Because I am surrounded by boxes that are not full yet, you get a meme (From Colleen):

Here are the ground rules for the newbies:

1. After reading my answers, copy and paste the list into your comment.
2. Change my one-word responses with yours (ONE WORD, even if it kills you).
3. Submit your comment.
4. Feel free to post your finished list on your blog, too. (Look at that, a post idea, FREE. You’re welcome.)

Your last meal: pancakeseggsbacon (it’s supposed to be one word - breakfast didn’t feel descriptive enough)
Something on your desk/work area: boxes
Your New Year’s Eve plans: packing
The smallest gift you received this year: nike+ipod
The largest gift you received this year: tripod
Something you wish you hadn’t eaten so much of during the holidays: cookies
On your feet: slippers
Your hair: ponytail
How many other countries you’ve traveled to: three (soon to be five)
One country you dream of visiting: New Zeland
A hobby you’d like to take up/revisit this year: running
A hobby of yours that died (aww, buh-bye) this past year: reading
A publication you subscribe to (print): Cook’s Illustrated
The most embarrassing subscription in your feed reader (if you have one): none
One of your favorite stores to window shop dreamily in: Sephora
One of your favorite online stores to window shop dreamily on: apple.ca
A color you love to wear: green
Your bed pillow: fluffy
The color of your kitchen counter: “dirty”
What you plan to do when you get up from the computer: pack

Because I’m feeling random like that

1. I don’t know if it was the full moon or what, but the dog decided last night that bedtime was a great time to go apeshit, and she tore around the bedroom at full speed, pausing only do to her crazy doggie doofus dance (picture bouncing repeatedly up on hind legs and waving front paws around while making growly, howly noises) for a good 8 minutes. It’s probably the closest I’ll come to owning a cat.

2. Who’s the lucky girl that got fresh apple-cinnamon muffins in bed this morning? Oh yes, that’d be me. Too bad an avalanche of metal baking trays cascading to the floor at 6:15am ruined the surprise!

3. My hands are suddenly, randomly covered in freckles. Just my hands. They appeared all at once about a week ago. Anyone care to play doctor internet and explain that?

4. My dill plant is taking over everything. Do you want some Dill? Come on over and get some. I’m going to have to do some serious bushwacking on it before it completely annexes the parsley.

5. Despite wanting to have one for the past two years, finally having a piano here makes me much happier than I initially thought it would. This is a good thing. I will probably now go blow the rent money on new sheet music, because playing “Kiss From A Rose” and the “Theme from Mission Impossible” over and over and over is growing old.

6. Facebook is completely unimpressive and uninspiring. I am on there because, as Grant pointed out in my comments, people are insisting on using it to plan events and keep in touch. But I’m a bit baffled at those who can spend hours on the site. Really - what are you doing on there?

7. I think the most disappointing part of our condo being delayed until December is the extra 6 or 7 months we’re going to have to live with this couch. It’s my “free from the parents’ basement so it’ll do college furniture” couch, and it’s creaky and ugly and old. I have dreams of a clean-lined sectional in microsuede.

8. I really want a yogurt maker. Does anyone know where to get one that doesn’t look like a spaceship and have the price-tag to match?

9. I’ve found the best summer makeup product, perhaps ever. Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. The only thing that keeps me from re-enacting the Exxon Valdez on my forehead by 3:00pm.

10. I know no one cares what I had for lunch. But I had a gigantic organic tomato covered in coarse salt, and a Rosemary Rocksalt bagel, and people - it was spectacular.

11. Plus, I totally don’t have 13 interesting things to share.

12. Someone came over the other night and exclaimed their surprise at our half-dozen bottles of Sawmill Creek in the wine fridge. Believe me, I’m not too proud to drink the cheap stuff. If we had Trader Joe’s here, I’d totally be drinking Two-Buck-Chuck. Sure, we know and like good wine - but there’s certainly stuff out there that’s inexpensive and drinkable (if not interesting), and the Sawmill Creek varietals happen to be one of them.

13.This entire entry is an excuse for procrastination on a project I really should be working on. And now that the list done, I think I’ll go finish said project.

Tagged by Raspberry, I present:

Eight things you (probably) don’t know about me

1. I don’t like Cilantro. But I eat it anyway, because it’s mostly impossible to have Mexican food without it.

2. I don’t actually work better under pressure - I’m just such a procrastinator that I’m used to doing it and have become just as effective working under deadline stress as not.

3. I start most days by picking my nose. It gets dry and crusty in there overnight, ok! Don’t judge - I know you do it too.

4. I regularly conduct my life as if I have an audience, like I’m some character on a sit-com or something.

5. My house never looks as clean as it does when you see it. But I won’t ever let you see my mess, so you can pretend it looks that good all the time!

6. I didn’t actually lose that 35lbs a couple years ago by monitoring my diet and exercise. I did try Weight Watchers, and put a lot of their suggestions into practice for matintenance - but I only actually lost about 8 lbs on the program. The weight loss actually came from a result of changing the way I conducted my entire life because I actually started liking myself again. I became more socially and physically active, stopped worrying about food or what other people thought of me, and suddenly the pounds just kinda melted away. I don’t usually tell anyone that, because it’s hard to explain, and I don’t think they really believe me anyway.

7. The real reason I hate flying is because it really messes with my digestive system. The combination of dehydration and being wedged into an uncomfortable seated position is so bad that every 3 hours on a plane is one day on the ground that I don’t poop (just imagine what that 11 hour flight to Korea did to me!) Then my body spends the next week being bloated and trying to regulate itself. Usually just in time for me to get back on a plane to fly home and repeat the entire process.

8. Those days when I tell my boyfriend at dinner I’m “not really that hungry” it’s not usually because I’m just generally not hungry - it’s probably because in the 40 minutes between when I got home from work and when he got home from work, I ate half a dozen cookies or a KD Easy Mac. Because I was hungry, and went and did something about it. I really can’t help it! The cookies… they call to me….

Aye Carumba! I’ve been tagged!

Four jobs you have had in your life:

1. McChick
2. Purveyor of Incorrect Directions
3. Corporate Whore
4. Student (aka Professional Slacker)

Four movies you would watch over and over again:

1. Natural Born Killers
2. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
3. The Sound of Music
4. Top Gun

Four places you have lived:

1. Hope, BC
2. Pitt Meadows, BC
3. Abbotsford, BC
4. Burnaby, BC

Four T.V. shows you love to watch:

1. Nip/Tuck
2. House
3. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
4. Grey’s Anatomy

Four places you have been on vacation:

1. Seattle, Washington
2. Calgary, Alberta
3. Edmonton, Alberta
4. Prince George, British Columbia

Four web-sites I visit daily:

1. Bloglines
2. Live Journal
3. lowbrow.com
4. vancouver.craigslist.org

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Fois Gras
2. American Taco Bell
3. Brie
4. Everything But The…

Four places I’d rather be right now:

1. Somewhere Sunny
2. Sleeping
3. Shopping
4. Spain

Four bloggers I am tagging:

1. Kyndra
2. Mel
3. Jen
4. Richard

What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
I acquired this wee domain early in 2005 - I’d never owned one of my very own before. I also learned how to Row this year. Other than that, I spent a lot of the year rediscovering some passions I hadn’t been spending enough time on, such as reading, and the piano.

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Let’s see what I wrote down from last year:
Resolution: Make resolutions check
Resolution: Travel outside Canada or the US unfortunately, despite my best intentions, it didn’t happen this year.
Resolution: Buy a bigger bed hell yes I did!
Resolution: Have a big, swingin’ party for my birthday. yep

Looks like I did pretty good. I’ll definitely be working on the travel one again in 2006. Other than that, I’ve got some goals I’d like to achieve next year, but nothing I’m really “resolving” to change.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
No babies this year.

Did anyone close to you die?
Very thankfully, no.

What countries did you visit?
Again, I only managed to make a run for the nearest border.

What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A little more financial discipline. Although there isn’t much leftover, I did damn well for myself this past year, and ended up with a boatload of memorable experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Uh… The year’s been a busy blur, but it’s going down in the record books as a great one overall.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Never settling.

What was your biggest failure?
I almost settled. Thankfully, fate saved me from myself.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope!

What was the best thing you bought?
Countless concert and hockey tickets. Again with the experiences.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
If someone needed to be told they kicked ass, I made damn sure they knew it.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Again, you know who you are.

Where did most of your money go?
I swear I’ve answered this twelve times over already.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Ray leaving.

What song will always remind you of 2005?
Every song from every show I saw this year. Too many to count.

Compared to this time last year, you are:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner
c) richer or poorer? Richer. Both literally and figuratively.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Made time to be still.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Nothing.

How did you spend Christmas?
Quietly, with piles of family and food and drink. It was lovely.

How will you be spending did you spend New Years?
Oh how I wish I could tell you!

Did you fall in love in 2005?
Yes, with TiVo.

How many one-night stands?
A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.

What was your favorite TV program?
All of them.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
There’s a few people that I’ve lost any and all respect for.

What was the best book you read?
Have a Glass by Kenji Hodgson & James Nevison

What was your greatest musical discovery for 2005?
Madison’s Panic (There are really too many to name, but these guys are cool, so I’ll give up some linky love, for what it’s worth.)

What did you want and get?
Everything. I’m a spoiled princess.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Syriana

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned a whole Quarter Century old. I threw a wee bbq here (one of many) and had a rip roaring good time.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having so many car troubles!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Beach Chic.

What kept you sane?
Beer.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Uh…. No idea. I’m going with “none.”

What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay Marriage.

Who did you miss?
If you saw my 2005 social calendar, you’ll realize I didn’t have time to miss anyone!

Who was the best new person you met?
Couldn’t possibly pick just one.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
Just do it.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“So one last touch and then you’ll go
And we’ll pretend that it meant something so much more
But it was vile, and it was cheap
And you are beautiful but you don’t mean a thing to me
Yeah you are beautiful but you don’t mean a thing to me”
-Death Cab for Cutie

Not actually as depressing as it sounds, but Death Cab was the best show hands down that I saw this year, and it sortof sums up my dating life the past year (noncommittal - not really vile and cheap).

So there you have it. A bit late, but it is what it is. Hope everyone’s year is off to as good a start as mine is so far!

It’s a meme! Now with 98% more Angst!

I’m not actually this dark - but the music I chose is. Just go with it.

*Thanks to Auralfixations.org for this one!

Go to musicoutfitters.com, and do a search on the most popular 100 songs from the year you graduated high school. (You can do this by searching on the year you graduated). Bold the ones you actually like. (Understand that the word “like” in this case means, at the very least, “wouldn’t immediately change the radio station from.”) Pick a favorite. Underline that favorite. And Strikethru the ones you loathe. Italicize the ones you consider to be guilty pleasures.

1. Too Close, Next
2. The Boy Is Mine, Brandy and Monica
3. You’re Still The One, Shania Twain
4. Truly Madly Deeply, Savage Garden
5. How Do I Live, LeAnn Rimes
6. Together Again, Janet
7. All My Life, K-Ci and JoJo
8. Candle In The Wind 1997, Elton John
9. Nice and Slow, Usher
10. I Don’t Want To Wait, Paula Cole
11. How’s It Going To Be, Third Eye Blind
12. No, No, No, Destiny’s Child
13. My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion
14. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit, Will Smith
15. You Make Me Wanna…, Usher
16. My Way, Usher
17. My All, Mariah Carey
18. The First Night, Monica
19. Been Around The World, Puff Daddy and The Family
20. Adia, Sarah McLachlan
21. Crush, Jennifer Paige
22. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Backstreet Boys
23. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Aerosmith
24. Body Bumpin Yippie-Yi-Yo, Public Announcement
25. This Kiss, Faith Hill
26. I Don’t Ever Want To See You Again, Uncle Sam
27. Let’s Ride, Montell Jordan
28. Sex And Candy, Marcy Playground
29. Show Me Love, Robyn
30. A Song For Mama, Boyz II Men
31. What You Want, Mase
32. Frozen, Madonna
33. Gone Till November, Wyclef Jean
34. My Body, Lsg
35. Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
36. Deja Vu (Uptown Baby), Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz
37. I Want You Back, ‘N Sync
38. When The Lights Go Out, Five
39. They Don’t Know, Jon B.
40. Make Em’ Say Uhh!, Master P
41. Make It Hot, Nicole Featuring Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott and Mocha
42. Never Eve, All Saints
43. I Get Lonely, Janet
44. Feel So Good, Mase
45. Say It, Voices Of Theory
46. Kiss The Rain, Billie Myers
47. Come With Me, Puff Daddy
48. Romeo And Juliet, Sylk-E Fyne
49. It’s All About Me, Mya and Sisqo
50. I Will Come To You, Hanson
51. One Week, Barenaked Ladies
52. Swing My Way, K.P. and Envyi
53. The Arms Of The One Who Loves You, Xscape
54. My Love Is The Shhh!, Somethin’ For The People
55. Daydreamin’, Tatyana Ali
56. We’re Not Making Love No More, Dru Hill
57. Semi-Charmed Life, Third Eye Blind
58. I Do, Lisa Loeb
59. Lookin’ At Me, Mase
60. Looking Through Your Eyes, LeAnn Rimes
61. Lately, Divine
62. Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Backstreet Boys
63. I Still Love You, Next
64. Time After Time, Inoj
65. Are You Jimmy Ray?, Jimmy Ray
66. Cruel Summer, Ace Of Base
67. I Got The Hook Up!, Master P
68. Victory, Puff Daddy and The Family
69. Too Much, Spice Girls
70. Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are), Pras Feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Mya
71. How Deep Is Your Love, Dru Hill Featuring Redman
72. Friend Of Mine, Kelly Price
73. Turn It Up [Remix] / Fire It Up, Busta Rhymes
74. I’ll Be, Edwin McCain
75. Ray Of Light, Madonna
76. All For You, Sister Hazel
77. Touch It, Monifah
78. Money, Power and Respect, Lox
79. Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Verve
80. Dangerous, Busta Rhymes
81. Spice Up Your Life, Spice Girls
82. Because Of You, 98 Degrees
83. The Mummers’ Dance, Loreena McKennitt
84. All Cried Out, Allure Featuring 112
85. Still Not A Player, Big Punisher Featuring Joe
86. The One I Gave My Heart To, Aaliyah
87. Foolish Games / You Were Meant For Me, Jewel
88. Love You Down, Inoj
89. Do For Love, 2Pac
90. Raise The Roof, Luke
91. Heaven, Nu Flavor
92. The Party Continues, Jd
93. Sock It 2 Me, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott Featuring Da Brat
94. Butta Love, Next
95. A Rose Is Still A Rose, Aretha Franklin
96. 4 Seasons Of Loneliness, Boyz II Men
97. Father, LL Cool J
98. Thinkin’ Bout It, Gerald Levert
99. Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here, Deborah Cox
100. Westside, TQ

Man, there was some bad, bad music goin’ on in the late 90’s….

Go on now, your turn, you know you wanna

Stolen from Hessie

01. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what’s the first thing you look at? my eyes
02. How much cash do you have on you? $19.34
03. What’s a word that rhymes with “TEST”? nest
04. Favorite plant? bamboo
05. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Dad’s work cell
06. What is your main ring tone on your phone? “Ring 1″
07. What shirt are you wearing? yellow sheer boat-neck layering top from Old Navy over matching flowered bikini top
08. Do you “label” yourself? all the time
09. Name brand of your shoes currently wearing? Montego Bay Club from Payless baby.
10. Bright or Dark Room? bright. I can’t see in the dark.
11. What do you think about the person who took this survey? heathers are good for licking.
13. What were you doing at midnight last night? sleeping
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say? “you can do it, get your ass in to it… ;)”
15. Do you ever click on “Pop Ups” or Banners? pop-ups? people still get those?
16. What’s a saying that you say a lot? “indeed” or “what the everloving fuck?”
17. Who told you they loved you last? I don’t remember probably my mom.
18. Last furry thing you touched? roo!
19. How many hours a week do you work? too many.
20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed? film? I thought that went the way of the pop-up
21. Favorite age you have been so far? 24. But that could all change tomorrow.
22. Your worst enemy? time
23. What is your current desk top picture? corporate logo at work, something from shifted reality on my desktop, winXP windows theme on the laptop.
24. What was the last thing you said to someone? “if you’re that afraid of the water, perhaps you should try a different sport”
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to go back in time and fix all your mistakes which would you choose? many mistakes, but no regrets. show me the money!

It’s really about damn time I did this. And it only took me 3 days.

Last Update: May 29, 2006

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Hey Look! A meme! I’m this bored, and still have 2.5 days of time off ahead of me. I predict all sorts of no good going on.
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I’ve been tagged with the 3 things meme. Check the extended entry for the answers.

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Jacked from Joelle, because I am bored to tears. It’s hard to hang around a workplace you’re exiting where you aren’t making any real contributions, and pretend to look busy.

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Your Inner European is Dutch!

Open minded and tolerant. You’re up for just about anything.

(from Sue)

Welcome to the Earth Day version of the Friday Random 10. Remember to sort your recyclables, and get off your lazy butt and walk somewhere instead of driving!

1. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
2. The Killers - Indie Rock & Roll
3. The Stills - Love & Death
4. Deltron 3030 - Madness
5. Long Beach Dub Allstars - My Own Life
6. The Ataris - Takeoffs and Landings
7. The Killers - Somebody Told Me
8. The Beautiful Girs - La Mar (The Ocean)
9. Long Beach Dub Allstars - Rosarito
10. Audioslave - Show me How to Live

In other news, I played raquetball last night, which is all the fun in the world. Until you wake up the next morning, and your body says “YOU IDIOT! That’s what you get for hurling yourself around a small glass box for over an hour.” Of course, that won’t stop me from doing it again, and again and again and again…