A Meme, A Dinner & A Movie

This is a homemade meme that I put together because I was inspired by a recent episode of Top Chef. Here's the deal:

List the items of a meal you'd prepare and use a movie as your theme. Then fellow bloggers will leave comments guessing what the movie is. Okay so here's mine - and yes, if I was on Top Chef, I'd use this for the competition.

Baby Lamp Chops smothered in caramelized Vidalia onions served along with Fava beans and a glass of Chianti.

Well, which movie was the theme for this dinner?

If you want to give it a try on your blog, please leave me a comment and let me know!

And Like a Wildfire It Did Spread

So it's been a while since there has been a meme on this blog and this next one, I believe, will have been worth the wait. This meme was first brought about into "my circle" of bloggers by Seven. Holy crap, I have a circle of blogger buds! Okay, it's more like a lopsided oval, but its mine! (Oh, and while Seven isn't officially in MY circle, she is in Sari's so she's the dot in the two overlapping circles that you saw in Statistics 101.) But I undress, I mean digress! I digress. Anyway, so Hilda picked up on it over at The Geek Inside, and then Matt picked up on it over at The Mind Wobbles. And now it's my turn! Here's the deal:

Instructions:
1. Open your music library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod, whatever)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question below, type the song that’s playing
5. New question — press the next button
6. Don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool

Here we go:

• opening credits: “Big Stick” by Bruce Hornsby - I do like the occasional well placed innuendo, even if it is based solely on fiction
• waking up: "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams - I imagine I'd might need a ride.
• first day at school: "When The Stars Go Blue" by Ryan Adams - Pardon me, I am reminding Fred, my Ipod, that by the very definition of shuffle, we shouldn't have back-to-back tracks by the same artist
• falling in love: “Shut Up” by - Direct and straight to the point, I suppose
• breaking up: “Joking” by Indigo Girls - Okay, so like, what, I don't really hate your guts?
• prom: “Girl From The North Country” by Johnny Cash - well I guess she'd be a better date than the boy from the south depot.
• life’s okay: “Gamblers Blues" by Lightnin' Hopkins - or maybe life's not okay?
• mental breakdown: “Live With Lonesome” by Little Big Town - yep, that qualifies as a reason
• driving: “Science Fiction Double Feature” by Original Broadway Cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show
• flashback: “Crazy Love” by Poco - Flashing back to Buffalo Springfield
• getting back together: “30,000 Pounds of Bananas” by Harry Chapin - There is no getting back together for the main character of this 10 minute story-song...just lots of separation and pasty fruit!
• wedding: “Fantasy Girl” by .38 Special - I married my fantasy girl!
• birth of child: "Endless Love” by Lionel Richie - Amen! Okay, in a different context, but an endless love, nonetheless
• final battle: “Middle of the Night” by Jimmy Buffett
• death scene: “Ventura Highway” by America - metaphorically speaking, I guess it could work. If I saw "Alligator lizards in the air", I would certainly hope I was dead
• end credits: “Walk Away Renee" by Vonda Shepard - damn, if only my name was Renee

Cool, huh?! Now it's your turn, if ya wanna and you know you wanna! Leave a comment for please once you've done the deed over at your blog.

Movie Quote Time

Here is a fun what the heck thing to do courtesy of Hilda.

Here are the rules as stated there:
Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
Go to IMDB and find a quote from each movie.
Post them on your blog for everyone to guess in the comments.
Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
GUESSERS: NO Googling/using IMDB search functions. I mean, you can cheat if you want, but that's no fun? One movie guess per human allowed in the comments.Aaaaaaand...ACTION!

1. Oh, that what now. I tell you what now between me and you. There is no me and you. Not no more. "Pulp Fiction", guessed correctly by Marty
2. I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand? Do you always begin conversations this way? "Princess Bride", guessed correctly by Marty
3. A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow. "Men In Black", guessed correctly by Marty
4. You don't like it, do you Rocco, the storm? Show it your gun, why don't you? If it doesn't stop, shoot it.
5. All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child ain't safe in a family of men, but I ain't never thought I'd have to fight in my own house!
6. You guys looking for something for your mom? I really don't think so...[reads her nametag]…Sue. [Astonished] You guys have... girlfriends? You know, I really wouldn't refer to a 23-year-old woman as a girlfriend... more of a lover... Lover... mistress. Sexpot. Sexpot is what she is. You guys are the ones who got beat up at the homecoming game... right? "Weird Science", guessed by Marty.
7. So, what's the deal with you two, you a couple of fags? He's my son. Yeah, how'd that happen? You don't look Japanese. Neither does he. He looks Chinese. Oh, well pardon me all to hell.
8. Now, she should be good-looking, but we're willing to trade looks for a certain... morally casual attitude.
9. PROSTITUTION! But what does that mean really? Sometimes it helps to understand a word if you break it down, so let's do that now shall we? Pros... it doesn't mean anything, you can forget about that... Tit, I think we all know what that means, Tu, two tit and TION of course, from the Latin to shun... to say uh-uh no thank you anyway I don't want it, to push away... it doesn't even belong in this word really.
10. You ever take a dump made you feel like you'd just slept for twelve hours?
    

Please play along and let me know if decide to come up with quotes on your blog!

You in Six Words

I got this from Hilda, who got it from a friend...based on Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.

So can you tell your story in six words? If you want to play, let me know in my comments.

Here's mine: Looking for growth every single day.

A [easy] Book Meme

I got this meme from the Queen of Meme** Hilda. So, here's the deal:

> Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more - No cheating.
> Turn to page 123 and find the first five sentences.
> Now post the next three sentences.
> The fun begins - - tag some people to play along.

** Disclaimer: This title is limited to bloggers currently living in the U.S. - I wouldn't want to cross Dixie!

The book is "The Book of Inside Information" with no author specified. It just says "By the Editors and Experts of Bottom Line Personal". Page 123, sentences 6,7 and 8:

How it works: In addition to its regular group term insurance, the company buys a post-retirement live reserve policy for an executive. The money paid for this policy each year goes to fund a tax-free trust that earns interest.

Okay, so do I win something for what no doubt will be the lamest entry?

As usual, I won't tag anyone - if you want to play please let me know in my Comments.

Imagine That!

I was just having lunch with a coworker and we were discussing childhood aspirations that start out with, "When I grow up, I want to be a ...". He asked me what I wanted to be when I was a kid and it was a tough question.

I can recall wanting (for a while) to be a cross-country truck driver. I think that we can thank BJ and the Bear for that insightful career choice. I mentioned to my coworker that I was attracted to the travelling and, even back then, was a big fan of truck stop menu fare. He then asked if I made all important decisions based on food....well, I am overweight - duh. Although...point taken.

I then remembered that I had sent for, and received oddly enough, an application packet for the CIA. But I never did anything with it.

I was at odds trying to think of an actual career choice or dream job that I had wanted growing up. All I could tell him was that I dreamed of being in meetings where folks wore suites, shook hands, and say at big oval conference tables. I also imagined having a job where writing would be a large part of it. My coworker looked at me like I should've had a V8. My current job and where I have been for 14 years, is as a business analyst. My role is to help with the creation of projects that will help the company reach it's goals, in where I have to be meetings constantly and I have to write documentation that captures the project requirements. Well, spank me and call me Sally...I'll be a monkey's uncle chauffeur driving an 18 wheeler.

Mini-Meme: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Scattegories, the Blogsphere Addition!

Tomorrow night is game night and in honor of that, here is a posting that I borrowed from Hilda

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl and no combination words (only one word)!!!
If you wanna play, leave me a note in my Comments section.

1. What is your name: Troy
2. 4 letter word: taut
3. Vehicle: truck
4. City: Toledo
5. Boy's Name: Theo
6. Girl's Name: Tawanda
7. Alcoholic drink: Tequila
8. Occupation: Technician
9. Something you wear: TiresHat
10. Celebrity: Twiggy
11. Food: Tomatos
12. Something found in a bathroom: Toilet
13. Reason for Being Late: Tardiness
14. Cartoon character: Tweety
15. Something You Shout: Taxi!
16. Animal: T-Rex
17. Body part: Thyroid
18. Word to describe you: Thoughtful

New Year-ish Meme

This is supposed to be a New Years Meme, but seeing as how my source and inspiration for this meme, and all memes, didn't post it until a few day ago...well, betther late than never.

I am reaching out in the blog-a-sphere trying to make new friends, so this member will give them a chance to know a little more about moi!

If you want to play, let me know in my comments.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Introduced our 3 year old to his little brother.

2. Did you keep last year's new years' resolutions, and did you make more for 2008?
I didn't do New Year's resolutions last year, but I did this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?
My wife. That's pretty close. :-0

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandma's boyfriend - the family feels that she is better off.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just the one in which I live - unfortunately.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Hair? That's not going to happen.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory?
10/12/07 - the birth of our second son.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
See # 7. Okay, ladies, I realize it's a bigger achievement for my wife, but it's like they say
in the commercial..."It's Shake'N'Bake, and I helped!".

9. What was your biggest failure?
I stopped riding my bike regularly.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a hernia operation.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
An iPod.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My toddler. I know I may jinx it, but that kid has a heart of gold.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
People did things that I didn't agree with, but that doesn't make it appalling.

14. Where did most of your money go?
See # 1.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
See # 1.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
The song they played whenever an American Idol contestant was voted off: "Home" by
Chris Daughtrey

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner
c) richer or poorer? Richer - but just barely

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Getting annoyed.

20. How did you spend Christmas 2007?
With friends & family.

[21 is missing. Couldn't be bothered to stick around, apparently.]

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes, I did. His name is Dylan.

23. How many one-night stands?
I stood for a night.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
I can't pick just one.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.

26. What was the best book you read?
Shadow of the Wind.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Johnny Cash. I had sworn off country music a decade ago without ever hearing this man.
A coworker turned me on to him in '07.

28. What did you want and get?
See # 1.

29. What did you want and not get?
Nothing. Well, if I had to pick SOMETHING, it would be a chance to visit with my
deceased brother.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Happyness - I'm sure there were better films out there but this was a slow movie year for us.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We watched the Super Bowl. I turned 35.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Connecting with others on a deeper level.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
What's that?

34. What kept you sane?
What's that?

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy? Not so much. I admired Sydney Potier. Though I must say that Jillian from this season of Project Runway is pretty cute (Ummm, my wife makes watch?).


36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I agree with Hilda...The war in Iraq

37. Who did you miss?
My brother. It's been 22 years.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
See # 1.

39. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2007?
To strive to be less controlling, less judgemental, and more forgiving. Man, I have a lot of work to do!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums 2007.
"What a looooooooong strange trip it's been."

Another Meme from "The Mind Wobbles"

I got this from my friend at The Mind Wobbles - respond to each with "I would", "I wouldn't" or "I have".

Touch a snake - I have
Ride in a hot-air balloon - I would
Sky dive - I have
Scuba dive - I havet
Sing in front of a huge audience - I have (poor souls they were!)
Sit in the front of a roller coaster - I have
Walk through a graveyard alone at night - I would
Join a space mission - I would
Call off a wedding - I would
Walk naked through a crowded city - How much would you pay me not to?
Disarm a bomb - I wouldn't
Clean the outside windows on a skyscraper - I wouldn't
Go on tour with a rock band - I wouldn't
Go skinny dipping in mixed company - I have
Heckle a comedian at a comedy club - How much liquor is involved?
Eat something really gross - I wouldn't

The Joy That Is...

10. A cold beer on a hot day.
9. Knowing the answer to Final Jeopardy.
8. Waking up thinking its a weekday only to realize that it is Saturday.
7. Cuban coffee so good that it turns a dull grey morning into a bright yellow.
6. Catching all the green lights down US 1.
5. Finding a curled up twenty in my jeans.
4. Getting my work done on time.
3. My son running to great me when I pick up at daycare
- complete with "DAAAAAAAAAADY!" that lasts the whole way.
2. Finding the love of my life curled up in my lap.
1. Knowing that I belong where I am as who I am.

Yep, it's a MEME. Those are my top 10 ten Joys. What are yours?