survey

Christmas Time & Christmas Meme (Pictures)

Aidan's Happy!

Put up the tree today. πŸ™‚ There’s something nice about small trees. They’re so easy to decorate. I hadn’t even taken the thing apart really. Just stood it up and fluffed it out a bit. Plopped on the garland and the lights, and when Aidan got here, hung the ornaments with him. Good times.

I’ve been playing with the manual settings on my camera (FINALLY, after having it for 20 months!), and while I still have a lot to learn, I’m excited about how much more flexibility I have with photography. I’m also scared that I’ll screw up pix a lot more. :O Like those sparkle things on Aidan’s face in the above picture. What the hot banana is that all about?

Festive Experimentation

RENT Ornament

Fruits

Sparkle

Mouse Ornament

TV & Stuff

Aidan and the Tree

And time for a survey! πŸ™‚

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both! I like to wrap, but gift bags are pretty and reusable! πŸ™‚

2. Real or Artificial tree?
Artificial. I have a cat.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the first week of December, but I got sick this year, then went to NYC. So, today.

My Tree 2007

4. When do you take the tree down?
Whenever I get around to it. I try to do it soon after the new year.

5. Do you like Eggnog?
No.

6. Favorite gift you received as a child?
Oh man, let me think! Barbie Dolls, and the Hanging’ Tough Live video. πŸ™‚

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I think I do? I do have an ornament that I keep up all year round.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My stepfather.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Aidan and Adam.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Dunno.

11. Christmas Cards?
Yes.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I LOVE The Christmas List. After that? Hmm, A Christmas Story. A Christmas Carol.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
A bit before Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever ‘recycled’ a Christmas present?
I may have for a white elephant thing.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mommy’s dressing, greens, and mac & cheese. And raspberry chocolate chip cookies!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas Song?
We’ll start with Transiberian Orchestra ones first:
Christmas Canon
Christmas Canon Rock
Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness)

Next, Harry Connick, Jr. songs:
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
I Pray on Christmas

… and these randoms:
– O Come O Come Emmanuel – Carter’s Cord (It’s FREE on iTunes right nowβ€”’til 12/18/07β€”so go get it!)
– Emmanuel, God With Us – Amy Grant
– These Are The Special Times
– God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (the 98ΒΊ one)
– Agnus De, the Michael W. Smith version. It’s not really a Christmas song, but it fits.
– Christmastime – Michael W. Smith
– The Prayer
– Angels We Have Heard on High (the Joan Osborne version)

And and…. of course, You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. πŸ™‚

Oh, and I like the ones Mariah Carey sings and Sarah McLachlan and Jewel and Nat King Cole and … OK, you know what? It’s going to take me too long to answer this question. I have 218 Christmas songs on my computer That’s 13.4 hours.

HEY, I also like the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas song. Anyone have it and want to share? πŸ™‚

18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?
I’m the young, unmarried one, so I’ll be traveling. Adam, Aidan, and I are going up to see my mom.

19. Can you name Santa’s Reindeer?
A few of them.

20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
Angel. Always an angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
It depends. This year, I opened some on Thanksgiving!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
It goes away so quickly.

23. Shopping…Mall or online?
I like to go out and shop. No paying for shipping that way. I remember when they were really trying to push online shopping, back in 1999. EVERY place offered free shipping, and I didn’t have a car. It was the best thing ever. But then, online shopping caught on, so it’s not as much fun anymore.

24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all?)
I have an apartment, so I only decorate inside.

25. Favorite Christmas cookie?
Raspberry chocolate chip. I need to get some raspberry chocolate chips and a new cookie sheet so I can make them!

26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry?
I have a couple pairs of socks. πŸ™‚

27. Do you believe in Santa?
Santa rocks, dude.

‘Til next time.

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Ivy’s Sweet Meme/Survey Thing

I got this from swankivy. It’s pretty raw and honest, so read at your own risk.

…beware…

Read this and find out what really makes me tick!

If you want to give me the best compliment ever, you might try talking about . . . the six-figure book publishing contract you just offered me.

If you really want to impress me . . . talk to me about something other than yourself all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I like to hear about my friends, but I don’t want to hear about nothing BUT them all the time, and then have them turn a deaf ear when I want to update them about me or talk about something other than either of us. Talk to me about world events, books, movies, and don’t treat me like I’m stupid if my opinions don’t match yours. Respect me.

You will probably be really impressed that I can . . .stare at proofs for eight hours every day, looking for and correcting mistakes and errors. People have told me they’d rather stick a pencil in their eye than do something like that, but I enjoy it.

One thing I dislike that everyone else seems to like is . . . SUVs.

One thing I like that everyone else seems to dislike is . . . Trix or Fruity Pebbles with Kool-Aid. It’s good, I’m telling you!

The person I’ve learned the most from in my life is . . . there is no one person, and I am still learning a lot.

One way to really piss me off is to . . . treat me like I’m something for you to control, disregarding my feelings and thoughts, etc. Or to make premature assumptions about me, my family, my friends, and/or my life and come at any of them in an attacking and accusatory way.

One way to really delight me is to . . . make me feel special and appreciated.

If you want to have a discussion with me about something unpleasant, you should know that I . . . will probably get defensive, especially if it’s about me.

The gifts I like best are . . . from people who pay attention and get me something that fits my taste or that I’ll use. (Keeping Ivy’s answer because it fits!)

If you’re my friend or loved one, you can expect to receive gifts from me that are . . . at the moment, non-existent. When I get in a better place financially, then the gifts will be well thought out and will hopefully invoke good memories of me and our times together.

If you’re my friend, the best suggestion for how we should spend an evening is . . . to eat spaghetti, watch one or two DVDs, and have a good conversation.

If you’re my romantic partner/significant other or want to be, the best suggestion for how we should spend an evening is . . . to eat spaghetti, watch DVDs, talk, cuddle, and make out.

If you have dinner at my house, you can expect me to fix . . . spaghetti, and Kool-Aid to drink. Bwah.

If you come to dinner at my house, I would love you to bring . . . dessert. Lemony or chocolately works well for me.

Even though it’s kinda dumb, I get really excited about . . . paper, pens, journals, and other office supplies.

The way I feel about my childhood is that it was . . . okay until I got to junior high school. Then things started taking a turn for the ugly.

The way I feel about my high school years is that they were . . . 98% negative.

One thing the people I choose as friends all have in common is that they . . . are fun to hang out with.

One way you can really show me you care about me is to . . . listen to me without interrupting, especially to interrupt with something about YOURSELF. Or, just show me you’re thinking of me. Random text messages, or something like that.

If I’m sad, the best thing to do for me is to . . . ask me what’s wrong, but don’t push me if I’m not ready to talk about it just yet. I might simply need a hug. No advice unless I ask for it.

For my birthday, I would really appreciate it if my loved ones would . . . remember it. They usually do.

One time that I did something for someone that was EXACTLY what they needed was when I . . . oooh, oooh. I didn’t even realize I was doing it, to be honest, but I was at a Youth 2000 retreat years ago, back when I was Catholic. These girls had tried to steal some of the sacramental wine, gotten caught, and were getting in trouble. I don’t remember what I said, but I do remember one girl saying to me “you are awesome, you know.” I love talking to and hanging out with teenage girls.

One thing I feel guilty about is . . . when people help me out in certain ways.

One thing I regret is . . . no comment.

A recurring dream I have goes like this . . . I’m being chased by tornadoes. These dreams come every March!

One thing you should never say to me is . . . “get over yourself,” or “you’re a terrible mother,” or “God doesn’t like what you’re doing” or “You’re a liar.” Especially that last one.

One thing you should try to say to me more often is . . . “How was your day?” or “How are you?” and mean it. Not use it as a jumping point to talk about yourself. Or “Get your ass in that chair and start writing again” Hahaha.

One word or phrase I wish people wouldn’t say is . . . “that’s so gay” or the n-word, either form.

I think “kids today” are . . . Not sure. Depends on what you mean by “kids.” I do think that some of them are being given a much too large sense of entitlement, which is contributing to our declining sense of just plain politeness in this society. As a rule, most Americans are self-centered, rude, materialistic, greedy, unkind, and uncaring. And I say this as an American. It’s not to say that there aren’t good people out there–of course there are. But too many people have a “sense of entitlement” and when that takes over, compassion goes right out the window.

The way I feel about the “state of the world” today as opposed to ten years ago is that it is . . . see above. Things aren’t ever going to get better, either. So I also feel pessimistic.

I will be more likely to vote for a political candidate if he/she . . . isn’t a Republican, is more interested in helping those that need help instead of giving tax breaks to those who don’t need it, is interested in doing something about our health care and education system, and is willing to uphold the values of the country, not turn it into the facist regime it’s heading toward.

The last time I talked on the phone for more than three hours straight was . . . when I told my mommy about my engagement.

Something I hate doing that I nevertheless have to do all the time is . . . peeing.

Something I love doing that I nevertheless don’t get to do often at all is . . . spending time with Adam.

I tend to look weird in photographs when I . . . slouch, smile too big. I’m slouching now. D’oh.

The way I feel about religion is . . . to each his own, but don’t come shoving your principles down my throat unless I specifically ask for prayer or guidance.

A dream I’ve always had but probably never will achieve is . . . being an A-List Hollywood actress. Part of the reason is that I’m not pursuing it, and the big picture is that even if I did pursue it, I’d never have a snowball’s chance in hell of actually making it.

I wish there was a stricter punishment for those who . . . scam and cheat innocents out of what they worked hard for.

I wish people would leave me alone about . . . how hard it’s going to be to leave Aidan when I move to Chicago. Don’t you think I know?

I’m better than everyone I know at . . . dancing.

I’m always the worst in the group at . . . singing.

Something I spend a lot of time on that other people don’t “get” is . . . reading, maybe? I read a LOT more than the average person, I’m guessing. I think I’m up to 166 or so new books for the year.

Something I’ll probably never be good at is . . . singing. Not freaking out. Not being so sensitive or taking everything personally.

Something I can brag about is . . . Aidan. πŸ™‚

My job makes me feel . . . skilled, but not special because there are 4867395695798 other good copy editors out there as well.

I miss being able to . . . eat at restaurants.

I’m glad I no longer have to . . . drive all the way to Pataskala twice a week. My wallet is thankful for that. Now I fill up gas every other week instead of every week or twice a week.

I feel uncomfortable if a friend asks me to . . . no one ever asks me to do anything. HA.

I’m kind of touchy when asked to talk about . . . how I handle my (non-existent) money, how I feel about leaving Aidan, my father

You should know that I want your help on . . . not feeling guilty about every single bloody thing. Getting by every day, especially emotionally.

You should know to let me do it myself if I . . .

I would say it’s “my way or the highway” in matters of . . . how I raise Aidan, what I do to my body

I’m willing to compromise on . . . a few of my wedding plans (not that there are many to begin with)

When they say “don’t sweat the small stuff,” the “small stuff” for me is . . . what to have for dinner, how my hair looks in the morning, whether to shower the night before or the morning of, etc. etc.

. . . And the “big stuff” is . . . money, money, money.

I can listen or talk for hours on the subject of . . . writing and reading and books, Rent, Aidan, Adam

I will get really bored if you want to drone on about . . . stuff I don’t know anything about and/or stuff I couldn’t care less about, like football.

I think I’m misunderstood often because of . . . the fact that I don’t tell every single thing that’s going on with me, but I’m pretty open, so there are people who think they know everything. Those are usually the people who think they can can tell me what to do and how to live my life based off of what they know.

Something I do every day or often that other people rarely or never do is . . . read

Something other people do every day that I rarely or never do is . . . exercise

Something I deserve that I don’t seem to be getting is . . . a publishing contract! HA.

Something I have that I probably don’t deserve is . . . Adam.

I worry too much about . . . money.

I probably don’t worry enough about . . . exercising/physical fitness

Most of my friends probably became my friends because . . . I am open and loyal, and Rosa (meimeigui) says she enjoys my company, and I like to feed them.

I can guarantee that you’ll stay my friend if you . . . are loyal to me, but know how to give me space without taking it personally, if you don’t try to control me or make me feel obligated to you for whatever reason, and if you’re fun to be around and not draining.

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Reading Survey

1. How old were you when you got your first library card?
Eleven or so, I think. Can’t remember.

2. What’s the first book you can remember reading from a library?
Some book that I colored all over even though I was told not to. I was about five or six, and it was from the school library. I thought I was being nice.

3. Did you ever participate in a summer reading program or other kids’ event at a library growing up?
Not at a library. I did BookIt! through my school when I was in 3rd grade.

4. Do you remember when card catalogues weren’t computerized?
Yes.

5. When was the last time you went to the library?
I dropped some stuff on Monday.

6. How many books do you usually check out of the library at one time?
At least five.

7. Name one great author you’ve discovered at your library.
Cherry Whytock

8. What was the librarian at your elementary school like?
I can’t remember my primary librarian, but I do remember my 4–6th grade librarian. She was interesting. My high school librian(s) hated me because I was so disruptive, especially if anyone mentioned anything about Joe McIntyre having a girlfriend.

9. How many times a year do you go to the library?
At least 50.

10. If you could change on thing about your library, what would it be and why?
I dunno. It’s a pretty cool place. Everything’s computerized, the reserve system is great, The teen section is good, and check-out is also computerized. You can pay overdue fines online. It’s a swanky system. I’m going to miss it when I move to Chicago.

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Survey

TECHNOLOGY

Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A: A wallpaper of Adam and me.

Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A: There is one in the living room, and one in the closet.

BIOLOGY

Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. Right-handed.

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. II once had a baby removed from my body. Does that count?

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?
A. The dentist says my back teeth are soft and that some are coming.

Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A. Aidan.

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. No.

BULLSHITTOLOGY

Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. No.

Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
A. I wouldn’t change it. I go by “Ronni” anyway, so yeah.

Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
A. Pink, brown, teal, green, red. I think I look okay in almost every color.

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. Yes.

Q. Have you ever saved someone’s life?
A. Not that I’m aware of.

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. Yes, those nurses at the hospital back when I went into complications while I was in labor with Aidan. And a guy on the suicide prevention hotline back in 1998.

DAREOLOGY

Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
A. Yes. As long as Adam is okay with it.

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. No.

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
A. Doubt it.

Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
A. I doubt anyone would ask me to do such a thing.

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
A. No. I don’t like hot sauce.

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
A. Absolutely not.

DUMBOLOGY

Q: What is in your left pocket?
A: I’m in my lounging clothes. No pockets.

Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A. I thought it was funny.

Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
A: Carpet.

Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A: Stand.

Q: Could you live with roommates?
A: Not if I’m not married to him.

Q: How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
A: About five, I think.

Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
A: October 2005.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: Not struggling with money all the time.

LASTOLOGY

Q: Friend you talked to?
A: Adam.

Q: Last person who called you?
A: Adam.

Q: Person you hugged?
A: Aidan.

FAVORITOLOGY

Q: Number?
A: 19.

Q: Season?
A: Autumn.

CURRENTOLOGY

Q: Missing someone?
A: Yes.

Q: Mood?
A: Cranky.

Q: Listening to?
A: My typing, the fan, the neighbor’s crappy music.

Q: Watching?
A: Nothing.

Q: Worrying about?
A: What do you think?

RANDOMOLOGY

Q: First place you went this morning?
A: The bathroom.

Q: What can you not wait to do?
A: Move to Chicago and marry Adam.

Q: What’s the last movie you saw?
A: Rent.

Q: Do you smile often?
A: Not as much as I used to.

Q: Are you a friendly person?
A: I can be. I’m also very introverted at times. Depends on my mood.

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