7.31.2007
Survey says!
1. What is your best friend's mom's name?
Mom McMommington

2. What body part do you hate the most?
It’s a tie between my upper arms and my stomach, a.k.a. “where the cheese sits” as one witty What Not to Wear contestant once put it.

3. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?
I never had a hot teacher. There was a hot English/poetry teacher at my high school, but I was never his student.

4. Have you ever made out in a movie theater?
No, never anything more than hand holding or leg rubbing. It has never occurred to me to go to a crappy movie and sit in the last row with the intention of making out. I’m one of those people who likes to get there early, get the best seats, and not get up or talk.

5. What body part do you wash first?
I paid attention to this today. First, I shampoo my hair. Then I wash my face. Then I put conditioner in my hair and leave it while I take care of the rest.

6. Do you have any piercings?
Three holes in my left ear, two in my right. I haven’t put anything in the extra holes in years.

7. Is your driveway steep?
No, it’s flat.

8. What's your favorite flavored Pringles?
I like the ranch ones even though they give you horrible breath for about 8 days. Are they still out there?

9. Have you ever been tied up?
Yes! And handcuffed.

13. Have you ever had two dates in one night?
No, unfortunately. That sounds fun.

14. How many times have you been cursed at?
Plenty. On the road, hundreds of times, if not thousands. It makes me smile.

15. Which shoe do you put on first?
Right.

16. How old are you?
29 years, 7 months, 4 days.

17. Have you ever been to a gay bar?
Yes, the best gay bar ever. It was in New Hampshire, on the rotary where Route 1 and I-95 meet, almost in Maine. Amanda and I went with this kid from my apartment building. He was a member and had to write our names in a book. There was a lot of paneling and flannel and a guy who looked like Mr. Slave dancing in a cage. People thought Amanda and I made a cute couple. The kid we were with saw his ex and got all dramatic. When a guy tried to give him his number, he took it, then ripped it up as soon as the guy walked away and said, “Whatever, you’re old.”

18. Have you ever had any friends with benefits?
I’m starting to overanalyze this question. Is a friend with benefits anybody you’re casually sleeping with but aren’t dating, or do you have to have an established platonic friendship with them before you start sleeping together? I can’t say I’ve really done the latter. I was asked to once, all proper like, but I turned him down.

19. Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?
They were all guys. I believe they’ve all had brown hair.

20. Did you French kiss before you were 16?
I think I was 16. So, technically, no.

21. Have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?
No. What is snipe hunting?

22. Who is the last person you usually think about before you fall asleep?
Lately it’s been Harry Potter—I just finished the new book.

3. Have you ever had a song written about you?
Since I don’t know the Allman Brothers personally, probably not.

25. Have you ever found anything in your parents' bedroom that was questionable?
No. But I’ve found lots of stuff in other people’s bedrooms around town.

26. What was your childhood nickname?
Missy.

27. When is the last time you played the air guitar?
Probably the last time I did a Bill and Ted “Wyld Stallions” impression, so like 1989?

28. Have you ever peeked in the opposite sex's locker room?
No. I would, though. Why not?

29. What's the weirdest thing you have done while driving?
I gave somebody something. Oh, well, I guess I wasn’t driving, but the car was moving.

30. Have you ever bitten your toenails?
Ahhhh – no.

31. How do you normally eat your Oreo cookies?
I don’t take them apart. I dunk them in milk until they collapse.

33. Name something you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of others?
I feel like I’m on Family Feud. Masturbation is the number one answer!

36. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?
Around 4-5, usually, mixed drinks or pints. I don’t like getting drunk on wine – gives me massive headaches.

37. Why are you doing this survey?
Because I love being solicited for my opinion. I like filling stuff out… hotel comment cards, the census, personality quizzes, even those demographic surveys that come in the box when you buy electronics. And I love reading others’ answers.

41. Do you have any strange phobias?
There’s the no-looking-in-mirrors-at-night thing, which is part of a general phobia that something supernatural will reveal itself to me in the dark.

42. Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?
A button, when I was little.

46. Have you ever gotten caught sleeping while on a date?
No. Does this happen? It seems like there are some words missing, like “gotten caught [by the cops] sleeping [with someone in a public place] while on a date?” In which case, no again, but close.

47. Have you ever played naked twister?
Jesus, no.

48. Have you ever been drunk at school or work?
No, but I’ve been hung over in class plenty of times.

49. Have you ever found your date's brother or sister to be hotter then your date?
Nope.

50. How many Bryces do you know?
One.


7.27.2007
A question about cheese is just a delectable bonus
1. Do you like cheese?
Yes. Cheese is awesome: cheddar, provolone, gorgonzola, jack, mozzarella, fontina, asiago, ricotta, cream, string, extra… it’s all delicious.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
No. Even if I wanted to, it seems like a pain in the ass drug. Cooking it up in a nasty spoon, finding a vein to stick, smoking it off a sheet of aluminum foil in your parents’ garage… no thanks.

3. Do you own a gun?
No. I shot a BB gun once.

4. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
I used to, but I was at the doctor so often during pregnancy that it became no big deal.

5. What do you think of hot dogs?
Ehh, I like them but I don’t love them. I never think about making or buying them for myself. I enjoy them at Fenway. Part of the fun is tracking the guy, waiting for him to come around to your aisle, and getting indignant when he turns and goes another way, or runs out of stock right before your row.

6. What's your favorite Christmas song?
I like O Holy Night. And the entire Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton Christmas CD.

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Coffee. I love orange juice but I never drink it. I also try to limit my coffee consumption because it makes me drink less water.

8. Can you do push ups?
Ha! I can do the cheating kind, on your knees.

9. Is your bathroom clean?
It’s okay. We cleaned it for the party last weekend, but we didn’t get down and scrub. I love when the bathroom is totally clean and fresh.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My engagement ring… and the ruby and diamond ring my parents bought me when I graduated from college, which is now a half size too small.

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
The line, “Hey baby, you ever seen an episiotomy scar?” Haha, fuck, did I just write that? It’s staying.

14. Do you have A.D.D.?
Nope.

16. Middle Name?
Anne.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
The songs in Toyota commercials are always so lame. Is it going to rain tomorrow? What shirts do I have to go with my new gray Bermuda shorts?

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought?
Gray Bermuda shorts, black dress trousers, Osh Kosh B’gosh overalls.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
Water. Caffeine-free Diet Pepsi. Coconut iced coffee with cream and two Splenda.

20. Current worry?
Seriously, do I have anything that will go with those gray shorts? Because they are kickass. I thought I’d hate them, so I didn’t really think it through, but they were cute on. But then it was getting close to Olivia’s dinnertime, so I had to rush out of the mall.

21. Current hate?
Paris Hilton. Lindsay Lohan. Kimberly Stewart.

22. Favorite place to be?
In my car, exploring... loud music, sun shining, iced coffee beside me.

23. How did you bring in the New Year?
I was at Red’s party. Quite drunk. Got denied at the naked hippie party.

24. Where would you like to go?
Anywhere. I really want to go up to a lake.

27. Do you own slippers?
Yes. I bought them for my hospital bag last year. I’m ready for some new ones.

28. What are you wearing?
Pink pajama bottoms, a black tank top and glasses.

29. Do you burn or tan?
I used to get amazing tans… these days I seem to burn though.

30. Favorite color?
I’m way too indecisive to have one favorite. Green is nice.

31. Would you be a pirate?
No. When it comes to livelihood, I’d be way too strait-laced for that crazy lifestyle. I’d probably be a weaver or a blacksmith or something.

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Eh. In the shower I make shit up.

35. What's in your pocket right now?
No pockets.

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Olivia wobbling around the living room like a drunk.

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
Word - Strawberry Shortcake.

38. Worst injury you've ever had?
The tennis heel injury.

41. Who is your loudest friend?
We’re all loud, which I love.

42. Who is your most silent friend?
Kevin.

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
Sometimes I notice George Clooney parked outside my house. When I open my door to get the mail, he takes off.

45. What is your favorite book?
This one I am decisive about: She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb.

46. What is your favorite candy?
Peanut butter M&Ms. Or a bag of mixed Jelly Belly jelly beans, selected by me so I don’t have to worry that the orange one is cantaloupe (eww) instead of tangerine (yum).

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds. "I Was Made for Dancing" by Leif Garrett.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
Rilo Kiley’s "Hail to Whatever You Found in the Sunlight that Surrounds You."

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
Sleeping.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Uh. She’s crying. It’s early.


7.19.2007
Thank you, survey gods
100. WHAT'S YOUR MYSPACE SONG & WHY?
Right now it’s “Makes Me Wonder” by Maroon 5. Because it really makes me wonder if I ever gave a fuck about you. I mean, you’re awesome.

99. DO YOU HAVE A JOB? IF SO, WHAT IS IT?
I do. I work in human resources, specifically, executive talent management and development. Within a couple of weeks, however, I will have a new and better job.

98. MIDDLE NAME?
Anne, which practically every Melissa has as her middle name. Anne is my godmother’s middle name. My sister’s middle name, Marie, comes from her godmother as well.

97. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON SOMEONE?
I wish I did! Instead I just have plain old aesthetic appreciation, which is boring.

96. LIED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS?
No.

95. BEST BREAK UP SONG?
Hey, “Makes Me Wonder” is a pretty good one. “It really makes me wonder if I ever gave a fuck about you” is some cold shit to say to someone you supposedly loved.

LAST PLACE YOU TOOK A PLANE TO?
Dallas, for work.

93. WHAT IS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The Devil Wears Prada. I liked it!

92. WHAT MAKES YOU MAD?
Fucknuts on the road make my blood boil.

91. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I’d like to be awesome, please. Oh, and a good parent and spouse.

90. WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
Well, you’ve got my first and middle, so I’d say that’s enough.

89.WHAT DID YOU WHAT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE?
A famous writer.

88. DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OF THE OPPOSITE SEX YOU CAN TALK TO?
Yes. Was this made for middle schoolers, when boys were still novelties?

87. DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS?
Yes, my aforementioned sister.

86. WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
Not at work, no sirree. Huh, guess I’ll need to change my answer on 96 now.

85. FAVE COLOR?
I enjoy green quite a lot.

84. WHAT DOES THE 7TH MESSAGE IN YOUR INBOX SAY ON YOUR PHONE?
I’m sure there aren’t 7 in there.

83.WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE AT A PARTY?
The 4th of July. We toddler-wrangled and sang the quietest “Happy Birthday” ever sung, because it was my aunt’s birthday and Olivia was reclined in her high chair, fast asleep.

82. WHAT IS SITTING TO THE LEFT OF YOU?
Files, tape dispenser, stapler, post-its, banana, pens, water, coffee, postcard from Paris, photos, pen, ID lanyard. What? So I have workplace-y taste in home furnishings.

80. DO YOU HAVE ANY KIDS?
Why, yes. Perhaps you’ve heard her mentioned here once or 54968982 times.

79. WHO IS THE 5TH PERSON YOU GOT A MISSED CALL FROM?
I don’t know, someone.

78. CLOSEST BLACK OBJECT?
My keyboard. My shirt, too.

77. CLOSEST SILVER OBJECT?
My earrings.

76. CLOSEST ELECTRONIC DEVICE?
My computer/docking station/monitor apparatus.

75. DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER?
Occasionally, but far more often in the car.

74. DO YOU OWN ANY PETS?
No.

73. WHAT ARE YOUR PETS' NAMES IF YOU HAVE ANY?
Do you listen?

72. LAST TIME YOU LISTENED TO COUNTRY MUSIC?
Last time Doug Mirabelli came up to bat. Skyyyyyydivin! Although there is this song I’ve heard on Mike 93.7 more than once about a girl who busts up her cheating boyfriend’s truck with a Louisville Slugger, so that also counts.

71. HOW MANY SONGS ARE ON YOUR IPOD/MP3 PLAYER?
2,723. Recent plays include the new Smashing Pumpkins, some Morrissey, my 80s mix, and “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross (feat. Michael McDonald).

70. INDOORS OR OUT?
Right now, indoors. Later, maybe out.

69. WHAT ARE YOUR FEARS?
Bad things happening to people I love.

68. WHAT CAN YOU HEAR NOW?
People talking. The ones in my house, yes.

67. HOW MANY DRUGS ARE IN YOUR SYSTEM NOW?
Caffeine. Sucralose.

66. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF STATE?
Many. Massachusetts is a small state.

65. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
Gray dress pants and a black top.

64. LAST PERSON TO COMMENT YOU?
HA – myself.

63. DO YOU SING?
I think I’ve already confirmed that.

62. SCREAMO OR COUNTRY?
This is like the bluegrass or rap question. I like German speed metal only, okay?

61. ROCK OR RAP?
German speed metal!

60. POP OR PUNK?
GERMAN SPEED METAL!

59. WHO DID YOU LAST CALL?
Someone from work.

58. WHO LAST CALLED YOU?
Someone from work.

57. WHAT JEWELRY DO YOU WEAR DAILY?
Earrings, a necklace, and my wedding rings.

56. WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
Just hanging out not at work, listening to some German speed-metal.

55. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU HUGGED?
Olivia. She woke up at 4:55 a.m. (god knows why) and Joe brought her into bed with us. She fell back to sleep on her side like a tiny little person! It was so cute.

54. WOULD YOU DIE FOR SOMEONE?
Olivia.

53. LATEST THING YOU'VE RECENTLY LEARNED?
The titles of 20 Bond films that I don’t care about and will never see. Learning that may have pushed something important out of my brain, like how to calculate a percentage. Thanks, World Series of Pop Culture.

52. ARE YOU COLD NOW?
It’s a little chilly in here, yeah.

51. WHAT DO YOU SMELL?
Nothing.

50. IS ANYTHING BOTHERING YOU RIGHT NOW?
How we’re going to get everything done for Olivia’s party. And it had better not rain!

49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU PIGGED OUT ON ICE CREAM?
Last week. It is impossible to resist Richardson’s coffee Oreo.

48. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TOMORROW?
I’m taking the day off to do party prep.

47. IF YOUR EX WANTED YOU BACK, WOULD YOU TAKE THEM BACK?
No, unless he wanted to become our live-in man-wife.

46. IF YOU WANTED YOUR EX BACK, WOULD SHE/HE WANT YOU BACK?
Surely not.

45. HOW MANY EXES DO YOU HAVE?
Well, not as many as are on my List, so yay for promiscuity!

44. BED SHEET COLOR?
Off-white.

43. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE NOW?
Yes indeedy.

42. CAN YOU SWIM?
Yup. Not butterfly, which is a freaky stroke anyway.

41. CAN YOU DANCE?
Not a bit.

40. DO YOU LIKE TO TALK?
I do… and sometimes I don’t.

39. FAVORITE HAIR COLOR?
Shiny honey caramel-y blondey-brown. Like my good friend Jennifer Aniston’s.

38. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BROKEN A BONE?
None.

37. FAVORITE SMELL?
Fresh-cut grass and coconut.

36. EVER GONE A WHOLE DAY WITHOUT EATING?
I’ve gone most of a day lots of times, but I don’t think ever a whole day.

35. UNITED STATES OR CANADA?
Both.

34. SOUTH STATES OR NORTH STATES?
North, obviously.

33. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU FOUND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I’d be delighted. And warily considering what life would be like behind the wheel of a double stroller.

32. JEANS OR SWEATPANTS?
Jeans, but I love my Old Navy sweats for hanging around the house.

31. PJ'S OR COMMANDO?
PJ’s.

30. DO YOU OWN ANY BRITTANY SPEARS ALBUMS?
Nope.

29. DO YOU HAVE SOCKS ON?
Dammit, no! What is this obsession with the wearing of the socks?

27. HAVE YOU CRIED SO HARD YOU MADE YOURSELF SICK?
Ick. No.

26. HAVE YOU EVER CRIED IN PUBLIC?
Yes, god, I remember once in New York, we were going to see Rent and I must have been overly emotional but there was this frail-looking older man on the train drinking a bottle of orange juice and he seemed so lonely and sweet that it set me off and I cried silently all night. There was also the day I was exhausted and heavily pregnant and cried at Cracker Barrel, causing the other diners to look up from their troughs of chicken-fried steak and dumplins’ and think, “What’s with that chick? Oh, well. Pass the biscuits.”

25. HAVE YOU EVER MADE SOMEONE LAUGH SO HARD IT HURT?
I’m gonna go ahead and say yes. I’ve shared some good laughs with people.

24. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU GAVE YOUR MOTHER A COMPLIMENT?
Last week I told her she was great at party planning.

23. HAVE YOU RECENTLY TALKED TO YOUR EX?
I talk to one of them often, on IM anyway.

22. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN KISSED SO PASSIONATELY THAT IT LEFT YOU SPEECHLESS
Yeah! Good stuff.

21. IF YES TO Q NO. 22 THEN WHO?
Well, Joe of course. No others, honey! Hehe.

20. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO EUROPE?
Yes, a few times. Love it, need to go back soon.

19. FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Right now I’m liking both Top Chef and the Next Food Network Star, but I get the contestants confused.

18. DO YOU LIKE 80'S MOVIES?
Fo shizzle.

17. DO YOU LIKE JOHN WAYNE MOVIES?
Old. Western. No.

16. DO YOU LIKE BLACK AND WHITE MOVIES?
I was going to say probably not, but then I remembered about Clerks.

15. WHAT KINDA MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?
Ahem. GERMAN SPEED METAL!

14. WORST CITY YOU'VE VISITED?
Newark is nasty. Baltimore is pretty much a hole. St. John in New Brunswick was crappy, by Canadian standards.

13. BEST CITY YOU'VE VISITED?
Too many… Barcelona, Rome, Edinburgh.

12. BEEN TO LONDON?
Yes – did my study abroad there.

11. HOW LONG WAS YOUR LONGEST CAR RIDE?
Eighteen hours… from Somerville, MA to Summerville, SC.

10. FAVORITE SUBJECT AT SCHOOL?
English. Creative Writing. Art. Journalism.

9. BEEN TO COLLEGE?
Yes.

8. FAVORITE CAR COLOR?
Black or silver.

7. FAVORITE TIME OF DAY?
The older I get, the more I love early morning. I experience fleeting disappointment when it gets to about 11:00 a.m. on weekends.

6. EVER LICKED SOMEONES CHEEK?
Hmm, perhaps.

5. SEEN ALL THE SPIDERMAN MOVIES?
No, god, no no no and I never will.

4. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Liv’s party! And taking some vacation.

3. EVER GOTTEN LOST IN THE DARK?
Not that I know of.

2. DO YOU SNORE/TALK/WALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I’ve been known to talk. Joe says I sometimes snore oh so softly. And when I was a kid once, I sleepwalked down to where my parents were sitting and started screaming, “THEY’RE ALL OVER YOU! THEY’RE ALL OVER YOU!”

1. ARE YOU AFRAID WHEN YOU'RE HOME ALONE?
No. But I do have a weird thing about looking out the windows or in mirrors when it’s dark. Not like a THING, just a little thing.


7.18.2007
GOD I LOVE SURVEYS! (keep em coming)
1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
Not me personally, but I’ve had two close calls related to cars I was riding in. In college some friends and I were driving around in New Hampshire and we were stopped for having a broken headlight. The kid driving was high as a kite and the rest of us were drunk and underage. We had open containers in the car as well. The cop took a good long look-see with his flashlight, but ultimately didn’t push the issue and let us go. Another time, Amanda and I were driving up to Montreal the day after hosting a party at my parents’ house. We cleaned up after the party, threw a garbage bag full of empties into Amanda’s trunk, and took off. Then we were stopped by the border patrol. They asked us to pull over, show our passports, answer a bunch of ridiculous questions, and step out of the car for search. The border officer opened the trunk and rattled the garbage bag. Fortunately for us, it was a Canadian border officer and the legal drinking age in Canada is 18.

2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
No – I love roller coasters, except for the excruciatingly slow, click-click-click-click climb to the first summit.

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
Forever ago. My neighbors up the street had a huge hill in the woods behind their house. You could pick up great speed and we would build jumps to catch air. Sometimes we crashed into trees. It was awesome.

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
With someone. I’m a pretty good sleeper, and I sleep on the edge of the mattress no matter the size of the bed, so I never feel encroached on.

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
Mostly yes. I’m definitely fascinated by them. Never had a paranormal experience, though.

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
Yes, but it’s not like I go home after work and build furniture and paint it wild colors or make crazy collages or sew my kid’s clothes or anything.

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
Sure. And even if he didn’t, he’s still a jackass.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
I don’t know. They both seem okay. Maybe I’d rather hang out with Jennifer Aniston, because she’s good friends with Catherine Keener, and the three of us could make a nice little trio, hanging out at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and writing on our Macs side-by-side by Jen’s pool.

9. Do you stay friends with your ex's?
One in particular, yes. The others I mostly don’t care about.

9. Do you know how to play poker?
Nope. I kind of hate card games that involve a regular deck. I like Uno, Skip-Bo, Quiddler and Five Crowns, though.

10. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
No. Maybe 36 hours, barely.

11. What's your favorite commercial?
The Aflac one with the goat that goes, “Nah! Nah. Nah. Nah. Nah.”

12. What are you allergic to?
Nothing, really.

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around do you run red lights?
Eh, sometimes. If the light is taking forever. And there’s truly nobody around.

15. Have you ever had a Choco Taco?
No… I’ve had a Cool Dog though, which is the ice cream hot dog they serve at Fenway.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
Sox, baby. Sorry, Joe and Kate, but the Jankees can suck it.

17. Have you ever been ice skating?
Only once, and I sucked very badly. I suck at rollerblading too, so maybe it’s a balance thing. I used to kick ass at roller skating. Give me four huge wheels and a rubber stopper and I’ll make “Everything She Wants” by Wham! come to life.

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
Almost never. I do remember a dream from last night. I had two phones on my desk, and one of them was a direct line to my father’s office, and I kept picking up that one by mistake, and he was getting annoyed.

19. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
It might have been this week. Joe and I have been watching the World Series of Pop Culture on Vh1 and hearing straight-man Pat Kiernan (my favorite NY1 anchor) say “ass” and “skank” and “self-dalliance” is funny as hell.

20. Can you name 5 songs by The Beatles?
Yes… way more than 5.

21. What's the one thing on your mind now?
Pat Kiernan saying, “Tanya got a big ol' butt / Theresa got a big ol' butt / Irene got a big ol' butt / Shirley got a big ol' butt.”

22. Do you believe in love at first sight?
If it does happen, I think it’s a happy coincidence.

23. Do you put salt on a turkey dinner?
No.

24. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Yes, partly because my car trills angrily at me when I don’t. Point for you, Ford Motor Company.

25. What cell service do you use?
T-Mobile.

26. Do you like sushi?
I do! I’m not too adventurous in my selections, but I tried eel and didn’t die, so yeah.

27. Have you ever narrowly avoided a fatal accident?
No, I don’t think so. I have narrowly avoided, “Crap, that would have been an insurance nightmare” accidents.

28. What do you wear to bed?
A tank top and pj bottoms.

29. Been caught stealing?
Yes!

30. Do you pee in the pool?
No. It turns green, you know. Or purple if you buy that stuff.

31. Do you truly hate anyone?
No, what’s the point?

32. Bluegrass or Rap?
Hmm. Well, definitely not bluegrass, so I guess rap.

33. Is there anything you're interested in that other people would find weird?
Abandoned mental institutions, anyone?

34. Skim, 1%, 2%, or whole?
1%. Skim is like blue water, and 2%+ might as well be cream.

35. What food do you find disgusting?
Green peppers, particularly in air form!

36. Windows or Macintosh?
Mac.

37. Did you ever play, "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours"?
Sure! Just yester… I mean, way back in the day.

38. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
Back in school, yes (sorry, friend from high school who shaved her forearms). I agree that poking fun to someone’s face is far more enjoyable. It’s all out of love!

39. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?
Have I? I don’t know if that situation has ever presented itself. I’m sure I would, though, if I agreed strongly with that person’s side of a situation.

40. Have you ever sung in front of the mirror?
Sure. I used to dress up in my 80’s best and pretend to be on tour with Debbie Gibson.


7.12.2007
A Plethora of Perlustration Propagated by a Paucity of Posts
1. Are any of your toes on your foot connected?
No. I am not an amphibian.

2. Which do you use more a pen or pencil?
Pen… I don’t think I’ve picked up a pencil in 5 years. I wonder if there’s like one No. 2 factory still chugging along, having lots of strategy meetings leading up to the seasonal SAT rush, before slumping back into redundancy mode.

3. Look at your planner for June 30th. What, if anything, do you have planned?
My planner is my work calendar, so it doesn’t say anything for that date, but I went to Lola’s boyfriend’s house and we took Olivia swimming in his pool with the scary ladder.

3. Do you use toothpaste?
Yes, Crest. After the dollar-store-Colgate-made-in-China scare, I casually checked to see where mine was made. Mexico, if you’re interested.

4. What was the last thing you dreamed about?
I don’t seem to dream much anymore. Nothing I can remember, anyway. My pseudo-dreams are always some slightly altered version of something that did or could have happened, and then I forget about it two seconds later.

6. What color is your bedroom carpet?
My bedroom has hardwood floors. Why do we always say “hardwood” instead of just “wood” when it comes to flooring? You wouldn’t say, “Throw some more hardwood in the fire.”

7. How many passengers does your car hold?
Three adults and one child. Olivia’s in a new car seat now, and it’s not in the middle anymore, but maybe you could get 2 adults back there if you squished.

8. Have you ever had a black and white cat?
Yes! For about two days.

9. What is your favorite canned soup?
Tomato… made with milk and served with a grilled cheese sandwich. YUM.

10. Do you know anyone who lives in Russia?
Not really. My aunt had Russian exchange students whom I met, and they probably went back there afterwards, but whatever. They were always pale and quiet, with blue eyes and a voracious desire for Levi’s 501 jeans.

11. Did you ever go into a room and forget what you went in there for?
Of course

12. Who is the last baby that you held?
That would be Miss Livvy.

13. Do you know all the words to The Star Spangled Banner?
Indeed.

15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago?
A gray Honda Accord.

16. Pick one, having an STD or sharing a bed with Michael Jackson?
Is it a curable STD? I mean, I wouldn’t pick herpes over MJ, but if it was like… uh, something short-lived that presented few or no symptoms, then bring it on!

17. Last time you went to the zoo?
A long time ago… I think the last zoo I went to was in Chicago back in 1996.

18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house?
Augh, don’t get me started. There are wallpaper borders lurking throughout my house. We have stripped two of the biggest offenders, but there are still borders in the kitchen, office, and downstairs bath.

19. Closest thing to you that is plaid?
Hm. Really not seeing any. Plaid would take away from my office’s theme of beige, lighter beige and darker beige.

20. I'm Ron Burgundy?
Are you? Stay classy, Ron.

21. Who is the last person who wrote you a check?
My grandparents, probably, for my birthday.

22. How many unframed pictures do you have in your house?
Tons. They’re in photo boxes, and most of our Olivia ones are still in the envelopes.

23. Last time you had a date that began with dinner and ended with lunch?
Well, it had to be Joe, so I’d say September 1998.

24. Have you ever applied for a job where the waitresses wear shorty shorts and halters?
No, not have I ever been a patron of such an establishment. I don’t care how good the wings are.

25. How many pairs of underwear do you have?
A bunch, but a lot of them I don’t wear. I have about 12 in regular rotation. I love buying new underwear.

26. Last time you received flowers?
Joe got me some in the past year… I forget the occasion now. When I went back to work?

27. Do you play with your hair?
I guess, when my bangs fall into my left eye, but it’s not a habit or a tic. I just enjoy having the sense of sight.

28. Do you take anything in your coffee?
Cream, one Splenda.

29. Do you have any marshmallows?
No. I’m ambivalent about marshmallows. I don’t really enjoy them on their own, but in Fluff form with peanut butter or burnty form in a s’more or melty form in hot chocolate… that’s good stuff.

30. Who was your high school's most popular female?
This girl Jamie. She was nice, smart and reasonably athletic. Everybody liked her.

31. Last person you told to f-off?
I’ve never said that to anyone in a serious way.

33. Would you like to learn to play the harp?
Can I learn during work hours? Then OK.

34. How many entryways are there into your living room?
Ah, I guess four: the slider to the deck, the stairs down to the front door, the kitchen doorway, and the hallway.

35. Last thing you read?
Nothing new in a long time… I’ve been re-reading a bunch of crap. The last new thing I read, god help me, was this. My boss gave it to all of us at our team offsite back in May.

36. What was the last pageant you attended?
Life’s rich one.

37. What is the last place you bought pizza from?
Papa Ginos. There’s no good pizza in my town anymore.

38. Ever ride in a limo?
Sure, for my proms, Joe’s grandpa’s funeral, and our wedding.

39. What is the last thing you stapled?
Papers for a file.

40. Did you ever drink milk & Pepsi?
Never together, if that’s what you’re suggesting. I’m still struggling to get comfortable with the concept of an egg cream.

41. Are your feet ticklish?
Yes. Do not try it.

42. Last time you saw fireworks?
I didn’t see any this year! Last year marked our third time seeing Chris’ highly illegal street display, complete with requisite police appearance. I was about ready to pop, and I kept wondering if the noise would bother the baby’s ears. Never mind she was in water. And well insulated.

43. Last time you had a Krispy Kreme doughnut?
In New York a few years ago… it was the day the front driver’s side window broke and fell down into the door, and we had a 4-hour drive in the cold and rain to look forward to. We had the guys at the hotel parking garage cover up the window with some plastic and duct tape, then went to an uptown Krispy Kreme to drown our sorrows in sugar.

44. Who is the last person that drove you somewhere?
Maybe my sister?

45. Last time you parked under a carport?
Never.

46. Do you have a black dog?
No. I did visit The Black Dog in Chatham last month.

47. Do you have any A1 in your fridge?
Yes – god, what fridge is complete without it?

48. Are you a dominating person?
I have a lot of opinions and confidence, so sometimes, yeah.

49. Who has the prettiest toes that you know of?
Olivia. I don’t really inspect people’s feet.

50. When is the last time you saw a transvestite?
That would be 1994. I was in Paris, on the Metro, and there was a vagrant transvestite curled up on the seat trying to sleep. She was skinny in an obviously male way, and she had on a fake-looking wig, too-bright lipstick, torn stockings, pointy high heels, a black miniskirt, and a green barn jacket. She was eating a crusty baguette from her jacket pocket and getting crumbs all over. She was also mumbling and seemed pissed about all the people on the train.


7.09.2007
This list of 50 random questions is pilfered.

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
At home, getting ready for work.

2. Who are you in love with?
Joe and Olivia.

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
No, not recently… hopefully not ever.

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
Yes: my New Balance water bottle, some post-it notes, and a picture frame.

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?
Joe and I went to the Burlington mall a couple of weeks ago to buy a new mattress.

6. Are you wearing socks right now?
No.

7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?
Yes

8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
I drove literally out of town today, to come to work. Before that, it was our weekend down the Cape in June.

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No. It’s not possible with a one year old.

10. Are you hot?
Hell yeah.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Water.

12. What are you wearing right now?
A short-sleeve polka-dot blouse. Cropped dress pants. Cute sandals.

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
Car wash, baby.

14. Last food that you ate?
Blueberries.

15. Where were you last week at this time?
At work, with a looming sense of dread. Much better this week.

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
Why, yes. I placed an order with oldnavy.com just yesterday.

17. When is the last time you ran?
Probably 18 months ago, at the gym. At the peak of my working outness, I would try to throw in little jags of running into my treadmill routine.

18. What's the last sporting event you watched?
Sox game… they lost in extra innings.

19. What is your favorite animal?
Dogs.

20. Your dream vacation?
Roadtrip… cars, trains, foreign countries, busy time and relaxing time.

21. Last person's house you were in?
My parents’ when I went to pick up Olivia on Thursday.

22. Worst injury you've ever had?
I sprained my wrist when I was a kid, riding one-handed down a hill. As an adult, I injured my heel playing tennis. That was probably worse because it was more debilitating. I missed a couple days of work and crawled around my house before I went to the doctor.

23. Have you been in love?
Yes.

24. Do you miss anyone right now?
I miss Amanda… it was so great to see her last week and I hate that she lives so far away.

25. Last play you saw?
Good question… I haven’t seen a play in years. The last proper play I went to was in like 1998.

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
My joie de vivre. I mean, boobs?

27. What are your plans for tonight?
Go home, chillax. It’s Monday.

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment?
I think my friend Amy from St. Louis.

29. Next trip you are going to take?
Maybe Montreal this fall.

30. Ever go to camp?
Not summer camp, no. But we called our cottage “camp” and so, by my definition, yes.

31. Were you an honor roll student in school?
Yes. Even in junior/senior year of high school when I stopped putting effort into anything but my electives.

32. What do you want to know about the future?
Are my children going to ack rite?

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
No.

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?
Yeah… I got a reminder card from my GYN. I also have a dentist appt sometime this summer. I could probably use a physical, but I was all doctored out for a while there.

35. Where is your best friend?
At work, I assume.

36. How is your best friend?
She’s awesome.

37. Do you have a tan?
Not much of one… whatever color I did have is fading fast.

38. What are you listening to right now?
Office noises… papers rustling, myself typing, file drawer closing, phone dialing, neighbor talking to herself.

39. Do you collect anything?
I have a half-ass collection of matchbooks, which I keep in a little box in the kitchen. A lot of places don’t have matchbooks anymore.

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
Everyone… it’s the human condition.

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
I ran a red light in Waltham a couple years ago. I got a ticket and paid it bitterly.

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
Sure, fool.

43. What does your last text message say?
“Does Olivia have Make Way for Ducklings?”

44. Do you like hot sauce?
Definitely.

45. Last time you took a shower?
5:30 this morning.

46. Do you need to do laundry?
Nope, we did it over the weekend.

47. What is your heritage?
Italian, French, English and Polish.

48. Are you someone's best friend?
Yup.

49. Are you rich?
Rich and creamy.

50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?
Sleeping like a log.


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