The a-z on me

A little meme to start off the week and help me flex my rusty blogging muscles ...

But first, I wanted to mention that I'm trying out responding to your comments in the comments ... rather than letting them all sit in my email inbox and never getting to respond to each of you. Several of you left questions and comments about Julia Cameron's 'Floor Sample' on the last post, etc. You can see my response here.

Okay, now on to the meme:

Accent: Nope, none that I know of ... but here's something interesting ... I read somewhere that if you learn a new language after the age of 12, you will always have an accent. The article gave a scientific/physiological explanation that I can't recall right now, but the curious thing is that I was eight when we moved here from Spain, and I don't have an accent. My sister was 12, and she does, a slight one. Interesting, no?

Booze: Not much ... it makes me really sleepy. When I do drink on occasion, it's a glass of wine, wine spritzer, or sangria (okay, if it's sangria that I've made, it's usually more than one glass, but I put a lot of fruit in it ...). When I'm throwing caution to the wind calorie-wise or feeling particularly happy (which is always in the warmer months), it's a piña colada, strawberry daiquiri, appletini or margarita. Oh, and around the holidays, I like to sip a little bit of Frangelico in front of the fire ... or champagne. Hmmm, for someone who doesn't drink much, I'm starting to sound like a boozer.

Chore I hate: Cleaning the shower ... not even a question.

Dogs/cats: Two dogs ... Mollie (the collie) and Cloud (the miniature dachshund) ... seen here doing what they do best.

Essential electronics: Okay, almost everyone stated the obvious in their posts ... laptop, digital camera, cellphone (though I could live without a cellphone very easily) ... but what about the trusty old blow-dryer? Can't start my day without that baby.

Favorite perfume: Happy by Clinique ... a gift from John that is down to its last drops (hint, hint) ... and before that came along, I was a longstanding fan of White Linen by Estee Lauder.

Gold/silver: Silver for sure, though I do have one or two favorite gold pieces, and would probably wear more gold if it wasn't so expensive.

Hometown: My birthplace is Gijón, Spain ... a small town on the northern coast. I am currently planted in central New Jersey ... and, if I could live anywhere, it would be in Del Mar (California) or thereabouts. I would probably just set up a tent on the grass at Powerhouse Park and live out the rest of my days in bliss looking out on the ocean.

Insomnia: YES ... terrible. I never sleep through the night two nights in a row. Many mornings I'm up at 4 or 5 a.m. I've learned that I feel better if I get up and read or do other things than if I struggle to get back to sleep, eventually do, then wake up in a total coma-like brain fog that drags me down all day. I'm a big fan of naps, though, and I have two wonderful napping partners (see above).

Job title: I've had many, but my current ones are jewelry artist, creative soul, ad hoc coach ... you name it.

Kids: One ... Ryan, 20, who is due to graduate in December from the New England Art Institute in Boston. He's majoring in audio engineering and would like to be a music producer someday ... or have a job where he gets to travel the world. I could totally see him working on the crew of a program for the Travel Channel or National Geographic ... or winning a Grammy (but only if he wants to, of course ... no pressure from mom ... who would be going absolutely wild with pride) ... or doing anything he wants to do.

Living arrangements: I live with two men ... one during the week and a different one on weekends. Don't tell, okay? The weekday guy, John P., Esq., drags himself out of bed Monday through Friday, puts on his corporate clothes and shuffles out the door muttering something along the lines of, ' ... another day, another ulcer.' On Friday at precisely 5:20 p.m., though, Johnny B. walks through the front door, sheds his corporate clothes, dons his bandana, straps on his bass, and rocks out. Here he is playing to a full house of me, Cloud, and Mollie, who always hogs the front row. Johnny B. also likes to ride his badass bike, sometimes with me holding on for dear life, but loving the adrenaline rush nonetheless. Alas, on Sunday evening, it's time to say goodbye to Johnny B. for another week ... although he does sneak in from time to time on weekday evenings when John P., Esq., isn't looking. :-)

Most admired trait: I would like to think it's my ability to listen to and be supportive of the people I love. Here's one I'm still scratching my head over, though ... people I've worked with in the past often remarked that I was 'very calm' and had a calming effect on the work environment. Not sure who they were talking about there. I may have looked calm on the outside, but inside, all hell was breaking loose.

Number of sexual partners: You thought you'd just sneak this one in right in the middle of the alphabet without us noticing, didn't you? Yeah. I don't think so!

Overnight hospital stays: Only when I had Ryan, and that was in the days when they kept you for three whole nights. In fact, I was technically there for four nights, because we arrived at the hospital at about 10:30 p.m., but I wasn't fully in labor yet, so the nurse didn't officially admit me until after midnight, precisely so the clock wouldn't start ticking on my three overnights. Ryan was born that morning at 4:13 a.m.

Phobia: Probably heights, if I had to pick ... or deep water.

Quote: I'm a major quote lover/collector. A few goodies:

"Follow your own path, and let people talk." -- Dante Alighieri

"Be practical. Plan for a miracle." (... don't know where this gem came from, but it's one of my favorites)

"I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues." -- Duke Ellington

"You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself." -- Sam Levenson

"Have no fear of perfection -- you'll never reach it." -- Salvador Dali

"It takes courage to grow up and be who you really are." e.e. cummings

Religion: I began life as a Catholic, but don't participate in any organized religion nowadays. I would say the closest I've found to my own personal philosophy or worldview is the Church of Religious Science, a metaphysical church that blends the best of a lot of world religions. It's a good place with warm, open and loving people.

Siblings: One sister, Rosemary, who is four years older. She lives in Philly, works at a vet clinic, has a pet-sitting service, runs a dog rescue, and is soon going to have her own blog, too (with a banner designed by yours truly using photos of some of the dogs she's helped over the years).

Time I usually wake up: Much too early most days ... but, if I can sleep through the night, my target wake-up time is 7:00.

Unusual talent: I honestly don't think I have any. Does being able to touch the tip of your nose with your tongue count?

Vegetable I refuse to eat: There are some I've never eaten, though I'm not sure I've ever refused to ... beets and okra come to mind, but only because I saw them mentioned in other people's memes ... otherwise I would be drawing a blank on this one.

Worst habit: Buying/subscribing to too many magazines, which then pile up all over the house because I can't bear to part with them. They're like my children.

X-rays: Dental/orthodontic, and of course, the ever-lovely mammogram.

Yummy foods I make: One of my favorites is just a simple salad with red leaf lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, chick peas, croutons, and shrimp sauteed in olive oil and spices, topped with Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette. I also like to cook chili, meatballs and spaghetti sauce, and balsamic chicken. In the summer, I love making sandwiches with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil on toasted rosemary focaccia drizzled with the above-mentioned Brianna's. Oh, that and a glass of sangria while sitting on the patio, and I'm in heaven.

Zodiac sign: Leo, though I can't say I relate to much of what I read about it, leaning more toward the Virgo personality instead. I'm not too far from the cusp, so perhaps that's why. I did have my chart done, and I was told I have my Sun in Leo, Scorpio Moon and Libra Rising, which is Greek to me, but may mean something to those who know their astrology?

Okay, who wants to join the fun? A-Z anyone?

Comments

[Tammy]

http://tamberstone.blogspot.com/2006/06/me-to-z.html

I did my a-z a few days back! It's a fun one to work on!

[Rebekah]

I adore your answers! I keep learning new things about you - memes are great for that!

[tinker]

Mmm, I'm getting hungry, that sandwich sounds delicious! I wonder if Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette is available in Calif., I'll have to look into that...
Thanks for sharing a peek into your life. I loved the John, Esq/Johnny B Good analogy :)

[Melba]

Maria,
I love (now with the internet) someone can suggest a book and then I can google all about it and find not only where to buy it but other websites and information. Very Cool!

I hope your son likes Boston. There is so much to do in the city. I wish we lived closer at times. Last year for my birthday (August 8, I am a Leo too!) we went to the duckpond with the children. It was very hot, but we had a great time. This year I want to do it again and start to make a tradition out of it. They were too young last year, but now I think they are ready for the swan boats!

[Jamila]

Hey Maria,
It's always a pleasure to get back to reading your blog. I loved your a-z. I came here when I was 12 and the accent is there! Oh and I wore White Linen for eons and still have a bunch of it on my dresser but I never touch it because I don't wear perfume anymore. But I would love to find some body spritzer that smells like grapefruit, nothing but grapefruit.

Much love always,
Jamila

[Marilyn]

' ... another day, another ulcer.' My airy-fairy mother would tell John, "You probably don't want to affirm that." :) If I were to join an organized religion, I'd probably pick Religious Science, too...but just can't bring myself to...it's that word: religion. I'd much rather stick with 'spiritual.'

[Kerstin]

THAT definitely counts as a talent. Interesting about your astro chart because I, too, have a Scorpio moon and Libra rising, but with Aquarius as my sun sign. Just like with your Leo this makes for a very mixed chart. I often think, no wonder I am so confused! Or just very diverse and interesting as I've been told, and in your case this is certainly true. Leos, by the way, are known for their big and generous hearts, I'd say a quality you definitely have :)

[kat]

oo, that's fun! i may have to try that later on. :-)

just wanted to say helloooooo! xoxoxo