Friday 5 - At the Movies

Look at us, all Friday 5 -ing and such! Today, we are off to the movies. I really enjoy going to the movies, in spite of the increasingly prohibitive cost. But I don't go nearly as often as I used to. I am more than happy to take some time today to give movies some thought. In fact, I am at work and getting ready to screen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for the patrons, so yay movies!  As always, please feel free to participate in this Friday 5 either on your own blog or here in comments.

1. Where in the theater do you like to sit when you’re at the movies? I am one of the few people I know who are fairly flexible about this. Many people seem to have definite preferences, but I honestly don't care all that much. I've even sat right up front and been fine. Oh...just give me the absolute middle of the theater. There.

2. What characteristics does the ideal movie companion have? He or she is pro-snack and anti-talking during the movie. But be ready to dish afterward! Let's relive those magical moments together!

3. What memory do you have of things not going quite as usual at the movies? I guess most of my movie going experiences have been very uneventful. I do remember wincingly, when my dad insisted on treating myself and all of the kids to a showing of Star Wars Episode One right when it came out. So, I had a kid just turning 2 in the theater. I apologize retroactively. And even my older kids, ranging from 14 to 6 could not have cared any less. It wasn't really their thing. It felt like a very long outing to me. Pretty sure...no, positive...that my dad hasn't offered to take us all to the movies since.

4. What are your feelings about commercials and movie previews playing before the film you’re there to see? I like seeing the previews! And I like the little trivia games a lot of theaters run on the screen before the previews. Sometimes, by the time we are through watching previews, I've almost forgotten what I actually came to see.

5. Who is an actor or director whose involvement in a film is enough to make you want to see it? Oh, goodness. I will have to make a little list here. Not that I've seen everything these actors or directors have done...but their involvement will at least make me take a closer look -
My Top 10 Actors at this moment - Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Sam Rockwell, Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, and Michelle Willams.
My Top 5 (or 6) Directors at this moment - Wes Anderson, Coen Brothers (count as 2?), Paul Feig, Richard Linklater, and Paul Anderson Thomas. 

There you have them. My movie thoughts for the day. Thanks to scrivener who provides the great Friday 5 questions. He says to have a reel good weekend. hee hee!

Bring These Words to Life

A very happy Choose and Defend Wednesday to you, kind Sirs and Madams! I do appreciate you dropping by, yet I am going to send you immediately away. This week's Choose and Defend choice is regarding a destination. Where would you rather go?

An Amusement Park

OR

A Family Reunion

Choose and Defend is very simple.  Simply Choose, uh duh. And Defend your choice because we want to get in that big ol' brain of yours! And that is it. Choose and Defend. Good day.  I said good day!

This Musical Message is For I Love the Past 'Cause I Hate Suspense

Put Your Tiny Hand in Mine

What a day! But I am ready to post my Saturday Scavenger Shots attempt. This week's word, chosen by Jasen @ Swamp Gas & Moonlit Reflections , is FIGURE. As you have probably already guessed, I had a hard time trying to FIGURE out what to post, so I am going abstract.

Here is a photo of what I am consuming this weekend. Can you FIGURE out what sort of fixation I might be appeasing? There, you got it! I knew you would.

Now I leave you with this pretty, haunting Elliott Smith version of FIGURE 8. "If you skate upon thin ice, you'd be wise if you thought twice, before you made another single move." Those are some wise words, especially to pop up in a Schoolhouse Rock song!

Now, at this point, I have not been able to FIGURE out a way to exit this post gracefully. So let me just leave you with this thought - Be glad I did not post my own FIGURE here. It's the little things in life that keep us happy :)

Watch for the tag and next week's word, brought to you by the number 8 and the letter O...for some reason.

Take a Bite of My Heart Tonight

It is a sizzling hot Wednesday here in Southern California and it is time to do a super cool (har!) Choose and Defend. See me selling it? I try. Anyway, let us think of someone besides ourselves for a change. Let's think of the innocent creatures with whom we share the planet. Let's imagine that you have the opportunity to make some sort of impact in the animal world...or maybe more in the human world, actually...  Which of these options would you prefer?

Discover a New Species

OR

Save a Species From Extinction

Put on your pith helmet and some of those no-nonsense boots and let's get to work. Choose and Defend! 

This Musical Message is For I Surrender, Honestly

Into This World We're Born

STORM. What?  Haven't seen one in these parts for awhile. Haven't you heard? It never rains in Southern California. haha! This week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word was chosen by Tara @ Eclectic Spaghetti. I am aware that in other parts of the country there has been nothing but rain this summer, pretty nearly. So, STORM is a great word! There are STORMs of other sorts, of course...non-weather related...but I am going to be Ms. Obvious yet again. It is kind of my thing.

Check it -

The beautiful blue sky over Glendora, CA. No STORM clouds here.

Oh, here are some clouds...kinda fluffy and not too grey. Will this lead to a STORM?  Doubtful.

You want a STORM? Pretty sure this shot proceeded an actual shower! Rage, STORM. rage! :)

I hope it is not STORMing where you are. Unless you're into that! Then STORM away, oh savage skies. Now all that is left to do is wait and see what happens next....

Friday 5 - Which * Are You?

I haven't done a Friday 5 in awhile, although I always enjoy them! This one is lovely and perfect for a lighthearted Friday, which is what I am attempting...in spite of being at work :)

As always, please feel free to post this exercise to your own blog or play along in comments! Which * Are You?

1. The Seven Dwarfs are Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, and Doc. Which would be the easiest role for you to play today? Although I am feeling a bit Sleepy and a bit Grumpy, I am most overwhelmingly feeling Dopey.  May the spirit of Happy come to me!

2. Santa’s eight tiny reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Which would be the most apt nickname for you today? I'm gonna go with Donner, because it makes the least sense to me as a concept :) And out of all of them, (s)he might be rather down on things....

3. The kids on Eight is Enough were David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas. Which of these names have you known the highest number of? Which of these the least? First, I loved this show back in the day. Just saying. I have probably known the most Davids...there are always plenty of Davids around! And I guess I have known the fewest Joanies. And they are mostly on tv, like here and Joanie Cunningham (who loved someone improbably called Chachi, whose real name was Charles).

4. The creatures in the Chinese zodiac are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, goat, horse, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Forget which one you are according to the calendar; which one do you imagine yourself most like? Of course, I must mention that I am a rabbit according to the calendar. But, ignoring that, I guess I am most like a goat. Somewhat useful, but not necessarily what you'd think of when you think of something adorable that you must have (like maybe a monkey or dog) or something cool and fierce (such as a tiger or a dragon).

5. Each of the Five Chinese Brothers had a special talent: One could swallow the entire sea; one had an iron neck; one could hold his breath forever, one could stretch his legs as far as he needed; one could withstand fire. Which of these peculiarities would have been most useful to you this past week? This one made me laugh, because sometimes I do feel like I am being asked to hold my breath forever. So, while all of these peculiar traits could come in handy, I guess I will go with the breath holding :)

Clearly, I am in a mood. But I trust it will pass into something more pleasant and contented. Hope you all have a beautiful weekend. :-* (kiss!)

Like Someone Really Cares

I think I need a Choose and Defend Wednesday theme song. Any suggestions? Keep in mind, it would only be used inside my own head as I began writing these posts each week :)  So...how is your week? Mine has been busy and I am feeling severely under motivated. In honor of my natural sloth, let us have an indulgent and easy Choose and Defend. I haven't done a food one in awhile...and I do like food! The thought has perked me right up.

Okay, here...it is time for some fresh fruit. But let's make it naughty. Don't be shy...tell us what you like and why you like it and be as graphic as you desire.  Which would you rather have...

Peach Donuts

OR

Strawberry Donuts

If you are some sort of creature who doesn't believe in donuts, you can pick your favorite fruit. If you don't like fruit all that much, pick which one wouldn't completely ruin your donut. There are no losers in Choose and Defend! Do it guilt free and then sit back, completely relaxed. That's right...

This Muscial Message is For I'll Eat You Whole

I Know You Better Than You Think

Hi Saturday Scavenger Shotians! This week I chose the word EXPLOSION because all week long I heard those practice booms leading up to the big, flashy Independence Day celebration of this past Thursday. I thought, "Easy shot."

Not really though...I ended up not going out to seek out a fireworks show that hot, dark night. I sat at home on my own little balcony, mostly hearing, but not seeing much. What EXPLOSION would I have to show you?  Finally got this sorry spectacle from the street below me where some kids were goofing off -

A small, street-level EXPLOSION to celebrate 237 years of freedom from British tyranny. Or was it a British tranny? It was so long ago...who can remember?

 

I also found, in my files, this photo -

 

Took this truck fire photo some time ago. It seems like an event that might lead to an EXPLOSION, right? I don't think it did, but it could have!

 

I hope any EXPLOSIONs in your future are the good kind. Like orgasmic or what have you. No getting your fingers or such blown off.  I mean, you can get blown off, but...never mind. This is getting all out of hand or way too into hand or I'm going to shut up now. Happy Saturday! And tag to Tara...you're it!

Red, White and Blue Yourself

Yes, I suffer from arrested development. Happy Independence Day, fellow U.S.ians! And Happy Thursday, world!

I, I Will Be King

Choose and Defend Wednesday has rolled around once again. For the volunteering (or the thoughts about volunteering) you provided last week, you shall be rewarded this week. Yes, even though giving is ideally its own reward, we are going rogue up in here.  The only question is, how do you want it?

Would you prefer to be recognized for...

Saving a Life

OR

Winning a Nobel Prize

You're awesome enough to Choose and then to Defend said choice to the group. Do it. Go on, you deserve it. Choose and Defend and bask in the glory!

This Musical Message is For We'll Come Clean

We'll Dance In the Garden

It is a hot, hot Saturday here in sunny Southern California. Time for Saturday Scavenger Shots, fo sho. This week's word, CLUB, was chosen by the inimitable AlienCG (aka Jasen) @ Swamp Gas & Moonlit Reflections.  This word had me a bit stumped, almost as though I'd taken a CLUB to the head :)  Finally, I just went traditional...

Here's a CLUB for you! Could've shown you all 13, but I went with this simple, elegant shot. Join my fan CLUB?

And...that's it! My CLUB offering is complete. We will see, in the fullness of time, who Jasen tags for next week. Stay cool and stop in tomorrow for a Musical Message if you are so inclined.

PS- If any of you have a Fan CLUB, I will SOOOO join it! xx

I've Seen What's In Your Heart

It is Wednesday here in my world and time for a little Choose and Defend to break up the week. Are you feeling charitable? I like to imagine myself a charitable person, but in point of actual fact, I do very little in the way of giving. I excuse myself by recognizing that I haven't even got a savings account and just don't have enough to give away, even for the best of causes. Less easy to excuse is not being giving with my time. Either way, though, excuses, excuses, excuses. 

Let's imagine for a moment that we all had extremely adequate (is that even a thing?) time and resources. And we all have our causes, I feel certain. Given that, and your bounty, which would you prefer to give to the charity or charities of your choice?

Money 

OR

Time

 

Maybe you already do one or even both of these things. The odds are good that you do. But given a choice, and again, plenty of resources...which do you prefer (Choose) and why (Defend)?

 

Thx!

This Musical Message is For We Can Whisper Things

Enough to Make Me Lose My Mind

Thanks for joining me for a DELICIOUS Saturday Scavenger Shots, courtesy of the adorable Tara @ Eclectic Spaghetti!  At first I couldn't decide what I would use to show you DELICIOUS. So many DELICIOUS things in the world :) Then it hit me that I had a ready-made cache of DELICOUS photos from my posts on a Facebook group called "2013 - The Year of the Burger". Burgers, burgers everywhere, and each of them so DELICIOUS.

Here, let your eyeballs taste these babies....

A McDonald's burger...DELICIOUS in its utilitarian way.

 

Carl's Jr. is my go-to place for a DELICIOUS treat. It is the closest place to my home and my work.

 

The Habit is a DELICIOUS treat of a place. Just opened one near me and I am pleased.

 

♪ Red Robin - Yummm!♫ What a DELICIOUS, delightful burger.

 

Hands-down favorites are the DELICIOUS burgers DR makes. He is a wonderful cook!

 

Now you know what a truly DELICIOUS life I have :)  It isn't all about the burgers, but they sure do help. Now, let's just see who Tara tags to choose for next week....

All I Ever Wanted

We have gotten to Wednesday once again, which means it must be time to Choose and Defend. This is, as I've whined about incessantly, our busiest time of year here in the library. Our six week Summer Reading Program is our "signature event" and each year it seems like we add another element or two to keep the fun ramped up. It is fun, but tiring...and we are STRONGLY discouraged from taken time off during these six weeks.  So, of course, I am fantasizing about vacations. This thought leads us right back into Choose and Defend Wednesday. Okay...first, please remember that money is no object here.  Given these two choices, and these two alone, which would you Choose for your week-long vacation? Please remember to vigorously Defend your choice :)

Lounge on an Exotic Beach

OR

Outward Bound Adventure

 

It is your vacation. Your choice. What will you do? Choose and Defend! (And dream)

Philosophizin' and Such

Happy birthday to my awesome middle child Cory Social Animal, who is turning 24 today! Social Animal is a man of such outstanding qualities. Intelligent. Handsome. Driven. Kind. Thoughtful. When he was growing up, I think the main characteristic associated with Social Animal was his great sense of humor. Of course, he is still a very funny guy. But as he has grown up, his major interest has become philosophy. He reads everything he can get his hands on. And more importantly, he talks to people. He listens to what they have to say and remains open. It seems like a fairly rare and wonderful quality.

Last Sunday's Musical Message was chosen in his honor. I looked for something that felt like a meditation on an unknown future and the idea of having to walk our own path. I have every confidence that Social Animal will continue to make good choices and keep his mind and heart open to all that lies ahead.

Happy Birthday, Social Animal!

Your Lips Were Synching

It is Monday and I am just getting around to my Saturday Scavenger Shots.

 Saturday was quite the day, as my Social Animal had his graduation from Citrus Community College and a little party afterward. He's turning 24 tomorrow, so yes, he kind of meandered through that...but he did get both an AA and an AS. Plus, in the fall, as I've proudly mentioned, he is off to Berkeley to finish up with a degree in Philosophy.

As for Sunday, I have no excuse. I was very chill all day and didn't really do anything that was all productive. Although I do think recharging my internal batteries isn't a bad use of time.

Anyway...getting back to the task at hand....Saturday Scavenger Shots. I chose the word CHANGE for this week. I thought I could find a couple of good things to post and I think I did. Here is some CHANGE for you -

Here is a blue, blue picture of small children and their artistic CHANGE into a pair of animals.

 

People sure do CHANGE over the years, don't they? Here is a picture of Social Animal and Girlie Girl about 15 years apart. On the left, they are footballing and cheerleading at ages 9 and 5. On the right, they are enjoying a graduation party at (nearly) 24 and 20. What didn't CHANGE? They're still buddies.

 

And sometimes, CHANGE is just CHANGE :)

 

That is all the CHANGE I can handle for now. I'm anticipating a busy week...actually a busy six weeks to come. Summer Reading Program is upon us and the library really kicks into gear. But I will be around. Nothing keeps me away!

 

Tagged for next week is Tara @ Eclectic Spaghetti. What'll it be Tara?

 

 

 

This Musical Message is For If Your Cup Be Empty

Do You Like How It Feels?

Hello there, fellow humans and others. It is time for some Choose and Defend Wednesday. This one addresses a couple of possibly uncomfortable situations. Or maybe not. It's all you, baby! Maybe you'd love both options...maybe you'd really, really dislike them both. Either way, you must still Choose, and you must Defend. Which of these things would you rather do?

Hold a Snake

OR

Speak to a Huge Crowd

For the sake of our Choose and Defend, let us say that the snake is probably not dangerous, but it is big. And let us also say that you must give at least a five minute speech to that huge crowd.

So...what will it be? Choose and Defend!

This Musical Message is For The Northern Star

I Do Alright For a Girl

Welcome to Saturday and Saturday Scavenger Shots. Our own Scientist-in-Residence, Jasen @ Swamp Gas & Moonlit Reflections, chose this week's word.  The word he chose? KEY. Seems pretty straightforward, although there at least a couple of different directions you could wander with KEY.

I went fairly standard today. Take a look -

Here at KEY, there a KEY, everywhere a KEY KEY. The real KEY to me, though, is that little tag :)  Yes, you have finally met me...the #1 Mom!

 

I don't think I can beat that accomplishment. And surely this is the highpoint of your day...so I'll just end this here.

 

I will close by noting that Jasen tagged me for next week. He didn't yet know I was #1 Mom, so he probably just tagged me because it is my turn :-D

 

Next week's word will be CHANGE.

Where I'm From

I stole this from Secret Agent Woman @ Blogging Incognito. Well, maybe not so much stole as saw it there, thought it was cool, and decided to try it. If you haven't read hers, you should. It is very poetic. Mine, not so much. I followed a template, did my best, and enjoyed it quite a bit!  So here we go -

  I am from peanut butter and jelly, from doughboy pools, and warm towels. I am from the suburbs, the neighborhood gang, the long summer days roaming wild. I'm from the sun.

I am from the elephant ear, the yucca, and thick shrubs to hide in. I am from the sand of warm beaches, hot deserts, damp caves. I'm from the moon.


I am from hidden depths, poetry, and ice-blue eyes. I am from the avoidance of conflict, a certain reserve, protective fierceness. I'm from truth.

I am from Norway, Scotland and England.  I am from the burning of family photos, unknown cousins, the loss of self in old age. I'm from consequences. 

I am from everything my mother keeps and everything my father lets go. I am from loneliness that feels more real than anything else.  I'm from love. 

I Foresee Terrible Trouble

Hey, hey. How's it going? Finally getting to Choose and Defend Wednesday, even though it has been Wednesday for ever so many hours already. It is my busy season at work. Do you have one of those? What is your job like? What would you like your job to be like? Let's explore a bit...you know, just one little surface thing. Because this is Choose and Defend and that is what we do!

Would you prefer to be....

A Company Employee

OR

Self-Employed

Think it over...they each have their pros and cons. Then go ahead and Choose. It is nice to explain yourself a bit...Defend yourself, man! Have you no spunk! Not that kind of spunk. Put that away. 

Choose and Defend!

This Musical Message is For Just Tell Them That We Met in Jail

Don't Mean a Thing

You came back! I knew you would *sob* *sniff* I knew you would. It is time for some Saturday Scavenger Shots. This week's word was chosen by my dear friend Tara @ Eclectic Spaghetti.  The word she chose, SUMMER, is lovely in a couple of different ways. For one, SUMMER is my favorite season. It somehow evokes very strong memories for me, the ripeness of SUMMER. Here are a few things that come to mind when I think of SUMMER -

I think I've posted this photo before, but SUMMER is definitely for bare feet. At least it was for me when I was a kid. And it seems to be for these here kids too!

 

The first hot days bring the beginning of wild fire season here in Southern California. Can you see the smoke back in the foothills? SUMMER burn.

 

I love SUMMER evenings with the front door open to let in some air. Have to put up the screen though, or the june bugs and moths and what have you invite themselves in. They are not welcome at my SUMMER party.

 

Fabulous 80s fashion aside, I'd say this picture was probably taken in the fall. However, SUMMER always, always makes me think of the first boy I ever really loved. It was definitely a SUMMER romance that lingered some months after. I've mentioned before that we're still in touch, still great friends. And SUMMER brings me a lot of very sweet memories of young lurve. It seemed so simple :)

 

Weather-wise SUMMER certainly seems to have arrived. The first official day of SUMMER is June 21, so another 3 weeks or so. I am ready though! I am ready for SUMMER and all that it brings.

 

Have a great weekend, you hotties. Can I see your SUMMER too? I showed you mine! Dangit....

Friday 5 - Ding

A big thanks to scrivener over at Friday 5 for reliably creating a fun and interesting diversion to ease us into the weekend! This week is totally dingy!

1. When is *ding* a most welcome sound? I guess the microwave I have is not technically a *ding* anymore, but I think of it as a *ding*, so I am going with that...when my sad microwaveable food is warm enough to eat. *Ding!* *Applause!*
Also, sometimes, the *ding* or other tone as I receive a message on my phone...

2. When is *ding* a most unwelcome sound? I so seldom have unexpected visitors that when I hear the doorbell *ding* I immediately feel like something must be wrong. At the very least I know that I am about to be inconvenienced by having to turn away someone selling newpaper subscriptions or religion.

Also, sometimes, the *ding* or other tone as I receive a message on my phone...

3. If a *ding* could be heard only by you to warn you about something in social situations, what might that *ding* alert you to, and how many times do you think you’d have heard it this week? Fortunately, I feel like I am generally pretty tuned in to social cues. When I was younger, though, I seemed to miss the point when something went from a discussion to a confrontation. So, for old times sake, I guess I'd like a *ding* to indicate to me when someone is getting genuinely angry with me, rather than just participating in a rousing debate. And actually, I would have heard that *ding* a couple of times this week for sure.

4. A Ding Dong is a hockey-puck-shaped chocolate cake(like) dessert filled with cream and covered with chocolate. Its name is somewhat suggestive to some. What other food items have names that inspire you to think naughty thoughts? First, let us bow our heads and mourn the passing of the Ding Dong era. I've been told something else will come along to replace it...but nothing yet! Nothing! Um, anyway....some other foods that come to mind are jerk chicken and blow pops. I mean, really!

5. What’s an item in your possession that recently received a ding, and whose fault was it? My mom's car. It was a little more than a ding. (Okay, quite a bit more than a ding). And it was Girlie Girl's fault. But of course, I feel responsible. *sigh*

Please play along in comments. Or just comment in comments. Or even post these questions and your answers on your own blog, if you'd like. Participation is the key :) 

Hope you'll stop by tomorrow for my Summer Saturday Scavenger Shots. You won't be sorry. Well, you won't be that glad either...but for sure you won't be sorry. I mean, how bad could it be? Come on. Geez.

Through the Jungle, Through the Dark

I've been working my way back to you, Choose and Defend Wednesday, with a burning love inside. And here I am, back in your arms at last. Let's run away together and start a new Choose and Defend life. We'll need a little place to call home.

Where would you prefer to live?

Houseboat

OR

Treehouse

Of course they'd both have positives and negatives....perhaps some overwhelming negatives...but where could you see yourself living if these were your housing choices?   Choose and Defend in honor of our Wednesday love.

Always Remember

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day. Give thanks in whatever way seems appropriate to you :)

This Musical Message is For It's Better to Feel Pain