HUGE EPIC MEME
Oct. 11th, 2011 06:44 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jenni_blogI think I started this meme back in August and just finished it yesterday. I swear there are shorter books. And I think I might have accidentally deleted a couple of questions. Oh well. Here it is. I also posted it over on Dreamwidth.
The Everything-About-Jenni Meme from A-Z
Seen over at![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dawn_felagund
A is for Adulthood…
At what age did you first consider yourself to be an adult?
I never liked being told what to do and would always try doing my own thing, starting at age 3. A boy in my nursery school class and I decided we didn't like school anymore and decided to leave one day. We just walked out, became separated somehow, and I ended up walking the streets of downtown Vancouver alone, having a grand old time until I was spotted by a family friend and whisked home, much to my chagrin, to my frantic parents.
At what age did you first drink alcohol?
Believe it or not, it was on my 21st birthday. My parents took me out for dinner at the Moonglow, a Chinese restaurant that I loved, and I ordered a martini, in an attempt to be 'all grown up' and sophisticated. But it tasted like gasoline. I hated it, and spent the rest of the evening ordering glasses of water and pouring them into my martini in an effort to water it down.
At what age did you first move away from home?
I was working for a couple of years and decided I wanted to move in with my bff. I was 22 or 23. Everything went fine until she and I had the inevitable blowup and then I went out on my own, got my own studio apartment and the next year I married my boyfriend!
B is for Babies…
Does seeing babies make you broody?
Seeing my grandson makes me VERY broody! I love to hold him. He's just turned a year old and is adorable.
Did you ever babysit as a teenager?
Yes. And I was good...so good with kids that I was in demand in our neighborhood. I could have made a fortune babysitting. I could draw and loved fairies and elves, and fantastic gardens, and I used to draw them for the kids, who absolutely loved it. They would ask me to draw scenes from their favourite books, and I would do it. Quite well, too. Sometimes we would read a book together and then I'd draw scenes from it. And at that time I hated food, ate very little, so I never raided the parents' fridges. They loved me!
Home birth or hospital birth?
I and all my kids were born in the hospital. Just seemed easier.
C is for Cars…
Have you passed your driving test and, if so, how old were you when you did?
Yes, I first got my license rather late in life, at age 30. Because I lived in the city for so long, and everyone takes the transit, there was no need for a car. Toronto is like New York in that respect...the public transportation is fantastic. I was in my late 30s when I got my first car.
If you have a car, what kind is it? If not, what form of transport do you usually use?
I had a Nissan Versa until last year, when I wrecked it in an accident. (It's okay, nobody was hurt except the car!) Now I share a Pontiac G6 with my husband. It's a 2007 model, and a great car. Very reliable and has some nice extras like heated, adjustable seats and a thermometer that tells you what the outside temperature is.
What habits of other road users annoy you the most?
Definitely passing on the right on the highway and cutting in dangerously close in front of me. That always freaks me out because I'm never expecting anyone to pass me on the right. That's what the left lane is for, but a lot of drivers don't seem to realize this.
D is for Dreaming…
Do you remember your dreams?
Not a lot, no. When I do, it's usually a humdinger of a nightmare, or a wild, sexual fantasy.
Do you dream in colour or black and white?
Color.
Do you ever have nightmares?
Hell, yeah! Usually I'm waiting in a tall skyscraper for an elevator with a lot of other people, and of course, the elevator farthest away from me comes first, all the other people get into it and there's no room left for me. This happens over and over again, and finally, if I do manage to get into one, the damn elevator plunges suddenly to the ground in a terrifying free fall. Usually I'm on the 75th floor or so when I get on so it's quite a plunge down to ground level. I always feel the butterfly effects in my stomach for real as well as in my nightmare.
E is for Eating…
What food do you refuse to eat?
I absolutely hate to eat anything stringy, or inappropriate, like coconut in chocolates, although I like coconut flakes on top of cake frosting, and fresh coconut is delicious. So are Pina Coladas. I hate raisins in bread, cookies, or other baked goods, but I like them in trail mix. I can't stand cooked carrots, but I love them raw. Obviously, I'm a weirdo.
What food would you find almost impossible to give up, even if it made you ill?
Cold cereal with milk. This is my breakfast every day, usually Cheerios or some sort of granola. If I'm having Cheerios I'll sprinkle them with trail mix, nuts or a bit of granola. I also have this as a late night snack, since the milk helps me to fall asleep really easily.
When you eat out, what type of restaurant do you usually choose?
Chinese, usually, or Japanese. If not one of these, then a good steakhouse.
F is for Family…
My immediate family, Sean. (9-year-old autistic child, very loveable.) My extended family - my sister, only 1-1/2 years younger than me. We are very close.
Do you fight with your siblings, or get along?
We all get along extremely well. I have a sister and a brother. I don't think we've ever been 'enemies' or had a long falling out. Sometimes we have little disagreements, but nothing ever lasts long.
Are there any members of your family you don’t speak to?
Well, nobody because I don't like them, but only because we are long distances apart, and my mother, who was the one who kept in touch with everybody, has passed away, and no one else kept up the correspondence like she used to do. :(
G is for Geography…
Do you still live in the place you were born?
No. I was born on the West Coast of North America, in Vancouver, Canada. At present I am living in Toronto, which is in the east, but not near the coast, except that we are on the edge of Lake Ontario. If I had my druthers, I'd move to either Lisbon, Portugal, or Bilbao, Spain. Both are coastal cities. I'd prefer to live near the water.
What’s the population of the town where you live?
I live in Whitby, a town to the east of Toronto. It's about 120,000, and Toronto's is 2.5 million.
What kind of neighbourhood do you live in?
Quiet, upscale, green - lots of parks.
H is for Hospital…
How many times have you stayed in hospital overnight (not counting when you were born).
Sheesh...I forget, but probably 4 times.
How many times have you visited A&E (the ER)?
Only once, when I broke my toe.
Have you ever considered a career in medicine?
LOL. I'm a nurse.
I is for Internet…
What year did you first go online?
Mmmm...I think it was 2005.
What site is your home page?
I don't have one. I have a lot of sites bookmarked, that I visit almost every day, though.
What do you think of Facebook?
I don't really like it. Mainly because you can't speak your mind as you can do on LJ and other, more private, sites. Most of my family have friended me on Facebook, as well as my son's girlfriend's parents and siblings, some coworkers and my boss and his family. Also some guys I know from radio and TV, an old boyfriend from the past, some patients from our clinic...all of whom I would DIE if they knew some stuff about me...like the fact I write slash, for instance. So, obviously, if I cannot be myself on sites like Facebook and Twitter, then I feel too restricted to really enjoy them.
J is for Job…
Describe a typical day at your job (or your school or college)
My day usually starts with returning a tonne of phone calls...some ridiculous in the extreme. On my last day in the office, a female patient left a message that began, "I'm such a dick." I am pretty sure that she was three sheets to the wind already, at 9:00 in the morning. Then we get into doing physicals, at least 2 but sometimes 3 or 4 in the morning. I assist the doctor with the pap smears and do the bloodwork for all the patients. Next usually comes paperwork...catch up on the filing, faxing, billings, referrals, other stuff...then more phone calls to be returned. Sometimes it's time to order lab supplies, vaccines, or other office equipment. Later this month we are going to be renovated and turned into a completely paperless clinic. All of our work will be done electronically and online from now on. Right now we are like dinosaurs...we use paper files, make referrals by fax, our computer is circa 1993 and we are not online. Submissions to the MOH (Ministry of Health) must be made by downloading billings to a floppy disk and schlepping it over to the Ministry by hand.
How do you travel to your job / school / college?
Since my car accident in April 2010, I refuse to drive to work anymore. My husband Ed drives me to work in the morning, and I take the GO bus home.
K is for Kitchen…
Do you enjoy cooking?
Yes, I do. I enjoy making new recipes from my vast collection of cookbooks. Most recently I've been trying some from a cookbook on Bavarian dishes that was given to me by a friend last Christmas. And we just bought a new triple slow cooker (it has 3 crockpots in one buffet-style base) and I tried it last night. It was a success! I made Chicken Adobo, a cabbage stew with apples and pork sausage, and potatoes and onions with cream cheese. All delicious!
If a few friends were coming over for dinner tonight, what would you cook them?
I would give them turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, cauliflower au gratin, sweet potato pie and New York style cheesecake for dessert, because this is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend!
What snack foods do you always have in the house?
Always? Trail mix, granola bars, popcorn, and potato chips. Sometimes: ice cream, cake, pie.
L is for Looks…
Are you happy with your weight?
LOL...of course not! I'd like to be about 10-15 lbs. lighter. I don't exercise enough, but I do try to watch what I eat.
Would you ever consider plastic surgery and if so, what for?
No, I wouldn't now. A couple of years ago I wanted to have the bags under my eyes removed, and my chin lifted. But I got cold feet after talking to a plastic surgeon about the risks.
Name three things you like about your body, and three you dislike.
I like my face, boobs and legs.
I don't like my waistline, my ass and the fact I have to wear glasses.
M is for Modern Life…
Do you like to have the latest gadgets as soon as they come out?
I'd love to get them, but I can't, so sometimes it's better to wait awhile. For instance, the new iPhone was just launched and will be coming out soon. My husband checked with our current plan provider because we hate our Blackberry, and was told that the previous iPhone (#4, I think) is now on sale for only $99! That is incredible. One of our patients just bought a new LG 3D phone for $500.00, and it's amazing! He took a picture of me on it and said he'd send me a copy. I so want one of those, but the price is too steep!.
If you had to give up the internet or your mobile phone for a week, which one would you choose?
Cell phone for sure. I would never be able to live without the internet. :(
What piece of modern technology do you have absolutely no need for and no intention of buying?
I don't know.
N is for Numbers…
Can you remember your home and mobile phone numbers without looking them up?
Yes! I have a weird memory for numbers...for me each phone number is a relationship of numerals that makes it easy for me to remember them. I can stun my coworkers by remembering the numbers of almost all the specialists, XRAY clinics, hospitals, etc. that we deal with.
Have you ever forgotten an important PIN or password?
I have forgotten so many passwords that I now keep a special book with all of them in it.
How are your maths skills?
My math skills are great. I still do addition, multiplication, etc. in my head. I love math puzzles or number puzzles like Sudoku.
O is for Opportunities…
If you were given the money, and time off work, to travel the world for a year, would you do it? If so, who would you go with?
Yes, I would do it in a minute. I'd probably take a member of my family, or a really good friend. I've already traveled for a month in Europe with my daughter, but I don't know if we'd get on each other's nerves or not, if we were stuck together for a year. My husband is afraid of flying, so I have to rule him out. Maybe one of my two boys would be the ideal companion.
If you had the opportunity to meet any famous person (of any kind – film star, writer, sportsman, politician, etc) and they were obliged to answer whatever questions you asked them honestly, who would you choose and what would you ask?
There are so many I'd love to talk to, but one of the most interesting would have to be Paulo Coehlo, the writer, because of his philosophy about human nature. I find it fascinating. I'd ask him whether he truly believes that most humans are inherently evil, especially when they are thinking as a mob rather than an individual, as he suggested in his novel, 'The Devil and Miss Prym'.
P is for Personality…
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm definitely an introvert and I love to be alone. Maybe not 100% of the time, but I think if I had to be alone for the rest of my life it would not bother me that much. And I do love my family, honestly, but...
Are you spontaneous, or do you prefer to plan things in advance?
I like to think I am a bit of both, but I'd rather plan things in advance, I guess.
Do you tend to look at the big picture, or the little details?
The big picture, yet I also have great attention to detail.
Q is for Quarrels…
Have you ever got into a physical fight with someone?
No, never. Well, okay, not anymore. When I was younger, yes, I am ashamed to say with my sister, and a couple of times with my husband before we were married. *blushes*
Is there anyone you’re not speaking to because of something they said or did?
I had a coworker whose consistently bad attitude drove me crazy. She was arrogant, refused to take direction or constructive criticism, and was clearly in the job only to make a bit of money before leaving to get married. She was snarky to patients, putting herself and her 'feelings' first in every situation. She carried around her cellphone in her pocket, and with every vibration she would run off to the washroom to take the call, leaving whatever she was doing to fester until she returned in her own time. She 'Facebooked' constantly while at work. Her job was obviously getting in the way of her personal life. I stopped talking to her when I couldn't take it anymore and trying to reason with her proved futile. She was poison. And guess what? She recently left to get married.
R is for Romance…
Have you ever tried internet dating?
No, but before that existed, I did try a dating service, which set me up on a date, but I never went on it! I stood the guy up because I got cold feet at the last minute.
What was your worst ever date?
It was a 'blind' date that arose when this guy saw me from across the street, and the friend he was with knew me and set us up. However, when the guy arrived at my door to pick me up, he was at least a foot shorter than me! He was really short! Now this didn't bother me at all, but it bothered him! He was so uncomfortable on the date, even though we went to the movies and then for dinner in a darkish restaurant, where we were both sitting down, so the height difference wasn't so obvious. He finally said something like, "You didn't look so tall from across the street," and I let him have it. I told him off but good for having an attitude like that and making something do do with peoples' appearances have too much significance, instead of enjoying their company.
Do you like romantic gestures like candlelit dinners or getting flowers?
No. In fact, they make me really uncomfortable, as if I'm being bought. Let me like you for who you are, and not for what you can give me, or worse yet, as if you think I am just here for what I can get from you. Because if that's what you think of me, then the relationship is dead in the water.
S is for Sports…
Did you enjoy school Physical Education/Gym classes?
Yes, I did. Being big and strong, with natural grace and dexterity, helped me to overcome some other self-esteem issues. Being yelled at by gym teachers/coaches actually relieved me of a lot of pressure. It's like you put yourself in their hands, do what they tell you, and the outcome can either make your spirits soar, or make you stronger.
Do you play any sports or do any regular exercise?
I am supposed to be doing regular exercise, but have fallen behind badly on that. I recently hurt my back (actually the problem stems from my SI joint on the right side) and I am taking physiotherapy for that right now. My therapist has put me back on regular exercises. When you get older, you have to keep it up or little aches and pains will happen. I stopped playing sports years ago. Tennis and softball were my things.
Do you enjoy watching any sports live or on TV?
Yes, almost all of them. My favourite is soccer, but I also loved to watch NFL football, although I hardly watch it anymore except for the Super Bowl and some of the playoff games. I also used to love baseball and went to a lot of games here in Toronto, but soccer kind of got in the way of that now. Occasionally I still watch tennis, rugby, some golf...and strangely, I never watch hockey anymore! Not even the Stanley Cup...not for a few years now. Oh...and I always watch the Olympics. Figure skating used to be a favourite sport to watch as well, but I haven't for awhile.
T is for TV…
What TV show do you never miss?
I hardly watch any TV except for sports, but I've recently discovered 'The Big Bang Theory' and I wouldn't miss it now! Also, I watch 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' most of the time when it's on. And anything with chef Gordon Ramsay. I love him. Some of the HBO miniseries were must-sees: like the recent 'Game of Thrones', 'Spartacus' and 'The Tudors'. Other series that I started to watch on TV then gave up because the commercials spoiled them for me, I picked up on DVD, such as 'Fringe', 'LOST', '24', 'Weeds', 'True Blood' and 'Friday Night Lights'. I've probably forgotten some.
If you could have a guest role in any show, what would it be and what type of character would you play?
I'd love to be in 'Game of Thrones', maybe as one of the minor characters, like an innkeeper or a cook.
If you had to go a week without TV, would you find it easy or hard?
Oh, easy. It's only a week, right?
U is for the US…
Which US states have you visited?
New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, California, Oregon, Washington, and I've stayed for a night in Maryland, Idaho, Nevada and Indiana...and I hope I'm not forgetting any.
Which part of the US would you most like to visit in the future?
Louisiana. I remember my parents visiting New Orleans and telling me how they loved it.
Which part of the US would you most like to live in?
On the west coast, either Washington or Oregon. On the east, Massachusetts or Virginia.
V is for Vice…
What do you think is your worst habit?
Spending too much money.
Do you like to get drunk?
No, I hate how it feels.
Do you smoke, or have you ever?
No, I don't smoke. Yes, I used to, but gave it up when I got pregnant. It was no problem for me. I have never been addicted to anything.
W is for Weather…
What’s your perfect temperature?
Between 65 and 75. (15 to 25C)
What type of weather do you hate the most?
HOT weather.
Has your life ever been affected by severe weather (flooding, tornado, hurricane, etc)?
No, never. We are very lucky here that the weather seems always to be under control. The worst that has happened is a very bad snowstorm, but if that happens, we don't go out in it. Once a bad storm came up while I was at work three years ago. It was the last day before Christmas vacation and a blizzard started hitting us around 11:00 AM. The boss told everyone to go home, but as I was outside shovelling off my new car, the doors locked on me, with the key inside and the engine running! I called the roadside assistance several times throughout the day but they were so busy they never made it there to help me. Everyone else at work had gone home, and finally my husband came with a spare key at 8:00 PM. The storm was over by then. I didn't restrict myself to staying in the office the whole time. I went to the Blockbuster store which was in the same building, and to the Burger King restaurant across the way and spent some time there. Both stayed open through the storm, thank goodness.
Another time, probably four years ago, we were hit by a freak, violent hailstorm while at work. The hailstones were so big they damaged every single car in the area that was parked outside, or driving on the streets. The insurance companies had to pay up big time because of all the dents on the roofs and hoods of everyone's vehicle. Our insurance company paid us somewhere in the area of $6,000.00 for my car, which at the time was an old one, and not worth even that.
X is for X-Men…
What mutant super-power would you most like to have?
I think the ability to make myself invisible would be really cool.
Do you like reading comics?
Yes, I used to be a HUGE comic book fan as a kid. Even now, I smile when I pick up a 'Spiderman', my favourite, all time comic. I actually owned the first edition Superman comic, which I know is worth a fortune now, but my mother threw it out one day in a cleaning frenzy! And I adored the 'Archie' comics, and when I was young, 'Little Lulu'. I used to keep piles of comics under my bed, along with the dust bunnies and the spiders!
Do you like superhero movies?
Yes. Yes, I love them. My favourites are the 'X-Men' movies, but I also love 'Spiderman' (of course), and I'm practically wetting myself thinking about the luscious and adorable Andrew Garfield in the role of Spidey. The only movies that disappointed me were the Superman ones...I felt they could have been better. Oh, and I also liked 'The Incredible Hulk' a lot. And the Batman movies were cool!
Y is for Youth Culture
Do you keep up with the latest music, films and fashion?
No, not music. This makes me sad because I used to LOVE music (still do, really). But because I am not driving anymore, I am not listening to CDs. And I do own an iPod, but haven't figured out how to download songs onto it. My son put one song on it a few years ago and there it stays! I sometimes listen to music on Youtube when Entertainment Weekly recommends it, and occasionally hear something good that way.
Films? Yes, I try to keep up, but I don't always see them at the theatre. Anything that sounds interesting, I'll see on DVD or TV when it comes around.
As for fashion, I've always loved it. I try to keep up via magazines and online blogs like Victoria Beckham's.
What modern stars do you think are over-rated?
I really don't know.
What music and fashion do you remember from your teenage years?
Oh god, too much to delve into here.
Z is for Zoology…
What domestic animal would you never have as a pet?
Probably a pot-bellied pig. They are cute from a distance, but to own one...no. I love animals, though.
What animal would you most like to see in the wild?
Elephants. And polar bears.
What wildlife do you typically see in your area?
Rabbits are everywhere. Deer are seen frequently. Coyotes sometimes. Owls are plentiful. Other colourful birds like cardinals and blue jays. Lots of little things like chipmunks and mice abound here too.
The Everything-About-Jenni Meme from A-Z
Seen over at
dawn_felagundA is for Adulthood…
At what age did you first consider yourself to be an adult?
I never liked being told what to do and would always try doing my own thing, starting at age 3. A boy in my nursery school class and I decided we didn't like school anymore and decided to leave one day. We just walked out, became separated somehow, and I ended up walking the streets of downtown Vancouver alone, having a grand old time until I was spotted by a family friend and whisked home, much to my chagrin, to my frantic parents.
At what age did you first drink alcohol?
Believe it or not, it was on my 21st birthday. My parents took me out for dinner at the Moonglow, a Chinese restaurant that I loved, and I ordered a martini, in an attempt to be 'all grown up' and sophisticated. But it tasted like gasoline. I hated it, and spent the rest of the evening ordering glasses of water and pouring them into my martini in an effort to water it down.
At what age did you first move away from home?
I was working for a couple of years and decided I wanted to move in with my bff. I was 22 or 23. Everything went fine until she and I had the inevitable blowup and then I went out on my own, got my own studio apartment and the next year I married my boyfriend!
B is for Babies…
Does seeing babies make you broody?
Seeing my grandson makes me VERY broody! I love to hold him. He's just turned a year old and is adorable.
Did you ever babysit as a teenager?
Yes. And I was good...so good with kids that I was in demand in our neighborhood. I could have made a fortune babysitting. I could draw and loved fairies and elves, and fantastic gardens, and I used to draw them for the kids, who absolutely loved it. They would ask me to draw scenes from their favourite books, and I would do it. Quite well, too. Sometimes we would read a book together and then I'd draw scenes from it. And at that time I hated food, ate very little, so I never raided the parents' fridges. They loved me!
Home birth or hospital birth?
I and all my kids were born in the hospital. Just seemed easier.
C is for Cars…
Have you passed your driving test and, if so, how old were you when you did?
Yes, I first got my license rather late in life, at age 30. Because I lived in the city for so long, and everyone takes the transit, there was no need for a car. Toronto is like New York in that respect...the public transportation is fantastic. I was in my late 30s when I got my first car.
If you have a car, what kind is it? If not, what form of transport do you usually use?
I had a Nissan Versa until last year, when I wrecked it in an accident. (It's okay, nobody was hurt except the car!) Now I share a Pontiac G6 with my husband. It's a 2007 model, and a great car. Very reliable and has some nice extras like heated, adjustable seats and a thermometer that tells you what the outside temperature is.
What habits of other road users annoy you the most?
Definitely passing on the right on the highway and cutting in dangerously close in front of me. That always freaks me out because I'm never expecting anyone to pass me on the right. That's what the left lane is for, but a lot of drivers don't seem to realize this.
D is for Dreaming…
Do you remember your dreams?
Not a lot, no. When I do, it's usually a humdinger of a nightmare, or a wild, sexual fantasy.
Do you dream in colour or black and white?
Color.
Do you ever have nightmares?
Hell, yeah! Usually I'm waiting in a tall skyscraper for an elevator with a lot of other people, and of course, the elevator farthest away from me comes first, all the other people get into it and there's no room left for me. This happens over and over again, and finally, if I do manage to get into one, the damn elevator plunges suddenly to the ground in a terrifying free fall. Usually I'm on the 75th floor or so when I get on so it's quite a plunge down to ground level. I always feel the butterfly effects in my stomach for real as well as in my nightmare.
E is for Eating…
What food do you refuse to eat?
I absolutely hate to eat anything stringy, or inappropriate, like coconut in chocolates, although I like coconut flakes on top of cake frosting, and fresh coconut is delicious. So are Pina Coladas. I hate raisins in bread, cookies, or other baked goods, but I like them in trail mix. I can't stand cooked carrots, but I love them raw. Obviously, I'm a weirdo.
What food would you find almost impossible to give up, even if it made you ill?
Cold cereal with milk. This is my breakfast every day, usually Cheerios or some sort of granola. If I'm having Cheerios I'll sprinkle them with trail mix, nuts or a bit of granola. I also have this as a late night snack, since the milk helps me to fall asleep really easily.
When you eat out, what type of restaurant do you usually choose?
Chinese, usually, or Japanese. If not one of these, then a good steakhouse.
F is for Family…
My immediate family, Sean. (9-year-old autistic child, very loveable.) My extended family - my sister, only 1-1/2 years younger than me. We are very close.
Do you fight with your siblings, or get along?
We all get along extremely well. I have a sister and a brother. I don't think we've ever been 'enemies' or had a long falling out. Sometimes we have little disagreements, but nothing ever lasts long.
Are there any members of your family you don’t speak to?
Well, nobody because I don't like them, but only because we are long distances apart, and my mother, who was the one who kept in touch with everybody, has passed away, and no one else kept up the correspondence like she used to do. :(
G is for Geography…
Do you still live in the place you were born?
No. I was born on the West Coast of North America, in Vancouver, Canada. At present I am living in Toronto, which is in the east, but not near the coast, except that we are on the edge of Lake Ontario. If I had my druthers, I'd move to either Lisbon, Portugal, or Bilbao, Spain. Both are coastal cities. I'd prefer to live near the water.
What’s the population of the town where you live?
I live in Whitby, a town to the east of Toronto. It's about 120,000, and Toronto's is 2.5 million.
What kind of neighbourhood do you live in?
Quiet, upscale, green - lots of parks.
H is for Hospital…
How many times have you stayed in hospital overnight (not counting when you were born).
Sheesh...I forget, but probably 4 times.
How many times have you visited A&E (the ER)?
Only once, when I broke my toe.
Have you ever considered a career in medicine?
LOL. I'm a nurse.
I is for Internet…
What year did you first go online?
Mmmm...I think it was 2005.
What site is your home page?
I don't have one. I have a lot of sites bookmarked, that I visit almost every day, though.
What do you think of Facebook?
I don't really like it. Mainly because you can't speak your mind as you can do on LJ and other, more private, sites. Most of my family have friended me on Facebook, as well as my son's girlfriend's parents and siblings, some coworkers and my boss and his family. Also some guys I know from radio and TV, an old boyfriend from the past, some patients from our clinic...all of whom I would DIE if they knew some stuff about me...like the fact I write slash, for instance. So, obviously, if I cannot be myself on sites like Facebook and Twitter, then I feel too restricted to really enjoy them.
J is for Job…
Describe a typical day at your job (or your school or college)
My day usually starts with returning a tonne of phone calls...some ridiculous in the extreme. On my last day in the office, a female patient left a message that began, "I'm such a dick." I am pretty sure that she was three sheets to the wind already, at 9:00 in the morning. Then we get into doing physicals, at least 2 but sometimes 3 or 4 in the morning. I assist the doctor with the pap smears and do the bloodwork for all the patients. Next usually comes paperwork...catch up on the filing, faxing, billings, referrals, other stuff...then more phone calls to be returned. Sometimes it's time to order lab supplies, vaccines, or other office equipment. Later this month we are going to be renovated and turned into a completely paperless clinic. All of our work will be done electronically and online from now on. Right now we are like dinosaurs...we use paper files, make referrals by fax, our computer is circa 1993 and we are not online. Submissions to the MOH (Ministry of Health) must be made by downloading billings to a floppy disk and schlepping it over to the Ministry by hand.
How do you travel to your job / school / college?
Since my car accident in April 2010, I refuse to drive to work anymore. My husband Ed drives me to work in the morning, and I take the GO bus home.
K is for Kitchen…
Do you enjoy cooking?
Yes, I do. I enjoy making new recipes from my vast collection of cookbooks. Most recently I've been trying some from a cookbook on Bavarian dishes that was given to me by a friend last Christmas. And we just bought a new triple slow cooker (it has 3 crockpots in one buffet-style base) and I tried it last night. It was a success! I made Chicken Adobo, a cabbage stew with apples and pork sausage, and potatoes and onions with cream cheese. All delicious!
If a few friends were coming over for dinner tonight, what would you cook them?
I would give them turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, cauliflower au gratin, sweet potato pie and New York style cheesecake for dessert, because this is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend!
What snack foods do you always have in the house?
Always? Trail mix, granola bars, popcorn, and potato chips. Sometimes: ice cream, cake, pie.
L is for Looks…
Are you happy with your weight?
LOL...of course not! I'd like to be about 10-15 lbs. lighter. I don't exercise enough, but I do try to watch what I eat.
Would you ever consider plastic surgery and if so, what for?
No, I wouldn't now. A couple of years ago I wanted to have the bags under my eyes removed, and my chin lifted. But I got cold feet after talking to a plastic surgeon about the risks.
Name three things you like about your body, and three you dislike.
I like my face, boobs and legs.
I don't like my waistline, my ass and the fact I have to wear glasses.
M is for Modern Life…
Do you like to have the latest gadgets as soon as they come out?
I'd love to get them, but I can't, so sometimes it's better to wait awhile. For instance, the new iPhone was just launched and will be coming out soon. My husband checked with our current plan provider because we hate our Blackberry, and was told that the previous iPhone (#4, I think) is now on sale for only $99! That is incredible. One of our patients just bought a new LG 3D phone for $500.00, and it's amazing! He took a picture of me on it and said he'd send me a copy. I so want one of those, but the price is too steep!.
If you had to give up the internet or your mobile phone for a week, which one would you choose?
Cell phone for sure. I would never be able to live without the internet. :(
What piece of modern technology do you have absolutely no need for and no intention of buying?
I don't know.
N is for Numbers…
Can you remember your home and mobile phone numbers without looking them up?
Yes! I have a weird memory for numbers...for me each phone number is a relationship of numerals that makes it easy for me to remember them. I can stun my coworkers by remembering the numbers of almost all the specialists, XRAY clinics, hospitals, etc. that we deal with.
Have you ever forgotten an important PIN or password?
I have forgotten so many passwords that I now keep a special book with all of them in it.
How are your maths skills?
My math skills are great. I still do addition, multiplication, etc. in my head. I love math puzzles or number puzzles like Sudoku.
O is for Opportunities…
If you were given the money, and time off work, to travel the world for a year, would you do it? If so, who would you go with?
Yes, I would do it in a minute. I'd probably take a member of my family, or a really good friend. I've already traveled for a month in Europe with my daughter, but I don't know if we'd get on each other's nerves or not, if we were stuck together for a year. My husband is afraid of flying, so I have to rule him out. Maybe one of my two boys would be the ideal companion.
If you had the opportunity to meet any famous person (of any kind – film star, writer, sportsman, politician, etc) and they were obliged to answer whatever questions you asked them honestly, who would you choose and what would you ask?
There are so many I'd love to talk to, but one of the most interesting would have to be Paulo Coehlo, the writer, because of his philosophy about human nature. I find it fascinating. I'd ask him whether he truly believes that most humans are inherently evil, especially when they are thinking as a mob rather than an individual, as he suggested in his novel, 'The Devil and Miss Prym'.
P is for Personality…
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm definitely an introvert and I love to be alone. Maybe not 100% of the time, but I think if I had to be alone for the rest of my life it would not bother me that much. And I do love my family, honestly, but...
Are you spontaneous, or do you prefer to plan things in advance?
I like to think I am a bit of both, but I'd rather plan things in advance, I guess.
Do you tend to look at the big picture, or the little details?
The big picture, yet I also have great attention to detail.
Q is for Quarrels…
Have you ever got into a physical fight with someone?
No, never. Well, okay, not anymore. When I was younger, yes, I am ashamed to say with my sister, and a couple of times with my husband before we were married. *blushes*
Is there anyone you’re not speaking to because of something they said or did?
I had a coworker whose consistently bad attitude drove me crazy. She was arrogant, refused to take direction or constructive criticism, and was clearly in the job only to make a bit of money before leaving to get married. She was snarky to patients, putting herself and her 'feelings' first in every situation. She carried around her cellphone in her pocket, and with every vibration she would run off to the washroom to take the call, leaving whatever she was doing to fester until she returned in her own time. She 'Facebooked' constantly while at work. Her job was obviously getting in the way of her personal life. I stopped talking to her when I couldn't take it anymore and trying to reason with her proved futile. She was poison. And guess what? She recently left to get married.
R is for Romance…
Have you ever tried internet dating?
No, but before that existed, I did try a dating service, which set me up on a date, but I never went on it! I stood the guy up because I got cold feet at the last minute.
What was your worst ever date?
It was a 'blind' date that arose when this guy saw me from across the street, and the friend he was with knew me and set us up. However, when the guy arrived at my door to pick me up, he was at least a foot shorter than me! He was really short! Now this didn't bother me at all, but it bothered him! He was so uncomfortable on the date, even though we went to the movies and then for dinner in a darkish restaurant, where we were both sitting down, so the height difference wasn't so obvious. He finally said something like, "You didn't look so tall from across the street," and I let him have it. I told him off but good for having an attitude like that and making something do do with peoples' appearances have too much significance, instead of enjoying their company.
Do you like romantic gestures like candlelit dinners or getting flowers?
No. In fact, they make me really uncomfortable, as if I'm being bought. Let me like you for who you are, and not for what you can give me, or worse yet, as if you think I am just here for what I can get from you. Because if that's what you think of me, then the relationship is dead in the water.
S is for Sports…
Did you enjoy school Physical Education/Gym classes?
Yes, I did. Being big and strong, with natural grace and dexterity, helped me to overcome some other self-esteem issues. Being yelled at by gym teachers/coaches actually relieved me of a lot of pressure. It's like you put yourself in their hands, do what they tell you, and the outcome can either make your spirits soar, or make you stronger.
Do you play any sports or do any regular exercise?
I am supposed to be doing regular exercise, but have fallen behind badly on that. I recently hurt my back (actually the problem stems from my SI joint on the right side) and I am taking physiotherapy for that right now. My therapist has put me back on regular exercises. When you get older, you have to keep it up or little aches and pains will happen. I stopped playing sports years ago. Tennis and softball were my things.
Do you enjoy watching any sports live or on TV?
Yes, almost all of them. My favourite is soccer, but I also loved to watch NFL football, although I hardly watch it anymore except for the Super Bowl and some of the playoff games. I also used to love baseball and went to a lot of games here in Toronto, but soccer kind of got in the way of that now. Occasionally I still watch tennis, rugby, some golf...and strangely, I never watch hockey anymore! Not even the Stanley Cup...not for a few years now. Oh...and I always watch the Olympics. Figure skating used to be a favourite sport to watch as well, but I haven't for awhile.
T is for TV…
What TV show do you never miss?
I hardly watch any TV except for sports, but I've recently discovered 'The Big Bang Theory' and I wouldn't miss it now! Also, I watch 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' most of the time when it's on. And anything with chef Gordon Ramsay. I love him. Some of the HBO miniseries were must-sees: like the recent 'Game of Thrones', 'Spartacus' and 'The Tudors'. Other series that I started to watch on TV then gave up because the commercials spoiled them for me, I picked up on DVD, such as 'Fringe', 'LOST', '24', 'Weeds', 'True Blood' and 'Friday Night Lights'. I've probably forgotten some.
If you could have a guest role in any show, what would it be and what type of character would you play?
I'd love to be in 'Game of Thrones', maybe as one of the minor characters, like an innkeeper or a cook.
If you had to go a week without TV, would you find it easy or hard?
Oh, easy. It's only a week, right?
U is for the US…
Which US states have you visited?
New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, California, Oregon, Washington, and I've stayed for a night in Maryland, Idaho, Nevada and Indiana...and I hope I'm not forgetting any.
Which part of the US would you most like to visit in the future?
Louisiana. I remember my parents visiting New Orleans and telling me how they loved it.
Which part of the US would you most like to live in?
On the west coast, either Washington or Oregon. On the east, Massachusetts or Virginia.
V is for Vice…
What do you think is your worst habit?
Spending too much money.
Do you like to get drunk?
No, I hate how it feels.
Do you smoke, or have you ever?
No, I don't smoke. Yes, I used to, but gave it up when I got pregnant. It was no problem for me. I have never been addicted to anything.
W is for Weather…
What’s your perfect temperature?
Between 65 and 75. (15 to 25C)
What type of weather do you hate the most?
HOT weather.
Has your life ever been affected by severe weather (flooding, tornado, hurricane, etc)?
No, never. We are very lucky here that the weather seems always to be under control. The worst that has happened is a very bad snowstorm, but if that happens, we don't go out in it. Once a bad storm came up while I was at work three years ago. It was the last day before Christmas vacation and a blizzard started hitting us around 11:00 AM. The boss told everyone to go home, but as I was outside shovelling off my new car, the doors locked on me, with the key inside and the engine running! I called the roadside assistance several times throughout the day but they were so busy they never made it there to help me. Everyone else at work had gone home, and finally my husband came with a spare key at 8:00 PM. The storm was over by then. I didn't restrict myself to staying in the office the whole time. I went to the Blockbuster store which was in the same building, and to the Burger King restaurant across the way and spent some time there. Both stayed open through the storm, thank goodness.
Another time, probably four years ago, we were hit by a freak, violent hailstorm while at work. The hailstones were so big they damaged every single car in the area that was parked outside, or driving on the streets. The insurance companies had to pay up big time because of all the dents on the roofs and hoods of everyone's vehicle. Our insurance company paid us somewhere in the area of $6,000.00 for my car, which at the time was an old one, and not worth even that.
X is for X-Men…
What mutant super-power would you most like to have?
I think the ability to make myself invisible would be really cool.
Do you like reading comics?
Yes, I used to be a HUGE comic book fan as a kid. Even now, I smile when I pick up a 'Spiderman', my favourite, all time comic. I actually owned the first edition Superman comic, which I know is worth a fortune now, but my mother threw it out one day in a cleaning frenzy! And I adored the 'Archie' comics, and when I was young, 'Little Lulu'. I used to keep piles of comics under my bed, along with the dust bunnies and the spiders!
Do you like superhero movies?
Yes. Yes, I love them. My favourites are the 'X-Men' movies, but I also love 'Spiderman' (of course), and I'm practically wetting myself thinking about the luscious and adorable Andrew Garfield in the role of Spidey. The only movies that disappointed me were the Superman ones...I felt they could have been better. Oh, and I also liked 'The Incredible Hulk' a lot. And the Batman movies were cool!
Y is for Youth Culture
Do you keep up with the latest music, films and fashion?
No, not music. This makes me sad because I used to LOVE music (still do, really). But because I am not driving anymore, I am not listening to CDs. And I do own an iPod, but haven't figured out how to download songs onto it. My son put one song on it a few years ago and there it stays! I sometimes listen to music on Youtube when Entertainment Weekly recommends it, and occasionally hear something good that way.
Films? Yes, I try to keep up, but I don't always see them at the theatre. Anything that sounds interesting, I'll see on DVD or TV when it comes around.
As for fashion, I've always loved it. I try to keep up via magazines and online blogs like Victoria Beckham's.
What modern stars do you think are over-rated?
I really don't know.
What music and fashion do you remember from your teenage years?
Oh god, too much to delve into here.
Z is for Zoology…
What domestic animal would you never have as a pet?
Probably a pot-bellied pig. They are cute from a distance, but to own one...no. I love animals, though.
What animal would you most like to see in the wild?
Elephants. And polar bears.
What wildlife do you typically see in your area?
Rabbits are everywhere. Deer are seen frequently. Coyotes sometimes. Owls are plentiful. Other colourful birds like cardinals and blue jays. Lots of little things like chipmunks and mice abound here too.
