As per my first goal, I practiced the uke today. I now know two chords (C and G7) and can play two songs (one of which doesn't really count) like a true beginner. I don't think I'm going to go on to the next actual lesson until I've mastered the chord progressions thus far. Tis fun, though. I can't wait to do more with it.
Off hand, if you didn't see the BBC mini-series "Sherlock," then you've missed out. I watched it online, in time with them Brits, and again when it came to the states, then received the DVD for Christmas, and, ring-a-ding-ding, watched it again this morning, with my father, who rather enjoyed it. If I AND my father AND a bunch of other people around the world can enjoy it, then so can you. It's three episodes of a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. I know... it sounds like it wouldn't really work out properly, but it does, and is worked on by one of those wonderful Doctor Who boys (Stephen Moffat). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch (who you probably have never really seen before, even if he's been in a few things that you may well have seen, like Atonement) as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman (who starred in the original Office series, as well as played Arthur Dent in A Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy) as Dr. John Watson. Watch it. Thank me.
Over the past month, on Facebook, I've asked my friends and "friends" a question every day in an attempt to get to know them better. At the end of the month (today), I answered the questions there and shall post them here as well:
To all, feel free to answer these yourself in a comment or to pass it along as one of those tagging interview things. Enjoy...
Welcome to my month of getting to know you... December 1, Question 1: High salary or job satisfaction?
Job satisfaction
December 2, Question 2: What do you think about yourself and do you think people perceive you in the same way?
I think I'm weird, but cool, laid back, but hyper and sometimes unbearable, smart, but stupid, shy, but loud, and fun
3, 3: Favorite book? Why? What's it about? Least favorite book?
My favorite book is usually the one that I'm reading at the moment. Right now, I'm reading The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. It's really cool in that it's a children's book, yet it's really not at the same time. I think my least favorite books are either anything by Stephanie Meyer (though, yes, I have read all of the Twilight series) or the Between-the-Numbers books (of the Stephanie Plum books) by Janet Evanovich.
4, 4: Which TV/movie/book/play/comic/etc. character do you associate yourself with most and why?
I really don't associate myself with characters, but I do find myself associating with a lot of stand-up comics (probably because it's their job to make you think to yourself one of two things: "Oh my God! I think the same thing!" or "Oh my God! He/She's out of his/her friggin mind!").
5, 5: What type of music do you like best? Favorite bands?
It depends. I don't really listen to much modern music (or any music, really) regularly, though I do listen sporadically to Kid Rock, Good Charlotte, Blink 182, 90s pop (purely for reminiscing and fun), and classic rock. I do regularly listen to musicals and musical comedians (and sometimes TROCK) like the giant dork that I am.
6, 6: What type of movies do you like best?
It depends on my mood, but any movie that can make me walk out of the theater with a surreal feeling is good in my book (for example, True Romance, Black Swan, The Illusionist, Inglorious Basterds, etc... it can be of ANY genre)
7, 7: What makes you angry? How do you cure that anger?
stupid, ignorant people that don't listen or refuse to accept the possibility that they're wrong... yelling, breaking things, etc. (which I usually do in private/with my bff)
8: What is the best vacation you've ever been on?
oof... probably England, but then I had a fight with my h.s. bff... maybe a cruise, but then I got sea sick or had to spend too much time with my parents... maybe cape may, but... idk there're too many good times to choose from
9: What is your favorite thing to wake up to?
besides the obvious... silence? pancakes? Mmm-Bop and/or ABC?
10: Favorite sport?
BOXING!
11: If you could hang out with any three people (real, ficticious, dead, or alive), who would it be and why? What would you do?
Socrates, Jesus, and Mark Twain
runners up: Jean Valjean, young me, Charlie McDonnel, Stephen Moffat, Ron Weasly, William Shakespeare, Ben Barnes, Stephanie Meyer (so I could, yunno, kill her), Eddie Izzard, Oscar Wilde, Mohammad
12: What were you like as a child?
the same, but very different
13: If you could choose any profession (regardless of money and other such things), what would you choose?
actress
14: Are you a morning person?
I can be
15: If you could skip work for an entire day and do anything, regardless of cost, what would you do?
I'd go to Disney World and get a SUPER Fast Pass
16: Who's you're favorite blogger/vlogger (i.e. charlieissocoollike, That Guy With The Glasses, Dear Girls Above Me, etc.)?
chalieissocoollike, Dear Girls Above Me, That Guy With the Glasses, Bo Burnham, Bella bon Viveur
17: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
told my parents the truth... or anything... ever... seriously
18: Name/describe one person you love the most and one person you hate the most.
Amanda: friggin awesome... no other way to describe her... no matter what she does, I will never hate her... you'd have to meet her to understand that no description, other than what I've said, could really do justice
Lois: mom, accountant, self-proclaimed goddess
19: Who was your first crush? Where did you meet him/her? What was he/she like? Did you ever tell him/her how you felt?
Justin Barnette... met him in the first grade... he was funny, quiet, nice, and cute... I don't think I ever actually told him, but I think the rest of my class may have
20: What are your three favorite places on this Earth?
Mohonk, WPUNJ (in my special-secret-hidey places), and Sea Bright (anywhere where my parents AREN'T)
21: About relationships... What establishes a full on serious relationship? Is there anything you disapprove of? How much of an age differences is too much of an age difference? What do you think are signs that "it won't last"? etc. etc. (basically just lay out your dating philosophy)
I don't disapprove of anything, really, so long as no party is being disrespected. I used to not care about age, but it's not age so much as it is maturity... high school level shouldn't date college level, college level shouldn't date full-on profession level (unless, in all cases, they've been in the relationship from beforehand), otherwise it's like (and I know from humiliating experience), "yea come and pick me up, but don't knock because my parents are home and oh yea I have a curfew"... also if you're too sweet, you won't last
22: I have a problem with ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas... a good portion of the films that they show HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CHRISTMAS... If you were in charge, what are some Christmas movies that you'd like to see?
It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Love Actually, The Holiday, Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, While You Were Sleeping, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Jingle All The Way, Bad Santa, A Christmas Carol (any version), The Nutcracker (any version), Home Alone, The Santa Claus, The Shop Around the Corner/You've Got Mail, Rudolf/Frosty/Heat Miser/all those puppety things (not the Muppets... the "it's one foot in front of the other... and soon you'll be walkin' out the door" and "I'm Mister Heat Miser... I Mister Snow!" and "this is the island of misfit toys" movies), Borrowed Hearts, and (sorry, but) all of the Doctor Who Christmas specials
NO... I wouldn't use A Christmas Story or A Muppet's Christmas or Nightmare Before Christmas because I think those movies are creepy... hate me if you must
23: What is your ideal gift (that someone would give to you; disregard price and need... what do you WANT)?
a ukelele... I didn't even know that it was my ideal gift, but when my dad gave it to me and I literally screamed and started hyperventilating like those Nintendo 64 kids (look for it on youtube... friggin hilarious), I knew
24: What's your favorite take-out/delivery food?
Dominos
25: Why do you believe what you believe?
because it makes more sense to me than any other belief system that I've thought about
26: If you could chose any country to live in for the rest of your life (and, NO, you can't choose any country you live in now/have lived in), which would it be?
England
27: If you could choose how you would meet your future spouse, how would it be?
something clever, memorable, funny, cute (but not too cute), and face-smacking
28: Do you trust people easily?
yes, and often to my own peril
29: Do you sleepwalk and/or talk in your sleep?
uh... yes
30: What bank do you use?
TD Bank
December 31, Last question: If you could ask people around the world one question, what would it be?
it would be "If you could ask people around the world one question, what would it be?"
Now, I'm going to have a brie and cracker and pepperoni sandwich, a chocolate strawberry, and some diet coke and a bunch of water, change into my pajamas (the attempt at doing so will most likely lead to me doing some laundry FINALLY), and watch Hogswatch, just in case you were wondering.