February 9, 2007
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FRIDAY FIVE
Appetizer – Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?
I’ve
been super lucky this winter considering all the stress of the past
year. Once or twice I’ve had those little whispers of sore throat or
cough or runny nose and immediately quaffed a Zicam (my wonder drug
which actually amounts to zinc – known for its immune system
properties). I carry a little package of them in my purse at all times
because they work best at that first moment. A nurse’s aid at my old
job told me about them and it’s the melt in your mouth lozenge type I
like best. One every 3 hours. This winter one has been enough every
time. Of course, I also take a tonload of vitamins and supplements
every day.
Soup – What colors dominate your closet?
Solid
colors, mostly dark – black, brown, blue, green, maroon. I gave up on
girly-girly fluffy type clothes years ago. Plus I now wear almost
entirely cotton, nothing that has to be dry cleaned, and nothing so
tight it’s stuck to my skin. Comfort is god and god is good.
Salad – How would you describe your personal “comfort zone”?
My
family were not huggers. My parents didn’t even hug each other much. My
mother turned into a really hands-on grandmother when my children came
along, but I don’t remember lots of hugging even then. Then in my
hippie years there was more touchy-feely type interaction, and once I
hit 12-step programs it became practically mandatory. I have a woman
friend who not only hugs but kisses you on the cheek. Now that’s way
over my boundaries. And yet, if I had a live-in soulmate I’d want the
comfort of easy physical contact. I do believe if humans don’t get
enough of that kind of love they wither and wilt inside.
Main Course – On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?
Zero
zip none. Not an exhibitionist in my wildest dreams. Occasionally watch
a few minutes of the various singing and dancing extravaganzas but I’d
much rather watch a good serial killer movie.
Dessert – Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?
New
Year’s Day – no hustle and bustle and overspending and major
housecleaning or cooking, etc. Cleaning of spirit, clearing of
emotional decks. Too bad it won’t come again for almost a year.
Deep Thought:
“If I could be any kind of dog, I think I’d be one of those little
yappy dogs, because while you’re sitting there on the couch trying to
sound real smart, I’m just yapping away. Just yappin’ and yappin’, and
there’s nothing you can do about it, because I live here.”
Today I am grateful for: Small blessings
Guess the Movie: “You’ll never be a first class human being or a
first class woman until you’ve learned to have some regard for human
frailty.” Answer: The Philadelphia Story, 1940.
Winner: titus_bigglesworth.
Iraq Debate to Dominate Second Week in Congress
by Andrea Seabrook
NPR.org, February 9, 2007
First
it was the Senate, tying itself in knots over the past week in its
effort to tackle a resolution opposing President Bush’s troop build-up
in Iraq. Now the issue moves to the House of Representatives, which has
scheduled three full days of floor debate on the matter, beginning Feb.
13. A vote on a resolution — as yet not fully written — is expected on
the night of the 15th. (Rest of article here.)
Comments (32)
“The Philadelphia Story.’ One of my favorite movies of course.
(1) The Flu, but it was quick.
(2) Oh, whatever, but people do really laugh at all my red and white Derry City and Arsenal shirts.
(3) Depends on the electricity in my brain. Sometimes touching is very hard. Sometimes it is great.
(4) Nil. I’m right with you on this one.
(5) Oh, has to be Christmas morning. But its never been crazy, just nice.
The Philadelphia Story – big blue ribbon!
my comfort zone is open for people i like – and closed to people i don’t like or don’t know… it’s not the same for everyone…
someone tapped me on the shoulder today – it was more like an overcompensating, over-faux-confident brusque push for attention on my back – i didn’t like it. i didn’t know the guy. don’t touch me, if i don’t know you. and only touch me if we’re friends. you know?
and if you’re going to talk to me, i need at least one arm’s width of space between us, unless we’re already close friends. i am not a big fan of close-talkers… but i will gladly hug and kiss my close friends on the cheek.
they say that people who live in metropolitan areas prefer to have more space in between them and others, whereas people who live in suburban or rural areas are okay with being physically close to other people. they say it may be because we city-folk are so squashed up next to each other most of the time (like on the subway), that when we have the option for space, we take it!
that, and you know you’re a new yorker when you start dreaming of wide, open spaces and large apartments.
Wahooooie! It’s the much missed Friday Five!
*waving*
Hi there Lionne!
I agree with you when you say, “I do believe if humans don’t get enough of that kind of love they wither and wilt inside.” I’m withering and wilting and I know it.
I love this Friday Five!!! Wonder if it is ok to do on Saturday ; )
Have a wonderful weekend!
ryc: I told you, I learned a lot from that book.
Flu is nasty. I have a rainbow of colors. I love to hug. None. Cheesecake or Chocolate cake.
Cute kitty photos.
We could probably exchange wardrobes. I am not a touchy person. I work with a lot of young people and don’t want to be accused of anything improper. I should move to a city because Id fit right in. The only reality show I might possibly be on is one featuring teams of scientists. Otherwise, I don’t like all the crying and backstabbing not to mention the bugs and falling in the water.
My personal zone is fairly limited too, though there are certain folks who I’m more comfortable with. Very few certain folks though.
I’m just flat out not comfortable with people who feel the need to hug at every meeting and departure. It’s just damned spooky.
Maybe on a masochistic day, I’d like to be on “Judge Judy” and let her rip me a new one.
Had the flu so bad in college once that I had to go to the campus hospital (P.S. nobody ever wanted to go there. I was the only one there! but; I got great service.. LOL!) Young people want to know if I am related to Al Borland..my cool weather affinity to flannel shirts. My parents are exactly as you describe…and hippie rituals did break this shell! P.S. my neices and nephews always hug grandma and grandpa. No ‘reality shows’…sorry; my life is reality! xmas is probably my favorite. But, new years day is the most realixing!
ryc – I do have a close family. I am lonely for a special someone. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve accepted it as my lot in life.
I think the most odd thing I went through recently was after my Dad was taken into recovery after some maintence work on his pacemaker his heart doctor came into the empty hallway of the hospital (it was nearly 8:30 pm) – pulled back my jacket I was wearing and proceeded to show me exactly what he had to do to mend my dad’s problems with his pacemaker. Had his hands in very inappropriate places, I thought! I was very taken aback. What shocked me a bit more was that after a few minutes of me listening to his description of what transpired, he did it to me again! That was too weird for words! Did he think I was too ignorant to understand his words so that he felt he had to actually demonstrate the procedure on me physically? Twice?!? Woof. Not cool, dude.
I’ve been very fortunate so far, this winter. No ills yet.
My clothes rack, mostly browns, greens and blues. Not Navy blues either. Mostly short sleeve shirts, a blazer or two. A necktie way back in the back.
My Dad was not a hugger or toucher, my Mom was. My wife’s family were not huggers and touchers, except for her Mother, who would cosset, coddle and hug the little ones, but who when the time came in her menu of life she would tell first one and then the next, “You are too old to sit on my lap.” She did it gently, but that was her.
Reality shows turn me absolutely off to the max, Survivor hits the top of the list. To my m ind there is no actual reality in Survivor in any way.
I think I like Easter the most. Probably due to the fact that I have always had SAD. Green growing things, burgeoning flowers, trees in their light green dress leaves help me to be somewhat human.
ryc: therein lies the genius of Pollan’s approach. You see it as an evil-big-corporations problem. I read the same book, and being more of the libertarian-wingnut persuasion myself, I see it as a tragedy of overregulation and government subsidy. And the book supports both of us (not least because the problem is a combination of both of those things)
(1) Right now – I am recovering from a sore throat thing and I know have a sinus infection thing.
(2) Earth tones. Cotton and flannel and sweaters for comfort and warmth.
(3) I cuddle with my spouse, but don’t really hug many other people. I used to, but it seems so fakey-fake now.
(4) Reality show? None. And personally I wish there were fewer of them on TV. Kinda ridiculous.
(5) New Years Day. It’s my birthday and the start of a new year. And the after-Christmas sales are awesome (that’s when I spend my gift cards).
RYC: I’ll let you know how the wrist warmer works out. My dad has a “bum thumb” and maybe it will work for, him, too. I’d have to redo the design. Hmmmmm. You got me thinking. Weird weather we’re having, eh? Sheesh.
I have had this bug a couple of times–nasty stuff! I have a closet full of every color you could imagine, and no tv (yay!)
I’m not a hugger.
I wouldn’t want to be on any reality show either. As far as contact, I have been called a cuddle monster…
Happy Valentine’s Day!
*sparkle
Forgot to say…. Love the pic of the cuddling kitties!
*sparkle
ryc: Ah, the “Lake Effect” – a wondrous Great Lakes phenomena. As cold air crosses a 32-40 degree lake (“warm water”) it absorbs moisture very rapidly, moisture that is dumped as snow instantly upon that air reaching the eastern shore of the lake. It is almost always snowing right along the lake, the stronger the wind is, the colder the air is, the more snow, and the further inland, it goes. Kind of a “microclime,” it can cover 2 miles, 5, or 10, or, in the last week 25 to 30 miles. And it just pours down.
Same thing nails the eastern edge of Lake Erie (Buffalo) and Lake Ontario (where they got 12 feet last week).
this xanga is absolutely fascinating. i can’t put my finger on exactly why right now; the only thing i can say is that reading it makes me want to type in lowercase letters for the rest of my life.
i lovoooove the kitties picture!
just sayin’ hello, it’s been so long. and i love those kitties too. precious. ~ lea
how did you get the kittens to line up like that? kinda like getting the cows to back up to the house, i guess.
the other day a woman shook my hand, I didn’t like it. It seemed so cold plus i immediately thought of germs and the flu. Took me ages to get use to Quebec and the kisses on each side of the check. I find the Japanese bowing a way of touching without touching. clothes need to be comfortable, lots of grays, but jazzed up with bright costume jewelry. Reality TV..no..i prefer escape with a Bollywood film.
These were interesting questions. I wouldn’t want to be on a reality show either. Plus, my life is so boring, the audience would fall asleep.
PS. Could you please tell me where do you get that Zicam? Can it be found at any pharmacy? Or is it a health food store item?