essaying

courtesy rbus  this time. Up for another round?:

Dogs. I've never had much luck living without at least one dog, preferably two. Growing up, my dog was Fritz, a sweet dim basset hound, plus one of a changing cast of Second Dogs -- Bonnie, a Gordon Setter; Sam, a Pointer mix; Lady, a Golden Retriever -- all nice animals, mostly chosen to accompany my dad on his rare hunting trips, but none as central to the household as Fritz. In college, I acquired Mac, a white Standard Poodle, the canine version of the charismatic homewrecker that every girl loves, and he wrecked several homes before I had to give him away. Now we have Kay, a labradoodle, and Bo, a Basenji-and-something (Chihuahua? Manchester Terrier? Italian Greyhound?). Bo is the first small dog I've ever owned, and I'm fascinated by how differently one relates to a little dog than a big one -- a big dog is a pal, a little dog is a child.

Airplanes. Love airports -- shopping, restaurants, people-watching, that weird privacy-in-a-crowd bubble -- what's not to love? Hate airplanes. I want to meet the person for whom airplane seats are designed, because everyone I know is either too tall or too short for an airplane seat (I'm the latter; I usually stash my backpack under the seat in front of me so as to have someplace to rest my feet, which are otherwise an inch or two too short to reach the floor comfortably).

Barefeet. Not as achievable here in Eugene as in other places I've lived. Something that grows here leaves a dusting of near-invisible, very sharp slivers that wedge themselves into your feet and hands. They're just large enough to be annoyingly painful, but small enough to be nearly impossible to find and tweeze out, especially on the feet. Hence, moccasins, most of the time.

Coffee. Still love the flavor, but my gut is less tolerant of coffee in quantity than it used to be. My usual three cups per morning is down to two or even one. Then I switch to decaf iced tea, which I drink by the gallon. There are mornings, and I shudder to say this, when I can't face coffee at all, and prefer a nice cup of strong Darjeeling with milk.

Dutchrub. Believe it or not, I had to look this up -- I'm familiar with the action, but had never heard the term before. I've never given or received one, although I suppose posting that photo of my crew-cut crown is just asking for it.

Reply to this meme by yelling "Words!" and I will give you five words that remind me of you. Then post them in your LJ and explain what they mean to you.

Clones. Boy, I don't get much from this, probably because I don't understand the intent of the person who gave it to me. I do have some thoughts about the "Castro clone" -- the stereotypically dressed and buffed gay man -- and his analogs in the BDSM communities. I understand that the standard S/M rig has its purpose, both historically and sociologically -- it's a nod to those who came before, as well as a recognition symbol that enables us (in theory at least) to distinguish between insiders and outsiders. Many people also see it as a kind of admission ticket; you pay your respects to S/M space by dressing "properly." None of these really work for me. I do think that when you're going to ritual space (which all S/M space, or dedicated sexual space, is), it behooves you to engage in a dressing and grooming ritual, and to put things on that awaken your own sexual energy (and, with luck, that of those to whom you're attracted). However, it seems to me that such an outfit is going to vary from one person to the next, and, as it happens, leather, corsetry, heels, etc., don't do much for me (and latex is an out-and-out turnoff, sweaty and squeaky and smelly). The stuff I like tends to be soft to the touch and unrestrictive in movement; I have a fantasy, going back to my early teens, about a rose-colored cashmere body stocking -- but I strongly doubt that such a garment would make me welcome in most S/M spaces. On a related note, I have tremendous fashion crises every time I go to a tantra puja: standard instructions are to "wear what makes you feel like a goddess." There is no garment ever created that makes me feel like that. I tried going naked, but they changed the rules on me. The last time or two I've just draped myself in whatever piece of pretty fabric seems to be at hand, but it feels like an uncomfortable compromise. So, for that matter, does most of my S/M partywear.

Publishing. Well. To quote Garrett Morris, "beisbol bin berry berry good to me." Publishing has supported me and mine for 17 years now. It's also destroyed a couple of important relationships, damaged my health, and brought untold stress into my life. I really believe that self-publishing is the best bet for any writer of niche material, and for many other writers, in terms of profit and satisfaction -- but it eats your life. OTOH, letting someone else publish your work is a surefire path to a nice steady welfare check. And that's just the way it's been for the last decade or so -- it's going to get worse, I fear.

Writing. I'm actually enjoying writing for the first time in my life. Until a couple of years ago, writing was what I did for a living, I was proud of my skill at it, but I never looked forward to doing it. Now, I do. I've actually begun to notice that when a few days go by in which I haven't written -- like, say, now -- I get antsy and depressed. That's new. I don't think I'll ever be able to say "I love to write," and I think anybody who does is either a rotten writer or a liar; writing is too hard and frustrating to "love." But I can say truthfully that "I can't be happy unless I'm writing."

Switching. It's still there for me in theory, I guess. There are still one or two people to whom I'd be willing to bottom, but I don't think I'd be very good at it. My top space is still here, waiting for the right person, but if I never bottom again I don't think I'd miss it much. Topping has always been much more "core" for me than bottoming, and in most ways a lot harder.

Oregon. This state is soooo beautiful. I hope I never get so used to it that I stop seeing its beauty. I think that if I'd been left to my own devices, I'd probably have chosen Portland rather than Eugene -- it's just about as cheap, and has fewer rednecks and lots more cultural resources. However, E has a lot of concern about Portland's susceptibility to the huge earthquake that's overdue to hit much of Oregon, and even more about the tsunami that will follow it -- so we compromised on Eugene. But I miss professional theater and top-notch restaurants. I think I'll like Oregon better once we have our own place, with a garden and chickens and all the things we wanted from coming up here; living in this rental for a year is a huge disappointment. Patience, patience.

You people suck at memeage. the_morsel is the only one who carried on with my fascinating suggestions for the shag/marry/cliff meme. Didn't you like my choices, or are you just chickenshit?

from mamagotcha :

1) Comment to this and I will give you 3 people.

2) Post this meme with your answers.

3) Provide pictures and the names of the 3 people I gave you.

4) Label which you would shag, which you would marry, and which you would throw off a cliff.

( answers behind the cut... )

Anybody wanna play?

Ganked from kightp :

1. Will you be looking for a new job in 2009?
Probably not what zille would call a jobby-job, but probably some freelance or part-time work.

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
Mmmmaybe. I've been contemplating a search for a fuck buddy for a while, but postponing it because of the moving plans. Once I'm up there, I'll see how I feel about it.

3. New house?
Yeppers.

4. What will you do differently in '09?
I'm going to see if I can relax a bit, try not to feel like I have to fill every moment with Productive Work.

5. New Year's resolution?
Dunno. More fruits and veggies, maybe.

6. What will you not be doing in '09?
Nothing I can think of offhand. I won't be living in the Bay Area after spring, but I'm still here for the next couple of months.

7. Any trips planned?
The Willamette Valley next week. My mother's in February.

8. Wedding plans?
Not my own, but my niece is getting married and I hope to attend that.

9. What's on your calendar?
Very little right now. it's an odd feeling.

10. What can't you wait for?
To be all moved and settled.

11. What would you like to see happen differently?
More writing time, thinking time, reading time, resting time.

12. What about yourself will you be changing?
See #11.

13. What happened in '08 that you didn't think would ever happen?
A black man and a woman as front-runners in a presidential election, in my lifetime.

14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
I'm already pretty nice to them, actually.

15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in '08?
I don't expect to be teaching this year -- not before fall, anyway -- so I'll probably just wear the same schlumpy around-the-house stuff I'm wearing now.

16. Will you start or quit drinking?
No. Might try to drink a bit more, though.

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
I'll probably spend more time with them -- my dad and sister because I'll be living closer, my mom because of her illness, my sons because of the visits to my mom's.

18. Will you do charity work?
Dunno. Maybe.

19. Will you go to bars?
If the occasion arises.

20. Will you be nice to people you don't know?
Of course.

21. Do you expect 2009 to be a good year for you?
I expect it to be a stressful one. Probably not "good" financially, but it's laying the foundation for better things to come.

22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
Not much. Finished my degree, decided to move.

23. Do you plan on having a child?
That bird flew a long time ago.

24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Yes, and I hope to have some new ones.

26. Will you be moving?
Yes.

27. What will you make sure doesn't happen in '09 that happened this year?
I'd like to find a way to be in less pain next year, but I don't think I can "make sure" of that.

28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
Don't have any. We'll probably fix a nice dinner and watch a movie.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Yes.

30. Wish for 2009?
That this move go smoothly and economically, and that we're making the right choices.

From kightp , who is in many ways my Food Clone:

( cut, for those who don't give a good goddamn what I like to eat... )

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now (even if we don't speak often or ever) please post a comment with a completely made up, fictional memory of you and me. It can be anything you want - good or bad - but it has to be fake. When you're finished, post this little paragraph in your LJ and see what your friends come up with!

Instructions:
* Grab the nearest book.
* Open the book to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal along with these instructions.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.

(NB: In this case I arbitrarily eliminated Greenery books from the meme because, well, because.)

We loved these steamy sessions, and sang softly so that it would not disturb Mother. "Waltz Me Around Again, Willy" and "Camptown Racetrack" andd "Onward, Christian Soldiers"... things like that, lifetime favorites of us all, even at five or six.

[01] Do you have the guts to answer these questions and re-post as The Controversial Survey?
Why should expressing my opinions require "guts"?

[02] Would you do meth if it was legalized?
Hell no. Did speed, once, in my teens, and hated hated hated it. My natural constitution is wired and tense enough; I don't need help.

[03] Abortion: for or against it?
I'm not "for" abortion; nobody is. I'm for women having the right to decide who occupies their bodies. I had one when I was nineteen. It was harder than you'd think; I had emotional aftermath from it for years. And I've never regretted it for a second.

[04] Do you think the world would fail with a female president?
"The world would fail"? What the hell does that mean? That said, I'd be delighted to see a competent woman running this country.

[05] Do you believe in the death penalty?
No.

[06] Do you wish marijuana would be legalized already?
Hell yes. My spouse needs medical marijuana to manage his symptoms -- it works better than far more potent drugs -- and if it were legalized we'd be able to get it cheaper and of better quality. (And I'd be able to deduct it -- right now it's our second-largest budget item after our mortgage, and neither insurance nor taxation mitigates the expense at all.)

[07] Are you for or against premarital sex?
I'm for sex of any kind, as long as it's uncoerced and joyous.

[08] Do you believe in God?
I do not believe in an anthropomorphic God. I do believe in a transcendent energy that is shared by all living things.

[09] Do you think same sex marriage should be legalized?
As long as the government insists on having its fingers in private personal relationships, the benefits of legal marriage should be available to anyone who wants them.

[10] Do you think it's wrong that so many Hispanics are illegally moving to the USA?
I wish they didn't have to, but as long as nobody else is willing to do the work that they do, I don't see any way around it.

[11] A twelve year old girl has a baby, should she keep it?
Only if she has enough support (from her family of origin, from the father, from a tribe of friends and relatives) that she can pursue the developmental steps that are ahead of her for the next decade.

[12] Should the alcohol age be lowered to eighteen?
Yes. If you're old enough to vote, you're old enough to make your own decisions about altering your consciousness.

[13] Should the war in Iraq be called off?
Yes, with due attention to ensuring minimum harm to the people for whose lives we've assumed responsibility.

[14] Assisted suicide is illegal: do you agree?
No, no, no. If self-determination means anything, it means the right to decide not to be alive anymore.

[15] Do you believe in spanking your children?
Theoretically, no. In fact, I did so a time or two... but found the experience so disturbing (remember, spanking is a core kink for me) that I decided there *had* to be a better way. However, I think that the harm done to children by corporal punishment has much more to do with a parent who is rageful and out of control than it does with a few swats on the butt; I'm not willing to demonize spanking the way many people do.

[16] Would you burn an American flag for a million dollars?
Sure. For a thousand. Possibly for a hundred, if money was tight. It's a piece of cloth that symbolizes a thing, not the thing itself.

[17] Who do you think would make a better president? McCain or Obama?
Jeeze, do you even have to ask? I haven't drunk the Obama Kool-Aid -- I think he's quite visionary, but it remains to be seen whether he'll have the ability to fulfill his visions. But I find McCain terrifying.

[18] Are you afraid others will judge you from reading some of your answers?
I very strongly doubt that anyone who's reading this will be surprised by a single thing I've written here.

I'll send it to you if you want it but I'd recommend against it.

1. mollena
2. mimesisfan
3. slfisher
4. cocobuttr
5. dejablack
6. mystrangedelite
7. wendyrama
8. kightp
9. mimesisfan (been there, done that, liked it)
10. mamagotcha
11. kitnish
12. zille
13. dejablack
14. mystrangedelite
15. knotty_mark
16. rbus
17. debbieann
18. rightkindofme
19.paulaandandrew
20. inflectionpoint
21. misterajc , whipartist
22. silveredboy
23. nobody here
24. nobody here
25. trouble841
26. where to begin?... nobody here is very difficult to seduce!
27. cocobuttr 
28. Have only the vaguest idea what this means
29. whipartist  (a musical theater date)
30. This meme is more trouble than it's worth!

The rules:
Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair...just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with your picture.

(I love this meme because I got to wake up this morning and look at all my friends!)

Didn't fit in the comments section:

1) Are you currently in a serious relationship? With whom/for how long?

Two of 'em, really. E and I have been together for a bit more than four years, married for two. Dossie and I have been lovers/coauthors/whatevers for about 15 years.

2) What was your dream growing up?

First an archaeologist, then a veterinarian, then, starting in about eighth grade, a writer ;)

3) What is your current dream?

To sell Greenery, get a good teaching job in an MFA program, and write some really good books.

4) What talent do you wish you had?

Athletic endeavor -- being good at it and enjoying it.

5) If I bought you a drink what would it be?

Probably a Mount Gay on the rocks with lime.

6) What was the last book you read?

Reread "True Grit" on the plane. Can't remember what I was reading before I left home.

7) When's your birthday? What zodiac sign are you?

Feb. 10, Aquarius.

8) Any tattoos and/or piercings? If so, please describe.

A large blackwork crescent moon with a woman's face and hair, on the side of my left breast. A healed piercing in my left nipple. A cartilage piercing on my right ear, and lobe piercings on both ears. Also, a stylized elephant branded on my right calf, although you didn't ask about that.

9) What's your worst habit?

Sedentariness.

10) What's your best habit?

Saying "I love you" to E before either of us leaves the house, and before we go to sleep.

11) What is your favorite sport to watch? To participate in?

I'll occasionally watch gymnastics if bored. I like miniature golf ;)

12) What are the first three sites you regularly visit after logging online?

LG, Cute Overload, Ten Car Train.

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?

Possibly fool around a bit ;)

14) What's your current employment situation? Do you enjoy it?

Running Greenery. Nope, badly burned out.

15) Please tell me one weird fact about you.

I like vanilla ice cream with peanut butter on it. For breakfast.

16) Do you have any pets?

Three: Kay (labradoodle), Bo (probably a Basenji/Italian Greyhound cross), Minnie (tabbycat).

17) Do you have any siblings? If so, are they older/younger, and by how many years?

My sister Andrea is four years younger than me.

18) What was your first impression of me?

Cute, stylish, laughs a lot.

19) Do you have a college degree? If so, what was your major?

Bachelor's in English from UC Davis. MFA coming in May.

20) If you could instantly and painlessly change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Make myself someone who enjoys and craves exercise.

21) What's the last movie you watched in a theatre? Please write a three-sentence review, including your opinion.

In "Juno," Screenwriter Diablo Cody has created a world full of complex people making difficult decisions, and every one of them is believable and likable. I especially liked the way it steered clear of the typical teen-movie trap of creating dimwit or inimical parents: JT Simmons and Allison Janney are warm, supportive, intelligent and real. And the soundtrack is wonderful.

22) What color eyes do you have?

Sort of auburn -- dark brown with a bit of red.

23) Have you ever been arrested?

No.

24) If you identify as kinky, please describe your first inkling that you might be... that way.

Earliest memories. But I was well into my 20s before I figured out that it was a sexual orientation and that it was something people could actually do.

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?

Either re-do my bathroom, or pay off a chunk of my student loans.

26) Were you brought up within a particular religion? If so, which one, and do you still identify as such?

Is secular humanist a religion? That's how I was brought up. However, these days I tell people I'm a "mystical agnostic."

27) Where's your favorite place to hang out?

The rocking chair in my living room. Or my bed.

28) Do you believe in ghosts?

No. But neither do I disbelieve in them.

29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?

Go to the movies.

30) Do you exercise regularly? If so, what's your routine?

Nope. Sigh.

31) Biggest pet peeve?

Negative/whiny/chronically angry people.

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?

Powerful.

33) Do you believe in/appreciate romance?

I don't believe in it but I do appreciate it.

35) Do you make your bed every morning?

Nope.

36) Do you or do you want to own a home? If so, why?

I do. My current fantasy is to build my own. Someday, perhaps. (Another possibility for that imaginary $10K -- the building fund.)

37) What do you want done with your body after you die? Upon what is your decision based?

Take whatever parts are needed, then burn the rest. I am hugely creeped out by the idea of rotting underground.

1. Is there anyone on your friends list you would ever consider having sex with?
There is almost nobody on my flist with whom I would not consider having sex (assuming that my libido were at its normal level, which of late it has not been).

2. Sex in the morning, afternoon or night?
I like morning the best, but I don't look at the clock when I feel horny.

3. On which side of the bed do you sleep?
Nearest the bathroom -- this is purely a practical decision.

4. Pork, beef, or chicken?
Is this a euphemism for something? If not, all of 'em -- also lamb, fish, seafood, and pretty much anything else that used to have a face.

5. Ever have to pull over on side of road to puke?
I am a non-puker. I've puked I think three times in my adult life.

6. Have you ever taken your clothes off for money?
Yup. Worked as an artist's model in college.

7. Shower or bath?
Shower for cleanliness, bath for relaxation and creative inspiration.

8. Do you pee in the shower?
Yes. In fact, doing so (and thus losing some inhibitions about peeing elsewhere than the toilet)  is how I learned how to female-ejaculate.

9. Mexican or Chinese?
I'd rather have good Chinese than Mexican, but I'd rather have Mexican than bad Chinese.

10. Do you want someone aggressive or passive in bed?
Passive. I like to be the one who makes the moves (most of the time). The occasional aggressive partner can be fun, though, as long as s/he doesn't cop an attitude about it.

11. Do you love someone on your friends list?
Yes.

12. Do you know all the people on your friends list?
No. I in-person-know about a third; e-know about two-thirds; the others I don't even know who/where they are.

13. Love or money?
I'm good at love and bad at money, so I guess my life is its own answer to that question.

14. Credit cards or cash?
I wish there were a way to spend cash when you can't sleep and are ordering stuff on the Internet at 2am, but since there isn't, credit cards.

15. Has/Is there ever been anyone in your family you wish wasn't?
Yes, several grandparents, but they're all gone now.

16. Would you rather go camping or to a 5 star hotel?
5-star hotel, but not always -- I want some of each.

17. What is the weirdest place you have had sex?
Define "sex." If it includes orgasmic BDSM, I'd say in front of an audience of several hundred people.

18. Would you shave your entire body (including your head) for money?
Sure! When? (Although I'd miss my eyebrows.)

19. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Yes. I like watching the men watching the strippers. The strippers themselves rarely do much for me, although there've been a few exceptions. Never been to a male strip club, though (although I'd give body parts to go to a gay male strip club).

20. Ever been to a bar?
Sure, although not as often as you might think. I like bars but I'm not much of a drinker, and mostly bars want you to drink something.

21. Ever been kicked out of a bar or a club?
Nope. I'm a Nice Girl.

22. Ever been so drunk you had to be carried out of somewhere?
No. Drinking is not my best thing.

23. Kissed someone of the same sex?
Every chance I get. (But I like the artful way in which Arbus avoided the question <g>.)

24. Favorite drink?
Depends on my mood: Mount Gay rum on the rocks with a wedge of lime; tequila and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice; pear cider.

25. Had sex in a movie theater?
No.

26. Had sex in a bathroom?
No. I'm not much into the Sex In Strange Places thing.

27. Have you ever had sex at work?
See question 17. If it includes orgasmic BDSM, a significant portion of my work is having sex.

28. Have you ever been in an adult store?
Yes. I've been a featured speaker at several (of the "woman-owned erotic boutique" type, not the traditional peep-show-and-smutty-magazines type).

29. Bought something from an adult store?
Yes.

30. Have you been caught having sex?
Yes. Will write about this later in response to Arbus's request.

31. Does anyone have naughty pics of you?
My first husband does -- I gave them to him for his birthday when we were together. I've also been photographed during public play, but when you're doing the thing in public in the first place and someone happens to take photos, I'm not sure if it counts as "naughty pictures."

32. Have you ever called someone the wrong name during sex?
I don't call people by name during sex (except in a "Thou art God" kind of way).

33. Who do you think has the guts to repost this?
Pretty much anyone who reads my stuff in the first place. If they don't repost it, it isn't because they lack guts, it's because they don't feel like it.

Here's how this works:

1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favorite song, or your favorite kind of sandwich, maybe your favorite cat. Any remark, meaningless or not.
2. I will respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. Update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. Include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in your own post.
5. When others respond with a desultory comment, you will ask them five questions.

1.    What is your favorite short story?
Grace Paley's "The Used-Boy Raisers." Makes me cry every time. I'm not a huge fan of the short story form, or indeed of any fiction, these days, but that one just slays me.

2.    What do you think is the best thing about being the age that you are now?
Wisdom. I'd like to think that I've made most of my big mistakes by now, and learned what I can from them. I don't have the same sense of urgency that I used to, and I don't miss it much.

3.    If you were going to leave N. CA and live somewhere else – where would it be?
E and I are spending a lot of time on this one now, as it becomes increasingly clear that N Ca may not be our future. If money were not a concern and I could live anywhere, I'd probably choose someplace in Mexico -- I love its climate and its gentle, friendly unhurriedness.

4.    Have you ever experienced long-term writer’s block? How did you overcome it, if you did.
Nope, I've never had the luxury. My ability to pay rent and eat has always depended on getting words on the page, and I'm fond of eating, so I always find a way to write.

5.    What is your ideal date night like these days?
Boy, I dunno any more. I haven't done SM for fun in a couple of years and I don't miss it. I do kind of miss intercourse but I don't have anybody in my life to provide it right now. Probably some combination of good food, theater, mild intoxicants, conversation, and skin-to-skin cuddling. Pretty lame, huh?

Ganked fromdejablack:

1. What is your occupation?
Writer, publisher, student

2. What color are your socks right now?
No socks -- moccasins. Most of my socks are black. I have more unmatched black socks than any other human being, ever.

3. What are you listening to right now?
Nine: The Musical, the Antonio Banderas version. Quite wonderful.

4. What was the last thing you ate?
Lebeneh (yogurt drained until thick and cream-cheese-like) with olive oil and pita bread. Mmmmmmm.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yes. I prefer to, in fact. But my spouse E has some trouble with muscle strength and coordination and needs an automatic, so I traded my Elephant (my beloved Honda Element) for a Subaru Forester, which I like fine but do not love.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My mother.

7. How old are you today?
Fifty-two.

8. Favorite drink?
Mostly pear cider, these days. Mount Gay on the rocks with lime when I'm feeling adventurous. My homemade ginger beer.

9. What is your favorite sport to watch?
I can't remember the last time I voluntarily watched a sport. I guess maybe watching friends playing softball on a warm evening.

10. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Oh hell yes. Essentially every shade of red, most shades of blonde, and, most recently, platinum. But these days it's au naturel.

11. Pets?
Kay the Labradoodle and Minnie the polydactyl tabbycat.

12. Favorite foods?
I love most food. Favorites would be lobster, caviar, raw oysters, lemon-y desserts, pecan pie.

13. What was the last movie you watched?
Across the Universe.

14. What's your favorite day of the week?
My life isn't tied very strongly to days of the week. These days I have to get up early on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so those are my least favorites, but that's only for a couple more months.

15. How do you vent anger?
Cry. Write.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Spareribs, my battered old stuffed bloodhound dog.

17. What is your favorite season?
Summer. I am a solar-powered device.

18. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs. Not a huge kisser. Don't like having things up against my face.

19. Cherries or Blueberries?
Do I have to choose? I adore blueberries and spend the month of the summer when they're cheap eating them for every meal. But Rainier cherries are the closest thing to candy that grows on a tree.

20. Are you with anyone right now?
"With" as in "dating/hooked up with/coupled with"? or "with" as in "in the presence of"? These euphemisms, they hurt my brain...

At any rate, whichever meaning, yes: my spouse E.

21. When was the last time you cried?
A lot these days -- it's one of the ways I manifest exhaustion. Probably while writing the part about Amy in my column last week.

22. What is on the floor of your closet?
Sex toys, E's various braces and medical supplies. That's sort of creepy, now that I think abou it.

23. What did you do last night?
Watched stupid movies on TV, took Norco, iced my hip, complained.

24. Favorite smells?
Rain on a hot sidewalk. Lilies of the valley. Bread baking. Dry leaves. Baby-head. Powdered tempera paint.

25. What inspires you?
Great writing: E.B. White, MFK Fisher, the John McPhee food piece in the New Yorker a few weeks ago, Larry McMurtry at his best.

26. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?
Pepper jack. Very rare. Mushrooms.

27. Favorite dog breed?
BIG. Great Danes, Mastiffs, Great Pyrenees et al.

28. How many states have you lived in?
Two: Pennsylvania and California.

29. Favorite holiday?
Not a huge fan of holidays. I like it better when the things that are supposed to happen on holidays -- gift-giving, gratitude, expressions of love, et al -- happen all on their own.