Writing About Writing

Wolfgrrrl tagged me. It's been a great way to spend the morning. Unlike most tags (which I dearly love anyway) it made me think, it made me go slowly; it made me write, not just answer.

A note to $$, Rose, CrackerLilo and the Lovely Cats ~ if you've got the time, I would be fascinated to read your answers as well. I guess that means I'm tagging you...but not really. Just curious.

And now, without further ado...

What is the last thing you wrote? Fiction ~ the first paragraph of the new novel; Nonfiction ~ a proposal for a new book

Was it any good? Fiction ~ I think so. I was a little surprised to be writing this one now so I was worried about it. But the scene came to me in the tub and it's a good hook. Nonfiction ~ we'll know after pub board!

What’s the first thing you ever wrote that you still have? Unfortunately, I lost most of my earliest writings in the divorce so probably the initial scenes for the novel I just finished. Interestingly enough, I do still have some of the Lovely Cats' writings from high school. And no, I can't be bribed.

Write poetry? Gack, no.

Angsty poetry? Not since high school (ttg) and even then, not often. I have always been more of an essayist. Although, again, I'm sure the Lovely Cats can vouch for a couple bad poems from my past.

Favorite genre of writing? Fiction ~ I am most comfortable with romance. Nonfiction ~ I love writing essays.

Most fun character you ever created? A wonderful woman named Elaine. She's an agent and delightfully over the top. Gets to say things such as (after grabbing a random server and ordering an espresso and being reminded he wasn't their waiter): He's a waiter. I don't care who he belongs to so long as he brings me my coffee.

Most annoying character you ever created? Lizza. Sadly enough, she is the heroine in the book that includes Elaine. I'm probably going to have to find another place for Elaine to live because Lizza just annoys me with her whining and bitterness.

Best plot you ever created? For a short story ~ the main female character is going insane and never knows if she's going to wake up in a New York City apartment with her actor-lover or her house on the Cape with her banker-husband.

Coolest plot twist you ever created? I can't tell. Buy the book. ;)

How often do you get writers block? Temporarily, as in "Gack, I don't know what comes next; think I'll go take a nap instead" probably once a week. That soul-sucking, can't remember how I ever wrote anything before, have no clue why I claim to be a writer, the others must have been a fluke BLOCK block, has only happened a handful of times. It's a horrible feeling, though.

Write fan fiction? No. Generally speaking, I enjoy giving my own characters life. Even when there are characters I wish I written or think I could add to their lives, they are already there and have their own lives. Who am I to force them into something?

Do you type or write by hand? I write long-hand most often (am actually transcribing this!) but will occasionally find myself typing madly. Generally, though, I write it all out and then use the transcription process as a chance to do some editing. At first, I used my fountain pens but the cartridges get expensive when you're writing hundreds of pages at a time. Flowing ink is a necessity, though, so now I'm fond of the Pilot G-2.

Do you save everything you write? I save the finished product of everything I write. I may delete a scene or a paragraph but the finished (or unfinished) product gets tucked away somewhere.

Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you have abandoned it? I don't really ever consider a project abandoned. Even if haven't come back to it recently, I might one day.

What’s your favorite thing that you’ve written? A short story entitled Revenge of the Brunette. I wrote it for my friend, Coffee Girl, while she was going through a rough patch. It took about an hour and a half but there's something about it that I really love.

What’s everyone else’s favorite story that you’ve written? The novel I just finished.

Do you ever show people your work? Professionally, sure. I have to. Personally, there are only a handful of people who get to see/read what I write before it's ready to go to the professional folks. And then there's the blog. :)

Did you ever write a novel? Why yes. Yes, I have.

Ever written romance or teen angsty drama? Romance is my genre. I've been told it's closer to chick-lit but I'd rather think of it as trashy romance.

What’s your favorite setting for your characters? My characters come to me already living somewhere. I just roll with that.

How many writing projects are you working on right now? Five. Two fiction; one nonfiction; an article for a local paper in which I have a monthly column; and a script for a friend who wants to do a children's play with some local kids.

Do you want to write for a living? And give thanks every day that I do.

Have you ever won an award for your writing? In terms of what this question is really asking, no. However, I have books on the shelves of stores, novels in copy edits and a monthly column in a fun, funky newspaper. That's award enough for me, thankyouverymuch.

Ever written something in script or play format? My Dear One asked for a couple of scripts for horror movies he wanted. I guess they turned out okay. I learned I don't write B-horror movies well, though, because in romance, there's a lot of talking. Not so much in B-horror. The script I'm working on now is an adaptation of The Emperor's New Clothes so it's not really mine.

What are your five favorite words? I don't have them when it comes to my writing ~ although I am fond of Wolfgrrrl's" Here. Is. Your. Pay. Check." (spelling changed for nationality difference.) ;)

Do you ever write based on yourself? Not specifically but I think all of my characters have parts of me in them.

What character have you created that most resembles yourself? Probably David, from my first full novel. He's a hopeless romantic at heart but has a difficult time showing it. I'm better at showing my romantic side ~ but that's because I'm more willing to work on it than he is.

Where do you get your ideas for your other characters? Everywhere. Some are amalgamations of people I know; some are based on people I know (I know great people for loosely fictionalizing!); some say things that I overheard walking through a grocery store. Nemeria and Teach gave me a sweatshirt that reads "Be Careful or You'll End Up in My Novel." That pretty much sums it up.

Do you ever write based on your dreams? My dreams are too bizarre to be anything but my dreams.

Do you favor happy endings, sad endings, or cliff hangers? I like happies. Even the stuff I write that has a cliffhanger or vague ending points to happy in the long run.

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen? Every Edward Gorey makes me want to write about it ~ but I never have.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write? I am. I admit it.

Ever write something entirely in chatspeak? I don't even chat in chatspeak.

Entirely in L337? Hm...considering I'm not even sure what this means, I'll go with no.

Does music help you write? When I'm writing fiction, no. I ignore it, at best, or find it distracting, at worst. With my nonfiction, it is very helpful.

Quote something you’ve written Ugh... Tough but here we go. An excerpt from "Revenge of the Brunette":

I’m from Philadelphia originally. Okay. That’s a lie. I’m not. I’m from Allentown. But who the hell wants to be from Allentown? Remember the Billy Joel song? The really depressing one? He gave the place more credit than it deserves. Now, I know everybody thinks their hometown is too small, too conservative, too stifling, too whatever. But mine really is. So I tell people I’m from Philly. What difference does it make out here in L.A. anyway. I haven’t been back in years.

My earliest memories of my sister are her looking at me and asking “Why are you the way you are?” I must have been six or seven. I couldn’t have been eight because we still lived in the apartment on Vine Street. I would laugh and twirl and run off from her like it didn’t matter.

My earliest memories of my mother are her stroking my hair as I tried to hide the tears on my pillow. Only once my sister couldn’t see, though. Her hearing wasn’t a problem. Even then I could cry silently. Mom would stroke my hair, brush it away from my face and pretend not to notice the wet on my cheeks. “You go right on being just who and how you are, Little One.” Her voice was strength tinged with sad. She was a brunette, too. She died six years ago. I was living in New York and went back for the funeral. By that time I had learned not to cry at all, silently or otherwise. My sister looked at my dry eyes and asked “Why are you the way you are?” The next day, I twirled away, all the way out here to the West Coast, like it didn’t matter. My sister lives in Allentown. She’s not from Philadelphia.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Damn

I hate when I let a friend down. Even when it's not my fault, my doing, or under my control in anyway. It sits in my gut like oozy lead. By the 18th, the situation will be past and I will feel okay again. Until then...

I hate when I let a friend down.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

LOL Daisy and Silly Little Somethings

What My Name Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

You Are A Chestnut Tree

You are a born diplomat with a well developed sense of justice. And even though you're impressive and intimidating, you're also fun to be around. You can be irritated easily, and you sometimes act superior. Nevertheless, you are sensitive of others feelings and very loyal. Sometimes you feel misunderstood and are fiercely close to those who know you best.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

Those are Pobble and Daisy Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

A Little Jaunt

Lithus and I took a couple days off. It was lovely.

The view from the hotel...


My favorite building in the view from the hotel...


A sight that threw me at first...

Now, just a clarification...At first I thought I was thrown because there was an American flag at all. I certainly didn't expect one (although it's very nice that they fly it.) Then I realized ~ it's not the fact of the flag. It's the fact that the flag is tattered. I'm not In The Least offended. I still think it's flattering the hotel is flying it. They certainly don't have to afterall. However, here in the States, you don't see a tattered American flag flying and it took a little while for me to figure out what was different.

Curious architecture...
(I do understand this is a demolition/renovation project ~ and it's a fascinating demolition/renovation project!)

Finally, leave it to me to go all the way across a landmass, into another country and still (unknowingly, unintentionally) park in front of this...


And something I learned: one should never refer to Hawkins' Cheezies with the phrase "Oh, sure; Cheetos."

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Lots and Nothing ~ With An Addendum

There is so much going on ~ and nothing to write about. Daily life. Good, solid, happy daily life. New work. Semi-new relationship. Old friends. New friends. Laughter and silence and puppy snuggles. Yet...nothing to write about.

And sometimes, that's nice, too.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Goodness gracious! What was I thinking???? There are SHOES, people! Check 'em out. Because shoes are Always blog-worthy. :)

And Then There Were Two...

Business Words You Should Know: 1000 Essential Words and Phrases for Any Job (Paperback) by H. Dean, Ph.D. McKay (Author), P. T. Shank (Author)

---

List Price: $9.95

Availability: In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Order early. Order often. My bank account and I thank you. :)

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Sympathy v. Empathy

Marriage. Civil unions. Domestic partnership. The great debate. States are scrambling. Congress is scrambling. Presidential candidates are scrambling.

In my opinion, they’ve gotten it right in Massachusetts. Same-sex couples can marry or register as domestic partners. Opposite-sex couples can marry or register as domestic partners. The laws, quite simply, apply to everyone.

It’s different here in my new state. Here, same-sex couples cannot marry but they can register as domestic partners. Opposite-sex couples can marry but they cannot register as domestic partners (unless one of them is over 62 years old.) If you are lesbian or gay and have made a run to Canada or MA, your spouse has no rights but your domestic partner does. If you are straight, your partner has no rights but your spouse does.

There’s something very wrong with this picture.

I have been a human and civil rights activist for a long time now. I have issues that mean more to me, of course, yet if it can fall into the “rights” category, I feel strongly about it. But let’s face it, people: I’m privileged. I’m white. I’m straight. I’ve never been less than middle-class and have spent most of my life upper-middle class. All the sympathy and activism in my heart and in my actions cannot change the fact that societal norms are stacked in my favor. To the point that, if we cannot live in an equal and fair society, since we do not live in a world without privilege, I can and must admit it’s my turn – the turn of the straight, white folks.

Luckily, because I am aware of my privilege and do feel the way I feel, yesterday wasn’t the shock it might have been. Yesterday, for the first time, the laws of my state and my country do not protect me. They do not apply to me. They actively exclude me. You see, I am partnered – deeply, committedly partnered – but not married. And apparently, straight folks are supposed to be married.

Because I haven’t taken my privilege for granted in years, I recognize the pain being denied a right can cause. Because I have been sympathetic for years, I have seen first hand as confusion turns to frustration, turns to anger. What I learned today, though, is that sympathy has nothing on empathy.

So this is what it feels like to have your choices, your status, your very self be negated and invalidated by the law. So this is what it does to your heart, your spirit, your soul to be told that you don’t count. To be told that you cannot care for the person you love; that you cannot make decisions for him should he get sick; that he cannot visit you should you need him. That you cannot see your step-son. That he isn’t even really your step-son. That another person, who has her own agenda, who only wants to exert her power because she can, is more legitimate and more valid than you are.

Honestly, it’s good for me. I wish there was some way, some possible way, for all of us who carry privilege to experience this. If it kicked me in the gut this hard and was such a wake-up for someone like me, imagine the changes it could make in a society who is, for the most part, oblivious.

For now, though, I’ve learned how it feels.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

I Know A Place or Borrowed Money and a Shout Out

BDS over at Two Dollar Productions recommended this meme so I thought I'd try it.

The rules:
1. Put your music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. (This is in capital letters, so it is very serious.) (That parenthesis actually came with the rules and weren't added by me, curiously enough. But this was, of course. digressing, Pobble...)
4. Add editorial comments in parenthesis after most song names. (Okay, this wasn't in the rules $$ passed along but it's me and I can't not make editorial comments.)

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY? Ain't Misbehaven - Ella Fitzgerald
2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash (*giggle*)
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Past Time with Good Company - Blackmore's Night (I wonder which is more important ~ the good company part or the past times part?)
4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Lime in the Coconut - Harry Nilsson
5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE? The Boys are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy (perhaps...)
6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (and this one was a little freaky in its accuracy)
7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Ballad of Bilbo Baggins - Leonard Nimoy (oh good Lord, I hope not ~ but I can see it.)
8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? Mack the Knife - Brian Setzer Orchestra
9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Yeah! - Usher
10. WHAT IS 2+2? Terrible Lie - Nine Inch Nails
11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Jump in the Line - Harry Belafonte (hahahahahahahahahahahaha...oh, if you knew the Divine M, you'd know why this is PERFECT!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!)
12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane (another honest response, not a plant, I swear!)
13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? The Miller's Son from A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim
14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Island in the Sun - Weezer
15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Canyon Moonrise - Celtic Fiddle Festival (yep, true if you know the song, what it makes me feel and my feelings on moonrise in general. okay, the mushy, schmoopy interlude is over now.)
16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Summer in the City - Lovin' Spoonful (this is true AND my mother might actually at least know this song...)
17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? We Could Be Heroes - (I didn't put the artist in here; ooops! but another accurate one)
18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Southern Cross - Crosby, Stills and Nash
19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? Miss Murder - AFI (and hiding the bodies, afterward, of course)
20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Makin' Whoopee - Eddie Cantor
21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Stay - Jackson Browne (another freaky-true answer!)
22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS? I Know a Place - Petula Clark

Good fun for me, anyway. Hope you enjoyed it, too. :) A scary number of them were accurate.

As for the shout-out promised in the title of this post...Look over there. There. On the left. In my links. You'll notice "Speaker FTB" has been added. He doesn't post often (at least not as often as I'd like him to and, as we all know, it's all about me!) but he posts well.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Life With Timber

I am adjusting to being a step-thingy and to having a step-thingy. Although it is an adjustment. We had our first afternoon/evening together without Lithus this week.

Me: Any homework tonight?
Timber: No, but I do have a math test tomorrow that I need help studying for.
Me: (externally) Okay, let's take a look at it and see what we can do.
Me: (internally) FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Timber: I have a song I want you to hear.
Me: Okay.
Timber puts on the song "Geeks in Love"
Me: Cool song.
Timber: Yeah, it reminds me of you and my dad.
Me: (laughing) Thanks.
Timber: I'm planning on playing it at your wedding.
Me: (externally) Oh really? Think there's gonna be a wedding, huh?
Me: (internally) FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please, Goddess, let my internal monologue stay internal.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

It Never Ceases to Amaze Me

* how magnificent the ravens who live in our trees are

* how much my friends and I love each other

* how much pee Daisy can hold in her little bladder

* how kind people can be if you are kind first

* how low exes can sink

* how, with a click of a mouse, I can be in touch with someone across town, across the country, across the world

* how similar two people can be while still being so different

* how old friendships can deepen and new friendships blossom

* how indomitable the human spirit continues to be

* how miraculous every single day truly is

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Not About the Election

I've got a favor to ask you, dear reader. I ask that you read this next article, not as it pertains to the specific election that is occurring in the US right now, but as a general view of gender politics in the US. If you have read this blog for long, you realize I am not a huge Clinton supporter (and the article has been edited to remove some of Steinem's views on Clinton specifically, rather than just a statement of gender) and the italics are mine because gender rights are only one set of rights I am concerned about and committed to. All that being said, I'm still not a huge Clinton supporter ~ but this article spells out why I wish I could be.

Women Are Never Front-Runners

By GLORIA STEINEM

Published: January 8, 2008


THE woman in question became a lawyer after some years as a community organizer, married a corporate lawyer and is the mother of two little girls, ages 9 and 6. Herself the daughter of a white American mother and a black African father — in this race-conscious country, she is considered black — she served as a state legislator for eight years, and became an inspirational voice for national unity.

Be honest: Do you think this is the biography of someone who could be elected to the United States Senate? After less than one term there, do you believe she could be a viable candidate to head the most powerful nation on earth?

If you answered no to either question, you're not alone. Gender is probably the most restricting force in American life, whether the question is who must be in the kitchen or who could be in the White House. This country is way down the list of countries electing women and, according to one study, it polarizes gender roles more than the average democracy.

That's why the Iowa primary was following our historical pattern of making change. Black men were given the vote a half-century before women of any race were allowed to mark a ballot, and generally have ascended to positions of power, from the military to the boardroom, before any women (with the possible exception of obedient family members in the latter).

If the lawyer described above had been just as charismatic but named, say, Achola Obama instead of Barack Obama, her goose would have been cooked long ago. Indeed, neither she nor Hillary Clinton could have used Mr. Obama's public style — or Bill Clinton's either — without being considered too emotional by Washington pundits.

So why is the sex barrier not taken as seriously as the racial one? The reasons are as pervasive as the air we breathe: because sexism is still confused with nature as racism once was; because anything that affects males is seen as more serious than anything that affects "only" the female half of the human race; because children are still raised mostly by women (to put it mildly) so men especially tend to feel they are regressing to childhood when dealing with a powerful woman; because racism stereotyped black men as more "masculine" for so long that some white men find their presence to be masculinity-affirming (as long as there aren't too many of them); and because there is still no "right" way to be a woman in public power without being considered a you-know-what.

I'm not advocating a competition for who has it toughest. The caste systems of sex and race are interdependent and can only be uprooted together. That's why Senators Clinton and Obama have to be careful not to let a healthy debate turn into the kind of hostility that the news media love. Both will need a coalition of outsiders to win a general election. The abolition and suffrage movements progressed when united and were damaged by division; we should remember that.

But what worries me is that he is seen as unifying by his race while she is seen as divisive by her sex.

What worries me is that she is accused of "playing the gender card" when citing the old boys' club, while he is seen as unifying by citing civil rights confrontations.

What worries me is that male Iowa voters were seen as gender-free when supporting their own, while female voters were seen as biased if they did and disloyal if they didn't.

What worries me is that some women, perhaps especially younger ones, hope to deny or escape the sexual caste system; thus Iowa women over 50 and 60, who disproportionately supported Senator Clinton, proved once again that women are the one group that grows more radical with age.

This country can no longer afford to choose our leaders from a talent pool limited by sex, race, money, powerful fathers and paper degrees. It's time to take equal pride in breaking all the barriers.

Those are Pobble Thoughts ~ voiced by Steinem. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee...and maybe a little more.

Dear Ex-Boyfriend ~

Ha ha ha. Very clever. You won.

Now will you go away? Because you are an ex-boyfriend and it's just a little pathetic now. I mean, it's been years. I do not look back on our time together fondly. I do not look back on our time together with anger. I do not look back on our time together at all. I barely remember you, ex-boyfriend.

So, if it helps, nod your head smugly and know that your friends were right: I'm a bitch who never loved you. If it helps, throw up your hands and be grateful because you are so much better off without me. If it helps, shake your head and wonder what you ever saw in me. I don't care.

But move on already. I have. A very long time ago.

Thanks.

~ The Boston Pobble

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Initial Thoughts on 2008

I rarely make new year's resolutions. They seem like a good way to set ourselves up to fail. When I do make them, they tend to be along the lines of "light more candles" and "take more baths." They are about increasing happiness, not self-improvement. With that in mind, here are a few resolutions I would make for my fellow bloggers ~ with the sole intention of increasing happiness.

The Lovely Cats ~ My luggage. Because there's only one thing that makes *me* happier than that.
Nemeria ~ Boot-wearing, ass-kicking, name-taking warm fuzzies with big ol' honkin' spotlights on their butts
Graziella ~ The perfect geocache. With the perfect Brit.
$$ Productions ~ That contract you are thisclose to and deserve so much.
Aisha T ~ Time. As much as you want for whatever you want.
Butterflyys ~ Mexico at the end of this year, too!
Cracker Lilo ~ The perfect wave with the perfect woman waiting on the beach for when you're done.
D-Man ~ Really great shoes and a say-something hat.
Dagoth ~ A chess mate ~ and a check mate.
Daisy ~ A few less crazies in the store.
Don ~ A new computer so you can blog again. Oh, wait. That's about increasing *my* happiness, not yours. Hmmmm...in that case, appletinis at the Ritz.
GOML! ~ Someone else to pull the sled while you hang out with Sugar and Pickle. (I thought about wishing the respect of your kids ~ but I know you have it already.)
Jaded ~ An opportunity to Diva that's about nothing but fun
Krystal ~ Bear.
Michael ~ Someone else to carry the banner every now and then.
Nancy ~ HEALTH! For obvious reasons.
Rose ~ Signing the next great author. (Have you met $$...?) *grin*
my favorite trinity: SpiderGirl, Tai and Wolfgrrrl ~ three round trip tickets anywhere. Hell, let's make it 4; take Pol. She may not blog but honestly, the trip wouldn't be the same without her and I realize that.
GNGirl ~ A week at the beach, guilt-free, to do nothing but drink frosty drinks, love your fella and hug on your kid. (Did you catch that, Lori? Guilt-Free, dammit!)
Zoom ~ A purple elephant. Why? Because it's the only thing I can think of that is as delightfully random and as unusual as you are.

And for a couple of people who aren't linked over there...

Casdok ~ A day where the whole world sees C the same way you do
Speaker for the Bread ~ Coffee at Denny's
Appsrus ~ Access to every written word you've ever wanted to read and the time to do so
J who is Fabulousness ~ An early warning system in case there's a next time

Finally, for all of you, I wish you personal peace. Contentment but not complacency. Self-respect, self-worth and, where applicable, self-forgiveness. Permission to be whomever you are to your glorious utmost. Because you are, every one of you, glorious. And that my friends is my final 2008 wish: that you get to see yourselves as I see you.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ and my love.

Final Thoughts on Christmas

Between the anniversary and Bhutto's assassination, I'm just getting around to this. Because of the anniversary and the assassination, it is important that I get around to this.

* The Mystery Gift was a French butter bell from the Lovely Cats. Love these things and am thrilled to have one of my own.

* Ten years may or may not be enough time to be able to be happy after the death of a loved one. Ten years when combined with a big-picture happiness is definitely enough time.

* The most annoying Christmas song isn't "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." It is actually the one titled something like "Christmas Shoes." The one about the kid looking to buy shoes for his mother before she dies on Christmas Eve. Yes, yes, I know. It's supposed to be moving and touching and remind us all to live each day and celebrate Christmas. For me, it just annoys me. To no end.

* I have the most gorgeous collection of amber necklaces ever. So many reasons I love Lithus.

* In an earlier post, I mentioned that I top my tree with a cross. This raised questions for some people. Here's the story (it's a little long...) When my parents were first married, they couldn't afford a tree topper. So, Daddy went and got gold tin foil (it was readily available then) and made a cross from cardboard and gold tin foil. That thing topped the tree for YEARS. Over time, gold tin foil stopped being so readily available and the cross got more and more beat up. Skip forward several years...I'm a pre-teen and early teenager when my friend, Gail, becomes a surrogate mom to me (as most of you know, my relationship with Mama has been iffy most of my life so Gail REALLY filled in A LOT during the awful time of being a teenager.) She also worked at the Ground Round as a waitress. One night ~ it wasn't even during the holidays ~ we were eating at the Ground Round and Daddy realized his baked potato was wrapped in gold foil. He asked Gail to find out where they had gotten it so he could recover the cross. Instead, she brought him several sheets of it. Daddy never got around to recovering his cross. Skip forward another year or two. Gail dies of cancer on my 16th birthday. Needless to say, I don't handle it well but life goes on. Three years later, I'm 19 and throwing my first Christmas party. I can't afford many ornaments so I tell everyone the "price of admission" is a decoration for my tree. My parents make a token appearance (as they are aware parents/the chair of the Communications Department probably aren't *that* welcome at a college party) but bring a decoration with them. It is a cross tree-topper made from cardboard and covered with the gold foil Gail had given Daddy all those years ago. Now, I have both crosses and use them interchangeably or, sometimes, have two trees and use them both.

* Having your best friend's parents send you a holiday present is a present in and of itself.

* Beef Wellington tastes as good as I remember.

* The reason I celebrate Christmas is best explained by A Christmas Carol. We all know the story. But if you haven't really paid attention recently, revisit it. Either read the original story ~ paying very close attention to the end ~ or watch the George C. Scott version from the mid-80s. Really listen. You'll understand why ~ and how ~ this Pagan celebrates Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Those are Pobble Christmas thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you egg nog.

They Did It

They killed her.



God help us all if they now get the leader they deserve.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Running With A Wolf

Wolfgrrrl tagged me a few days ago. It's a lovely meme...

1) Post a note about a blogger you would like to see something wonderful happen for. Maybe one whose posts have touched your heart in one way or another. Include details as to why you admire them and what you wish for them. Be as supporting and affirming as you can.
2) Post your favorite memory around selflessness, giving, or doing for others. Something that has actually changed you.
3) As a postscript, name one thing you will actually do for someone in your life before December 31 that is born out of joy.
4) Tag 3 other bloggers who will play the game and find the spirit. Don't forget to leave a comment on their blog so they continue to share the good feelings.

1. A blogger I would like to see something wonderful happen for...oh, so many. I'm choosing two: one who is a personal friend, one who is a blogger friend, because it's hard enough to only choose two, let alone one. The first is Nemeria. Without telling stories that aren't mine to tell, I will say that she deserves something wonderful. She's had a rough couple (years) months. Still, throughout it all, she has been an amazing friend, a thoughtful colleague, and a true gift to the Universe. Trust me, your world is better because Nemeria is out here, even if you don't know it or her. How can I not wish something wonderful for her. The blogger friend would be Cracker Lilo. Without knowing it, she has given me so much. More often than not, I read her posts and think "that's what I wanted to say" or even "oh dude...I hadn't thought of it that way."

2. This is another tough one to limit to one and the reason I have been so long in accepting this tag. See, for those of you who don't realize it, I worked human services for 13 years and learned about 13 days into it that I would be changed and touched as much if not more than my clients were changed and touched by me. However! I think I finally got the one ~ and it doesn't even come from those 13 years. When I was 11, my parents started taking BioSis and me to volunteer at the local soup kitchen. And not just during the holidays. Every 6-8 weeks, year round (from this I learned that there are LOTS of people who like to volunteer during the holidays but somehow forget that people are in need the other 10 months of the year. But I digress...) At the kitchen, we served 2 types of soup, three kinds of sandwiches, coffee, tea, milk, juice or water. People could have two bowls of soup, three sandwiches and as much to drink as they wanted. Everyone went through the line first and then we served refills at the tables. I was young; I was upper class; I was privileged; I was compassionate...I was self-righteous. I was helping. I was good. I was, although I wouldn't have put it this way at the time, the Great White Hope. Until I met one particular man. He was well-dressed. He was probably in his mid-twenties. He was deeply embarrassed to be there. And yet...he behaved as if he was at a restaurant instead of a soup kitchen. His demeanor was one of self-worth and self-respect. He was in need ~ he wasn't needy. As I tried to serve him, he kept saying "no" to more soup, to another sandwich. But if I refilled his milk once, I refilled it a dozen times. Later, I realized ~ milk is filling. Milk is nutritious. Milk can see a person through to the next day if you drink enough of it. He wasn't too proud to be there. He wasn't too proud to drink his milk. He wasn't too proud to accept a young girl helping him. He was, however, still proud. And I learned that compassion without respect is pity ~ and hugely demeaning. I have no doubt this man ~ who was younger at the time than I am now ~ didn't eat many more meals from a soup kitchen. I have no doubt he has long forgotten the little girl who refilled his milk glass over and over. I have never forgotten him. Compassion and respect. I hope I've continued to combine them well. I hope he would be proud of me.

3. Something born out of joy ~ I am making homemade cupcakes for the staff here at the apartment complex. They do so much and make this such a delightful, safe, comfortable place to live. I wish I could do more to thank them. Since there's not, I'll make them cupcakes. And I make a damn good cupcake. :) (ed. note ~ this has been done already but it was in the future when I first starting writing this post.)

4. The tag...as with Wolfgrrrl, this is a tough one. SO! Let's go with Graziella, Krystal and Get Off My Lawn! With Wolfgrrrl's same disclaimer: if you don't have the time during the holidays, I completely understand!

Those are Pobble Thoughts, with a hand from Wolfgrrrl. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

The Mystery Gift

Since I am nowhere near anyone I have ever celebrated the holidays with, I am receiving several packages in the mail. Most of them, I recognize where they are from. Except for this one. This one that arrived today...I have no clue. It was sent to me. But the return address is the store from which it was shipped. In a state where no one I know lives. I have simply put it, as is, under the tree. I guess I'll find out Christmas morning. At least, I hope I will. :)

Those are confused and mysterious Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

From My In Box

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? paper ~ although I've had to use a couple bags this year due to oddly shaped gifts

2. Real tree or Artificial Real. I'm a bit militant about this one.

3. When do you put up the tree? Sometime in December. No real set date.

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime in January. No real set date ~ although when I was Christian it was important to me to leave it up at least through Christmastide and Epiphany.

5. Do you like egg nog? love it. love it plain. love it spiked. love it in coffee. love it in pancakes. love it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? probably Bear, the stuffed one I still sleep with

7. Do you have a nativity scene? um... not so much, you know?

8. Hardest person to buy for? Tom Cat or the Grill Master

9. Easiest person to buy for? BioSis

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail ~ on years when I do them, which is more often than not.

11 .Worst Christmas gift you ever received? two bottle of red wine from my mother a couple years ago (I can't drink red because it gives me a migraine.)

12. Favorite Christmas movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the real, animated one, not that dreck with Jim Carrey); 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (the one with the mice); George C. Scott's Christmas Carol (and yes, I know I've left out Wonderful Life but that's one of my favorite movies, period, so it doesn't feel like a Christmas movie to me.)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I keep my eyes open year-round

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes *blushes*

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? dressing

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I've always done all white but we're having a clash of Christmas styles this year so the tree is all white but the balcony is colored

17. Favorite Christmas song? another three-way tie: Snoopy's Christmas; Bing and Bowie's Little Drummer Boy; and Transiberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? In the past, I traveled. This year, staying home. Hoping to travel again next year.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Of course!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Currently a star, but that's because my tree topper is in storage still. Has always been and will always be (though this will shock you) a cross

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? All on Christmas morning

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? The whisper in the back of my head about Daddy's death. although, at least it's just a whisper now!

23. Favorite ornament? the aforementioned cross tree-topper

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? beef wellington, dressing, the vegetable is allowed to vary, and pie. :)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? bath stuff

And for those of you who don't read the Lovely Cats, here's a

link

for you.


Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Things Kinda Happened

I didn't mean to be away for so long. It just kinda happened. Here are some other things that just kinda happened...

* The FedEx truck pulled up and delivered a package ... for me!

* The FedEx truck pulled up and, while not delivering a package for me, played holiday music through the window while the driver was delivering to someone else, giving me a lovely, unexpected carols concert from my balcony

* Lithus and I wandered the city, people watching and looking at the lights and generally enjoying the season and each other

* I had a lazy day where I didn't even shower until 5:00 p.m.

* I had a lazy day where I didn't even shower at all

* All the presents ended up perfect ~ and sent to their respective homes

* The Nordstrom Santa made me smile because he has the "right" smile and twinkle in his eyes

* My vintage faux fur coat (that only cost me five bucks!) looked good enough that it drew snarky comments from the oh so earnest young activist kids behind me

* Egg nog and egg nog lattes came back.

It's a lovely season.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

The Words I Didn't Want to Hear

"I do not support same sex marriage." ~ John Edwards, 2008 US presidential candidate

I'm behind in my politics. I understand that. However, I finally saw clips from the democratic debate on Logo. And in response to the question about same sex marriages, Edwards was decisive, clear and respectful. There was no waffling. There was no politicking. He was everything I have come to respect and expect from him. And I do love that about the man.

Except...what he said. I cannot support what he said. Looks like the other shoe has finally dropped.

Damn.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

PSA

Hi everybody! This is a friendly little reminder about giving at the holiday season. Now, if you do not give or can not give, I'm not here to judge that. If however, you do donate, then I would request that you take this post into consideration when you do...

Everybody and their neighbor is donating canned green beans, Stovetop stuffing, Barbie dolls and action figures. And TTG for it! Because those are indeed the cornerstone of human services organizations holiday drives. You know what people aren't donating, though?

wrapping paper, ribbon and tape
artificial Christmas trees and ornaments
stocking stuffers
gifts for teenagers ~ especially teenage boys*
full-sized toiletries (because guess what? people still need to brush their teeth!)
gift cards for gas stations
board games the whole family can play
books
adult-sized underwear ~ especially men's
AA batteries

So. There you have it. The things that used to make me happy as a pig in shit when someone would donate to my shelter/organization. And thanks.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

* Can't think of what to get teenage boys? How about: ballcaps for your local team; gloves; t-shirts with funny sayings on them; posters of bands or cars or sayings (not religious, please); walkmen; clever boxer shorts...Just some suggestions. Anybody have questions or suggestions, please chime in!!!! :)

I Stand Corrected

It wasn't a date. She is not Timber's girlfriend. Mind you, it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck. Apparently, it ain't a duck. So be it.

And yes, I did go in with Lithus and meet her and her parents. Lovely people who only reacted very slightly to a woman not Timber's mom showing up. He had made us promise we would be in and out, five minutes tops. I think we made it although he was nudging me at one point as his dad and her mom started doing the phone number exchange thing.

After spending five and a half hours together, they were on the phone for another hour and a half that evening. She is coming here for dinner next weekend. He's already bought her a necklace for Christmas. He is considering asking her to come with Lithus and me when we go into town to check out some of the holiday events in the city. When I had to ask him a question this evening, he was lying on his bed, in the dark, on the phone with her.

Oh yeah ~ it's a duck.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

I Had Forgotten

I had forgotten how much fun shopping for holiday decorations could be.

I had forgotten what it was like to enjoy finding the perfect tree for the room.

I had forgotten how much one can look forward to trimming the tree.

I had forgotten how beautiful carols are.

I had forgotten unrestrained laughter and unadulterated joy in December.

I had forgotten how joyous this time of year really is.

I had forgotten what it meant to be truly happy at Christmas.

I knew I had forgotten.

I had never thought to remember again.

I do.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

A Rose Colored Post

I was tagged by Rose, over at Lessons Learned. If you haven't clicked on the link over there, now is the perfect time. She's a good read and, like Dagoth, a very peaceful voice in what can often be a vitriolic place and time around cyberspace. (And you do have to click over there because as I am trying to link it here in this post, blogger is acting wonky.)

So, the tag is to explain where my blog title and name came from and why I chose it. Then, tag other bloggers with interesting blog names and titles in order to find out about them.

Therefore, here we go:

While I was growing up, my parents introduced BioSis and me to all kinds of poetry. Being somewhat absurd children, we both were drawn to the absurdist poems the most. Her favorite was the Jabberwocky. Mine was The Pobble Who Had No Toes, by Edward Lear. As I became an adult, I admit my enjoyment of poetry has waned. It's gotta be really good for me to be moved or even want to finish it. The Pobble, however, stayed my all-time favorite poem. When I decided to start blogging (thanks to the Lovely Cats), I knew I wanted a name as quirky and unusual as I am ~ and yet didn't sound as if I take myself too seriously, either. And I remembered The Pobble. Intelligent enough to have been written by Lear; absurd enough to be about a Pobble who loses his toes at sea because he doesn't keep his nose warm and dry. Perfect! At the time I started blogging, I was holding onto Boston for dear life because it was the only safe place I had so I knew I wanted to incorporate Boston in there somewhere. The title was almost Boston Ramblings but that sounded as if I would be writing about Boston or Pobble Ramblings but I didn't like the way that sounded. And afterall, they wouldn't be ramblings as much as they would be...thoughts. Pobble Thoughts. And which Pobble? Not Lear's Pobble but the Boston Pobble.

And that, boys and girls, is the story of how this blog got its name.

As for tagging, Dagoth, you're up. You, too, Cracker Lilo. And finally, someone I don't have linked but I read and believe he reads here regularly, Speaker for the Bread, because, dude, I really want to know where that one comes from!

Those are Pobble Thoughts ~ and you even know why. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Thanksgiving Recap

I had no idea it could be so easy. Seriously. BIL and I simply didn't stress. It was just the two of us. What time should dinner be? Eh, about an hour and a half after we got hungry because that's how long the game hen needed to cook. What should we do? Eh, maybe watch a movie or play some XBox. Getting a little cabin-feverish? Okay, let's go for a drive and see what's open (a surprisingly many stores.) You want some time for a phone call from BioSis? Take it; I'll go nap. I want some time for a phone call with Lithus? Cool, he kept playing XBox. No way do we want to hit the malls or shops on Black Friday? Let's go into town and discover Chinatown instead. So what if it's already 8:00 p.m.? Stores are open late tonight. Let's go window shopping and out to dinner now, since the crowds have probably thinned out (they had.)

It was lovely. I'm truly thankful.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Hee Hee Hee

Okay, so I shouldn't be writing this...but I'm gonna.

Timber has his first date.

They both work in the school office together. She has invited him over to the house to have dinner with her family and then watch movies. How much do I want to scope her out? I won't. I will leave it to Lithus to go in and meet everyone, find out what time we need to pick him back up, all that. But seriously...how much do I want to scope her out??????

Hee Hee Hee

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

A New Holiday

When my father died, I lost my family holiday traditions. For the first several years, it was as depressing as that sentence makes it sound. Then it became more or less okay. Over the last few years, I have created other traditions. I go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas and spend the holidays with my family ~ just not the way most people think. I spend Thanksgiving in New Jersey with the Divine M and the Grill Master. I spend Christmas in Connecticut with the Lovely Cats, et al.

Until this year. This year, I am 3000 miles away from them, have Lionel and Daisy who are done traveling, thankyouverymuch and am pretty much broke. And Lithus is on tour in another state. So...

So, I am making new holidays. BIL arrives on Wednesday. It will just be the two of us. We may even just bring in dinner from the grocery store (because yes, GNGirl, you can do that!) He is looking forward to spending all day playing XBox. I have told him he has to give up the television long enough to let me watch the Cowboys game. Otherwise, he can play as long and as violently as he wants. No kids; no schedule; just XBox. I think he is beside himself with joy, honestly. Then Friday we will explore Chinatown. He is psyched because it's been so long since he's been to a big city's Chinatown. I'm psyched because I explore better with another person along for the ride. It won't be typical. It won't be anything I'm used to. It will be Thanksgiving with someone I love. And that's really what matters.

I am surprisingly thankful.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Ah, the Democrats

Last night, I watched my first debate of the season (yeah, I'm behind the times ~ I had really wanted to see the dems debate on Logo but missed it. poopies) and it happened to be the democrats.

How much would I love to see a world where Dennis Kuchnick (I'm not even sure I'm spelling his name correctly) could actually be elected president. "You voted against the Patriot Act immediately after 9/11." "Yes, because I read it." Beautiful!

Joseph Biden would have made a pretty good president back in the 80s when he made a pretty legitimate run for the nomination ~ so long as he knew then what he knows now. I was young enough that I don't remember if he did or not.

My favorite, John Edwards, lost some points with me because of the nasty asides and the "gotchas" directed at Hilary Clinton. Now, I don't mind talking about factual inconsistencies of another candidate and don't consider that mudslinging. But there were three times he spoke that I put my head in my hands and groaned at the unncessariness of his statement/"joke."

I still feel about Hilary Clinton the way I did prior to the debate. I don't like her inconsistencies. I don't care for her foreign policy. I am resigned to the thought that we will have her as a president. And I do think she presented really really well last night.

Everything I've heard Barack Obama say has been Absolutely Consistent and I really appreciate that. The only other candidate I feel has been that consistent is Edwards ~ and Obama didn't make the nasty asides. Points to him!

Sadly, I cannot remember anything about Christopher Dodd or Bill Richardson. At all. Nothing. Except that they were there. Which almost tells me more about them than anything they could have said.

As always, I welcome respectful comments and disagreements in my comments section or email inbox. I do want to know what you think...

Now, bring on the republicans and let's see what they have to say to me.

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

Losing Isn't Winning

(Editorial note: This post is entirely out of context. If you don't have the backstory ~ and I have not posted on it so most of you don't ~ it will make very little sense. I have realized, however, that if I don't get it said, I will probably not post again because this is all I can think to write. Also, please remember that if you are reading it here, it's probably not about you. If it was about you, I would have vented elsewhere first and then brought it to you once I was calm. Now then, some out of context ramblings so we can all move on...)

The title seems pretty reasonable and obvious, doesn't it? Apparently, it's not quite a straight forward as that all the time. See, I have recently made a decision that many people in my life disagree with. So be it. In case you hadn't noticed, I don't much care what most people think. Even my friends, as much as I love them and value their opinions, at the end of the day...well, I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do. And yes, it makes me somewhat sad that there are people I love and care about who do not support this decision that I have made. I'm human and therefore would rather have the support (and inherent respect therein) for my decisions from people that I love. Because it is a respect issue for me. Even if people don't understand why I've done something, even if they wouldn't have made that same choice, I've earned myself a reputation for being a sensible adult and deserve to be supported in my decisions ~ even if they seem to be wonky. When I don't get that, it bothers me a bit. Again, I'm human. It just doesn't keep me from doing what I'm going to do.

Have you figured out what the key phrase in that long, rambling first paragraph is? It's this one: I don't much care what most people think. Which means there are a few people who I do care what they think. Not many ~ but a few. One ~ possibly two but I'm giving the second one the benefit of the doubt for now ~ of these few people is really, really upset with me for the decision I've made. Really upset. And that hurts. And it pisses me off.

Because, goddammit, there is more to life than holding onto rules. Because there is more to life than holding grudges. Than living from anger. Because if you lose just to ensure someone else loses, too, guess what? You've still fucking lost. The other person may have as well but guess fucking what? So did you.

So don't get pissy with me just because I refuse to lose in order to prove a point. Don't think less of me because I allow people to make mistakes and learn from them. Don't disrespect me because I didn't make the same choice you would have.

Because I miss you...

Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

I'm It

Jaded tagged me so here goes...


List 7 things about myself. They can be interesting, weird, whatever. I'm supposed to then tag seven other people. Some people HATE being tagged. Other people (like me ~ you need to tag somebody ~ me! me! I'll do it!) love them. Since I don't know who is who, let me know if you want to be tagged and I'll tag you. Or, simply steal it from here and let me know you're doing it so I can come check it out.


1. I refuse to leave the house wearing "grubby" clothes. I want nice shoes and lipstick on before I go out. Graziella saw me almost every day for nearly a year and a half. She saw me leave the house without nice shoes and lipstick a total of once. And it shocked her.


2. Along those lines, I see no reason to wear sneakers unless I am working out. They are not for fashion. They are for exercise. Period.


3. I cannot stand air hand driers in bathrooms. If I know that's what is available, I will take napkins into the bathroom with me. If I get caught by surprise, I have been known not to wash my hands. Which is really gross. Which is how much I hate air hand driers.


4. I hate having a cell phone. The Divine M and the Grill Master finally gave me one last year for the holidays because I was on the road so often. It was never used because I only used it in case of emergency while traveling. The only reason I use it now is out of sheer necessity. Once I am in a situation where I don't need to use it on a daily basis, it will go back to being the Bat Phone. Period.


5. I am a closet romantic ~ but in a weird way. The standard romantic comedy/chick flick leaves me bored. Love songs just annoy me. A dozen roses on an anniversay, not so much. But a kiss on the head and unsolicited coffee brought to my desk while I'm working...I melt. Being told my bath has already been run for me...I melt. Being taken out for dessert at midnight...I melt. Except for Valentine's Day and my birthday. Yeah, I'm totally typical there.


6. When I toast bread, I like it burnt. A warm roll is lovely, don't get me wrong. But if I'm gonna toast something, it should break when you drop it. That first crunch when you bite into it makes the whole thing.

7. I rarely engender a neutral reaction in people. Upon seeing me, not even meeting me, just seeing me, people usually have a strong reaction. Sometimes it is adoration. Sometimes it is disgust bordering abhorrence. I have finally stopped trying to figure this out or do anything about it. While I never try to create reactions, I also no longer worry about not creating them. I just go about my business and my life and let people react however they're going to react. I smile at the people who like me. And I smile bigger to the people who don't.

Remember to let me know if you want to be tagged (this time and/or in the future!)

Those are Pobble Thoughts, with some help from Jaded. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.

'Nuff Said