Okay, so I get this "dorky survey" from my old college pal, Rev. Jim, and decided to delight (or horrify) you all by answering it.  I must admit, yes, I did participate in chain letters in high school and passed notes during class and answering this silly survey really does remind me of those childish times.  To coincide with this survey, I took an especially silly picture of myself.  I'm not Irish, but wish I was.  So kiss me anyway! 

1. What time did you get up this morning?

"My alarm went off sometime around 6:30 am but I kept hitting snooze until 7:30 am which is typical of me because I hate waking up so damn early.  If I didn't need the money, I'd sleep until 11.  Yeah, I'm lazy like that." 

2. Diamonds or pearls? 

Hmmm...  Whatever does this question mean?  Would I rather wear diamonds or pearls, maybe?  Neither.  I wear silver jewelery mostly.  However, since I am asked to choose.  I'd probably pick diamonds, but rough cut, not all polished up.  I like gems in their natural state. 

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? 

Oh, brother.  It was "Constantine" starring Mr. Keanu Reeves (who definitely was no where near my choice to be the man to play Mr. John Constantine).  I'm a HUGE fan of the original comic "HELLBLAZER" and had the biggest crush on the character John Constantine.  Yes, Hollywood has a way of fucking up good comics and since Constantine isn't your typical comic book hero (he's more of a bastard, really) I think your typical movie producer didn't know what to do with him and there are going to be MANY Constantine fans who will walk away from the flick disappointed.  However, I was strangely pleased with Mr. Reeves' performance.  I actually believe he may have studied the books and may be a fan of Constantine himself.  Yet it was still hard for me to envision Constantine as an American.  In the books he was English and most of the stories took place in the late eighties.  The producers also chose to forego any pentagrams or pentacles or seals of Solomon and Constantine actually has some sort of fancy "Occultish-looking-yet-tame-enough-not-to-scare-Christains" tattoos on his forearms.  The "real" Constantine didn't play things like that.  It was also hard to imagine Constantine running around L.A. instead of London hanging out with a 19 year old Chas Adams than the 40 year old cabbie Chas who was his buddy in the punk rock band "The Mucus Membranes."  What I did enjoy about the movie was that it made me nostalgic for the comic books, so when I went home and immediately began to read my old Hellblazers! 

5. What did you have for breakfast?

Peppermint Ginseng tea and a slice of bread. 

6. What is your favorite food?

I must admit that I love rice, potatoes, and seafood.  I especially like Salmon. 

7. What foods do you dislike?  

Arichokes, onions, squash, and beans.  Why?  Allergies.

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?

Well....  I just bought Tori Amos' new album, The Beekeeper.  Very, very nice "garden" concept.  I got the limited edition with the special dvd interview and packet of seeds.  I plan on giving the seeds to the first friend of mine who has a garden.  I'm a lead thumb -- need somebody else to nurture the flowers.

9. What kind of car do your drive?

Due to a disability, I do not drive.  Some people think I don't drive because I don't want to.  This is not true.  I have Panic Disorder and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  This means I am prone to moderate to severe attacks of panic.  If I panic behind the wheel, I freeze and get into an accident.  I avoid accidents by taking the bus.  I hope someday, with the right kind of therapy, maybe I will finally be able to safely drive and have the independence I crave!

10. Favorite sandwich?

Turkey on rye with pesto mayo and cucumbers.

11. What characteristics do you despise? 

Bigotry.

12. Favorite item of clothing?

Ponchos and sarongs -- anything free-flowing, imported, and luxurious.  I especially like wearing purple, red, and black -- but not all together.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would go?

I'd take a walk or go horseback riding in Ireland.  Or I'd visit Beaver Island, Michigan.

14. Ever unwrapped a starburst with your tongue? 

Sounds like I'm making it up, but, yes I've done it and I can tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue.  I've also removed cloves from a lemon utilizing my lips and tongue.  It's an SCA thing... 'cept I don't do all that Renassiance stuff anymore.  Too much partying.

16. What did you do yesterday?

Packed up my office supplies, boxed up books, visited a porn store, went to Taco Bell, and painted more Tarot cards!!!

17.  Last time you cried?

It's gonna sound ridiculous, but I cried like a baby after watching "House of Sand and Fog."  I'm a sucker for tragedies. 

18. Is your house clean?

Not at the moment.  But, then again, I'm not expecting any guests.

19. Favorite time of year?

Autumn -- right after the first frost.

20. What color is your bathroom?

White with orange and brown tiles (throwbacks from the 70's).  I didn't decorate it.  I share a bathroom with other people.  I live in a big mansion that was turned into a boarding house in the early 70's.  Yes, so there's this eccentric mix of nineteenth century decor and mid 70's earth tones. 

21. Where would you retire to? 

Anywhere but Stevens Point, Wisconsin!  I'm not sure, really, where I want to go.  I guess it depends upon wherever home ends up being.

22. Favorite time of day?

Late at night when I feel like I have the whole world to myself.

23. What did you do on your last birthday? 

In order to give other people the day off on their birthdays, I worked during mine.  I was born on December 30th, so most of my friends and family are broke after the holidays and/or gearing up for New Year's.  Even when I was little it rarely got celebrated or noticed.  I'm used to that now. 

24. Favorite sport? 

Mocking people! 

25. What fabric detergent do you use? 

I use non-allergic detergents, liquid ones because the powdered soap constricts my breathing.  I also use lavender water to soften and scent my linens.  

26. Coke or Pepsi?

None.  I've been trying to cut back.  Seriously.  I used to drink colas way too much and now I've got Acid Reflux to pay the price.  I try to drink more water now.

27. Are you a morning person or night owl?

Night Owl, definitely.

28. Do you have any pets?

None that are alive right now.  I have two stuffed owls that I hug at night.  And not real stuffed owls, mind you, just the plush animal kind!

29. Any new & exciting news you'd like to share with your family and friends? 

I was recently diagnosed with Agoraphobia.  It's not as bad as it sounds and I don't plan on spending the rest of my life indoors because of it.  I'm going to beat it!  I still go outside but I tend to stick to places I'm most familiar with.  I tend to have panic attacks when I'm about to leave the house, however.  I've been coping by slowly pushing myself to get up earlier in the day and giving myself more time to leave than just rushing off to get through the day.  My doctor says this disorder was brought on after the trauma I experienced last year when my father and I were held at gun point and robbed for only $7 (it was all we had on us during the robbery and we were lucky we weren't shot).  In time this can be cured, but I want my old friends to know this because I'm having difficulty going back to Milwaukee, even if just to visit.  It is going to be awhile before I feel "safe" enough to go somewhere on my own again.  I have been told that a service dog might be the answer in helping me with this problem.  I don't know, we'll see.  If I ever get a service dog, it would have to be an Irish Wolfhound -- that's the only breed of dog I've ever connected with.  My Uncle Orly used to have one and that dog was there for me during bad thunder storms or whenever I would cry in my sleep...

30. What book are you reading? 

Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

31. Where are your second homes?  

Milwaukee.

32 Favorite flower? 

Long stem red roses.

33.  Who do you miss most?

I miss all my old friends, but I have to say especially my best friend, Drew.  He's the one guy who not only comforts me, but challenges me to be a better person, even if I don't agree with him all the time.  He's also the guy who gets me out more often, dares me to be different and to stand up for myself.  The other friends I miss the most are Jen and Damien because we can talk, and talk, and talk, and talk til the sun comes up!  Oh, and there's Greg, too, he's my best movie buddy.  I miss critiquing flicks with him and thinking up new photography projects.  But I'm never really without my best pals.  I take you guys with me wherever I go.

34.  Last place you visited.  

Wausau, WI. 

37. What are you listening to right now?  

My own thoughts.

38. Favorite thing to do on weekends?

Paint, draw, listen to a good audio book, or rent a movie.

What you can look forward to if you visit my blog tomorrow night:

I've just finished painting four more Tarot cards.  Expect to see The Tower, The Heirophant, Eight of Pentacles, and Six of Cups here.  That's it for now!