Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Come play!

It's Wednesday which means it's time for the weekly random dozen hosted by Linda at 2nd cup of Coffee. Come play along! Answer the questions on your own blog and then link here for all the world to see.

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.)

I prefer cursive and I like my handwriting. I still like to write cards and letters and I love to get a handwritten note.

2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?

Dreamer. Totally.

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?

Oh please don't make me pick...I love their music...both of them. I think I will have to go with Billy Joel although I do love me some Elton John too...Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man...those are some of my favorite songs of all time. But...I love everything Billy Joel has ever done and he's an amazing performer too.

And I hope to goodness there aren't any comments this week about 'who is Billy Joel?'

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not limited to horror flicks but also includes ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005):
A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.

I steer clear of anything advertised as super scary. I don't mind suspense but try not to watch anything that will keep me awake at night. The first thing that popped into my head was Jaws. It can still unnerve me even though I know what's coming and the special effects are not all that great by today's standards. Still, just hearing the music play can give me a little knot in my stomach. More recently I thought Taken was pretty terrifying...particularly in the beginning when she is laying under the bed and thinks she is safe-yikes!

5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?

Not too many super scary moments for me...A few years ago I was involved in what appeared to be a very minor car accident where I was hit in the back fender. I was exiting a shopping center and was stopped, waiting to merge onto a busy road when suddenly I was hit from behind. I couldn't imagine how it had happened (broad daylight, wide open view) but I heard the tail light break and as I got out of the car to take a look the gentleman who had rammed my car charged at me. Literally. He was out of his vehicle running towards me, shouting, screaming, swearing like you have never in your life heard, made it clear he had more than a few issues with women, eyes bulging, face bright red...all directed at me except it was like he didn't really see 'me'... I was just the target. He was in an absolute total rage and it took me a second to register what was happening. At one point he jumped back into his car and came at me with the vehicle. Then he was back out again racing towards me on foot. I was shouting at my kids to lock the doors and get on the floor of the car and to call 911-I'm on the far side of the car shouting back at him...he was shaking his fist and trying to get around my car to do I don't know what and I didn't want to think about it. I was praying he didn't have a weapon because I could just see the newspaper headline, "Woman in the wrong place at the wrong time" -by now I realized he was just so full of white hot anger that he needed to let it out on somebody and unfortunately that somebody was gonna be me. While we were on the phone with 911 he suddenly had a total breakdown and flung himself across the hood of my car and started sobbing. Thankfully an off duty policeman showed up right about then...he'd heard the call and was nearby. The incident ended with the psychiatric intervention unit of the police force being called in to remove him. It was all really disturbing and in those first few minutes was really very scary.

6. What word do you misspell without fail?

I honestly cannot think of one.

7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at.

Sing. Let me just add here that the fact that I have no musical talent whatsoever does not stop me from singing. Oh no it does not. This is one of the things I'm looking forward to in heaven-I will be singing in tune : ) Thankfully my husband is very musical and my kids inherited those genes.

8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?

It depends... both work depending on why I need recharging...if I've had too much on the schedule then definitely some alone time, preferably a long soak in the tub, a good book. Recently though I haven't really had enough on the schedule and too much alone time isn't good for me either...I need my peeps.

9. Have you ever been on TV?

No. I was interviewed by BBC Radio4 for a 30 minute radio program last year though and that was fun. Especially since it was just audio and I'm pretty sure the radio doesn't add ten pounds like the tv does.

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)

Apple but only if greediness isn't an option.

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?

None at the moment...I treat myself to magazines when I'm traveling but don't currently subscribe to any. Now that we're back in the US I will probably renew my subscription to Southern Living. Yes I do know that I live in the Northeast but a girl can dream can't she.

12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?

I think Paul said it best, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

20 comments:

  1. these were some great questions this week.

    Oh.my.word. your scariest moment tops them all. I had a knot in my stomach just reading it. I am so thankful he did not have a weapon.

    Southern Living is my #1 mag. My mom gives me my subscription every year in my stocking. :)

    yep, good verse...one I keep having to learn.

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  2. Now THAT is a scary moment. Do your kids still remember it?

    I am a middle and high school choir director and I think it is crazy how many people have said music or singing as something they love and aren't good at...my belief is if you can talk you can sing...you just haven't been taught the right way to do it, that's all. I am glad that you still do it anyway it is good for you!!

    Great answers thanks for sharing!!

    Amy

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  3. Your comment about Billy Joel comments made me laugh.

    Holy moley. That scary moment would have undone me especially with kids in the car!

    Your #12 is definitely something I need to focus on daily!

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  4. When I was reading about the car accident I couldn't read fast enough to see how it turned out! You know, how sad for that man. Thanks for the reminder of #12

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  5. Wow you just never know who you will meet in traffic. I was scared for you when I read that. And I forgot about the movie "Taken." I was on edge for that entire movie and afterwards I told my kids that we would never again travel abroad.

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  6. Oh my word! Your scariest moment was freaky. I'm so glad everything worked out okay!

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  7. WOW! Your accident and the guys rage takes the prize for scary moments!

    I don't have a good voice for singing but that doesn't stop me either. I save the world from it tho by either singing when I'm alone or in church where others drown me out.

    Thanks for sharing. Blessings, SusanD

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  8. What a scary memory! Yikes! I'm with you on Jaws {saw it in the theater as a kid... might have something to do with fear of critters in the water?} and Taken!

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  9. That was indeed a scary moment!!

    Those verses are some I have to quote to myself often.

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  10. This is so interesting each week to just learn even more about you.

    All I can say is YIKES about your scary experience. I don't know what I would have done and to think the poor man had to be carted off with the men in white. Thankfully he didn't hurt you and other than being shaken up, you were all alright.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  11. #5 - Wow. So glad God protected you and the off-duty officer was nearby!

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  12. I loved reading your answers! That really must have been scary with the car accident! I´ve never experienced someone that angry in any situation.
    Nr. 12 is so right on for me too! I have a lot of learning to do... :)

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  13. Wow, that's a very scary situation!

    I could say "amen" to a lot of your answers :-)

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  14. Your scary moment freaks me out! How bizarre!

    Someone who loves her handwriting--I am so jealous!

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  15. Your scary moment scared me just reading about it!

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  16. Goodness Gracious... your scary moment far surpasses my head-on collision scary moment. I'm SO glad you & your kids were safe. Talk about God's hand of protection on you! God bless that poor man too - he must have been in some real angst to go off like that!

    It's a pleasure meeting you today... I'll be back again :-)

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  17. Great to know more about you but it seemed that your scary moment had caught our attention the most! Working with unpredictable inmates, I could just feel the fear you were in. Glad that you were okay...Blessings.

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  18. Okay, your scary moment has got to be the winner! Wow! I am so glad that it all turned out well.
    AND I happen to love my handwriting, too. Glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. :-) BUT people usually love my handwriting or tell me they can't read it. :-) Oh well.

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  19. Thanks for coming to my blog to read all my random answers, it's nice to "meet" you too! And by the way, Psalm 139 (on your blog header) is one of my most favorite passages of scripture.

    I think it's great that you still want Southern Living, even though you live in the Northeast. If my mom didn't have a subscription I'd have my own, no matter where I live.

    And I definitely have to keep re-learning the Do Not Be Anxious scripture. Anxious and me go way to well together.

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  20. #9 made me laugh about the 10 lbs.

    That scary moment is just about the scariest I've read so far. Wow.

    #12: hits home with me

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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