AliThinks

Honest Scrap

Last week I was given an Honest Scrap award by Alison. Alison shares my last name as well, and she writes a pretty cool green living blog, so go check it out.

It was a nice surprise, because I haven't been tagged for a meme in ages. Alison was kind enough to mention me and my blog in her post, so I will create my own list of ten things you might not know about me. Although, I have to say, it's going to be a little difficult to come up with ten honest things I haven't already said here.

1. Sometimes I have to make a mistake more than once in order to learn from it.
2. I'll be 40 this year. I'm mostly okay with it.
3. For too long I've let what other people think guide my actions and choices. Well, some of them.
4. I feel like I'm on the verge of something, but I don't know what it is.
5. I don't know why people say my daughter looks just like me; I can't see it.
6. Living with three indoor-only cats is, um, interesting.
7. I read a lot more books when I didn't have the Internet.
8. Right now I am really missing hearing French. Which I can do, via said Internet.
9. Celle-ci, j'écris en français. Parce que je peux. On n'efface pas treize ans dans un autre pays, une autre culture.
10. I'm grateful for my online friendships. My offline ones too, of course, but getting to know someone via their writing is pretty special.

Now here's where I'm going to deviate. I'm not going to give an Honest Scrap award to anyone. I know, I suck. But I don't know who to tag. And I figure you know how to run with this kind of thing if you so please.

I...

Katherine over at Chatiryworld did this meme a week or so ago eighteen days ago, and I commented that I might like to do it, since my blog mojo went AWOL and I am having a lot of trouble posting these days.

I am: stronger than I think.

I think: therefore I am. (Also, see the name of this blog.)

I know: that might does not make right.

I have: an amazing support system.

I wish: that I wasn't so worried about what will happen on November 4th.

I hate: casual use of the word "hate," even though I am guilty of it.

I miss: my children. And I miss my mom.

I fear: too much.

I hear: Radio Paradise. (No, I don't really get sick of it, even after nearly six years of almost-constant listening.)

I smell: Precious Chandan.

I crave: simplicity.

I search: you search; he, she, it searches; we search; you search; they search.

I wonder: Wanda! Wanda‽ I-I-wonder...

I regret: the demise of a friendship.

I love: so many people.

I ache: on occasion.

I am not: who you think I am.

I believe: in karma.

I dance: when the beat moves me. I often dance internally.

I sing: in the car. Allan may well hate dislike that, but he's never said a word, bless him.

I cry: when the occasion or situation warrants it.

I fight: the law, and the law wins. I'm a lover, not a fighter. (Eww, did I just quote Michael Jackson?)

I win: the occasional game of Scrabble, or whatever game you challenge me to.

I lose: see above.

I never: fail to put on my turn signal, even when it's not necessary.

I always: drink two mugs of coffee in the morning.

I confuse: a few people who, frankly, deserve to be confused.

I listen: to the world around me by never wearing headphones.

I can usually be found: picking my nose.

I am scared: that John McCain will become president (see: VP Sarah Palin super-unqualified to be President of the United States of America).

I need: a goodly number of weekly massages. Nope, it's not a luxury. It's health care.

I am happy about: spending my kids' Fall Break with them and Allan in Paris!

I imagine: the future.

Because I Am Devoid Of Content

I generally hate doing memes, which are so 2004, but I saw this at Clotilde's blog, and because I have met her and know she's as kind and smart and funny as she comes across on her blog, I'll do this meme she suggested.

The rules:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here, linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush

Point Of Privilege

It's been ages since I've done a meme, because I mostly can't be bothered anymore. Oh, stop with the eye rolling! You know you feel the same way! Memes are so 2004!

However, the one I saw tonight on Calista's blog intrigued me. I think it could spark an interesting discussion, perhaps on this blog, perhaps on another blog.

The premise is that I bold all the statements that are true. My personal commentary will be in italics next to the statements I want to comment on. I'll probably have something to say once I've finished bolding statements and italicizing comments. Look for it at the bottom of this post.

There's some legal stuff I need to mention before I do the meme. 

Original source: The list is based on an exercise developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. The exercise developers ask that if you participate in this blog game, you acknowledge their copyright.

If you want to participate, please do the same. And here we go!

Father went to college
Father finished college - and he went on to get an M. Div.
Mother went to college
Mother finished college - and she got an M.A. in Journalism
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor - my brother has been an adjunct professor at my alma mater, as well as other places.
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers - I never sensed a class difference.
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home - if you counted my parents' books, and those of me and my siblings, yeah. More than 500.
Were read children’s books by a parent - Yes, yes, yes.
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 - Piano
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18 - My parents paid the talented daughter of a parishioner $2 an hour to teach me some flute basics.
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively - generally, yes.
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18 -no!
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs - My parents took out loans, I took out loans, I got some grants. No trusts involved [insert chuckle], and I paid off my student loans in May 2007, fifteen years after graduating from college, but only because my ex and I sold our house in France.
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs - see above
Went to a private high school - No, but I did go to a private school for first grade, since the public schools wouldn't accept me until I was six.
Went to summer camp - Yes, a weeklong camp for two summers.
Had a private tutor before you turned 18 - I had no problem making grades until I went to college.
Family vacations involved staying at hotels - Bwahahaha. No.
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18 - No, but when I hit middle school, I did get some new clothes.
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them - Hell no!
There was original art in your house when you were a child - It was from artists that were friends of my parents or grandparents.
Had a phone in your room before you turned 18 - I had to take the kitchen phone down to the basement if I wanted to have a private conversation.

You and your family lived in a single family house - My family and I lived in parsonages. You know, houses provided by the church. I'm a preacher's kid. We had nice homes, the sizes of which spoiled me, perhaps.
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home - They owned our summer house, which is a cottage in a clearing in the woods of rural Pennsylvania. As I've gotten older, the house has become more modern.
You had your own room as a child - yes, because the four kids were girl-boy-boy-girl. My brothers shared a room.
Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course - Yes, at my high school, not a private service.
Had your own TV in your room in High School - um, no.
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College - What? What is this language that you speak?
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16 - yes, I went to Dallas with my mom. She had a business trip, and I had a best friend who'd moved there.
Went on a cruise with your family -never!
Went on more than one cruise with your family -see above
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up -yes, and I also went on some cool field trips. My parents took me to the symphony, too. I was bored, and so was my brother, so we pretended the music we were hearing was from a Bugs Bunny cartoon.
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family - Totally unaware. The church paid the heating bills.

_________________________________

While I haven't looked at the Illinois State University study mentioned above, I would like to say that this study makes me look privileged.

Maybe I was.

We weren't rich. My father was a preacher in the United Methodist Church, and my mom worked part-time on and off from the time my sister was born in 1962 until she went to college in 1980. My mom went to work full-time then.

We were actually pretty poor. We weren't starving, but I couldn't have the jeans or tennis shoes my classmates had.

In doing this meme, I realized that we were rich. Wait, that's a lie. I've known for years that my family was rich. We have no money, but we are rich. My parents instilled so much in us. Most of that didn't cost a cent.

So while it looks like I was a child of privilege, I can say that I truly wasn't. I was blessed with parents who made the effort to open their children's minds.

Aly Answers

A couple of weeks ago I posted a Q & A I'd done. So many of you asked to be interviewed in turn! It was quite surprising, really, and I turned a couple of you down while I was on vacation last week. (Suzy and Mel, I will interview you now if you'd like. You are the "lucky" two, though. After you, I'm done with this meme.)

My dear friend Aly, who does not have a blog even though she should, lamented this fact in the comments to my original interview. I wrote back and told her I'd interview her and post her answers here. She sent a quick response:

ALLRIGHT!  I'm heading out of town this SECOND, but I want to do it!  I would be honored (and really excited) to be a guest on your blog.

Aly has already been a guest on my blog. I haven't seen her for about six or seven years, but we are better friends now than we ever were in France. And I'm not sure she knows how much I appreciate her.

Anyway, she went out of town and so did we; therefore it was just yesterday that I interviewed her. Her answers to my questions appear below the fold. Do click through. Aly's pretty special.

The Interview

A few days ago, Dave from Rattling the Kettle did a pretty cool meme. Since it's been ages since I've participated in a meme, I signed up to be interviewed. Dave asked me some pretty interesting questions. Mind you, while he'd consumed Fat Tire before answering his questions, I've only had one cup of coffee. And I have to go to the dentist in a bit to have a temporary crown put on (yes, it's the same tooth). So, you know, I might not seem all there. Because I'm not.

1) Does Lexington have a passable French restaurant?  And, if so, do you speak better French than the chef?  If so, have you ever told him that you could make better food at home?

Lexington has Le Deauville, named after its sister city in France. I've never eaten there; the menu looks more like standard (read: ubiquitous) bistro than upscale restaurant. Here's a link I found (warning: it's an ugly, old-fashioned webpage). Oh, and duh, the page says it's a bistro.

That said, if the chef is French, I probably don't speak the language better than he (she?) does. I'll give anyone else a run for their money. (That includes in the preparation of food.)

2) Who is a better photographer, you or Allan?

Allan, hands down. Need proof? Check out his macro shots, or his flowers, or his photos that have been in Flickr Explore.

3) I first came to your blog through your Beaujoulais Noveau review.  What do you have against cheap wine, anyway?

Nothing, actually, as long as it tastes like wine. If I'd let that Beaujolais air a bit before tasting it, I probably wouldn't have made that face. Wine is so much cheaper in France than it is in the States, and I got used to paying 3-4 euros for a decent bottle. The wine I drink now would probably be considered "cheap" by some people, but I don't care. As long as it tastes good and is not white Zinfandel, I will drink it. (Funnily enough, I can't abide cheap beer.) Edit: Budget Vino is a blog after my own heart!

4) Those twenty seconds in the middle of that video, when the camera is focused on your chest: that was on purpose, yes?

Actually, I was just trying to show off my aptitude at opening a bottle of wine. But wow. I have a nice rack, don't I?

5) Which of your photos on Flickr has gotten the most views?

Hmmm...I was going to say it's my self ass-trait, with 947 views, but Flickr is telling me that No Name Kitty has 3117 views. Which is totally bizarre.

__________________________________________________________

Well, that was fun. No, really. Thanks, Dave! If you'd like to play, ask me to interview you in the comments. Oh, and here are the rules:

Interview rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. 
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your the answers to the  questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

I Done Got Tagged

Nicole tagged me for this meme a while ago. Ten interesting things about myself, huh? I'm not sure there's anything that you can't find out by reading my archives and About page, not that I'm suggesting you subject yourself to that.

It's been ages since I've done any kind of meme, and since I'm kind of at a loss for blog material right now (because the only things I can blog about are apt to bite me in the ass later) I'll go ahead and do it. I may need to call on Allan to help me. That's how dry I am.

After the jump, then, are ten interesting things about me.

Neuf de Quatre

I done been tagged by Katherine and Susan. 

Four jobs you have had in your life:

Cafeteria Crudder
Data Entry Clerk
Bookseller
English Teacher in France

No Surprise Here!

Since I am in the midst of self-inflicted unemployment from a life-sucking teaching career, and smack in the middle of some soul-searching reflection (and apparently really in the mood for some compound adjectives, too), I was pleased to find this little quiz at Amber's blog.  She stole it from Crouching Mommy, Hidden Laundry , which gets my vote for best blog name. Ever.

Your Career Type: Artistic

You are expressive, original, and independent. Your talents lie in your artistic abilities: creative writing, drama, crafts,  music, or art. You would make an excellent: Actor - Art Teacher - Book Editor Clothes Designer - Comedian - Composer Dancer - DJ - Graphic Designer Illustrator - Musician - Sculptor The worst career options for your are conventional careers, like bank teller or secretary.

What's Your Ideal Career?

Circle Quirk

Oh, quit groaning at my title.  Venomous Kate wrote an entry about quirks, and finished up with a list of things she hates.  Mine won't be as long as hers, mostly because I hate a lot of the same things she does. 

As for quirks, I don't have any.  'Cept for that grammar thing, maybe. 

• I hate people who walk RIGHT IN FRONT of my car (and in my way!) when I am looking for a parking space.  Move your butt over!
• I hate hearing people talk about the price of things in francs.  The franc is dead.  Get over it. 
• I hate cheesy circuses.  I especially hate cheesy circuses that let one of their employees drive around town, broadcasting showtimes from a loudspeaker on a truck.
• I hate colored, scented toilet paper.
• I hate flossing my teeth. (Oh, the horror, Alison!  Your manfriend is a DENTIST! How can you hate flossing?) Let me tell you why: I have really tight proximal contacts, which basically means that it's very hard unpleasant a bitch to get the floss between my teeth. 
• I hate that the American exercise/yoga DVDs that I wanted to buy here don't even have the option of watching them in English.  I am NOT watching an American exercise video dubbed into French!
• I hate that the cover model on the latest issue of Natural Health looks like a toothpick. 
• I hate when Americans complain about the high price of gas.  Last time I filled my tank I paid 1.20€ per LITER, or 60€ for a full tank.  That's about 74 bucks.  Granted, Americans are paying more for gas these days.  But at one point, we were paying the same price for a liter as Americans were for a gallon.
• I hate having to sift through lots of internet dreck in my job search.
• ...
• I hate trying to come up with things to gripe about.  I must be mellowing.
• Oh yeah: I hate teaching English to 26 (or more) hormonal middle-schoolers. 

Jumping On The Bandwagon Again

I found this somewhere.  And since I'm too tired to write anything interesting about my day, I'll just post this.  I did have an interesting day, because I saw things other than this computer monitor and my pillow.  More on that later.

15 years ago today, I would have been…
1. 19 and in my junior year of college
2.  Managing a small male harem

Here's A Meme 'Cause I'm Too Tired To Tell You About The Kid To Whom I Gave Detention

Disclaimer: I am not THAT much of a Yinzer (I mean, some of this makes me cringe), but I did use to live in Zillionopal. 

You Know You're From Pittsburgh When...

"Hey Yuz Guyz" is your traditional greeting. You know the time and location of every Wing Night in a 10 mile radius. You know the location of the following towns, know someone from them and have spent time there: Monongahela, Altoona, Bethlehem, Ligonier, Harmony, and Wilmerding. You've memorized lines from the movie "Flashdance". If you're a guy, your biggest fear is seeing your best friend drive into the "fruit loop". You're second biggest fear is seeing him drive out with Kordel Stewart. If you're a girl, you're biggest fear is getting hit on by a hairy-chested man, heavily weighted in gold chains, who refers to his friends as "junior" at Chauncey's. Your latest cultural experience: On your way to partying at Slippery Rock University, having to stop your car to let the Amish buggy cross the street. As your out-of-town friends brag about their latest trips to Europe, you think to yourself, "Polish Hill will suffice." You eat out at least once a week at a mafia-owned Italian pizza parlor. Your father has worked for the same company for over 20 years. You don't see what all the hype is about Disney World when Kennywood is just around the corner. You're having a hard time on where to take your date out for dinner and a night on the town: - "meat on a stick" in the south side and the guzzling IC Light at Jack's... Or splitting an order of "O fries" and guzzling IC Light at Peter's Pub. " N at' " is eloquently added to the end of every sentence. You've taken deliberate field trips to the Andy Warhol museum. You water ski on the Youghiogheny River Lake. You feel the only good bands out there are Donny Iris, Joe Grushecky, The Blue Oyster Cult, and of course.... Rusted Root. You're more worried about Jerome Bettis's health than your own. You own more than one original Terrible Towel. You don't understand what all the hype is about for Rolling Rock beer. You've been drinking it for years, although Penn Pilsner is better. You consider a great vacation a trip to Conneaut Lake or Lake Erie. For something a little more exotic, a trip to the Jersey shore. You're 35 years old, have never been outside of Allegheny County, and don't see the need to leave. You only own four spices: salt, pepper, Heinz ketchup, and the bottle of Trappey's Red Devil you swiped from Primanti's. For the life of you, you can't understand why your all your out-of-town friends don't get the "fries and cole slaw" thing... You have 101 favorite recipes for kolbasi and sauerkraut. Words like: hoagie; chipped ham; pop; and gumband actually mean something to you. You can use the phrase "Firehall Wedding" and not even bat an eye. You walk carefully when it is "slippy" outside. You often go down to the "crick". You have to "red up", before company comes over. You've ever gotten hurt by falling into a "jaggerbush". You know that Ahia is a river, a boulevard, and a state. You've ever "warshed" or "wershed" the laundry. You know you can't drive too fast on back roads,cause-udda-deer. You've drank an "Arn" . You've told someone to "quit jaggin around". You know that Clinton, Monaca, and Beaver, are actually names of towns. You've called someone a 'jaggoff'. You hear "you guyses", or "yins" and don't think twice. You hate Cleveland, although you've never been there. You drink "pop", eat "hoagies", pierogies, and gyros(jy-rows). You know what a still mill is. You can find Zillionopal on a map. You go 'food shoppin' at 'Jine Iggle'. You believe that "Ize" is the abbreviaton for "I was. You know someone from 'Sliberty, E-sliberty, or Wesliberty. You know the Pittsburgh Zoo is in 'Hilinpark' and have been there for school field trips. You know what is meant by "The Point". Chipped ham was always in your refrigerator when you were growing up. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Pittsburgh.

Get Your Own "You Know You're From" Meme Here



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