Memes-a-go-go
1. Since I had such great luck last time, tonight I've been making minestrone soup and white bread from scratch. I have this weird creative streak. I always have to be making something, even if the results aren't all that great. (And, as evidenced by the past few days, I also have a need to play Spider Solitaire non-stop.)
2. In today's Dear Prudence column on Slate, a debate broke out on the necessity of thank-you notes. Several people have said that they should only be sent when you can't thank the giver in person. While I'm not very good at sending them, I'll weigh in on the side of sending a note even if you've already said thanks. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I like the formality of acknowledging a substantial gift.
3. The intrepid asta77 broke the news that Jamie Bamber will guest star in the Dollhouse season premiere. In fact, I think Asta got the word out even before the media outlets! Aww, Helo and Lee together again. With him, I'll make a selfish exception to how I've been a bit annoyed by Joss's tendency to reuse his cache of actors. It yanks me out of the story.
4. Although nobody tagged me, I feel like doing the meme that has been making the rounds!
Lots of pillows or just one?
Two. I'm a side sleeper, and I like the cushiness.
What kind of books do you read?
Nonfiction, for the most part. All types, particularly memoirs by people who've lived interesting lives. I do read some literary fiction, but not all that much.
What are your most awesome skills?
I'm not really "awesome" at anything in particular! This summer I've enjoyed sewing, and I've been knitting for years. I'm really good at direction, and can remember how to get somewhere even years after I visited. I suppose I'm also good at surviving middle school on a daily basis. ;)
What's your occupation?
Teacher!
What's really creepy?
Large underground caverns. Bugs. People doing humiliating things (I just feel bad for them.) And unusual piercings -- not earrings or nose studs and those that have become mainstream, but things like earlobes stretched out so that you can put a pencil through them, or objects embedded under skin. They just make me shudder.
What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction?
Oh, gosh. Hmm... TV in general. This summer, boredom has led me to watch quite a few things that I wouldn't have otherwise. I still love BSG, but the *obsession* is waning as it always does for me when a show is over. And on a totally different note, I've developed a slight addiction to cheddar cheese and Wheat Thins, thanks to a friend serving them at a party. ;)
What flavor ice cream would you choose right now?
I love Bruster's various cake batter-flavored ice creams, though I've always adored a rich vanilla. Highly underrated! The good stuff should taste like liqueur -- not bland at all!
What websites do you always visit when you go online?
My Firefox home tabs are Gmail, my flist, my Manage Comments page (because I don't do e-mail notifications), Ravelry (a knitting website) and Twitter. I always open Google Reader in a new window, because it's easier to keep track of the tons of articles and blogs I follow.
What was the last thing you bought?
I went to Publix this afternoon and got too many things to list. One fun thing is that our ordinary neighborhood Publix now has a "British groceries" section, so I can buy Smarties whenever I want! (Now elly427 doesn't need to send them to me. ;) Until I really gave them a fair shake, I rolled my eyes and thought they were just the same as M&Ms. Now I know that they are so much better.
What was the cutest thing you've seen today?
Today? Not much! I guess the Mad Men thing. Though writing about Publix above reminded me of my trip there last week, when I saw a baby-wearing woman with her 5-year-old daughter, who had her own little sling carrying a doll. :)
Do you get cravings?
Yup, for all sorts of things, though they constantly change.
What do you do to change your mood?
Try to go for a walk, albeit not as often as I should. Sometimes I watch an old favorite on TV or pick up my knitting.
What is your zodiac sign?
Taurus
Do you want to learn another language?
I'd like to improve my Spanish. I used to teach at a school whose student body was 45% Hispanic, and I learned SO much Spanish there. Such fun! But my new school doesn't have as many Spanish-speaking students, so I've gotten out of the habit.
Five things you can't live without.
A rather shallow list: Diet Dr. Pepper, my laptop, TiVo, yarn, and my independence.
What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
Just got reacquainted with an old friend who I hadn't seen much lately. I realized that, thanks to various factors, I can't tell her certain things that had been common conversations between us in the past. It almost feels like I can't trust her anymore with that part of my life, because her reaction will be very different. I'd like to talk to her about that, but I won't.
What are you looking forward to?
Trying to be as lazy as possible over the next week. And what am I NOT looking forward to? Going back to work next Monday. *sigh*
2. In today's Dear Prudence column on Slate, a debate broke out on the necessity of thank-you notes. Several people have said that they should only be sent when you can't thank the giver in person. While I'm not very good at sending them, I'll weigh in on the side of sending a note even if you've already said thanks. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I like the formality of acknowledging a substantial gift.
3. The intrepid asta77 broke the news that Jamie Bamber will guest star in the Dollhouse season premiere. In fact, I think Asta got the word out even before the media outlets! Aww, Helo and Lee together again. With him, I'll make a selfish exception to how I've been a bit annoyed by Joss's tendency to reuse his cache of actors. It yanks me out of the story.
4. Although nobody tagged me, I feel like doing the meme that has been making the rounds!
Lots of pillows or just one?
Two. I'm a side sleeper, and I like the cushiness.
What kind of books do you read?
Nonfiction, for the most part. All types, particularly memoirs by people who've lived interesting lives. I do read some literary fiction, but not all that much.
What are your most awesome skills?
I'm not really "awesome" at anything in particular! This summer I've enjoyed sewing, and I've been knitting for years. I'm really good at direction, and can remember how to get somewhere even years after I visited. I suppose I'm also good at surviving middle school on a daily basis. ;)
What's your occupation?
Teacher!
What's really creepy?
Large underground caverns. Bugs. People doing humiliating things (I just feel bad for them.) And unusual piercings -- not earrings or nose studs and those that have become mainstream, but things like earlobes stretched out so that you can put a pencil through them, or objects embedded under skin. They just make me shudder.
What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction?
Oh, gosh. Hmm... TV in general. This summer, boredom has led me to watch quite a few things that I wouldn't have otherwise. I still love BSG, but the *obsession* is waning as it always does for me when a show is over. And on a totally different note, I've developed a slight addiction to cheddar cheese and Wheat Thins, thanks to a friend serving them at a party. ;)
What flavor ice cream would you choose right now?
I love Bruster's various cake batter-flavored ice creams, though I've always adored a rich vanilla. Highly underrated! The good stuff should taste like liqueur -- not bland at all!
What websites do you always visit when you go online?
My Firefox home tabs are Gmail, my flist, my Manage Comments page (because I don't do e-mail notifications), Ravelry (a knitting website) and Twitter. I always open Google Reader in a new window, because it's easier to keep track of the tons of articles and blogs I follow.
What was the last thing you bought?
I went to Publix this afternoon and got too many things to list. One fun thing is that our ordinary neighborhood Publix now has a "British groceries" section, so I can buy Smarties whenever I want! (Now elly427 doesn't need to send them to me. ;) Until I really gave them a fair shake, I rolled my eyes and thought they were just the same as M&Ms. Now I know that they are so much better.
What was the cutest thing you've seen today?
Today? Not much! I guess the Mad Men thing. Though writing about Publix above reminded me of my trip there last week, when I saw a baby-wearing woman with her 5-year-old daughter, who had her own little sling carrying a doll. :)
Do you get cravings?
Yup, for all sorts of things, though they constantly change.
What do you do to change your mood?
Try to go for a walk, albeit not as often as I should. Sometimes I watch an old favorite on TV or pick up my knitting.
What is your zodiac sign?
Taurus
Do you want to learn another language?
I'd like to improve my Spanish. I used to teach at a school whose student body was 45% Hispanic, and I learned SO much Spanish there. Such fun! But my new school doesn't have as many Spanish-speaking students, so I've gotten out of the habit.
Five things you can't live without.
A rather shallow list: Diet Dr. Pepper, my laptop, TiVo, yarn, and my independence.
What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
Just got reacquainted with an old friend who I hadn't seen much lately. I realized that, thanks to various factors, I can't tell her certain things that had been common conversations between us in the past. It almost feels like I can't trust her anymore with that part of my life, because her reaction will be very different. I'd like to talk to her about that, but I won't.
What are you looking forward to?
Trying to be as lazy as possible over the next week. And what am I NOT looking forward to? Going back to work next Monday. *sigh*