Wednesday, December 29, 2004
What's Your Animal Magnetism?
You're an Alligator in the wild world of love.
See you later, Alligator. We won't be catching much of you around the singles swamp. You tend to lurk below the surface at some of the most happening and trendy scenes around town. Being the savvy prowler that you are, you give yourself adequate time to observe and calculate before you make your devastating moves. Once you've located your target, your slow, suave approach is enough to hypnotize just about anyone.
Sure, you might look tough on the outside, but you know how to woo a potential mate with soft strokes and tender words. To you, romance is a subtle dance and you're willing to take your time with it. You ever so skillfully develop your next cunning move that's always so impossible to resist. You've got the ritual of romance down to a science, don't you?
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Ten Personal Highlights ...
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
This week's Ten On Tuesday meme:
Ten Personal Highlights of 2004
- Traveling back to Carpinteria and Big Sur California for a week's visit - staying at a quaint little B&B;
- Moving back South after three years in the Mid-Atlantic (D.C.) region;
- Getting a great deal on a fantastic new construction with the look of an Old Plantation-style house;
- (my s.o. & I) Getting a brand-new Harley-Davidson Sportster, then "trading-up" to a FatBoy within five months;
- Meeting a terrific couple with a Harley right after moving into our new house - they became our riding partners on several trips, and close friends already;
- Getting notification from Chase's Calendar of Events that my annual event had been accepted to be included in their publication;
- (my s.o. & I) Buying our own business (after a long process), which still allows me time for writing and other creative endeavors;
- Attending the kick-off concert for the tour of Damageplan, which turned out to the be last time I'd ever see "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as he was killed on stage just six weeks later;
- Finding out that my best friend who was being deployed to Iraq after the first of the year (to be gone a minimum of eleven months) isn't going to have to go now due to a medical exemption because of his ACL damage and the necessary surgery to repair it last Spring -- YEAH!; and
- My s.o. surprised me with a wi-fi laptop for (an early) Christmas present to supplement my desktop in the studio/office.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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This week's TV Tuesday meme:
Week 37: Best of 2004
It's the end of the year and it seems as if everyone is coming up with a list of the top television events and shows of 2004. So why not do the same thing for those of us who really know -- the TV Tuesday crowd?
1. List your top shows/TV moments of the year. You can do top five, top ten, however you want. Television just doesn't produce a lot of quality product these days.
2. List the best new TV show you've seen this year. CSI:NY or NCIS.
3. Tell us the worst new TV show you sampled this year. I didn't sample any of the ones that just sounded lousy (and, that was a lot).
4. Is there a show that got the axe last year that you wish hadn't? Yes, Touching Evil.
5. What show that left the airwaves this last year had the best finale? I didn't watch anything that wrapped up its run this year, unless you count Touching Evil but, no one knew that it wasn't coming back for a second season at the time.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Monday, December 27, 2004
This week's Monday Madness meme:
01) Which holiday do you celebrate this time of year? (If necessary, modify the following questions to suit your holiday.) Christmas.
02) Do you begin shopping for gifts earlier than Thanksgiving, looking for the perfect gift? If not, when do you begin? Whenever the shopping bug hits full force.
03) Do you only purchase gifts that you know are perfect for the recipient and if you don't find that gift, do you just get anything? I search for appropriate gifts suited to the recipient.
04) Did you receive or give any "obligatory" gifts this year? I give for the joy of giving - the only (semi-) obligatory gifts are for certain extended family members of my s.o.
05) Do you decorate your tree as evenly as possible or do you skip the areas that are not visible? Evenly, as evenly as possible.
06) Do you like multi-colors on your tree or do you prefer monochrome? Monochrome, with a theme.
07) Did you bake "traditional" cookies, frost them and decorate them? or did you cheat and buy the ready to bake kind? (like I tried) My s.o. does all of the Christmas baking -- all from scratch.
08) Are you the host of a holiday gathering? which one? family, work, friends Yes, a Christmas Eve party for family.
09) With whom do you spend the holiday? My parents for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, my s.o.'s family on Christmas Day afternoon. I like to get together with friends whenever I can.
10) How did the holiday turn out? Perfectly? funny mishaps? miss anyone? I didn't get to spend time with my friend Marshall, or my friend Brian, or our friends Mark & Rachel. It was . . . okay, otherwise.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Sunday, December 26, 2004
Congratulations! You are Edie Britt, the serial divorcee whose romantic conquests have everyone buzzing.
Which Desperate Housewife are you? brought to you by Quizilla
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Ten New Year's Resolutions
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
This week's Ten On Tuesday meme:
Ten New Year's Resolutions
[Disclaimer: These will be boring and predictable but, ... what can I say? ... these are my resolutions (again) this year]
- Eat more healthy and nutritious types of foods;
- Drink more water - okay, drink some water daily (gotta start somewhere);
- Act as of my Franklin Planner is permanently attached to my body and use it religiously;
- Keep in touch (more often/better) with good friends, and let them know how much I really care about them;
- Maintain my business contact database, keep it up-to-date, and send out queries and notes on a set schedule;
- Stop saying that I'm getting back into more artwork projects, and actually do it;
- Stop saying I'm going to contact more galleries and art shoppes to carry my work, and actually do it;
- Make more photographs, and market them to the right type(s) of markets;
- Finally finish organizing my studio so that it is a "workable" space and not a place that stifles creativity; and last, but definitely not least,
- Read all of the books I wanted - bought - ordered - asked for as gifts, instead of letting them collect dust . . . I wanted them for a reason - it's time to glean the wisdom / entertainment / education / or sheer enjoyment from the pages!
Listening to: Hilary Stagg
Pleasant Dreams from the Sweet Return CD
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Monday Madness - Hows & Whys
Monday, December 20, 2004
This week's Monday Madness meme:
1. From Becky... How did you learn about computers? Were you self taught?
A. I was hired in a temp-to-perm position in a hospital billing office, and sat in front of a computer for data entry. It was either learn quick, or lose my job. I learned quick - and never stopped learning.
2. From Tom... What is your favorite color and why is it your favorite color?
A. This is very hard. I would have to say "green," although brown and other earth-tones rank right up there, too. I like green because it is like the newness of life in Springtime. Yet, all of the earth-tones remind me of my favorite time of year -- Autumn.
3. From Olivia... What one thing going on in the world right now, has the most effect on you personally?
A. The war in Iraq. Until last week, one of my best friends was scheduled for deployment after the first of the year. Luckily, a medical condition that occurred last March (torn ACL, with surgery) caused the doctor with final approval for fitness-for-combat, denied his orders to be deployed. Still, the other soldiers there are always on my mind. I would encourage everyone to visit anysoldier.com and "adopt" a soldier to keep in touch with while they are far away from home.
4. From Barb... If you were going to develop your own meme, what kind would you create?
A. I have, and it is a photo and URL scavenger hunt. It can be found here: Scavenger Hunt Memes.
5. From Sherle... Why do you enjoy answering memes?
A. They provide a good writing exercise to keep "writer's block" at bay.
6. From Teresa... What is your wildest dream?
A. That's hard to answer -- I have more than a few -- but, I guess I would have to say worldwide success as a highly celebrated author with immediate recognition (such as John Grisham, Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, et. al)
7. From Mz. Em... Why do you answer these questions?
A.See answer #5 above.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Unconscious Mutterings - Week 99
Sunday, December 19, 2004
This week's Unconscious Mutterings meme:
- Perfect Gift:: Baby Jesus;
- Santa:: Claus Is Coming To Town;
- Lucy:: van Pelt & Charlie Brown;
- Buckets:: of Coal;
- Recital:: Long & Boring;
- Stamp:: s, Christmas
- Teacher:: Overworked & Underpaid;
- Matchbox:: Twenty;
- Spit:: Fire Grill; and
- Feeling:: Auld Lang Syne.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Friday, December 17, 2004
This week's Friday Fiver meme:
1. Describe the condition of your keyboard:
A. This particular one is pristine - new and perfect - as this is my "early" Christmas gift ... a laptop!
2. Can you sing, or are you always out of key?
A. I can sing -- I've been told that it is like a mix of Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain and Carole King.
3. What keys do you carry with you?
A. Too many -- key to my car, key to my s.o.'s truck, key to the Harley, key to our house, key to the back fence gate, key to my parents' house, key fob to the house security system, key ring swipe cards for three grocery stores, one office supply store and the gym.
4. What is the key to personal happiness?
A. I only wish I knew the answer to this one -- for myself, and to share with others.
5. What gets you keyed up?
A. Inconsiderate people, rude people, stupid (I do not mean the mentally-challenged!) people, bad service, laziness, apathy, lack of work ethic, racism, prejudices of any kind, and lack of compassion for those less fortunate.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Thursday, December 16, 2004
Today's Diarist.Net Spark:
At the Movies -- 16 December 2004
A world-renowned filmmaker has stumbled upon your journal, and immediately decides he wants to base his next motion picture on you. Pitch the movie of your life.
What would the title be? Would it be a Hollywood blockbuster or an art-house sleeper? What genre would it fall under -- romance, comedy, drama, historical fiction? Who would play the people in your life? What would the movie poster say?
A. Well, if a world renowned film-maker has found my journal and wants to base his next motion picture on me, he can pitch the movie to the studios! As for the title, it would have to be "Darlin'," sub-titled "don't ever take a Southern woman for granted!." (tm) It would, naturally, be a Hollywood blockbuster, and would be hard to classify in one genre, as it would fall into the romantic, comedy/drama categories with ease. As for the cast, it would definitely be an ensemble cast -- the male cast members would include Colin Ferrell, Russell Crowe, George Eads, Owen Wilson, Sean Connery, Henry Rollins, Sam Elliott, and Antonio Banderas (to name a few), and a newcomer would have to be found to play me. She would have to have the innocent "pixie" charms of Meg Ryan, the sophisticated sexual undercurrents of Angelina Jolie, the intensity of Glenn Close's portrayal of Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction and Sharon Stone's portrayal of Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct, all wrapped up in a Marilyn Monroe-esque package. The poster would have a large Southern veranda, with all white wicker furniture, and just the title and subtitle, with the release date. This movie would reveal a lot of secrets if it is adapted from my journals!
-- Diarist.Net Spark
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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This week's The Thursday Threesome meme:
::Christmas is Coming!::
Onesome: Christmas Hey, an easy start for you, what with the new layout and all: What is your favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to listen for on the radio or hit 'repeat' on the player...
A. I don't really have a favorite song. I have several "
least" favorite songs, including anything by Elvis, and that depressing
Christmas Shoes song!
Twosome: Is Is the longer "Holiday Season" this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas making it easier to get your Christmas act together? Last year's was short; has this year flowed any better for you?
A. Not really. No matter how much time there is, it never seems to be enough. As for flowing - no, not really - with the "situations" that have been occurring lately, it can't be considered anything related to "flow."
Threesome: Coming Ready or not, here it comes! Are you ready? What do you have left to do with just over a week to go? ...or are you just cruising?
A. Ready?!? No. I still have a bit of shopping left to do, but most of it is done.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Wednesday Mind Hump - Week 48
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
This week's Wednesday Mind Hump meme:
"I say ___, you think ___"
- frenzy , Feeding;
- traffic Jam;
- stage Fright;
- gap Ads;
- jewel Thief;
- unexpected Visitors;
- powder Puff;
- stuffed Turkey;
- visions of sugar plums . . .;
- glisten in the moonlight;
- nip /tuck;
- golden child; and
- chatter box.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Monday Madness - More Ramblings
Monday, December 13, 2004
This week's Monday Madness meme:
- Do you have a favorite 80's song? Too many to narrow it down to just one;
- What's the biggest event in your life to date? The opportunity to have been able to travel extensively thus far, with hopes of continuing my travels here and abroad in the future;
- What's one more thing during your lifetime you would like to learn how to do well? Learn to speak at least one foreign language fluently;
- What is your earliest childhood memory? (both from the age of three) - a trip with my parents and paternal aunt and uncle-in-law to the Smokey Mountains, and an auto accident with my parents, maternal grandmother and a maternal aunt.;
- What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? 15 beats per second;
- Where, When and What is your most favorite memory? Atlantis Nassau Bahamas;
- Do you fit in? No, by choice - I prefer to be a unique individual;
- Tell me your favorite recipe then go to Recipe Swap and share it with all of us! My favorite recipe is my homemade chili - but it is my own secret recipe so I can't really share it . . . sorry!
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Unconscious Mutterings - Week 98
Sunday, December 12, 2004
This week's Unconscious Mutterings meme:
- Plot:: Thickens;
- Farce:: British;
- Unexpected:: Guests;
- Siren:: & Lights;
- Ben:: Franklin;
- Freshman:: Quarterback;
- Quicksand:: Slow Death;
- 24 hours:: A Day (Todd Snider);
- Spunky:: Monkey; and
- Vicious:: Circle.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Friday, December 10, 2004
This week's The Friday Fiver meme:
1. Have you ever streaked?
A. I don't think what I did could actually be classified in the strictest sense of the word by definition as streaking but, yes, I've been without covering in public.
2. Do you think streaking should be a crime?
A. Well, it falls under the codes of indecent exposure and, since indecent exposure is "on-the-books" as a crime, it must be considered as such -- and, you have to consider who might be viewing the streaker (i.e., children, etc.).
3. Why do you think streaking is such a staple of college life?
A. I don't know that it really is now, as much as it once was.
4. If we tolerate streaking, what's the worst thing that could happen?
A. Children could be exposed to nudity, as well as persons with delicate moral, ethical, or religious convictions.
5. C'mon. You're given $100,000 (US). Would ya streak?
A. If I could pick the time and location, definitely!
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Thursday, December 09, 2004
This week's The Thursday Threesome meme:
::Jingle Bells::
Onesome: Dashing through the snow: Do you get much snow where you live? Do you enjoy winter sports like skiing or would you rather stay in by the cozy fire?.
A. Probably not now that we've moved back to my beloved 'Ole South. But, for the last three years, while living in the Mid-Atlantic region, I experienced more than my share of snow for a while. I prefer a cozy fire, warm drinks, a good book, soft music, plenty of pillows and blankets, and a few cats curled up with me while I watch the snow falling through the window.
Twosome: In a one horse open sleigh: Have you ever been on a sleigh ride or a carriage ride? Do you even like horses? Or would you just rather travel by your own two feet?
A. Yes, both sleigh and carriage rides. I love horses. They are beautiful and majestic animals. My cousin raises horses, and she currently has fifteen on her farm.
Threesome: O'er the fields we go: What's the first thing that pops into your mind when someone says field? Corn? Football field? Outfield?
A. The first thing I think of is our pastureland at our 107 year old Victorian farm that we just sold in rural northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. to move back to the South. I'm glad to be back closer to home but . . . the farm was a wonderful place!
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Tuesday, December 07, 2004
This week's Ten On Tuesday meme:
Ten Things You Want for the Holidays
[disclaimer: some of these fall into the "wishful-thinking" category]
01. As many books as possible from my Amazon wish-list;
02. Pentax digital SLR;
03. Laptop - for writing anywhere;
04. My s.o.'s family to actually get me something I ask for (that's what lists are for);
05. For one of my best friends to not be deployed to Iraq after the first of the year;
06. A new super-duper blender;
07. That "yummy" new silk and angora Harley-Davidson sweater;
08. New publications to pick up my s.o.l. columns;
09. To find a new hair stylist in this new town; and
10. To find a decent nail tech in this new town (decent, being the operative word).
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Monday Madness - Compilation
Monday, December 06, 2004
This week's Monday Madness meme:
01. What's your favorite TV show and why?
A. CSI, I'm fascinated by forensics and enjoy looking at George Eads.
02. What's your sign?
A. Scorpio.
03. Why is common sense so uncommon?
A. Because common sense is a rare commodity, having nothing to do with I.Q. or education but more to do with being "in-tune" with one's surroundings.
04. What are 5 (or 10) great things about your life partner?
A. Funny, hard-working, creative, good provider, intelligent, daring, ambitious, good looking.
05. Why do you blog? Are you a writer at heart? Is it a passion? Or because it's en vogue?
A. As a creative outlet. A writer "at heart" and as a profession. Passion, yes - and a source of creativity. I was writing long before blogging came into vogue, and I will be writing long after the fad has passed.
06. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
A. Average amount of wood a woodchuck would chuck in a given day 523 butt cords of wood. Median amount of wood a woodchuck could chuck in a given hour 611 butt cords of wood. Record high for woodchuck wood chucking of 6835 butt cords was attained on 06/15/96. (NOTE: the above tabulations take into account that woodchuks chuck no wood on February second, in observance of ground hog day.) This information was obtained from here, in the for-what-it's-worth department.
07. Fiction or nonfiction?
A. Depends on the day and/or the mood.
08. If you were an animal, which animal would you like to be, and why?
A. A feline of some kind. Because they are stealth, graceful, and aloof.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Unconscious Mutterings - Week 97
Sunday, December 05, 2004
This week's Unconscious Mutterings meme:
- Delightful:: Delicious, De-Lovely;
- Impact:: , Sudden;
- Consolation:: Prize;
- Donation:: Box;
- Blue moon:: , You saw me standing alone ...;
- Grinner:: Picker;
- Smoker:: (s) are so inconsiderate;
- Muse:: , Mine Often Eludes Me!;
- Tweet:: Tweet, said the Parakeet;
- Guitar:: Man.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Thursday, December 02, 2004
This week's Thursday Threesome meme:
::Dancing Polar Bears::
Onesome: Dancing-- Dancing? Does anyone go dancing anymore? I mean, disco died, and the club scene? Hmmm... Is dancing dead? ...or are we just here on the web instead of out for the evening?
A. Sometimes I'll go dancing, if there's great live music or a group goes out for fun.
Twosome: Polar-- Polar bears seem to do well in the snow... How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? ...and if you're posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It's okay to admit it...
A. I used to wish for snow, because we would always be promised snow and it usually never materialized. After living for three years in the Mid-Atlantic region, and experiencing 3-4 heavy snows each year, I'm glad to be back in the South where a dusting or an 1" or 2" is the most you'll generally see. Snow means taking photographs before it gets dirty and slushy, then curling up with a good book or a good DVD, lighting a fire, snuggling under a blanket, a sipping warm cocoa.
Threesome: Bears-- Bears? Christmas Bears? Have you seen the number of bears on the shelf this year? Are you getting one for anyone? ...or are you looking forward to receiving one? ...or do you still think that inguana in the elf outfit is more your style?
A. I'm not into bears. I won't be buying any for anyone else. I'm not looking forward to receiving any, either. I'd prefer something from my 'wish-list,' thank you very much! :-)
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Wednesday, December 01, 2004
This week's Cheddar X meme:
Traditional Cheese
Anyway, this week's Cheese is about traditions and maybe some foreshadowing about 2005 resolutions and whatever. You can, as always, respond in the form of poetry if it makes you happy.
01. What holiday traditions mean the most to you?
A. Getting up early, opening presents Christmas morning, and a big breakfast "spread" by my mom.
02. What mean the least to you?
A. Getting asked every year for a "wish-list," and usually not receiving anything from it from certain people.
03. If you could create a new tradition, what would it be and why?
A. A definite party/event every year to get together with friends that I rarely get to spend time with throughout the year (and miss terribly!).
04. With 2004 drawing to a close, how would you grade yourself on your resolutions from last year?
A. A low-D to a F.
05. What are you planning to resolve to do in 2005?
A. Promote my company more, work on my manuscript, participate in art shows, contact shoppes and boutiques about carrying my art and photographs, and the usual 'resolutions' regarding health, weight and such.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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Wednesday Mind Hump - Week 47
This week's Wednesday Mind Hump meme:
Wednesday Mind Hump - Week 47
Friday is Telescope Day which commemorates the invention of the telescope by Gallileo in 1621. In keeping with that theme, let's warm up for this week's Mind Hump.
You have a telescope that allows you to see anything, anyone, anywhere and anytime! What, who, where, when would you like to take a closer look at?
A. I'll skip the most-obvious (for me) answer and go for a less dangerous, and second-choice, answer. I would like to be able to go outside and stare up into the sky on cold, clear winter evenings and contemplate the stars and the vastness of space.
01. If you were a Christmas tree ornament, what would you be and why?
A. An angel, all gold and celestial.
02. If you were a character from any Christmas themed story or movie, who or what would you be?
A. Carol Kane, the ghost of Christmas Present, in Scrooged.
03. In "Twas The Night Before Christmas" the children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. In your dreams, what visions dance through your head?
A. Shoes, purses, clothes, home-dec accessories - the joy of shopping!
04. If you were one of Santa's reindeer (Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph) which one would you be and why?
A. Vixen, I don't have to explain why.
05. Show us your heartstrings -- what is your most precious Christmas or Chanukah memory?
A. Donating time and gifts and riding the "Christmas Train" to deliver toys, food and other gifts to needy families on Christmas Eve.
(c) 2004 A Southern Belle's Life
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