BLATHER REVIEW

Haven't done a meme in a while, so...

...heeeeere we go!

Stephen answered the last question thusly:

WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Anyone else who had nothing of there [sic] own and want[s] to steal this.

So, since I got nuthin', I'll play game and grab...

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My father.
Yep, I'm a junior. But I never use the tag "Jr." because, well, because I believe that every single someone should have their own name. I've been wanting to legally change my name for years and years, but have never settled on a preference. I've been thinking of Warren Keirnan. Two proud names in my family, but perhaps too many n's. Maybe Warren Riley?

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Sometime in February of 1996. Without going into details, it had to do with my ex- and eye surgury that left her blind in her left eye.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I like that I can write legibly while writing reeeeeally small. I can put detailed information about a vintage record album onto a round sticker that's 1/2" in diameter.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I'll go with corned beef.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
No.

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
No. I fear that everytime I'd try to have a conversation with myself I'd only end up responding with "I know, I know...."

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
I try not to. It really is the lowest form of wit. But, sometimes, that's all you got.

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Nope. Had 'em out when I was about three. I still remember that hospital visit.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No. I don't do sports like hang-gliding or scuba diving where the equipment you use serves no purpose other than to keep you from dying.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cheerios. But I don't eat 'em in a bowl with milk. I eat 'em by the handful out of the box. Mmmmm. Dusty oatty goodness.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Of course. How else would I get them off my feets?

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Well, I can carry a ton. Ooops, I meant tune. Does that count?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I'm not big on ice cream. But I did like Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey when I tried it many years ago. I'm partial to Hagen Daas' raspberry sherbet.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
The way they look at me.

RED OR PINK?
Red.

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My inability to quit smoking. I do enjoy a cigarette, but sheesh. Snot good.

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My friend, "Freedom's Slave". And Sister the Elder, who got married and moved down to Georgia last year.

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black Levi jeans and black hushpuppy-like sneakers.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Pizza with hot cherry peppers from good ol' Massimo's.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Nothing. It's 2:43 a.m..

IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Oak.

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Onions frying. Dried leaves in the fall. CoCo Puffs.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My friend Lawruh, yesterday. We were talking about going to the Irish Festival today. Luckily we never bothered because we had a wicked cool thunderstorm this afternoon.

FAVORITE SPORTS?
To watch? Baseball. To play? Darts, pool, shuffleboard, bocce.

HAIR COLOR?
Light brown.

EYE COLOR?
Blue.

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope. Glasses all the way. I remember that, as a child, I tried to touch my eyeball with my finger and my eye said "No.... no.... don't do that.... ". So, I never had the wherewithall to bother trying out contact lenses.

FAVORITE FOOD?
Italian, Mexican, and good ol' American comfort food.

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I like "creepy" more than "scary", if by "scary" you mean something that makes me jumpy. I don't like shocking surprises, but appreciate suspence. Love Alfred Hitchcock and the old Vincent Price movies. But, overall, I'm partial to comedies.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
United 93.

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black t-shirt.

SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summertime. Summertime. Sum sum summertime.

HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs. (Do hugs come in chocolate?)

FAVORITE DESSERT?
Carrot cake.

MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
To what? You aren't expecting me to tag anyone with this, are you?

LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
To what? You aren't expecting me to... Oh wait, I gave that answer already.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
None. The only books I've read, cover to cover, are books I've gotten from the library. I haven't been to the library in years! My books are mainly for reference. Sorry, Daniele Steele fans, but I just can't understand ya...

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A 3-D "holograph" of the Starship Enterprise.

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Nothing. My TV hasn't even been plugged in since the 2004 election. Sometimes I miss it. But not usually.

FAVORITE SOUND?
Laughter.

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles.

WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
No. I'm kind of a renaissance man. Or, Jack of all trades, master of none. I can paint, but my sister can paint better. I can sing, but my friend Chandeleir can sing better. I can play guitar, but Freedom's Slave can play better. I can cook, but Lawruh can cook better. I can blog, but....

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Bridgeport, Connecticut.

WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Getting back? Again with the tagging? Nope. Whoever is inspired to do this, go ahead and run with it.

I take that back. I'm tagging one person. She doesn't "do memes", but it doesn't hurt to try and play tag. I hereby tag the grand Duchess of the blogosphere, Rachel Lucas! :)

and another meme ago...

I haven't done a meme in a while, so here goes. 63 Things you never cared to know about me. (I grabbed it from Stephen who stole it from Sarah who swiped it from Rachel.)

1) How old do you wish you were? What a stupid question. I guess I wish I was 43 since that's what I am and that's what I feel like. I presume.

2) Where were you when 9-11 happened? At home, waking up to Imus.

3) What do you do when vending machines steal your money? I have no use for vending machines.

4) Do you consider yourself kind? Shaddap.

5) If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? On your forehead.

6) If you could be fluent in any other language what would it be? Arabic.

7) Do you know your neighbors? I know them enough not to bother them.

8) What do you consider a vacation? The weekend.

9) Do you follow your horoscope? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

10) Would you move for the person you loved? Moving sucks. I have lots od record albums. Moving record albums sucks. Yes.

11) Are you touchy feely? No. Do not touch me.

12) Do you believe that opposites attract? Personality-wise, yes. Philisophically, no.

13) Dream job? Playing sloppy guitar for million$. But, then, look what that got Curt Cobain...

14) Favorite channel(s)? What are these channels of which ye speak? I haven't watch TV since the 2004 debates.

15) Favorite place to go on weekends? Bed.

16) Showers or Baths? Showers. Only when I'm particularly cold to the bone do I relish a hot bath.

17) Do you paint your nails? Nope. Nor my wagon.

18) Do you trust people easily? Yes. I believe that I'm surrounded by trustworthy people (with one exception). Most people can be trusted.

19) What are your phobias? Heights. Not in real life so much, but in my dreams.

20) Do you want kids? I used to, but the time has passed. I think I still have the love and patience, but I'm not sure I'd want to test that.

21) Do you keep a handwritten journal? No. I tried it back in college. Somebody read it. I prefer to keep my thoughts in my head.

22) Where would you rather be right now? Las Vegas. Or Tokyo. Not sure why. I just feel like mocking something right about now...

23) What makes you feel warm and safe? My friends.

24) Heavy or light sleeper? Heavy. You do not want to wake me up with a question.

25) Are you paranoid? Shaddap, I'm onto you.

26) Are you impatient? Next!

27) Who can you relate to? My relatives.

28) How do you feel about interracial couples? My best friends? Love 'em.

29) Have you been burned by love? Yep. @#$% people things...

30) What's your life motto? Walk softly and always carry a cup of coffee. That way, if someone asks you to do something, you always say, "Sure... Want some coffee?"

31) What's your main ringtone on your mobile? Huh?

32) What were you doing at midnight last night? Sweeing soundly.

33) Who was your last text message from? N/A

34) Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine.

35) What color shirt are you wearing? green and grey. It's usuaslly my official St Patrick's Day shirt.

36) What are you listening to right now? My fingers hitting the keys.

37) Name three things you have on you at all times? Keys. Watch. Pants.

38) What color are your bed sheets? Leopard-skin.

39) How much cash do you have on you right now? Now yer gonna make me look... $35.o8

40) What is your favorite part of the chicken? The egg.

41) What's your fav city/place? Corinth, Vermont.

42) I can't wait till . . . tomorrow.

43) Who got you to set up a blog? Rachel Lucas.

44) What did you have for dinner last night? Re-heated pizza.

46) Have you ever smoked? Gonna light one up right now. Thanks for the reminder...

47) Do you own a gun? That's for me to know and you to find out.

48) Tea or Coffee? Coffee. I don't like to waste time.

49) What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? Honesty. Believe it or not, it works.

50) Do you have A.D.D.? Honesty. Believe it or not, it works.

51) What time did you wake up today? 10:30.

52) Current worry? Currency.

53) Current want? Sunlight.

54) Favorite place to be? `With my friends.

55) Where would you like to travel in the future? Montana.

56) Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs? If history is any lesson: somewhere else.

57) Last thing you ate? Really bad frozen Salisbury steak.

58) What songs do you sing in the shower? the sounds of silence. Meaning: I don't have time to sing! I';m toop busy getting my business done.

59) Last person that made you laugh? Bob Anderson. Don'y bother, You've never heard of him.

60) Worst injury you've ever had? Fractured knee-cap. Lost the summer of '77.

61) Does someone have a crush on you? Yes. She's not what I'd call "a cutie", but I am thinking about her...

62) What is your favorite candy? Well, I'm not really into sweets, but I'll say Three Musketeers.

63) What song do you want played at your funeral? Goodbye by Paul Stanley.

And there ye have it. Now what's on your mind. Hmmm...?

Mmmm... coffee

I stole this meme from Hold The Mayo" who swiped it from Knockin' On The Golden Door who purlioned it from Astroblog who fleeced it from Blog of Rand.

1) When did you first start drinking coffee?

About ten years ago at the age of 32 or 33. I was a tea and soda drinker before then cuz I didn't really care for the taste of coffee. Things have changed.

2) Do you have any coffee-related incidents that you regret?

Buying the worst cup of coffee on the planet from the deli around the corner. Then, about six months later, forgetting how bad it was and buying it again. Yecch!
Also, I once made the mistake of trying an iced coffee. I don't know why I thought it might be something other than just a really cold cup of coffee. Double Yecch!!

3) Have you ever tried to give up coffee altogether?

No, but I've gone through phases where I drink less and some where I drink more. I recently went about four months without a single cup. But in the past few weeks I've been having at least two cups a day. I went out this morning at 6:30 on a Sunday just to get a 16oz cup o'joe from a local gas station. Oh, that's good stuff.

4) Do you have complicated taste in coffee? That is, do you make an intentional attempt to purchase and drink certain kinds of coffee for political or olfactory/gustatory reasons?

I just want a good cup of coffee. I have no use for places like Starbucks. My only requirement is that I'm the one who adds the cream and sugar. A little sugar and just a splash of cream. Y'know those little thimble-sized half & half tubs? I use half of one of those; just enough to cut the acid and add some color. I avoid Dunkin' Donuts for this reason. Their smallest automated dose of cream is equal to about three of those little tubs.

5) Do you have any coffee-related incidents that are exceptionally nice?

When I was 20 and had my first sleepover with my girlfriend Janet, who was living in Greenwich Village, she woke me up in the morning with fresh-brewed mug of coffee. Black. It was a cold December morning and that first sip was heavenly. Um... and so was the rest of that morning. :)

I've never tagged anyone with a meme before, but I simply must make an exception with this one. Ahem. Susie? :)

Yeah, I'll Give It Another Stab If You Will

Ooookay. Last one was a bust. Apparantly no one knows who Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Cheap Trick, Elvis Costello, Melissa Etheridge, Blondie, Sylvain Sylvain, the Stranglers, Bow Wow Wow and the Kinks are.

So, here's Name That Tune -- Blather Review Edition -- Volume 2.

Now, come on. I know you can get these.

And, as a reminder, as Annika says:
"You could google the lyrics, but I don't know how you'd sleep at night if you did so. Anyways, if you do google, don't post the answer because someone else might want to guess."
So let's try again...!

1.
You run around town like a fool
and you think that it's groovy
You're givin' to some other guy who gives you the eye
You don't give nothin' to me

2.
The soldier blues were trapped on a hillside
the battle raging all around
The sargeant said "we got to hang on, boys,
We gotta hold this piece of ground"
[Sis the E]

3.
Hangin' out on 2nd Avenue
eating chicken vindaloo
I just want to be with you
I just wanna have something to do tonight
[Freedom's Slave]

4.
Now every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world
and ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl
with "love" and "hate" tatooed across the knuckles of his hands
as he slaps his kids around 'cuz they they don't understand

5.
I went to my doctor yesterday
She said I seem to be okay
She said "Paul, you better look around
How look you think that you can run that body down?"

6.
Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine
Meltin' in a pot of thieves, a wild card up my sleeve
Thick heart of stone, my sins are my own
they belong to me,
me
[Freedom's Slave]

7.
While you were lost in France we stranded in the British Isles
left to fall apart amongst the passports and the files
We never asked for miacles -- but they were our concern
Did you really think we'd sit it out and wait for your return?
[Freedom's Slave]

8.
Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when yer tryin' t' be so quiet?
We sit here stranded, though we all do our best to deny it
and Louise holds a handful of rain, tempting you to defy it
Lights flicker from the opposite loft
[Col]

9.
Outside, in New Orleans, the heat is almost frightening
But my hotel room, as usual, is freezing and unkind
On TV they prosecute anyone who's exciting
So I put on my overcoat and went down to find...
[Col]

10.
Come over to the window my little darling
I'd like to try to read your palm
I used to think I was some kind of gypsy boy
before I let you take me home

Extra credit:

11.
I was saying "Let me outta here!" before I was even born
It's such a gamble when you get a face.
It's fascinating to observe what the mirror does
But, when I dine, it's for the wall that I set a place
[Freedom's Slave]

Have at it, peeps!

Name That Tune -- Blather Review edition

Here's a nice li'l meme from Annika. I'll give the first four lines of 10 songs that I'd have on my iPod if I had an iPod. You name the song's title and artist. I'll strike underline them if and when they're identified. Most are prolly pretty easy.

And as Annika said:
"You could google the lyrics, but I don't know how you'd sleep at night if you did so. Anyways, if you do google, don't post the answer because someone else might want to guess."
Have at it!

1.
We're drinkin' and we're dancin' and the band is really hap'nin'
and the Johnny Walker wisdom runnin' high
My very close companion, she's angel of compassion
and she's rubbin' half the world against her thigh

2.
I'm a-walking through the summer night
jukebox playin' low
Yesterday everything was going too fast
today it's moving too slow

3.
I been up to my knees in the California beach
there's only one place I know where to find you
All you southern girls got a way with your words
and you show it

4.
There's a hand on the wire that leads to my mouth
I can hear you knockin' but I'm not comin' out
Don't wanna be a puppet or a ventrilquist
'cause there's no ventilation on a critical list

5.
I know a place, it's an old abandoned shack
on a road that goes to nowhere, ain't nobody comin' back
We can go there tonight, we can talk until dawn
Oh, baby, something else: we'll leave the radio on

6.
I was all alone with the scent of a bone
and my heart was stuck in this emptiness zone
I had not a care, though I wanted to hear
the voice of a maiden who was playing down there

7.
When Monday morning comes along
and I'm talking to you on the telephone
and saying these sweet words to you
Would you mind if I ask to spend this night with you?

8.
I saw an orange robe burning
I saw a youth on fire
I saw metal machines that were turning
on a generation that hadn't yet tired

9.
I can't dance and I can't sing, I can't do anything
I can't even find my way around town
And I'm fifteen and a fool, can't you see
so don't fall in love with me

10.
Man made the buildings that reach to the sky
Man made the motorcar and he learned how to fly
But he didn't make the flowers and he didn't make the trees
and he didn't make you and he didn't make me

Extra credit:

11.
I lit my purest candle close to my window
hoping it would catch the eye
of any vagabond who passed it by
and I waited in my fleeting house
[Sis the E]

And the Mystical Land of my Birth is...

The Land of Harmonic Fire

You are a passionate warrior of the Land of
Harmonic Fire. You represent a calm fire rather
than a raging blaze. You are not hot-tempered.
But you do have a streak of irrational passion.
When you are angry you choose to fight with
your hands. It gives you more satisfaction.
Your fire represents the new birth of life,
hence your symbol and friend the phoenix.


What is the mystical land of your birth? {13 results with gorgeous anime pics}
brought to you by Quizilla

All of the results picture females. I checked. So don't look at me like that.

Tip o'the tam to Jenelle.

And in the obligatory quiz post department...

Robert Heinlein wrote you - you stranger in a
strange land, you.


Which Author's Fiction are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Tip o'the tam to Edith.

Another Lame Quiz, YAY!

I'm an apparently intelligent, moderate, not-too-generous, not-too-selfish, relatively well adjusted human being!
What are you?
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

Aw, that's a nice result. But, not as interesting as Susie's, mheh.

"On we sweep with threshing oars...!!"

Your Viking Name is...

Rauðúlfr Oakenhorse

Your Viking Personality: You're a fearsome Viking, but you aren't completely uncivilized. The other Vikings make fun of you for that. You have a thirst for battle, and tend to strike first and think later. You might be able to hold your own on the battlefield, but you're no "berserker".
You might grumble a bit at the lack of amenities on board a Viking longboat, but you can handle it. Other Vikings consider you "one of the guys".
People who've known you for a while don't always trust your word. You sometimes come off as a bit of a snob. Vikings are not snobbish people -- they either like you, or they kill you. Try to be more like a Viking.

(Okay, okay, my photo isn't as sublime as Susie's, I know...)

Tagged... again!

Susie tagged me with this last week. I ignored forgot about it during Memorial Day weekend. Now Debbye has tagged me with the same meme! I guess I'll just keep getting tagged with it until I finally post some answers, so he-e-e-e-re we go...

Number of books I own: I have no idea. Most of them are still in boxes from when I moved three years ago. But, remembering my overflowing bookcases, I'll guesstimate I have more than 500 but less than 1,000. Most of them were bought at tag sales, flea markets and the annual four-day Southport Booksale.

Last book I bought: Hmmm, it's been a while. In fact, I'm not sure I've bought a single book in the last three years except for a Goldmine Price Guide to Collectible Record Albums.

Last book I read: I rarely read a book cover to cover unless it's something I borrowed from the library. I use my books mainly for reference. The last book I refered to (besides the dictionary) was Fred Emery's Watergate. This was a couple of days ago, just after W.Mark Felt announced that he was Deep Throat.
The last book I read cover-to-cover was probably Fair Ball by Bob Costas.

Books that mean a lot to me:
1. Case Closed by Gerald Posner. It was the book I always wanted to write if I'd had the time and money to spend on the research.

2. The Psychopathic God by Robert L. G. White. A fascinating examination of Adolph Hitler. Much more readable (and shorter) than Will Shirer's excellent Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, and focuses on Hitler's personality, not just his actions.

3. Consciousness Explained by Daniel Dennett. Simply brilliant and the writing and argument styles suck you right in.

4. Einstein's Relativity by Max Born. This is a math-heavy, must-have reference for anyone who wants to explore relativity theory. Most books you'll find about relativity/gravity/quantum theories concentrate on getting points across through anecdotal analogies that keep the reader from understanding the underlying source of the knowledge they the books are trying to impart. Max Born, on the other hand, went right to the guts of the theory and allows you to explore it yourself, not just take the author's word for it. Like I said: lots of useful mathematics.

5. The God Particle by Leon Lederman. It's not like one of the books that I just criticized above, this is a fun read and Leon doesn't pretend to know everything. Richard Feynman's books are great, too, because he tells you what is known (or generally accepted) and, also, what isn't known. In other words: they're educational, not pedantic.

Okay, now it's time to tag some more suckers bloggers! I think this meme has been around a while because most of my regular mid-to-lower-ecosystem reads have already answered it. So, I'm going to go for some big fishies. I'm tagging Emperor Darth Misha, Kim DuToit, Bill Whittle, FrankJ, Michelle Malkin and, of course, Evil Glenn! Let's see if any of 'em actually respond. I hope someone does, 'cause this is one huge amount of pingage!
(I'd tag the Blue-Eyed Infidel, but she doesn't read her email. :()

UPDATE: One more tag: bbrother of Winter Songs. Let's have it, "Big I"! :)
(And go read him and leave some comments, peeps! He's stopped posting again... :()