The Never Ending Toadfish Interview Cycle!

[Aggie]

1) Do you bite your nails? If so, when?
Ayup, when they need trimming.  Strictly for grooming purposes, not a nervous habit (that's what lips and writing utensils are for).

2) Do you like snow? Alot of snow?
Yes-yes.  But it should stay on the ground consistently for a period of 3-4 months, not intermittently for 8-9.

3) Would you join Chatty's Anti-Christmas Army?
Could offer mercenary artillery services if needed, but maybe I'm already joined in.  We are going very anti-gift this year 'cause we all spent it already this year.


BONUS QUESTION: Eggnog frogurt: Is it Absolutely Necessary?
No, but if they can put the rum straight into the frogurt it's could become Reasonably Necessary.

1) Give one easily achievable way to take a little of the commercial out of Christmas.

2) Do you prefer to receive one large and exciting present or a whole bunch of little ones (in terms of size, $ value AND excitement factor).

3) Does it make sense to avoid buying items on Buy Nothing Day, if you plan on buying them later anyways?

Bonus:  Choice of holiday tree: Artificial, real (cut) or alternative (live tree, decorating existing houseplant, non-tree alternative)?

[Opsa]

1) Give one easily achievable way to take a little of the commercial out of Christmas.

Spend as little money as possible on gifts. Give things you've made or baked. Buy little unique things at thrift shops that give their profits to charities.  Oops, that's more than one way. If nothing else: just light a special light to spread some cheer.

2) Do you prefer to receive one large and exciting present or a whole bunch of little ones (in terms of size, $ value AND excitement factor).

I prefer several little weird things all mysteriously wrapped up under my tree and I don't really care what they are. Big pricey things only embarrass me. I like little delights.

3) Does it make sense to avoid buying items on Buy Nothing Day, if you plan on buying them later anyways?

No.

Bonus:  Choice of holiday tree: Artificial, real (cut) or alternative (live tree, decorating existing houseplant, non-tree alternative)?

We have done almost all of these things, but are currently doing the pre-lit artificial tree thing. We can put it up whenever we want, leave it up as long as we like, and then take it down and store it for next year. It is inexpensive and practical and I don't have to worry about taking an animal's home down by mistake or keeping a live tree cooped up inside for too long. Yes, I miss the smell. I come from a family that considers real Christmas trees sacred and am ribbed by them and called tacky, but I gotta do it my way. (Weirdly, none of them do trees at all any more. Just me!) To me the lights and symbolism are the most important thing, anyway.

                   

1) If you decorate for the winter holidays, when do you traditionally do it?

2) "    "     "       "       "     "      "    "  , do you do it alone, or with family and/or friends?

3) """""""""""""""""""""""""""", is it a quiet occasion, or do you play music?


Bonus question: Is there any other kind of nog beside egg nog, and if so- isn't it redundant to say egg nog?

[Sibling Chatty]

1) If you decorate for the winter holidays, when do you traditionally do it?

Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving if using an artificial tree, otherwise, first weekend in December. But, I don't anymore, so--never.

2) "    "     "       "       "     "      "    "  , do you do it alone, or with family and/or friends?

Traditionally, with family, until they figured out that I would go ahead and do it even if nobody else would...then alone.

3) """""""""""""""""""""""""""", is it a quiet occasion, or do you play music?

I played Christmas music, but eventually gave that up, too.

(Christmas starts AFTER Thanksgiving. NOT in August, at the end of Back to School.)


Bonus question: Is there any other kind of nog beside egg nog, and if so- isn't it redundant to say egg nog?

The 'nog' is derived from the Middle English term noggin, used to describe a strong ale.

Read the History part: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog



1. Are there some specific meals/dishes that you associate with cold weather? If so, what are they?

2. Do you consider yourself a competent cook?

3. What is your favorite meal to prepare?

Bonus: Wanna come cook here? I'm tired of my lack-of-cooking...

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

1. Are there some specific meals/dishes that you associate with cold weather? If so, what are they?
Soup, hot chocolate, and carajillo (hot black coffee with aguardiente or brandy).

2. Do you consider yourself a competent cook?
I consider myself a decent cook. I need to learn a lot more to be a competent cook.

3. What is your favorite meal to prepare?
What I like most and least is to make lasagna. I love it, but it takes me more than half a day to do it.

Bonus: Wanna come cook here? I'm tired of my lack-of-cooking...
I'll cook for you. Should I take my wok?

1. Books: history, fiction, science fiction or non fiction?

2. Is there a need for patriotism?

3. Have you heard medieval church music? Do you like it?

Are ren-fairs silly or fun?

[Opsa]

1. Books: history, fiction, science fiction or non fiction?

I used to be such a fan of fiction and sci-fi, but for some reason I've been reading mostly non-fiction for the past few years.

2. Is there a need for patriotism?

Honestly, no- I don't think so. "My country right or wrong" is about the poorest, anti-active attitude I can imagine. For example: I love that I presumably have free speech here in the U.S., but since that freedom sometimes wavers (what the heck was that 'don't ask don't tell' carp?) I am not as proud of my country as I could be. We, as citizens of any country, as citizens of the world, need to know what is right and fair and if our leaders are not leading along those lines, then we need to find better leaders, not stand up for them just because they've been elected. Maybe I'm wrong, but I tend to equate patriotism with jingoism. Maybe we should stop standing up only for our country and start standing up for all of humankind. (I know, this attitude will probably get me killed some day.)


3. Have you heard medieval church music? Do you like it?

I am a huge fan of Praetorius, a 14th century Polish composer. A friend of mine gave a gorgeous cassette tape of his Christmas music played on authentic instruments and I've been looking for it ever since. (It is out of print.) I notice there's a newer version out by the Westminster Cathedral Choir http://www.amazon.com/Praetorius-Christmas-Westminster-Cathederal-Instruments/dp/B000002ZIZ
and i suppose I'd better snatch it up before it disappears.

Are ren-fairs silly or fun?

I'll let you in on a secret: I'm scared of ren fairs. I've never been to one. I am under the impression that they are full of the same kind of people that go to Star Trek fairs, and I've only been to one Star Trek fair, once long ago. The friend that went with me and I screamed all the way home.

                             


1) Which do you prefer: Thrift store or retail outlet? Why?

2) What's your favorite hot drink and under what conditions do you most like to drink it?

3) Can our attitude help the world?

Bonus: If frogurt could be made into a hot drink, would you try it?

[anthrobabe]

1) Which do you prefer: Thrift store or retail outlet? Why?
Thrift Stores--- one can find the most amazing junk that people will actually use or like.

2) What's your favorite hot drink and under what conditions do you most like to drink it?
Hot chocolate---- when it is cold outside and I can snuggle in bed.

3) Can our attitude help the world?
Yes-

Bonus: If frogurt could be made into a hot drink, would you try it?
no I am hiding from Frogurt- I'll be under the table if you need me or have any hot chocolate to give me.


PS--- Griffin gets the hug of the day 

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1) How would you define your best meal ever

2) Where's Waldo (see toadfish illum thread)

3) What do you think about the 100 Mile Diet

Frogurt should not be green-- really frightening. What flavor is green frogurt anyway?

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

What flavor is green frogurt anyway?

It could be kiwi or a wonderful tropical fruit called feijoa.

Carry on

[Sibling Chatty]

OK, back to the list... (And green frogurt is frog flavored...if frogs taste anything like Key Lime Pie--which is yellow, BTW.)

1) How would you define your best meal ever

Best ever? In early June, 2001, when the NG tube came out and I was able to drink water and not have a problem, and all the testing was OK, I had the most wonderful roast beast and Swiss cheese on garlic toast and a glass of apple juice. (17 days of trying to see if my stomach was going to be difficult, and giving it time to recover--no food, no water, NOTHING by mouth for 17 days. they wanted me to start with broth, I wanted me to start with food. I managed 3 bites. It was wonderful.)

Most delightful food--that's different.

There are two...

One is turtle soup (or Soup 111, a tiny serving of turtle soup, crab and corn bisque and french onion soup), trout in pecan sauce, cajun new potatoes, green beans amandine and either pecan pie or bread pudding at Commander's Palace in New Orleans (Or Brennan's in Houston--same part of the Brennan's family.)

OR, the special meal that our waiter at the Blue Room at the Fairmont in New Orleans used to get for me. Shrimp and Crab Remoulade (You could order one or the other, but he'd get me a small crab serving and add several shrimp to it), vichisoisse (what Texans call 'cold tater soup') and make me a Caesar salad, even though it wasn't on the menu. Then, because I had done triple appetizers already, he'd get me one lamb chop and tiny servings of their exquisite puffed potatoes and one of their vegetables. He also chose my desserts for me from the selection available in the kitchens--not just what was an the Blue Room menu, but from anything on any Fairmont menu or any party menu that night. Yeah, I got REALLY spoiled...

2) Where's Waldo (see toadfish illum thread)

Waldo's probably taking a nap...

3) What do you think about the 100 Mile Diet

Great idea. We try, to some extent (as we can afford to, anyway) to eat locally, but there are limitations.  I would imagine that there are places where it would be difficult, though, since there's no agriculture for at least that distance...



1. What's your favorite form of exercise?

2. What's your secret ambition?

3. Are you trying to accomplish it?

[Griffin NoName]

1. What's your favorite form of exercise?

Dancing, (if I could energy wise). Hate all other forms.

2. What's your secret ambition?

To write a novel and an autobiography.

3. Are you trying to accomplish it?

I stop and start both. Been stopped a while now as diverted energy to essays for Diploma. When I first got ill I organised myself with a digital recorder, voice software and the laptop to use in bed. The voice software is useless as I use too many words it's never heard me use before, despite reading Alice in Wonderland to program it. I think now I'd like to just record voice sound files and get someone else to type it up. But I haven't got that organised and won't while still working on the Diploma.

*** green frogurt is peppermint flavoured surely?

***** thanks for that hug, A, I did need it and it was lovely.

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1. How many times do you go back to check things?

2. What is a recurrent theme in your nightmares ?

3. Is Utopia a real place?

[goat starer]

1. How many times do you go back to check things?

all the time. whether i have locked the car in particular. I am one of lifes worriers.

2. What is a recurrent theme in your nightmares ?

being worried

3. Is Utopia a real place?

yes it is....

Utopia, Northern Territory Australia
Utopia, Florida
Utopia, Queens, New York
Utopia, Ohio, a former anarchistic community
Utopia, Texas

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1) if you found yourself in Utopia who would you be most suprised to find there too?

2) Do you wear smart clothes for work?

3) If you could get rid of one 'fashion' (tattoos, piercings, platform shoes etc.) which would it be?

[Sibling Chatty]

1) if you found yourself in Utopia who would you be most suprised to find there too?

My Aunt Jean. Although she lived there for years...she's passed on now, and she swore when she moved that she'd never mave back, dead or alive. 9Utopia, Texas is the home of the Kinky Friedman Rescue Ranch for Animals, as well.) As for the not-Texas kinda Utopia? Any politician of a date later than Sir Thomas more's.

2) Do you wear smart clothes for work?

Work? I generally stay in me jammies, 'cause I don't work. As to smart clothes...I'm built for comfort, not style.

3) If you could get rid of one 'fashion' (tattoos, piercings, platform shoes etc.) which would it be?

Tats. Sorry all the people with tats, but are you aware of the sad consequences of aging flesh on that lovely tat? ERK!!



1. What domestic chore do you dislike the most?

2. Do you do your own laundry, or does someone else at home do it, or do you send it out?

3. How often do you eat out at a restaurant (not fast food or take away)?

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

1. What domestic chore do you dislike the most?
Cleaning the bathroom. I HATE HATE HATE doing that.

2. Do you do your own laundry, or does someone else at home do it, or do you send it out?
I do some laundry, and so does my mother. We don't send it out unless it needs to be dry-cleaned.

3. How often do you eat out at a restaurant (not fast food or take away)?
Not very often.
__________________________
1. How much would you pay for your favorite sweet?

2. Favorite author?

3. How big should the portion sizes at restaurants be?

[Swatopluk]

1. How much would you pay for your favorite sweet?
Not much. I am of simple taste.

2. Favorite author?
Terry Pratchett is definitely very high on the list. Tolkien and Kipling also score high.

3. How big should the portion sizes at restaurants be?
So that the average customer is clearly satiated but not so much that many people have difficulty to eat up everything.
The trouble is usually with the drinking not the eating.
Chinese restaurants do a good job there with the rice being separate from the main dish, so customers can decide the mixture for themselves.

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1. How's the weather currently where you are?

2. When did you last visit a public aquarium and/or zoo?

3. Do you like stage music (opera/musical etc.) and of what kind?

Bonus: Does the frog hurt?

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

1. How's the weather currently where you are?
Not as hot as usual but I wouldn't mind if it gets cooler.

2. When did you last visit a public aquarium and/or zoo?
About 6 months or so, I think.

3. Do you like stage music (opera/musical etc.) and of what kind?
Opera. I despise the traditional Broadstreet musicals with very few exceptions. I confess I would like to see what Mel Brooks is doing, though.

Bonus: Does the frog hurt?
Only if it is blended into froghurt. 

1. Your thoughts about diamonds?

2. Would you drink a beer made with the ancient Egypt formula?

3. What pop music artist will survive the test of time?

Bonus.

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

1. Your thoughts about diamonds?
I dunno. I tend to like them-they're useful and pretty. But I do realize the need to beware of the history of any given diamond.

2. Would you drink a beer made with the ancient Egypt formula?
I'd try it.

3. What pop music artist will survive the test of time?
Any of it that reflects humanity. Feelings, ideas, etc. As well as anything purely, undeniably awesome. And I suspect anything techno-favored, since I think a lot of music will be synthesized.

Bonus:
I'm sorry, but that's not funny. Makes me a little sick to my stomach, actually.
____________________________
1. How well do you deal with blood/guts/gore that are caused by violence?

2. How do you feel about games/flashes like that [http://www.joecartoon.com/cartoons/67-frog_in_a_blender]?

3. How long do you brew your tea?

Bonus: Do you like Doc Martens?