"I WAS DETAINED"

Let's play Yay/Oy Vey. I play this every day, and it's great. Okay, this is how you play: Make two lists about your day, on your blog, on paper, or just in your mind, how I usually do. One is the "yay" list. The other is the "oy vey" list. Whichever list is longer tells you the kind of day you had: A Yay Day or an Oy Vey Day. Ready? Great. Let's play.

Yay: I finally got some actual sleep last night and slept like the dead. Just out. I woke up feeling like a million dollars.

Oy Vey: I left my apartment this morning and was greeted by two evangelist types in front of my building door. Now, my building has a little sidewalk area between the front door and the actual sidewalk, so I needed these two dude to scoot in order to get past them. But, that wasn't a goal for them. They asked me (well, one of them did all the talking, the other guy just sort of sat there with his mouth hanging open like a big oaf) if my plans for the weekend included Jesus Christ. Pardon? No, but that sounds romantic, though, I said in a har, har, very funny, now let me past kind of way. But again, not on the agenda. So, he keep at it, I keep my lid on but firmly let him know he wasn't helping matters by detaining me and would he please let me pass? He stuck his arms out, as if on the cross himself, almost, to stop me from passing by. So, that's it. I love to discuss religion, especially with people of different religions, but I don't like being told what to do, I don't like being told what I feel or believe is wrong and bad ("It's not your fault you're a Jew, but the good news is that there's still time to turn your life around and come to Christ. It's not too late." he tells me, as if Jewish is an affliction.), and I sure don't like being physically prevented from doing something as simple as leaving my own home. So, what choice did I have but to grab my BlackBerry and announce I was about to call the cops. That gained me my exit.

Yay: I glanced back as I was clearing the building and saw them stuffing a bunch of crap, way beyond just a pamphlet and a free bible mind you, like wads and wads of printed paper into the mailbox of the first floor peeps (the apartment, to be exact, that always smells like someone took a giant shit, so I found this part rather funny).

Oy Vey: Then, I realize these dudes have cohorts at my neighbors buildings, too, both sides. Weird. I don't even know what group they were with, not Mormon, though they did have the trademark short-sleeve-and-tie-combo (with cute "inspirational slogan" long sleeve thermals underneath and scarves with crosses on them), not any group I'd ever heard of, to tell you the truth. I don't know which group they were with other than the first church of "Bouta Getcherself Beatup". Man, when are these dudes going to catch on that I'll sit and talk religion and spirituality with them all freakin' day if they approached wanting to have a conversation? Toolsheds. So, anyway, FYI there Chicagoans. About that.

Yay: I made a nice pot of spicy southwestern corn chowder because it is so cold here in Chicago tonight.

Oy vey: I'm not going to name names, but let me tell you something. I don't have much of a temper, but I do not get played like a bitch. Manipulating people for one's own professional gain makes one a terrible person, makes one's karma bad and when the truth comes out, which it always does, nobody looks like an idiot but the offender and it makes said person horribly untrustworthy. Also, throwing someone, an innocent someone, under the bus because one is too big of a wimp to stand by something one has said or written, well, that just makes one a pussy, doesn't it? Yeah, I think so, too. Don't bullshit me or the people I care about, are we clear? Great!

Yay: Pilcrow Lit Fest is coming together really nicely, you guys. Just today I heard about some wonderful folks who want to make the trip out and that makes me very, very glad.

Oy Vey: My shower is now not draining.

Yay: I get to start hanging out with Baby Neptune again every week.

Yay: The editing mojo is going well for Katie Schwartz's book-to-be and I'm super excited about it.

Yay: The other night, I saw a bullet and a tiny origami crane together in a tiny cup and I hope I see that on a bookcover one day. I also hope I figure out how to fold a origami crane that tiny.

See, three "Yay" in a row. So, it's a Yay Day.

"HOW I LOVE ALL OF THE VERY SIMPLE THINGS OF LIFE"

I woke up this morning, just a bit ago, and stood looking out my window at this weird icy-looking fog (incidentally, the word of the day in my email inbox was pogonip)and no signs of life. I live on a busy street, so I usually have cars zipping past day and night. But, it was quiet, tranquil, really, and Kitty and I stood looking out the window for several minutes before we saw anyone else stir.

Remember last year, how I shared, for the first time ever, my annual list. Well, I thought that was a good thing, so I'm doing it again. Feel free to read the list of things about me from last year, if you missed it or would care for a refresher. My feelings won't be hurt if you skip it, though.

So, this list is an annual tradition for me. I make a big list of some kind. Some years, it is a list of things I want to make happen in the year ahead. Sometimes, it's things I learned in the previous year. This year, I don't have a plan or theme, really. I'm just jotting things as they come to mind. in any case, thank you for indulging my 2008 list.

1. I still did not tackle SCUBA or Tango this year, but I learned more about them and will certainly attempt both. Maybe this year. Probably next. This year is already got some major projects in store for me, and I think I'm about finished with the "not taking time to chill" routine. So, in the name of not packing my schedule to the gills, I might wait another year. but, you never know.
2. I conquered my fear of schmoozing in 2007. A book called The Art of Mingling helped more than I thought it ever would. So did getting fed up with clamming up in social situations.
3. I look at love a lot differently than I did last year.
4. I got three new tattoos this year, all in support of the big quarter-backpiece that'll be all over my right shoulder. After I started tattooing items and images I love there, I realized that they're all creative/positive rather than destructive/negative. And I was glad about that. I have several more tattoos get to finish it completely.
5. Katie Schwartz taught me the greatest trick for getting through having blood drawn. I still dread it, but it's doable now thanks to her and a special good luck charm I found in the dirt at my grandparent's place.
6. I think it's a good idea to wear something expensive if it quietly makes you feel fantastic and gorgeous and confident when you wear it. But I think it's absolutely awful to wear something expensive just for the sake of saying you can afford it or to discuss the label. Also, not being objective or thinking critically about fashion (wearing something because it's by a certain designer and not stopping to think it might be garish or ostentatious) is a little pitiful and fashion-slavey to me.
7. I figured out how to keep up with my phone better: get a BlackBerry and put my whole life on it. Funny how I misplace it way less than I did the shitty cheap phone I used to have.
8. I hate smoking more than ever after that needle-in-boob and needle-in-lung situations this summer. Years ago, when I smoked, I used to think smoking bans were an infringement, but I can't wait for the Illinois smoking ban now. I don't get mad at smokers, though. I don't think smokers are bad people, like some do. I'm just afraid for them.
9. I'm still afraid of dying too soon or meeting a violent end. I probably always will be afraid of that.
10. I can tell there is less kitten in my cat this year but I still talk to him like he's a baby and sing "kittenROOO!" at him all the time. He's a chatty cat and if you stand there and ask him baby-voice questions (Are you a good kitten? Do you want a treat? Who is mama's little snuggleroo?) he'll just meow and meow. That cat wants to talk.
11. I love Canada more than I did last year, made some new Canadian friends and now have a favorite bar and diner in Sault St. Marie. My favorite cafe is still that one in Montreal, though.
12. You guys are not going to believe all of the whopper mega-bombs I toss your way in 2008. I couldn't be more excited about this very full year ahead. Be patient. I'll tell yas when I can tell yas.
13. The year ahead is a full one, but I learned to build in some space to chill. 2007 was too busy and it made for some long stretches of rushing around and working too much and suddenly realizing weeks had gone by. I'm human though, so maybe I'll always have to remind myself that it's okay to stop and chill.
14. I am so happy to be where I am right now.
15. I think I'm going to sleep more in 2008. I might as well get a new bed. I learned in 2007 that bamboo sheets are really great. I'll stick with them, I think.
16. I'm going to buy myself a new desk this year. I can't bear this alley-rescued chair and $5 thrift store tiny, wobbly desk with a piece of folded paper under the front leg much longer. The rest of my furniture is pretty nice but then this awful desk and chair are like the rednecks of furniture. All I could do to make them redneckier would be to maybe just put them on cinderblocks or add NASCAR stickers.
17. I think that George Duran has a good idea going with his SMART goals. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) And that makes me want to work smarter not harder this coming year.
18. I wish language wasn't so exaggerated anymore. You didn't "literally" watch a movie a "million times" and your bad date likely didn't make you want "go on a killing spree". Also, not everything/everyone you are fond of is "amazing", and unpleasant things don't have to all "frighten small children" or "small woodland creatures" make you want to "commit a violent act" or whatever. It's almost like things that used to be funny occasional exaggerations suddenly went everywhere and they stopped being used as funny exaggerations but as things said without thought. I think you can say funny and sarcastic things and say the truth of things, too. In fact, I think plain truth is funnier. Also, when describing something unpleasant, say being under the weather for a couple of days, it doesn't have to be that you were "violently ill" because just "being sick" is enough of a reason to cancel plans/call in sick/whatever. You know? Or maybe I'm just tired of the same old expressions and am eager for something new.
19. I, literally, have said that a hundred times.
20. I'm going to call 2008 The Year of The Forch.
21. I'm having an important birthday this spring. Important being generally defined as either ending in a 5 or a 0. I've downplayed a lot of birthdays, but I think I'm going to whoop it up a little for this one. I'm excited for the birthday and for the whooping it up. I never once heard either of my parents complain about a birthday, in fact quite the opposite, so I am happy to take the years as they come.
    
22. Never having walked your mile, I'll never call you or anyone else a baby or tell you you're too young to understand something. I did a few things in my life on a different schedule and felt dismissed and judged when people said that to me. So, I'll not say it. That said, I know some wonderfully self-aware and thoughtful teenagers and some full-on disconnected, immature jackasses in their 30s and 40s (and beyond) so I do reserve the right to deal according to that. I'll rarely ask anyone how old they are, either. Mainly because I don't care about that.
    
23. I like Freecycle a lot. It feels good to get rid of things and know the things are going to people who really want them.
24. I love Post-its. I love lists. I really love seeing my posted Post-Its decreasing in number and seeing lines through my lists.
    
25. Cleaning types of books are like porn to me. I just can't think when a mess around me, sure, but also, I find it really satisfying to clean. It's almost like meditating to me. When I stand back, having cleaned my whole house, I'm really relaxed having done the cleaning.
26. I started going grey in high school. I decided to let it go a few months ago and stopped coloring my hair, hoping to let it go salt and pepper then gradually get lighter and lighter. I have since modified that plan. I didn't realize just how grey I'd be. One thing at a time, people. One thing at a time. I have the rest of my life to be a silverhead.
27. Right now, I think my tolerance for bullshit is at an all-time low. I still believe people have unlimited potential. I still believe kindness is the greatest virtue. I just don't believe some people care much about anyone but themselves, though they might claim otherwise. And, what's the use of being around types like that? They'll suck you dry and clean you bones if you let them.
28. I've never kept many photographs displayed in my house, but I'm finding myself doing that more and more.
29. My in-between length hair is driving my crazy. But I'm not cutting it. Not just yet. I want to see if I can still pull off long hair at all anymore.
30. I am such a scent and light person. Rooms with garlicky foods, good perfume and wine smells plus low lighting are so gorgeous to me. I think they remind me of the restaurants/clubs my Dad used to work for when I was growing up.
31. I hope I take a big trip this year to someplace I've never been before.
32. Never, ever, ever say never. I'm surprised by the words I've eaten.
33. I think it is rather unforch that here we are in an era where we have greater access to information than ever and most people are too lazy to research and make decisions, but rather prefer to follow buzzwords and catchphrases and fall victim to bandwagonism.
    
34. It astounds me the amount of things people think they know about Jews. The myth of the shagging through a hole in the sheet is just the tip of the iceberg, folks.
35. I found the greatest diner this month. Full breakfast and coffee for about $3. I don't want to tell you where it is and if you stalk me to breakfast, I'm going to be more than a little bit cross at you. But this diner makes me believe in a whole list of warm-fuzzy things.
    
36. I still wish I sang for a little alt-country band.
    
37. Last week, I had zero bottles of wine in the house and thought, "I should fill that wine rack to start the new year." Today, I have a full wine rack and a few extras thanks mostly to nice gifts.
    
38. A few times a year, I give my place a good clean, I stock my pantry, I give my stuff the shakedown. My birthday/Passover, Rosh haShanah and New Years Eve. There's something nice and tabula rasa about those occasions and I like to start on the right foot.
39. As much as I have zero desire to be in the military, I don't necessarily think required service for a brief period (that many countries have as a policy) is a terrible idea because I think our elected leaders would see and use the military differently and hopefully more sparingly if their own children were going to have to be or were part of it. That said, I think we'd be in real trouble if Jenna and Barbara Bush were defending the country.
    
40. I hope this time next year, I know how to do something that I can't do now.
41. I hope this time next year, my French is better.
42. I think there is a difference between discussing and arguing and that discussing is a lost art.
43. I still think you can't be too much of a shit if you love and can quote the Simpsons. I also still believe that there is a Simpsons quote for any occasion.
    
44. Just because I haven't told you off doesn't mean I like you. I might just not see the value in telling you off.
45. Just because I disagree with you doesn't mean I don't like you or even love you to shreds. That was not a shout-out to anyone.
    
46. I hope animals think humans are complete idiots.
    
47. Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins is still my favorite book, just like it has been since I read it about seventeen years ago.
    
48. I use cloth dinner napkins, but I don't think I would use cloth diapers if I had a kid. I am trying to use/eat/wear/apply/buy fewer and fewer chemicals, and I am hung up on bleach. I like bleach a lot. I'll find an alternative.
49. I don't think any of us are as non-conformist as we think we are or wish we were.
    
50. If nothing else, I am resourceful. I always find a way to make things work. Always have.
    

"ASK ME, UH-HO-HO, ASK ME"

Ten Things I Wish I Had Today:

1. A foreign accent
2. A new desk and chair
3. A bigger and better kitchen trash can
4. More of a green thumb
5. More patience with toggle bolts
6. A movie camera
7. Swords without double edges
8. Backup singers to follow me around
9. A magic truth potion
10. A laundry intern

"AND IF YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS TO SPARE, THEN I'LL TELL YOU THE STORY OF MY LIFE"

I have a little to say about many things. A list:

My friend Hippie split with her hubby. She's taking it well. She is a human being, and it's a hard time for her, but she's also one of the most together and emotionally-healthy people I've ever met, so she is dealing. Oy. Poor thing. But, what was she going to do? Sometimes life deals you an outrageously shitty turn of events and you have to do the right thing, even when it kills you.

My tattoo area is healing nicely. A few folks have seen a photograph of a phase of the process. I'll put something up here (to impress everyone senseless) once it's in a little bit better shape. (For tattoo virgins, fyi, sometimes they look kind of gross for a few days after you get them. Tattoos. Not virgins.)

I finished Jennifer Paddock's Point Clear this morning, which I enjoyed. It was calm, it was familiar, and touching and sentimental and personal. It was like hanging out with an old, calm friend. This author (who I met, sat on a panel with and hung out with a bit in New Orleans a few weeks ago) is also incredibly kind, funny and smart, so that's all the more reason you might just want to buy her book and show her some love. Good book. Good person. There you have it.

I had a painfully fancy dinner thing last night, with seven courses of vegetarian greatness. I wore a suit, even. You'd be impressed! I shot a quick pic when I came in, because, uh, how often is yours truly in the good suit and diamond earrings? Not often. You might not have even believed me had I not thought to create photographic evidence. Anyway, there you have it. I clean up okay.

Midget pARTs is in town from Canada, spreading tons of Canadian cheer around Chicago. I, of course, have benefitted greatly from his arrival in the way of t-shirts and lapel pins. You should hook yourself up there, too. He has marvelous postcards, delightful buttons (I have, easily, two dozen of these), spectacular artwork, and completely wicked awesome t-shirts (I have the Joe Strummer and the Monk ones and have started blatant begging to see if a Morrissey design might one day exist). Again, good person. Good stuff. There you have it.

Tomorrow (Monday), I have a series of pics going up in a Kurt Vonnegut tribute of jackassery. Authors and Their Assholes. So it goes.

"AS I LIVE AND BREATHE, YOU HAVE KILLED ME"

Every year on New Years' Eve, or New Year's Day, I write some kind of inventory. I think about the past year, good and bad, successes and failures, wrong turns and happy accidents and then I think about what I want the coming year to look like, how I hope for it to manifest and what I want to learn, accomplish and experience. During Chanukkah, I found a really cool list that the lovely, sassy and wonderful Ms. Sizzle created. She wrote 100 things about herself in a refreshingly unapologetic, humorous and sweet way and I wanted to try to do the same.

2006 was a pretty great year for me. My novel came to life thanks to James at So New Publishing. I traveled a lot to promote it. I worked on learning to stop more and listen to myself better. I took good care of myself spiritually. I had a really great birthday. I quit being shy about how much I like Jazz. I did a lot of colorful things to my hair. I stood up for myself when I needed to. I made a lot of new friends. I cut through some nonsense with old friends. I took care of things that needed to be taken care of. I took care of myself. I said no when I meant no and said yes when I meant yes.

So, for the first time ever, I'm sharing my New Year Inventory and plunking it right out there in the blogosphere. I've never ever shared one of these in my life, but new year, new idea.

1. I have worn glasses since I was 9 or 10. My opthamologist sees (har har) reading glasses in my near future, and lately, I think she might be right.

2. I have a big scar on my left thigh near my hip from a burn, and a scar on the back of my left hand from a stab wound. Yes, a stab wound.

3. I once wanted to be an ice skater, once wanted to be a pilot, but I always wanted to be a writer.

4. I think my feet, my collar bone and nose are all pretty.

5. No matter how many pushups I do or do not do, I just don't love my upper arms. The rest is okay with me, though.

6. I am a good singer and sing all the time to the slight irritation of those around me regularly, I'm sure.

7. I like kayaking and love canoeing, but don't do either one very often.

8. I really want to learn how to SCUBA and tango. Not at the same time.

9. I am horribly bad at relaxing. I always have to feel like I'm doing something. When I try to just sit and do nothing, I feel like I'm wasting precious time.

10. I feel like a fierce g-ddess when I run five to ten miles in the middle of nowhere to great music. Eh, I feel pretty great when I have a good run on the treadmill, too.

11. Irish drinking songs, klezmer music, red Gatorade and Nutter Butters get me through a run if I'm struggling. Sometimes, though, I call it a bad running day and abort the mission.

12. The combination of smells of warm garlicky foods, nice perfume, coffee and wine makes me feel snug and happy because it reminds me of when I was a little girl and hanging around the swanky restaurants/clubs my dad worked in.

13. I have been an insomniac my entire life but having my eyebrows or hairline touched puts me right to sleep.

14. When I was little, my dad used to make "monster repellant" for me for nights he'd work late, consisting of water, lemons and his cologne. I would not go to sleep without giving the room a good spritz and roaring back at the monsters waiting to get me.

15. My dad taught me how to tell a story and how to negotiate, my mom taught me to appreciate nice little things like good perfume, girly candles and crossword puzzles.

16. I hold people to their word.

17. I don't cope well with "things said in anger" because I believe that deep down, they must be believed to be said.

18. I develop sort of a platonic crush on everyone I meet and connect with, male and female, based on their quirky, unique stuff.

19. I'm probably way too tolerant of peoples' quirks because I usually find them endearing and feel really hurt when I don't feel that wiggle room back in return.

20. I have a world of respect for my younger brother intellectually, I think he's one of the most intelligent people I've ever met, but I think he is a lousy speller.

21. I consider my younger brother a good friend and a really good person with great karma.

22. I am confident in front of a large crowd, or being tactful in a heart-to-heart, but terrible in schmoozy small group situations. I'm working on that.

23. I'm terrible in schmoozy situations because I hate answering the question, "So, what have you been up to?" as much as I hate, "So, how is work going?" because I work really, really hard to make sure things work out. But, talking about working hard to make sure things work out feels like bragging so I hate it.

24. I love dressing up.

25. The act of cleaning is extremely satisfying to me.

26. I'm a great cook but I suck at seasoning Chinese food.

27. I am mezmerized by shiny things. Uh, much like my cat.

28. I love spoiling my cat and babytalking him.

29. Favorite dayjobs have included construction, housepainting, housekeeper and coat check lady.

30. I hate disappointing people, including myself.

31. I had a mini-freakout when I was in my early twenties and feeling burned-out from doing too much and taking too much shit.

32. I dislike roses, but love dogwood flowers.

33. In late 2004, my car was hit by a giant pickup truck and my injuries made my knee completely different ever since, no matter how strong I make it. It's just different.

34. I lost a family member in a DUI accident and feel really strongly about drunk driving as a result.

35. There was a double-homicide in my family in the late 80s that remains unsolved.

36. I'm really glad I'm so intuitive and have learned to trust it more and more as I get older.

37. I'm bad about asking for help when I really need it.

38. I secretly like it when people just understand that I'm bad about asking for help and just help me anyway.

39. When I ask for help that involves information (rather than something like, "Hey, can you help me lift something heavy?") I feel threatened and then spend a little time afterwards convincing myself that I'm not an idiot just because I don't know everything there is to know.

40. I worry about bringing people down with too much seriousness. I think that is why I like to make people laugh.

41. I'm not afraid of death, only of dying too soon or meeting a violent end.

42. My great-grandmother was alive until 2001. Lots of women live a long time on both sides of my family. Probably out of spite.

43. Cattiness and competitiveness from other women makes me walk away sad.

44. I had three imaginary friends when I was a kid. One lived in the dryer, one was a ghost in the walls and one was a king.

45. I get tons of pleasure out of refilling things like soap dispensers, paper towels, cracker canisters and such.

46. I swear a lot and don't feel badly about that and I feel really insulted when people warn me to not swear in situations where swearing isn't, say, de riguer, as if I have no sense of judgement.

47. I crave salty/crunchy things when I am anxious like pickles, Cheese-Its, olives, tortilla chips, etc.

48. I have tattoos and want more of them.

49. I scream like a five-year-old when confronted with insects, but I respect their right to exist and won't kill them.

50. My favorite perfume is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, but Chanel Chance will do in a pinch. Lately I've been getting into Vera Wang, though, too.

51. My favorite store is Anthropologie, but vintage/thrift stores and estate sales are fun to dig through.

52. I believe there is a Simpsons quote for every occasion and that a person can't be too much of a shit if they can quote the Simpsons regularly.

53. I am afraid of committing too solidly to much of anything because I am afraid of getting overwhelmed and losing myself.

54. I have a lot of gray hair that I cover up with bright colors.

55. My eyes cry involuntarily and I hyperventilate and feel faint when confronted with a needle. Sometimes I really do faint.

56. I smother my fries with ketchup, but am really happy to dab each fry into a little bit of mayo and ketchup mixed together.

57. Monty Python makes me just laugh and laugh.

58. My date to the prom was a gorgeous gay man who will be really famous any day now. Just wait and see.

59. I believe in celebrating the crap out of celebrations. Do it and mean it is my motto.

60. "Sleepwalk" by Santo & Johnny is one of my all-time favorite schmaltzy songs. So is "Never My Love" by The Association.

61. I like going to movies and museums and restaurants by myself just fine.

62. I think being sexy has more to do with laughing, being a good person and smelling good than anything else.

63. I believe you can convey mountains of information and ideas best with humor.

64. I think a healthy appetite for food, sex and laughter are really great qualities to have.

65. I type and walk fast.

66. I think it's possible to talk about religion with all kinds of people, as long as everyone involved is secure in their spirituality. Otherwise, people scream and get defensive and that isn't much fun. It is difficult to make me angry in a conversation about religion.

67. I've felt panicky and felt like a failure when I've been broke.

68. I secretly want to get a grad degree in Anhropology and go to Rabbinical school one day.

69. I do crosswords in ink.

70. I have grapheme/color synesthesia and ordinal/spatial synesthesia but didn't confirm that until I was in my late twenties. I hardly tell anyone because, well, how often does synesthesia come up in conversation?

71. I am a fierce defender of underdogs and really have a soft spot for other people who are, too.

72. My memory is outstanding for details, colors, sentences, faces and scents, but I can't remember names or where I put my cell phone hardly at all. Ask anyone. I misplace my cell phone constantly and haven't figured out a good system of prevention just yet. But, I will.

73. I learn languages pretty easily.

74. I'm very allergic to prickly pear fruit, and because I've been a vegetarian for so long, the things my body does when I've accidentally ingested animal protein might as well be called an allergic reaction, too. Bleh.

75. I think leaving a legacy is important.

76. I am not living up to my full potential but I will.

77. I love all kinds of people, but I'm not very tolerant of lack-of-ambition, stupidity and people who do really stupid things again and again to complicate their lives out of fear and dependency.

78. A half-hour of yoga changes my whole sense of well-being.

79. I think I look cute in the winter when my cheeks and nose turn pink.

80. I look great in hats of all kinds.

81. My ears get easily overwhelmed if there are several sound sources around me at once.

82. My landlady is really cool, my apartment is really great and I love my neighborhood.

83. I really want to buy a condo, though.

84. I have called both the DCFS and ASPCA on neighbors.

85. I still want to backpack around western Europe before I'm 40.

86. My first car was a Honda hatchback. I caught on fire the day I tried to trade it in on a better car.

87. I think a few quality things in a small but well-made and happy space make a better home than many things in a large, showy, slapped-together space.

88. I drink a lot of water so I have to pee all the time but cannot pee if someone can hear me peeing, no matter how well I know that person.

89. I am a bit of a clean freak but I don't like ironing and I hate taking out the trash. I'm no germaphobe, just a clutter master, but the trip down the back staircase to the dumpster just sucks, is all.

90. I used to smoke cigarettes and now I'm a real anti-tobacco pest, but I like distant pipe smoke smell sometimes.

91. I would love to go to an adoption agency and say "In the next decade, give me the three that need the most love. I don't care where they are from or what race they are."

92. I love The Simpsons, Morrissey, The Cure, skylines and meals consisting of bread, cheeses, olives and wine.

93. I like who I am but I'm way too hard on myself.

94. I love introducing people who end up being friends or lovers or doing good work together or both. I think I have a knack for that sort of thing.

95. My favorite color used to be dark red, but now it is sort of light aqua blue, like beach glass.

96. I love wild, stormy weather and eerie, thick fog.

97. I surprise even myself by how much I like girly things like good make-up, good jewelry and a good visit to the spa.

98. Screw fear. It's only in my head, so I always take note of when it pops up so I can push through it somehow, or at least try.

99. My eyes are hazel but turn light green when I cry.

100. I trust my hands completely in all matters hands can be concerned with. They look nice and they're soft but they're also capable, strong and able to tend to tiny delicate details and big tough projects. My hands take care of things that life hands me.

So, that's it. No, that's not it, but that's what's on my mind right now. Maybe next year I'll post another one hundred things and see if my lists are terribly different. Maybe they won't be, maybe they will. Maybe it's just making the list that is the important part.

I hope 2007 is a good one for us all. (Shehecheyanu.)

"THIS NIGHT HAS OPENED YOUR EYES"

My friend, Orieyenta tagged me and you all know I'm a sucker for a good tag. She wants six weird things about me, on my blog, pronto. Um, only six? Ooookay.

1. I will stop everything and go to the store to buy more handcream and lip-something (balm, stick, gloss, whatever) if I find myself without. Must have them or I feel off.

2. One of my favorite foods is broccoli. I think that's great. Most people think that's weird.

3. I only own tan-pinkish and black undergarments. That way I can always match and undergarments are unlikely to show through clothes, as tan bras blend in with your skin and therefore look invisible.

4. I read physics, astronomy and history books for fun because I am a nerd and a half.

5. I feel put-together and polished when I have a manicure, and I also love hardware stores, my tools and fix-it projects. Sometimes I can manage both.

6. I go nuts with my label maker. I haven't labeled my cat, but that's about it.

So there you have it. Orieyenta's tag, Six Weird Things About Me... I tag...ummm... I tag all inclined bloggers in Providence, Chicago, Los Angeles and the UK. So there.