME part 2

16. What was the last thing you did that was totally selfish, yet you feel no guilt?
This never happens. I always feel guilt.

17. Tell us about a film fave of yours that we probably have not seen.
Probably Firestarter or Imitation of Life.

18. When was the last time you kissed someone that you shouldn’t have on the lips?
Oh, I think it was meant to be. I ended up marrying the guy, after all.

19. When was the last time you cooked something for someone not in your family?
Months ago.

20. When was the last time you danced like a crazy person?
Last week.

21. When was the last time you just wanted to be invisible?
Last week.

22. When was the last time you got a gift you absolutely hated?
I’ve never hated any of my gifts.

23. When was the last time you got into a physical fight? (If NEVER, let us know about a time that you got close to a fight.)
Never and never. Seriously.

24. When was the last time you had to sleep with a light on?
I often fall asleep with the light on because I read in bed. But *had* to? Hmm, probably back in the early part of the decade. I’d sleep with the light on whenever there was a storm so I wouldn’t see the lightning. Now I realize they make sleep masks for that sort of thing.

25. When was the last time you were under some serious stress?
The day before yesterday.

26. When was the last time you watched your favorite movie?
Months ago.

27. What song did you most recently downloaded?
I downloaded a song from Spirit Voyage–they have Free Music Friday. I got “Too(n) Mayray Laalan” by Dev Suroop Kaur.

28. What would you say is your favorite hobby?
Reading and playing on my computer.

29. What is your favorite thing to do when you hang out with friends?
Eat good food, talk about books, and watch Doctor Who.

30. What would you rather do: shower or bathe with that celebrity that you are crushing on?
I’m not currently crushing on any celebrity. So neither.

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Sunday Stealing (1)

The YOU CAN’T BE MISSED MEME part 1

1. Which state do you consider to be the most boring state?
The state of being bored. Duh.

2. If any chef from the Food Network (or any well known chef) could cater your wedding, who would it be?
Paula Deen.

3. What’s the last thing you ate that was red?
Cherry juice. If you want to get technical (ate/drank), then it was ketchup.

4. Have you ever questioned the sexuality orientation of a close friend?
Not to his/her face. Besides, most of them were eventually honest with me anyway.

5. Everyone loses a friend after some big fight. Tell us about one.
No thank you. Still hurts. Unfortunately.

6. Have you ever washed an iPod or mp3 player in the washing machine?
No.

7. Have you ever screamed / yelled angrily at a boss?
Only in my head.

8. Have you ever cried yourself to sleep?
Yes.

9. Have you ever regretted being in a relationship with someone?
No.

10. Have you ever acted like you understood something when you didn’t have a clue?
Yes.

11. Have you ever thought someone must have been insane? If yes, tell us something about the person.
Yes. I used to live across the hall from a lady I’ll call Jane. She’d yell and yell and yell at people to “stop that damn noise” even though there wasn’t any noise. She’d slam her door and make more noise with her yelling. She also once asked if she could use my phone. It was ten o’clock at night. I was like “I’m going to bed.” I heard her in the hall muttering about how I was a “damn liar.” She also used to steal all the bags of papers and coupons and hoard them in her apartment. Any time she got an letter from the property manager, she’d stand in the hallway and let loose a string of explicatives that had me cowering in the corner and cracking up (silently, lest she hear me and tell me to “stop that damn noise.”) Last I heard, she was living in one of those caretaker homes and much happier.

12. Have you ever pretended to be younger than what you are?
Story of my life. This whole freewheeling down the highway to 40 is scary.

13. Back in the day, did you ever cry because you were turned down for a date?
I’ve never asked anyone on a date.

14. Have you ever (or your significant other) had a pregnancy scare?
Yes.

15. Have you ever pretended to like someone when you didn’t?
Romantically? No. Who has the energy for that?

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