Getting to Know You - aka A Good Way to Waste a lot of Time at Work

...GETTING TO KNOWWWWW - ALL ABOUTTTTTTTTT YOUUUUUUU!

If you've been tagged, or are reading this, you have the (optional) honor of copying all these goofy questions, writing your own response, and (again, optionally) tagging other victims. You may even tag me. If I tagged you, it's because I'd love to hear back from you.

To do this, go to the “notes” tab on your profile page, paste this whole note into the body of a new note, replace my answers with your own, tag people you want to send it to (tagging is done in the upper right hand corner of the app), then click publish.
And, to be nice, I copied and pasted all the questions without any answers at the bottom so you can just paste that and not have to worry about deleting all my wiseass answers. Damn! Aren’t I such a lovely Hero!!!

WHEW. And on we go.

1. What time did you get up this morning? It depends on which clock I looked at. According to my bedside clock it was 7:15. According to my cell it was 6:45. According to the clock in the kitchen, it was 6:48.

2. How do you like your steak? Medium rare and HOT

3. What was the last movie you saw? In the theater, “Happy People” which wasn’t all that happy but still pretty good

4. What is your favorite TV show? TV? What’s TV? Is that what they call that silver box that sits above the fireplace? I seem to recall I used to watch moving pictures with commercials on it. Now I use it to veg in front of when I want to drift with an excellent DVD.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I haven’t been everywhere so I have a hard time answering this one. I like Utah, though. Desert. Mountains. Trees. Seasons.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Today was the official beginning of Front Line Therapy. Therefore I ate only healthy stuff and burped it up for two hours following. Delish.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican with as much cheese as possible and... oh dear... NOT on the FLT menu. AAaaaaaaa

8. What foods do you dislike? Tapioca, Frog Eye Salad, Rice Pudding... I’m a texture girl. Yeah... don’t go there. I don’t like THAT texture either.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? It’s a toss up between La Puente, Five Alls or Tepanyaki, depending on the craving

10. Favorite dressing? In a leisurely manner. Oh wait. Salad dressing? Anything BUT bleu cheese because that, like, totally gags me!

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? A BRAND NEW 2009 Chevy Aveo. Did I mention it’s BRAND NEW!!!

12. What are your favorite clothes? Anything that doesn’t bind, ride up or wedge.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Italy, Greece, Heaven

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Right now it is Half full, half of which is frozen, so does that mean it’s only quarter full?

15. Where would you want to retire? See #5

16. Favorite time of day? Anything beyond 9:00am. Prior to that, I’m a beast. I believe that mornings would be much better if they occurred AFTER 9:00 am. And, if I don’t have to be up before 9:00am the next day, then I’m a total night owl. I remember the days when I could stay up for all hours and...

17. Where were you born? In a hospital while my father was socializing with the doctor and the nurses were bringing in other “beautiful” babies to make my mother “jealous”. Apparently the whole thing was not a happy experience for her.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? I don’t like to watch sports. I know. Shoot me. Gymnastics is pretty cool, but my attention span only lasts so long before I need to move on. Dance is cool too. I can watch that for a long time. Take me to a football game and I have a blast. But it ain’t because I’m watching the game. It’s because I’m watching all the cute butts and the fans.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? The real question is, do I really care?

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Refer to #19

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? I really despise these questions in these questionnaires

22. Bird watcher? I especially like watching the quail couple that lives on the farm across the street from my office. Sometimes they talk to me.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Um... isn’t this question already on here or did I misread it??? Refer to #16

24. Do you have any pets? I don’t even want to go into this one right now thankyouverymuch

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Did I mention I have a BRAND NEW CAR?

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A dancer and a teacher.

27. What is your best childhood memory? I have so many... this one time...

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Refer to #24

29. Are you married? Good god! NO! HELL NO! Oh. Was that my outside voice? No, I’m not married, thank you.

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes and I can’t find anything sarcastic to say about this. I’m running out of steam.

31. Been in a car accident? Yes.

32. Any pet peeves? I haven’t had a peeve in a long time AND pets are a sore topic. See #24 & #28

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? I just ate so the idea of pizza makes me wanna barf

34. Favorite Flower? Oh god. I SO want to be sexual on this one...

35. Favorite ice cream? Again with the food. Crap... perhaps I ought to hold off on answering any more of these. 52 questions is a lot of questions when I’m feeling full and boring...

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? I’m not able to eat at ANY fast food restaurants. I’ve tried them all over the last couple years to find one whose food I can keep down and I have hurled every time. No fast food for me. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Nope. Uh-uh!

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? I passed with flying colors AFTER they had to come rescue me from the bathroom stall whose lock became permanently jammed while I was in there doing my business prior to the test.

38. From whom did you get your last email? Lynda.com

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Credit cards are the spawn of the devil. Give me lots of cash, baby, and I’ll spend that happily anywhere.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? I danced this morning. Felt good.

41. Like your job? Given that I’ve been spending the time answering this nice questionnaire WHILE I’m at work, what do you think?

42. Broccoli? Is that a new fad term of endearment or something?

43. What was your favorite vacation? My most recent trip to Disneyland. It totally rocked!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Mom and Kait

45. What are you listening to right now? Closing Time by Semisonic on Pandora Radio, the sound of these keys clicking and the dog barking outside (does that mean boss is here? Crap!)

46. What is your favorite color? Just one? Oh come on! That’s not fair!

47. How many tattoos do you have? I have many invisible tattoos that I’m trying on to see if I want to get a real one.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? Was the person just bored and out of ideas for really good questions when they created this questionnaire?

50. Coffee Drinker? I used to love my sugar with a splash of coffee. However, I’ve given up caffeine and like any good addict, I simply stay away.

51. Current favorite band or artist? Generally I like MUSIC not specific bands or artists. However, Nickelback seems to come to mind. Hot.

52. Current favorite movie? This list could go on for a very long time cuz there ain’t just one. One that I just recently added to the list was “Knowing.”

49. What time did you finish this quiz? (Whoever created this crazy questionnaire put this question as #49, which wasn’t the end. I’m moving it to the end and, to be funny, not changing the numbers! HA!) 2:24PM



1. What time did you get up this morning?

2. How do you like your steak?

3. What was the last movie you saw?

4. What is your favorite TV show?

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

6. What did you have for breakfast?

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

8. What foods do you dislike?

9. Favorite Place to Eat?

10. Favorite dressing?

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

12. What are your favorite clothes?

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

15. Where would you want to retire?

16. Favorite time of day?

17. Where were you born?

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?

22. Bird watcher?

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?

24. Do you have any pets?

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

27. What is your best childhood memory?

28. Are you a cat or dog person?

29. Are you married?

30. Always wear your seat belt?

31. Been in a car accident?

32. Any pet peeves?

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?

34. Favorite Flower?

35. Favorite ice cream?

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?

38. From whom did you get your last email?

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

41. Like your job?

42. Broccoli?

43. What was your favorite vacation?

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?

45. What are you listening to right now?

46. What is your favorite color?

47. How many tattoos do you have?

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?

50. Coffee Drinker?

51. Current favorite band or artist?

52. Current favorite movie?

49. What time did you finish this quiz? (Whoever created this crazy questionnaire put this question as #49, which wasn’t the end. I’m moving it to the end and, to be funny, not changing the numbers! HA!)

16 Things

One of my friends on facebook tagged me with the "16 Things for 16 Friends" meme and I figured I would do it here and kill two birds with one stone! :) I would love for you to play along but I refuse to tag anyone. Soooooooooo... if you do play along, let me know so I can stop by your posting to check it out.

The rules are: Once you've been tagged, you're supposed to create a note about yourself with 16 random thoughts, facts, goals, interesting things about yourself and tag 16 of your friends (including the person who tagged you). If you've been tagged, it's because someone wants to learn more about you!

Here we go... (see... told you I couldn't stay away from blogging!)

One of my uncles works for the IRS. I dreamed the other night that he had been let go after working there for his entire life, just before he was ready to retire. He had been let go because they were closing shop.

I once held a bear cub that was six weeks old.

Being stalked by wolves is terrifying. More scary than being approached by a grizzly.

The very first car I purchased was a stick-shift. I had no idea how to drive it. Therefore, my boyfriend at that time test drove it and I spent the next week killing it at every intersection then popping and jolting through when the light turned green.

Apparently, I'm an artist. Funny. I have always said I wasn't.

When I was little I wanted to be a teacher and a dancer when I grew up. I'm sorta doing both.

My former husband is my re-current employer.

After my lifelong best friend died, I saw him at his own viewing. He didn't want to be in the casket. He wanted to be riding his motorcycle instead.

I once had sex in a storage unit on the edge of an upright mattress that was wedged between a chest of drawers and a desk. We sprung the springs on that side of the mattress and it was never the same when it got moved out of storage.

When I was younger, I picked my nose and ate it. (Collective groan of disgust.) I broke the habit when I got caught doing it by my sister and her boyfriend when we were in our teens. (I know! Gross! Old enough to know better.) Interestingly enough, I mentioned this embarrassing moment to her just last weekend and she has no recollection of it. I was scarred for life, however.

I don't go to horror movies. I have an overactive imagination that absorbs images that haunt me for years to come. Ya know in the preview for Dawn of the Dead that came out in 2004 where all the people were pressed against the glass, clawing to get out (or in)? Ye-eah. That image still haunts my nightmares at times. (Even now, when I researched it [yes, I am a glutton for punishment] to make sure I had the title correct, I watched the trailer in broad daylight and still have shivers and feel like someone is watching over my shoulder. shit.)

I love to drive fast.

My very first job was at McDonald's. That was back when they used real food and it was cooked as you were waiting for it, or just moments before, rather than hours ahead and held in a "holding bin." I won first prize in a crew meeting because I knew all 10 ingredients that went into a Big Mac: "2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles on a sesame seed bun. Oh! And salt and pepper." Interestingly enough, I worked counter at the time. No one in grill knew the answer. Apparently none of them watched as much television as I did! Also, while I worked there, they introduced the McDLT. It happened to be my favorite sandwich. Hot patty and cheese on one half. Cold, crisp lettuce and tomatoe on the other. They can't serve it anymore, I guess, because they cannot figure out how to keep the hot side hot and the cold side cold without using a styrofoam container. Sad.

I get really, really impatient waiting for computers even though I am old enough to remember the time before computers.

A few years ago, I was a part of a professional, touring belly dancing troupe for a year. Around this same time, I learned how to drum. My instrument of chose is a Djembe and I have a hand-made, master-crafted KazDrums Djembe to call my own.

I have a tender heart.

Reflection and the Art of Moving Forward

"Reflecting Forward" -akm 1/1/09

I am choosing differently for my life in ways that are leading me to new horizons and yet, still, I sometimes find myself in places that I am questioning. (More on that later.) However, the fact that I am ending up in new places - and that, when I recognize a place as being an "old place," I am actually recognizing it - is a clear indication that my choices are having an effect on my life. In looking back over this past year, I can clearly see where I have created huge bends in my path, creating a beautiful pattern in a path that had once seemed so dull and lifeless.

A few days ago, one of my best friends, Jen (with whom I am creating JenGie Creations), sent me the following questions in an email which I have been pondering as I am reflecting on 2008, in preparation to go forward for 2009 ... (I have included a list of just the questions at the bottom of this post for you if you would like to play along. I would love to know if you did and what your responses were.)

* What did I gain/lose? I gained self-love, first and foremost. I gained beautiful, long-lasting friendships. I gained confidence and the ability to go forward in face of my fears. I gained knowledge of my calling here on Earth and began the process of fully stepping into that. I gained wisdom and clarity and peace. I lost some old patterns. I lost the ability to please others over - or instead of - myself. I lost the need to be liked by everyone. I lost a very dear friend.
* What did I start/stop? I started believing in me. I started dancing more. I started new art. I started wondering instead of fearing. I started living. I started creating. I started new businesses. I started expanding. I started releasing. I started cleansing. I started loving me. I started showing up fully, more completely and solidly as myself. I stopped wanting everyone to like me. I stopped wondering how to make everyone like me. I stopped doing stuff that I didn't want to do. I stopped making agreements to do stuff I couldn't possibly or didn't want to do. I stopped worrying about what everyone else was doing and focused on what I was doing.
* What did I buy that I really wanted / that I shouldn't have? Given my financial situation, there wasn't a lot of room for buying stuff I really wanted and, especially, for the stuff that I really shouldn't have. There was a period of time in October, where I was spending money I didn't have and I caught myself saying, "That was stupid of me." I rationalized it beautifully though. That big purchase was for the tools of my trade. Therefore, it will pay off in the end. Eh-hem.
* What thoughts am I thinking differently now compared to last year? This could be an endless list! I am able to think about myself as successful now and creative. I am thinking about how I can create, wondering what's next and exploring new ways. I think about my accomplishments and take moments to rejoice in my achievements. I think about the beauty I see in the mirror, even if it is only one small point of discovery. I think about how I am going forward, what I want to bring into the world, how I want to play.
* What was my biggest discovery about myself this year? I am the Sentinel and what that means to me, how I fulfill that calling and how I live that path.
* What made time fly the most when I did it this year? What was a waste of my time? Oh this one is easy. It is always in my creative genius that time flies - writing and art. I added to that list this year, photography and JenGie, both of which are creative projects. I waste the most time in front of the television when I am numbing out in fear. I am grateful to say that the television has not been that big of a distraction this year.
* Where was the most amazing place I went this year? The first answer shocked me: within. Okay. Wow. Ummmm... the "out in the world place" would be... Lava Hot Springs all three times, with the last time being the absolute best and most amazing experience of the year.
* Where do I never want to go again? To sleep in a domestic violence shelter.
* What truly satisfied me this year? Myself... from beginning to end. (Damn! That feels great to say. I thought when I wrote it that I would check in and hear myself scolding myself for being prideful. Granted, there was some of that talk, but I felt more grateful than anything.)
* What caused frustration or disappointment for me this year? The painful results (feeling violated and betrayed) of not getting the lesson that arose time and again this year: Listen to yourself, Angie. Don't sell yourself short. Stand in your truth and honor that. (That also happens to be one of my biggest learning curves.) Losing out on an entire month's pay because I didn't have my friend sign a contract. Getting kicked out of the girl's club before I was even really let in. Being with my best friend and having him totally not get me anymore and not clicking with him smoothly.
* What do I want to do better? Everything that I accomplished in 2008, I commit to continue to build on in 2009. I commit to completing the process for getting Above the Clouds published. I commit to showing my art more frequently. I commit to holding space for a love-relationship partner to show up. I commit to loving myself more by caring for my physical body more attentively.
* What was the best thing that someone did for me/that I did for someone else / that I did for myself? There were so many little things that were done for me this year that culminated in this being a beautiful year. I think the "thing" with the biggest outcome were the different people - both strangers and friends - who reflected to me the beauty within me. I made a mental commitment at the beginning of 2008 to create relationships that reflect the good (instead of only the bad, which had been my previous pattern). I had so many people that began interacting with me via email, comments and replies to my Meditations that reflected to me the ways I am beautifully rippling into the world. The greatest thing I did for someone else was... I showed up fully and completely for several people in my community at times when they needed the support the most. And for me? I recognized and appreciated and welcomed and absorbed the beautiful reflections. I allowed myself to show up in my genius and I opened space for discovery about what I am here to do.
* What didn't I do that I wanted to but will make a huge difference in the quality of my life when I do it next year? Release Above the Clouds into the world. Release JenGie Creations into the world.
* What do I want to recommit to? I recommit to completing the process for Above the Clouds. I recommit to being open to the next steps for JenGie and for the support team to show up to forward it into the world. I recommit to getting my own home and healing office space.
* What is my dream for 2009? I am easefully fluid with finances and all of my financial needs are met with an excess for investing. I am in my own home with two bedrooms, healing space/office, and herborium. I am moving forward with my photography and art with astounding ease, grace and financial abundance. I am in love! I am continuing to be in the right place at the right moment. I am creating strong, lifelong, co-creative, powerful friendships that are full of love and transparent honesty. I am confident and hopeful and laughing. I am a published author. I am the Sentinel. I am free!

Forward, I go!


* What did I gain/lose?
* What did I start/stop?
* What did I buy that I really wanted / that I shouldn't have?
* What thoughts am I thinking differently now compared to last year?
* What was my biggest discovery about myself this year?
* What made time fly the most when I did it this year? What was a waste of my time?
* Where was the most amazing place I went this year?
* Where do I never want to go again?
* What truly satisfied me this year?
* What caused frustration or disappointment for me this year?
* What do I want to do better?
* What was the best thing that someone did for me/that I did for someone else / that I did for myself?
* What didn't I do that I wanted to but will make a huge difference in the quality of my life when I do it next year?
* What do I want to recommit to?
* What is my dream for 2009?

A Few of My Favorite Things

I decided to create a post that had my favorite post from each month...

January: And That's All Folks
February: The Heat of You This post contains some graphic adult content. If you are under age, offended by graphic sexuality or of a religious persuasion that would frown on you reading such stuff, then turn back now. Consider yourself duly warned.
March: I Had Myself Over for Dinner
April: Cocoa Coffee
May: Through the Eyes of My Beloved
June: Hormonal
July: Fearing Genius
August: First Day
September: Breathing
October: Visitation
November: History in the Making
December: Tearful Goodbye and Aware (although this second one is not truly a blog post, but rather a video post worth viewing)

1 x 1 2008

About a year ago today marked the time of when I contracted the infectious blogging bug. It was the week I spent a lot of time in front of the computer, clicking away on blog lists until I found bloggers with whom I felt a kinship. It was when I found Tewkesbury and Cele and Alice. Since those blogging relationships, others have bloomed over this last year like Shiggy and Sideon and Kristen. I feel very blessed to have linked up my electronic life with these amazing people. Then, the coolest thing started happening... my "real life" friends and loved ones started blogging too (or I finally discovered their blogs...) and my "to read" list grew.

Last year, Tewksey posted a yearend Meme that I loved and last night, in the middle of the night whilst I was tossing and turning, I remembered it and decided I wanted to revive it for this year.

The rules are pretty basic:

Take the first line of the first post from every month in 2007 and play the game.

Create a link to the original post so readers can continue reading when compelled to do so. (My link will be in the name of the month.)

For extra jazziness, include a picture from the post.

I discovered last year that the funnest part of this, for me, was the chance to reread some of what I had written. I discovered I had some pretty good stuff out there!!! Let's see what I did this year...

Sooooooooooooooooooooo... without further ado, presenting this year's "One by One"...

January 2008
The sun rose this morning, kissing the points of the Rocky Mountains and ascending into a sky so blue and cloudless it hurt my eyes to look at the brilliance...

February 2008
Whew... I made it...

March 2008
I have read the book Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki before at the behest of Mr. Millionaire...

April 2008
When is enough, enough?...

May 2008
...it used to be the day I got ready for Sunday so that I didn't do anything too strenuous or "non-church" related...

June 2008
I feel so blessed....

July 2008
The house which is in the works for me to purchase has been vacant and unloved since February.... (Ugh... I forgot about this one. I feel sad.)

August 2008
Friday...

September 2008
Yes, indeed!...


October 2008
And it is a great big sigh...

November 2008
To learn more about playing Weekend Exposure, visit this post on Amanda's blog...

December 2008
I could feel the excitement bursting from the tiny body standing next to me...

Hmmmmm… after reading through this years’ One by One, I am not near as impressed as I was last year at the completion of this project!!! LOL

Sooooooooo... in the next few days, look for my posting of my twelve favorite posts from this year.

Photo Meme

Okay... so it has been a REALLY long time since I have done a meme. I was perusing my blog roll and on the very first one, Alice's Adventures Underground, I discovered a super fun meme! Wanna play?
The idea is you:

• Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
• Using only the first page, pick an image. (You can arrange by "Most relevant," "Most recent," or "Most interesting.")
• Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you?
12. Your flickr name?

1. For my very dear friend Angie (*Madrigal*, formerly "Cali-Bunny"), 2. Blue Butterfly, 3. Granger brings me a present, 4. Perspective Matters (900 unique and cool people count this photo as a favorite), 5. For me it is my Heart..., 6. La ultima pepsi del desierto, 7. Perfection, 8. Untitled, 9. "Riches", 10. rare jewels, 11. Cd Art, 12. fly online!

Morning Drive

I have a fairly lengthy daily commute, usually through intense traffic and seemingly gazillions of cars. In the morning, the bulk of the trip is driving into the sunrise. In the evening, I am driving into the sunset. And while both of those situations could be scenes from some lovely fairy tale, it makes for quite unpleasant driving conditions, at times.

I realized, as I was driving this morning, that I am actually really active during this process. Here is some of what I was aware of...

THINGS I DID
-Drove 6mph over the posted speed limit everywhere except in the neighborhood and school zones, then I was dead-on the speed limit.
-Isometrics.
-Mascara at the red lights.
-Sang at the top of my lungs.
-Danced and bounced.
-Radio channel surfing when a boring song or the commercials came on.

THINGS I SAW
-A man walking down the sidewalk, leaning over sideways to the left in his crookedness.
-A massive, ominous black truck in my rear-view mirror. The driver of this truck wore a black head wrap and which also covered the lower half of his face. All I could see was the bridge of his nose and his black eyes peering into mine in the reflection.
-A yellowish-gray atmosphere hanging heavily with pollution, the sun fighting in vain to glare through the thickness and blinding me through the pasty windshield which I desperately need to clean, yet lack the fluid to do so.
-A locally-owned donut shop packed to the gills with men waiting in line.
-A large, square-head shovel on the freeway entrance.
-A young boy skateboarding awkwardly while trying to balance his overflowing backpack.
-An obviously intoxicated group of six men in front of the Indian Walk-in Center.
-A gargantuan flock of pigeons in the exact same two places they are every single morning - the north side of the Walmart on 1300 South; half of the flock is on the same patch of ground every morning eating something and the other half is lording over them from the telephone wires above.

THINGS I HEARD
-Over-anxious honking from the driver beside me.
-One of my all-time favorite songs: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield



-A new favorite, which I heard for the very first time this morning: Into the Ocean by Blue October



-Raspberry Beret by Prince (sorry... no good video to post...)
-Many other songs and commercials which did not grab my attention.

THINGS I FELT
-Sourness in my belly from the orange juice/echinacea/colloidal silver concoction I drank this morning on an empty stomach.
-Fuzzy tongue.
-Heat and movement in my muscles as I did my isometrics.
-Happy to be alive.
-Curious.
-My damp hair against my face.
-Momentarily and instantaneously afraid when I looked into the eyes of that man wearing what appeared to be a snipers mask.
-Worried that the crookedly-left-leaning man was going to topple over in his awkward gate.

THINGS I THOUGHT
-I wonder how Jeffy is doing while he is here at home, on leave from Iraq.
-When someone says to me, "I hear you are angry," are they really hearing me or are they just saying that because they have been trained to do reflective hearing? Could it be that they really aren't hearing me, but are just saying that because it is reflexive?
-I wonder if my father's wife is actually really scared that she got laid off of work late Sunday night?
-Do car salespeople enjoy selling cars?
-Were the lyrics of Raspberry Beret based on a personal experience? Why "raspberry"? Was it because "raspberry beret" sounds good together? Or did he just want to work the word "raspberry" into one of his lyrics? Cranberry Beret sounds good too.
-I should have brushed my teeth again after drinking the OJ so my tongue wouldn't feel so fuzzy and my mouth wouldn't taste like ass.
-Do those men value the free health care and STD testing they will receive at the walk-in center?
-A story about that man in the snipers mask being a terrorist. Hurry get away fast!
-I need to clean my windshield. I need to get windshield wiper fluid. I need to get my car inspected this month. Shit! How am I going to pay for that?
-Mmmmmmmmm.... donuts. Do I want a donut? Keep driving, Angie. You don't need a donut.
-Someone is going to miss their shovel. They will have no idea where they lost it.
-Who invented the skateboard and why?
-What in the hell are those pigeons eating every day?
-Apparently a nanosecond of hesitation throws of his driving mojo, hence the need to lay down on his horn so obnoxiously. What an ass.
-What are the lyrics to this song??? This is awesome! Who is this group? They sound like an 80's band. OOOOh! I love 80's music! When did I get old enough to be retro? I will look up the lyrics when I get to work. I wonder... is it called Swim Away or Let the Rain Come Down or Into the Ocean???? Shit. I will search them all. I have never heard this song before. I am probably way behind the times, but I la-la-LOVE this song!!!

Artist: Blue october
Song: Into The Ocean
Album: Foiled

(Editorial: After listening to this song ALL morning, watching the video and then reading the lyrics while the song played one time through, I discovered a few errors. I have corrected/added in the lyrics as I hear them and they are in bold.)

i'm just a normal boy
that sank when i fell overboard
my ship would leave the country
but i'd rather swim ashore

without a life vest, I'd be stuck again
wish i was much more masculine
maybe then i could learn to swim
like 'fourteen miles away'

now floating up and down
i spin, colliding into sound
like whales beneath me diving down
i'm sinking to the bottom of my
everything that freaks me out
the lighthouse beam has just run out
i'm cold as cold as cold can be
be

i want to swim away but don't know how
sometimes it feels just like i'm falling in the ocean
let the waves stop, take me down
let the hurricane set in motion (yeah)
let the rain of what i feel right now...come down
let the rain come down

where is the coastguard
i keep looking each direction
for a spotlight, give me something
i need something for protection
maybe flotsam junk will do just fine
the jetsam sunk, i'm left behind
i'm treading for my life believe me
(how can i keep up this breathing)

not knowing how to think
i scream aloud, begin to sink
my legs and arms are broken down
with envy for the solid ground
i'm reaching for the life within me
how can one man stop his ending
i thought of just your face
relaxed, and floated into space

i want to swim away but don't know how
sometimes it feels just like i'm falling in the ocean
let the waves stop, take me down
let the hurricane set in motion (yeah)
let the rain of what i feel right now...come down
let the rain come down
let the rain come down

now waking to the sun
i calculate what i had done
like jumping from the bow (yeah)
just to prove i knew how (yeah)
it's midnight's late reminder of
the loss of her, the one i love
my will to quickly end it all
sat front row in my need to fall

into the ocean, end it all
into the ocean, end it all
into the ocean, end it all
into the ocean, end it... all

(zayra)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)

i want to swim away but don't know how
sometimes it feels just like i'm falling in the ocean
let the waves stop, take me down
let the hurricane set in motion (yeah)
let the rain of what i feel right now...come down
let the rain come down
let the rain come down

into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
(in to space)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
(i thought of just your face)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)
into the ocean (goodbye) end it all (goodbye)

...It's official. After listening to this song about eight times while writing this and reading the lyrics, I totally LOVE this song!!!

MeMeMeMeMeme

Courtesy of Cele, I am doing the following Meme. I included a blank copy at the end for YOU to copy and paste into your own post.


Ten things about yourself:
1. Name: Angie – The Phoenix
2. Birthday: Gemini baby, baby
3. Where do you live: in a petite guest room in my father’s house in Salt Lake
4. Right or Left handed: Ever been touched by me? I’m ambidextrous that way.
5. Favorite color: Black
6. Favorite sport: Ugh... not much of a sport fan when it comes to participating – always opted for “dance” instead of PE.
7. Biggest Fear: dying before I have lived
8. Status: alive
9. Do you have a crush on someone? Ummmmm... maybe

Your last....
1. Cigarette: NEVER!!! Ewww! Gross
2. Beverage: of choice would be Pepsi. LOVE my Pepsi! However, I am swearing off pop so my fancy drink is now tea. My favorite is Sweet Flower from the Tea Grotto here in Salt Lake
3. Kiss: my daughter this morning. From a “love” potential? Yeah... too long ago to remember. That’s pathetic
4. Hug: my daughter this morning
5. Movie seen: 27 Dresses – total chick flick and predictable, at that
6. CD played: Lionel Richie’s latest which I can’t remember what it is called
7. Song listened to: “Send Me an Angel" by Real Life streaming here on my internet radio
8. Bubble bath: I don’t usually use bubbles. I prefer oils or salts and I take long, hot baths frequently. I actually sat in one for an hour on Wednesday night.
9. Time you cried: Yesterday afternoon in frustration

Eight Have-You-Ever's:
1. Dated one of your best friends or wanted to? Wanted to.(still do) Desperately.
2. Skinny dipped: funny me. Yes. Just last October! Experienced my first skinny dipping AND my first group nudity all in one weekend
3. Kissed somebody and regretted it: Okay... there was this one time in high school that I went out with a guy who was friends with my exboyfriend. (I didn't go out with him because he was his friend) He was cute and liked me and I thought it would be fun, even though I didn’t really like-LIKE him. He trapped me at the door, bracing himself against the wall with a hand on either side of my face and he came in for the kill. It was a tonsillectomy and face washing all in one. OH! MY! GOD! Horrible, wretched experience that caused nightmares for weeks.
4. Liked someone you knew you couldn't have: Loved someone I couldn’t have? Yeah. Still to this day. Get over it already.
5. Been overseas: Does flying to Hawaii count?
6. Dressed in costume: Duh. I love Halloween!
7. Been drunk: Once. That was enough to cure me for life.
8. Run away: As a child, I never needed or wanted to. As an adult, I had to if I wanted to make it out alive.

Two Things That You Want To Be When You Grow Up:
1. Complete
2. Free

I tag...... YOU! You're it! :) (Would you be so kind as to comment and let me know you are doing it too so I can check yours out? Thankyouverymuch!)

Ten things about yourself:
1. Name:
2. Birthday:
3. Where do you live:
4. Right or Left handed:
5. Favorite color:
6. Favorite sport:
7. Biggest Fear:
8. Status:
9. Do you have a crush on someone?

Your last....
1. Cigarette:
2. Beverage: Celestial
3. Kiss:
4. Hug:
5. Movie seen:
6. CD played:
7. Song listened to:
8. Bubble bath
9. Time you cried:

Eight Have-You-Ever's:
1. Dated one of your best friends or wanted to?
2. Skinny dipped:.
3. Kissed somebody and regretted it:
4. Liked someone you knew you couldn't have:
5. Been overseas:
6. Dressed in costume:
7. Been drunk:
8. Run away:

Two Things That You Want To Be When You Grow Up:
1.
2.

I tag...

My Own Meme... FOR REAL

While following JMT's example and doing that last meme, I glanced at some of my other posts during the year and thought to myself, (and who else would I have been thinking to???? I'm not that good. Yet.) Self... you have some pretty good shit on here. And you are new to this loop of people... perhaps you should toot your own horn for a bit and share.

Now, I am not one who generally toots her own horn. I was taught that that was prideful and that pride goeth before the fall. And, really, who wants to fall? Not I, for sure. However, I really do have some stuff that I am proud of. If you would be so kind to allow me, (there I go... seeking permission... damn!) I would love to share them.

Here are my rules... (Again, I am the Queen here so off with their heads! Oh. Wait! No... I mean... I make the rules! And... off with their heads!)

1. Paste the first paragraph and one picture, if applicable, of one of your favorite blogs for each month of 2007.
2. Provide a link so that the readers whom you entice with your wittiness and wisdom can easily finish reading.
3. Most importantly, have fun!

JANUARY This morning I was up long before the sun, when the sky and the mountains merged as one into the grey liquid dawn. My daughter’s light was on so I ventured across the living room to peek in on her. She was snuggled down beneath her electric blanket with all the covers pulled up around her ears. She was breathing that deep, relaxed rhythm of sleep. She knew I was there, though.

FEBRUARY I am going to recreate a story that was told by an acquaintance last night. (Thank you, Merit, for following your intuition!) The message within the story while being so simple and clearly stated was profound. I heard all kinds of “Ah-has!” going on throughout the room. For me, it solidified a concept that I knew in some ethereal sense, yet had never truly looked at and languaged…

MARCH I decided that the best way to start my day today would be to go try on swimsuits. Yeah. Right.


APRIL “Tips Appreciated,” boasted the handwritten sign. It hung slightly askew upon the window of the drive-thru of a local bagel shop with an excessive amount of tape, which appeared to have been applied by a two year old.

MAY I have been wondering about cancer lately, specifically breast cancer.

JUNE Well... apparently I wrote nothing in this blog during the month of June. So I checked my MySpace blog... and found this...


Yesterday afternoon, prior to going to the bank, I had a session with my Reiki Master Trainer. I sat on her couch and poured my heart open for her to witness. Then, I lay upon her table and, like a sniveling child, sobbed my way through our Reiki work.

JULY The bedraggled old man's sign read:
AUGUST
If you leave, don't leave now
Please don't take my heart away
Promise me
Just one more night
And then we'll go our separate ways...

SEPTEMBER (This was a tough month as this is when I contracted West Nile virus. Many of my posts from this month are on that topic. I found this one that wasn't...)


The intensity of the atmosphere caught my attention. It sounded loud and reckless outside and I felt inquisitively drawn toward the window. I wondered what was happening to make such a ruckus and what sight would greet me.


OCTOBER This morning, on the way to work, I turned my stereo up so loud that I could not hear myself think. I did it on purpose. I have been thinking too much lately. Having my ears and head numb opened up my eyes. As I drove, I spied...


NOVEMBER Yesterday I went to lunch with a friend. As I pulled into the parking lot, I had to wait as a couple of pedestrians crossed my path. It was a long wait as they were quite aged and slow-going.


DECEMBER I feel humbled...

My own Meme

OH! MY! GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTF?!?!?

I have just spent two friggin hours doing a most amazing meme and it is... GONE!!!

UGH!

Well... fine. Maybe later.

Shit...

One by One

A blogger friend, J.M. Tewkesbury posted a blog today that sounded like fun and I think I will try it out...

As per JMT, who stole it from a friend, the rules are pretty basic. Take the first line of the first post from every month in 2007 and play the game.

Hold on! This should be fun... (author sidenote here... I realized that many of the "first posts" may possibly be Meditations. Later on in the year, if that is the case, then they are all going to read the same thing... Click here for this week's meditation, which would be an entirely boring blog entry. Therefore, since I am the Queen here, I will choose the next first entry to post.) I am going to add a link to the post in the month header that way if you are really enticed, you can easily go there to finish the read. :) Damn! Aren't I such the helpful blogger. OOOO! And, I will also include one pic if there was one. Sheesh! I can't help myself.

January...

2007 started quietly today – that sort of hushed stillness that falls over a land of people who made merry into the wee hours of the morning the night before.

February...

I had prepared an entirely different Meditation for today. Then, something happened which led me to believe there was a special message that needed to be shared...

March...

I have been prompted to write about “Personas” and I feel a little nervous about doing so.

April...

Last night I went to a quaint Italian restaurant with my daughter and mother.

May...

Spring has, indeed, sprung here in my fair city and has seemingly stepped aside for summer.

June...

Many friends have questioned, "Where have you gone, Angie? Why are you not blogging anymore?"

July...

I arose at exactly 3:25 am.

August...

A few days ago, for some reason, I had the image of a praying mantis pop into my head.

September...

Some days I surprise myself.

October...

Oh my God!

November...

Somehow... it is already November.

December...

(For December, there were three "first day" posts, two of which were movie critiques. One for Darjeeling Limited and another for The Golden Compass. So I am opting to post the first line of the third first post, not that it is any more interesting than the other two.)

I just realized that when I am tired, small things are large and big things are insurmountable.

Ten Weird Things

10 Weird things about me...

Cele posted a Talk Thursday and, although I am about a week behind – it’s dated 12/20/07 – I thought I would give it a go. And, now that I have decided to take it on, I am completely drawing a blank. Funny... yeah, not so funny...

10 – I have a story that I am unlovable because I am not some waif-like nymphet. Actually, I am a nymph (older than a nymphet, yet a nymph still the same), but I am far from being a waif. Somehow my brain has conjured that that is grounds for being unlovable.

9 – I want to be monetarily wealthy and yet I choose to sabotage myself by creating debt. There is no hope of getting ahead that way.

8 – I believe in Christ, (ack! I totally heard that hymn, which, at one point, was one of my most favorite hymns, blast through my head when I typed those words...), yet I am questioning the validity of that story – the “Birth of Christ.” I am questioning the reality/possibility of such an improbable tale. I am questioning if He is really my Savior, or anyone’s. I am wondering if my God would require His Son to die for me in order to save me. I am wondering why that sounds weird to me now. And I am really scared to write this one...

7 – I have three (almost five) completed books which I am absolutely terrified to query or publish.

6 – I do not call my father’s wife “stepmother.” I call her “my father’s wife.”

5 – Sometimes things come out of my mouth that sound so not-funny and actually quite serious to me in my head, yet people laugh so hard I think they will burst. When I intend to be funny, it is usually received as such. I am funnier around certain people than I am around others and I “feed” off the chemistry there. Sometimes I am surprised to hear someone say, “You are so damn funny!”

4 – Apparently, when I am angry, I am really, really scary. I have had big burly guys tell me that I intimidate the hell out of them when I am angry. I find that funny because I stand five feet tall and forget that I have an extra-large body (until, of course, I go shopping for swimsuits and such), in my head I see myself as tiny. So when these “big” people who tower over me tell me they are afraid of me, I laugh. Then I think about it and wonder if “intimidation” is really what I want to project.

3 – I long to be in a romantic love relationship, most likely with a man since that is my tendency, yet I surround myself with lesbians and gay men.

2 – I have a lot of friends who aren’t really friends and very few whom I would call real friends. Although I have a lot of people in my network, I feel really, really aware that I feel really, really alone. I am a sociable person seemingly without social skills. I love being invited, yet refuse to invite. I love to be included, yet refuse to plan on my own. Shit...

1 – I have spent my entire life trying to fit in and be like everyone else, while longing to be unique. While this is probably very common, it is the strangest thing indeed.

I am way too un-weird. This was a struggle for me. And now, as I am looking back at it, it seems to be another list of fears, rather than weirdness. Okay... so maybe I am more afraid than I am weird.

Go figure!

Party Talk

A newfound blogger friend, J.M. Tewkesbury, posted a challenge in a Holiday Party Meme (challenge is here; original post of questions is here) that I absolutely could not resist. I have to admit... I love these Memes. And, what's more... I am continually amazed by the brilliance that is dancing around on this wonderful web we weave... heeheehee... alliteration!

Soooo... I chose to take on the third challenge... here is my response:

Dateless and daring, Darling Angie danced down another darkening dream and developed desire, avowing decisiveness as an attempt at dismissing doubts. She shuddered, shouted and shimmied shyly into beautiful blatant black attire, adding purple plum perfection for final fabulousness. Knowing nobody knows Darling Angie anyway and a party provides perfect prospects for feeling fun, frisky and free, Darling Angie danced down another darkening dream.

Darling Angie was greeted greatly with grins and grasping embraces embellished with smiles, smooches and small talk which healed her heart. Friends forever filled the spacious span of sparkling lights, warm wonderful wonders and melodic, moving music.

Happiness had happened! Darling Angie had danced down another darkening dream and landed lots of love and laughter. Each exchange expanded exponentially into intriguing, interesting, inclusive experiences of unbelievably unique unity.

Dateless didn’t deny celebration, as she danced down another darkening dream. Darling Angie was welcomed with widespread arms and allowed an amazing time to take to heart, her humbled heart, total truth which was: Darling Angie decided she doesn’t desire a date at all at this time! Anyway, Angie’s friends already find her fabulous!

Visual Meme

Soooooo... my friend, JulieAnn posted on her blog this really cool Meme... a visual Meme. I loved the idea so I am going to try it out as well.

The rules are:
1- Go to Google Images
2- Enter your birth date as six figures: ddmmyy or mmddyy
3- Pick any five pictures from the first page of results only.
4- Post them somewhere we can see.

Ms. JulieAnn was creative and posted Haikus with each pic. I think I will do something similar. Yay! This will be fun.

(and... bummer... my birth date does not bring up any pics, no matter how I enter it. Soooooo... I will try spelling out the month and see what happens...) Okay... I was born in June so I got rid of the zero in the month of my birth date and then it worked.... here it is:

Hailstorm
Awash with
Ice – cold and moist
Landing harshly
Slamming into windows
To pelt rhythmically
Obliterating the ground
Robbing the clouds
Making the land white





Thank You
Humbly from my heart
And down deep in my soul
Next to where I dream
Knowing that
You are there
Opening your heart to mine
Unconditionally

Light switch
Ignites the room in
Glowing brilliance
Happening with one quick pull
Transitioning from dark to light
Successfully
Without fail until
Its filament
Twitches one last time
Catching on a subtle burst
Honoring us no more



Fish in the Sand
In days gone by
Secreted away in little groups
Held dear and close
In their hearts knowing they were
Not the same as everyone else
To be sure they were amongst friends
Half a fish was drawn in the sand
Each waiting for another to complete
Safety was there amongst them
As the other reached his stick to mark
Nicely completing the other side
Declaring we are all the same

Bauble, bauble, bauble
Announcing one’s beauty
Upon the graceful neck to
Behold and declare
Lovely
Every time

The Greatest

Yay! It's time for another meme... courtesy of Ms. JulieAnn! I copied her header and the questions for ya... enjoy and play along. So fun!!!

"Here are the rules: Copy the meme listed below to your blog and answer the questions. At the end of the questions, add one more question of your making. Let's see where this goes! Enjoy!

Oh, please note: These don't necessarily have to be the greatest of all time ever. It could be the greatest whatever at this moment in your life. What's great today, might not be tomorrow. I'm as interested in the present as I am in all time, if you will!"

****

In your opinion, this is the greatest...

1. Book

2. Song

3. Movie

4. T.V. Show

5. Place to live

6. Place to visit

7. Place to eat

8. Fruit/Vegetable

9. Chocolate

10. Quality I Possess

11. Memory of a Parent

12. "Chill" activity and with whom (I, Angie, added this brilliant one! Now it's your turn!!!)

***and here are my answers...***

1. Book
The book that awakened me to things beyond my original belief is Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan.

2. Song
Grace Kelley sung by Mika for reasons I revealed in this blog called Gotta Share.

3. Movie
I am a huge movie fan. I can watch practically any movie and, in that moment, think that it is the all time greatest movie for one reason or another. For instance, this past weekend I saw three new movies, all of which were, at least partially, in foreign languages. 2 Days in Paris, Lust Caution and Rendition. Each of them was very different and addressing topics that were worlds apart from one another. And yet, I loved them all for what they were, in that moment. One of the greatest funny movies of this past summer was Death at a Funeral. I was moved by Reign Over Me. And I left the theater strangely speechless after Premonition.

4. T.V. Show
Living with my father now, I have to acquiesce to their television standards, which revolves around Dancing with the Stars – someone please shoot me now! Most of the time I am holed up in my room with my stereo on so I am no longer involved with television.

5. Place to live
A place of my own. :)

6. Place to visit
My father's. ha ha ha... Actually it has always been my dream to visit Italy, Greece, England and then the Amazon.

7. Place to eat
La Puente... mmmmmmmmm smothered burrito with cheese

8. Fruit/Vegetable
Fruit... Gala Apples; Vegetables... asparagus

9. Chocolate
Oh god! In any form!!! Especially from other countries.

10. Quality I Possess
Gentle heart

11. Memory of a Parent
Trip to St. George when I was sixteen... it was like Chevy Chase's Vacation movie and anything that could go wrong, did, but I don't remember laughing that hard for that long... ever. Mom and Dad got along superbly. We had a blast with his brother and wife and their kids. We hiked the red rocks. The adults mooned – just for fun – over the edge of the cliff and... well... we laughed.

12. "Chill" activity and with whom
Sitting on the porch couch with the KazMeister, listening to the crickets, drinking Rooibos tea and eating mustard-crusted salmon.

Meme

Soooo... one of my good friends is a master blogger. She’s very consistent and that inspires me to be consistent too. (Thanks Juls!) She posted a fun little quizy-thingie (that is my technical term), which she called a Meme. I hadn’t heard that terminology before, so I looked it up. Apparently, it means: A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Well, isn’t this neat! Fun and educational.

I enjoyed reading hers so much, I thought I would do it as well. And, since I had to make my own template of questions, I copied a pasted a blank template at the bottom for you if you are so inclined. And I hope you are cuz these things are super cool for getting to know a person... (and also for wasting big blocks of time) :)

1. The First Day of School
Ugh... I had so many first days of school because my parents moved us around lots – 14 times before I was 11 years old. I never liked first days of school because it happened for me several times throughout the school year. It meant that kids would stare at me and whisper behind their hands that I was the New Girl. The only year that my first day rocked was in fifth grade. I loved fifth grade. That year the cool kids liked me and I was one of them from the very first. Hot!

2. The First Kiss
I was 13 or 14 and his name was Ben... big blue eyes... blond hair. He was a boy who appeared to be innocent and came from a family of the same rigorously religious background as mine. It was a wonderfully tender and pure kiss, absent of any of the fire I would come to experience a few short years later. It was full on the lips and lasted approximately twenty seconds. I know this because I counted. I wanted to be able to tell my friends how long our First Kiss had actually been. But, by the time I got to “Fifteen Mississippi...”and Ben’s arms tightened around me to pull me closer against him, I actually felt my brain go numb. The unrecognizable sensation building deep inside me surprised me. It felt animalistic. I wanted to growl or moan or scream or something.

3. First Date
My first “official” date was Harvest Ball with my Prince Charming. He and I double-dated with someone whom I have now forgotten and had a fancy five-course meal at our house then went to the dance, chauffeured/chaperoned by his parents since neither of us were old enough to drive – or, technically, single date according to our religion. I don’t have much of a recollection of this night because other memories have clouded over it. I imagine I thought it was dreamy and such, since he was the Man of my Dreams.

4. The First Car
Funny story… my own first car was a Nissan Sentra, manual transmission. I could not drive a manual transmission. My boyfriend test drove the car for me and declared it good to go. I spent the next week mortifying my family and humiliating myself while I peeled out and popped gears through intersections or killed the engine at highly inconvenient moments.

5. The First Time...
Ummmm... I imagine this means sex... sheesh... it was with the boyfriend who test drove my Nissan. After playing around at everything but for several years, I finally gave in one night on the floor of our family room. Not a pleasant memory and nothing unlike I dreamed my First Time would be – which, of course, I had always dreamed that my First Time would be on my wedding night and I would be wearing a flowing, white negligee. Yeah. Right.

6. The First Break-Up
That was with the boy who first kissed me, Ben. I enjoyed the kiss too much. It was bad to enjoy kissing at that age, according to my church. I knew then that I must have committed a grave sin and was surely going to hell! I must be punished. The best punishment? Send him away. That would punish me and get rid of the source of my temptation. So, I sent him away. Right into the arms of my best friend who had no qualms whatsoever about kissing him and flaunting the fact that he was the “best kisser” she had ever kissed, even though I knew he was her first

7. The First 'Real Job'
Back in the olden days, it was cool to work at McDonald’s. I was one of the cool kids then. For about a year and a half.

8. The First Time to Lose a Job
I have never lost a job by being fired. I have, however, overstayed my welcome at a job, made myself completely miserable in the process, been written up numerous times before I would finally drag my tail out of the place. That has happened twice. Neither time was very pleasant in the end, although I did love the job prior to realizing I hated it.

9. The First Time In Love
I thought I was “in love” all the time with any guy that would look at me. God... how pathetic, but true. The first real time, though, was with my boyfriend in my senior year of high school, who happened to also end up as my First Time. He is the one I have yet to get over. And, again, how pathetic, but true.

10. The First Drink
Was with the same First Time guy. Now that I think about it, I experienced lots of firsts with him... It was Kahlua and Cream out at Wendover – also my first time at Wendover . I crave them every now and then.

11. First Sign of a Back Bone
Fifth grade. A boy was picking on me and my friends. He wouldn’t leave us alone as we walked home from school – back then, it was still fun and safe to walk home from school. He kept bullying us and I decided to take matters in my own hands, or rather, foot. I kicked him hard as I could in the ass, but he dodged and my foot lodged between his butt and hit his balls. Not pretty! He was enraged and purple in the face, probably from the pain, and turned around and shoved me so hard that I fell over. My chin crashed into my hardbound math book, causing me to bite clear through my lip. There was actually a whole all the way through and, ironically enough, I had to go to the dentist later that day. I remember being brave about it the whole way home, feeling my lip get all big and puffy, until I rounded the bend to my house. Then, I spied my mother watching out the window, waiting for me and I burst into tears. I waited until that moment to give into the pain – also, I hoped, to play on my mother’s sympathy so I wouldn’t get in trouble for fighting, especially for starting the fight!

12. The First Ambition
To be a writer. I have stories I wrote in kindergarten that surprise me now with the intricate details and I would love to expand them into a book.

13. The First Realization of Mortality
Summer after fifth grade. One of the members of my “crew” got hit by a car in front of his house. He was with his brothers, one of which was his twin. The car swerved to miss the first two and hit Richard. He was thrown fifty feet, broke his neck and died at the scene. Standing at his graveside at such a tender age, I realized then that everyone dies. I felt scared.

Okay, all ya'all. It's your turn. TAG you're it!

1. The First Day of School
2. The First Kiss
3. First Date
4. The First Car
5. The First Time...
6. The First Break-Up
7. The First 'Real Job'
8. The First Time to Lose a Job
9. The First Time In Love
10. The First Drink
11. First Sign of a Back Bone
12. The First Ambition
13. The First Realization of Mortality