In Lieu of a Thoughtful Post

A friend of mine is doing a 30 Day Film Challenge on Facebook. I don't really want to do it on Facebook but I thought it might be a fun exercise. My brain is apparently on vacation this week and all I really want to do is some art journaling stuff, but I have had work and rehearsals and just haven't gotten around to it this week.

 

So, I decided to do the Film Challenge in several parts here.  Today, I am doing the first 10 questions:

1. Your Favorite film from your childhood - "The Wizard of Oz"
2. Your favorite film from the past year - "Despicable Me" - "It's so FLUFFY!!"
3. A rotten film starring your favorite actor/actress - I don't really have a favorite actor or actress...I like a lot of them...  
4. A terrific film starring an actor/actress you despise - I couldn't think of any film I would call "terrific" that had someone that I dislike intensely. I would say that the most effective movie with an actor/actress I don't like is "Chicago" from a few years ago. Not a Catherine Zeta-Jones fan. But I didn't LOVE the movie or think it was "terrific".
5. A film infinitely better than its remake - "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", "Fame" (I'm sure this list could go on and on...) 
6. A remake better than the original - "Hairspray", "Little Shop of Horrors"
7. The most pretentious (re: boring) film you ever saw. - "Never Say Never Again"
8. A film that put you on the edge of your seat. - "Speed"
9. Your favorite Academy Award winning Best Picture. "Schindler's List"
10. A film that should've won the Oscar, but didn't. - "The Color Purple"

It's funny, these memes seem so easy when I am thinking about doing it and then when I really sit down to do it, it is a lot harder than I would have thought. Anyway,  it was fun and now you know a little more about my movie habits.

A Blog in Search of a Theme

A friend of mine had a status update on FB that I really enjoyed. The person had said that they wanted to participate in the "30 Days of Songs" Challenge but the day 1 theme stumped them - "Favorite Song".  I think most of us feel that way when asked to say what our "FAVORITE" anything is.  We don't really like to commit in the U.S. (maybe that is just me projecting, but I think I see a trend).  My response was, "Just pick your Favorite Song TODAY." And she did!

After I saw my friend start participating in the "30 Days of Songs" Challenge (or whatever it is officially called), I realized that I had my themes. I have a hard time wandering aimlessly in BlogWorld without a theme. I get into the whole, "I had a bad/good/crappy/great day. I ate soup for lunch" thing.  That's okay occasionally, but sometimes I just want to write about something else.  I like the idea of remembering stuff...the most fun I had on my blog was a post I did that was all lists of goofy stuff. I will have to find it and repost or something.

Anyway, I decided that there could be "30 Days of Songs", "30 Days of Movies", "30 Days of Books" and probably a million more..."30 Days of Shows".  I know that I have covered some of these things in random postings over the last couple of years, but I thought that they could, at the very least, spur some remembering.  If you have been here more than once, you know that I am all over a good memory.

So, the first order of business is to choose which one to do first.  I thought about doing the Song one first, but then I didn't want to seem too much like a copycat. Then I realized that no one would care and that I was just procrastinating. Since my Poetry Month was a dismal failure, I feel like I have to make it up in some way...

Anyway, tune in tomorrow to find out what I actually decided.  And weigh in if you have a preference. I mean, I write it, but you read it. If there is a topic that spurs your interest or another "30 Days of..." that seems fun, let me know. :)

And, as always, thanks to those of you who stop by. I love knowing that we are all connecting with the world in so many diverse ways.

15 Books Meme

I saw this on Facebook...I didn't do it there, but I was looking for something to post for today...something short, as the move happened, but there is still a ton to do!! I'm tired, but relieved the worst part is over.

So, as I understood this meme (no idea where it started), the participants are to list 15 books that made a lasting impression on them. That's the part I liked, anyway.

So here are mine - the only order is the order I remembered them in.

1. Helen Keller's Teacher
2. Night by Ellie Wiesel
3. Roots by Alex Haley
4. Ferdinand the Bull
5. Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
6. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fannie Flagg
7. Letters from the Quilt
8. Trumpet of the Swan - E.B. White
9. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
10. A Separate Peace
11. A Place I've Never Been - David Leavitt
12. And the Band Played On - Randy Shilts
13. White Noise - Don Delillo
14. The Velveteen Rabbit
15. The Witching Hour - Anne Rice
16. The House on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder (had to add one of hers...)

I know there are a million more. I chose books that were very memorable for any number of reasons...I should go back and re-read them...maybe I will have a whole different experience with them after that...

Some stuff about Me - Meme from Paper Follies :)

My blog friend, Heather, from Paper Follies posted a lovely list of questions and answers for readers to get to know her better.  I thought it was fun, so I'm doing it, too. :)

What is your current obsession? 

You mean besides sleep?  Ummm...my telecoaching that starts in July.  

What is your weirdest obsession? 

Hmmm...reusing paper when it only has a line or two used on it.  I have 2 moving boxes full of it at work.  In high school, my friend, Jeffa, and I said that we were saving those sheets from "Blank Paper Hell"...we reused old worksheets from classes, assignments, papers with a few lines crossed out...whatever we could.

I WANTED to put it all in the shredding bin, but there was SO MUCH, I just couldn't. 

What are you wearing today?

Clothes for packing boxes for the work move.  Specifically, Halloween shirt (not the spooky fun shirt) and black pants, comfy shoes.

What's for dinner?

Smoked brisket and BBQ sauce, some baked french fries and a salad with lemon juice for dressing.  Courtesy of Buster's BBQ.

What would you eat for your last meal?

Hmm.  That's a good question...I would want to taste some childhood things, some current favorites.  Definitely some Mussamun curry with chicken, some general Tso's chicken, watermelon, salad with lemon.  Something chocolate for dessert.  A diet coke without the blinding migraine (I don't drink it anymore...it's been 2 years).

What is the next "special ME" item you would like to purchase?

Kindle 2.  But I love books and how they feel.  I'm thinking Kindle is for trade paperbacks, work topics, non-fiction...but I am so enamoured with it. 

What are you listening to right now?
Just finished "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", ready for the next book, when I'm done interpreting RENT on July 25.   


What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?

Peanut butter and chocolate.

If your life could be summed up in six words what would they be?

books, friends, Roby, theatre, work, family 


What do you think of the person who tagged you?

No people were tagged for this endeavor. :)  But I got the idea from Heather over at Paper Follies.  I think she is lovely, friendly, artist, creative.  I am enjoying getting to know her in the blogosphere.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

1.  Something right in the heart of Manhattan - near Times Square

2.  A straw-bale structure which is probably best in NM or AZ, but I don't like the heat...

3.  A house with a beautiful library like in "Meet Joe Black", with a window seat, a backyard pool, flowers, an art/creativity room.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Well, if it is only for an hour, I would want to go to the beach.  If I could have a few hours, I would want to be on Broadway, seeing the revival of "West Side Story".

Which language do you want to learn?

Ummm...really, I'd like to use the ones I know more fluently.  ASL and English.  If I added another, I'd love to work on German or Spanish.

Who do you want to meet right now?

Patti Digh.  

What is your favourite colour?
 
Neon Pink and Sunshine Yellow.  Bright, happy.  Colors I can't wear when I interpret. :(

What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?

Pink pants, pink shirts.  Plus my "Spooky fun. Boo" Halloween shirt.

Your favourite quote? 

I have lots...one that is a long-standing favorite is "To love another person is to see the face of God."  from the musical Les Miserables 

What is your dream job?

Writer, teacher, interpreting theatre...I'm not choosy. 

What is your favourite magazine?

Not a big magazine reader...I get Oprah right now, TV Guide.  I go through phases with Entertainment Weekly.  I love National Geographic, but I don't have time.  

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?

(Heather says:  That translates to $164.92 in US dollars.)  If I had $164.92, I would go to the beach for 2 nights (there is a special $79/night in Lincoln City) and if there was any leftover, I could get a beverage. :)

Favourite designer?

Chuck Taylor shoes.  Sean John has nice clothes for men.  For women, I don't actually pay attention...Roby liked Kenneth Cole...

Describe your personal style.

I'm count myself lucky if my clothes all match.  I have trouble putting colors together sometimes...

What are three things (big or small) that you would still like to achieve this year?

1. Find more work/life balance.
   
2. Complete my telecoaching experience in December and implement the concepts I have learned as I go along.
3. Continue work on some of the stories I am trying to record.

What are your favourite movies? 

Wow...this is a hard one...there are so many.  Don't judge me.

1. Schindler's List
2. The Color Purple
3. Fried Green Tomatoes
4. Boys on the Side
5. Longtime Companion
6. True Lies
7. Armageddon
8. Deep Impact
9. Speed
10. Keeping the Faith
11. Yentl
12. Project X
13. The Breakfast Club
14. My Life
15. Kindergarten Cop
16. The Little Princess
17. The Little Mermaid
18. Dead Poet's Society
19. City Slickers
20. When Harry Met Sally
21. Big
22. Dances with Wolves
23. Grease
24. West Side Story
25. Jumping Jack Flash
26. and many, many more...
    

What's your favourite fruit?

Watermelon.  But I'm allergic - in a bad way.  Throat closes, mouth swells. So I can't eat it. :(  Lemons comes in at #2.  On salads or just eating the whole thing like an orange.  3.  Strawberries which I didn't like until I was about 25 years old. Now I love them.  Hoods and Pugets.  Fresh from the field. Yum.

What inspires you?

 Theatre, music, color.  Art. Beautiful voices singing.  A good book.

What music do you like this week?

Right now, I'm listening to RENT for rehearsal, but I love it.  And I have been alternating with Spring Awakening.

What is something you know with every fibre of your being?

I know that life isn't about work.  I know that I can change my focus  and make it FEEL like life isn't about work in addition to knowing it.
 

*"The rules":

1. Respond and rework - answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own.

2. Tag five other people.

{3. Rules are made to be bent.}  Reason for Rule #3: I really don’t like tagging folks. I never was any good at that game. I much rather liked freeze tag, where you got to untag people. So if you want to share a bit about you, don’t forget to let me know, so I can head on over and get to know you better. 

**Please know that I have made SEVERAL attempts to make this more readable - I tried bolding the questions, but only some show up when you save it.  I tried numbering, but it messed with the formatting.  I tried making all the questions italic, but only some of them showed up.  So, I give up.  But I did try.

Please Pause for a Less Serious Post

Tag, I'm it (Tagged by Shannon at Birdstar)

What is your current obsession?  Time off…

Which item from your closet are you wearing most lately?  Jeans. Pink Shirts.
 
What was the last thing you bought?  Lots of chocolate for my friend’s birthday

What are you listening to right now?  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows CD 9.

Say something to the person who tagged you.  Shannon, what can I say? Thanks for Blogworld, thanks for laughter, thanks for being you.  I'm not sure what I would do without you and not just because of work.

Favorite vacation spot? NYC. Oregon Coast .

What 4 words would you use to describe yourself? Workaholic, funny, sincere, colorful

What is your current guilty pleasure? Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV Series, Hell's Kitchen

What will be the first spring thing you do?  Hmmm…go to the beach?

Where are you planning to travel next?  Maybe in May after I’m done interpreting GREASE.

How many books/magazines do you have at your bedside right now?  Too many to count…I have stacks and stacks…Stacks on journaling, stacks on art journals, stacks of fiction, stacks on business and management and leadership….ACK! More than 30…

What flower are you most anxious to see bloom this spring?  Daffodils. I have a little one that grows by a bush where it fell out of its little pot and now it grows and pops up in early March because it is protected from the wind and weather. I will take a pic.

If you could instantly gain one skill/talent, what would it be? Hmmmm...gourmet chef came to mind, but not that.  Singing came to mind.  But I really think I would love to be an artist.  Able to draw or do calligraphy.  I'm sure there are more practical things.

What is your current gadget?  My lastest buy was my iPod, but I'm dancing around a Kindle 2...Might help me reduce the stacks by my bedside a little.

Rules of the meme: Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your own blog; replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention; add one more question of your own. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

I tag: Todd, Krista...I don't really have that meany readers. Ha.  Consider yourself tagged if you want to just do something kinda fun.

The Name Game Meme

From Rachel :

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Jean Miller

2. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (father and mother's middle names): Frederick Jean

3. NASCAR NAME (first name of your father's dad; mother's dad): Charles Charles

4. STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name): Milje

5. DETECTIVE NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Pink Giraffe

6. SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born): Ann Aurora

7. SUPERHERO NAME (second fav color, fav drink, add 'the' to the beginning): The Purple Screwdriver

8. FLY NAME (first two letters of your first name, last two letters of your last name): Jeer

9. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet's name, current street name): Zero 198

10. PORN NAME (first pet, street you grew up on): Cindy Park

11. GANGSTA NAME (first three letters of your real name, plus izzle): Jeaizzle

12. GOTH NAME (black, and the name of one of your pets): Black Poppy

13. STRIPPER NAME (favorite perfume, favorite candy): Eternity Bliss

Unfortunately, Jean

Since things are a little crazy right now, I thought I would leave you some fun little memes.

This one is from Shannon and Rachel.

Basically, you go to Google and type in "unfortunately" and your name and then report back on the results.  If you are funny, you can add wise-cracks as Shannon and Rachel did.

Unfortunately, Jean's marriage to Scott took a turn for the worse, as Scott worried that Jean would turn evil.  (little did he know that she already WAS evil.  )

Unfortunately, Jean's right knee went through the snow/ice bank at the side of the rode. The knee stopped but she didn't! (Um, why wasn't this sent immediately to America's funniest home videos?  It might have been worth $100,000...)

Unfortunately, Jean's attorney missed the barely concealed scorn in the poem, the guilt-ridden and sado-masochistic connotations. (no comment)

Unfortunately, Jean lives out her fantasies through her coterie of highly suggestible girls. (ok, this one has to be identified - "Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, people!)

Unfortunately, Jean died suddenly before he could return to the Canadian Rockies and attempt to climb its second highest peak. (why DO people climb mountains, anyway?)

Unfortunately, Jean's quiet existence was shattered at age ten, when her powers manifested. (and nothing has been the same since...)

***Unfortunately, Jean is not able to fulfill autograph requests at this time.*** (nuff said)

Unfortunately, Jean will be leaving Hopkinton soon to join her relocated family in Tucson, Arizona. (whom she has never met...)

Unfortunately, Jean never made it to the major leagues, but she fulfilled her biggest dream with the publication of "The Girl Who Struck Out Babe Ruth". (I got nothing.)

 

Update on "Give Me 5 Monday" Meme

Holy moly...I was worried because I hadn't clearly linked back to the maker of the "Give Me 5 Monday" Meme, so I was remedying the situation...I went back to the blog and on the sidebar, I saw a number ticking upward very quickly. I went over to read it...It said that the number was the number of people who had died since I had opened the webpage...I read on because I thought it might be some cause or a new genocide that I should know about and find information about...and here is what it said...I'm still in shock...

For clarity's sake, I DO NOT BELIEVE OR SUPPORT THIS IN ANY WAY.

"150,000 People
Will Die Today
The counter to the side is ticking off the number of people who have died since you opened this webpage. The vast majority of those people are entering Hell. Christ commanded his followers to share the Gospel with those who are perishing... who have you shared with today?
Click here for free Evangelism resources."

You can believe whatever you are going to believe. I don't have the right to tell anyone what to do or how to believe and I value my own right to believe what I believe. I cannot in good conscience, however, support a site that considers that the vast majority of people are going to hell because they don't believe the way that she does. I will not be participating in the "Give Me 5 Monday" meme any longer. For anyone who followed the link there and wondered what was happening, my apologies. For anyone who reads this blog and believes the above, you are more than welcome to continue reading, however, you should know that I don't subscribe to those beliefs.

Wow...I need to be more careful in the future. I'm sorry.

Music Meme (from Lost and Found Memes on the Daily Meme)

Instructions:

1. Grab the nearest CD
2. Put it in your CD player (or start your mp3 player, iTunes, etc.)
3. Skip to Song 3 (or load the 3rd song in your 3rd playlist)
4. Post the verse in your blog/journal along with these instructions. Don't name the band or the album title.


"Something in the way you love me won't let me be
I don't want to be your prisoner, so baby wont you set me free?
Stop playing with my heart,
finish what you start when you make my love come down.
If you want me, let me know.
Baby let it show -
Honey don't you fool around
Just try to understand
I've given all I can
Cause you've got the best of me..."

Musical Madness

My own meme actually comes from Amazon.com's list mania..It was a couple of years ago (a few?) and I was buying lots of musicals at the time...I was looking around and found Listmania and made my own list...I can't find my own list now, but I made one.

Since Broadway/West End musicals are really my passion, I wanted to include a list of them here because they are one of the strongest representations of me... (and I'm making up for the 10 days of posts I missed in the month of January)

So, here it is:

Musical Theatre Madness - my list of can't-miss musical theatre CDs. The top 5 are the musicals that have had the most impact, but I couldn't limit the list to just 5.

1. Les Miserables - Original London Cast:

There are many versions of "Les Miserables" and they are all good for their own reasons, but the BEST version is the Original London Cast recording from 1985. I started listening to this album (yes, when it was on black vinyl...in fact, Les Miserables London Cast Recording was the first CD I ever bought - when I didn't have a CD player...I waited 2.5 years to play it...I just HAD it) at the behest of one of our friends, Jamie Cowan. At first, Roby and I didn't like it...the first time we listened. We were still heavily into "Chess" and not quite ready to transition. I remember the first time I heard, "Lovely Ladies" and I couldn't believe that kind of subject matter was in a musical. I was inexperienced with musical theatre at the time - I have since learned better.

My favorite character started as Fantine and then Jean Valjean (Colm Wilkinson is still the best Valjean). I think that Patti LuPone is still the best Fantine, even though I have a terrific clip of Randy Graff from "The Donahue Show". Roby was always partial to Eponine and the Thenardiers and Javert. He loved villians and waifs. It worked perfectly. Sometimes at night, we would just drive around (it was the 80s and gas was still cheap) and listen to "Les Miserables" on a boom box and SING!!! I loved those times.

Song Highlights: At the End of the Day, I Dreamed a Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Little People, Little Fall of Rain, and many many more.

2. Chess - The Origianl Concept Album:

"Chess" is a brilliant concept that somehow didn't seem to capture the audiences in live theatre in the United States in the same way that the album (yes, vinyl) did. We listened to that for a LONG time. Without stop...my mother even has a copy in her car. It was written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus (of ABBA fame) and Tim Rice (from "Evita" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" fame).

Jamie Cowan is also responsible for Roby and I getting introduced to "Chess". She gave Roby the cassettes and he gave me the first act and he took the second act. He never liked the beginning build up in the show...I always loved the first choral number that sets up the setting and the premise of the show. We memorized our cassettes and then swapped them. Eventually, we would sing the "Embassy Lament" together in the car...and "The Mountain Duet" - really everything, but we had highlight songs that we loved to sing because we always chose the opposite parts to sing. He was a tenor and I sang all the men's parts. He never made me feel ashamed or yukky about being able to sing the men's parts better.

I think I have to send Jamie Cowan a thank you card for the gift of musical theatre that she gave me. It has enriched my life in unbelieveable ways.

3. Rent - Original Broadway Cast:

"RENT" came out in 1996, in July. It had barely been six months since I had lost Roby to AIDS and this show spoke to my heart so much. Kevin and I bought it on the first day. I didn't really know if I was ready for it or not, but I started listening. I don't think it ever struck Kevin in the same way that it did me, but it pierced right into my heart.

I know that "RENT" isn't for everyone, in some ways, but there is so much that appeals to such a wide audience if people will just open their hearts and minds to it.

I have seen "RENT" on stage more than 27 times...If I lived in or near NYC, I think I would have been one of those people who has seen it hundreds of times. It is never tired to me and sometimes it taps into the residual grief that I hold close because people just don't understand the experience of AIDS unless they have gone through it.

I relate most to the character Mark, the documetor of all the goings on in their lives, "How did we get here? How the hell?...How did I get here? How the hell?...how can a night so frozen be so scalding hot? How morning this mild be so raw? Why are entire years strewn on the cutting room floor of memory...?.. Why am I the witness and when I capture it on film, will it mean that its the end and I'm alone?"

I love Roger and one of my favorite songs is "One Song Glory", but I ache for Angel and love "I'll Cover You" (remind me to talk about this scene in the movie). I love Collins, too.

The song that I most cherish from the show is "Will I" because it captures all the fears that I heard over the years of dealing with AIDS. The song can be applied to more general experiences, but it came from the AIDS crisis and everyone involved knows it.

4. Into The Woods - The Original Broadway Cast:

You can't have a most influential musical theatre list without something from Steven Sondheim. I would put "West Side Story" because I actually think that was one of my first musicals ever, but I prefer the movie soundtrack to the actual Broadway recording, so I think that might be a whole other thing..

So, "Into the Woods"... In 1987-88 (we left on Dec. 26, 1987 and returned on January 1, 1988), Roby and I went to NYC for the first time with Carol Coburn and a group of Aloha High School students. He and I were "chaperones" - we actually did an admirable job, even though we didn't think we would.

The whole reason we were going was to see "Les Miserables" and all the rest was gravy. We arrived on Saturday evening, I believe, and just got a lay of the land. On Sunday, we saw our first Broadway show, "Starlight Express", a matinee. On Tuesday, we saw "Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular" and in the evening we saw "Into the Woods" (we had never heard it or heard of it, really. We saw "Les Miserables" on Wednesday (I will tell you about that some other time).

"Into the Woods" was a fascinating experience. We saw it with all the original cast, Chip Zien, Joanna Gleason, and Bernadette Peters. She was STUNNINGLY good. It was in her heyday (as if she doesn't still blow everyone out of the water...). The story combines fairy tales and the first Act is all the stories blending and combining, but telling them in a fairly traditional way (Grimm's tradition, anyway). Act II is "what happens after happily ever after". At intermission, I remember looking at Roby and saying, "Is it over?" Everyone had already gotten their wish - Cinderella had her prince, Jack had the riches from the beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood vanquished the wolf, the baker and his wife had a child. What else could there possibly be? We were so wrong about that.

I love "Into The Woods" for its brilliant use of words and humor and pacing. I love songs that challenge you to sing quickly, precisely and act as tongue twisters. I love "Giants in the Sky" and "Children Will Listen" and even the "Into the Woods" choral numbers. When PBS came out with the video of the actual show, as we saw it on stage with all the original cast, I was so excited I couldn't stand it. I still try to introduce that show to people whenever we talk about Broadway because it is such a fine example of the more traditional art of musical theatre.

And might I say that Joanna Gleason is almost as brilliant as Bernadette Peters? In a different way, but true nonetheless.

I'm not done yet, but my hands are tired and I have to break for a while....back soon.

5. Wicked - Original Broadway Cast

I tried reading the book, I really did. Maybe I will be able to read it for my Reading Renaissance this year. Either way, I think the brilliance of this show is that it pulls the audience in by peaking our interest in the twist on a cultural icon - "The Wizard of Oz", and it holds us by the sheer talent, the social commentary and the universal ideas contained within the show.

I just watched a video called "Show Business" about the 2003 Tony Season and "Wicked" was one of the shows that was spotlighted. The critics really gave the show a hard time - they said it had problems. I wish I knew what they thought were the problems. From where I'm standing, the show is brilliant.

Obviously, there is the show-stopping song, "Defying Gravity", but there are other songs that I have grown to love more as I understand the story and the themes more. "For Good" is beautiful and sad, "Popular", "What is this Feeling?". I never understood Kristin Chenowith's appeal until I heard this musical and Idina Menzel has been brilliant in everything she's ever done.

I think everyone can relate to being misunderstood and that moment when you have to decide if you will give in to what other people think/label you as, or if you will continue to take your own path. I think both are difficult. The appeal this show has for young girls and women is so important because we are our own worst enemy in so many ways. If girls and young women can just get a glimmer of understanding about what "popular" can mean, what "nice" can mean and that we are all a little bit "different", the world would be a better place.

And it is just a good listen. Period.

On a Meme Hunt

So, not having blogged for very long and new to the whole blogosphere, I am slowly learning some of the rules. I have found that I am not good at figuring out how to copy the little badges that would link someone back to a page that I have found...

I went to the DailyMeme page at http://thedailymeme.com and found a bunch of Lost Memes (the Daily Meme person didn't know/remember where they had originated...). Now I know where some of these ideas started and where they move.

I remember one of these coming around our group of friends via email and we had a BLAST. In some ways, it might be easier to answer some questions without worrying that people will judge me because they don't know me on this blog. Not that I have any deep dark secrets, really. Just things I am more comfortable saying and less comfortable saying.

One meme I will be linking to is a Word Association game. The link is http://subliminal.lunanina.com. I haven't gotten the list of words yet for this week, so I am starting with a different one.

This is on the Lost (and Found) Memes page of The Daily Meme (http://thedailymeme.com) and it is called "Countdown Meme" from May 23, 2004. (Wow...people have been blogging for that long...amazing)

Countdown Meme:

Ten Movies you'd watch over and over:

1. When Harry Met Sally
2. Jumping Jack Flash
3. True Lies
4. Fried Green Tomatoes
5. Boys on the Side
6. Kindergarten Cop (ok, ok any Arnold movie, really)
7. Armageddon
8. Deep Impact
9. Meet Joe Black
10. Beaches

(About Last Night, The Breakfast Club, Say Anything, Titanic, Dances with Wolves, Sommersby, Steel Magnolias, My Life, Dreamgirls,...)

Nine people you enjoy the company of:

1. My mother
2. Roby's Mom
3. Shari and Barbara
4. Carol
5. My Assistant
6. BJB
7. VV
8. KGV
9. Todd

(many more here, too)

Eight things you're wearing:

1. Black scrunchie for my hair
2. teal lounge shirt with pockets
3. white socks
4. blue boyshorts
5. cotton pants
6. white bra
7. lotion
8. skin

Seven things on your mind:

1. Figuring out how to get pictures in the middle of the blog!!
2. Figuring out how to post the Badges from the Meme sites I found...I don't really get it somehow...I keep trying but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
3. Did Liz get everything taken care of at work?
4. Will it snow tomorrow?
5. Will I feel like going to see "Sweeney Todd" tomorrow?
6. Should I see something else instead?
7. Should I go to bed now because it is REALLY LATE/EARLY.

Six objects you touch every day:

1. My happy Yellow car (picture to follow)
2. My computer
3. my toothbrush
4. my purple chenille blanket
5. my round pink neck pillow
6. my backpack/purse

Five things you do every day:

1. check my email
2. shower
3. brush teeth
4. watch some TV
5. eat breakfast

Four bands or musical artists you couldn't live without:

1. Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked)
2. Clay Aiken
3. Kelly Clarkson (second CD)
4. Madonna

(many many more)

Three of your favorite songs of the moment:

1. Defying Gravity (from "Wicked")
2. American Tune (Paul Simon or The Indigo Girls)
3. Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)

Two people who have influenced your life the most:

1. My mother
2. Roby Starns

(Kevin Vandehey and Jeffa Doeleman, Nancy Zettergren, Carol Coburn, Julie Gebron)

One person who has been nice to you today:

1. My mother

NOTE: I FINALLY figured out how to insert a picture mid-post!! Yay! And how to make a link within the text. I will get there...it just takes me a while. This is exciting. Is that stupid?

Blog365 Revisited

So, I was dinking around reading a couple of blogs and found again a reference to Blog365, so I decided to click on the link and figure it out once and for all...I went to the site and I was RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!! Ugh.

So, apparently, there is a Photo-a-Day challenge that I have seen regularly (someday I hope I can do that...) and there is the Blog-a-Day challenge.

Obviously, I have not blogged every day, but I think about it and that has to count for something. The idea of it has stayed with me which is why I pursued it in the first place. So, I am recommitting to posting SOMETHING everyday. I know I won't always have something to say, but that's fine. Maybe I will find a picture or have some pithy saying or whatever.

So, there you have it.

Blog365. I even joined the group. They have a whole other page that I could blog in...but it gets too complicated after a while.

And I still can't get pictures to add in a different location in the blog. GRR. I'm sure it is some HTML thing that I can't begin to understand. I know it shouldn't be that hard, but I'm just not there yet...

Anyway, more later.