This or That

1. Poetry or prose? Prose. I write it, you know. Course I write poetry as well, but badly.

2. Funky modern art or the older, “classic” variety? Classics, like Degas.

3. Sculptures or paintings? Painting.

4. Theatre: exuberant musical or serious drama? Musicals, always, baby!

5. Ballet or modern dance? Both.

6. Movies: major studio or indie? Studio.

7. Authors: Shakespeare or Dr. Seuss? Oooh, toughie. Shakespeare is prettier. Seuss is just fun.

8. TV: PBS or A&E? A&E.

9. Music: Beethoven or Beatles? Neither, really. But I guess Beethoven.

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You are a contributing member of your favorite art museum, and visit on a regular basis. They announce a new, temporary special exhibit by an artist surrounded by controversy…this person’s work and/or political views offend you. Do you stop supporting the museum, or just stay away during the time the exhibit is there? I’d just stay away. Although it’s tough to imagine me a contributing member of anything. I hate paying membership fees. One of my bad traits.

I got your letter today hon. Thank you! *hugs*

PromoGuy’s Monday Mission 3.12

1. Since we’ve covered the standard “where do you go when you die” question, let’s get a little deeper. When you do die, would you like to be able to watch your funeral? I suppose I wouldn’t mind seeing who would actually show up, but that could be a bit depressing, unless I accumulate more friends or some measure of fame before I die.

2. Catholics must have the longest funeral services ever. I think there is a lot to be said for the traditions that they keep, but it was just so depressing. I’d like my funeral to be much more upbeat, like those I’ve seen in New Orleans. What type of funeral would you plan for yourself? I would hope it wouldn’t be too solemn. I’d hope someone would sing, someone would have a moving speech about the good I’d done…there would be tears of course but they would be because I was loved.

3. As a child, when I was angry sometimes I would wish that a parent or teacher would die. Thank goodness wishes like those are never granted. I think it probably takes the loss of someone important before you learn the value of life. When did you first realize that life was so fragile? Perhaps when my first pet died. We took Tipps the siamese sable “dwarf” rabbit to the vet, and later that day she died. She was just old. I have lost my grandparents on my father’s side, but unfortunately and to my vast dismay I didn’t know them that well. And now I know what I’ve lost, because they were Cantonese immigrants who could have taught me Chinese customs and the language, how to cook, how to write the symbols…I wish I knew them enough to miss them. Now I can only regret what they can no longer teach me.

4. When we said our final respects to Grandma H. today, I though about her impact on the world. No, she didn’t cure cancer or make sweeping changes to society. But she did leave a legacy of four sons and a daughter, who in turn have children and grandchildren. And maybe that was her purpose, to launch future generations that will accomplish great things. Some of us are here to make a huge splash in the pond of life, others are here to direct the ripples in the water. Of the people you’ve known personally who have passed away, what sort of legacy, impact, mark or achievement did they leave behind? I’m sad to say I don’t know what my grandparents left behind. They left some little bits of culture, but I suppose what they did was awaken a desire to know more about them. This has only come about now that I’m older, which I deeply regret. Perhaps what they did was to come to American and build a new life here so my family could have a better one.

5. One thing that struck me at the funeral, was that there were so many men were dressed in casual clothes. I was brought up to believe that men should always wear a suit to a funeral, as a show of respect. Maybe these men were never taught that. Maybe they just don’t own suits. Maybe that I am just old fashioned and not hip to the times. Do you think there is an “appropriate” way  to dress for attending a funeral? Or is it even important? I do think dressing up is important, as a way to honor the deceased. I don’t like unrelieved black, and I hope someone wears something colored at my funeral.

6. Grandma H. was far enough along in life to have been able to plan ahead for her funeral, even down to the tiny details such as song selections. It was nice to finally attend a funeral where they didn’t play “Amazing Grace!” My choices would be “Ode to Joy” and “I’ll Fly Away.” What are some of the more memorable songs you’ve heard played at funerals? Thank God I haven’t been to enough that I have memorable songs. I’d probably like to hear something from Jars of Clay.

7. I’ve been craving some home-made pickles for years now. Not just any, but the kind my dear Great Grandmother made. It’s been over 20 years since she died, but I can still remember just how her dill pickles taste. No one in the family has even attempted to make them since. Today at the funeral I overheard someone wishing that they had asked Grandma H. for her home-made noodle recipe but now it was too late. Do you have any favorite foods that only one relative made, and the recipe died with them? I think I’m lucky in that regard because everyone in my family can cook…and my mom was prodigious in writing the recipies down.

BONUS: Is it true, all of those things that they say about you? I have no idea what people say about me. I’m not around anyone enough to know.

Hair Color Genetics for Tolkien’s Elves

free enneagram test

(thanks Meg)

The Friday Five

1. If you had the chance to meet someone you’ve never met, from the past or present, who would it be? Eep. Probably right now, at the risk of sounding fangirlish, Orlando Bloom. At the risk of sounding imaginitive, King Arthur. To be sure I save my soul, Jesus. To see if it would make me any faster, Michael Johnson.

2. If you had to live in a different century, past or future, which would it be? The Middle Ages.

3. If you had to move anywhere else on Earth, where would it be? Paris.

4. If you had to be a fictional character, who would it be? Good lord, there are so many. Of course, Lauriel, Rhapsody, Mirya, Ehlana or Joelle …or Legolas or Ashe, if you’re not being gender specific.

5. If you had to live with having someone else’s face as your own for the rest of your life, whose would it be? oooh, toughie. First person that comes to mind is Julia Roberts, but I doubt she’d like mine…I could deal with Sophie Marceau 🙂 But really, I like my own just fine.

If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all. -Anna Quindlen

This-or-That

1. Cold frosty ski slopes or warm sandy beach?Ski slopes.

2. Chevy or Ford? Chevy. We had a Ford Escort once and the door fell off.

3. Mac or PC? Please tell me you know this by now..Apple all the way, man!

4. Dial-up or high speed internet access? I wish I could say high speed, but alas I’m still using a modem.

5. Small *family-only* wedding or large 200+ guest wedding? I will probably only have a small wedding cause I don’t have many friends.

6. Would you rather be the bridesmaid or the bride? (if you are a guy, substitute best man or groom) Er. Not so much chance of being either, at this point in life.

7. AC/DC or ABBA? No.

8. Roses or daisies? Roses.

9. Trashy romance novels or classic literature? Bring out the trash.

10. NEW! Thought-provoking question of the week…If you had to choose one…would you rather be blind or deaf? Why? Deaf, cause then I wouldn’t have to learn braille to read, and you all know that I love to read…