TMI Thursday: In The Mood

My blog-buddy, Sean at Just a Jeep Guy started it, now all the cool kids are doing it (some of whom are listed in the sidebar).

IN THE MOOD:

1. What puts you in a silly mood?* I can get pretty silly with a few gin & tonics in me. I think it’s the lime, because the same thing happens when I have margaritas. Silliness that grows exponentially if the friends I’m with are also in it for a good time.
2. What puts you in a creative mood?* Responsibility and a short timeline. I find myself pondering troubling cases at work or seemingly monumental projects in my volunteer work. If they come with a deadline, I get less sleep, but I’m able to think outside the box and come up with brilliant (and not-so-brilliant ideas). Several times yesterday I poked my head into the bosses office and said, “so I was thinking of the XXX case, what do you think of this…? Some ideas work, others require more research and some are just not possible… but the fact remains, creativity is a large part of my daily life.
3. What puts you in a competitive mood?* Simple, challenging me in some way. It’s almost like “Back to the Future” only no one has to call me chicken; they just have to challenge my decisions or my ability to complete a task. Something bubbles up in my brain that says, “Oh Yeah? I’ll show you!”.
4. What puts you in a contemplative mood?* When I have a decision to make… at work, with a relationship, or a life choice. I become practically a hermit. When I get close to a decision, then I start talking to people about it. Usually, I realize that I’ve already made the right decision for me, I just want to hear it from someone else.
5. If you tend to be a quiet person what puts you in a talkative mood? If you tend to be a talkative person, what puts you in a quiet mood?* I can go from quiet –> talkative with a little bit of alcohol and another drunk who is also talkative. And I go from talkative –> quiet when I’m uncertain about what’s going on in my life at the time (this is why my old blog was so active and this one is not-so-much) or if I feel I have embarrassed myself with a member of present company.

BONUS

What puts you in 'the' mood?* There is a certain quality that I cant quite explain, but it’s the feeling I get when I know my partner is “into” me. There is a different feeling between a hook-up and something that is a little more. Hook-ups feel like we’re just completing a task… like when the cable guy comes to fix the cable service (bow-chicka-bow-wow), there is stilted chit-chat, but the task at hand goes on in a formulaic way. When the job is done, he says thank-you and leaves. Conversely, when there’s passion, there are ‘looks’, ‘touches’, and the passion  behind a kiss that lets you know that someone’s world is about to be rocked. Like the above scene from the Oscar winning film Brokeback Mountain, you can tell that Ennis DelMar and Jack "Fuckin’” Twist are really into each other. There is a mutual passion that puts me in the mood. 

Sunday Stealing: From Suburbia

Today we ripped off a blogger named Another Suburban Mom from the blog Another Suburban Mom. It is 20 questions, She says she got it from Dana. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

***Sorry it took all day to get these posted… they requires some pondering, interrupted by a trip to the mall with three teenagers.***

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
   * In the fall of 2002, I found a job working for a radio station in a town 200 miles from where I had been living. I had been unemployed for six months from my social service job due to the Post-911 Recession and by that point was more than willing to look where ever I had to in order to find a job. This move resulted in a trial separation from my wife. During this three month separation I was able to let my true self breathe a bit. But, over Thanksgiving I made a fear-based decision to put “me” back in the closet for the sake of my kids. In January 2003, the family joined me in the new town and thus began the final five year stretch of our marriage. During that period, it was a marriage in name only and very tumultuous.It was a perfect example of once the pain of NOT acting outweighs the pain of acting… change will occur. My ex-wife was (and still is) pretty good at serving up suffering. 
2. By this time next year, I ...
   * There are a couple projects I’m working on this year that may change my prospects for 2014, otherwise I would imagine things being relatively unchanged. At things sit right now, I don’t see much change as long as I’m living in court ordered poverty (child support).
3. Do you think the United States  will elect a female President in your lifetime?
   * God I hope so. Men have had 230 years of repeated fuck-ups, give a woman a chance. And I know just the one…
4. Do you think this would be a good thing?
   * Yes
5. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime?
   * Det. Eliot Stabler
6. Who is your greatest enemy?
   * Me
7. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?
   * A key part of my job is “site visits”  which are mostly along the I-5 corridor. I try to stack them together over a 3-day span so I can hit them all on one trip. The closest one is 180 miles away and the farthest one is 365 miles away. The last enjoyable trip was one to Seattle in October; 248 miles.
8. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
   * I would say, dictionary.
9. Do you have a nickname? What is it?
   * Yes, JT… an amazingly creative combination of my first and last initials.
10. What are you dreading at the moment?
    * I have been seeing a guy in a town about 90 miles away. I need to let him know that the arrangement isn’t working for me and I don’t see a future for “us”. The distance is a minor obstacle, there are other issues causing the red flags to flutter. I do not want to have this conversation on the phone or Instant Messaging, but weather and other circumstances are delaying an in-person chat.
11. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?
    * No… “Be who you are and say what your feel because those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter”. – Dr. Seuss
12. If you find an outfit you love, but the size on the label is larger than you want, do you buy the outfit? Why or why not?
    * Because of the size I wear, when I find an outfit I like and it’s ACTUALLY available in my size (or anywhere close to it)… I buy it!
13. Even the biggest slackers are anal-retentive about something? What are you anal-retentive about?
    * OMG… the list is so very long.
14. Out of all the books you read as a child, which one had the biggest influence on how you are today?
    * In the 70’s no one knew what ADHD was, to them it was just a willful child that needed to be beat into compliance. Even though my mind was chaotic, I could read. I enjoyed going away to other places, other times. Laying the groundwork for my current level of nerdy-ness I read non-fiction. I rarely lose at Jeopardy. I had an English teacher in high school who challenged me to read fiction, a number of failed attempts later I discovered “The Last Starfighter” a book adaptation of a 1984 film.
    The story chronicled the life of Alex Rogan a teenager living in a trailer park with his mother and younger brother. He played a video game as an escape from what he thought was a dead end life. Unbeknownst to him the game was a test to find starfighters from across the galaxy. One night Robert Preston shows up to take him away to help save a distance world.
    The lesson I got from the book, pursue your passions and they will be a ticket away from an inconsequential life.
15. Which Golden Girl would you want to spend a night on the town with?
    * Do I have to pick just one?
    When presented with an adventurous night, Blanche would say, “Oh why the hell not?” and Dorothy would be there to give us the reasons why.
16. What is the one product you would never buy in its generic form even if the generic is half the price?
    * Mayonnaise – nothing compares to the taste of Best Foods REAL Mayonnaise.
17. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
    * I’ll let you know when it happens.
18. What is the one smell that turns your stomach without fail?
    * This may come as a surprise since I have lived most of my life in a rural area; it’s the smell produced by livestock operations. I love going to the county fair, but I avoid the farm animals if I can.
19. If someone holds out a carton of milk to you and asks you to sniff it to see if its spoiled, do you?
    * I don’t like milk, so it always smells bad to me.
20. You have a completely free day and $2000.00, What are you doing?
    * Heading to Portland.
21. What is the most used item in your home?
    * It has to be this laptop.

Saturday 9: Stormy Weather

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

1. Do noisy storms scare you?
   * I’ve lived most of my life in rural Eastern Oregon where window-rattling thunderstorms are a normal part of a summer evening. I enjoy sitting out on the porch/deck watching the light show with a glass of wine or a bottle of my favorite Deschutes offering.
2. Mother Winters tells us Lena Horne was considered one of the great beauties of the 1940s. Whom do you consider one of today's most beautiful women?
   * There are a number of beautiful women that pop to mind… Candace Bergen, Reba McEntire,Emma Stone, Anne Hathaway, but the one that tops the list… Michelle Obama.
3. Crazy Sam admits it -- there's a big bag of recycling she really should take out to the bin. Yet she's composing this meme. What should you be doing, instead of answering her questions?
   * Showering, getting dressed, going to the store to get supplies for TACO NIGHT.
4. Sam may be crazy, but she's not stupid and will never waste her money on Cialis, no matter how many unsolicited emails she receives! What's the most recent addition to your spam folder?
   * I entered a contest before Christmas to win an iPad. Most of those things are BS, but this one looked legit. Now I’m left with the subscription to whatever organization was sponsoring the contest. Thus far, no iPad.
5. What was the last thing you cooked?
   * I put a Papa Murphy’s pizza in the oven, does that count? If not, I made a lentil stew in the crock pot last weekend.  
6. Do you remember the lyrics to your either your high school or college fight song? If so, please share a bit.
   * I remember that my high school fight song was set to the tune of “On Wisconsin” and the opening lyrics were “On Ontario, On Ontario…”
7. "Samantha" is the feminine of "Samuel" and means "Listener." What's the derivation of your first name?
   * John and it’s various cultural versions (Jean, Ian, Juan, Ivan, etc) is the most popular name on the planet. As I grew up in a hypocritical religious family, I know the religious meaning of my name is “God is gracious”. As I have lived my life, I call bullshit on that.
   John is a toilet or the customer of a prostitute… yeah I had fun with that when I was a kid.
   There are also some fun definitions according to Urban Dictionary.
8. Are you following the NBA or NHL this year? If so, which team are you rooting for?
   * I thought the NHL was on strike or lock out again? I am a lifelong Portland Trailblazers fan, but I lost interest in the NBA several years ago. When I do watch basketball, it is the Blazers and it’s rarely for an entire game.
9. Gloves, umbrellas, sunglasses, keys -- which of these do you misplace most often?
   * I’m an Oregonian I don’t use an umbrella; that’s how we recognize the tourists. Of the given list, I misplace Sunglasses most often. Usually, they are found perched on the top of my head.

TMI Thursday: Super STAR! (nsfw)

Sean at Just a Jeep Guy started it, now all the cool kids are doing it. 

SUPER HERO OR SUPER VILLAIN?

1. If you could be a Super Hero or Super Villain, which would you be and why?
   * I would so be a Super Hero. I would have super senses, super speed and super strength (the trifecta). Just a few of my closest friends would know about my secret identity and they would join me in making other people feel stupid through sarcasm if they suspected anything. I think my super hero dreams comes from my hearts desire to help people overcome circumstances that leave them feeling powerless. That makes it sound like my favorite TNT show Leverage.
   Of course, sometimes that help may comes as a smack up the side of the head. Some people just deserve it don’t they?
2. What's your secret identity?
   * I would be the mild mannered civil servant who uses their people skills and networking to learn the identity of people in distress. I would use my super empathy to screen out those who are just looking for another way to avoid responsibility and help those who truly deserve it. Like Superman, but not so clueless. 
3. Which person in your life would be your trusted sidekick?
   * I would have a number of people who have a certain set of skills depending upon what I need. We would gather around a large table and discuss how we are going to help people from their lives of drudgery. Since we are all ordinary, unassuming people we have to work out the logistics of making the magic happen without our marks knowing we’re doing anything.
4. What is your kryptonite (weakness)?
   * In the real world, I cannot stand it when people diminish my accomplishments or the work I’ve put into getting where I am in life. So, my kryptonite would be if the people I helped were ungrateful for the help. I’m using my super powers to help you bitch! Would a little gratitude kill you??
5. What are your power(s)?
   * Everything I would do would just be SUPER! Super senses, Super speed, Super Strength… and SUPER fashion!
6. Describe your costume.
   * Costume is picture (grrr) Everyone would be mesmerized by my amazing pectorals and won’t be paying attention to what I’m doing to help them out of their difficult circumstances.

BONUS

Which Super Hero or Super Villain would you most like to have sex? Be specific i.e.: Christopher Revee Superman, Hal Jordan Green Lantern, Super Friends Wonder Woman. Describe the sex.

After a long day of helping people overcome their circumstances by getting them jobs, paying their mortgages, getting their cars fixed, ect. I’m back at the office; my super bladder is full so I head to the men’s room. As I open the door, I notice Steve Rogers from HR is in there. He was already standing at the urinal as I approached. We nodded hello at each other.As I began shaking hands with my best friend. I’m noticing he’s glancing over rather obviously. So of course, I glance over and notice he’s swinging some serious wood.

I’ve noticed the way Steve fills out his shirt.. and pants around the office. But I couldn’t be too obvious about noticing because it would complicate my plans to remain below the radar around the office. Here I stand with this amazing specimen standing beside me with what had to be a 9” slab of meat. While the internal dialog was running, my own 11 was standing at attention. We finally make eye contact; he has amazing eyes. He winks and says, “I usually come in here after work for a wank, but since you’re here I’d rather take care of that”  As he motions toward my cock with his eyes, I feel his hand wrap around it. His face is moving toward mine as he says, “Want to know who I fantasize about when I’m in here wanking?” as our lips are about to touch he says, “you”.

Steve is working my cock and our tongues are probing the inner spaces of our mouths. I have began working his cock in the same speed and rhythm he is working mine. Steve breaks his lock on my face and begins lowering himself to take my leaking cock into his mouth. I let out a moan of ecstasy as he expertly works my tool. While I was really enjoying his skill, I was becoming nervous because his hand was reaching under my shirt and I was worried he would discover my secret identity. But he was just too good and I was getting close to climax.

His roaming hands were getting worrisome. As close as I was to pasting the back of his throat with my spunk I pulled him up and planted a deep kiss on his beautiful lips. We parted, and I said, “I want a shot too”. I dropped and took in this thick member, burying my nose in his pubes. I began feeling his hard legs and my hands explored his bubble butt. I wanted to feel his skin, I imagined that he covered with a beautiful fur. As my mouth was working his cock, my hands were beginning to pull his pants down. His hands quickly grabbed my hands and held them tight. I struggled against his grip, I could have easily broken the grasp, but I didn’t want him to question my super strength.

I stood and told him that I’ve been admiring his ass for years, and I wanted to see it unsheathed. He hesitated and said something about saving something for later. I arched my eyebrow, for a moment there weren’t two wet, throbbing cocks pressed between us. As I started to go back down to finish working Steve’s cock, I ripped his pants down with speed and agility. He was wearing blue tights! He said, “I really wish you hadn’t done that”. Fearing that our moment was falling apart, I quickly ripped open my shirt to reveal the red “S” painted onto my massive chest. Steve looked at me quizzically, as he started to say something; he paused and opened his shirt revealing a blue shirt with a white star in the center of his massive chest.

We both started laughing, enjoying the moment. Two super heroes, our super cocks hard and leaking. I remembered where I was going when this started, I turned Steve around and pulled down his tights to reveal a perfectly sculpted ass. He protests, saying, “I’m a top”, I replied, “Not tonight Cap”.

I think that’s enough to fulfill the spirit of the meme, don’t you?

Superstitions

Spo-Reflections posed a question this morning about superstitions.

When it comes to superstitions, I tend to agree with Cubby… I’m not superstitious, I have OCD.

• Black Eyed Peas – I always prepare a pot of Black Eyed Peas on New Years Day. I do it because my Mom did it and my Grammy did it before her. A few years ago I looked up the correlation between BEP’s and New Years… tradition holds that eating them ensures prosperity in the New Year. Not superstition… tradition.
• Pennies – See a Penny, pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck. Although, I’ve heard that you shouldn’t pick up pennies that are ‘tails up’. I don’t know if this is a superstition, but I know that pennies add up. I’ve always had a coin jar that I throw random coins into (not quarters, those are for laundry). That coin jar has come in handy when I needed a little Mad Money. Again, not superstition… poverty.
• Alphabetical Order – I have a two bookcases like the one pictured and I’ll probably need to buy a third by the end of the year. I love books; both fiction and non-fiction. I’m not a hoarder, every single one of them is either a book I’ve read and enjoyed and may read again, or is yet to be read. The shelves are divided between fiction and non-fiction; fiction is organized according to the authors’ last name and non-fiction is organized first by topic and then by author. My DVD’s are simply alphabetized. Not superstition… Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
• The Closet – There are no wire hangers in my closet. Which reminds me, I’m thinking I need to watch Mommy Dearest again, I don’t remember why wire hangers were a bad thing. My closet is organized with the types of clothing hanging together: button down shirts (long and short sleeved), polo shirts, casual shirts and dress, casual and docker slacks. Here’s the thing that has been called weird… all my shirts face the same way. If they aren’t, they must be fixed. Not superstition… ok, again OCD.
• Grocery Shopping – I arrange my shopping list according to the layout of the particular stores I have at my disposal. I then hit the aisles in order, finishing with the outer edges so the freshest items are left in their refrigerated homes as long as possible. Again, not superstition… organization.

Finally…

• Knock on Wood – This is the only superstition that I could think of in which I engage. When tempting fate, it’s best to make sure your bases are covered. This practice occurs most on Friday afternoon’s at work when someone observes, “My we’re having a quiet Friday”. This is surely a sign that the speaker is not aware that they are temping fate. For as soon as the words are spoken, the gears begin to turn which will destroy our quiet Friday.

I would be interested in your superstitions. Write your own post and link back here, or write them in the comments section below.

Sunday Stealing: The Back 15

Today we ripped off a blogger named The Ruminator from the blog Random Ruminations. It is 30 questions, But we are only posting the back half. She says she got it from Manasa. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

1. How do you vent out your anger?
   * I say FUCK as many times as it takes to feel better. Then, I drink Vodka or Gin Tonics and say FUCK until I feel better.
2. Favourite toy as a child?
   * Was this written by a Canadian?
   My favorite childhood toys were a collection of Tonka construction trucks that allowed me to move a lot of dirt as I made a terrain for my Hot Wheels cars to slide around corners and drive my enemies off into canyons.
3. Favourite season?
   * I enjoy a bit of rosemary in my soups and stews, occasionally a pinch of cumin if I’m feeling “spicy”.
4. Do you ever get letters delivered by the post office?
   * I cannot remember the last time I got a letter. Most of the stuff in my mailbox is junk. Occasionally I get a bill or a magazine. I only check my mailbox 1-2 times a week.
5. When was the last time you laughed hard?
   * I’m actually laugh easily, even if I’m alone and something on TV strikes me funny… I laugh.
6. What is on the floor of your closet?
   * Totes filled with my “skinny clothes”.
7. Are you any good at drawing?
   * There are things that I can draw pretty decently. It’s not my best talent though.
8. What did you do last night?
   * The same thing I do every night Pinky… try to take over the WORLD!
   Seriously, my best friend came up from Boise for the weekend. Last night we got pizza, watched TV and caught up on our lives.
9. What are you most afraid of?
   * I’m afraid of living an inconsequential life.
10. Plain,cheese or spicy hamburger?
    * A burger should NEVER be plain, so it’s always a cheeseburger. I’ll take on a spicy burger when I’m feeling brave.
11. Favourite dog breed?
    * I have owned two Yellow Labs in my life, I love their temperament and personalities. I hope to be in a place again one day to own one again. “Jack”  is pictured with Daughter #3 and I back in 2008. He remains in the custody of my kids.
12. Favourite day of the week?
    * Saturday – It’s a day of freedom and it doesn’t have the “impending doom” feeling that Sunday has from knowing you have to go back to work the next day.
13. How many states / provinces / countries have you lived in?
    * Three states – Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
14. Diamond or pearl?
    * I don’t know… Diamond. They’re sparkly!
15. What is your wish for this new year?
    * The same wish I have every year, that I’m in a better place in life at the end of 2013 than I was at the end of 2012.
16. New year resolutions
    * Win the Powerball
    * Lose Weight
    * Work on professional advancement through training and certification.
    * Find out how much it costs to buy Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) so I can outbid whomever makes him vote like and asshole.

Saturday 9: Bette Davis Eyes

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

 

1. Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a celebrity?
   * I’ve actually been told I resemble Richard Gere, I can see it through the eyes, but not much else.
   
2. Is there an actress or actor whose movies you make it a point to see?
   * There are several actors that will bring me to the theater, but only one that I dream about…
   
3. We're stopping for refreshments before we go in to see the movie. What's your refreshment stand order?
   * Our theater offers a “deal” which includes a jumbo tub of popcorn and a large drink (Coke Zero for me) for $9… for $2 more you can upsize to a vat o’ popcorn and a tanker of beverage… with a FREE catheter!
   
4. When did you last consume an alcoholic beverage? What was it?
   * I had a couple Vodka Tonics… maybe 3 (hic) last night.
   
5. Are you jumpy? Do you startle easily?
   * Being a survivor of child abuse, I do startle. I’m usually reasonably aware of my surroundings so it doesn’t happen too often.
6. Do you wear a watch?
   * Generally I don’t because I have nerve damage in my left wrist caused by having a watch ripped from my body during a serious car accident in 2005. But, Daughter #1 bought me a watch for my birthday last year that I have been wearing. Such are the things Daddy’s do for their daughters.
7. When was the last time you tried a new restaurant?
   * The last one that impressed me enough to stick in my memory was Sushi Ichiban in Portland. The chefs stand behind the counter and load plates onto a train that runs in a circle. The trick is matching the speed of the train when you grab a plate of sushi… last time we were there my friend Kevin derailed the train. He loves it when we tell that story.
   
8. What color is your wallet?
   * Black… it’s a hand made leather wallet that belonged to my grandfather. He died in 1979. I’ve kept the wallet in my memento box for all these years because I was afraid I may lose it if I used it. Last year I was shopping for yet another cheaply made wallet when I thought I should start using Grandpa’s wallet.
   
9. How much does it have in coins right now?
   * Currently it is devoid of coins… and paper for that matter.
   

TMI Thursday: What makes you feel good?

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN:

1. … you are sick with the flu?
   * I’ve only had the flu once in my life and I felt like I was going to die. It occurred over the holiday break during my 2nd year in my undergrad (1989). I actually considered not going back in January. It ended up transforming into pneumonia that lasted into February. Generally, when I am down with a cold or something. I stock up on Tylenol Cold, Ginger Ale, Orange Juice and Vodka. The vodka isn’t part of the regimen (it doesn’t hurt though), it’s just something I like having in the cupboard. In the early stages, I go to work but once it envelops my being I stay home because once it settles in my voice sounds like Barry White just before it disappears completely. I have a pretty deep voice, but once it goes baritone I have to deal with people asking, “Ohmigawd what’s wrong with your voice?” I would just rather not deal with that.
2. … you are in a bad mood?
   * When I’m in a bad mood the last thing I want to do is deal with people asking if I’m in a bad mood; that just makes it worse. Usually Vodka helps… and pizza.
3. … you are alone?
   * I love the company of my friends and family, but I covet my alone time as well. If I don’t get some alone time occasionally, bad moods happen. As I’ve posted before, I sometimes just enjoy having no plan, no expectations; just go with the flow.
4. … you are sad?
   * I tend to internalize my feelings which can lead to feelings of hopelessness. As I gain in personal understanding, I have come to know where the line is and when the line approaches I contact certain friends to help bust me out. It’s good to have friends who know the location of the liquor store.
5. … you are mad?
   * Same as #2.
6. … you are frustrated?
   * Same as #2 … like seeing the redundancy of these questions?
7. … you are angry?
   * Same as #2 …grrr… I need some Vodka… and pizza.

BONUS

… you are horny?
* That’s why I have a GROWLR app on the phone. If that fails, there’s PORN and my favorite hand.

Sunday Stealing: Randomness Pt. 2

** Part 1… HERE.

21. What’s something you’ve always wanted?
* I’ve always wanted to be normal. In my quest for normal I’ve done some pretty self-destructive things, some of which have affected others. As I have acquired wisdom, I have come to the realization that normal is what you make it. My motto is “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”. Some days I say that to myself as a mantra and sometimes I just say, “fuck you, bitches”.

22. Do you have hairy legs?
* Sadly No.

23. What does “Semper Fidelis” stand for?
* Always faithful… it is the Marine Corps motto. Don’t mess with me. I’m trivia savant!

24. Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?
* I don’t swim.

25. Do you wear a lot of black?
* Black is a basic part of my wardrobe. I look good in black, but it’s not like I’m Johnny Cash.

26. Describe your hair:
* Brown & White… I think the white has moved into the majority. I keep it short, buzzed in the summer.

27. Do you have Entomophobia?
* I don’t squeal like a schoolgirl at the sight of creepy crawlies, but if they are in my house they should expect to die.

28. Are you an adult?
* I have a job and I pay taxes… getting older is mandatory, growing up is optional.

29. Do you own or rent?
* I rent my home, I own my car.

30. Do you have a tan?
* It’s January in Oregon… no.

31. Are you addicted to TV?
* I'd like to say no, but there are times when I get cranky if I don’t get to see my programs, like The Rachel Maddow Show.

32. Do you enjoy spending time with your In-laws?
* When I was married… no. They are the prototypical rural, conservative, redneck, teabaggers. Even my kids tell me the X’s don’t like me very much. Which indicates their feelings about their faggot ex-son in law is not much of a secret.

33. Are you a sugar freak?
* No, salty snacks are my downfall.

34. What happened to Larry King?
* I believe he retired to the life of a curmudgeon.

35. What sign are you?
* Cancer

36. What do you wish on your birthday?
* That maybe next year someone would remember it. Seriously, there’s something about my birthday that makes it entirely forgettable. The most noted historical events of July 8 are… Francis Gary Powers was charged with espionage for his U2 flight over the Soviet Union in 1960 and the Dow Jones hit its lowest level (41.2) during the Great Depression in 1932. Notable birthdays… Nelson Rockefeller, Anjelica Huston, Toby Keith, Jaden Smith and Kevin Bacon.

37. Who did you copy this from?
* From the Sunday Stealing site.

38. Do you eat breakfast?
* Usually either a bowl of cereal or a yogurt. If I’m running late, I grab the yogurt so I can eat at my desk.

39. What would you name the royal baby?
* Strangely enough I’ve given this some thought. I am hoping that the Duchess of Cambridge has a girl and her name will be Diana.

40. Do you buy a newspaper?
* I subscribe to the local rag when The Boy is playing football so that I can collect articles chronicling his awesomeness. But generally, I buy papers when the feeling strikes me. One of the “signs I’ve made it” financially will be the ability to regularly subscribe to a paper.

Saturday 9: Owning the Night

1. Can you recall a time when you danced and romanced like you "owned the night?"
   * There was a couple nights in Portland last summer where me and ‘the crew’ danced with the hotties at Silverado and Casey’s and closed down the bar.
2. Samantha Winters (the author of this meme) admits she earned the name "Crazy Sam" during her party girl days in the 1980s. But now she's in bed by 11:00 PM. Do you have a regular bedtime?
   * On weeknights I absolutely have to be in bed by 11, 10 would be better. If I go later that 11, I’m a zombie at work the next day. Friday and Saturday nights, I have no set bedtime, but I’ve discovered that if I stay up too late I’m a zombie anyway. Maybe becoming a zombie is a natural part of the aging process?
3. Lady Antebellum is one of the most popular acts in country music. Do you often listen to country music?
   * It’s not always ‘my jam’, but there are some acts I like; Lady A being one of them. I find you have to be in the right mood for country music, otherwise it’s just annoying.
4. Are you responding to this meme on a desktop or laptop or phone or tablet?
   * I use a Dell Laptop
5. How often do you check your horoscope?
   * Daily, just for fun. Primarily through a post on my Facebook. Today… “Get Super-Connected, because if you don’t let people know you’ve got a bright light, well how are they going to know how to help you let it shine? So get the word out. You are terrific and you want to share. Who knows what great big shiny future could come from all this?
6. Congratulations! You just won a trip to Switzerland! Is your passport up to date?
   * Yes it is. I had to make a work-related trip to Mexico last year. So I’m good until 2022.
7. Do you know how to snow ski?
   * LOL… No!
8. What's the first beverage you drink in the morning?
   * If I had my way it would be a well crafted Bloody Mary… but since I have to work, I don’t have time to make a “well crafted Bloody Mary” and my houseboy, Rico is usually still snuggled in the blankets… I drink coffee.
9. Are you a good speller?
   * Hooked on Fonix werked fer me!

TMI Thursday(ish): Fresh & Clean

Sean at Just a Jeep Guy started it, now all the cool kids are doing it.

1. How often do you shower or bathe?
   * I shower everyday, sometime more than once if I’ve exercised or need to wash the day away.
2. When do you like to shower?
   * Showering when I wake up seems to invigorate my senses. Even on the weekends, I may not shower until mid-morning; until I do, it seems like I’ve got a coating of ick that needs to be scrubbed off.
3. Describe your shower (or bath) routine.
   * Nothing special… I brush my teeth as the water warms. I get in the shower, get wet, rinse out my mouth with the warm water (a habit I got into long ago), I put the shampoo in my hair, soap down, rinse from head to toe and exit. This process can be anywhere from 5 minutes to the time it takes the hot water to run out.. depending on how rushed I am.
4. Do you like to shower or bathe with you S.O.?
   * It’s a great idea in theory, but not in practice as the person away from the showerhead gets COLD. I love “bathing” in a Jacuzzi with my SO (when I’ve had one).
5. Shaving: what, where and how often?
   * I shave my face on workdays, unless it’s a time that I’ve let my beard grow out. I trim “the zone” to keep things less jungle-like… there are other optics at play as well (wink).
6. Do you shower at the gym or wait until you get home?
   * When I had a gym membership, at first I would shower when I got home. Once I had lost a significant amount of weight and I began feeling better about myself. I began to shower at the gym. Plus, it gave me a chance to check out the gorgeous guy who had been lifting while I was doing cardio.
7. Before having sex do you like to be freshly showered? Ripe? Perfumed? How do you like your partner?
   *Showered is nice. Some musk is OK, but there is a line. I love the smell of a man who knows how to wear a nice cologne, especially as he walks by in a public place.

Bonus

Sex in the bathroom: Shower, Bath, Hot tub, Public?
* Sex in every room of the house/apartment is a good thing.
* Sex in the shower is problematic due to the hot vs. cold thing. But there have been opportunities.
* Sex in the bath/Jacuzzi is… VERY nice.
* Sex in public… as a guy who lived a closeted life for many years. I have, like many closeted men had my share of rendezvous after tapping my feet in mall bathrooms, brushy areas of parks and in the back of vans. There is something dangerous and exciting about those encounters that I miss a little bit. But since I came out, it lost much of its appeal.

Blogging Challenge 22: Three Wishes

** Go HERE for links to previous posts **

I am determined to complete this challenge before I hit its 2nd anniversary in April.

I do a lot of driving for my job, one of the exercises (yeah, we’ll call them that) I do to occupy my mind is “What if?”.

• What if you won the lottery?
• What if you were a college professor?
• What if you moved overseas?
• What if you had a boyfriend?
• What if your ex-wife died?

I will conjure up the scenario that leads up to the event; what am I doing, what preparations need to be made, what will my reaction be. Then I begin weaving the tale in my mind what happens once the event occurs. Not everything is shiny and happy, sometimes dire events occur… what will I do?

The “Three Wishes” scenario uses the same rules the Genie lays out in the Disney classic, Aladdin.

1. I can’t kill anyone
2. I can’t make anyone fall in love
3. I can’t bring people back from the dead
4. No wishing for more wishes

For regular readers of this humble blog, you know that I love estate sales. This scenario begins at just such an event. I’m browsing through the closets and baskets of someone’s recently departed grandma when I find a decorated incense burner. It tickles my fancy (everyone should have their fancy tickled from time to time) so I buy it and take it back to my humble apartment. It is placed on a shelf until some later time when I’m dusting, it is knocked from its perch. I notice there is an engraving around the base, and as these things happen, I rub the article to get a clearer view of the engraving. The required smoke begins spewing from the lamp and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a Genie!

The Genie gives me the aforementioned rules and I ponder my options. After an appropriate pause; I don’t want to seem like I’ve put too much thought into this, I give my answer.

1. An eternal ATM/Debit card – This little number will allow me to draw upon a bottomless account. Good for shopping, dining, traveling, gift giving, and of course paying the bills of life.
2. Impeccable health – I shall live a good long life without a sniffle, ache or pain.
3. Wisdom – I shall have the uncanny ability to avoid assholes, make the correct choice on where to go, when/how to spend my money and on whom, and how to live my life so as not to gamble with the blessing of good fortune and health.

As I have given this many miles of thought, I think I have teased out any potential pitfalls which are common in the human condition so as to gain the most enjoyment for myself and those closest to me. If you can conceive of any issues, please let me know. Because I really enjoy shopping at estate sales.

Sunday Stealing: Randomness Pt. 1

**This will be interesting…
Today we ripped off a blogger named Gina from the blogThe Journey to Olivia. It is 40 questions, so we will do it in two parts. She does not state where she found the meme. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

1. What side of the heart do you draw first?* Left
2. Can you dive without plugging your nose?
   * I don’t swim
3. What color is your razor? * Are you talking about the one I shave with? It’s the same as most razors, silver. The handle is blue though. If you’re talking about my Motorola Razr… it’s Cranberry.
4. What is your blood-type?
   * O+
5. Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?* Connor Barwin (6’4”, 268 and look at those arms!)
6. What is a rumor someone has spread about you?
   * Honey, if they’re talking about you; they have a great topic!
7. How do you feel about carrots? * I like them raw. In my experience, cooked carrots are good in a soup or stew, but bland otherwise. I watch Food Porn way too much. Some time ago I saw them cook carrots with a touch of ginger and brown sugar, but not enough to make them syrupy. It is a hit!
8. How many chairs at the dining room table?* Currently four. When the kiddo’s are here I put the leaf in and the 5th chair comes in from the back bedroom.
9. Which is the best Spice Girl?
   * Posh… definitely! She was/is the prettiest of the Girls and certainly had the most transferable talent. Also, she gets to get nasty with David Beckham on a regular basis. (I hear he’s hung like a large Red Bull can) **Click to get a BIGGER view. 
10. Do you know what time it is?* Yes... Hammertime!  
11. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song?* Like many songs I “know”, I can do it when its playing on another media. Reciting it cold, I can only do the first couple lines.
12. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
    * Life gives you a smart phone for just such occasions.
13. What’s your favorite kind of gum?
    * My favorite kind of gum fluctuates. Currently it’s the latest Shaun White flavor from Stride called, Mintacular!
14. All’s fair in love and war? * No… be kind to one another. If you are in love with someone, why would you do something to hurt them? If you would still want to hurt them, are you really in love with that person?
15. Do you have a crush on anyone? Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning? * Those seem like oddly divergent questions. Yes, I have a crush on someone. He is a beautiful person who is also crushing on me (which is key). We have a great time when we’re together. Currently he lives in a community 90 miles away; overcoming that obstacle makes the time we spend together all the more sweet. Unfortunately, the weather in Eastern Oregon in January conspires against us. We were planning on being together this weekend, but an ice storm forecasted at 30% happened.
    As for knowing how to use a word, but not knowing the meaning; I try to avoid that. I have sought education for myself in order to rise above my upbringing. Education is truly a panacea for the ills of our society, but a majority of our society eschews education. What’s worse is that educated people who employ critical thinking skills are often demonized by those in power in our society. 
16. Do you like to sleep? * Yes
17. Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings time? * I believe they are Arizona, Indiana and Hawaii
18. Do you know the words to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart?
    * See answer #11
    
    
19. Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 mustang? * I would rather have a forest green 1966 Mustang Fastback