A to Z

One N Jen saw this A to Z meme over at A Girl and a Boy and since I think they are both swell and it’s time for some frivolity around here, I decided to play along.

***

A. Age: 38 (I will be 39 in two months. NOT THAT I AM PANICKED.)

B. Bed size: Queen sized dreaming of a King.

C. Chore that you hate: Taking out the trash & recycling. Luckily for me, Mr. Darcy does it.

D. Dogs: Someday! Mr. Darcy and I really, really, really want a dog (though don’t tell Dot & Dash).

E. Essential start to your day:Breakfast, preferably involving a protein and some black tea.

F. Favorite color: I’m always drawn to red but lately I love yellow, green and aqua.

G. Gold or Silver: Silver but I have warmed to gold and wear it frequently.

H. Height: 5’3″

I. Instruments you play: I took guitar when I was 10. I was pretty good except I wouldn’t make time to practice. I really want to take lessons again – 28 years later. I have an acoustic just sitting in my living room taunting me.

J. Job title: Event Manager for a non-profit that helps foster kids, Apartment Manager, soon-to-be owner of Jubilation: Wedding & Event Management.

K. Kids: I just got engaged! Give me a break!

L. Live: Seattle, WA in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

M. Mother’s name: Mary Kay

N. Nicknames: Sizzle, Sizz, Jonesy, etc.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Zero (knock on wood) but there was that one emergency room visit when I cracked my head open.

P. Pet peeves: Drivers who don’t grasp the concept of merging. People who don’t hold the door for you. Not washing your hands after going the bathroom. Not RSVPing to an invite. Tardiness. Phrases like “awesomesauce” or “obvi” and the like. (PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP.)

Q. Quote from a movie: “BABY FISH MOUTH!”

R. Right- or left-handed: Right

S. Siblings: Younger sister, older half-brother.

T. Tattoos & Piercings: I have a tattoo of a butterfly on my upper hip/butt from when I was 19 or 20 plus the word “Be” on my right wrist. Considering getting my dad’s name in braille dots on my left arm (he was blind) and also still want the bird tattoo I’ve been dreaming of for over 3 years. My ears are pierced (they once had double piercings but I’ve let them close up).

U. Underwear: Yes I wear them. There was a time when I didn’t and my mother said to me “Your vagina is going to catch a cold.” (direct quote)

V. Vegetable(s) you hate: I can’t really think of one I hate…I don’t love tomatoes unless they are really ripe (mealy tomatoes are the grossest) and I HATE pickles but those aren’t vegetables technically. I love veggies!

W. What makes you run late: Changing my outfit. Being on the internet.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: I once twisted my ankle because I was doing dance routines in my bedroom and probably had to get x-rays then I think. I broke my collarbone as a toddler when I fell from a trunk. I had climbed up to open the blinds or something because my sister was awake. Or I wanted her to be awake to play and was waking her up. Either way, I was clearly being a troublemaker.

Y. Yummy food that you make: My nephew thinks my pancakes are the best. I make all kinds of yummy stuff.

Z. Zoo animal: The zoo kind of makes me sad. When I do visit, I always want to go see the gorillas and the meerkats.

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If-ing

I saw this shared out and loved it so thought I’d take a go at it.

If I were a month I’d be April

If I were a day I’d be Thursday

If I were a time of day I’d be 4pm

If I were a font I’d be Perpetua

If I were a sea animal I’d be a dolphin

If I were a direction I’d be West

If I were a piece of furniture I’d be an Adirondack Chair

If I were a liquid I’d be water

If I were a gemstone I’d be a diamond

If I were a tree I’d be a birch

If I were a tool I’d be a hammer

If I were a flower I’d be a dahlia

If I were an element of weather I’d be wind

If I were a musical instrument I’d be a cello

If I were a color I’d be spring green

If I were an emotion I’d be delight

If I were a fruit I’d be a raspberry

If I were a sound I’d be laughter

If I were an element I’d be gold

If I were a car I’d be a 1966 cherry red Ford Mustang

If I were a food I’d be 70% dark chocolate

If I were a place I’d be San Francisco, CA

If I were a material I’d be cedar

If I were a taste I’d be cinnamon

If I were a scent I’d be sandalwood

If I were a body part I’d be an eye

If I were a song I’d be Into the Mystic by Van Morrison

If I were a bird I’d be a sparrow

If I were a gift I’d be wrapped pretty

If I were a city I’d be on the coast

If I were a door I’d a Dutch door

If I were a pair of shoes I’d be boots

If I were a poem I’d be

SWEET DARKNESS

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.

The dark will be your womb
tonight.

The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.

You must learn one thing.
The world was made to be free in.

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

– David Whyte

Borderline Obsessed

My good pal at I’m Not Benny bestowed an award on me last week which is totally rad of him. I’m pretty skeptical about awards that come with obligations though. Is this a Miss America pageant or something?! Do I get a crown?

I’m disturbed by the visual that accompanies this award and yet, am required to post it. Apologies to those who, like me, try to avoid nose picking imagery or the real deal at all costs. Like the other night- my nephew who has recently discovered the treasure chest that is his nose-  literally chased me down with a booger on his finger trying to wipe it on me. Man, almost-three year olds can sure run fast! Good thing I’ve been working out. I totally escaped booger-free. But just barely.

Wow, that was off-topic.

I’m supposed to tell you about my obsessions.

OBSESSION 1: Brain Age on my DSi.

Who would have thought that I would be playing a hand held video game device every night before I go to bed? Not me, that’s for damn sure. But I cannot stop playing this game. I’ve lowered my Brain Age from something embarrassing like 120 years old (that might be hyperbole) down to 38. I love progress! I am particularly obsessed with the Virus Busters game and Sudoku. My brain is actually becoming sharper. This is a good thing.

OBSESSION 2: Order.

This is a very general obsession which lends itself to such behavior as the following- straightening picture frames that are not mine, not in my house, not even my business; organizing the various teas that come in a basket when I order tea in a restaurant; making orderly piles of miscellaneous junk on OTHER PEOPLE’S TABLES (usually family or friends, still, none of my business!); periodically emptying out my fridge to reorganize it by food groups. These are just examples. Don’t judge me.

OBSESSION 3: Cooking, Cops and Compulsions.

I am unable to resist the allure of tv shows containing cooking or cops or compulsions. It’s a weakness of mine. Shows I am particularly fond of currently include: The Closer, Castle (Hi! Nathan Fillion! Mmmm, yummy) and Law & Order SVU (any of the L & Ws will do in a pinch really, I just have a particular fondness of Mariska Hargitay), Top Chef, Iron Chef (please do not make me watch Guy Fieri or Bobby Flay), Obsessed and Intervention (note to self: have some kleenex when watching the alcholic interventions- talk about flashbacks).

There are more but I think I’ll only crack the obsession door open a smidge.

(Feel free to tag yourself if you are in need of a meme.)

R You Ready?

Skrinkering Hearts had a fun post up the other day so I thought I’d play along.

Ten things I love brought to you by the letter R.

1) Romance

I’m not talking about overt materialistic gestures but rather the small ones that show you matter. The little notes. The thoughtful gestures. A mix tape (modern version: mix cd). I’m a total sucker for that stuff. The most romantic things that boyfriends have done for me include:

a) Driving up to the oceanside, leaving the headlights on, and asking me to dance to Frank Sinatra right there in the beam of light with the ocean keeping time.

b) Making me a wind chime because I mentioned how I wished I had one and then leaving it on my porch for me to find/hear on my birthday.

c) Writing a song about me and including it in a mix tape as a surprise (this was back in the day before cds).

d) Leaving notes on the stereo for when I came home that said “press play” and someone soulful like Otis Redding would start singing through the speakers.

e) Bringing me flowers to work on Fridays “just because.”

2) Raphael Saadiq

He is one smooth cat with funk and jive and groove. He reminds me of Smokey Robinson and Sam Cooke. I love classic soul music and am amazed how he’s brought that vibe back without it feeling dated.

3) Rain

Living in the Emerald City, I certainly get my fair share of rain. It’s the number one question I get when I tell people where I live. “How do you stand all the rain?” I just so happen to love it so it doesn’t bother me one bit. The perpetual grayness during the long winter is what kills my spirit.

4) Road Trips

I do not take enough of these and that must be remedied PRONTO. One of my favorite day trips was with my friend, Dumpling. We drove up the coast without an agenda and just explored. It was, sincerely, one of the best days I ever had.

5) Red

It’s my favorite color. Enough said.

6) Reading

As a kid, I would get called to dinner and would inevitably yell back, “Just want to finish this chapter!” I was a voracious reader. I still love to read and have started two book clubs in the last 10 years- one that was incredibly successful and one that fizzled out. I should really make more time to read and not let things like chores and TV get in the way.

7) Rosario Dawson

A picture is worth a thousand words. ——>

8) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

My candy weakness. See Exhibit A.

9) Real Simple

This is my favorite magazine. For an uber-organizer like me, I lovelovelove all the tips and articles and most of the time the recipes are easy and delicious. Try this one. It’s SO GOOD.

10) Roller coasters

My favorite roller coaster is the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, mostly for nostalgic reasons but it really does deliver a great ride. It’s rickety (give it a break, it’s over 100 years old) and has a lot of dips and fast turns PLUS you get to see the ocean as you hold your arms up and scream your head off. It’s fantastic.

**If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog. When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on.

Honesty Is Such a Lonely Word

I knew when I started reading my friend Vanessa’s post over at her site, Random Ramblings, that she was going to tag me for this meme. And I swear I didn’t cheat and scroll down to see. I just had a hunch. The deal is, as an honoree, I have to  A) list 10 honest things about myself – and make it interesting, even if I have to dig deep! (Dig deep? I hardly ever do that so this will be a stretch. AHEM.) and B) pass the award on to 4 bloggers that I feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap. (Vanessa changed the rules to say “embody” because she is SO like that. And I mean that as a compliment.)

Ten Truthful Things:

1) I have to hold onto a wall or railing when taking the stairs because I am deathly afraid that I will miss a step and plummet to my death. If I keep thinking like this, surely it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

2) I like scary, suspenseful movies but not if I have to sleep alone after watching it. While E.T. is not a scary movie, I used to be afraid that E.T. was in my closet. I KNOW HE IS A NICE ALIEN but my child’s mind did not care about logic.

3) I have a very difficult time being in a messy environment. When I was a kid, I babysat for this family who lived in filth. Dog hair, spilled cereal, dishes piled in the sink, layers of dust and a strange, stale odor in the air and it was SO GROSS. The kids were adorable but I felt like I needed to shower when I got home.

4) I am a very light sleeper. I bring ear plugs with me when I travel because I am very, very unpleasant if I don’t get enough sleep. On that same note, if I get to the place of starvation, I am an utter and complete bitch. Watch the blood sugar!

5) I really, really, really want to learn new dances. Especially Flamenco. I have a very stupid reason for not signing up. (See #8)

6) I cannot eat spicy food. I’m a complete spice wimp. I am, however, building up my wasabi tolerance.

7) I adore ferris wheels but only from afar. I don’t want to ride on them (vertigo) but I do want to collect photos of them.

8) I spend far too much time feeling bad about my looks, specifically my body. This. Really. Must. Stop.

9) I have crushes on girls. My current crush is Rosario Dawson. I would say Kate Winslet but mostly I want to BE her, not make out with her.

10) I am not living up to my full potential.

I tag:

Radioactive Girl

Bright Yellow World

Matterdays

Iron Fist

You Ask, I Answer

Instead of getting myself in hot water blogging about work (which is what I REALLY want to talk about), I’ve decided to intervene on my own angsty self. A while back I participated in that interview meme that’s going around and ended up with ten questions. Here are the results.

From my bloggy pal SJ of Pseudotherapy:

1. Your nephew Finn may be the most adorable little boy of all time. Has being Auntie TeeTee made you more inclined, or less, to have children of your own?

Depends on the day, really. I definitely see what a rewarding journey it is to raise a child AND what an all-encompassing, life-altering job it is. Am I up for the challenge? Probably. Though at this rate, nearing 36, I don’t really think I will be birthing my own kids.

2. Imagine your dream job, and describe it for us.

I put this question off until the end. I’m having a really difficult time answering it! Now that I am event planning again, I’m questioning if this is what I should do. I thought at almost 36 I would have a better idea of what I should be doing. I still feel like my life’s purpose has yet to be actualized. How’s that for a hippy & evasive answer? I feel like there were many paths I could have taken over the course of my life, maybe there still are. I’m pretty depressed around the whole work thing right now so I’ll have to get back to you.

3. How did you acquire your sense of style and fashion moxie?

I’m flattered you think I have any! I used to be one of those girls who longed to fit in with the current fashions. You know, Benetton and the like. But I was a chubby kid so I never really got that experience. I also went to private elementary and high schools so I wore a uniform. Let me tell you, on the days we got to dress in “regular” clothes I just about had a panic attack. It wasn’t really until I met my friend Jenny Two Times that I embraced dressing differently than others. We used to shop at thrift stores every weekend- back when that was not the norm and clothing could be bought for a dollar a piece. Back in my early college days I dressed in vintage clothes mixed with modern pieces. There was a period of time I was stuck in the 1940s. Now I just try to mix new and old with bold colors and fun patterns to have fun. I think a lot of larger women dress blandly because a) that’s what is offered to us in the stores and b) we are told to not stand out. I say that’s a bunch of bullshit! Wear what you like and feel good about yourself no matter what your size.

4. Of all the frogs you kissed before you found Prince Fella, which one (without naming names!) was the worst?

Hmm, there were definitely a couple. One guy who was new to kissing used to just open and close his mouth. Not even puckering! Like a fucking fish that one was. I am sure he is off kissing like a champ now after my tutelage. The worst of the worst though? Was Hairy Lizard. Very nice chap but. . . When he kissed he darted his tongue in and out like a lizard. Um, EW. No thanks.

5. Share with us who the top five people are on your “Bloggers I’d Love To Meet” list, and why.

I’ve been really lucky to meet a lot of bloggers and hope that I continue to. There are so many I still want to meet- it’s really difficult to choose. I’ll go with the ones that date back from the early years of my blogging career. . .
Sue from Torn Pages

Kevin from Kapgar

Tori from Radioactive Girl

Shana from Gorillabuns

SJ from Pseudotherapy

From my blog brother, Kevin from Kapgar.

1. What is your dream place to live, money and job be damned, and why?

I don’t know if I’ve been there yet BUT it would definitely be near the ocean. I have seriously toyed with the idea of moving to Mexico and running a little spa. I think because my trip to Mexico was the most relaxed I’ve ever been. I should probably just take another vacation. If I could afford a house on the water with a view? It would be BLISS. I miss the sound of the waves.

2. Who is the one person you would be most scared to have discover your blog and why?

Most everyone knows I have blog so the people I don’t want reading it already read it. (Yes, I mean YOU.) (Just kidding.) (You know who you are.) I don’t want my current boss or my landlords/bosses reading it. Neither are very savvy when it comes to the internet. (One insists that I fax things when I could save time and trees by emailing and the other has trouble inserting a logo into a word document. I REST MY CASE.) It’d be kind of awful if my tenants found my blog. (Knock on wood!)

3. You have been named personal advisor to Barack Obama, what is your first piece of advice to him?
#1) Quit smoking.
#2) Don’t give into the bullshit, please. Keep it real.

4. What is your favorite sex toy? It can be one you’ve used or not. (gotta love the “progression” of questions, eh?)

What is sex? I seem to have forgotten.

5. If you were to give up blogging and your online presence entirely, what would you do with all your spare time?

I’d probably craft so much I could open my own Etsy shop. Or maybe I’d take up dancing.

If you’d like to play along, just follow these instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (And realize I might take a while to get back to you.)
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. (Eventually!)
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. Be sure you link back to the original post.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Life Over Blogging

My friend Brandy over at It’s like I’m . . . magic does this series post called “I Choose” and because I a) think it’s a great idea, b) am incredibly tired from working three jobs and c) would only be whining about being tired and not having any time to take care of myself, I’m totally borrowing stealing it.

• tea over coffee
• bed head over flat iron
• Grey’s Anatomy over ER
• the book over the movie
• the Jackson Five over the Keating 5
• dahlias over roses
• acoustic guitar over electric guitar
• the theater over the sports arena
• talking to the crowd over sitting in the audience
• tacos over burritos
• yoga pants over running shorts
• Twitter over IM
• West Elm over Pottery Barn
• painted toenails over painted fingernails
• silence to noise
• sunrise over sunset
• American Idol over American Gladiator
• getting wet over using an umbrella
• peanut butter over jelly
• Jon Stewart over John McCain
• humming over whistling
• Clinton over Stacy
• breakfast over lunch
• Autumn over Winter
• Henry Rollins over Henry Fonda
• dresses over pants
• leading over following
• mornings over nights
• my nephew over everyone
• dancing over sitting still
• the beach over the desert
• smiling over frowning
• freckles over tanned
• brain freeze over brain fart
• being in a pickle over eating a pickle
• making people laugh over making people cry
• birthdays over Christmas
• organization over chaos
• being behind the wheel over being the passenger

What about you?

I’m Putting the “E” in Meme

I’ve been tagged and awarded and remiss in following through with my part of the deal. But today all that changes. I’m doing them ALL AT ONCE.

Thank you to:

• Free and Flawed for bestowing the “Brilliante Weblog” Award to me. (Which must be an international award given the Spanish or Italian “e” at the end of brilliant.)
• andsosheblogs for bestowing the “Kick Ass Blogger” Award to me.

Now for the memes.

I saw this multiple places, most recently over at Abbersnail’s blog.

Every day, I would like to:
1. Go for a walk
2. Smile
3. Tell someone I love them
4. Make my bed

Every week, I would like to:
1. Go swimming
2. Cook a new recipe
3. Dance
4. Sleep in (at least once)

In three months, I would like to:
1. Be working a job that challenges me
2. Have a healthier routine
3. Have new eyeglasses
4. Have read books rather than watch TV

Before next year, I would like to:
1. Buy new digital camera
2. Commit to an exercise routine
3. Enroll in Spanish classes
4. Volunteer with Hospice

In two to five years, I would like to:
1. Stop coloring my hair & embrace the grays
2. Be a home owner
3. Be at a comfortable weight
4. Be a mom

Before I die, I would like to:
1. Be in a committed, long term relationship
2. Sing in public
3. Donate a large sum of money to a cause I believe in
4. Dive off the high dive

*********

Eight Things: A Meme

8 things I am passionate about:

1. Ending violence against women
2. Stopping animal cruelty
3. Crafting
4. Writing
5. Love
6. Marriage Equality
7. Tea
8. Peanut Butter & Chocolate

8 books I’ve read and enjoyed:

1. The Time Traveler’s Wife
2. This Much I Know Is True
3. Sister of My Heart
4. Bastard Out of Carolina
5. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
6. Middlesex
7. A History of Love
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

8 words/phrases that I say often:

1. Fuck
2. It’s like
3. Snice
4. Later, tater
5. I’m just
6. Apparently
7. Sucktacular
8. Balls!

8 things I want to do before I die:

1. Spend a month in Italy
2. Publish something I wrote
3. Raise children
4. Own a house
5. Read the instruction manual from start to finish on something I own
6. Learn to speak Spanish
7. Dance the Flamenco
8. Learn to read music/play an instrument

8 things I’ve learned in my life:

1. Life is precious and too short.
2. Forgiveness is more about healing yourself than someone else.
3. Don’t put off living.
4. There is very little you actually can control.
5. Kindness begets kindness.
6. Laughter is good medicine.
7. There is power in positive thinking.
8. When you don’t personalize things, life is a lot easier.

8 places I want to see:

1. Ireland
2. My father’s birthplace
3. Alaska
4. New York
5. Australia (specifically, koalas)
6. France
7. Italy
8. England (again)

8 things I currently want/need:

1. Break light replaced in my car
2. Willpower
3. More sleep
4. Another cup of tea
5. A more challenging job that pays better
6. A new digital camera
7. A queen sized platform bed
8. A good laugh

8 people I want to tag:

You know I don’t “do” tagging but feel free to steal it.

Seven Up

I’ve been tagged with this meme a couple of times and since I have a seriously vicious case of Spring Fever and possibly I drank one too many cervezas in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, this is all I can muster today.

1) I will not eat Jello. Pudding, yes. Jello itself? No. I blame the hospital when I got my tonsils and adenoids out at ten. I was forced to eat it. Then I threw it up. Along with some blood. Ew.

2) When I have to discard something, say when I am cooking spinach and there are some leaf pieces that are turning bad, in my mind I hear them saying, “I want to stay!” as I throw them in the sink. Personalizing food is probably not a good idea.

3) I don’t like soda unless it is root beer or ginger ale. Otherwise, all my pop has to have booze in it to be drinkable by me.

4) I love eggs in all their glorious forms EXCEPT for omeletes. I can’t seem to get past the texture the eggs take on when cooked that way.

5) I live in the coffee capital of America and yet I can’t drink coffee. It makes me sleepy so I avoid it. I used to be a coffee junkie and then after college, quit the stuff. Now it is strictly black tea or the occasional decaf latte. It’s sad because I really do like the way coffee tastes.

6) The smell of peanut butter on a wet sponge when I am doing the dishes is enough to make me gag.

7) I am a spice wimp. I can only handle wasabi. I blame my geographic tongue and my Irish heritage.

What’s a weird food quirk you have?

Winners & Wieners

The time has come to announce the winner of the first ever Sizzle Says contest. I took each entry, wrote your name down on a piece of paper, folded it and then asked the most trustworthy person I know to pick the winner.

That’s right. . .my nephew, Finn. ——->

He’s not yet two so the only subterfuge he’s interested in involves hide & seek or peekaboo. He was swift to pick out the winners. Yes, plural. WinnerS. Because in his excitement he grabbed two names out of the bowl so two lucky bloggers win. You can thank him later. (Hint: he likes Nilla Wafers.)

Those winners are (drum roll please) . . .

What’s that? You can’t read the names? Hmm, better get your eyes checked.

Come on down Punchline Walking & Hotpinksox! You’re the next contestant on the Price is Right. Wait. That’s not correct. I mean, congratulations! You each win an extra special package from me & the Emerald City.

To the losers, don’t feel bad. You’re all winners to me. Here, let’s hug.

(Besides, there will totally be another contest.)

********

You may or may not have noticed that I changed my WordPress theme. I was tired of the brown and green. (Almost as tired as I am of the freaking winter weather that persists here in rainy Seattle. Rain I can tolerate. Snow flurries at the end of March? Absolutely not. I crank called Mother Nature all weekend. I think that totally taught her a lesson. Since then there has been no snow. So there, Mother Nature!)

My point (and I do have one) is that I sincerely want to have my blog entirely redesigned. I know what I want it to look like and yet, I have no skills in this department. I wish I had taken the time to learn coding and design but alas, I was far too busy perfecting my bj skills back in my 20’s to ever get to this on my “to do list.” See kids, some endeavors don’t pay. Let that be a lesson to you.

(Mom? Totally kidding about the bj thing.)

So I’m leaving it like this until I can hire/beg/bribe someone to design a blog that lives up to the Sizzle name. That’s how seriously I take this blogging business. If you can recommend anyone, shoot me an email or leave me a comment.