NerdBliss

Sunday Stealing: The Meme From Suburbia

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? In 2003, I lived in Sheridan, NY worked at the Payless Shoe in Dunkirk, NY. Let’s see, if my calculations are correct based on when I married my ex in 2001 and what happened in the following years, 2003 would have been the year that I first got treatment for depression and anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Zoloft. That winter was horrible – weather, of course, being on Lake Erie – but also for me emotionally because I felt so trapped and hopeless. I’d even got to where I was having physical symptoms. Once I admitted I needed help, it was six long weeks before I could get an appointment with a therapist and another six weeks after that before the medication started to help. I’ll never forget being so afraid they would tell me I wasn’t depressed that I wrote lists of all the things that bothered me and all the symptoms in a notebook to take to my first appointment. I didn’t know at the time I was simply unaccustomed to having my emotions validated. It was still cold and snowy when I started going, but I’m pretty sure it was “spring” by the calender, but Buffalo spring is more like winter in other places. It would be a long time still until I would be able to truly turn my life around, but that first course of therapy laid the groundwork for the changes that didn’t happen until 2010, because without the toolbox CBT gave me, my road in a time of crisis would have been longer and harder.

2. By this time next year, I … will have made several awesome costumes and some day-to-day wardrobe items. In the process, I will have leveled up my sewing skills considerably.

3. Do you think the United States will elect a female President in your lifetime? Do you think this would be a good thing? There have been female Presidents and Prime Ministers since long before I was born. I suspect I will see a female American President in my lifetime. The first one will be a big deal with the media, but I don’t think it is either good or bad.

4. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime? Spock. Specifically, The Original Series era Spock.

5. Who is your greatest enemy? Little old me.

6. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles? Labor Day Weekend. Atlanta. Dragon*Con. About 150 miles according to Google Maps. We only got to stay for Thursday and Friday, but it was still fun.

7. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? Thesaurus.com. It happens when you’re a poor speller with a big vocabulary. Often, if spell check doesn’t offer the word I need, looking up a word with a similar meaning will get me a look at the correct spelling of the word I want. As it happens, spelling and language acquisition are controlled by different parts of the brain. My rote memory – the kind spelling comes from – isn’t as strong as all my other memory functions.

8. Do you have a nickname? What is it? Tina is short for Christina. Still, not really a nickname since my mom named me Christina with the intention to call me Tina. In our middle school years, Kate called me D’Art based on my great love of D’artagnan in the 1993 movie version. These days, I think I’d go for Porthos. He’s the most fun and Oliver Platt was adorable as the rakish hedonistic Musketeer.

9. What are you dreading at the moment? Getting dressed and going out in the cold. We need a few things for the week and today is the day, but I would rather stay home, drink tea and do stuff a wanna do. In fact, since Chris is out of the shower and getting ready, it’s likely we’ve have already accomplished the Costco/hardware store run before this is published. (If blogs have a fourth wall, I broke it.)

10. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers? No. If they are going to judge my honesty, fuck ‘em. I don’t do anything for the purpose of shocking or upsetting people, but I can’t hold myself responsible for people’s opinion.

11. 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? Commercial clothing sizes are totally random. If it fits and I love it, it’s sold regardless of the number.

12. Even the biggest slackers are anal-retentive about something? What are you anal-retentive about? I don’t consider myself anal-retentive. I’m a bit necrotic about all kinds of things.

13. Out of all the books you read as a child, which one had the biggest influence on how you are today? A Wrinkle in Time

14. Which Golden Girl would you want to spend a night on the town with? A night on the town with a Golden Girl? Wouldn’t that be the early bird special at Ryan’s and home to bed at 8:30?

15. What is the one product you would never buy in its generic form even if the generic is half the price? Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. The generics are no good.

16. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? I don’t remember ever believing in Santa.

17. What is the one smell that turns your stomach without fail? I can’t think of anything.

18. If someone holds out a carton of milk to you and asks you to sniff it to see if its spoiled, do you? Usually not. If it’s out of date or questionable smelling, I say chuck it.

19. You have a completely free day and $2000.00, What are you doing? Pay all my bills online and spending the rest of the day sewing while listening to podcasts.

20. What is the most used item in your home? If you count hours, the bed.

No Comments | In: egocentric | | #

Sunday Stealing: The Back 15 Meme

15) How do you vent out your anger? I let it all out with tears.

16) Favourite toy as a child? Barbies were my favorite thing to play with, but my favorite toy was my one and only Cabbage Patch doll, Lisa Patrica. I still had her up until 2010 when all kinds of things fell apart in my life and I lost most everything. Even in my teens, I’d never let her get packed in a box when we moved. I even hand carried her on the plane when we moved to and from Hawaii. In this picture, I would have been all of maybe six. Lisa still looked all new and clean.

17) Favourite season? I rather like spring by virtue of it meaning winter is over. Fall is also nice.

18) Do you ever get letters delivered by the post office? Letters? Not in many years. An occasional card, sure, but not a good old pre-internet letter.

19) When was the last time you laughed hard? Earlier today. New episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

20) What is on the floor of your closet? Clothes which have fallen off hangers, shoes, an office chair, small table and a microphone stand.

21) Are you any good at drawing? I’m not good at it, but I do enjoy doodling.

22) What did you do last night? Fixed us some supper, watched Battlestar Galactica with Chris and went to bed. Of course, I’m cheating on my Sunday Stealing as it’s about 12:30 am on Sunday so very much still my Saturday night for me. I spent the late afternoon and early evening working on a pattern modification, then Chris and I went out to a late dinner at Jack in the Box with Alex. I’m currently messing around on the internet and will be going to bed shortly.

23) What are you most afraid of? Backsliding into serious depression and anxiety.

24) Plain,cheese or spicy hamburger? It depends on the burger. I like specific burgers at specific restaurants. For example, Wendy’s Junior Bacon Cheeseburger. Burger King: Whopper, no cheese. Jack in the Box: Jumbo Jack, no cheese, but Sourdough Jack, of course, has cheese. McDonald’s burgers: Yes on cheese. As for non-fast-food burgers, at home we generally have them without bread or bun and with a side of cottage cheese or at causal dinning restaurants, usually with cheese.

25) Favourite dog breed? I’ve never had a dog of my own, but I knew a German Shepard who was a sweetheart.

26) Favorite day of the week? These days, Sundays. It’s the day Chris & I are both off work.

27) How many states / provinces / countries have you lived in? I’ve lived in eight different states, some of them several times.

28) Diamond or pearl? I like pearls. They are classy and usually not too expensive.

29) What is your wish for this new year? I don’t really think of the new year as meaning anything as far as interrupting the flow of my life. It’s kind of arbitrary, ya know?

30) New year resolutions? Again, I’m not big on the the new year as being a fresh start. I have the same goals as I did last year, regardless of the calendar.

8 Comments | In: egocentric | | #

Sunday Stealing: 40 of The Most Random Questions Meme, Part Two

21) What’s something you’ve always wanted? To go to college.

22) Do you have hairy legs? At the moment, yes. I’m bad about shaving in the winter.

23) What does “Semper Fidelis” stand for? Has to do with loyalty or something. Is Latin and used among Marines, but typically abbreviated “Semper Fi.” (Of course, what I know is supplemented by Wikipedia. It’s not the dark ages.)

24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake? Ocean. I love the ocean.

25) Do you wear a lot of black? I wouldn’t say a lot of black. I tend not to wear all black and go out of my way to buy other neutrals.

26) Describe your hair: Dark blonde, straight, long.

27) Do you have Entomophobia? Nope.

28) Are you an adult? I’m thirty-two and have been taking care of my own business since I was nineteen.

29)Do you own or rent? Rent.

30) Do you have a tan? Not even a little one. I don’t care for the outdoors much and I sunburn easily, so I actively avoid direct sunlight for long periods.

31) Are you addicted to TV? No. I haven’t had cable in over two years. Many days, even Netflix on the PS3 doesn’t get turned on. I am, however, addicted to the internet.

32) Do you enjoy spending time with your In-laws? Very much. They are delightful.

33) Are you a sugar freak? I do rather crave sweets, but I don’t consider myself so much a “sugar freak” as I prefer rich flavorful sweets and candies rather than overly sweet treats.

34) What happened to Larry King? I wouldn’t know.

35) What sign are you? Leo, of course. I happen to think I’m fabulous.

36) What do you wish on your birthday? Same things I wish every other day of the year.

37) Who did you copy this from? Sunday Stealing.

38) Do you eat breakfast? I try to eat something for breakfast even if it’s sometimes only a yogurt on the way out the door for work.

39) What would you name the royal baby? Luna

40) Do you buy a newspaper? Not since 2005, but for years I had a subscription.

No Comments | In: egocentric | | #

Saturday 9: We Owned the Night

1) Can you recall a time when you danced and romanced like you “owned the night?” I don’t know if “danced and romanced” really describes anything I’ve ever experienced, but the night is my favorite time of day and whenever there’s activities to be had, I’m excited an energized by it. Conventions are the best, of course. One notable happy occasion: Chris & I were easily the oldest dancers at the “Dance like a Monkey” party at InvaderCon 2011 – dedicated to NickToon Invader Zim – and we had a blast.

2) Samantha Winters 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? Between midnight and 2 am depending on how tired I am and how compelling the book I’m reading in bed.

3) Lady Antebellum is one of the most popular acts in country music. Do you often listen to country music? Very seldom. More than perhaps any genera except rap, I am extremely selective on the country songs I enjoy.

4) Are you responding to this meme on a desktop or laptop or phone or tablet? Laptop on the “work table” in the our office/sewing room instead of it’s usual place on my desk in the dinning room.

5) How often do you check your horoscope? Next to never. When I used to get the paper, I read it because it was there by the comics and it’s interesting to see what they come up with day after day, but I would never go out of my way to read it.

6) Congratulations! You just won a trip to Switzerland! Is your passport up to date? I’ve never had a passport.

7) Do you know how to snow ski? Nope. I don’t like being cold let alone outside for as long as as skiing takes.

8) What’s the first beverage you drink in the morning? Work days, coffee. Days off, usually tea.

9) Are you a good speller? No, but I know how to use spell check and in hard cases Thesaurus.com

1 Comment | In: egocentric | | #

Sunday Stealing: 40 of The Most Random Questions Meme, Part One

1) What side of the heart do you draw first? Left. “Piles of hearts” in various colors happen to be one of my go-to doodles. The example pictured is one of many in my work notebook.

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose? I love to swim, but I’ve never been able to make myself “dive” with or without plugging my nose. I enjoying jumping off a diving board and I do plug my nose to do it.

3) What color is your razor? Navy blue. I find the boy razors sturdier and lower priced.

4) What is your blood-type? I haven’t a clue.

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours? Chris would be ideal, but I’d be perfectly happy with Kate.

6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you? I’ve not been privy to the content on any rumors about me. I know some people traded judgements about my life and decisions on several notable occasions, but that’s not exactly the same as a rumor.

7) How do you feel about carrots? I like ‘em.

8) How many chairs at the dining room table? I don’t have one. A couple book shelves – one with books and one with “pantry” items – my desk, and an end table live in the dinning room.

9) Which is the best Spice Girl? Ah… Is that like picking my favorite strain of flu?

10) Do you know what time it is? There’s a close on the corner of my screen: 1:33 pm.

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song? Nope. I’ve never seen an episode.

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator? After pressing the emergency button and calling 911 for good measure, I’d read until help arrived.

13) What’s your favorite kind of gum? I don’t have a favorite movie or song, but I do have a favorite gum: Orbit Mint Mojito. I haven’t seen it in stores in a couple years and for a couple years before that I could only find it at Target in three packs. My go-to flavor otherwise is Orbits Spearmint.

14) All’s fair in love and war? No. That idea is too closely tied to situational ethics. One must have standard of behavior which holds in times of peace and in times of conflict alike to live honorably.

15) Do you have a crush on anyone? I tend to crush on fictional characters. The one that springs too mind is Captain Jack Harkness is a current example, but I’ve had a crush on Spock since I was seven.

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning? Yes. I have a sizable vocabulary and often find myself using a word I find common only to be question on it’s meaning. I find it difficult to explain the meaning of a word in a situation like that. Thank goodness for dictionary.com.

17) Do you like to sleep? Oh yes. I didn’t used to sleep well. Before I was diagnosed and treated for sleep apena, sleep didn’t refresh me and the longer I slept the more likely I would awake with a migraine. Now, sleep is my friend.

18) Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings time? I believe it’s only Arizona and Hawaii. Because we don’t live in the dark ages, I confirmed my knowledge of Daylight Savings Time. I was correct about the states, but several US territories also keep standard time year round: Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

19) Do you know the words to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart? Yes. My mom had the song on a 45 when I was growing up.

20) Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 mustang? Not especially. I don’t care for yellow cars or mustangs, but if someone would like to sign one over to me, I’d make it work.

5 Comments | In: egocentric | | #

Saturday 9: Brand New Me

1) It’s a brand new year! Do you have any resolutions for 2013? Not really. Back to eating better, but the timing doesn’t make it a resolution. More like after the availability of rich foods from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I’m dying for some salad. If I can keep all the balls in the air with work, family and friends, crafting, keeping the apartment livable again in 2013 all while staying sane, I’ll consider the year a success.

2) Dusty Springfield sang of feeling “brand new.” What leaves you feeling refreshed and/or rejuvenated? On a day to day basis, a good cup of tea does the trick, sometimes paired with a little something sweet and/or chocolatey.

3) Dusty’s given name was Mary Catherine. If you could give yourself a brand new first name, what would it be? I’ve considered legally changing my name from Christina to Tina to avoid much of the confusion it causes day to day going by a shortened version of the name on my id. I don’t mind being called Christina, really, but Tina is what most people call me as it was with the Christina my mother named me after. Otherwise, I’m happy with my first name and wouldn’t change it.

4) Actor Billy Bob Thornton has dismissed antiques, saying, “I’m creeped out by old stuff.” Do you ever shop at estate sales, yard sales or second-hand stores? Or do you want everything brand new? I like used, antique and vintage very much. Thrift stores are a wonderful adventure and I don’t go often enough.

5) Are you sad to see the holiday decorations slowly disappear until next year? Or do you think they should come down on January 2? I was glad to take down the tree only because it took up a fair amount of living room space. I’m tempted to leave ornaments and other holiday themed items out year round, but in the end decided it is more festive to keep the holiday decor special by packing it away for eleven months. When it makes it’s return it will be more exciting.

6) Do you like the picture on your photo ID? I don’t hate it. Can’t really ask for more, now can we?

7) Crazy Sam shudders at the very thought of a snake. Which is your least favorite member of the Animal Kingdom? I wouldn’t say I’m phobic but the thought of any kind of poisonous insect is scary.

8) What’s the most recent magazine you flipped through? The Costco Connection. I’ve given up print magazines, but that comes free with our membership and I don’t have the heart to throw it away before looking it over.

9) Do you have nice handwriting? It gets worse and worse thanks to how little I use it. I’ve written is curse since I learned there was something better than print around third grade and I always liked my rounded, bubbly scroll. These days I don’t even jot notes on paper, but type them in Evernote. When I must write by hand, I find it tedious and slow. I still love pens and paper, but consider them arts and craft tools rather than vehicles for words.

6 Comments | In: egocentric | | #

Sunday Stealing: The Triple Threat Meme

Three names you go by, other than your given name: Tina, for one, as my full first name is Christina. Aunt Tina to one special little girl, but hope to have more nieces and nephews someday. And Nerdbliss, my self-styled online monicker.

Three screen names you’ve had: My first was CL5125. I’ve used TinaLouise with or without 1980 at the end. Now, I stick with Nerdbliss. Branding, you know.

Three things you like about yourself: I’m smart, a good conversationalist and hardworking.

Three things you don’t like about yourself: I’m extremely hard on myself especially when it comes to things I can’t change anyway. I’m a procrastinator. I’m not as ambitious as I often wish I was.

Three parts of your heritage: French, Scottish, German.

Three things you are wearing right now: Skirt, Doctor Who “10th of Hearts” t-shirt, and a bra.

Three favorite bands/musical artists: To name three: Queen, Professor Elemental, and Simon and Garfunkel.

Three favorite songs: Ugh. I hate these questions. Why pick favorites? But I can name three songs I really, really love: 20% Percent Cooler, Out On the Tiles, Cherish.

Three things you want in a relationship: Trust. Love. Joy.

Three things about the preferred sex that appeal to you: Physically speaking: Tall, attractive hands, strong thighs.

Three of your favorite hobbies: Reading, sewing, taking pictures.

Three things that scare you: Depression. Anxiety. Being stuck somewhere with nothing to read.

Three of your everyday essentials: Cell phone, Kindle, charger that thankfully fits both my cell phone and Kindle.

Three places you want to go on vacation: Hawaii, England, Rome.

Three careers you have considered/are considering: Teaching, social work, counseling.

Three things you want to do before you die: Own a home, have a kid or two, celebrate my 90th birthday.

Three things you want to do really badly right now: Take a hot shower, get to work on a sewing project, and finish reading 11/22/63 but I’d have to stay up all night to do it.

No Comments | In: egocentric | | #

Sunday Stealing: The Mixed Bag Meme

1. How many songs are in your library? I didn’t have much on my own. I’ve got two or three CDs and a couple albums on iTunes. Chris has thousands of MP3s in pretty much every genre imaginable, so I have access to all kinds of music.

2. Do you like Christmas music? In moderation, yes.

3. What magazines do you have subscriptions to? None anymore. Between reading on the Kindle and keeping up with blogs, I find I paper magazines just sit. I used to subscribe to Maxim and Reader’s Digest. What a combo.

4. What is your favorite scent? Sweet Corn Bread Pudding in the oven.

5. Do you give money to charity? A bit haphazardly, yes.

6. What is your theme song? It’s hard to pick just one. I use certain songs for different things when I need a little inspiration. These evolve over time, but currently there’s The Art of the Dress (Trance Remix) to inspire during the hardest work of crafting. For days I’m tempted to be “in a funk” I let Professor Elemental remind me everything is splendid.

7. What’s in your wallet? A whole bunch of stuff. That happens when you’re a grown up. I remember a time when I carried only ID and cash.

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think? I think, analyze, think again, and over-think before acting.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? Not on a personal level. I do have some unhappiness, however, based on certain trends I see in the culture.

10. Do you have a good body-image? All things considered, I have fantastic body-image.

11. How are you spending your holidays? For the first time in years, I’m off from work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, plus today. I’ll be spending a relaxing holiday doing fun stuff with people I love and also getting proper amounts of sleep. Today, Chris and I will be stopping by our comic book shop and hitting Costco for some last minute food items before coming home to make eggnog and chocolates. Tomorrow, Chris has to work, so I’ll hang around in my pajamas most of the day before packing up to head over to his parents’ house for a late Christmas eve supper and gift exchanging. Christmas Day is all about watching the Doctor Who Christmas episode.

12. What have you been seriously addicted to lately? My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

13. Tell us a secret? Being two days before Christmas, all my secrets are wrapped except for the ones I’m praying will be delivered tomorrow.

14. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head? Not sure. Wasn’t memorable, I guess.

15. What’s your favorite item of clothing? These days, I wear the skirt I made from a pair of khaki pants more than anything, but I don’t think I really have a favorite.

16. Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy? Only when made into Rice Krispies Treats.

17. Is Santa real? Yes. But I’ve never been one to deny the reality of fictional characters.

18. What should you be doing right now? Getting dressed and ready to leave the house.

2 Comments | In: egocentric | | #