Wednesday, November 15, 2006

An Aspirational Meme

I don't do memes very often because I'm too busy babbling to join in; but, I really liked this one, found at Bookgirl's Nightstand. Photo is from www.northernstarpress.com. Note that I have trouble limiting myself to one item per question. Kinda flighty, I admit, but that's me.

What part of the past would you bring back if you possibly could?
All of 1989. It was the last year I had with my dad, the year we lived in Ann Arbor. We had a great visit from my parents, loved everything about Michigan, met a lot of wonderful people from all over the world, and enjoyed a terrific Christmas together in Oklahoma. Nobody could have possibly known it would be the last time we'd all be together.

What character trait would you alter if you could?
I'd be more independent (and sociable, which kind of goes along with independence as I just don't go out much at all without my husband and he's seldom here).

Which skill would you like to have the time and energy to really work on?
I'd love to have the time to work on my education so I wouldn't feel quite so tied to the house.

Are you money poor, love poor, time poor or freedom poor?
Time and freedom. It's really difficult to find the time and freedom to be myself. Having to drop off and pick up, haul and fetch the child and nudge him all evening on homework is extremely time-consuming and having a traveling husband who can't do any of those things is very confining.

What element of your partner's character would you alter if you could?
This one's so funny. I read it last night and then told my husband I'd seen this question and could think of absolutely nothing!!! Not a thing! Not one thing!! Hahaha. He was just about doubled over and he doesn't laugh much. There's so darn much I'd like to change about him, but I'd particularly like to make him empathic (he's so short on empathy, it's a wonder he's such a nice guy considering he actually doesn't give a flip what anyone thinks about . . . well, anything) and it would be really, really nice if he wasn't a slob.

What three things are you going to do next year that you've been meaning to do for ages but never got around to?
I'm not sure next year will be the year (I'm waiting for kiddo to get a license and drive for a while, first - we're slow to let our kids drive independently), but I want to go back to school. I'd also like to figure out how to use those little portable memory thingies, so that I can easily have photos printed out. I want to make some scrapbooks (when I figure out how to get the photos printed) and I'd like to take some art or literature courses.

If your fairy godmother gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?
Health, happiness, wisdom

What one thing would you change about your living conditions?
More space and light. Our house is just crammed full of stuff and because we're shaded by two gigantic oak trees we get very little light inside the house.

How could the quality of your free time be improved?
I'd get out more, see movies, go places with friends. Actually, I'd have to find some friends. Everyone moves out of Vicksburg, eventually, and I got tired of saying "goodbye"; that's how I became a bit of a hermit.

What change have you made to your life recently that you're most proud of?
I've gotten back into photography after 16 years of slowly letting it go. Photography was a joy my dad and I shared.

The latest . . .

Nano update: Stalled at 28K, hoping to write 3-4,000 words, tomorrow. I slept way too late and then had a plethora of errands to run. Pooh. And, tonight I've got to help the kiddo finish a major project, darn it. Silly me for sleeping through the good writing hours.

Reading update: Almost finished with Your Planet or Mine? Resisted buying anything at Barnes & Noble while in Jackson for kiddo's orthodontist appointment. Am proud of self as several books were singing, calling, begging, screaming, pleading for me to take them home. I politely told them, "Not today, dearies."

Best news of the day: Still have good reflexes, thank goodness. While waiting at a stop sign, the driver in front of me --who had stopped her car at a ridiculous leftward angle, effectively blocking anyone from going past in the opposite direction-- suddenly threw her car into reverse to allow a truck to go by. She didn't bother to look behind her and there was . . . I'd say maybe three feet between us. I shifted into reverse as fast as possible and gunned it. Oh, my gosh, that's the closest I've come to getting smashed in a long time. And, that driver never even realized she came within inches of hitting me. So, while it sent my heartbeat to the moon and back, the fact that I reacted quickly and avoided a collision is very, very positive. I wish my insurance agent had been there.

Currently drinking: Pumpkin Spice Coffee in a mug from Tattered Cover, a Denver bookstore worth hyperventilating over.

Weirdest thing happening in my life: Our hallway is currently down to concrete because the carpet got wet and we're going to put down tile. You should see the hallway, seriously. It looks like the Baghdad Hotel in 2002.

Stupidest thing I've done, lately: Recorded a goofy message on my answering machine (after a power outage erased the regular one) and then forgot to erase it and change back to a normal message. What would you have heard if you'd called me, today? "Nyeh, go away." Hubby thinks that's a riot.

Feel free to share the weirdness in your life.

17 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading your responses. I'm sorry about your dad, but glad you have that great 1989 memory of being together. I'm glad your husband doesn't have too many flaws! I laughed about your cement hallway; house projects are so daunting to me. Your pumpkin spice coffee makes me want some right now, even though it's almost midnight.

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  2. Good Morning Bookfool!

    Few things stick out regarding your post:

    #1 You have a friend in me.

    #2 I just tried the Pumpkin Spice Creamer at work the other day and loved it. I have to get some for myself.

    #3 Loved your "goofy message". :)

    Have a great day and Happy Writing!

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  3. Glad you didn't end up in a fender-bender! Also very glad about the photography since I love seeing your pics! :)

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  4. I loved reading your answers. I could relate to wanting to relive the last year you had with your dad. And, how cool that you've started doing photography again.

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  5. Well you know I understand about wanting to get that year with your dad back. I'd give anything to get just the month of May (2005) back.

    And as Joy said, "You've got a friend in me" (sing it, Randy Newman). :)

    I have some pumpkin spiced beer. Does that count? ;)

    You (and Nat) are my inspiration when it comes to photography. I so admire your skill!

    Phew! Glad you weren't hurt in that potential fender-bender. We're getting close to ice season and that always makes me nervous. My little Mini has 7 (yep, SEVEN) airbags, but I'd hate to test them out. Rod already calls the car "Stumpy."

    OK, get back to your writing. Ta-ta.

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  6. Bellezza,

    I have to tell you I actually didn't want to fly home from Michigan in 1989 - figured, hey, we could have a genuine white Christmas in Ann Arbor. Thank goodness, my husband insisted. If that isn't something to be grateful for, I don't know what is! He's an okay guy. I think I'll keep him. :)

    Neither of us are really good at DIY, but we keep trying. It will be interesting to see how we do with "real" tile. I'm definitely ready for a change. The pumpkin spice coffee is really good!!!

    Joy,

    Awwww, thank you!!! I am a bit of a loner, here, but I adore my bloggy friends. Hugs to you for being such a sweet friend. :)

    Pumpkin spice creamer? Mmmm. This is definitely the time for pumpkin and spice. We're shivering, today!!

    I can't believe I left that message on my machine. LOL I'm playing catch-up on the writing, today. Hope all my responses here don't seem to abrupt! Thanks for the good wishes!!!

    Nat,

    Thanks, I'm relieved, myself - don't want to mess up my flawless driving record and it made me think that I need to add a few emergency numbers to my cell, since hubby is in New Hampshire. An accident could have been a real mess. I'm actually using my near-wreck in my writing - decided to make two vehicles loaded with characters collide. Doesn't that figure? LOL

    And, thanks about the pics; love yours too, ya know. I haven't been out this week at all - too rainy and dreary. I miss walking around with camera in hand, just looking for things to snap. Maybe it will clear up, tomorrow.

    Bookgirl,

    Thanks for posting the meme in the first place. We have the loss of a father in common, unfortunately. You never do stop missing a father but it gets a little easier every year.

    You can peek at some of my photographs at my photo blog, if you're interested: http://toesiespics.blogspot.com/. I think it's almost therapeutic doing creative things like photography - definitely an upper. :)

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  7. Hey Les,

    You and I must have been typing comments at the same time! Thank you, dear, I appreciate your friendship and you know it!! Hugs to you. I know you'd go back if you could, even for a short time.

    Hmm, pumpkin spiced beer. This is something I really can't fathom, but I guess with "pumpkin" and "spice" in the name, it works for fall! LOL

    What gets me about yesterday's near-accident is that I don't think that driver ever realized she almost hit me. I honked to try to let her know, but it was a delayed reaction - too busy getting out of her way - and she just glanced up, probably thinking that I was impatient and wanted her to hurry up and go forward. Sigh. But, I'm so very grateful that we came out of that one unscathed. Even Will was stunned at how fast I moved out of the way.

    "Stumpy"!!! I love it!! I want a Mini . . . someday. The time hasn't come, yet.

    I managed to write 2000 words, this morning, and I'm in the midst of some action, so it should go pretty well after I nudge the kiddo through his stupid project. We're getting really tired of these projects because Will has a teacher who absolutely cannot be satisfied. All three of us read the instructions over and over again and then the teacher throws something else in and counts off points. You can't win. I'm so glad my son is tolerant; I would have gone to pieces if she was my teacher.

    Okay, off I go. I won't come back till I've written another 2K, just for you. ;)

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  8. i definitely think you should keep that message too.. lol

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  9. Les,

    I lied. I'm taking a break and I've only written 3100 words, total. You may give me a virtual kick in the rear.

    Angela,

    You would! LOL Really, I'd love to have a totally off-the-wall answering machine message, but I'm way too conservative . . . or, maybe boring.

    Guess what I just got in the mail? The Legend of Banzai Maguire! Thanks for introducing me to a new author!! I loved Your Planet or Mine? I hope I'll get around to a review, tonight or tomorrow. Might end up staying up all night helping my poor exhausted kiddo with his geography. He's had zippo energy, this week, poor thing.

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  10. cool!
    i hope you love Banzai as much as i did!
    i still need to get those sequels.. thank goodness for the library.. i doubt the other writers are as good as Grant.

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  11. All your talk of Pumpkin Spice, I thought I'd have a Pumpkin Spice latte at Starbucks today. Well, that was in the Autumn specials and they're now on the winter ones(Gingerbread, and Toffee something) so I guess I'll have to wait until next year. Ended up with a Tiramisu latte at Tully's later on. Dessert in a cup! yum! :p

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  12. I hope I do too, Angela! I usually wouldn't read it for a while because I try to avoid reading the same author too soon (I burn out easily) but I don't know. I had an awful lot of fun reading Your Planet, etc. :)

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  13. Aww, mean old Starbucks. I'll come to Japan and tell them you need a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Nat! Oh, wow, Tiramisu Latte sounds like sin in a cup. Cool.

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  14. I really enjoyed your answers to the meme, and empathise wholeheartedly with your lack of freedom. I've got a 12-year old son who is the light of my life, but I can't help but look forward to the day when I have a clear afternoon free of picking him up and helping with homework and cooking, etc. Good luck also in going back to education. Several of my friends have done that and loved it.

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  15. Hi Litlove,

    Thanks for your lovely response. "Light of my life" is a great way to describe my 14-year-old; he has actually asked me to stay home until he finishes high school and he's really a joy to have around (most of the time) but I can't help but look forward to a time when I can commute to school without thinking, "Okay, so I have to be back by --". It's nice to meet someone who can relate!!

    Good for your friends and thanks for the luck and for visiting my blog!

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  16. Anonymous1:49 PM

    Hi, bookfool! I stopped by to find out how you were doing with Nano, glad to see it's progressing well.

    I enjoyed reading your responses to the Aspirational Meme. I smiled when you mentioned you would be more sociable if you could - I totally relate to that, my husband works overseas and I hate going to places couples frequent all by myself.

    And yes, isn't that Pumpkin Spice coffee just delightful? Our local Italian bakery which also doubles up as a coffee shop, always lets us help ourselves to a free cup of Pumpkin spice coffee when we shop there - I love it!

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  17. Hi Lotus!

    It's great to "see" you. :) The Nano was going well till hubby decided to work on fixing up the house and now he's all over the place, banging around. I'm so used to silence during my writing time that it's making me nutty, but I'm going to try to find myself a little corner to hide in with my laptop, tonight! Fortunately, I got a little ahead, early on.

    It's really easy to become a hermit when your spouse leaves you on your own, isn't it? I think you and I also have a similar problem in that we're sort of adrift in cultures that are well removed from what we grew up in (mine less so than yours, but still quite different).

    Oh, cool about the free Pumpkin Spice and lucky you having an Italian bakery!!! I need to get more before this coffee disappears from the shelves, since it's a seasonal thing. I'm really enjoying it. It has the taste of autumn, but I think I'd love drinking it year-round. Come to think of it, this would be a good time to whip up a mug - there's a nippy breeze coming in because we're having to air out the wet paint in the house. :) So happy to hear from you! Hope you have a terrific day!!

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