Random Dozen Meme

If it's Wednesday, it must be time for the Random Dozen Meme from "Lidna" at 2nd Cup of Coffee. If you want to participate just go to Linda's site to link up.

1. What was the last song you listened to?

By the Time, by Annie Parsons. Go to her web site. Do not pass go. Order the EP.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

All. The. Time. Very rarely do I NOT have buyer’s remorse. There’s the bag that was supposed to keep my lettuce fresh (not!). The cute little MP3 player that I used for a minute because the toggle switch was too hard to operate. The Weight Watchers membership that I just ignored for three months (I’m starting fresh on Friday – really!). And most recently, the Snickers bar I ate yesterday.

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing)

Dr. M had an interview at a college in Lancaster, SC. They wanted someone to teach a different subject than the one that is his specialty, so we weren’t sure why they were interviewing him. It’s close to family, so despite the fact that he would have been teaching something unfamiliar & that it’s hot as you know what there, we were really putting a lot of hope into the job. Thank goodness they didn’t hire him! I think that where he is now is perfect. Someday it would nice to live closer to our families, but this is where we’re supposed to be right now.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

I only watch if someone else has it on. I have a love/hate relationship with parades. I enjoy the floats, but for some reason the idea of a parade makes me sad. I haven’t really analyzed this phenomenon so I don’t know why.

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

I’m reading Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes (which I won from Linda). I’m almost done and I’ll be passing it along next week sometime. Today I read a passage where the main character was talking about the “sacredness of the everyday.” For some reason that reminds me of my meditation workshop where we were taught mindfulness. Can I be present in each moment? Can I see the sacred in that moment? Hmm. This needs more thought.

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating?

Chocolate chip cookie dough! I don’t care if it might make me sick (and in fact it HAS made me sick before). It’s my drug of choice…

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

Corn pudding (are we having it Bren? Seems like I heard a nefarious rumor from Daddy that we weren’t?). If there’s no corn pudding (sigh) then pecan pie is my second favorite.

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

Old Black Witch! It might have been all the pancakes, but my brother & I loved this book!

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

Penguins! This started because I was tired of rainbows (my last great obsession – in high school) & fell in love with Opus from Bloom County. I even had a personalized license plate that read “OPUSLUST.” Heh. Now don’t go sending me every penguin you ever saw – I already have them all! At this point in my penguin career I’m looking for penguin Art.

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

Wrapping paper.

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?

I have no idea what my routine was last year, much less 30 years ago! But here’s a memory: I rode the bus all four years of high school, so I usually did my homework on the way home. If there was something left undone I would finish my homework on the couch in the living room & either listen to my dad’s Rachmaninoff 8-track tape, or our Captain & Tennille 8-track tape (Muskrat Suzy & Muskrat Sam, doing the jitterbug in Muskrat Land…).

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish??

At first, being me, I answered this literally. I even said that I’m pretty sure I couldn’t eat a fish I caught myself – so, yes, I guess I do feel for the fish! But looking at it from a broader perspective, as perhaps a person who is trying to get something in life - I'd like to think that I feel for the person giving it to me. Not sure how successful I am at that. When I worked in HR I definitely felt for those job candidates who were so desperate for a job - I didn't like rejecting any - & sometimes I didn't like hiring them (because I wasn't sure we were the best fit for them). Tough question!