Can Brave Sir Robin Come Out And Play?

I've been tagged!!!!

Audrey, the lovely proprietress of Multitude has tagged me with the "4th" meme.

Here are the rules:

Got to the file that holds your pictures, go to the fourth folder and pick the fourth picture and display and write about it.

My home computer crashed last week, and I haven't received a call from the repair shop as to it's health. The photo folders on my work computer are not nearly as extensive as on my home computer, but I do have some.

Here goes:



This is a picture of the USS Constitution. It was taken in the Spring of 2000. I was still married at the time and I took my wife to Boston for the weekend to celebrate her birthday.

The story of how it came to be on my work computer is far more exciting than the picture itself.

I have been and out of my attic several times over the last few weeks, as I have been working on a bit of remodeling/redecorating at the castle. My attic is a pain to get in and out of, so I don't usually go there. While up there looking at wiring options for a light fixture, I found a box of old photos that I didn't know was up there. They included many picture of the children growing up. These are a particular treasure to me because I lost most of my photos in the divorce.

This photo was on a CD that was in the box. I was on my lunch break when I found it, so I brought it to work to see what was on it. Photos from our weekend in Boston, Spring of 2000.

As always, consider yourself tagged!

Yet Another Meme

OK, Linda tagged me with this one.

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

I've done it before, but that's OK because I like this one.

Although I am currently just starting Blind Assassin by Margret Atwood, the book that is sitting beside my computer here at home is The Poet's Handbook by Judson Jerome. If you don't own this book, you really, really should. Anyone who wants to write, or just enjoy reading poetry should always have this book within reach of your fingertips.

Then, with that poem or another, count the total number of lines and find by what factors they are divisible. For instance, a thirty-six line poem might have six units of six lines, three units of twelve lines, twelve units of three lines, eighteen units of two lines, two units of 18 lines. Try each.

As always those who wish to may play along.

I'm Catching Back Up. . . .

OK, I'm at least two or three meme's behind, so here is Christina's. She tagged me at least a week or so ago.

The meme:

Link to the person who tagged you
Post the rules on your blog
Write six random things about yourself.
Tag six random people by linking to their blogs.
Let each of the six know they’ve been tagged by leaving them a comment (on their blogs).
Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Hell, are there any random things you don't know about me after all this time?

1. I have allergies. In the fall, I am miserable for about 6 weeks. Throughout the rest of the year, if I spend the weekend gardening or otherwise frolicking with grasses and vegetation I will pay for it with itching and swelling and miserableness.

2. I like scotch. My go-to, everyday scotch is Pinch, (throughout the rest of the world it's known as Dimple). If I go to a bar that has a long list of single malts, I'm like a kid in a candy store. That being said, I don't drink it all that often, a bottle lasts me a long time.

3. My mother was not a great cook. She wasn't horrible, but she wasn't very imaginative. One of the things she did do very well was biscuits. I have her recipe, but mine never come out like hers. Not even close. Which makes me wonder if I really have the recipe.

4. I am the black sheep of my family. In fact, I grew up feeling like I was raised by wolves. I have an older sister and a younger brother. I love them, they love me, but we don't see each other or even speak very often. My sister and her husband, who live about 6 hours away, were in town about three weeks ago, but they didn't come by to see me. I don't know which is worse, the fact that she was staying literally down the street for 3 days and didn't come see me, or the fact that it didn't bother me.

5. My cooktop is a 5 burner gas range. When the kids grow up and move on, I plan on moving back to the city, (ANY city), but I never, ever, ever want to go back to an electric cooktop. This worries me, because I'd really like to live in a loft, but I don't think you can have gas in those places. Yes, I really do worry about shit like that.

6. When I was a child, I was scared of dogs. Even though we had them, and I was OK with ours, I was afraid of other people's dogs and I didn't really get over it until I was out of high school.


If you read this and haven't done this one you are tagged!! let me know in comments so I can go read it.

I've Been Tagged . . . In 4/4 Time!!!

Bee has tagged me with the 4 meme.

Here's the deal - You learn things about me in groups of 4.

Here goes -

4 Jobs I've Had:

Bartender ----

I tended bar at the Viking Inn for about 3 years. It was the upstairs "Lounge" attached to a restaurant. We had live music 6 nights a week. If I ever write a memoir, my time at the Viking will play a prominent role. I was only 19 when I started working there, (The drinking age was lower back in those days) and I learned a lot about life in that brief time. One of the friends I made there is still one of my closest friends in the whole world, even though he and his wife live about 2000 miles away (1, 983 miles away, to be exact).

Magician ----

Err, What? Yes, Brave Sir Robin was a Magician. I worked table side close up magic at the restaurant downstairs from the bar, and I did children's birthday parties. When I moved to Houston, I had always planned to restart the children's party business, but life got in the way and I never did.

Store Manager ----

I spent several years in retail. It was one of those things that was never planned, it just sort of happened. I took a part time job during the Christmas season and within the next year, I was running a store. I worked for a company called Miller's Outpost. They were huge in California, and were expanding East. They have since pulled back to California. I think they are still around, but I understand they have changed the company name to Anchor Blue. I actually really liked that job. I had a staff of mostly high school kids, and I was a good leader. I was fair, easy-going, and competent. So why did I leave? I was tired of working Holidays, and the pay was not so good.

Nursery Worker ----

As in plants. I was the all around - do whatever guy at the local Nursery. (As an aside - Is that term no longer in vogue? I can't remember the last time I heard it used in that connotation. Perhaps Garden center is now the term? ) What ever you called it, I watered the plants, I carried flowers to little old ladies cars, I potted plants, I unloaded trucks of spring bedding plants, I sprayed people's yards, etc. . . I really liked that job. I was in College, and I would get out of class and go water the plants. I don't know, maybe it was the peacefulness of it. There were a lot of plants and it took me a couple of hours just to water them. I was 18, it beat the hell out of a fast food job.


4 favorite movies:

Boy, this is a loaded question to ask me! Hmmmm, that's like asking me to pick my favorite child. I'll give you my all time favorite first, then I'll give you three I love, that maybe aren't quite so mainstream. So I'm leaving off Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Holy Grail, Annie Hall, . . You already know I love those.


A Fish Called Wanda ----

First of all, if there is anyone reading this that has never seen this film, stop right now. I don't care what you're doing, stop. Go buy a copy of this DVD. Don't rent it, buy it. You will want to see it over and over and over. Ok, where was I? Oh yes! Kevin Kline alone is worth the price of the disk. He won an Oscar for his role as the Nietzsche quoting idiot hitman. Jamie Lee Curtis has never been sexier, Micheal Palin is hysterical as the stuttering, animal loving, k-k-k-k-k-Ken, and John Cleese is, well he's John Freaking Cleese. This is my all time favorite film.

Scotland, PA ----

This film came up recently in my "Movie quote meme". I was delighted that someone besides me had heard of it. Imagine Macbeth as a black comedy set in a small Pennsylvania town in 1975. The witches are now three hippies, Duncan is a fast food mogul and McDuff is a police detective.

This. Film. Is. Simply. Incredible.

Christopher Walken is just perfect. He plays the role as if he's in on the joke and he's "doing Christopher Walken" The three hippies, although they don't get much screen time, are just terrific. Amy Smart and Andy Dick, (along with Timothy Levitch) are just so entertaining you want to write another scene so they can be in it. Oh, but Maura Tierney. Oh my. Maura Tierney as Pat (Lady) Macbeth, just steals the show. She absolutely just chews up the scenery. Really, she is amazing. How this role didn't get a nomination is beyond me. I know the film didn't get wide distribution, (It opened on 15 screens, and never played on more than 25) but still. She is that good.


Whale Rider ----

This is a quiet, unassuming film that is just the sort of thing Hollywood would never make. A 12 year old girl in New Zealand, the only child in a line of Maori tribal chiefs struggles to assume her rightful place and win her grandfathers love. BORING!!! right? Except, it isn't. It is sweet, and sad, and moving, and joyful. If you can watch the last 20 minutes of this film without tearing up, you simply don't have any empathy or understanding of the human condition. Either that, or you're Dick Cheney.


Pan's Labyrinth ----

Ok, ok, I've posted about this one before. So I'll skip it. (But I still watch it every few weeks.)

So there are two ways to go here - A deep meaningful film that examines the depths of human depravity, and human courage at the same time, or a delightfully frothy comedy that does nothing but entertain?? hmmm, the rules say 4 . . . . So, I'll do the comedy, because comedy doesn't get the respect it deserves. (btw - The other film is The Killing Fields - It is not uplifting, think Schindler's List, but it is powerful)

Foul Play ----

I bought this on DVD a couple of years ago. My kids had never seen it, or heard of it. Neither had the college age girl who watched Zoe in the summer while I was at work. I was astounded!!!! Has this great comedy slipped into obscurity? What's not to love? Golidie Hawn at her perky prime, Chevy Chase, fresh off of the Weekend Update set, Dudley Moore as the perverted conductor, a bible selling dwarf, an albino, Gilbert and Sullivan? Whew, let me catch my breath. This is a classic screwball comedy. It sounds so cliche' to say they don't make them like this anymore, but they really don't. If you are under 30, chances are you missed this one. You owe yourself this film. Go find it, invite some friends who love to laugh, make some popcorn, and spend the afternoon enjoying this film. . . . . . You're Welcome.

4 Places I've Been:

I've never been to Europe, so I'll give you 4, here in America that are a little unique.

Big Bend national Park ----

Way, way, way out in West Texas, there is Big Bend, and not much else. If you've seen No Country For Old Men, you get the idea of far west Texas. The Chisos Mountains, the bluebonnets in spring that are waist high, the desert. All beautiful and peaceful. I love it. Anyone want to go back there with me?

The Ponemah Bog ----

In New Hampshire, right outside Amherst, there is a 75 acre wildlife sanctuary that encompasses the Ponemah Bog. My good friends Peter and Heidi are blessed to have this sanctuary adjacent to their back yard. Everytime I go to visit, I am as excited to walk the bog as I am to see them. It is calm and serene, almost other worldly in its beauty. There is wildlife, and plants that are endemic to the bog that are just incredible to see. I always feel a bit like Thoreau when I walk all alone on the paths in the bog. I've been there in all different seasons, and it never ceases to please me.


Snake River Canyon, Idaho ----

This one's a little quirky. In December of 1976, I was in Twin Falls Idaho. I stood on the mound of dirt that held the launch pad for Evel Knievel's jet cycle in his unsuccessful bid to jump the snake river canyon.

Boston ----

Ok, Boston isn't exactly unique, but what a city! I am a walker. I love to just explore on foot, and Boston is perfect for that. Take the tour of the USS Constitution. I'm a bit of a history buff, so I really enjoyed the tour of the ship. It is incredible how those guys lived and sailed the world on those wooden ships. A different breed of men than today. We are soft. Cambridge, the North End, Fenway . . . . . I love Boston.


4 places I've Lived:

Colorado Springs ----

I was a small child when I lived here. My Dad worked for the company that was building NORAD. I don't really remember it, but I used to enjoy looking at the pictures.

Houston ----
Houston doesn't get any respect. It is always playing second fiddle to Dallas. Ridiculous! I've made my views known before on this topic.

Beaumont ----
If the world has an armpit, Beaumont is a festering boil on that armpit. Nine months of HELL.


Port Lavaca ----
Meh,. . . it's a wonderful place,. . . if you like rednecks, ignorance, and your only definition of culture is what the doctor does with that sample you had to give him after last Saturday's party. Well, at least it's on the coast.


4 Favorite TV Shows:

Can all 4 be Buffy?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer ----
You know this already. If not see here.

Taxi ----
This was such a good show!!!!! Great Ensemble cast, wonderful writing, eccentric characters. Loved it.

Twin Peaks ----
See Here.

The Daily Show ----
I had to put something current on here. It was this or Good Eats. John Stewart and staff get the news more accurate than the MSM.

4 Favorite Radio Programs:

The Jim Rome Show----
I have been listening to Rome for at least 12 years or more. When he is on vacation, I feel like I'm missing something.

Morning Edition ----
Every Morning for what feels like forever. Although I did boycott for almost a year after Bob Edwards was fired.

All Things Considered ----
Ditto above. I am one of those "sit in the driveway to finish the story" guys.

The Bryant Park Project ----
A new NPR show, sort of a younger, hipper Morning Edition. The only Podcast I download daily.

4 Favorite Foods:

Duck ----
Almost anyway it can be prepared. Asian bbq'd, roasted, confit... (mmmmmm, confit . . .)

Pizza ----
You read the post.

Guacamole ----
Simple, yet rich and satisfying.

Pasta ----
Be it Italian, homestyle American, or Asian stir fried, I love pasta.

4 Places I'd Rather Be:

San Francisco ----
The most beautiful city I have ever been to.

Las Vegas ----(It's March Madness time, so sue me. I'd like to watch it from the Sport's Book at Caesars)

Austin

Anywhere in New England


If you read this post, consider yourself tagged. Drop a link in comments.

Remember The Quiz?

Hey! remember the movie quote meme?

Go check this out!

Boxer Rebel has posted clips from two of the films in my quiz.

More later . . . . .

The Movie Quote Meme ***UPDATE***

Ok - I didn't think it would be this hard!! The hardest one was, (I thought) #6.
I've added a few hints. FINAL HINTS!!

Shamelessly stolen from:

Tart
Minstrel Boy
Boxer Rebel



NO CHEATING!!!

Instructions: Look up 15 of your favorite films on IMDb and take a quote from each. List them below. When someone guesses the quote correctly, cross it off the list. Leave a comment with your answers. And NO CHEATING.

Did I mention NO CHEATING?? Most of these are EASY.

1.

If you have the tooth of a whale, you must have the jaw of a whale to yield it.Whale Rider(Boxer Rebel)

2. - I thought this would be an easy one! It is from my all time favorite film.

I do, I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, and was in no way fair comment, and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you, or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future. A Fish Called Wanda (Erica)


3. - A quirky little indie film, but brilliant. No Cowbell needed. If this film had a soundtrack LP, there would be lots of Bad Company on it. I don't think there is one available, but I'd buy it if there was. The female lead in this film is better known as a TV star, but she is awesome in this (updated) iconic roll. . . . "Damn Spot" SHAKESPEARE NEVER IMAGINED THE 70'S, BUT HE WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS. IT CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THE PLAY. AMBITION, GREED = DOWNFALL.

We're not bad people, Mac... just underachievers who have to make up for lost time. Scotland, PA. (Boxer Rebel)


4. - Maybe the hardest on the list - Foodie's should know this film.

Hey, hey, fucking guy! What this is: "too much"? HEY! It is never "too much"; it is only "not enough"! Bite your teeth into the ass of life and drag it to you! HEY! Big Night (Bekitty)


5. - A Classic, star director and a bevy of stars in it. Lots of good quotes in this one. Most of them would give it away. KEEP TRYING!!!! A Mother and daughter in real life play Mother and daughter in this film. Kathleen Turner is glad she wasn't in it. OK READERS - WHO PAYS ATTENTION? WHAT DAVID LYNCH MOVIE AM I?

My dog barks some. Mentally you picture my dog, but I have not told you the type of dog which I have. Perhaps you even picture Toto, from "The Wizard of Oz." But I warn you, my dog is always with me. WOOF! Wild At Heart (Bee)

6.

We're more of the love, blood, and rhetoric school. Well, we can do you blood and love without the rhetoric, and we can do you blood and rhetoric without the love, and we can do you all three concurrent or consecutive. But we can't give you love and rhetoric without the blood. Blood is compulsory. They're all blood, you see.Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Boxer Rebel)


7.

Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. Bull Durham (Tart and exacalacalac)


8. - Thought this would be easy - the person who spoke this won a freaking OSCAR for this role. If you haven't seen it Shame on you!!

You didn't want a blowjob so the least I could do is get you a tie. Mighty Aphrodite (Angelos)


9.

Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing along. You get thirsty. You spot a little brook. You put your little deer lips down to the cool, clear water - BAM. A fuckin' bullet rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask ya, would you give a fuck what kind of pants the son-of-a-bitch who shot you was wearing? My Cousin Vinny(Thunderbird)


10. - Not mainstream, but if you read my blog, I'll bet you've seen it. Great ENSEMBLE work.

If there's an empty space, just fill it with a line, that's what I like to do. Even if it's from another show. Waiting For Guffman (Angelos and Maurinsky)


11. Oldest film in my list. Iconic Hollywood actor. He doesn't say all that much, but there are a ton of quotable lines in it. SELECTED FOR THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY IN 1996. - THE ACTOR/DIRECTOR IN THIS FILM CALLS IT HIS FAVORITE. THE DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA CREATED A RULE AFTER SOMETHING HAPPENED IN THIS FILM. - CONSIDERED A "REVISIONIST" WESTERN.

To hell with them fellas. Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms. The outlaw Josie Wales (Thunderbird)


12.

Well a sure and steady hand did this. This ain't no squirrelly amateur. This is the work of a salty dog. You can tell by the cleanliness of the carnage. Now a kill-crazy rampage though it may be, all the colors are kept within the lines. If you was a moron, you could almost admire it. Kill Bill (Disgruntled Chemist)


13. - Least mainstream film, but the quote gives it away!! This actor is a favorite on the blogs.

I was dreamin'. Dreamin' my dick was out and I was checkin' to see if that infected bump on the head of it had filled with pus again. If it had, I was gonna name it after my ex-wife Priscilla and bust it by jackin' off. Or I'd like to think that's what I'd do. Dreams let you think like that. Truth was, I hadn't had a hard-on in years. Bubba Ho-Tep (Erica)


14.

Lesbian? Her birthday's in March. I thought she was a Pisces. Bend It Like Beckham (Anne)


15. - The person who said this has since become quite a big star after stealing the show with this role.

God loves you just the way you are. But He loves you too much to let you stay that way.
Junebug (Anne)

Keep trying!!

A Photo Meme

From Gourmet Goddess

1. Go to www.photobucket.com (don't sign in)
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Use only the first page
4. Copy the html and paste for the answer


1.What's your first name?


2. Where do you live?


3. What is your relationship status?


4. What is your favorite color?


5. Favorite food?


6. What are you listening to right now?


7. What is your favorite movie?


8. Where is your dream vacation?


9. What are you thinking about right now?


10. Who's your best friend?


11. Nickname?


12. Where do you work?


13. What makes you laugh?


14. What are you going to do after this?


15. How do you feel right now?


16. What are your plans for the weekend?


17. What is your favorite thing to do?


18. What school do you go to?


19. What are you addicted to?


20. Whats your best feature?

Since All My Friends Are Doing It . . . .

Peer pressure's a bitch.

How to make a Brave Sir Robin

Ingredients: 3 parts anger 3 parts humour 3 parts empathy

Method: Layer ingredientes in a shot glass. Add fitness to taste! Do not overindulge!

From Go-Quiz.com

Pretty damn accurate these days.

Which leads to this question:

If You could make a cocktail with your name, what would be in it? I'm guess Konagod's would have tequila.

Would it be sweet?

Salty?
Spicy?
Soothing?
Creamy?

So many choices!! Mine would have gin, and not be sweet at all.

Tag, I'm it. - My Cultural Life

I've been tagged by Konagod

1. What am I reading at the moment?

I'm looking for something to read!! Actually, I'm in the middle of 1776 , by David McCullough. I need to make a run to the bookstore, but that is a trip out of town. I hope to read soon:

The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy
Atonement by Ian McEwan (So I can go see the film)
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman (So I can make sense of the very blah film I saw in December.)


2. What Am I Listening To At The Moment?

In the car, mostly one of the two NPR stations on Sirius. I particularly look for The Bryant Park Project. As for music, I'm on a "Bitter Chicks" kick. Lucinda, Amy mostly. A little Edie, Diana, Natalie, and Joss thrown in for good measure. I know they aren't all bitter, but when I'm listening to the ladies, I tend to listen to them all together.


3. What Am I Watching At The Moment?

The Complete Season 2 of Saturday Night Live, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, the new season of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. And of course, the NFL playoffs.



In keeping with the theme, I give you this. Best cover ever? Probably not, but it's right up there. It takes a great song and re-imagines it in a delicious way. This is my favorite song by her.

Enjoy:



I tag Phydeaux, Red Queen, and Robin

The One Where I Finally Remember To Do Heather's Tag . . .

OK - Catching up on all my "Tags"

This one is from Gourmet Goddess

The rules:
1. Put your music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT(this is in capital letters, so it is very serious.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY? Tuesday Morning - Michelle Branch

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Overtime - Lucinda Williams

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson (HA!)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Why Don't We Get Drunk And Screw? - Jimmy buffet (Boy, I hit that one huh?)

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE? Apache Rose Peacock - Red Hot Chili Peppers

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Reelin' In The Years - Steely Dan

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Under Your Spell - (Tara from the Buffy Once More With Feeling Soundtrack)

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS? Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? Led Zeppelin (uhm, YES!!!)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Driven To Tears (live) - The Police. (indeed)

10. WHAT IS 2+2? Gasoline Alley - Rod Stewart

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Ramble On - Led Zeppelin

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? The Grand Finale - Styx

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? One Of My Turns - Pink Floyd

14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Little Rosa - Letters To Cleo

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? White Moon - The White Stripes

16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? The Nearness Of You - Norah jones

17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Refrigerator Car - The Spin Doctors

18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? When I Come Around - Green Day

19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? It's Alright For You - the Police

20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? You're Not Drinking Enough - Don Henely

21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Jungleland - Bruce Sringsteen

22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS? It Ain't Me Babe - Bob Dylan

Some of those came out pretty funny!!

I, Splotchy: This Story Is Virus

Ok Phydeaux my friend, I finally am doing this. . . . . . .

I, Splotchy: This Story Is A Virus :

Here's what I would like to do. I want to create a story that branches out in a variety of different, unexpected ways. I don't know how realistic it is, but that's what I'm aiming for. Hopefully, at least one thread of the story can make a decent number of hops before it dies out.

MathMan has tagged me to add to the story, which reads....


I woke up hungry. I pulled my bedroom curtain to the side and looked out on a hazy morning. I dragged myself into the kitchen, in search of something to eat. I reached for a jar of applesauce sitting next to the sink, and found it very cold to the touch. I opened the jar and realized it was frozen. (Splotchy)

"That's strange," I said out loud to no one in particular. My fingers slowly reached towards the jar again. My body experienced a wave of apprehension as weighted blanket covering me as I did so. The jar was completely frozen.

I picked it up and stared at it, my fingers stung with little knives of chill. "What the..." again I spoke aloud. Then I realized what had happened with a shock. Suddenly the jar flew from my hand. It shattered creating a collage-like mixture of frozen applesauce and glass shards on my kitchen floor, the lid lazily rolling to a stop across the room. (FranIam)

I stood for a moment considering what all this meant. Oh, I knew what it meant, I didn’t need to waste time thinking about it. He was back. And he was mad.

I ran down the hallway and flung open the door at the end. I was immediately hit with a blast of cold. I took a step back as I tried to catch my breath. I bent over, hands on my knees panting. He always had this remarkable effect on me. After so much time, it no longer scared me, but it was a shock nonetheless……

“You know,” I panted, “There’s no need to break things to get my attention.” (DCup)

I woke up in the same position as in my dream, on my knees. I was sweating even though room was freezing. (mathman6293)

I was used to the house being quite cold in the mornings, as the night log usually burns out around one AM when I am dreaming cozily under my covers, not normally waking to put a new one on until morning. I was surprised because on the rare occasions that it actually had reached sub-freezing temperatures in the house, I had awakened in the night to restart the fire. I would have been worried about the pipes before P-Day, but there hadn’t been running water in two years and that was one of the few advantages to being dependent on rainwater, no pipes. (Freida Bee)

The nightmares began during the following spring. The apple trees came to life in my dreams. At first the trees spoke and I thought they were amusing. That changed when the messages arrived. Lately, their anger was directed at me. (mathman6293)

The sound of the front porch floorboards creaking snapped me out of my reverie. I stood up, grabbed my shotgun and made sure a round was chambered, then quietly made my way into the front room and over to the window. As I peeked out past the closed curtains, my heart began to beat rapidly.

It can't be, the incredulous thought came, I saw him die last year!
(Phydeaux)

There was no doubt it was him. I knew the minute he tried to meow and managed only a croak. I could feel him purring before he even reached my leg. As he started to rub against me I bent to pick him up but that’s as far as I got.

I smelled her perfume. I didn't see her and the scent was very faint, but a man doesn't forget the smell of a woman like her. As my arms pulled Sylvester to my chest my eyes were closed. The smell of her was strong on him, and my mind carried me back to the last time I'd buried myself in that heady fragrance.

"Sorry I took your cat", she said.
(Brave Sir Robin)

Well, I have never tagged Red Queen (but if she lived closer I sure would try) So Red Queen my dear, you get the next paragraph.

Tag, I'm it.

I have been tagged. Actually, I was tagged about a week ago.

Finally, I will respond.

First, I must post the rules:

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and that they should read your blog.

5. Thou must post eight. Eight shall be the number of the posting and the number of the posting shall be eight. Nine shalt thou not post, neither shalt thou post seven, excepting that thou then proceedeth to eight. Five is right out. Once the number eight, being the number of the posting, be reached, then lobbest thou the Tag in the direction of thine fellow bloggers.

1. I do not eat liver. Not beef liver, nor chicken liver, or any other creature that it might be pulled from. I do not eat foods that have liver in them.
   

2. I love shoes, I have many, many pairs, but 98% of the time I wear one of three favorite pairs. I have a pair I love that is about 5 years old that I have worn exactly once, because they don’t match anything I own.
   

3. The first blog I ever read on a regular basis was way back in 1997. It wasn’t even called a blog, because I’m pretty sure the word hadn’t been invented yet. It was rebekah.org, and is no longer around. I miss it.
   

4. If you’ve ever seen the concert/documentary film Scorpions World Wide Live, there is a scene in a record store, where they are signing autographs. I was there.
   

5. I drink my coffee black. No cream, no sugar. I also like it rather strong.
   

6. When I was a senior in high school, I made the finals in an international casting call for the musical GODSPELL. While at the auditions, I met James Marsters. He was cast as Jesus, I didn’t get a part. (17 years later, I played the Lamar part)
   

7. I stuffed envelopes and knocked on doors for Gary Hart in 1984.
   

8. My biggest fear is loneliness. I worry about dying alone, or just being home alone and having a heart attack, and there being no one to call 911.
   

I tag - (I know, some of you may have done this) Anne, Gourmet Goddess - (it doesn't say you can't do it again), Jennifer, Camera Obscura, Tink, Tart, Robin, and Boxer Rebel.