just finished reading...

This is an unusual series in that the three books are stand alone--tied together by their connection to the Dublin Murder Squad instead of sharing characters. In Faithful Place, Frank Mackey is an undercover detective, is a divorced father and is haunted by his dysfunctional family and childhood. He and his teenage girlfriend are planning to run away together but she doesn't make their appointed meeting place and Frank doesn't look back. Until her suitcase is found twenty years later. And Frank is once again drawn back into life in the old neighborhood.

I found myself caught up in the characters and atmosphere. As the story unfolds the threads weave together into a taught mystery. Even if you figure out who-done-it the hows and whys keep you reading.

begin

saturday 9

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

1. Have you ever been in a situation with a lover where you did not know what tomorrow would bring? yes

2. What worries you most today? uh... well, I've got to get my car serviced in a bit, that's really the only thing I've got going on

3. Could I tell if you were lying to me? why would I lie?

4. What do you miss most about the 80s? the music

5. What's going on that you can't understand? the weather

6. How would I know if you liked me? you would have my whole attention

7. If you ever won an award, what would you want it to be for? teaching

8. What would we be surprised to know that you've done? I've traveled to Europe by myself twice, does that count?

9. What’s the most exotic mixed drink you remember trying? Did you enjoy it? when I was in Aruba I had some exotic beach drinks... I don't remember what they were but it was a lot of fun!

toothy tribute...

The ultimate tribute!

friday fill-ins

2011-17

1. I love to catch up with my friends.

2. I love a laugh and a smile.

3. It's how you perceive things.

4. Bad news? Don't tell me!

5. Well, would you look at that--crocuses are blooming.

6. Birds are spring peepers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching my dvrd Royal Wedding, tomorrow my plans include going to Houlton to get my car serviced and Sunday, I want to catch my breath!

the wedding...

Wishing much love and happiness always!

idol chatter

I thought Carole King night was fantastic! Not one of the singers seemed obviously weaker than the rest, so tonight's results will be interesting.

I even kinda liked Scotty. He didn't look like he was in such pain.

What was with the duets? Filler. Fillerfillerfillerfillerfiller! And unnecessary.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Waiting at the hospital. Even when it's not urgent.

looooong day

ten things tuesday...

Ten things I liked as a kid:

1) Reading. I've always been a book lover. And I was a sophisticated reader, even as a youngster.

2) Playing records. I would sit for hours listening to my favorite records, sometimes playing the same song over and over.

3) Teddy. My best friend, my teddy bear. It was a musical bear but one of my sisters was punishing me and threw Teddy and it smashed the wind-up key. Teddy played the Teddy Bear's Picnic.

4) Wagon. Filling my wagon with stuffed animals and walking around the neighborhood.

5) Swimming. I was uninhibited and would swim for hours at the town pool, or at camp.

6) Dolls. Especially the Sunshine and Happy Family dolls. They were kind of hippy-granola versions of Barbie. And there were Grandparent dolls, too. Oh, how I loved playing with them.

7) The Playhouse. My grandfather found a shack somewhere in his travels and spruced it up for my sisters and I to play in. It still lives in the back yard at Dad's and my nieces love it. We played for hours--dress up, Charlie's Angels, Little House on the Prarie... and as we got older, we had our first stolen cigarettes and played spin the bottle with neighbor kids.

8) Bugs Bunny. Oh, how I loved Bugs and his antics. I feel like I appreciate classical music because it was introduced to me through Bugs.

9) Movies. Every Sunday the local Cinema had family matinees. My parents would drop my sisters and I off and we would enjoy the adventure on screen. Most of the Disney films from the late 60s and 70s were the fare.

10) My sisters. The best playmates I could have asked for. When they let me play with them. As the youngest, sometimes I was more pain than friend.

monday movie meme...

Play along with the Bumbles.


This week's movie topic is characters in film with memorable beards and or mustaches.

George Clooney in The Men Who Stare At Goats

George Clooney in Burn After Reading

George Clooney in Syriana

George Clooney in The Perfect Storm

George Clooney in O Brother, Where Art Thou

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people
mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week. This week more than one spoke to me.

sunday stealing...

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: "It's All About Four Freakin' Things" Meme

Four Places I go:

1. school

2. the market

3. leisurely drives

4. to sleep

Four Crushes I Have:

1. George Clooney

2. John Stamos

3. Jesse L. Martin

4. George Clooney

Four Smells that I Love:

1. freshly ground coffee

2. baking bread

3. baking cookies

4. puppies & babies

Four Favorite TV Shows:

1. American Idol

2. Brothers & Sisters

3. Glee

4. Top Chef

Four Favorite Movies:

1. City of Angels

2. Princess Bride

3. Love, Actually

4. Four Weddings and a Funeral

Four Recommendations:

1. Oh, Life

2. Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs

3. Dunkin' Donuts coffee (especially iced coffee)

4. Nook

Four People that I'd love to read their Fours:

1. Bud

2. The Gal

3. Diana

4. DJ Kathy A

Four Things about me that you don't know:

1. I am a terrible dancer.

2. I can't tell a joke.

3. My eyes are dark green.

4. I was stung by a swarm of bees and had twenty-one stingers removed.

Four bands that I love:

1. U2

2. The Beatles

3. Black Eyed Peas

4. Foo Fighters

needed...

The fantastic trench. On sale, plus I found a coupon code at retailmenot.com and saved some more. Now I wish I'd gotten it in cadet blue instead of boring khaki.

saturday 9

Sex As A Weapon

1. Have you or a significant other ever used sex as a weapon? no

2. Tell us about the worst date you ever went on. it was with a doctor who insisted I call him Doctor

3. If you were a god/goddess who would you be? Aergia

4. What crime from history fascinates you the most? historical or notorious? uhmmm... because it's timely, the Lincoln assassination

5. Give us one random, but candid fact about you. my kitchen table has been my computer table for 12 years... I haven't eaten a meal at the table in that time

6. Who or what makes you laugh until you're weak? my students on a regular basis

7. What is the most exciting adventure you’ve ever been part of? the Blarney Stone adventure cured me of my fear of heights... but it's kind of a you-had-to-be-there story

8. Among the people you know, who would you choose to be able to read all your thoughts? I suppose Maggie is off limits, huh? Even though pets are people...

9. How old were you when you realized that other people's families live totally differently from yours? 6, when my mum died

finished reading...

A nice tasty treat between some of the heavier mysteries I've been reading lately. One of the reasons I picked it up is because it's an upcoming movie. I wanted to read the book before the movie but I've seen previews and could picture the actors as I read.

So, to the book: Rachel is the straight-arrow central character. Her best friend, Darcy, hosts Rachel's thirtieth birthday party and that fateful night sets in motion an exploration of friendship, true love and loyalty. There are a lot of holes in the plot and a lot of cliches, but the cast of characters makes up for it. It's a good fantasy and fun escapism. It's not challenging literature--it's a beach read.

friday fill-ins

2011-16


1. Pardon me, I didn't realize you were there.

2. That trench coat is a good deal.

3. I was surprised to find that I really likepomegranate the first time I tried it.

4. Television is one of my favorite forms of entertainment.

5. Hi, my name is Inigo Montoya and I'm avenging my father's death.

6. I'm looking forward to lazy summer afternoons.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include Breakfast Club and Sunday, I want to get ready for school!

idol chatter...

I am starting to dread the results shows--an hour of filler for five minutes of interest. I figured it would be Stefano going home this week.

Next week's theme is Carole King songs. And the Thursday musical guest will be Bruno Mars. Might prove to be interesting.

nerdness...

I know I'm a nerd when I get excited that an e-book I put on my library wish list becomes available and I *think* I have enough vacation time to read it. I love my Nook, it's great to be able to get library books for it.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Feeling like I didn't get enough done... or use my time wisely.

idol chatter...

So... ok... Scotty played it safe this week. His song was cutesy but didn't really showcase him very well. James, the drums were awesome but the screaming? Really? I didn't care for this rendition of Muse. Haley is amazing. She got the depth of the Adele song. Jacob has an amazing voice but I get tired of the style of song he sings. Casey is my favorite! He killed the Maroon 5 song! He's so unusual. He's so cool! And he's a ginger. I think Stefano is out-sung tonight. He's a sweetie but he's not as good a vocalist as the others. Lauren is such a cutie. She does well with country. She's not the winner, though, she's too young and unseasoned.

I hope they don't have dorky guests tomorrow.

what berry smoothie are you?

You Are a Mixed Berry Smoothie

You are a visionary. You have big ideas for the future. You are not competitive in the least. There's plenty of room at the top. You value solitude. Some of your best ideas and creations come out of alone time. You do not like crowds. You find them to be both overwhelming and draining.

What Berry Smoothie Are You?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

just finished reading...

This is the follow up to In The Woods, referencing some events and characters from but I don't think you need to have read it to get it. The premise is intriguing: the murder victim is an identity thief who stole an imaginary identity--the identity of an undercover cop's undercover identity, with whom she shares a remarkable likeness.

Although the murder is the backdrop, this is a story about the intimacy of friends--who you choose to have as family. Whitethorn, the communal home and setting becomes as much a character as those who inhabit it.

This book drew me in. It is a satisfying second installment in the Dublin Murder Squad Series--I can't wait to read more. Unlike In The Woods, I didn't quite know who did it.

ten things tuesday...

Ten things:

1) Spring was here today.

2) The forecast for tomorrow is 4-8 inches of snow.

3) I spent about $100 on Easter goodies for my homeroom students. This is the last time I will make goodie bags for them. And I don't think I will continue the tradition with my new homeroom kids next year. I'm going to miss this crop of kids. This is the first group that regularly calls me Mom or Homeroom Mom.

4) I'm reading a murder mystery that is compelling--The Likeness by Tana French--but I can't seem to read it fast enough, and I don't want it to end.

5) I had a delicious sammich for lunch with my bestie today. We had a great opportunity to relax and talk. She's such a good person. I need to be more like her.

6) The trailer for The Help has been released. I hope the movie is even half as good as the book. It was one of the best books I've read in years.

7) It would be fun to leave an overly generous tip sometime. I would love to be able to leave a waitperson a ridiculously large tip. Or to leave something extraordinary as a tip.

8) This cough is annoying me. It's somewhat productive yet all colors are normal.

9) De-cluttering is causing me more anxiety than I anticipated.

10) I wanted to start wearing cute spring clothes. I wanted to be able to put my cords and sweaters away. But it's probably not such a good idea. I really hate all my winter clothes now.

a thru z

A. Age: 45

B. Bed size: double

C. Chore you dislike: putting dishes away

D. Dogs: Maggie is the dog of my heart

E. Essential start to your day: coffee

F. Favorite color: earthy tones--beige, brown, greens

G. Gold or silver: it depends

H. Height: Five feet five inches and shrinking

I. Instruments you play(ed): I'm a vocalist but I play a mean tambourine

J. Job title: high school history teacher

K. Kids: 89 students and 17 homeroom students grace my days

L. Live for ______: tomorrow

M. Most embarrassing moment: hmmm... the most?

N. Nicknames: Ms.

O. Overnight hospital stays: my first and only was when I had pulmonary emboli

P. Pet peeves: pet peeves

Q. Quote from a movie: "What if this is as good as it gets?"

S. Siblings: 3 older sisters

T. Time you wake up: 5:15 am or whenever I wake up over vacation

U. University attended: University of Maine at Presque Isle and University College, Cork

V. Vegetables: love 'em

W. What makes you run late: nothing... I am punctual to a fault

X. X-rays you’ve had: teeth, lungs, wrist

Y. Yummy food you make: taco soup

Z. Zoo animal favorites: giraffes and hippos

haiku

The first full day off
Have I done enough
To warrant a nap?

glisten...

I'm working at the decluttering. I cleaned out the freezer, throwing out much more than I kept. And I am working on some other clutter stuff. It makes me sweat. Usually it's a glisten, but this time it's pouring off me. I think it has more to do with anxiety/OCD kicking in than with the effort I'm putting in, because, truly how much effort does it take to toss out stuff? But I said in therapy that this is something I really want/need to do. Thus the anxiety/OCD.

I'm working on it.

monday movie meme

Play along with the Bumbles.


This week's movie topic is movies that feature running.


Chariots of Fire was the first movie that came to mind. Then I thought of a movie I saw in the 80s in Canada--the Terry Fox Story.

I also thought of the Pre movies I know of: Without Limits and Prefontaine. Students are shown these films to get ready for track season, that's how I know about Pre.

you are the king of my heart...

Hello, Handsome! It's been too long.

sunday stealing...

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The 65 Question Meme

1. Tell us who the last person that you took a shower with. I shower alone

2. Tell us about your favorite tee-shirt. Extra points if you show a pic. (We know. What can you do with freakin' extra points?) I don't think I have a favorite tee.

3. Has anyone ever hit on you even though they knew you were taken? no

4. Do you plan what to wear the next day? yes, it helps me get to sleep

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Why? I need to cough, again

6. What's the closest thing to you that's black? ipad

7. Tell me about an interesting dream you remember having. I don't often remember my dreams

8. Did you or might you meet anybody new today? nope

9. If you could be doing anything right now (or perhaps after you finish this ridiculous meme) what would it be? I donno

10. Can you think of a meme question that's never been asked? If you could freeze the time for less than an hour, since you’d be the only living thing that’s “alive” in that moment what would you do?

11. What comes to mind when I say China? plates

12. Are you overly emotional? no

13. If you could listen to just one rock album (CD, vinyl or mp3) which one would you pick? Achtung Baby by U2

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? depends on if it's dairy freeze or not

15. Do you like your car? oh yeah

16. Do you like yourself? oh yeah

17. Would you go out to eat with Charlie Sheen? doubtful

18. What was the last song that you listened to? Forget You by Cee Lo Green

19. Are (or were) your parents strict? not so much

20. Have you ever wondered what attending a wild orgy (if only to watch or...) would be like? no, I'm not interested

21. I say cottage cheese. You say: pineapple

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? yes

23. What was the last movie that you watched at home? I Love You Philip Morris

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? yes

25. What countries have you visited? Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Monaco, Morocco and... I've forgotten something

26. Have you ever made a phone call while you were drunk that you've regretted? If yes, do tell. no

27. Where were you going the last time that you were on a train? From Paris to Brussels

28. Bacon or sausage? bacon

29. How long have you had a cell-phone? January 2008

30. What other memes do you do regularly? I do a daily meme... except for Wednesday

31. Who is the craziest meme host? Judd Corizan

32. Who invented chop sticks? someone hungry with manners

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? myself

34. Are you too forgiving? no

35. When was the last time that you were in love? it's been awhile

36. Tell us about your best friend. she's going through a tough time right now, but she's strong, thoughtful, funny, generous, kind and loyal

37. What was the stupidest thing you learned in high school? there is a pond in Russia with no frogs or tadpoles

38. What was the last thing that you cried about? I don't specifically remember

39. What was the last question you asked? I don't remember

40. Favorite thing to do this time of the year? get my first pedicure of the season

41. If you had to get a (or another) tattoo, what would it be? I have something in mind

42. How would your best friend describe you? I have no idea

43. Have you ever seen all three Twilight films? no

44. Ever walked into a glass door? not that I can remember

45. Favorite color on that person that you are attracted to? I donno

46. Have you ever slapped someone? in jest

47. What hair style (for you) would you like to see return? uh... I have no idea

48. What was the last CD you bought? 2011 Grammy Nominees

49. Do looks matter to you? not so much

50. Could you ever forgive a liar? forgive does not mean forget, so yes

51. What's the hardest bill to pay every month? cable... it seems to continue creeping up

52. Do you like your life right now? yes

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? no, I don't have a TV in the bedroom

54. Can you handle the truth? yes

55. Do you have good vision? yes

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? no

57. How often do you talk on the phone? very rarely

58. What celeb would you like to come home to? Peter Walsh

59. What are you wearing? judo pants and a long sleeve t-shirt and undergarments

60. What is your favorite wild animal? giraffe or hippo

61. Where was your facebook picture taken? it's an avatar

62. Can you waltz? no

63. Do you have a job? yes but I'm on vacation

64. What was the most recent thing you stole? nothing comes to mind

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? yes but it's nothing dramatic

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

just curious...

If you could freeze the time for less than an hour, since you’d be the only living thing that’s “alive” in that moment what would you do?

emma says...

just watched...

Based on a true story. I need to know more about this story. The movie is a hoot.

saturday 9

Nobody Knows When You're Down And Out

1. What is the most “down and out” that you've ever been? oh, I suffer from some serious bouts of depression

2. Do you believe there is only one "right" religion? I believe the opposite

3. If you could get back in touch with one person you've lost touch with, who would it be and why? one of my dear college friends

4. Has anyone ever held the key to your heart, but did not know it? well, it's something that could have evolved into a magnificent relationship

5. If your lover cheated on you and profusely apologized, might you accept them back into your life? I highly doubt it

6. Have you ever gone to work/school drunk or stoned? If yes, do tell. no

7. Who is your favorite relative? my dad

8. What annoys you most? being annoyed

9. Tell us of one thing you used to do that you are not proud of. smoke

idol chatter

I was sick this week and wasn't able to stay awake for Idol this week. Even though I know the results, I am watching the performance show. Casey really, really blew me away. Jacob was amazing, too. Jacob kind of reminds me of Jenifer Hudson--being able to sing one type of song really well. Like J-Hud, Jacob can really sing those power songs.

Am I the only person not in love with Scotty? Or James. I don't dig him, either.

kindness

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.
—Naomi Shihab Nye

It's Poetry month!

friday fill-ins

2011-15

1. For me, it was a hell of a week.

2. It's pleasant shopping at my local supermarket.

3. Behind the sound of the wind in the trees, I heard robins chirping.

4. Reading a book in one day is something I always wanted to do.

5. When it was over, it was over.

6. I spend a lot of time by myself but I never felt alone.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some tv, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping and other errands and Sunday, I want to start vacation properly!

had to share...

Because I'm an ally.

finished reading...

This book is categorized as science fiction, one reason I almost didn't pick it up. But really, it's a dystopian look at post-war life and all the scientific changes that occur. It's a story-teller's story: slow-paced and conversational. That's not to say it's boring, for it's really rather literary. Several times I thought it was going to turn dark or become sinister because the atmosphere lures you into thinking there are lingering twists and turns. But then the relationships evolve and change into something more familiar.

I read some discussion guide questions and kind of wish I had someone to talk to about this book. It made me feel and it made me think. I think I'd like to see the movie.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Having too many meetings at one time.

ack...

And now I'm coughing. It's tearing my throat apart. I want to be well for vacation!

secret love

Loved this on Oprah.

are you regular or decaf?

You Are Decaf

You are a patient and compassionate person. You understand that we're all human. You are one of the most determined people around. You can dig deep when you need to. You are good at putting things together and following directions. You stay focused. You are proud of what you know how to do. And you know that you're improving every day.

Are You Regular or Decaf?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

ten things tuesday...

Ten things that begin with B.

1) Blueberries. When I was little, my sister made me eat rabbit poo by telling me they were blueberries. So, even though they are the super fruit... I just can't stand them.

2) Books. I love books--hard cover, paper back, and e-books.

3) Boxes. I love decorative boxes. And I hoard empty boxes.

4) Beards. A nicely tended beard is handsome.

5) Boots. I struggle to find dress boots to wear. But I love my clumpy winter boots.

6) Beer. Synonymous with college. Every now and then I get a hankering, but I haven't had a beer in more than a decade.

7) Bubbles. When I was a kid I was fascinated with bubbles. Every Easter my sisters and I would get "bubble stuff" and we'd busy ourselves for hours.

8) Balloons. Even though I love balloons, the popping that goes with them sends me into fits. I feel guilty when I release balloons, though I love them as a remembrance.

9) Blogging. I started my blog as a therapy assignment. Dr. Lisa thought it would be good for me to try blogging because I was blocked with journaling. Now it's a daily ritual and I really enjoy thinking about what to post.

10) Bono. Great rocker, humanitarian hero and the coolest cat around.

sneezy...

Can't stop sneezing. Oy. This cold is rotten.

monday movie meme

Play along with the Bumbles.


This week's movie topic is movies that feature flowers.

Immediately I thought of Audrey II from Little Shop Of Horrors. The 1986 film.

Then I thought of a delightful British comedy called Saving Grace. Grace is a sudden widow who is known for being prim and proper. She has a gift for horticulture and saddled with massive debts by her husband, she resorts to growing potent marijuana.

wwjs--what would jesus swear?

Obscenities Uttered by Jesus Christ:

“Dad damn you.”

“Holy Mom, mother of me.”

“Dad.”

“Myself almighty.”

“Good me.”

“Me, Mom, and Mom’s husband …”

“Me.”

Courtesy of McSweeney’s — great site to bookmark and read regularly.

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The 5000 Question Meme, the final part

76. Do you prefer Disney or Warner Brothers? uhm... I think Warner Brothers

77. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo? giraffes or hippos

78. Would you consider yourself to be romantic? yes

79. If the earth stopped rotating would we all fly off? I'd like to think it's more of a slide than a fly

80. What is the one thing that you love to do so much that you would make sacrifices to be able to do it? read

81. If you (and everyone) had to lose one right or freedom, but you could pick which one everyone had to lose, what would you pick? I'm going with the right to be uninformed and ignorant, we should lose that right

82. If you had to choose would you live on the equator or at the North Pole? well, I hate winter so I'd say the equator, but I hate to be hot... so I'm going to go with the North Pole

83. Would you rather give up listening to music or watching television? listening to music

84. What do you think makes someone a hero? selflessness

85. What cartoon would you like to be a character in? the Jetsons

86. Name one thing that turns your stomach: there are some smells that I can't tolerate

87. What was the last thing you paid for? groceries

88. Are you a coupon clipper? no

89. Get anything good in the mail recently? yes :-)

90. Which would you rather take as a gym class...dancing, sailing, karate, or bowling? bowling

91. In Star Trek people 'beam' back and forth between different places. What this means is they stand in a little tube and their molecules are deconstructed and sent to another tube somewhere else where they are reassembled. Only problem is when the molecules are deconstructed the person is dead. When they are put back together it is only a clone that has all the dead person's memories. Is the person who gets beamed the same person on both ends? no

92. What insects are you afraid of? poisonous spiders

93. If you could print any phrase on a T-shirt, what would it say? Be human

94. What's the most eccentric thing you have ever worn? I can't think of anything

95. If you could pick one food that you could eat all you wanted but it would have no effect on how much you weigh, what food would it be? hmmm... torn between whoopie pies, ice cream and pizza

96. What are your parents interested in? the arts

97. Have you ever caught an insect and kept it as a pet? no

Have you ever caught and tamed a wild animal? no

98. What is more helpful to you, wishes or plans? plans

99. When do you feel your life energy the strongest? when I'm teaching

100. You are spending the night alone in the woods and may bring only 3 items with you. a hotel, room service, George Clooney movies

obey the body

I think I might be fighting a cold. I'm extra tired. Must obey the body and nap.

saturday 9

Sweet Soul Music

1. Do you listen to music at work, and if so, do you use a mp3 player, play it through your office computer, or do you listen to it collectively via a separate radio you keep nearby? when I do play music, which isn't terribly often, I use my computer and mostly play Pandora Radio

2. Tell us something about people that you absolutely hate. it really bugs me when people are talking on their cell phones, forgetting that the private conversation is not so private

3. What is something someone has done that you'd like the world to know about? George Clooney does some important humanitarian work in the Sudan

4. Where is your favorite place to sit when at home? in my comfy chair

5. How did you come up with the title of your blog? it's a line from a movie that stuck with me

6. Tell us about the one who got away. He was easy to be with, fun to talk to, considerate, comfortable with himself, comfortable with who I am, and funny as all get out. I've always wished him well, even though I was terribly jealous when he got married.

7. Have you ever had a big birthday party? my 40th birthday was a week-long celebration! Every day that week my friends had a theme party (princess, polka dot, etc) with a feast and cake. Plus, I celebrated myself for forty days. It was the BEST!

8. What was the biggest bash you've ever attended? it was the street carnival for Spain's equivalent of Mardi Gras, I've never been in a crowd that big that was celebrating so fiercly

9. With my kids and an always changing life, I find myself sometimes unable to focus! Do you have that problem, too? I am sensitive to sound and sometimes the kids in class make so much noise I shut down, they are oblivious to how much noise they make

thanks to my college film classes...

Boosted from Mrs. Chili

Here’s the American Film Institute’s list of the top 100 films. I’ve bolded the one’s I’ve seen.

1.CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2.CASABLANCA (1942)
3.GODFATHER, THE (1972)
4.GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) **The Carol Burnett Show has ruined this for me, I just can't take it seriously
5.LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
6.WIZARD OF OZ, THE (1939)
7.GRADUATE, THE (1967)
8.ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
9.SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993)
10.SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952)
11.IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
12.SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13.BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE (1957)
14.SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
15.STAR WARS (1977)
16.ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
17.AFRICAN QUEEN, THE (1951)
18.PSYCHO (1960)
19.CHINATOWN (1974)
20.ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (1975)
21.GRAPES OF WRATH, THE (1940)
22.2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
23.MALTESE FALCON, THE (1941)
24.RAGING BULL (1980)
25.E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
26.DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
27.BONNIE & CLYDE (1967)
28.APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
29.MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
30.TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)
31.ANNIE HALL (1977)
32.GODFATHER PART II, THE (1974)
33.HIGH NOON (1952)
34.TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)
35.IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
36.MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
37.BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE (1946)
38.DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
39.DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40.NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
41.WEST SIDE STORY (1961)
42.REAR WINDOW (1954)
43.KING KONG (1933)
44.BIRTH OF A NATION, THE (1915)
45.STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A (1951)
46.CLOCKWORK ORANGE, A (1971)
47.TAXI DRIVER (1976)
48.JAWS (1975) **I've never seen the whole thing
49.SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50.BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51.PHILADELPHIA STORY, THE(1940)
52.FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53.AMADEUS (1984)
54.ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
55.SOUND OF MUSIC, THE (1965)
56.M*A*S*H(1970)
57.THIRD MAN, THE (1949)
58.FANTASIA (1940)
59.REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
60.RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61.VERTIGO (1958)
62.TOOTSIE (1982)
63.STAGECOACH (1939)
64.CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)
65.SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THE (1991)
66.NETWORK (1976)
67.MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, THE (1962)
68.AMERICAN IN PARIS, AN (1951)
69.SHANE (1953) **parts of it
70.FRENCH CONNECTION, THE (1971)
71.FORREST GUMP (1994)
72.BEN-HUR (1959)
73.WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
74.GOLD RUSH, THE (1925)
75.DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
76.CITY LIGHTS (1931)
77.AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78.ROCKY (1976)
79.DEER HUNTER, THE (1978)
80.WILD BUNCH, THE (1969)
81.MODERN TIMES (1936)
82.GIANT (1956)
83.PLATOON (1986)
84.FARGO (1996)
85.DUCK SOUP (1933)
86.MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935)
87.FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
88.EASY RIDER (1969)
89.PATTON (1970)
90.JAZZ SINGER, THE (1927) **I saw the Neil Diamond version
91.MY FAIR LADY (1964)
92.PLACE IN THE SUN, A(1951)
93.APARTMENT, THE (1960)
94.GOODFELLAS (1990)
95.PULP FICTION (1994)
96.SEARCHERS, THE (1956)
97.BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98.UNFORGIVEN (1992)
99.GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
100. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)

friday fill-in

2011-14

1. In the near darkness I saw a deer on the side of the road.

2. No shopping til further notice.

3. But this is for Lent.

4. I feel like I'm stalled in the stream.

5. It's always nice get recognized.

6. Dinner out and pleasant company.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relax from the hectic week, tomorrow my plans include errands and Sunday, I want to enjoy the day!

idol chatter...

Someone forgot to tell Iggy Pop that American Idol is a family show. He's still pulling the shirtless schtick but there didn't seem to be any glass for him to roll around in so at least he wasn't all bloody. Isn't he 100? What the heck is he doing on Idol? He's the best representative of the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame?????

This is a shocker episode. I didn't expect Pia and Jacob to be in the bottom three, although I did predict Stefano, so I am really shocked that Pia is going home.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Missing my sisters.