Crime Shows Have Melted My Brain
No, seriously. No. Seriously.
I have been at my parents' house for far too long. My mother watches crime shows pretty much 24/7. Now, ask miss_begonia, I like me an occasional Law & Order episode, especially when I can't sleep. But this is like Panama-level torture. My brain hurts. I had to watch CSI: Miami tonight.
On the plus side, I have finally seen eps of both NCIS and NCIS: L.A. now, and hey -- not too shabby. So at least I have more of that to look forward to.
Also on the plus side, my mom is slowly starting to improve. She's still a giant PITA, but at least I can see my elusive trip back to California getting closer and closer. YAY!
Again, thanks to all for your continued support, good wishes, etc. Tonight I had phone calls from three of my favorite people, and they made my day. I would be stone craz(ier) without you.
And hey, since my brain is turning to mush, I am combatting it with random facts, and memes stolen from sunsetmog.
First, in sad news, Miep Gies died at the age of 100. She was the secretary who famously helped hide Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis during World War II. If you ever get the chance to watch Freedom Writers, which is not a bad movie all on its own, you can see the real-life Miep Gies, who is pretty much as awesome as you'd expect.
And in happier news, AfterElton.com has a really interesting interview with Michael Cudlitz about his Southland character.
1. What time did you get up this morning?
Ugh. 7:30. I am not loving the tendency of home health workers to show up at the crack of dawn (for me).
2. Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls! I've never been a big fan of diamonds, really, but the preppy girl inside loves the idea of a strand of pearls.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Oy! It's been so long. I believe, sadly, that it was New Moon. The things I do for miss_begonia.
4. What is your favorite TV show?
I'm tempted to say Glee, because I so look forward to it every week, but I'm also quite fond of Friday Night Lights, The Big Bang Theory, Brothers & Sisters, Fringe and Bones.
5. What did you have for breakfast?
Oatmeal, half a banana and two cups of coffee, light and sweet.
6. What is your middle name?
Marie. My confirmation name is Kathryn.
7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Heh. I like almost everything. I've been longing for miss_begonia's stirfry, of late, but I like to try almost anything.
8. What foods do you dislike?
Very few, actually. Cabbage, coconut, walnuts and pepperoni on pizza.
9. What is your favorite chip flavour?
I like them plain, unrippled even. But if I had to pick a flavor, I like the cheddar cheese ones.
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
Sadly, I tend to listen to mixes and singles more than CDs at the moment, but the exceptions to that -- particularly while I've been at my parents' -- have been fun.'s Aim and Ignite and The Gaslight Anthem's The '59 Sound.
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
A 1998 Honda Accord. 200,000+ miles and still kicking, bless her sturdy little heart.
12. Favourite sandwich?
Depends very much on where I am and who's making it, but my brother's grilled cheese sandwich is an all-time fav, as is John's roast pork and provolone and a pork roll and cheese sandwich fresh off the Boardwalk.
13. What characteristics do you despise?
Backstabbing, and other things that happen behind backs. I hate confrontation, but I'd rather have you say it to my face then behind my back.
14. Favourite item of clothing?
I have a pair of plaid pj pants I adore. In less comfy clothes, I have a power suit that I will probably never wear again, but love with all my heart. And a black sweater that always makes me happy.
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Right now, Italy, France, the Maldives, Africa, Bali -- anywhere, really. :) One thing I regret is that I haven't been able to travel much in the last few years.
16. What colour is your bathroom?
At home, yellow with dark-red accents. At my parents', black and yellow (apparently, yellow is a theme.)
17. What colour pants are you wearing?
Old, faded blue-denim jeans.
18. Where would you retire to?
I've always wanted to live in a little seaside village somewhere warm and sunny, where I can toddle to the market with my basket and gossip with the man behind the meat counter.
19. Favourite time of the day?
Ironically, since I hardly ever see it anymore, early morning, right before and after dawn. I love the way the world is so still and beautiful and full of possibility.
20. What was your most memorable birthday?
It's a toss-up between my 21st -- when my entire family trucked down to DC, where I was living at the time, just in time for the massive Gay Rights march and rally. It was amazing, for a lot of reasons -- and my 30th, when my aunt threw a surprise Not-A-Wedding Shower for me, since I'd been a bridesmaid about a dozen times by then. Actually, last year's birthday -- low key and thoroughly lovely -- was also a standout.
21. Where were you born?
Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
22. What's the last thing you ate?
A pretzel stick.
23. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Burnt Sienna. I always wished my hair were that color, and I always love the name.
24. Favorite flower?
Tulips. And the amazing-smelling flower, the name of which I never remember, but which smells like California to me.
25. What fabric detergent do you use?
Heh. Whatever's on sale, usually. I buy Tide Free a lot, too.
26. Coke or Pepsi?
To the chagrin of my entire family -- who are hardcore Pepsi fans -- I'm a Coke gal. I like Diet Pepsi better than Diet Coke, though.
27. Do you wish on stars?
I do. More wistfully than anything, but I do.
28. What is your shoe size?
Sigh. US Size 10. Yes, they are big. Yes, I usually can chose between drag-queen shoes and really ugly boots most of the time.
29. Do you have any pets?
No. Unless you count our frequent visitor Sasha Fierce, the neighborhood kitty who likes to roam our apartment at random intervals. I wish we could have a cat of our own, though.
30. Last person you talked to on the phone?
My very Catholic friend Chris, to firm up dinner plans for Wednesday. Yay!
31. What did you want to be when you were little?
An astronaut storyteller.
32. What are you meant to be doing now?
Going to bed. Soon, I hope.
33. What do you first notice about someone?
Their smile, and how they treat other people.
34. Siblings?
One, a brother three years younger.
35. What was your favourite toy as a child?
A tie between my stuffed Donald Duck -- who still lives with me in California -- and Mrs. Beasley, who drowned, tragically, when I was in high school.
36. Summer or winter?
Summer! Although, to be honest, I like Spring and Autumn best.
37. Hugs or Kisses?
Both! It depends on who, and what mood.
38. Chocolate or vanilla?
Again, both! If you twist my arm, always chocolate, though.
39. Who is most likely to respond?
I have no idea.
40. Who is least likely to respond?
Heh. I'm going to say mswalter, but just because I miss her.
41. Living arrangements?
Usually, in a beloved apartment in the Land of Oak with the lovely miss_begonia. Currently, in my childhood bedroom in Philadelphia, nursing my parents through their various ailments.
42. When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday. It was a bad day.
43. What is under your bed?
At home, suitcases, and a box of sentimental stuff I couldnt' bear to part with. At my parents', a box of sentimental stuff I couldn't bear to get rid of, but didn't want to haul to California.
44. How many countries have you visited?
Not enough! 5. The U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands (for a hot minute), Turkey and Greece.
45. In how many cities have you lived?
11. U f'ing D, PA; Philadelphia, PA; Avalon, NJ; Townsends' Inlet, NJ; Washington, DC; Lawrenceville, NJ; Trenton, NJ; Lawrence, NJ; Newtown, PA; Berkeley, CA; Oakland, CA.
46. Favourite movie of all time?
The Philadelphia Story. I know it has some problematic things to say about women, but the women themselves are amazing. As is the dialogue, the setting, the chemistry among all the starts -- pretty much everything about it.
47. Mountains or beach?
Beach. Always, always, always an ocean.
48. The current friend you have known the longest?
My friend Michelle and I have known each other since the first day of kindergarten. My very Catholic friend Chris and I have been friends since the 7th grade.
49. Full names of your potential kids?
Heh. This is more and more theoretical with every passing year, but I have dibs on Nora, Carson, Tiernan and Niall.
50. Usual bedtime?
Usually between 1:30 and 2-ish.
I am the most ridic. As always.
I have been at my parents' house for far too long. My mother watches crime shows pretty much 24/7. Now, ask miss_begonia, I like me an occasional Law & Order episode, especially when I can't sleep. But this is like Panama-level torture. My brain hurts. I had to watch CSI: Miami tonight.
On the plus side, I have finally seen eps of both NCIS and NCIS: L.A. now, and hey -- not too shabby. So at least I have more of that to look forward to.
Also on the plus side, my mom is slowly starting to improve. She's still a giant PITA, but at least I can see my elusive trip back to California getting closer and closer. YAY!
Again, thanks to all for your continued support, good wishes, etc. Tonight I had phone calls from three of my favorite people, and they made my day. I would be stone craz(ier) without you.
And hey, since my brain is turning to mush, I am combatting it with random facts, and memes stolen from sunsetmog.
First, in sad news, Miep Gies died at the age of 100. She was the secretary who famously helped hide Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis during World War II. If you ever get the chance to watch Freedom Writers, which is not a bad movie all on its own, you can see the real-life Miep Gies, who is pretty much as awesome as you'd expect.
And in happier news, AfterElton.com has a really interesting interview with Michael Cudlitz about his Southland character.
1. What time did you get up this morning?
Ugh. 7:30. I am not loving the tendency of home health workers to show up at the crack of dawn (for me).
2. Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls! I've never been a big fan of diamonds, really, but the preppy girl inside loves the idea of a strand of pearls.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Oy! It's been so long. I believe, sadly, that it was New Moon. The things I do for miss_begonia.
4. What is your favorite TV show?
I'm tempted to say Glee, because I so look forward to it every week, but I'm also quite fond of Friday Night Lights, The Big Bang Theory, Brothers & Sisters, Fringe and Bones.
5. What did you have for breakfast?
Oatmeal, half a banana and two cups of coffee, light and sweet.
6. What is your middle name?
Marie. My confirmation name is Kathryn.
7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Heh. I like almost everything. I've been longing for miss_begonia's stirfry, of late, but I like to try almost anything.
8. What foods do you dislike?
Very few, actually. Cabbage, coconut, walnuts and pepperoni on pizza.
9. What is your favorite chip flavour?
I like them plain, unrippled even. But if I had to pick a flavor, I like the cheddar cheese ones.
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
Sadly, I tend to listen to mixes and singles more than CDs at the moment, but the exceptions to that -- particularly while I've been at my parents' -- have been fun.'s Aim and Ignite and The Gaslight Anthem's The '59 Sound.
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
A 1998 Honda Accord. 200,000+ miles and still kicking, bless her sturdy little heart.
12. Favourite sandwich?
Depends very much on where I am and who's making it, but my brother's grilled cheese sandwich is an all-time fav, as is John's roast pork and provolone and a pork roll and cheese sandwich fresh off the Boardwalk.
13. What characteristics do you despise?
Backstabbing, and other things that happen behind backs. I hate confrontation, but I'd rather have you say it to my face then behind my back.
14. Favourite item of clothing?
I have a pair of plaid pj pants I adore. In less comfy clothes, I have a power suit that I will probably never wear again, but love with all my heart. And a black sweater that always makes me happy.
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Right now, Italy, France, the Maldives, Africa, Bali -- anywhere, really. :) One thing I regret is that I haven't been able to travel much in the last few years.
16. What colour is your bathroom?
At home, yellow with dark-red accents. At my parents', black and yellow (apparently, yellow is a theme.)
17. What colour pants are you wearing?
Old, faded blue-denim jeans.
18. Where would you retire to?
I've always wanted to live in a little seaside village somewhere warm and sunny, where I can toddle to the market with my basket and gossip with the man behind the meat counter.
19. Favourite time of the day?
Ironically, since I hardly ever see it anymore, early morning, right before and after dawn. I love the way the world is so still and beautiful and full of possibility.
20. What was your most memorable birthday?
It's a toss-up between my 21st -- when my entire family trucked down to DC, where I was living at the time, just in time for the massive Gay Rights march and rally. It was amazing, for a lot of reasons -- and my 30th, when my aunt threw a surprise Not-A-Wedding Shower for me, since I'd been a bridesmaid about a dozen times by then. Actually, last year's birthday -- low key and thoroughly lovely -- was also a standout.
21. Where were you born?
Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
22. What's the last thing you ate?
A pretzel stick.
23. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Burnt Sienna. I always wished my hair were that color, and I always love the name.
24. Favorite flower?
Tulips. And the amazing-smelling flower, the name of which I never remember, but which smells like California to me.
25. What fabric detergent do you use?
Heh. Whatever's on sale, usually. I buy Tide Free a lot, too.
26. Coke or Pepsi?
To the chagrin of my entire family -- who are hardcore Pepsi fans -- I'm a Coke gal. I like Diet Pepsi better than Diet Coke, though.
27. Do you wish on stars?
I do. More wistfully than anything, but I do.
28. What is your shoe size?
Sigh. US Size 10. Yes, they are big. Yes, I usually can chose between drag-queen shoes and really ugly boots most of the time.
29. Do you have any pets?
No. Unless you count our frequent visitor Sasha Fierce, the neighborhood kitty who likes to roam our apartment at random intervals. I wish we could have a cat of our own, though.
30. Last person you talked to on the phone?
My very Catholic friend Chris, to firm up dinner plans for Wednesday. Yay!
31. What did you want to be when you were little?
An astronaut storyteller.
32. What are you meant to be doing now?
Going to bed. Soon, I hope.
33. What do you first notice about someone?
Their smile, and how they treat other people.
34. Siblings?
One, a brother three years younger.
35. What was your favourite toy as a child?
A tie between my stuffed Donald Duck -- who still lives with me in California -- and Mrs. Beasley, who drowned, tragically, when I was in high school.
36. Summer or winter?
Summer! Although, to be honest, I like Spring and Autumn best.
37. Hugs or Kisses?
Both! It depends on who, and what mood.
38. Chocolate or vanilla?
Again, both! If you twist my arm, always chocolate, though.
39. Who is most likely to respond?
I have no idea.
40. Who is least likely to respond?
Heh. I'm going to say mswalter, but just because I miss her.
41. Living arrangements?
Usually, in a beloved apartment in the Land of Oak with the lovely miss_begonia. Currently, in my childhood bedroom in Philadelphia, nursing my parents through their various ailments.
42. When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday. It was a bad day.
43. What is under your bed?
At home, suitcases, and a box of sentimental stuff I couldnt' bear to part with. At my parents', a box of sentimental stuff I couldn't bear to get rid of, but didn't want to haul to California.
44. How many countries have you visited?
Not enough! 5. The U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands (for a hot minute), Turkey and Greece.
45. In how many cities have you lived?
11. U f'ing D, PA; Philadelphia, PA; Avalon, NJ; Townsends' Inlet, NJ; Washington, DC; Lawrenceville, NJ; Trenton, NJ; Lawrence, NJ; Newtown, PA; Berkeley, CA; Oakland, CA.
46. Favourite movie of all time?
The Philadelphia Story. I know it has some problematic things to say about women, but the women themselves are amazing. As is the dialogue, the setting, the chemistry among all the starts -- pretty much everything about it.
47. Mountains or beach?
Beach. Always, always, always an ocean.
48. The current friend you have known the longest?
My friend Michelle and I have known each other since the first day of kindergarten. My very Catholic friend Chris and I have been friends since the 7th grade.
49. Full names of your potential kids?
Heh. This is more and more theoretical with every passing year, but I have dibs on Nora, Carson, Tiernan and Niall.
50. Usual bedtime?
Usually between 1:30 and 2-ish.
I am the most ridic. As always.