I had my midterm in Shiatsu yesterday. It was great; so far, this is definitely my favorite type of massage to give. I like it because I feel good giving it. It was a great experience working on my instructor yesterday.

At the end of class, he gave us an assignment. Of course as soon as he said "paper," I told myself that I would start it today. S has to work all day and night so I have no excuse to avoid working on it.

Have I started yet? Sort of - I've been reading here and there and trying to organize my thoughts.

I know myself though; I just need to start writing. That's what brings me here. It is my goal to get through at minimum, my first draft of the paper.

Check on me.

This isn't a "real" journal is it? If it were, I would talk more about some serious issues. Instead, I tend to discuss things like traffic or paper napkins versus cloth.

What's on my mind lately? That legal term, marriage. I'll just say this for now, you can keep your definition of marriage. Do you really think that is the issue?

It's already Thursday and I haven't done Monday Madness - I've had plenty opportunity... I guess I'll do it now.

For the following statements, fill in the blank with a word (or words) that begins with the letter I give you. Let's have some fun!!

1. If I could win on Survivor simply by being myself and living life there as I believe (and try to do) it should be lived everyday, I'd be so happy!

2. Maybe one day I will try my hand at cooking.

3. Before I started blogging, I used to spend a lot of time talking to people online whom I didn't yet know. That's not such a bad thing by the way. Balance is everything in everything though!

4. Linda sure makes me scared! Just kidding seester! (the) Fact is lizards don't scare me either, but those are the only two words that came to mind with "L."

5. If I could fly, I would fly all around the world. That is if I could fly - you know, me --- not in an airplane.

6. If more people were less narrow-minded, the world would be a better place.

7. I thought this meme was a little strange this week. (maybe it was just me though.)

Otto had a new idea this week.......First of all, pick a letter, any letter.................Got one? Yup, I picked Z. Ok. For the following questions, all your answers must begin with the letter you just thought of. (Honor system here, my friends!) Have fun with it!

1. Name two types of food that you could care less if you ever ate again.
Zucchini and a "zero" candy bar (remember them?)

2. Name one animal.
Zebra

3. List three words to describe yourself.
Zany, Zealous and Zestful

4. Name two things you might find at a zoo.
a Zebra of course and a maybe a Zebu

5. Name three things you might find living in the water.
Zebra fish, Zany mermaid, or a Zealous shark - that one wasn't so easy.

That was a nice diversion from what I came here to do. Thanks Otto!

I was cruising down 805 (Californians say "the 805") going south from school to home. How odd, I thought that traffic was so jammed on a Saturday afternoon. Certainly it isn't because it's Valentine's day. Well, at least it keeps moving.

Finally, I am able to see why traffic was jammed. There was a Wells Fargo truck upside down on the other side of the median! Traffic was jammed on my side only due to the curious (and stupid) mind of the drivers. There is no other explanation. This happens often. Why? Why is it that way here? I have not seen this type of behavior (to this extreme) in any other state. Will I too become feeble minded if I stay in this state too long?

I have to tell you something................

I've been watching the Bachelorette and.................

tonight's show was good! Meredith met the final four guys' families. One of the guys is named Lanny; he's a horse breeder and evidently comes from a very religious background. He seemed like a great guy... then....it was time to meet the family.

His mom is a Bit much!!!!

I was very relieved when Meredith just "had to" say goodbye to Lanny.

From Otto's Monday Madness, I have the following sentences to finish; of course I usually elaborate.

1. On Sunday afternoon, I like to chill out - by going to a movie, a park, or just walking a lot in the beautiful weather. One of these days I'm going to take Bravo to the dog wash - it's a social event!

2. I'm behind someone at a traffic light, the light turns green and they just sit there, I usually give them a few seconds while saying, "come on sweetie, let's go" with a little wave of my hand. If that doesn't do it, i tap the horn.

3. My immediate reaction to someone making a nasty remark to me is "whoa, where did that come from" because there is no way I could have done anything to deserve it.

4. If I had to live in a state/country where it was cold most of the year, I wouldn't. I just cannot really answer this one; why would I have to live there? am I not in charge of my own life?

5. When the weather outside is hot and humid, I prefer to continue doing whatever. I lived in a very humid area and I sweat; I like to sweat. I hate to freeze!

6. My favorite 'comfy' clothes to wear around the house are either my PJ's or sweats and a t-shirt or shorts and a t-shirt depending on the time of year. Right now I'm in sweats and a t-shirt. Of course I also have on my little sleeping bags for my feet otherwise known as cozy slippers.

7. If given a deadline at work/school to finish a project, I usually wait last minute to actually do it. I alway think it over a lot from the original time it was assigned though.

8. If someone gave me a pet for my birthday, I would graciously give it back and wonder why they did that. It's not a good idea to give people pets for holidays or birthdays. Somebody did give me a dog once; I was living in my first apartment in Florida. No pets allowed! I didn't have him long, but his name was buddy.

9. I don't watch the clock on weekends; I really don't even watch it during the week unless I'm bored in class and want it to end. I only use the clock to make sure I'm always early. If you're not early, you're probably late.

10. I usually wash my car whenever the dirtiness just bugs the heck out of me. It's not as easy where I live now as it was in Georgia.

Stranger Danger

The recent case in Florida brought this to mind.

I think Dad was always giving his 6 girls survival tips; I still carry my car key between my fingers (ready to poke an eye out) whenever I walk to my car. I find myself doing this even in broad daylight with no concerns of danger.

I don't recall specifically having a code word or anything. I don't even recall specific topics on strangers talking to us. What I do recall is an incident that I think Otto may also recall.

Otto and I were young, not yet in the teens and we were in the front yard playing. Someone slowed down in their car and stopped to yell to us something like this; 'hey, why don't you two get the newspaper for you parents.' My memory has me and Otto quickly looking at each other, not saying a word, and running to the house.

That could have been ...., but we had it in our heads to run from strangers.

Thanks Mom and Dad for being such great parents! I Love YOU!

What is your opinion on cloth napkins at the dinner table?

They bug me! I don't like them for a couple of reasons.......

Imagine, you're eating something that requires you to wipe your hands many times; ribs for example. I wipe my hands and having earned a B in etiquette, I put the napkin back on my lap. Eeeew! My concern is some of that sauce getting on my clothes. Cloth napkins are not as absorbent as paper ones; therefore, the ick is more likely to get on my clothes along with requiring more effort on getting it off my hands.

My questions to you are: have you ever used cloth napkins at a dinner party that you hosted?
Have you ever thought about this before?
Do cloth napkins bother you too?

from Monday Madness!

1. I spend more time than I need to on the computer every day.
2. It always takes me just a matter of minutes to get ready in the morning, but some times I don't "get ready" until later.
3. I would rather go to the dentist than go to Iraq
4. My favorite dessert is ice cream with caramel topping and nuts - let's add a banana too; is that a sundae?
5. When I go to the store for one item, I always walk out with about two or three and sometimes nothing; if I don't find the one I was looking for, I usually leave with nothing - unless I was looking for food; you can always find a substitute for food.
6. If the statement, 'You are what you eat' was true, today I would be pure sugar.
7. I set my thermostat to ? in the summer and ? in the winter.
8. My favorite outdoor activity is enjoying the outdoors usually walking.
9. My favorite indoor activity is chillin'.
10. When I'm feeling down, I usually eat and sleep.