Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Thursday 13 v. 32

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Thirteen (or so) Questions Answered by Carmen
In an earlier post, I asked my astute readers what they wanted to know about me. Here are the answers to 13 of them. Plus a few bonus ones I received late. :)
  1. Mama Duck asked me what my morning routine was. ****My alarm goes off around 6:30 a.m., and if I'm going into the office (I work from home 3 days a week), I "take care of business" while the cat lies on my feet. Then I put my hair up, as I'm too lazy to style it to go to a mostly empty office. I'll brush my teeth, put on my lotions and makeup - all the while the cat is yelling at me. I'll then go and select an outfit - based more on comfort than style. Then the cat gets to eat, I eat a bowl of cereal after taking a bunch of horse pills and watch the weather and traffic on the NBC affiliate. If I'm working from home, I roll out of bed, put on some sweats and turn on the computer.
  2. Janet wants me to tell her if I invest in any stocks that she should know about. :) ****Well Janet, I am not much of an investor. I do know that my AOL stock options, when I worked there, were never above water. I did manage to sell some stock options from my time at Nextel, which gave me enough money to buy an iPod. Big time stuff here. I don't even know where my retirement plan is investing it. I think YOU should probably be giving ME investing advice. Ha!
  3. Wystful would like to know what's my favorite thing about travelling. Meeting new people? The sights? Etc. ****The part I like most about travel is that I get to be myself. I don't have to be work Carmen and gym Carmen and angry traffic Carmen. I just get to be Carmen. Even though my vacations are always packed full, I'm probably the most relaxed when I'm travelling. I love the researching the trip before-hand and learning about other cultures (The world does not revolve around the US). I also really enjoy seeing things in person that until now I've only seen in books or on TV. And probably the best part (for me anyway) is taking photos when I'm there, because then when I get home, I can look at a picture and it can bring back a memory of something fantastic.
  4. Dorothy wants to know "What is the average air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" ****Well Dorothy, The velocity of an object is simply its speed in a particular direction. Since velocity is defined as a vector, both speed and direction are required to define it. (Thanks Wikipedia! I, personally, hate math and try to avoid it like the plague.)
  5. Goofy Girl wants to know what I do when I'm feeling silly. **** I dance like nobody's watching. And nobody IS watching - except for the cat, who is highly entertained. I also like to sing along with my iPod, which annoys the cat to no end. Occasionally, I'll burst into a spontaneous cheer from my cheerleading days, which scares the cat.
  6. Kukka asked me my opinion as to whether the toilet paper goes under or over, and do I change it at other people's houses, or is her agent the only one who does this? **** I am of the opinion that the toilet paper should pull over the top of the roll. If someone else puts it on incorrectly in my own house, I'll change it. So far, my friends have not gone insane and put the roll on with the sheets pulling from underneath, so I haven't had to change it up for them. But I would, because I think those of us that are RIGHT should impart our wisdom to others. :)
  7. Buddy and Finnegan want to know what my favorite Thanksgiving memory is. ****I don't know if I have a favorite memory, as any time spent with my family is nice (mostly, ha). But most of the memories involves smells of roasted turkey and dressing (which is my favorite Thanksgiving food). And any year where UVA beats Va. Tech in football (played Thanksgiving weekend) is a good memory. :)
  8. Pam wants me to tell you about my best date ever, and why it was the best. **** Here's the thing, I haven't been on many "official" dates, where the guy asks, and then we go to dinner or something. It's either "hanging out" or something like that. I guess the best time I had was when I met my ex in New Orleans, and we explored the city together, had our tarot cards read, etc. Since he's now my ex, it hurts the memory. But I do remember this other guy who was part of a group I was out with shortly after my ex and I "broke up". He held my hand, told me my ex was nuts, that I was sexy and reached up to brush a tear off my face, and it was one of my sweetest moments ever.
  9. Jenn wants to know what's my favorite thing that Pooh Bear does. ****Hands down, I love it when he purrs. He talks to me, which is sometimes cute and sometimes tedious. Ha. He gives me kissies with his nose (when it suits him or if he's begging for a treat), and he likes to burrow into clothing piles. I like to sit with him in the sunbeams and pet his warm fur! Pooh's favorite thing is Kukka (see Kukka, he declared it publicly!)
  10. Melli asks how and when did I meet my best friend Irish, and how long 'til we knew we were best buds? ****I met Irish when she pledged my sorority our second year at UVA. She was assigned to me as my "little sister" and since they didn't know during pledge week who their big sis was, I did everything I could to throw her off track. To find out it was me, she had to follow a long string that I had draped around our sorority house. And it was a LONG string that wove in and out of other strings. We were friends right away, but during our third year we were roommates in our sorority house - in the best room (we had a balcony). If you can live with someone and not want to kill 'em, then you know you've got a friend for life!
  11. Kay, who lives in the Phillipines (I have a good friend of two years is from the Phillipines!) wants to know how I'd pitch her a trip to the US, since she's not been outside of her country yet. ****Well Kay, I'd start by telling you to just get up and go ANYWHERE, not just the U.S., because it's so much fun to experience new things. But there is so much to see here! I'd start with saying that Washington DC is full of wonderful monuments and museums - you could spend a month here! Then I'd say head up to New York and experience the hustle and bustle - and a Broadway play with dinner beforehand. You'd have to plan a stop over in Las Vegas, because there's no place like it in the world!
  12. Anthony wants to know where my dream retirement spot would be, similar to Chi wanting to know my favorite and least favorite place I've been ****Retirement? I don't see that I'll ever get the chance to retire, but if I was, I wouldn't settle in one place. I'd go EVERYWHERE. But if I had to choose one spot, one place to put down roots, it would either be Sydney, Australia or Paris, France, as so far, those are my two favorite places I've been. Though Rome and Venice were really up there, too. But I might find more choices as I expand geographically! My least favorite place, while it was nice, but I don't want to go back, was Jamaica. Not much outside of the resort to see.
  13. Irish Church Lady wants to know if, when I meet Mr. Right, I want kids. **** Well, ICL, the chances are pretty good that I wouldn't be able to have kids, even if I wanted to. I've never really felt any kind of maternal stirrings, though folks tell me that changes when Mr. Right sweeps in. I would consider adoption, cuz there are lots of kids in this world that need love.
  14. Bonus question! Karen wants to know my best Halloween costume. ****Since Halloween is on a Tuesday, there'll be no Halloweeny fun for me. I've been invited to a party for the Friday night before, and if I go, I'll probably do a repeat costume. I have some angel wings I'll slap on. But my best costume ever was as a magic 8 ball, which I'll be posting a picture of on Halloween, when I enter Kailani's costume contest!
  15. Bonus Question!: Kailani wanted to know what Gone to Plaid means. ****Everyone needs to immediately run out and rent "Spaceballs: The Movie". It's a parady on Star Wars. You know in Star Wars, where the spaceships can jump to light speed? Well, in Spaceballs, they jump to ludacris speed. If you go faster than ludacris speed, you've gone to plaid. :)
  16. Bonus Question!: Bone asked what my favorite song right now was. And also, his fish Pablo wanted to know if my cat would try and eat him. Bone, my favorite song is the same through time. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. However, my favorites to listen to at the moment are "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott (at the gym), and my new ringtone is Rob Thomas's "This is How a Heart Breaks". And Pablo, my house would probably be safe for you, because you don't move much. If you swam around, Pooh would want to "play" more than "eat". He's more interested in birds and celephane.
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    69 comments:

    Katherine said...

    Very cool! I learned a lot about you. fyi - I've never had maternal "stirrings" either and that did NOT change when I met Mr. Right...:)

    twiga92 said...

    The toilet paper most certainly does go over! We must ingrain this into all those people who are wrong and put it UNDER! The horror!
    Kitties are the best and purring is such a sweet sound.

    Anonymous said...

    I also love kitty purrs, they are the best.

    Good questions and great answers. This was a really fun one.

    Anonymous said...

    I thought you might have a tough time settling on one place! Sydney sounds like a cool place. For me, the langauge barrier would be the big factor.

    You're right about New York. Whenever I think Philadelphia is a "big city", I go to NY and my attitude changes! DC is just awesome, and Vegas is like no other.

    I've always wanted to go to Paris, although I'm not sure why. Maybe I'll see the Tour deFrance someday.

    My TT is up.

    Unknown said...

    Yey! thanks for answering my question ... that was a lovely pitch! Made me want to pack up and leave immediately.

    My TT is up! All about my love for blogging! Feel free to visit my site and leave your thoughts anytime. =)

    Anonymous said...

    That was really a bunch of questions you got there! some day I'll have to try that too.

    I can only nod at #3, the travelling. The exact truth how it is for me too.

    It's like gourmet food for the mind :-)

    Tug said...

    Wow. Awesome! Nice to meet you..... ;-)

    Happy TT!

    Geggie said...

    I'm first! Wow! Thanks for the info. I think you are such a hoot and I love reading your blog. Have a great weekend.

    Amy said...

    ok so i just have to laugh at half of these questions...you are hilarious! i think you should be funny carmen!

    Anonymous said...

    LOL I love the last question, poor Pablo!

    -R- said...

    I can't wait to see the 8 ball costume!

    Candy Minx said...

    This was the best list of yours I've read so far lots of ino\fo! Fun!

    here is mine, I made it tiny this week whew!

    http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2006/10/movies.html

    Chaotic Mom said...

    Hey, this is a GREAT list. I read every word, all through your Thursday Sixteen.

    I think you're right about the kids, but also stay true to yourself. We had seven years before children, thought we were infertile. No kidding. I was actually content with that, accepted it. Now we have three kids. I love them, but I'm constantly stretched to my limits. There's a bit of give and take that happens with having kids. Nothing at all could have prepared me for what we've been through since having them.

    I've posted 13 Scenes from My Chaotic Life, today. Enjoy! ;)

    Darla said...

    Great Q&A!

    Gotta say, I never had any maternal urges either. I still don't know how I ended up with three (3!) kids. It's obviously a cosmic joke.

    Maribeth said...

    Great list. I was the opposite. I was a born mother. Oh well. Either way, it's what makes the world a fun place!

    Blog said...

    Purring kitties are the BEST. Unfortunately (and often fortunately), one of my cats purrs so loud he sounds like a lawnmower....wakes us up, etc.. But it's very cute.... :) Great list! Love the "gone to plaid" allusion.... ;)

    MaR said...

    Wonderful, Carmen. Kailani was reading my mind, as for some reason I missed the big questions day...Happy TT!

    Shannon said...

    LOL! Another great list. I feel the same way about Toilet Paper.

    Have a fab Thursday!

    Anonymous said...

    oooh, I love q&a posts, they're always so much fun to read! I'd do one but nobody would ask any questions! :/

    Bone said...

    Pablo is being very still now...

    And I'm sorry but it's not a mistake. And I'm running but you're getting away...

    Anonymous said...

    I just had a terrible accident involving toilet paper. I agree with you on the correct position for it. It should not be in the laundry basket.

    I once had a guy ask me out to dinner Friday night. I said, "I don't know it I'll be hungry then." I never liked date appointments.

    Anonymous said...

    Oh...PS Halloween costumes at my place. At least 4 of them.

    Girlie said...

    I'm from the Philippines, and I have been to only few places. I cannot enjoy travelling alone, and shlepping 5 little ones is not so much fun. :)

    Anonymous said...

    Great list! :) As for the mother-feeling stirring when you meet Mr. Right, I don't agree with that. My hubby and I are very much in love, and absolutely perfect for each other, but neither of us wants children. Which is good, since it's unlikely I'd be able to have any. But everyone's different.

    Paris is a wonderful place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. Too many people, too much traffic, too much smog! My poor lungs didn't like running there last weekend!

    Happy TT. :)

    Jane said...

    Well, I feel I know you much better now. Thanks for answering those probing questions!!!
    Also, thanks for visiting me!

    Mama Duck said...

    LOL I love it all, I'm so glad you did this, what a great post! Isn't #4 from a Monty Python movie?? ;) Have a great Thursday, I laughed at your underwear post yesterday too (Lil Duck was after the keyboard so I couldn't comment).

    Anonymous said...

    What a great list! Really interesting, nice to get to know you a bit better.
    Thanks for visiting my TT.

    Anonymous said...

    I'm totally gonna copy your ringtone, b/c I love Rob Thomas!

    And that was a great list! I really enjoyed it.

    Serendipity said...

    I love the I'd go everywhere part of retirement myself.

    Red said...

    Totally agree with you on the direction of the toilet paper, although (and I think I'll disappoint you now), the office I worked at last week had it on the wrong way round... and I did nothing about it! Who am I to indoctrinate, I figured? But I feel I should have switched it now...

    Anonymous said...

    D'oh! I know Number 4!!!! "What kind - an African or a European swallow?"

    Monty Python joke.

    Mine are up!

    Anonymous said...

    Wow! I feel like I know you so much better now. This was a great idea for a 13! I may have to borrow the idea.

    Happy Day!

    Heather Smith said...

    This is a great 13, Carmen! So interesting to learn more about people!!

    Anonymous said...

    This leaves me with the question I can't answer and probably you can't either (but could be another Kukka scoop) is why Kukka-Maria is so worried about toilet paper--you can pull the paper off the roll either way and make a great huge mess no matter what!

    Sparky Duck said...

    Great list and im proud of myself since I knew the Spaceballs reference.

    K said...

    Very interesting list! I agree... life does not revolve around the US, it annoys me when people tend to think that way.

    A fun list to read!!

    Anonymous said...

    Karen- from the now defunct 'does she or doesn't she?' would like to know if you'd come visit me in St Louis! without my blogging, I'm a little lonely (but my kids are feed, the laundry done, and my golf swing is improving). miss you Carmen!!

    Frances D said...

    What a great idea for a TT.
    The creativity level in this group is amazing.
    I'm picturing that kitty following you around - they do want their food on time.
    Take care,
    Frances

    Carmen said...

    Karen - i've lost your email! if you read this, send me a mail! i miss 'ya!

    Tammy said...

    Wow! Great TT Carmen!

    Leesa said...

    Neat idea for Thursday thirteen :)

    Anonymous said...

    what a really neat post!

    Anonymous said...

    Great List! Learing so much about you :)

    happy TT.

    Anonymous said...

    Fantastic list!

    Everyone's questions were super and your answers were fun to read.

    Happy Thursday and thanks for stopping by!

    Anonymous said...

    Well wow what a T13!

    Btw, I'd like to know what 'horse pills' are?

    *is having all sorts of visions in her head right about now* lol

    Mandy x

    Anonymous said...

    I avoid math too and hanging the toilet paper roll backwards (the front is the only way to go!).
    Great extensive list Carmen!

    YellowRose said...

    I liked this 13, learned alot about you! And now I understand the "gone to plaid" bit!!! :)

    Happy Thursday!

    Anonymous said...

    Thank you so much for explaining "gone to plaid". Now I can rest. :D

    Anonymous said...

    Thanks for clearing that up for me. DH loves Spaceball so I'll ask him about it!

    Anonymous said...

    love the questions! you did a great job answering them. thanks for visiting my tt this week.

    Sarah said...

    I can't believe there are people who haven't seen Spaceballs!!

    Anonymous said...

    You mentioned my family had a lot of blogs, you have 4!!! Just kidding? how do i find the time? when the kids are sleeping at night I work on them..SHould be going down to 2 soon

    thanks for posting

    Shannon said...

    Carmen I'm so bummed. The correct answer to #4 is "What do you mean...African or European" (Monty Python-The Holy Grail"

    Congratulations, Mouse and Mama Duck!

    Anonymous said...

    Dorothy wants to know "What is the average air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" ****Well Dorothy, The velocity of an object is simply its speed in a particular direction. Since velocity is defined as a vector, both speed and direction are required to define it. (Thanks Wikipedia! I, personally, hate math and try to avoid it like the plague.)


    She asked me that same question!! LOL

    Anonymous said...

    Great list!!! I'm glad you got your 13 questions plus some bonus ones. LOL at the unladen swallow one. I am also going to have to rent Spaceballs sometime in the near future. I have seen it but it was a million years ago and it would be fun to see it again soon!!

    The Mistress of the Dark said...

    That is an awesome idea! have a great TT. Mine are up as well

    Southern Girl said...

    What a great idea for a TT! I may have to borrow it after an acceptable time period. ;)

    Thanks for visiting my TT today!

    Anonymous said...

    Well nice to get to know you better!
    I've been MIA lately so I wasn't around to ask questions...but if you allow one for me...
    "What's your fav scene from SpaceBalls?"
    Mine is "Comb the dessert...We ain't found Sh*T" hahahahaha

    Later
    my tt's up...finally!

    FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

    Those were very interestng 13 lists about you. Thanks for sharing and for visiting.

    Norma said...

    You are very brave to take on so many questions. I didn't foresee retirement either--but love it. You'll get there!

    My TT is up.

    Anonymous said...

    GREAT list, Carmen! Really gave me a good sense of who you are (ya goofy thing!). I might have to steal this one although I don't think 13 different people read my blog! heheh

    Thanks for coming by Snarkypants and singing Happy BirFday to me! :)

    Melli said...

    Oh wow! You got some pretty good questions! I've read when other people have done this -- and sometimes the questions are just...eh! This was good! Fun!

    Susan said...

    Carmen I think this is my favorite TT so far tonight - very very fun - Oh and I have to agree on #6 - hear hear!! if we're evolved enough to use it, we're evolved enough to know which way it goes on the roller :)

    Nature Girl said...

    Carmen I always enjoy your blog when I visit here...great TT! I really enjoyed reading it. I played too. Stacie
    ps, I'm going to HI too, in 12 days..what are you going to do/see while you are there?
    Stacie

    Anonymous said...

    Good answers Carmen, But I'm suprised that no one asked what colour your underwear are!

    That's what Everyone REALLY wants to know! ;-p

    Anonymous said...

    What a fabulous post Carmen and a great idea for a TT. I'm Lazy Daisy's friend. I don't do TT, but have another Staunton pic on my blog. You've got some fantastic pics too. Wouldn't it be fun for all of us to get together at Thanksgiving? Hope to meet you then.

    Irish Church Lady :) said...

    Thanks for satisfying inquiring minds with your TT, Carmen. Ya did good, gf!

    Wystful1 said...

    This is THE MOST TOPS 13 (and extras) I've EVER read!! That musta been one tough cookie to crumble with all the fantastic questions. And such a FABULOUS idea.

    In you answering my question, I do think that most of us Americans have it in their heads that the world DOES evolve around us and truthfully we are a very arrogant people. And that is sad!! The world is all ours to enjoy and nourish our adventure by travel as you do and learn from EVERYONE's culture. A beautiful answer my friend.

    Kukka-Maria said...

    Thanks for the info on the TP. My agent feels a bit less neurotic now that she knows she is in good company.

    Off to sleep off my vacation...

    Except I see partially naked men in the previous post. Must. Check. Out.