Friday 5 - Story

This looked like an interesting Friday 5. I wouldn't say that I am a big storyteller. I mean, I do have a blog, so clearly I enjoy talking about myself. But actual stories of things that have happened to me...I wouldn't say I have that many stock tales to pull out of my hat. But let's see what I can come up with here...and you too! You should too. I love your stories, every one.
Let's unravel this yarn...

1. Which of your stories have you probably told the greatest number of times to the most people? If I am honest, I guess I'd have to say my childbirth stories. Somehow that sort of thing seems to come up and it is certainly life changing every time. Please understand though, I don't just blurt them out...like, there is always context or a request for information or something that leads to this sort of storytelling.

2. What’s a story someone else often tells about you, much to your chagrin? There are several that my kids like to tell about times I got all prickly because someone did or said something to them that I found uncalled for or inappropriate...they call it over reacting. They don't tell them in a mean way though...maybe a little 'aw, isn't her anger cute'...but I think in some ways they liked being defended.

3. What oft-told story from a chapter in your life seems to be remembered differently by different people who were there? I think that anything that happened during my high school years was looked at from extremely different viewpoints by myself and the members of my immediate family. Our family changed so much during those years and even now I can see the effects of the Rashomon thing going on.

4. What are some of the details, without retelling the whole story, of a story you’ve told often but never to your parents? There was a lot of drinking. A lot of dancing, with favorite songs being "I Feel Good" and "Kansas City". I was a me I had never been before and never will be again. It wasn't a bad time...it was good if it stands alone...but, damn, nothing ever stands alone.

5. What song would be an appropriate soundtrack to the story of your most embarrassing moment? This is a tough one...maybe Undone - The Sweater Song, by Weezer. Because most of my most embarrassing moments left me feeling emotionally exposed.

So...what's YOUR story?

The Eclectic Calendar tells us that we are to start off the month with Be Your Best Self Day. I try everyday, I really do. Some days it is much harder than others to even make the effort. And sometimes, in spite of good efforts, I fail (but not EPIC FAIL, because I hear if I say that now I am a giant dork). I think when it comes down to it my best self is found here:

Were you your best self today? Did you even try? Wait, sorry! I meant...how are you doing? Week going okay? Tell me about it.

Baby, You Can Drive My Car

Ahoy hoy. Today's Choose and Defend Wednesday comes to you inspired by Churlita. She mentioned teaching her daughter to drive and that got me to thinking. Yes, it doesn't take much to set my impressive brainage in gear! So...let's talk about gears and how you like 'em. Make a choice to fulfill the Choose part of Choose and Defend Wednesday. And even the barest of reasons for your preference with serve to Defend your choice for Choose and Defend Wednesday. You're the driver, it is your dream car. How are you rolling?

Manual Transmission

OR

Automatic Transmission


...put the peddle to the metal
And burn rubber on me, Charlene
Oh, no, no, no

This Gap Band moment is brought to you by another car-azy afternoon in the Children's Room and Choose and Defend Wednesday. Drive!

Sadly, She Found That She Looked Forward to Her Favorite Televsion Programs Most of All

I'm like a pig in, um...mud, right now. There are so many good things on TV. I go for a number of months feeling like I don't need TV. Sure, I watch, but it is no big deal. At this time of year though...oh mama...all bets are off! It is like a tragedy, but less compelling.

Things I HAVE to Watch

1. Mad Men
2. Curb Your Enthusiasm
3. Dexter
4. Desperate Housewives
5. Bored to Death
6. Californication
7. Dancing with the Stars
8. House, MD
9. So You Think You Can Dance
10. Glee
11. Modern Family
12. Ugly Betty
13. The Office
14. Grey's Anatomy
15. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
16. Lie to Me
17. Secret Lives of Women

I think that is it. There might actually be more that I am forgetting. Um. I look at that list and I am torn between embarrassment and excitment. Story of my life.

Do you have must see TV...or are you one of those, you know, people who don't get the fascination? Tell me about it.

quietLOUD

Yeah, kind of like a Pixie's song. My Saturday was quiet...almost...too quiet. haha! I did a couple loads of laundry and bit of grocery shopping, but other than that I was taking up space on the livingroom floor in front of the cooler. I had some very important tv shows to catch up on, plus I watched the first disc of Freaks and Geeks. I'd call it a full productive day in it's own way :-)

My Sunday was LOUD. I cleaned up the joint in the morning for guests. My dad and stepmom hadn't even been to our new place yet, so I wanted it to look as lovely as it can. They came down to take us all to lunch. That turned out really, really nice and almost every member of the family was able to make it today. No one was working or being difficult, so there were 15 of us at the table. Only my sister and nephew blew us off, but that is kinda how she rolls lately, so whatever.

After lunch my mom, dad, and stepmom, plus Kick Back Dude and family came over to my house. The place was suitably impressive and I even provided snacks :-) WTG and Kick Back Dude decided to undertake a manly ritual and took Little Prince off for his first haircut.
Here he is in the chair. I guess the guy was very excited to do a first haircut. He used a soundless clipper that just sort of vibrated Little Prince into a quiet trance.
Here he is with his fresh, little man haircut. Aw!

The haircut somehow took forever. All the greats had tried to wait and see the new Little Prince, but gave up as the afternoon dragged on. The KBD family stayed on into the evening...got to the point where everyone needed to be fed again, so off I went for the $5 Little Caesars pizzas. We got to watch the season premiere of Dexter together, which was very cool...and an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Is there some saying about the family that eats and watches tv together?

At some point during the festivities, Miss Personality found Handsome Lad's very special costume. She was very excited with the new look and called herself "Cashy...because she looooves money!" My kinda gal.

They finally rolled out about 10 pm. Long day. But fun. All in all, I'd count this a good weekend. Hope yours was too. Tell me about it?

Tagged!!!

I was tagged by NoRegrets. Thank you! The word is....HOPE.

This Musical Message is For So Many Things That I Wanna Say

Literate and Stylish, Kissable and Quiet

This week's Saturday Scavenger Hunt word is, on the surface, pretty straightforward. NoRegrets choose the word JERSEY. The first thing that came to mind was New JERSEY. Then, I considered the sports JERSEY...and JERSEY, as a fabric. JERSEY cows occured to me...as did The Channel Island of JERSEY. So, plenty of ideas to play around with! The problem is that I don't have pictures of any of these things! Well, I probably could dig up a picture of Social Animal in his football JERSEY, but I didn't. Instead this is what you are getting...

I have had JERSEY on the brain, so when I saw this Facebook entry I photographed it. I think there might be something wrong with me....Anyway, in case you can't read it, it say: The Most Interesting Man in the World has over 270 retired JERSEYs, tuxes, and lab coats hanging throughout the world. And, yes, I "Like"ed it.

Allow me to present my fall back option :-) I can find books about almost anything as a last resort...so, here I give you...New JERSEY. Perfect for that 5th grade state report you've been meaning to do.

Ah, well....we didn't get to meet The Boss or Bon Jovi. We didn't get to milk any cows, make a touchdown, or travel off the coast of France. But we did work our way around to a JERSEY or two after all. We can call this one JERSEY: the slightly lame edition :-)

Now, all that is left to do is look around at everyone else's JERSEYs and find out who NoRegrets will tag for next week! Seems like even I can manage that...and you can too! Remember, this gun's for hire, even if we're just dancin' in the dark.

Friday 5 - Getting To Know You

Here is the background story found on this week's Friday 5: Some friends and I were talking one night about smalltalk and how what most of us want is to get past it and to find out what people really care about. We figured that if you could come up with the kinds of questions that don’t violate social conventions (taboo subjects, for example, or questions that are too personal) but give you an idea of what really matters to the other person, you could jump past smalltalk and get right to the good stuff. Here are five that we thought might work!

I invite you to play along with Friday 5 and with me. Or simply enjoy my answers...see if you feel like you know me any better :-) I wouldn't hate it if you commented, you know?

1. What are the titles of the last three books you read all of? Love and Other Near Death Experiences by Mil Millington, Morgan's Passing by Anne Tyler, and Consider This Senora by Harriet Doerr.

2. What are the titles of between three and five magazines you subscribe to or used to subscribe to? I don't subscribe to magazine anymore, but some that I read online are Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, and Paste.

3. What’s on your night table? (we figured this one was borderline, since it involves the bedroom, but if the vibe is right and you preface the question with the background story I told above, you could make it work) Books. My cd player / radio. My plugged in cell phone at night. Usually a water bottle. Geez...that is not at all personal! Just maybe don't ask what is IN my night table drawer....

4. What are the three best things that happened to you in the past seven days? I found out the Drifter was quitting. I got to see Little Prince taking his first steps. I had a couple of really good talks with DR.

5. What was your senior yearbook quote, and what would your yearbook quote be this year if there were such a thing? I might not have had a Senior quote...if I did, I honestly don't remember it. At that point in my life it would probably been something Shakespearian, as I was operating fairly heavily under the influence of my English teacher. This year? Hm. Tough. It would change from day to day. However, since it is today I will go with -

I'd like to run away
From you,
But if you didn't come
And find me ...
I would die.
~ by Shirley Bassey ~

I Read Books to Know That I Am Not Alone

This was a rather crazy Choose and Defend Wednesday here at the job site. But I WILL bring you Choose and Defend! And it occurred to me that I could use this whole busy library phenomenon to my advantage and question you...

You are readers, obviously! I mean at the very least you read blogs...I suspect a great many of you of reading more. Where to you prefer to get your reading material? Choose and then Defend your choice...you know the drill!

The Library

OR

The Bookstore - Real or Virtual


You can tell me...I'm in the business...I understand. Choose and Defend, because it is Wednesday and because we can!

Me Like Pretty Man

Just a quick post, as it is almost time for me to go set up for storytime. I'm sorry...I know I'm the only one interested, but I have to say that Dancing with the Stars was fun last night...and it will be fun tonight and the next night too! The "stars" (and like anyone else, I use the term loosely) are always so happy to be on this show. Their delight is delightful. It just is.

I couldn't let this moment pass without saying that I found I still harbor a deep, abiding love for Donny Osmond. He was one of my first big crushes and you know, that shit doesn't just die! It is, like, imprinted on my soul! But oh my gawd...my new major DwtS crush is on this guy:

Mark Dacascos is foyeen... You may recognize him as the Chairman from the American version of Iron Chef. I see that he is an actor, musician, action star, gymnast, and world renowned champion martial artist. I just think he is beautiful. *sigh*

Okay, thats it. Enough blather. Time to go set up and work out my description of autumn for tiny kids who have never seen a leaf that wasn't green :-) Hope you are all having a good week thus far.

I CAN Be a Glass Half Full Kind of Dweeb

Another week being served up, all fresh and hopeful. I think at heart I am an optimist, but sometimes it takes a little extra work to build that frame for my thoughts, you know? But let me try...

- I had a really good weekend. Saturday was a very solitary day for me, but that is not such a bad thing. I like a bit of alone time, as long as it has an end to it. I slept in later on Sunday than I have in I don't know how long. I suppose I needed it. It was a really pretty day and we all hung out at the park for the afternoon, which felt great. I did have some trouble with a timely shut down that night though. Oh, that wretched extra sleep :-) Weekend bonus, I am starting to get a bit better at Literati, which is how DR and I amuse ourselves on those long weekend nights. But he still cleans up virtually ALL the time. Way too clever.

- For those who didn't suss it out in my comments, allow me to announce that the Drifter is no longer in the employ of the city. She called and gave her two weeks notice Friday morning. Those two weeks will be run out on administrative leave. I am not sure how to adequately convery my relief and deep satisfaction. I've never worked with anyone in all my born years who bothered me as much as this woman did. One of my best friends suggested a purification ritual for her desk area, so as not to attract the same type again. Seemed brilliant to me and I am currently gathering the necessary supplies. Of course, that position will remain vacant, we anticipate, for several months. Hiring freeze and all that. But being down a 40 hour position trumps working with Miss Nutjob, so I still feel like a winner.

- Dancing with the Stars begins again tonight. You all know what that means. Yes, I'm sorry, but I am compelled to chronicle it for you in the sidebar. Okay, maybe not for you...but for me. It is the most cheesiest and injury riddled fun that I know of. Bear with me, because you like me in spite of this minor fixation. Also in the sidebar, you will note that DR will be here in a mere month. I really, really can't wait. Yet I am :-) But not for so very much longer, really. Yay!

So how are you all doing? Feeling optimistic? Not so much? Tell me about it. Let's share our feelings, shall we? Come on. Its fun. Wait, come back! ...

This Musical Message is For a Vial of Hope and a Vial of Pain

And Pass the Time with Wicked Rhymes

I think that this week's Saturday Scavenger Hunt word, chosen by the minty fresh Crazy4Coens, is particularly appropriate for this game. I mean...what are all these photos but a way to spin a YARN? There, you see it? That is the word...YARN. Let's see what I can knit together with found YARN.

Nothing too surprising here, eh? Lots of YARN, located in the Creative Center at work. What shall we make?

Well, honestly...what our YARN mostly gets used for is name tags. I'm sure it dreamed of finer things...

Just for fun, I threw this one in. Love Bug is making a few calls. If you pick up, she will spin you a YARN. You'll even understand some of what she says!

Hey...are you YARNing? Um, I mean yawning? Fine, fine...let's see what you all did with your YARN! And don't forget to check with Crazy4Coens to see who she is tagging for next week :-)

Friday Meme - Thanks Tara

Stole this off Eclectic Spaghetti. I can't match Tara for the funny, but you know how I love me a good meme :-)

1) My mother once: fell for a much younger man.

2) Never in my life: have I gotten high. Uh, no, natural highs don't count here...

3) When I was five: I was easier to manage, because I started school and had something to do with my mental energy.

4) High school was/is: a fun, happy time in my life.

5) I will never forget: how it felt when my kids were small and I could keep them all in one place :-)

6) I once met: Whoopi Goldberg. She's nice!

7) There’s this person I know who: seems to have a new pair of shoes for every conceivable occasion.

8) Once, at a bar: I danced with a guy who made me feel like I could actually dance!

9) By noon I’m usually: ready for a little nap. haha!

10) Last night I: had wings and fries while watching The Office with Kick Back Dude and Princess Diva.
11) If only I had: a slightly larger salary.

12) Next time I go to church/temple: will be for someone's wedding or funeral.

13) Terri Schiavo: is at peace.

14) I like: reading...a lot.

15) When I turn my head left, I see: the pictures on the wall of my cubicle.

16) When I turn my head right, I see: the pictures on the wall of my cubicle.

17) You know I’m lying when: I talk a little faster...it is pretty obvious.

18) In junior high: everything seemed larger than life and sometimes confusing.

19) If I was a character written by Shakespeare: I think I'd hope to be a male character because they seemed to have all the fun.

20) By this time next year I: have every hope that I will still be working towards more self-confidence.

21) A better name for me would be: Whiny McWhinerson

22) I have a hard time understanding: some people's mercurial mood changes.

23) If I ever go back to school, I’ll: finally get my MLS.

24) You know I like you if: I try to get you to read books I've read or watch shows I like.

25) If I won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: my mama and gawd!

26) I hope that: the next 33 days or so go quickly.

27) Take my advice: go ahead and say yes.

28) My ideal breakfast is: fluffy waffles with plenty of syrup and maybe some bacon.

29) A song I love but do not have is: "Shoop" by Salt n Pepa...why don't I have this?

30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest: that you plan to be busy...there is lots to see and do!

31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips and track stars: are all subjects featured in songs by Belle and Sebastian.

32) Why won’t anyone: learn to use the library catalog?

33) If you spend the night at my house: we can stay up all night talking...and there may be snacks involved.

34) I’d stop my wedding: when I woke up screaming, I imagine.

35) The world could do without: shoes for infants.

36) I’d rather lick the belly of a roach than: um...other parts of a roach?

37) My favorite thing is: feeling understood.

38) Paper clips are more useful than: paper cuts.

39) And by the way:... it's NOT that common, it DOESN'T happen to every guy, and it IS a big deal!

40) The last time I was (really) drunk: was in the last millenium.

41) My grandmother always: kind of scared me.

Some Bullet Points for You

• Yesterday evening, my neighbor from downstairs came up and complained after Handsome Lad made a loud thump dropping his skateboard. If that had been it, I would have just apologized and explained. But he went on to say stuff about us running around in the middle of the night up here...WTF? Well, he ammended...at 9 or 10 at night...still WTF? No one up here runs around, um, EVER basically. I told him that we are just walking around in our house and if that was a problem I wasn't sure how I could help him. He didn't leave happy, but he left. Anyway, as I tweeted last night, I can only assume the once or twice a week late night shish kabob barbeques with his extended family are finished. I mean, certainly if that was still going on he'd see the need to be understanding of neighborly noises...ya think?



• Oh, to go back a bit further and to mention Twitter again, yesterday morning Drifter had me cornered and wouldn't stop her combination boring / insulting talking. I was reduced to sending desperate tweets asking for help...no response. haha!



• This morning before work I was watching the series finale of Six Feet Under on dvd. I'd seen it once before, when it was actually on the air. I knew what to expect. This morning, because I'm all emotional and such, it totally made me cry. And it was one of those things where when I started it became crying about every single bad or sad thing I was feeling...and sometimes that is what I am afraid of when I cry...that if I start, for whatever reason, I may never stop. But of course I did. Stop that is.



• Now, back to Drifter again! This afternoon she had a confrontation with our supervisor, which lead to a confrontation with the Director, which lead to her being told that she was suspended, without pay, until Monday. All I could think was how peaceful it will be tomorrow without her. Today was one ugly scene after another. I was only involved in as much as I could hear most of what was going on, although I remained determinedly hunched over my keyboard or, alternatively, hiding out in the stacks.

Okay...I think I've fired enough rounds. Kind of a negative post, but it's what I had on my tiny mind. Thanks for letting me put my little worries to rest, sort of.

You're Like Schoooool In Summertime.....

...School in summertime? No class. Oh, Fat Albert and the gang slay me! But they don't have to slay you for you to be able to participate in this week's Choose and Defend Wednesday. All that is required is some familiarity with school! Did you go? Then you are so in. We all have our childhood memories, good and not-so-good and on down the sliding scale. Now, cast your mind back to your school days and tell us which part you enjoyed the most, if forced to choose...which of course, you are.

Did you love....

Elementary School

Middle School / Junior High
OR

High School

Make a choice and tell us about that choice. Choose and Defend. It's fun and you won't gain an ounce! So go ahead...indulge. Choose and Defend. Because it is Wednesday, and because you are here.

Hey Kids! Let's Put On a Show!

Still a performer. Sort of.

When I was growing up, back in the day, we loved to perform. Me, my sister, and our best friend might spend a morning rehearsing, making tickets, and setting up the venue. In the afternoon we would go hand out tickets to the lucky neighbors, make up programs, and finally perform. Yeah, we weren't union, we did it all. This went on probably from the time we were six or seven, until we were maybe eleven or twelve and the self-consciousness set in. Also, these tended to be summer events...what with all that time to kill and the backyard being our staging area. Our performances generally consisted of just a song or two. We'd simply sing along with a record and perhaps work in a few dance moves. Mostly it was all three of us together, although there was the occasional duet or solo piece for variety. The neighbors, both other kids and grown-ups, were extraordinarily kind as far as I can remember. They came when they could and sat there nicely watching and applauded at the proper time. Sometimes my mom provided some popcorn and Kool-Aid for our guests.

Did anyone else ever do this? My own children did not, so much. Although perhaps this was because I had mostly boys. They didn't dance and sing for the neighbors, but there were impromptu wrestling matches and things, often done for my benefit I assumed. Perhaps those displays of strength and power from their skinny little bodies were their way of expressing themselves. Also, one time, when Social Animal was in second grade, he had washers on an old pair of shoes for the class' River Dance performance. He taught some of the moves to Girlie Girl, who was about four and happened to have tap shoes at the time. I still remember them dancing on our tiny porch, the porch light their personal spotlight. Handsome Lad loves it when someone will watch him skateboard. He's getting very good and I guess for him that is also a kind of performance...an art.

Are you now, or have you ever been, or will you ever be...a performer? We should talk about it :-)

Office Space

Peter Gibbons: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday and you're not feeling real well, does anyone ever say to you, "Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays"?

Lawrence: No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man.



Maybe I need to go work on a construction site or something, like Lawrence. I swear, I never had to deal with office stupidity the way I have here in the past few months.

I had such a nice relaxing weekend and I came in today feeling quite refreshed and prepared to make that feeling last out into the week. I like my job! I have always liked being here. The resolution didn't last long, as the warring factions wore me and my good intentions down alarmingly quickly. Buzz kill. And still four more days to get through....

The weekend was very nice though. I had plenty of good family time and me time and even some DR time. So there is that. And another weekend will be here eventually. Um...four more days. Yeah.

This Musical Message is For All That I Ever Was