The Fall Back

Another Friday, another week that flew by way too fast. Right now, I’m standing in the office in the middle of the day, trying to come up with something creative to write about. Again.

Actually, most of my creative pursuits have felt stagnant for the entire beginning to this year. It isn’t just about this blog. Books, articles, press, are all feeling forced.

I don’t get it really. Coming off the three-book and NaNoWriMo wins of 2017, I looked forward to making 2018 my bitch, too.

But I’m soooooooooooo feeling like an angsty teen.

I don’t wanna. Pout.

Then the adult inside says I better get with the program because words don’t write themselves.

So, instead of stressing and rambling on like this for 800 words, I’m giving myself a mini-pass this week. I’ll get a blog out of a meme I saw floating around Facebook a few months ago.

This is what I do here. Sometimes you get deep, dark, light, breezy, life, career updates that I spend two days writing, sourcing images for, and editing. Crafted, creative non-fiction that reads like I wrote it in two minutes.

Sometimes you get a meme I copied and pasted into a notepad on my phone knowing I’d have at least one week this year I just wasn’t feeling a blog. (Despite my commitment to write every week, I know me way better than that.)

See? I’m so damn proactive I even plan for my desire for a total lack of adulting.

Without further ado…

1. Do you make your bed every day?

I make my bed, max, once a month. Matt usually makes it even though he’s not the one home all day.

2. What's your favorite number?

11 (No, this is not because of Stranger Things, I have loved the number since I was at least 11 years old.)

3. What is your job title?

Collector of information from the world at large, or, 10 times published author.

4. If you could, would you go back to school?

Tried college 3 times already, still haven’t finished, don’t plan to, so, no. And, if they mean any school year prior to college, then that’s a hell no. I'm not Billy Madison.

5. Can you parallel park?

When I worked in Somerville/Cambridge the city required us to move our cars every 2 hours or get a ticket. I had to parallel park for 2+ years, 5 days a week, at least 4 times a day. I can parallel park in my sleep.

6. Name a job you had which people would be shocked to know you had.

Back up dancer for JLo. It isn't true, but I bet some of you were shocked!

7. Do you think aliens exist?

Of course otherwise the universe is just a sad joke.

8. Can you drive a stick shift?

No. Let's just leave it at that.

9. Guilty pleasure?

None. Because I don't feel guilty about the things I like. Loud and proud baby!

10. Favorite childhood game?

Pushing the boundaries of my family's patience.

11. Do you talk to yourself?

All the time, I work alone at home I mean...

12. Do you like doing puzzles?

No. Word, piece, or otherwise I'm not a fan.

13. Favorite music?

Yes. All of it. Generally something with lyrics but I pretty much love all styles. Though my true love is rock.

14. Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning. Tea usually only when I’m sick.

15. First thing you remember you wanted to be when you grew up?

The person who drives the street sweeper. Seriously. I thought that looked like the coolest job in the world.

16. Favorite Season?

Summer. But ask me again in August.

17. Truck or Car?

I have a small, square car but I have always wanted a big, bad-ass, black truck with chrome roll-bars, lights, and tinted windows. #environmentaldisaster

18. Steak or salad?

Yes, and can I get a bowl of blue cheese on the side?

19. Cat or dog?

No. Too much responsibility. I can barely manage to write a blog post every Friday. No chance I could handle the needs of another living thing.

20. The most influential person from your childhood?

My Creative Writing teacher, senior year of high school, who first insisted I publish something I'd written.

21. Crafty or all thumbs?

Depends on the day and the craft in question.

22. Biggest fear?

Becoming rich and famous. The good news is, I hear the best way to overcome your fears is to face them...

23. Pessimist or optimist?

Depends on the day and the situation. I like to look for silver linings but sometimes shit is just fucked.

24. Favorite Holiday?

My birthday. What? You didn’t say it had to be a national/international holiday.

25. Mountains or Ocean?

Ocean. The fact I'm not there right now (read: All. The. Time.) makes me sad.

26. People person?

Studying them for future character development, yes. Interacting with them in the larger sense, usually no. There are people I love and cherish and I actually enjoy meeting new people. But “people” are the ones taking the Tide Pod and hot coil challenge too so take that for what it’s worth.

27. White, Milk or Dark chocolate?

The darker the better.

28. Do you like to cook?

Ah hahahaha! I like to eat but loathe cooking.

29. Night owl or morning person?

Ugh, my natural clock leans toward night but I've been conditioned to a corporate clock over the years. Still, never a morning person. See question 14 for how I get around this.

30. Flannel sheets in winter?

Flannel, no. Too static-y. T-shirt material, yes. All year.

Hey, if nothing else, at least the thing was fun. For me, anyway.

And I promise I’ll be back next week with something of a little more substance.

Or not. Writers are weird like that.

• • • • • • • • • • •
In addition to this drivel I also write books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Learn more on my author page.

Snuggle Up for a Week

My sister-in-law nominated me to take part in this ‘seven songs in 7 days’ challenge.

Of course the thing is all over Facebook but, not surprisingly, I decided to make the most of the dare and reboot my blog posting schedule by sharing my choices over here instead, because that way I can get the full story related to each song out there (and apparently I’m also bringing back the ever popular run-on sentence so you’re welcome).

Now, because you know me, you already know I’m not about to write for 7 days in a row, share my innermost reasons for choosing certain music, and not write it with a purpose.

So before I reveal today’s song choice and subsequent story behind it I should back up and share some other information first.

When this post posts it will be the 502^nd post on this blog. I’ve been writing over here since September 13, 2007. Nine years as of this fall. Damn.

Even though it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long or that many posts, I recently started rereading all of my old stuff. And let me tell ya, there’s a whole lot of useless crap on this blog. But, the good news, at least for me, is that I’ve also shared a whole lot of fun and interesting stories.

Stories about my life, adventures in procrastinating my career path, and my past, um, let’s just call them, escapades with boys and booze and boredom.

As I sat here reading about those times in my life, my mind started piecing together many, many more stories that could be told to go with the ones already in existence. Stories that I believe could act as a warning to others. Advising readers how to avoid sabotaging your own life.

But reading all that stuff on a blog takes dedication and unless you’ve been here since the start the chance you’ll go back to try to locate any of those old posts is slim to none. That’s why I’ve decided to collect all of these fabulously embarrassing, revealing and sometimes head-scratching moments into one convenient package. A book. Actually, two books.

The first collection I’m holding a bit close to the vest. Sorry, but I promise as soon as the structure starts coming together I’ll fully share all the info.

But the other one.

Well, that book is what brings me full-circle to this week’s posting schedule.

After pulling together a bunch of the links I realized just how much of my past was punctuated by music. Loving it, buying it, hating it, going to see it live (but the act is the last thing that matters because life is happening simultaneously), avoiding it because it reminds me of the wrong person. Or people.

Who remembers the song that was playing when they lost their virginity? The song that made them break down, sobbing uncontrollably, while driving home on the Merritt Parkway after their grandfather’s funeral? Happy times. Sad times. All the times. Songs that have helped to define an entire life. Mine.

Countless moments surrounded by melody and lyrics. My iPod is like a living organism of stories about personal growth and change.

So my goal with this challenge is to share some of those stories. To use the song as the inspiration for the story I want to tell. And while not all of them will make the cut for the essay collection (like today’s for example), I look forward to at least getting some good stuff up here.

Today, like most mornings, I woke up with a song stuck in my head.

I never understand why that’s the case, if I was dreaming of the song or something related to the lyrics or maybe a time in life when that song was playing.

After I got the challenge from my SIL yesterday I went to bed thinking of what today’s song choice might be. I decided to wake up and open Pandora on my phone and write something amazing about the first song that came up.

But my brain, as per usual, had plans of its own.

Because today’s track isn’t one I listen to all that often, not a song I obsess over or even have a story associated with other than to say I think of a movie when I hear it.

Admittedly, the movie is one of my favorite RomComs for reasons I can’t even explain because I’m not a huge fan of the stupidity of the plot or even 2/3 of the actors who star in the thing.

But while I was thinking of the plot, setting and dialogue I had a flashback to this past weekend. I remembered we were talking about the great state of Hawaii for quite some time over the weekend and I nodded, knowing that this is just how my mind works.

The movie? Honeymoon in Vegas. The song?

(Let Me be your) Teddy Bear.

So this one’s for you Elvis fans. Or fans of Nicholas Cage, James Caan, Sarah Jessica Parker or Pat Morita.

Or teddy bears. Because who doesn’t love a good snuggly teddy bear? Am I right?

• • • • • • • • • • • 
In addition to this drivel I also write books, both fiction and non-fiction.
Learn more on my author page.

When in Doubt

Only one post went out in February and now it’s March and I’m starting to think about spring cleaning.

Of my profiles.

I keep looking over what I do, what I write on a daily, weekly, monthly basis and I’m starting to realize that half of what I do isn’t really worth the time I spend.

My focus needs to come back because the real work is going to suffer if I don’t get it together. I miss the blogging and actually dread the days on the calendar that I schedule to write my tweets. The idea of a newsletter seemed great but I don’t prioritize working on it.

What I do like working on every single day are the following things:

This blog.

Fiction books.

Other books.

Blogs for clients.

Yup, that’s it. And everyone will say that I have to spend some kind of time on social media in order to stay relevant or in front of people but honestly, that seems silly.

Because if I don’t want to put in the time then those probably aren’t my people so why do all that work for something I don’t even want?

Right.

So in an effort to kick this blog back into something I update on the regular, I’m going to share two wonderful memes I found on Facebook. Because if you’ve been reading over here for any length of time you know I can’t pass up a lame ass meme.

26 things about me...

A- Age: 42

B- Biggest fear: Never getting it all done.

C- Current time: 2:36 PM

D- Drink you last had: water

E- Every day starts with: coffee

F- Favorite song: No way I could answer this, it changes too often.

G- Ghosts, are they real: yes

H- Hometown: Arlington

I- In love with: Matt

J- Jealous of: People who know how to start conversations with strangers without sounding or seeming awkward. (See blind date question below)

K- Killed someone?: Not that I know of.

L- Last time you cried?: can’t remember

M- Middle name: don't have one

N- Number of siblings: 1

O- One wish: To make a real living wage with my writing.

P- Person you last called: Mom

Q- Question you're always asked: Why aren’t you having kids? Which I assume will change in the next ten years, as I start looking too old to have them, to: Why didn’t you ever have kids?

R- Reason to smile: warm days and sunshine

S- Song last sang: Stuck - Melissa Ferrick

T- Time you woke up: about 7am

U- Underwear color: Excuse you, that’s a little personal for a meme.

V- Vacation destination: the beach

W- Worst habit: Being too hard on myself about my creative process.

Y- Your favorite food: Bianchi's pizza

X- X-Rays you've had: tomboy - too many to remember

Z- Zodiac sign: I’m convinced I’m actually a Gemini sometimes.

The Bucket List

( ) Shot a gun

(X) Gone on a blind date – Literally only once. It was weird. I was awkward. Oh no that’s not me being self-deprecating but I was actually cute or something, I was awkward. Example that I still haven’t forgotten even to this day (approximately 16 years later): I told him that I never leave the house without mascara then proceeded to continue that conversation for about ten minutes. Yeah.

(X) Skipped school (See ‘been on TV’ question below)

( ) Watched someone die

(X) Visited Canada – And I fully intend to visit again someday. Maybe for an extended period of time, say, four or so years. We’ll see. I hear Vancouver is lovely in December.

( ) Visited Hawaii

( ) Visited Cuba

(X) Visited Europe

( ) Visited South America

( ) Visited Las Vegas

( ) Visited Central America

( ) Visited Asia

( ) Visited Africa

(X) Visited Florida

(X) Visited Mexico

(X) Seen the Grand Canyon in person – Only way to do it, seriously. Come on out and visit in warm times and we’ll take you!

(X) Flown in a helicopter – I think but could be wrong about this.

( ) Served on a jury

(X) Been lost

(X) Traveled to the opposite side of the country – If it means coast-to-coast then not yet but I think Boston to Phoenix should count.

(X) Visited Washington, DC

(X) Swam in the ocean

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

(X) Played cops and robbers

(X) Played cowboys and Indians

(X) Recently colored with crayons – I colored in a picture of a bunny and painted blood coming out of its mouth. The conversation with the kids led to watching the scene from Holy Grail of course.

(X) Sang karaoke – Does Rock Band count?

(X) Sang a solo or duet – Does Rock Band count?

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only – Back in the day when I was a poor college student eating at Taco Bell, most of the time.

(X) Made prank phone calls

( ) Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

( ) Had children

(X) Had a pet

(X) Been skinny-dipping

(X) Been fishing

(X) Been boating

(X) Been downhill skiing – Once. Never again.

( ) Been water skiing

(X) Been camping in a trailer/RV

(X) Been camping in a tent

( ) Driven a motorcycle

( ) Been bungee-jumping

(X) Gone to a drive-in movie – One of the first times I remember going to the movies was to the drive-in actually. I think the one my mom & aunt took us to was Snow White but the second showing (which I should have been asleep for) was On Golden Pond. Great movie, still love it, and especially at age seven-ish I was blown away.

(X) Done something that could have killed you – I’ve talked about this before.

(X) Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life – Because of the post linked above you might think my answer is yes. In truth my emphatic response is no. I wouldn’t be me if it wasn’t for everything I’ve seen, done and not done so regret would only mean I felt un-whole somehow. And I don’t.

( ) Rode an elephant

( ) Rode a camel

(X) Eaten just cookies or cake or ice cream for dinner – Um, how about all 3 at the same time. Just don’t make me count out the number of times this has happened over the years.

(X) Been on TV – Evening Magazine local Boston program in the early 90’s. And, like I said, it never would have happened if it wasn’t for skipping school. And New Kids on the Block.

( ) Stolen any traffic signs

(X) Been in a car accident

( ) Been in the hospital in past 24 months

( ) Donated blood

( ) Gotten a (speeding) or any other type of ticket in the past 12 months

(X) Gotten a piercing

(X) Gotten a tattoo

( ) Driven a manual transmission vehicle

( ) Ever owned your dream car

(X) Been married

( ) Been divorced

(X) Fell in love

(X) Fell out of love

(X) Paid for a strangers meal

(X) Driven over 100mph

( ) Been scuba diving

(X) Written a published book/story/poetry

( ) Eaten snails

Last Chance

Yesterday it occurred to me that I only posted eight times this entire year. Wow. As compared to 2009 when I somehow managed to write an entire 50k+ word novel (first draft) and post 125 blogs, it makes me wonder: how, exactly, did I spend my year?

And this is truly one of my favorite holidays. Because, not only is it perfectly appropriate to wax about that kind of stuff, most people allow a pass when a person goes on and on about their big goals and dreams for the fresh new year ahead.

Scrolling through Facebook this morning I came across a couple friends who posted this question list. I thought about it and as most of you fine folks who have been reading my blog for a while know by now, I’m a sucker for a good call-and-answer post.

What can I say? They appeal to my lazy side because someone else already did half the work.

And today feels like a good time to both be lazy and get in one final hurrah for 2015.

So here goes nothing.

Three names I go by (strangely, it was difficult coming up with the third one because after almost 17 years together I just realized my husband doesn’t even have a pet name for me. Well, at least not one he tells me to my face.).

1. Jenn

2. Flynn-Shon

3. Sweetie

Three places I have lived (wait, just 3? This would be a LONG list otherwise…)

1. Bahstin

2. LINY

3. PHX AZ

Three places I have worked (yet again, another potentially LONG list. But we were just talking about this last night so I’m going with the three I mentioned during our trip down memory lane.).

1. Victoria’s Secret

2. DMR

3. CHA

Three things I love to watch (this will be at least partially seasonally appropriate just because it’s that time of year).

1. Hallmark Christmas movies (#nojudgement)

2. Movies I know by heart (The Goonies, The Princess Bride, The Ref, Love Actually, etc.)

3. My friends make drunken fools of themselves (just kidding. No I’m not. Yes I am.)

Three places I have been (again, I have talked about travel before, and again, and even one more time but those were all in the good old U.S. of A. So here’s three of my favorite international trips).

1. Amsterdam

2. Toronto

3. Ireland

Three things I love to eat (why are we only allowed to say three? Oh, right, because nobody wants to hear anybody ramble on for a week about the food they eat. Cool. I’ll keep it short and simple.)

1. Blue cheese stuffed celery

2. Cheesecake with cherries

3. Scalloped potatoes

Three people I think will respond (I assume this is where you were supposed to tag people on Facebook to guilt them into filling out this stupid shit on their own wall, hence, filling up our newsfeeds with loads of posts nobody will ever read. Sorry, you get the extended version on my blog. Ignore at will!)

1. Her

2. Him

3. Those people

Three favorite drinks (not water) <-- (yes that was written in when I copied the quiz but fuck that, I refuse to let anyone tell me what I can and can’t say so suck it internet list writer people!).

1. Water

2. Coffee (made with water)

3. Peppermint tea (made with water!)

Three things I am looking forward to (in 2016 and beyond).

1. Reading more.

2. Writing more.

3. Laughing and loving as often as I can.

As usual, most of the things I look forward to in 2016 revolve around bettering myself and/or my career. I’m not calling any of these things resolutions, just goals to strive towards.

Whatever your goals for the clean slate known as the New Year, I hope you make the most of what you already have inside yourself and work towards all of them.

A little every day might not seem like much when you’re in the thick of it, but 366 days from now I bet you’ll be amazed at just how much you did accomplish in 2016!

Make it a safe and festive night everyone!

• • • • • • • • • • • 
Like short fiction? Get a brand new story every month (one you won't see anywhere else!) when you sign up for my newsletter Facts & Fiction. Make 2016 better. Do it now.

Torn Down in the Name of Convenience*

It’s probably about time for me to pull High Fidelity out of the old DVD book.  It’s been a while and, lately, everything seems to be pointing me in the direction of Cusack.  Other than his brief, yet stellar, performance in Sixteen Candles, there was no character quite like Rob Gordon to take the edge off my own life.

Okay, fine, there was that somewhat mysterious, too dorky to realize he was cool, man of every girl’s dreams character, Lloyd Dobler.  But everyone knows that the deeper brooding and overtly-melancholy fucked-up-ness of Rob is way closer to real life.  Lloyd is the one we all want; sweet, devoted, teaches us to drive a stick-shift, supports us when our dad goes to prison, goes with us to London. 

But every woman knows that boom-box thing would never happen in real life.  Instead, he’d probably end up hating London because the cloudy and gloomy days would bring out his inner emo and he’d fly back to the states to ruminate over his failed relationship for the next decade.  In the end Lloyd will just end up owning a flailing record store, borrowing money from us that he’ll never pay back, and cheating.  Sorry but it’s a true fact that the girls looking for Lloyd pretty much universally end up with Rob.

But I digress…back to Cusack.

Another thing pulling me into Cusack-dom was this book I read yesterday “Stupid and Contagious” by Caprice Crane.  The main male character all but tells us that he’s Rob Gordon.  So of course that character was all I could picture through the entire book.  But, you know, with blue eyes. 

The book was phenomenal, recommended by a friend as she said the writing style was so similar to mine she almost thought she was reading my work.  I knew what my friend meant within about 10 pages.  I will definitely read every book Crane has written.  Especially if she has more characters like Rob.

And I almost completely forgot about The Raven coming out in just four short weeks.  I’d heard about this last year but didn’t know how I felt about it.  If I were making the ‘Rob’s Top Five Authors of All Time List’, Poe would pretty much be in the number one and number two spot.  I was convinced they’d take the most well-known of Poe’s poems and hack it to bits (haha, yeah, slight pun intended).  But they’re not.  Hacking it I mean.  The poem is the inspiration for the movie and I seriously can’t wait.

The movie is about a detective who joins up with Poe to solve a whole bunch of murders that someone is perpetuating based on his writing.  Not that I support serial killers or anything but seriously, how cool is that concept?  Only thing better than having a stalker when you write like Poe does is to have someone respect your work so much that they start living it.  That’s hardcore.  I may break my no theater and no horror (ish) rules for this one. 

Oh yeah, Cusack plays Poe.  Not the serial killer (or so we think, who knows right?).  Not a hitman, like some other characters he’s already played.  But he still gets to be all dark and broody.  Oh Cusack, it’s like you were born for this role.

Anyway, seems the world is pushing me to do some kind of list, top five or something, so I’m doing this Sunday Stealing meme.  While I wait for my book’s copyright registration to come through I may just have to have a Cusack movie marathon later this week because I'm clearly running out of interesting blog posts... 

1. Which TV character do you think you are most like?

Other than the baby thing Christina Applegate’s character on “Up All Night” springs to mind.  Otherwise I’ll go with Miranda.  Also sans baby.

2. What time do you go to bed?

At exactly 11:07 every night.  If I stay up until 11:08 I know the world will cave in and the locusts will come.

3. What was the last meal you made from scratch?

AH HAHAHAHAHA!!!!  Oh wait, you’re serious about that question?  Does throw-everything-into-a-crockpot-and-pray count as “from scratch”?

4. What is your favorite type of music?

Obviously I should be saying something about outer limit progressive hipster shit that no one has ever heard of (including the hipsters, seriously) but I don’t drink enough Starbucks to be that cool.  Plus I don’t have the effort to keep up my work out routine enough to get into black skinny jeans.  So I’ll just go with pop.  Just like Rob, who was a progressive hipster.  Maybe.  Makes me feel like I'm in good company or something.

“What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?”

- Rob Gordon

5. In what position do you sleep?

I’ll go with lying down like most of the other humans I know.

6. What is your first memory?

I forget.

7. What is your least favorite smell?

Top 5 all-time least favorite smells: skunk, puke, horse poop, wet dog, and cat pee.

8. Its your round at the pub and your friends asked you to surprise them. What drink would you buy and why?

Beer.  Because I’m cheap and boring.  And we’re in a pub for god sake.  What do you want, a fucking mojito?

9. What was the last thing you read/watched that made you cry?

America’s Next Top Model.  Every time they send a girl home for being beautiful and skinny but just not "modely" enough I feel so sad for her…

10. They say that you learn something new every day. What was the last thing you have learned?

That my husband had no idea how they changed from ice to parquet and back to ice at The Garden.

11. Which Literary love interests would you snog, marry and avoid.

Seriously no opinion on this, never even thought about it before.  But now I will.  And I'll get back to you.  Maybe.

12. What is your oldest memory?

See #6

13. Paperback, Hardback or Kindle? Which of these is your favorite reading format and why?

Books.  Real ones.  I can’t bring myself to use a tablet.  I even downloaded Kindle to my phone and I’ve made it through about 10 pages of a book I’m actually enjoying.  I also added it to my library queue.  There is something Zen and gratifying to flip actual pages even if its heavier to carry.  Technology is not always the better choice for me.

14. If you could bring back any canceled TV series for another run what would you pick and why?

“Family Ties”, I think there was just so much more they could have done with Skippy.

Sunday Stealing provided the questions.  As a side note I deleted #15 because it was word for word the same question as #13.

A meme really is an excellent choice for those “feeling basic”. 

*“Pointes” to you if you got the reference in the title.

Because I Need to Post Something

So I’m doing a silly meme for the first time in a long time for a few reasons. First, I haven’t posted in 3 weeks and have been feeling like I want to but didn’t know what to write. Second, because I ran across it on the page of one of the writers on my blogroll and it seemed like a fine idea. Finally, just because. And all of that seems good enough for me so without any additional rambling you won’t already be privy to while sorting through the drivel below…enjoy.

1. Why did you sign up for writing your blog?
Because it seemed like a good thing to do that first winter after moving back to Massachusetts when I hadn’t yet started back to school and barely had any jobs painting. I kind of felt like at least I could find some people out there that I could force to read my stuff, even if those people were only family and friends to start.

2. Why did you choose your blog's name? What does it mean?
Um, well I think ‘Random Lunacy’ is mostly self-explanatory. My brain doesn’t seem to want to focus on just one thing and I’m certainly pretty mentally fucked so it seemed all encompassing.

3. Do you ever had another blog?
Yeah, I know this is the internet and sometimes there are lower standards and all that jazz but I’m correcting this question right now. Either “Have you ever had another blog” or “Do you have another blog”. Seriously people, grammar is something we all learned starting in the third grade or earlier. Embrace it. Use it. I beg you.

4. What do you do online when you're not on your blog?
The usual stuff – read the news, read blogs, read email, sell shit, watch stupid videos, tweet, waste time reading crap on Facebook, participate in my school forum discussions, write a couple other blogs…oh yeah, I was supposed to tell you I had those in the last question wasn’t I? Sorry, got all caught up whipping out my grammar police badge and kind of forgot.

5. How about when you're not on the computer?
If you’re asking what I do during that time…exercise, balance my checkbook, obsessively white out things in my day planner, apply Chapstick, dance in supermarket aisles, watch hockey, watch football, smoke cigarettes, read books, have sex, brush my teeth, drive to the doctor’s office, drive home, take pictures of empty beer glasses, point and laugh at people who pass me on single lane roads when they end up right in front of me at the next red light…honestly, there are far too many things to list them all.

6. What do you wish people who read your blog knew about you?
I’ve pretty much told all my stories already which I suppose is the main reason why I only write like once a month these days.

7. What is your favorite community in the blogosphere?
Hmm, don’t really belong to a community per se. Maybe I should get on that huh?

8. What is your philosophy on your blog layout?
Philosophy: noun; the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct
Clearly I couldn’t possibly have a philosophy due to that word ‘rational’ being plunked in there. See question # 2 as related to the name of my blog again.

9. Tell me about your picture you use to represent you on your blog.
It’s a self-portrait. Simply stunning isn’t it? And obviously I’m like a reincarnated Picasso with those sharpie marker skills.

10. Pick 3 random blogs from your blogroll and tell us about them.
Not doing this, it’s almost as bad as asking me to tag my friends in this piece of crap excuse for a blog post. If you want to know about them then get your ass over to their blogs and read for yourself, they're all pretty rad.

11. What features do you think your blog should have that it doesn't currently?
Incredibly high paying sponsorship.

12. What do you consider the 10 most "telling" interests that we would infer from what you blog persona?
I’m going to spell this very slowly with spacers so maybe whoever wrote this can learn from the second example since they may not have noticed their error the first time – g r a m m a r – should I define it too?
What I think it’s asking of course is to reveal 10 things I like that people who are too lazy or busy to just read through my whole blog should know. Okay here goes: smoking, drinking, sports, sleep, relaxing, writing, music, Matt, family, friends. Not necessarily in that order.

13. Do you have any unique interests that you have never shared before? What are they?
Doubtful.

14. The best thing about blogging is all of the friends that you make, beside from those folks, do you think your blog has fans?
Aside from the fact that should read 'aside', not 'beside'...At night I go to sleep dreaming of the thousands of people that read my blog every day. Note the word “dreaming”.

15. What's your current obsession? What about it captures your imagination?
Tweeting. I’m a wordy bitch so trying to cram it all into that short a message is a challenge I can get behind. Well that and I pretty much just like to hear myself talk so it’s like the next best thing.

16. What are you glad you did but haven't really had a chance to post about?
Decided to give up my retail shop next year and solely focus on the only thing I actually want to do for a living which is to be a writer.

17. How many people that first became a blog friend, have you met face to face?
Hmm, guess I can’t count my mom since we met before the blogging part so I guess 4 so far but maybe another in January and I will get to Colorado next year to hopefully meet two more.

18. What don't you talk about here, either because it's too personal or because you don't have the energy?
Nothing that I’m going to start talking about just because you asked this question, duh.

19. What's a question that you'd love to answer?
“Do you want me to deposit this entire seven figure royalty check all at once or should we split it into a few separate checks?”

20. Have you ever lost a blogging friendship and regretted it?
Don’t think so. Writers & bloggers come and go. Friends, whether they blog anymore or not, are still friends.

21. Have you ever lost a blogging friendship and thought, “Was that overdue!”
Nope, not so much.

As thieved from Sunday Stealing

Don’t Box Me In

And I completely missed that whole Ten on Tuesday thing again yesterday because, well, I was busy doing school work and out looking for a Mark Recchi shirt. Sadly Recchi shirts are pretty much only available at the pro shop or online. Oh well, guess I’ll be heading into Boston this week.

Anyway, I don’t think (at least I hope) that Roots and Rings will mind if I post a day late, again. The thing is, you all know how much I love answering stupid questions about myself, but these are not stupid! These questions are pretty cool. And maybe one of these weeks I’ll even get them posted on the right day. I just can’t be hemmed in by silly rules.

So if your blog needs a pick me up I hope you’ll check out Roots and Rings on Tuesdays (or whenever, like me).

1. From your childhood, what do you miss most about summer vacation?

The part where I don’t have to do any school work. Don’t get me wrong, I am really excited to get my Masters but something about giving up free time in the summer months or having to completely revolve my schedule around when papers are due, at this age is downright silly. Can’t go back though and start over by going to college at 18 so if I want it I guess I’d better suck up the lack of relaxation. Or just read my books and type up my assignments on my laptop while sitting by the pool.

2. Are you going anywhere on vacation this summer?

Sort of, if you call driving across the entire country and stopping to see some friends and family along the way, vacation. Otherwise probably a couple trips to “the lake” with my sister and crew.

3. What foods do you like to barbecue?

If the question is asking what foods get BBQ sauce then pretty much only meats (but truthfully any meat at that point) but if you mean what do I like to cook on the grill the answer would be pretty much anything! Small stuff can steam up in tin foil, meats get a nice smoky flavoring and even water boils over the flame to make stuff like rice or pasta!

4. How do you celebrate the fourth of July?

This will be one of the first years in a while that I won’t get to go to see the Pops and fireworks display in Boston. I have no idea how we’ll celebrate this year but it will likely involve crashing out, hard core, and hopefully on either our new mattress (king size woo hoo!) or new sofa and watching fireworks later that evening.

5. What’s your favorite beverage to drink in the summertime?

Water. Pretty much all year it’s the drink of choice.

6. What movie are you looking forward to seeing this summer?

Hmmm…pretty likely none of them while they’re in theaters but I’ll probably add The Green Lantern to my Netflix queue because I love me some Ryan Reynolds.

7. In the car: windows down or AC?

Oh windows as much as possible. In fact putting my hair up so it doesn’t get all wonky from being wind blown is a reason I started growing it out in the first place!

8. Have you ever had a summer fling?

A girl never kisses and tells.

9. Do you wear sunscreen?

Religiously. I’m Irish and basically opaque so it’s either that or someone will try to toss me in the lobster pot!

10. Do you have any favorite summertime activities?

Beach, swim, drink, laugh, joke with friends, have a fun time, read, soak in the sunshine (hey, just because I do it with SPF 90 on doesn’t mean I don’t love it still!), go to Red Sox games, and this year hockey games too!

I wish the Bruins tons of luck in game one of the Stanley Cup finals tonight, stay out of the box and skate aggressive while Thomas tends to his net! Play that puck like you own it!

Ten on Tuesday, No Way to Avoid It

You all know I’m a complete and total sucker for the tag, meme, whatever you want to call it. Not only are they a nice cop out way to provide a fun blog post but I actually salivate thinking about who else of my bloggy friends will do it so I can jump up and down, clapping while squealing, as I read their answers too. Call me crazy but that’s just me.

So when I was reading my new bloggy friend Jessa’s post this morning (that she obviously posted on time, yesterday, yes I’m late but so be it) where she shared her Ten on Tuesday then linked up to Chelsea over at Roots & Rings to credit the owner of the meme, I already knew I was doing it before I even selected the text to hit copy.

Hooray!

So first of all, you should all seriously check out Jessa because she’s really funny (even if she thinks its only sarcasm) and then take part in this happy little list. Because there are just those days when we all need help to revive our blogs right? So what if its late, maybe its just early for next week or something right?

1. Have you ever used Craigslist?
I am obsessed with craigslist but generally only to sell stuff. At least right now while we’re trying to get rid of half our furniture (read: crap) to move. Matt is always here when people show up though, way too many creepy types out there but so far everyone has shown up with the correct amount of cash and no weapons. These are for sale right now in fact:

2. Can you sew?

Define ‘can you sew’??? Yes, in some circles it could be said that I can sew. A couple weeks ago I hemmed up a pair of jeans. I also have pillows and curtains hanging around my house that I created on my nifty little machine. Plus I sell iPod cozies & other stuff in my shop that I had to sew. But can I make clothes? Well it took me like 3 weeks of lessons with my mom to make a skirt so, again, technically. I’m much better at bags and home décor stuff. I was commissioned to make a few bags including this diaper bag.

3. Do you pour syrup on your pancakes or dip your pancakes in the syrup?

I pour agave nectar over my pancakes, maple syrup is too sweet for me.

4. Rain storms: Love them or hate them?

Thunder storms I totally love but if I see one more drop of rain or cloudy day this spring I might pop a vein. I’m just looking forward to getting to Arizona where I’ll be able to see the thunderstorms coming for miles but its only during one season that the rains come, not 4 seasons of cloud filled skies.

5. Do you like swimming?

I love to swim! In fact I’m kind of like a fish if you want to know the truth. However, because I’m like a fish I try to avoid ocean swimming anymore because sharks really enjoy fish. You know… Also another reason I try to avoid swimming in the ocean is that if I continue to eat ocean fish then it seems only fair that larger, toothier, type swimming animals could decide to eat me (seeing as though I drained their food supply ya know?). Not really going to be a problem in the desert huh?

6. What kind of drink do you order at Sonic?
None. I’ve only been to Sonic once and it was okay but such a pain in the ass to get to that truthfully I haven’t wanted to go back.

7. Are you funny?
Depends on the day but I suppose there are some who would say I’m funny. I suppose its more wit than outright comical though. There are days when I got it, others when I don’t (like today apparently).

8. At what age will your kids get cell phones?
Absolutely never. You know, considering I don’t have, nor plan to have, kids.

9. What’s your favorite vegetable?
Ooh this is a toughie because pretty much all veggies hold a special place in my heart. I love avocado and getting a little obsessed with them lately. But carrots, asparagus, broccoli, sweet potato, green beans, artichoke, lettuce, turnip…the list goes on and on.

10. Were you a Girl Scout?
Yes as a matter of fact I was! I was a Brownie first of course and then I distinctly remember having this ceremony type thing where we walked over a bridge or just to the other side of the stage or something and “became” Girl Scouts. As a Scout, the two clearest memories I have are when I got to turn wool into yarn using brushes and a spinning wheel and when we went overnight to a camp type thing. Camping, as most of you could probably guess, was so not my favorite activity. We all had to eat in this big mess hall and pretty much all everyone did the entire time we were there was create gimp bracelets and key chains (which I couldn’t get the hang of no matter what I did) and gossiped about each other. I just wanted the cookies. I think I lasted until about eighth grade though and then that was enough for me.