Random Dozen

Linda from 2nd Cup of Coffee comes up with these questions and interested bloggers may copy, paste and answer them on their own blogs. If you click on "Linda" above, you will be transported to her blog where you may scroll to the bottom of her Wednesday post and click on Mr. Linky to find more bloggers who have participated in this- what we bloggers call- meme (rhymes with dream- unless it is a carnival, I do not know the difference). Explanation for my sister, who asked me two weeks ago, "who writes these questions".

1. If you could master one sport, what would it be?

Mari, may I please borrow that YouTube video you posted a couple of days ago to help me answer this question? Thank you!

Okay, friends, if you don't have time to listen to this entire clip, just move the arrow to about 1:14 and begin there and watch it up to at least 2:27. This is the only way my answer to this question is going to really permeate your understanding.

Here is my answer: When I was in high school I was on the gymnastics team. I suppose I was on the team because: I was built like a rubber band- I could lay on my stomach and bring my feet up around my neck and hold them there with my hands, I could do a one handed cartwheel and sometimes (but not often) a no-handed cartwheel, I could do a back walkover on the balance beam- during practice (during practice is the important part to remember here) and I could leap. But when the time came for "the meet" and people- people I knew, cute guys I liked-were seated in the stands and the big mat was rolled out on the gymnasium floor and the equipment all set up and judges were sitting on the sidelines- when that time came- I became living rigor mortis. I froze. When the person in the sound booth called my name signaling my turn on the balance beam, I was seriously A LOT like Francis Chan in this video demonstration. Now you may watch it and see what I'm talking about.

We did not win a single gymnastics meet that I am aware of (all thanks to me) but then again, I was basically the same as unconscious at these meets, so who really knows.

If I could master one sport- it would be gymnastics- for old times sake to make it up to the team.

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision?

I don't really make super major purchases without I.T. and I.T. is a researcher. He spent 10 hours on the computer looking for the BEST cell phone plan earlier this year and then interviewed the employees at two different stores, before finally purchasing a plan and three phones. If I could in good conscious, make a major purchase right now- I'd buy a new stove. I looked up a couple and I know which one I'd buy. I'd buy it online right now. But I'll wait for my financier to give the final approval.

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name?

Jo Hillcrest. Never heard of her. But she sounds like a wimp.

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food?

I'm not sure what my favorite food or music even is. I can live on buttered Health Nut toast and half caff with honey and cream , while listening to castanets and bongo, so I guess I can give up either one and barely notice.

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference?

I like my banana ripe, not green at all and not spotty and definitely without the big black part, which inevitably marks a mush spot on the inside- blech!

6. Your favorite tree is?

Big trees. Sycamore. Birch. Maple. Oak. Little baby pines. I love trees. I really love just about all trees. I would not want to live on a lot with no trees. Now raking leaves, that is an entirely different story.

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you?

Rounded off, 3.14, which proves that, for me, computer technology is NOT "as easy as pie". This answer dedicated to my math professor, Mary DY.

8. Has H1N1 touched your family?

Perhaps it has, but we are hand washers- Purell everywhere, in the car, in the purse, on the counter- so that may be keeping it at bay. I haven't seen it in our house.

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing? Question everything! That's my motto. And I do.

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala?

I am more like a cat, slinking around here like I own the place and asking purr- ty please will someone pay attention to me, kinda doin' what I want and have even scratched a few eyes out when I was in "a mood"- but I am not proud of it. I'm working on not being so catlike.

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago?

Not really, but I sure have unearthed several via facebook- that site continues to bring the blasts from the past. It's been interesting.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why?

I wouldn't assume I qualify for the express lane just because I'm in it. Usually I do not cheat, but the express lane....well.... In the case given, I might just go to the do it yourself lane- the unlimited one where you scan and bag to your heart's content all by your little lonesome. It's my exercise plan.