Magical know-it-all

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

Six

I was tagged by Pretty in the City to name six weird things about myself.

1. I’m ambivalent toward chocolate.

2. I always hang the toilet paper roll so that the paper feeds over the top. If someone else in the house puts in on the other way, I’ll change it.

3. I never, ever read the ending of a book in advance, and seldom read book jackets. I want every bit of the story to be a surprise. Of course, this really doesn’t apply to nonfiction, where the outcome is often known.

4. I like pancakes and waffles with lots of butter, but no syrup.

5. I adore flowers, but I’m not at all fond of bouquets or cut flowers. I like them much better ‘in the wild’.

6. I love to sing - but only when nobody’s around to hear me. No talent whatsoever.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone specifically. Please participate, if you’d like, by posting six weird facts about yourself at your blog, with a trackback to this post.

Book meme

I saw this at Quantum Leaps and since I love to read, I decided to participate. If the meme appeals to you, please feel free to carry it forward on your blog.

What’s Your Preference?

1. Novel or novella?
Although I enjoy novellas now and then, they’re over too quickly for my liking. I prefer the longer and more involved experience of a novel. I like to become completely immersed in a story and really get to know the characters.

2. Hardback or paperback?
I like hardbacks best, by far, followed by the large trade paperbacks. I dislike mass market paperbacks and try to avoid them if at all possible.

3. Male authors or female authors?
Makes absolutely no difference to me, as long as they are good at their craft.

4. Fiction or non-fiction?
I read and enjoy both. I’d say about 60% fiction, 40% non-fiction, mixed up for variety and to suit my mood. I’m a fast reader, so it is easy to achieve a good balance of entertainment and education.

5. Bestseller or obscure title?
Both, of course. I have nothing against bestsellers, although I’m occasionally guilty of avoiding a book if it seems over-hyped. I love finding off-the-beaten-track books as well.

6. Local bookstore or chain franchise?
Honestly, I don’t buy a lot of books. I’m a library girl. I couldn’t possibly afford my habit if I bought them all. I buy only the books that I love enough to read more than once or that I would want to loan to friends. When I do buy books, it’s generally online through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. There are very few local bookstores left in my town.

7. Read the book first or see the movie first?
If time allows, I’ll read the book first. This practically guarantees that I’ll have issues with the film, but I like to enjoy a book as a fresh experience, without knowing the outcome in advance. I try to approach the film as a distinct interpretation of the material so that I don’t expect perfect fidelity with the book.

8. How many books do you read in a week? A year?
I read one or two books a week, year-round.

Eight

I have been tagged by Nicola at Life at the Edge for eight random facts or habits.

1. I hate gardening, perhaps because I have a ‘black thumb’.

2. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are the only television shows I watch regularly.

3. I have lived in five different U.S. states.

4. I often wish I was still in school. I was motivated, diligent, and successful. My kids, had they known me back then, would have thought me quite a square. Truth be known, they probably think so now.

5. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t take photos.

6. I was terrified of snakes as a child and could not even look at them in zoos or pet stores. Now that I’m older, I think they’re fascinating and I respect their place in nature. All the same, I don’t want to meet one in the wild.

7. One library is not enough for me. There are two library systems in my area, and I routinely borrow from both.

8. I don’t enjoy talking on the telephone, even with people I like.

I’m meant to tag eight people to carry on, but I’ll leave it to the honor system. Please participate, if you’d like, by posting eight random facts about yourself at your blog. Please be so kind as to trackback to me so I can visit your blog and read your responses.

Tarot card

Hope, expectation, bright promises.
The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realized.

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or
powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity
of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be
coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future.
They might say you’re a dreamer, but you’re not the only one.

What Tarot card are you?

Monosyllabic

Answer all thirty-five questions using only one word. It’s harder than it looks. Give it a try on your blog.

1. Where is your cell phone?
CHARGING

2. Relationship?
STELLAR

3. Your hair?
LONG

4. Work?
DESIGNER

5. Your sister?
ADVENTUROUS

6. Your favorite thing?
BOOKS

7. Your dream last night?
FORGOTTEN

8. Your favorite drink?
TEA

9. Your dream car?
EXPENSIVE

10. The room you’re in?
OFFICE

11. Your shoes?
SANDALS

12. Your fears?
UNGROUNDED

13. What do you want to be in 10 years?
HEALTHY

14. Who did you hang out with this weekend?
FAMILY

15. What you’re not good at?
PATIENCE

16. Muffin?
POPPYSEED

17. One of your wish list items?
TRAVEL

18. Where you grew up?
COLLEGE

19. The last thing you did?
SLEEP

20. What are you wearing?
SUNDRESS

21. What aren’t you wearing?
SHOES

22. Your pet?
CAT

23. Your computer?
MAC

24. Your life?
SWEET

25. Your mood?
CONTENT

26. Missing?
SPRING

27. What are you thinking about right now?
KIDS

28. Your car?
GERMAN

29. Your kitchen?
TIDY

30. Your summer?
HOT!

31. Your favorite color?
BLUE

32. When is the last time you laughed?
YESTERDAY

33. Last time you cried?
THURSDAY

34. School?
OUT

35. Love?
HUSBAND

6/27 Addendum: It’s true. Many of my answers are not one syllable words. I titled the post with the less common usage of ‘monosyllabic’ in mind.

monosyllabic
Function: adjective
1 : having only one syllable : composed of monosyllables
2 a : using or speaking only monosyllables b : conspicuously brief in answering or commenting : pointedly terse [merry where he was grave, talkative where he was monosyllabic -- Dorothy Sayers]
source: Merriam-Webster Unabridged

Classic Dames test

My score: Katharine Hepburn

“You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.”

What’s your result? Take the Classic Dames test or the Classic Leading Man test.

Star Wars personality test

V-Virtually useless information

I was tagged by fearless Fracas to participate in this A to Z meme, which for reasons unknown, has no entry for “V” - a vacancy I find vexing. (As did Fracas.) After all, it wouldn’t be difficult: V-Vindictive or Forgiving? V-Virtuous or Sinful? V-Violin or Piano? Ah, well. Without further ado, here are my answers.

A-Attached or Single?
Very happily attached, thank you.

B-Best Friend:
The attachment. LOL. Seriously, he is my very best friend and favorite person.

C-Cake or Pie:
Pie rules. Especially pie with fruit. Strawberry, peach, blueberry, apple. Yum. In fact, I often have pie rather than birthday cake on my special day.

D-Drink of Choice:
Iced tea.

E-Essential Item:
My computer. It’s indispensable for my job, and provides me (by virtue of an Internet connection) with a source of practically endless information and entertainment as well.

F-Favorite Color:
Nearly any shade of blue.

G-Gummi Bears or Worms?
Bears, please. I don’t eat worms, even if they’re candy. Ew.

H-Hometown:
Inconsequential. Just a spot on the globe.

I-Indulgence:
I like to go to the spa for a massage. It’s a wonderful treat I rarely indulge in, which makes it that much nicer.

J-January or February:
February, I suppose, but since both are in the winter, they’re not high on my list.

K-Kids:
Two boys. Love ‘em dearly, and nobody can drive me crazier. It’s a bonus deal.

L-Life is incomplete without:
My sweetie. Books. Contemplation. It’s difficult to pick just one thing here.

M-Marriage Date:
A very special day, worthy of celebration year-round. (See how I dodge personal questions?)

N-Number of Siblings:
Five, from various parental pairings.

O-Oranges or Apples?
I like them both fresh, but only oranges in juice form. Apple juice = yuck.

P-Phobias/Fears:
Not too many, really. I’m a bit claustrophobic, and venomous creatures make me nervous.

Q-Favorite Quote:
I couldn’t possibly choose just one. Quotes are a passion.

R-Reasons to smile:
Lots of reasons, every day, if I pay attention. Most especially my dear ones.

S-Season:
No question about it: spring. Mild weather. Flowers. Renewal. It’s the absolute best time of year.

T-Tag Three:
I’m so ambivalent about tagging. Please play along if you wish. Another good place for the missing letter: V-Voluntary.

U-Unknown Fact About Me:
I fainted when I had my ears pierced.

W-Worst Habit:
Worrying too much.

X-X-rays or Ultrasounds?
Given the choice, ultrasounds, but I’d rather avoid them both.

Y-Your Favorite Foods:
I love food! It’s tough to pick favorites, but I am partial to bread, cheese, and berries.

Z-Zodiac:
Aquarius

Aloha

My Hawaiian Name is:

Alana Roselani

What’s your Hawaiian name?

I scored 19 - how will you do?

Here are 25 questions about things we see every day or have known about all our lives. How many can you answer correctly? The average person gets 7, which shows how little we pay attention to the commonplace. Write down your answers as you go along. The correct answers are provided at the bottom of the post. Good luck.

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the top or bottom?

2. How many states are there in the USA? (Don’t laugh, some people don’t know.)

3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty’s torch?

4. What 6 colors are on the classic Campbell’s soup label?

5. What 2 numbers on the telephone dial don’t have letters by them?

6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your right or left leg? (Don’t get up to see!)

7. How many matches are in a standard pack?

8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or white?

9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial?

10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or clockwise?

11. Which way does a “no smoking” sign’s slash run?

12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?

13. On which side of a women’s blouse are the buttons?

14. Which way do fans rotate?

15. How many sides does a stop sign have?

16. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right or left side?

17. How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?

18. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?

19. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who is missing?

20. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?

21. On which playing card is the card maker’s trademark?

22. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?

23. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What 2 symbols bear no digits?

24. How many curves are there in the standard paper clip?

25. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

- - - -

ANSWERS

1. Bottom

2. 50

3. Right

4. Blue, red, white, yellow, black, and gold

5. 1, 0

6. Right

7. 20

8. Red

9. 87.7

10. Clockwise (north of the equator)

11. Towards bottom right

12. 12 (no number 1)

13. Left

14. Clockwise as you look at it (actually depends on the fan)

15. 8

16. Left

17. 5

18. 6

19. Bashful

20. 8

21. Ace of spades

22. Left

23. * and #

24. 3

25. Counter

To continue the meme, post this on your site with the number of correct answers in your subject line, and trackback to this post.

aMuse me

I took the “The Nine Muses“ quiz on gURL.com
		My muse is… Calliope Calliope is the patron goddess of epic poetry. She is often depicted holding a writing tablet and wearing a golden crown, for she is the oldest of the muses and their leader. Her name means “The Fair Voiced,” but Calliope inspires eloquence in writing. Who is your muse?

Why I blog

This meme is courtesy of Some Go Softly.

What is this “blogging” you speak of?
That pretty much sums up why I started a blog. I wanted to see what it was all about, and what better way than to jump in and try it? Now that I’ve been blogging for a while, I’ve had time to develop reasons beyond curiosity.

My blog is a place to collect things that interest me or make me laugh. It’s a convenient, searchable repository where I can easily save items and refer back to them later. What makes it even better? I can easily share it with family and friends (and the world at large, when you get right down to it).

Sharing via a blog is nonintrusive. People choose to visit; likewise, they choose to stop visiting if they don’t like what they see. Readers can browse the blog at any time and any frequency that is convenient, and they can comment, or not, as they see fit.

Through blogging, I am able to provide information and promote causes I believe in. It’s possible that an individual might see something on my blog that informs or inspires them in some way.

On my blog, I have a chance to share my appreciation for art, and point out sites where collections can be viewed online. It’s also a perfect place to display quotations that I find insightful, humorous, or thought-provoking.

Laughter is good medicine, and my blog is often light-hearted in nature. I think brightening someone’s day or inspiring a good belly laugh is, in a way, an act of kindness.

By reading a variety of blogs, I am able to become familiar with different cultures, lifestyles, and opinions. I have an unprecedented opportunity to read about life in far-flung locations. I have access to the thoughts of writers the world over, as well as within the United States. I am often confronted by challenging perspectives that differ from my own. I am forced to look at things in new ways. That’s a good thing.

The aspect of blogging that caught me most by surprise is the sense of community that can develop. Comments add a rich dimension of interactivity and camaraderie.

Blogging can be looked at as a self-indulgent hobby. Do I provide anything of value that justifies my use of this corner of cyberspace? I suppose only readers can answer that. Have I ever made you laugh, or introduced you to something you’d never seen before, or raised an issue you hadn’t previously considered? If I have, then I consider my blog a small success.

Why do you blog? Take the challenge and post your answer with a trackback to this post.

Defined

Iced Mocha – [noun]: A person who laughs at anything (even this entry) ‘How will you be defined in the dictionary?’ at QuizGalaxy.com

Gotta’ get goals

I have been tagged by Diogenes at Quasi Fictional to talk about goals. Visit Alex Shalman’s blog, where this meme originated, to read the complete rules.

Goals are a challenge for me, I won’t deny it. Not so much having them. I do, internally. But I don’t often have cause to discuss them or put them in writing. So here are a few that come to mind:

A day-to-day goal, that is harder than it sounds sometimes: choose to have a positive outlook and really live each moment, taking nothing for granted.

Achieve fluency in a second language. This is part of a larger goal to be a lifelong learner.

Guide my sons wisely to help them become responsible, ethical, independent thinkers who will stride confidently into their future.

Find an appropriate balance between planning for the future and enjoying the present.

Get to know much more of our world and its people through study and travel.

Make a positive difference in the lives of others, looking for opportunities to do so whenever possible.

I’d like to tag the following bloggers, specifically, but if the topic interests you, please feel free to participate whether I’ve tagged you or not.

life at the edge

mi | minutia

scrapbooking with words

daily piglet

a fool and his words are soon parted

gingermiss