Random Dozen for 10.27.10

1. What scares you the most

A) Physically
B) Emotionally

Why does it scare you, and how do you cope?

2. What comes to mind when you read the phrase, "Nothing gold can stay?"

It's Midnight; Link Up for the Random

Random Dozen: I Get By With a Little Help from My Lid

Well, as you know, I bombed this week as far as meeting my Tuesday deadline. So sorry. If I tried to tell you why I was otherwise preoccupied, you probably wouldn't even believe me, but I'm not at liberty to tell, anyway, so just trust me--what a week.

I chastised myself, "I should probably have a couple of these surveys tucked away for weeks such as this," but then I realized, "It's a meme. It's a small meme on a small blog about random questions. It is OK to miss a week." There was a time I would have been afraid of losing readers because of a stunt like this, but that time has passed. So while I'm not proud of my failures, I'm not losing sleep over this failure. There are plenty of others to lose sleep over!

Then Tuesday at work, I received an email message from my friend Linda at Mocha With Linda, in which the subject line read, "You'll get by with a little help from your friend." And within this message were 12 questions, all dressed up and ready to go with me, if I took them by the hand and led them here, which I'm now doing.

So all of these Q's come from "deep in the heart of Texas," yea, even so, the beautiful heart of my Co-Lid. You can see my symbolic picture up there of how the Random is being supported by the Mocha. I'm kinda symbolically artsy like that. Thanks for the piggyback, Lid.

Oh, and one more thing: Linda hosts a weekly meme as well, called "Flashback Friday." So you should hop on over to her blog Thursday and read her prompt so that you can participate on Friday. The button looks like this:




OK, now to your questions. Please return here tomorrow, Thursday, and link up.

1. Do you prefer to read the book or see the movie?
2. What is your favorite holiday and why?
3. Which do you like better - the mountains or the beach?
4. If money were no consideration, what vehicle would you drive?
5. What is your favorite cold-weather beverage?
6. How do you communicate most often with your friends: phone, email, text, face-to-face, or Facebook?
7. How do you receive your mail? Mailbox on the porch, at the end of the driveway, down the street, or post office box?
8. Of the four basic personality types - sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic, and choleric - which is your strongest? Which is your least evident? (See definitions below.)
9. What do you miss the most about being 20?
10. How long from the time you get up, does it take you to get ready to walk out the door in the morning?
11. Who handles the car maintenance and pays the bills in your family?
12. For those in the US, how many states have you visited? For those outside the US, how many provinces/other countries have you visited?

Personality type definitions courtesy Wikipedia:

Sanguine

The Sanguine temperament personality is fairly extroverted. People of a sanguine temperament tend to enjoy social gatherings, making new friends and tend to be quite loud. They are usually quite creative and often daydream. However, some alone time is crucial for those of this temperament. Sanguine can also mean very sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful. Sanguine personalities generally struggle with following tasks all the way through, are chronically late, and tend to be forgetful and sometimes a little sarcastic. Often, when pursuing a new hobby, interest is lost quickly when it ceases to be engaging or fun. They are very much people persons. They are talkative and not shy. For some people, these are the ones you want to be friends with and usually they become life long friends.

Choleric

A person who is choleric is a doer. They have a lot of ambition, energy, and passion, and try to instill it in others. They can dominate people of other temperaments, especially phlegmatic types. Many great charismatic military and political figures were cholerics. They like to be leaders and in charge of everything.

Melancholic

A person who is a thoughtful ponderer has a melancholic disposition. Often very considerate and get rather worried when they could not be on time for events, melancholics can be highly creative in activities such as poetry and art - and can become occupied with the tragedy and cruelty in the world. A melancholic is also often a perfectionist. They are often self-reliant and independent; one negative part of being a melancholic is sometimes they can get so involved in what they are doing they forget to think of others.

Phlegmatic

Phlegmatics tend to be self-content and kind. They can be very accepting and affectionate. They may be very receptive and shy and often prefer stability to uncertainty and change. They are very consistent, relaxed, rational, curious, and observant, making them good administrators and diplomats.

OK, So There's No Number 4. I Got Lazy & You Got a Break.

Dear Alert Readers:

Thank you for all the heads-up I received about neglecting the poor #4. I have no idea what happened to him. Maybe he felt too good to be part of my Random list. Maybe he was a question about national security or the public education system or the meaning of life. And so he just disappeared before I noticed to be disassociated from all the riff-raff questions about high school pictures.

We'll just soldier on without him.

1. Is there a word which you initially mispronounced? Were the circumstances in which you made the faux pas embarrassing? By the way, that's not "foax pass." (I know you know that. Just jokin' with ya.)

2. How do you feel about the use of texting shortcuts and trends? (ex: "I've got ur notes. Get them 2 u 2morow.")

3. Tell me about your high school senior picture. Please feel free to post.

5. Share a high school or college homecoming memory.

6. Linda at Mocha with Linda wants to know: "Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?"

7. Lea at Cici's Corner asks, "What is something you have not done that you desire to do?"

8. Carol at Wanderings of an Elusive Mind ponders, "If you could come back [in another life] as an animal, which would it be?"

9. Joyce from The Other Side of the Pond is curious: "Where were you 10 years ago?" Please feel free to elaborate more than just your physical location.

10. When you are proven to be correct in any contentious discussion, do you gloat?

11. What is your favorite food which includes the ingredient "caramel?"

12. From my 17 year-old daughter to you: "If you could be part of any fictional family, which family would you choose and why?" (She's so cute. And clever.)

Gratuitous pic of the author of #12:

Growing weary of the neon doughnuts. Any suggestions for a new & improved RD button?

I'm growing weary of the neon doughnuts. Any suggestions for a new & improved RD button? If so, slip me an idea in the comments. You are also encouraged to leave any Random Dozen questions for future use!

This week's questions are an amalgam of your suggestions from last week and my own new ones. (Hello, word--amalgam--that I have not used in years which must have lain dormant until such a time as this.) I remember when I first saw amalgam, I wasn't sure whether to pronounce it a-MAL-gam or AMMAL-gam.

Which leads us to the first Random Dozen question this week:

1. Is there a word which you initially mispronounced? Were the circumstances in which you made the faux pas embarrassing? By the way, that's not "foax pass." (I know you know that. Just jokin' with ya.)

2. How do you feel about the use of texting shortcuts and trends? (ex: "I've got ur notes. Get them 2 u 2morow.")

3. Tell me about your high school senior picture. Please feel free to post.

5. Share a high school or college homecoming memory.

6. Linda at Mocha with Linda wants to know: "Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?"

7. Lea at Cici's Corner asks, "What is something you have not done that you desire to do?"

8. Carol at Wanderings of an Elusive Mind ponders, "If you could come back [in another life] as an animal, which would it be?"

9. Joyce from The Other Side of the Pond is curious: "Where were you 10 years ago?" Please feel free to elaborate more than just your physical location.

10. When you are proven to be correct in any contentious discussion, do you gloat?

11. What is your favorite food which includes the ingredient "caramel?"

12. From my 17 year-old daughter to you: "If you could be part of any fictional family, which family would you choose and why?" (She's so cute. And clever.)

Please post your answers tomorrow, then come back here to link up. Happy Randomizing!

Your Random Awaits

Please leave comments as you visit! Bloggers live for comments!

1. From "Men Are Dumb ....": If you had a theme song that played whenever you walked into a room full of people, what would it be?

2. From Pam of "Alert And Oriented x 4": Which of your shoes are your absolute favorite, and which are of the object of your most painful shoe-buyer's remorse?

3. From Susanne of "Living to Tell the Story": Tell about your favorite birthday celebration that you've personally experienced.

4. From Lori of "Just me and My Life": If you were a flavor of ice cream, which would you be?

5. Cindy Swanson of "Notes in the Key of Life" asks: Have you ever had a crush on a movie star? Who was it, and are you still crushing?

6. Jill from "Jill Boyd's Place" inquires: Glasses or braces--if you had to wear one, which would it be?

7. Nel from "Fasteneau Facts" asks: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

8. Thena from "Patiently Waiting" wants to know: If money were no obstacle, what would be the perfect birthday gift to receive?

9. From "Life Through Bifocals," LynnMarie asks: What is your favorite birthday meal?

10. Debby at "Just Breathe" checks in with: Do you still send hand-written thank you notes?

11. Linda from "Mocha with Linda" poses this question: What is something you've done that you never thought you'd do?

12. Jewel, my homegirl from Indiana who writes at "Musings from the World of Jewel," is very insistent that we answer this: Mount Rushmore honors four US Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. If you could add any person to Mount Rushmore, who would you add and why?

Excellent questions, All! Here we go ....

It Was My Birthday, And You Wrote the Random!

Asking you guys to submit questions is like THE smartest thing I've ever done in my 47--no, wait--48 years.

I wish I could link each question to its creator, but I realized as people copied and pasted the links would not copy anyway, so if you would like to visit the person who created the interesting question you're answering, please see the comments section of yesterday's post. Clear as mud?

Anyway, thank you all. Happily, I received more than enough questions for this week, so I'll have leftovers for next week! Whee! If you are not included this week, please look for your question next week.

OK. Remember: Read and compose today, post tomorrow, link tomorrow and visit others. Please leave comments as you visit! Bloggers live for comments!

1. From "Men Are Dumb ....": If you had a theme song that played whenever you walked into a room full of people, what would it be?

2. From Pam of "Alert And Oriented x 4": Which of your shoes are your absolute favorite, and which are of the object of your most painful shoe-buyer's remorse?

3. From Susanne of "Living to Tell the Story": Tell about your favorite birthday celebration that you've personally experienced.

4. From Lori of "Just me and My Life": If you were a flavor of ice cream, which would you be?

5. Cindy Swanson of "Notes in the Key of Life" asks: Have you ever had a crush on a movie star? Who was it, and are you still crushing?

6. Jill from "Jill Boyd's Place" inquires: Glasses or braces--if you had to wear one, which would it be?

7. Nel from "Fasteneau Facts" asks: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

8. Thena from "Patiently Waiting" wants to know: If money were no obstacle, what would be the perfect birthday gift to receive?

9. From "Life Through Bifocals," LynnMarie asks: What is your favorite birthday meal?

10. Debby at "Just Breathe" checks in with: Do you still send hand-written thank you notes?

11. Linda from "Mocha with Linda" poses this question: What is something you've done that you never thought you'd do?

12. Jewel, my homegirl from Indiana who writes at "Musings from the World of Jewel," is very insistent that we answer this: Mount Rushmore honors four US Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. If you could add any person to Mount Rushmore, who would you add and why?

Excellent questions, All! Here we go ....

It's Girls Group Random Dozen Link Up

We have contacted our Internet provider, and they said they cannot fix our problem at home until Friday, so I may not be able to respond to any questions, etc., for a couple of days, but you guys go right ahead and party on, OK?!

If you're looking for the questions, please see yesterday's post.

Have fun!!!

Random Dozen from The Girls of Girls Group

I'm actually at the local library as I write this because our Internet is down at home, has been for several days. Just thought I'd throw in a little "real time" drama for you.

So last night I was whining about not having questions ready for this week, and my partners IRL crime, aka "Girls Group," began suggesting questions like a machine gun suggests bullets. I felt assaulted by questions. But I thank them because I was truly askin' for it.

1. Do you believe, somewhere deep inside, that blondes do indeed have more fun? That they are "dumber" than brunettes or redheads? Be honest!

2. Which animal would you most like to observe in its wild habitat?

3. This week the U.N. announced that Dr. Mazlan Othman has been appointed the official "Alien Ambassador," should any extraterrestrials contact us. Have you, or has anyone you know, ever seen a UFO?

4. Name your favorite Hitchcock film.

5. Would you rather spend time at the library, the mall, a craft store or home?

6. Which Disney princess is your favorite? (Or Disney character, if you are a guy)

7. What kind of art is your favorite?

8. How do you feel about viral videos, that is, videos made by amateurs that end up on Youtube receiving thousands of hits?

9. Where do you buy your jeans?

10. Tell me about your first automobile accident.

11. Have you ever been honest when you knew you would benefit more if you would be dishonest?

12. If you were appointed "Ambassador to Aliens," what would you show and tell first about life on Earth? What would be the most difficult thing to explain?

*Remember to post your answers onyour blog Wednesday, then come back here, link up so that others can see what you wrote, then go visit and say nice things to your RD12playmates! Have fun, and THANKS for playing!*

Random Dozen, Hello Fall

1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything?

2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military?

3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you.

4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality?

5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents.

6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo?

7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep?

8. Share a favorite movie quote.

9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent?

10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to?

11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently.

12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be?

Really Random Dozen ~ Happy First Day of Fall!

This is a super-duper amped up Random because I just sat down to copy my previously-created questions here and discovered I accidentally gave them to my just-moved-out daughter in a pile of her mail. So she's probably at home right now (Monday night, 9:37) trying to figure out why in the world I gave her such a strange list! "Why would Mom want to know my favorite flavor of gum???"

I tried to call her, but she's not answering, so I'm on my own. I have to come up with 12 questions for you asap. Remember to post your answers tomorrow and then immediately come here to link up.

1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything? (I just came from my dad's ceremony wherein he was given a medal of honor by the French government for service in France in WWII. Pictures to follow.)

2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military?

3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you.

4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality?

5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents.

6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo?

7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep?

8. Share a favorite movie quote.

9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent?

10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to?

11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently.

12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be?

Join Up at the Random Dozen Waterin' Hole

1. Do you do garage sales? If so, tell me about one great find. If not, tell me why not.
2. Name the last thing you fixed.
3. Name your A) Favorite item of makeup OR B) Favorite tool
4. Which room in your home needs organizing more than any other?
5. Which room could use re-decorating?
6. Share something unique about your town.
7. If you could send a one-sentence message to your great-grandchild, what would it be?
8. Do you Facebook?
9. Describe your favorite shoes.
10. Do you listen to more talk radio or more music radio? What kind of station is it?
11. How far would you travel for a really good (favorite) meal?
12. If you were totally honest with yourself (and us) what should you probably be doing right now instead of blogging?

The One Millionth Random Dozen?

OK, maybe not 1,000,000, but sometimes it sure feels like it! You should see me all week long--searching everywhere, over and under any topic, looking for a suitable question. It's getting ridiculously funny. I know there have been some repeats, and I'm plainly stating there will be more because as curious as I am about everything in life, I'm running on empty, Jackson Browne.

Until then, here are this week's questions. Remember--you read and write today, post your answers on your on own blog on Wednesday, then link that post here at this blog, then go visit others. Have fun!

1. Do you do garage sales? If so, tell me about one great find. If not, tell me why not.
2. Name the last thing you fixed.
3. Name your A) Favorite item of makeup OR B) Favorite tool
4. Which room in your home needs organizing more than any other?
5. Which room could use re-decorating?
6. Share something unique about your town.
7. If you could send a one-sentence message to your great-grandchild, what would it be?
8. Do you Facebook?
9. Describe your favorite shoes.
10. Do you listen to more talk radio or more music radio? What kind of station is it?
11. How far would you travel for a really good (favorite) meal?
12. If you were totally honest with yourself (and us) what should you probably be doing right now instead of blogging?

I Labored Over My RD12 Answers ....

1. Describe the best sandwich in the world, according to you.

After reading someone's answer today (Who, Brain, who? Who said this? I don't know.) I drove myself right over to Panera and got the Mediterranean Veggie. Mmmmmm good. I also love the Veggie Delights at Subway. Not so into meat, as you can tell.

2. Which inspires you more: a good conversation, a song, a book or movie?

Song. It can be intentionally inspirational (like Jason Gray's "More Like Falling in Love") or it can be an oldie that evokes memories (70s songs) or it can be current and just change my whole outlook (John Mayer, Maroon 5). The happiest song ever written? "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves.

3. What is your favorite board game?

I think I would agree with many of you and answer "Scrabble." A pseudo board game I enjoy is Scattergories.

4. As you grow older, are you more or less patient with small children?

More. The other day a little one spilled a drink in a restaurant, and the mother, while calm and staid, got her crew together and exited quickly, with this little one crying and reaching up to her to be picked up. I don't blame her for wanting to get out of there, but my heart broke for Little Spiller. When I have a grandchild, this softness could be problematic with the parents, but I will try to keep my mouth shut.

5. Name one item you never let yourself run out of.

Paper towel and toilet paper, in that order, for some reason.

6. Do you agree with Tennyson's assertion, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?"

Honestly, the pain has been so bad that I would say I disagree. If I had never loved, I could still live in a Disney dream world and hope for the future. I would grieve not having a real relationship, I'm sure, but I would have been spared deep, deep heartache. That's just me, being honest.

7. Name one national treasure or monument that you have visited.

Grand Canyon. I was only about 7, but I'll never forget it.

8. Which is more painful, to be disappointed in someone else or to be disappointed in yourself?

I'm more shocked when someone else disappoints me. I tend to put people on pedestals. But I get more angry with myself for messing up.

9. What makes your kitchen uniquely yours?

A black and white accent wall that has a large damask pattern. Also, lots of paper goods. Because I would rather not do dishes or cook. All of those paper goods sing, "Lid's Kitchen, Come and Get It (Yourself!)"

10. Are you a crafty person?

Not really, BUT--I have picked up a new hobby, which I shall reveal soon. It is along the craft vein.

11. What is your favorite traditional picnic or bbq (cookout) food?

This appears to be a simple question at first glance, but wow--the choices are all clamoring for their day in the sun, as it were. OK--this will shock you, since I don't like meat that much, but I do love a grilled hot dog. If I went vegetarian, which I plan to, I would have the most trouble giving up bacon and grilled hot dogs. "Yuck" in theory and at the molecular level, "YUM" at the tastebud level.

12. Name one leisurely activity you enjoyed over Labor Day Weekend.

I watched two TCM movies back to back and worked on my new hobby!

Labor Day Link Up

Hope yesterday's questions weren't too laborious for you, heh heh. Not to belabor the point, but today's the day you publish your post, link up here, then go visit others. May your blog hopping/nice commenting be a labor of love!

RD 12 for Labor Day Week 2010

Here are your prompts for this week. Please publish your RD post tomorrow and link up here. Then visit other participants and leave a kind word or two!

1. Describe the best sandwich in the world, according to you.
2. Which inspires you more: a good conversation, a song, a book or movie?
3. What is your favorite board game?
4. As you grow older, are you more or less patient with small children?
5. Name one item you never let yourself run out of.
6. Do you agree with Tennyson's assertion, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?"
7. Name one national treasure or monument that you have visited.
8. Which is more painful, to be disappointed in someone else or to be disappointed in yourself?
9. What makes your kitchen uniquely yours?
10. Are you a crafty person?
11. What is your favorite traditional picnic or bbq (cookout) food?
12. Name one leisurely activity you enjoyed over Labor Day Weekend.

Chiming In

1. What insect are you most afraid of? Feel free to post a picture.

I'm like a couple of you--I'm not so much an insect-phobe as I am a gator/bear phobe. BUT--the first time I went to Kazakhstan, after days and nights of travel, I stepped out into the night in a wooded setting and saw the most giant Asian beetle you could imagine. I wanted to turn around and travel days and nights back home.

2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do?

Yikes. Not much green about me. I re-use Walmart bags for trash can liners? I re-use towels in hotels to conserve energy? That's all I can think of.

3. Tell me about a recurring dream that haunts you.

I know that I have blogged about this before. It goes like this: There is a dead body in the room, and I seem to be the only one who notices or feels any sense of urgency. I keep raising my voice, threatening to call 911, etc., but people are just shuffling around, fixing sandwiches, filing nails, watching TV, etc. HUGELY frustrating and distressing. And funny, when I wake up.

4. Have you ever missed a flight? What were the circumstances?

Jorge and missed a flight from LA to Indy on the way back from HI. This is going to be filed under the "I know you think I make this up" file. We fell asleep in LAX, and stayed asleep in those uncomfortable chairs while announcements were made, while people around us got up and boarded, through the last call, through everything. I woke to the sound of a custodian sweeping. Jorge awoke to the sound of me WAILING because we missed our flight home to see our babies! For those of you who know how I hate to fly, I have come to believe that this incident was the genesis of the fear of airports.

5. What do you consider your best feature?

Non-physical: humor. Physical: Probably eyes. That's what Jorge would say, anyway.

6. What was the last concert you went to?

I cannot remember! I can tell you who I'd like to see, though: Michelle Branch or Maroon 5 or Duffy.

7. Describe the most embarrassing church moment you ever experienced.

I dropped the offering bucket. Change went everywhere. Months later, I wrote a newspaper column joking about the "usher dance" that ushes do when they get confused on their aisles as they pass the collection buckets. That weekend, an usher said to me, "I may do the usher dance, but I don't drop whole buckets of money all over the floor." BLUSH!!

8. Are you a whistler, hummer or singer?

Singer. At least that's what I call it!

9. George Washington Carver said, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." What is God saying to you through nature today, or this very minute?

Well, I'm inside right this very minute, with my Girls Group, actually. I've got my Netbook, and we're all chatting. They're sipping frappes, but I'm not because I had a Cinnamon Dolce earlier. Anyway, I did take the long way around the parking lot today at work when I got the mail because I enjoy the sun so much. It's still hovering around 90* here. But the sun made me think of the CS Lewis quote about the sun:

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."


10. On September, 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. What memorable event will take place in your life on September 1, 2010?

It's 9:05 pm as I write this, so I only have a little time left for something memorable to happen on Sept. 1. So far, though, crickets.

11. Taco Bell or the Liberty Bell? (You must choose.)

The Bell of Mexico tolls for me.

12. Do you believe men and women can have purely platonic friendships?

Yes, at least on the part of one, if that one finds the other completely unattractive. Still, though, I think it's a tad risky, to be honest.

Thanks for playing this week. I may not have come around to see everyone, but I do appreciate the support and participation! You're the BEST!

Linky Link

1. What insect are you most afraid of? Feel free to post a picture.
2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do?
3. Tell me about a recurring dream that haunts you.
4. Have you ever missed a flight? What were the circumstances?
5. What do you consider your best feature?
6. What was the last concert you went to?
7. Describe the most embarrassing church moment you ever experienced.
8. Are you a whistler, hummer or singer?
9. George Washington Carver said, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." What is God saying to you through nature today, or this very minute?
10. On September, 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. What memorable event will take place in your life on September 1, 2010?
11. Taco Bell or the Liberty Bell? (You must choose.)
12. Do you believe men and women can have purely platonic friendships?

RD 12 for the Week of 8.30.10

Read today, post tomorrow and link here tomorrow.

1. What insect are you most afraid of? Feel free to post a picture.
2. What is the greenest/most organic thing about you or that you do?
3. Tell me about a recurring dream that haunts you.
4. Have you ever missed a flight? What were the circumstances?
5. What do you consider your best feature?
6. What was the last concert you went to?
7. Describe the most embarrassing church moment you ever experienced.
8. Are you a whistler, hummer or singer?
9. George Washington Carver said, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." What is God saying to you through nature today, or this very minute?
10. On September, 1, 1752, the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia. What memorable event will take place in your life on September 1, 2010?
11. Taco Bell or the Liberty Bell? (You must choose.)
12. Do you believe men and women can have purely platonic friendships?

My Turn to Answer the RD12

1. What is your favorite Mexican dish?

Vegetable nachos. I order the same thing, at the same restaurant, every time. The restaurant is Puerto Vallarta, lovingly known around here as "PV," or the "Don't tell me what their last inspection rating was" place.

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate?

I can't remember homework when I was little, but in high school, I would come home, watch General Hospital, have a glass of Hawaiian punch (a drink to unwind from a stressful day??) and watch Merv Griffin. Then I worked until I got it done.

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings?

For smaller items, Ikea, Hobby Lobby, and Target. That's 3, I know, but it's my meme and everything.

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches?

YES.

5. Is religion a crutch?

"Crutch" is a cloudy word. Sounds negative. In some ways, yes, it could be, in the sense of "using" a system for one's own selfish or inwardly focused reasons. It is not a bad thing to dependent on God; in fact, it's a good thing, but religion as an institution, I think not. So instead of the image of a crutch that you lean on, I think the ground under you completely supporting you is better. *For more intelligent answers to this question, please see the answers of all the other participants and theologians who have been addressing this question for many years!*

6. In your region, what is the "big" (most popular in the community or state) high school sport?

Basketball. Indiana = basketball. A hoop in every other driveway.

7. Do you consider yourself rich?

If a person walked up to me and asked me that point-blank, I would probably be put off and say, "Heavens, no." But the reality is, on the world's scale, I am extremely rich, materially speaking. This is hard to wrap my mind around, but it's a statistical fact. I listened to a great talk on this subject recently at my church, Commonway.

8. Which of these would you have the best chance for success in administering:
A) CPR
B) Heimlich Maneuver
C) Changing a flat tire

I still do not know how to change a flat. I have a mental block. So I'd say Heimlich.

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why:
A) Salsa
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz
D) Swing

Waltz. They're beautiful. And not too intricate. 3/4 time works for me! Love the song "Christmas Waltz" with the lyrics "Merry Christmas
May your New Year dreams come true
And this song of mine
In three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
The same thing too
Merry Christmas to you." Can't you just hear Karen Carpenter singing that?

10. What's the worst news you've ever delivered to someone?

I had to tell my mother that her mother had passed away. I was only 16.

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics.

Beware clingy friends. Beware those in authority (like teacher supervisors) who see college students in the classroom as an excuse to kick back and do absolutely nothing. Beware putting your boyfriend on a pedestal and making that relationship the center of your life. Should I go on?

12. New variation on an old question: If there's a song in your head that just won't get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song?

Oh, half of my heart's got a grip on the situation
Half of my heart takes time
Half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you
That I can't keep loving you (can't keep loving you)
Oh, with half of my heart John Mayer

Bet you thought I'd link to John right here, but no, I'm linking to Karen. The song actually starts at 1:50 into the interview. Makes me want to dance with someone.