Once More with Feeling.

5 Questions: Getting to know ROO! Getting to know all about Roo!

5 Questions returns with my girl, Roo. First, you should know Roo's my old school blog buddy for me.  We first met back in February 2006 when I made the trip to NYC during the first week of being on in between jobs for the first time in my life.  She's the warm, long-lost sister you wished you had (my first words in our first phone conversation were not "Hi, it's Jen" but, "so, whatahya wearing to this thing?" (our excursion out on the town), but has an acerbic wit if you don't watch it.  And if that don't do you in, there's always The Hair, all 8 yards of it.

Things you should know: she's an artist in the truest sense of the word designing some of the most intricate costuming I've ever seen up close anyway:

...and if I were a betting person, I'd say her renderings of Mickey Mouse probably do not look like Mr. Potato Head the way mine do.  She will stop at a drugstore and bring you Advil at your request prior to your first meeting at a bar because you have a headache brewing from a stressful ride down(seriously, we hadn't even met yet and I felt comfortable enough to send her on an errand), and will pretend not to be appalled as she is holding your boob* in her hand in the back of a taxicab.

Right -- um, let's get to know Roo!

1. If you could change one thing about yourself that you otherwise feel is beyond your control, what would it be? Why?

It would be nice to feel less anxious in unfamilar social settings. It's funny. There are situations where I feel free to be myself right from the get-go-- like going to a big party by myself. Maybe because then no one knows who I'm supposed to be. Or maybe because it's more like performing-- I find it easier to talk to a room of a hundred people I don't know, than to sit alone with one. I guess that's part of the reason I felt drawn to on-line journaling.

On the other hand, one of my favorite ways to connect with people in a large group is to go off with just a few of them for a smoke. The whole business of smoking makes it easier to be with new people. You get some conversational starters, including but not limited to: Do you have/need a light? Want one of mine? Man, it was hot in there! It's so nice out! They don't know what they're missing! You get some mild chemical stimulants, and a chance to focus on your breathing. And there's always something to do with your hands. In other words, my means of dealing with my social anxiety is slowly killing me. Yeah, I'd like to change that.

2. What movie or TV show do you find yourself quoting most? What situations bring about their use? Please share the quotes, as for I am a sucker for the movie and tv quotes.

Well, there are really too many to list-- I quote a lot. It's all part of letting my dork flag fly. Here's a sampling: 1."What-ever!!!" delivered in the style of Homestar Runner. I also quote Strong Bad extensively: "Burninating, the countryside, burninating the peasants!" "Arrowed!" "Crazy Go Nuts University: Where the future is YOU... probably." Embarassing fact: Talking like the characters of "Homestar Runner" is something Jeff and I do when we're alone.

2. "Excellent..." a la Montgomery Burns.

3. "Looks like I chose the wrong week to stop sniffing glue." --"Airplane!" This is often uttered in response to stressful situations at work.

4. I find it impossible to visit the Temple of Dendur at the Met without commenting that "I have a theory heiroglyphics are just an ancient comic strip about a character named Sphinxy." One point if you know what that's from. Only one, though, cuz it's easy. it's also one of the movies I can quote most extensively.

5. "A'whe-ere did that silly fish go?" fom "The Meaning of Life." As you might imagine, I find myself saying this when I'm looking for something (though I'm rarely actually looking for fish.)

6. "Ah! Red Snapper! Very tasty!" from "UHF." I often say this in response to things that are decidedly not tasty. I really like quoting Gedde Watanabe. Other favorites include: "You get NOTHING! You so STOO-PID!" and "No more yanky on the wanky-- the Donga need sleep." (Two points if you know the source of that last quote.)

7. "Share the lo-o-o-oaaaad!" This line was uttered by Samwise in "The Return of the King"-- accompanied by a super-zoomed-in shot of Sean Astin's lips. It's a very stupid moment in an otherwise enjoyable film. It makes me laugh. I could keep going with these, but I won't.

Working the Underbar like it's her job, unlike our perma-orange Oompah Loopah waitress who just seems annoyed that people are willing to shell out 9 bucks for a Bud Light.

3. If you could live in any era, in any country, which would you choose?  Why?

[note: I tailored this question for Roo given her extensive background in costume design and  also because she seems to be an old soul, I was curious as to what era she would like to live in.  Based on her response, it appears I manged to fuck this up.  Still, she managed to pull out an interesting answer]

Is it Roo imitating her art, or her art imitating Roo?

You know, I've thought about this a lot. I think there are other periods of history when my looks would have been more in vogue-- I like to imagine myself into portraits by John Singer Sargent, or Ingres, or Vigee Lebrun, or Mucha. But that's a pretty shallow reason for shifting my position in space-time. There are other times in history that I think must have been exhilarating to experience first-hand-- like the Renaissance in Italy, or 18th century France, the 'Thirties in America (yes, there's the great Depression to consider, but look at the flourishing of the arts during that time, and public works, and new social theories. And all those beautiful bias-cut gowns.) But whenever I try to really imagine what my life would have been like at any point previous to my own era, I'm confronted by the fact that as a woman, I'd have to go without most of the rights and opportunities I currently enjoy. So I'm brought right back to the here and now. I'd say that I'd like to live in the future, at some point after issues of gender, race, etc., have been resolved. But I'm afraid that by then there won't be any trees.

4. What is your biggest "I am. So busted" moment?

In the summer of 2001, I went to the backwoods of Vermont to work on a play for children. The producer/playwright hired a group of New Yorkers (the director, set designer, puppet/costume-designer me, and a few actors) to come out to stay in her hippie compound in the middle of nowhere. We taught theatre classes to campers aged seven to seventeen, who were also cast members in the show. The producer had strict rules for us to follow while we were in residence, in terms of drinking, smoking, language, and the like. In response, we grown-ups went out into the woods each evening, to drink, smoke, and talk shit. While I can't say the producer's rules were unreasonable, she was still a bit of a nut-job-- a very quiet, damaged woman, who each year mounted the same play for children, in which she illustrated through drama (and historical re-enactments of battles of the American Revolutionary War), how her ex-husband robbed her of her innocence and tossed her aside for a younger woman.

One day, she took one of the actors who came with us (a tall, handsome man in his mid-twenties) on a long walk through the woods behind her house. She had a dead son she'd buried on the side of a hill, and wanted to show him the grave. She didn't tell him the purpose of the trip before they set out. Here's the thing-- she had a lot of good reasons why she was the way she was. I felt sorry for her. I wanted to be kind. I knew I ought to be kind. But she was so strange it was hard to know how to do that. Before the New Yorkers left for Vermont, we each received a copy of a video of one of the previous productions of her work. She'd cast herself at fifty-five as herself when she was a teenager. She was terrible. "Waiting for Guffman"-level terrible. Watching her was both painful and hilarious.

One night, the camp grown-ups, which included some local Vermonters who were involved with the production, assembled in our spot in the woods. One of the locals brought his friend, a white girl with dreadlocks and a stoner voice, to join us. We started talking about the show and how terrible it was. Somehow, we got to comparing it with previous productions, and someone brought up the video. And I started imitating her performance. Judging by the reaction I got, I think my impression was pretty dead-on. Everyone was laughing hard. Eventually, I emerged from character long enough to become aware of another social current running through the group. People looked a little shocked, and guilty, like they were laughing despite themselves. The set designer sounded like he was trying to shush me, but couldn't stop giggling long enough to do it. The girl with dreads said good night, and walked off. As soon as she was out of earshot, the set designer turned to me (still laughing) and said, "That was her MOTHER you were talking about!" "What? No!" I felt sick. I've rarely felt more ashamed of myself than I did in that moment. I wouldn't mind getting a chance to un-do it.

5. What has been the best advice or helpful tip that you've ever been given? Who gave it to you?

When I was in fifth grade, I was sitting on the floor in front of the television, in my nightgown. My father was sitting in his chair, watching TV with me. I heard a car pulling in the driveway and started to run upstairs, to change into regular clothes. My father said, "Don't ever be ashamed of your body. Look at me-- this body's not beautiful, but it's what I've got. What am I gonna do? Hide in the house all day? "There's nothing wrong with being what you are." It was a strange thing for my father to say, but it's stuck with me. And I think it's affected me in positive ways-- I've never seen sex as dirty, I've never been afraid to ask my doctor questions, and even when I'm not entirely pleased with my shape, I'm pretty comfortable in my skin.

Kicker/Bonus: What is it, and feel free to elaborate using many paragraphs, makes me so unbefuckinglievably awesome?

What makes Jen (from Boston) so unbefuckinglieveably awesome? Well, I'll tell you...

1. You are warm, and funny, and kind, and you're enthusiastic about life. There's a recipe for total awesome-nity right there. But there's more:

2. You keep strong, loving ties with your family (even when you don't see eye-to-eye with them, or when you'd like to see eye-to-eye with them, but you're blinded by chickenlights.) And you make your friends feel like they've been invited into the fold.

3. You can make people laugh until their stomachs hurt, without being cruel or foul-minded.

4. You like hooking people up with the good stuff-- shopping, TV, pop-culture, skin care... and,

5. There's always a chance you might take off your bra in the back of a taxi.

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*Okay, about #5 which was also noted in the intro I guess some explaining is warranted.  Part of my outfit the first night (seen below) we hung out was a low cut top, lower than I normally wear anyway, and I decided to give "the girls" some help (inserted into another bra that manged to STAY ON, thankyouverymuch).

(well, it's just a good thing my bra isn't hanging out.  See now that would be tacky.)

Of course, another girl Melissa sort of threw me under the bus (by the very fact that she said something akin to "chick, nice rack!" in front of my male friends) and this got me a few awkward moments throughout the evening.  Anyway, at the end of the night  as Roo and I  were making out way back to the hotel in the cab, and in the manner of Christina Applegate at the end of The Sweetest Thing, turned to her and asked, "Yeah you guys, you want boobs? Well, here are your damn boobs!" as I plopped the chicken cutlet looking inserts into her hands. 

Hey, I thought it was funny.

Meme: Excuse me, but your fly is down.

For my leetle friend, Marnie, who dontcha know, lives on the WEST side of Canada (did you know people from Canada can live on the West part of that land above us? Neither did I! I think Canada's new slogan should read: Canada: We're more than just Toronto!*")

Anyway, she tagged me for the 6 weird things about you meme to drag me out of blogger poserland that I've been living in and that seemed easy enough because, well, I should have buckets.

1. I never have the right kind of cash on me.  If I need tens and twenties, I have $2.79 on me. If I need bus fare or a dollar for the soda machine, all I have are tens and twenties. Corallary, odds of me hitting you up for bus fare? Pretty solid. Corallary Part Deux: I hope you weren't too attached to that buck you just gave me, because you're never seeing it again. (and I will say as much) (and thanks to Pete for all the cab fare you gave me!)

2. My moral compass can best me summed up by a theory I call Karma Building. Understanding that Karma's basic gist is "what comes around, goes around", I take a step further in that I am Karma point builing as a do something good.  If I sub for another soccer team at the last minute because they're stuck, or help out giving a person a ride, or offer to help someone move without being asked, I am building points for Karma to come my way one day when I need it (because I usually do).  Probably not how you're suppose to rely on Karma exactly, in that doing a good deed should be a little more of a selfless act "for the sake of doing it" rather than the Keeping a Ledger variety, but I cannot stop the madness.  And besides, ...who's really getting hurt here?

3. I can be pretty impulsive. Not much of what you call "a planner", and this I think drives both my Planner Type-A sisters nuts, because more often than not, I can pull it off.  Last weekend, without oven thinking of it, I marched down the street to a local salon I'd never set foot in looking something like this:

Telling them to make me look like this (lopping about 3-4 inches off):

(Updated: hopefully, a little less blurry photo of it.)

4. Based on the 6 years that I have lived in Boston, I will never, ever get what I am after from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles on the first try.  Or second. Or sometimes even third.  For the Mass. RMV is designed to break me and my will to thrive.  And that is all I have to say about that.

5. I am the fastest pee-er in the Universe.

If you are behind me in line, you are in luck.  Some of you will think I am just being chatty in line when I say as much, but when I leave I'll hear you say, "damn, that WAS fast."

If you' ve ever been stuck in a long line for the bathroom, and we all know that there's "that girl" who takes 10 minutes to what, wizz, primp or talk on the phone or whatever, and as bladders if the line start to become pressed on, you actually begin to wonder if the line gonna turn mob mentality on her ass as the girl finally exits. I, however, and the antithesis to "that girl".  And it has been commented on by guy and girls alike.  I have made friends for the night based on this skill.   In, out under a minute.  The primping more often consists of washing my hands and looking in the mirror and shrugging.

6. My fly is always down.

Okay, not always, but there was a run there wher I was getting used to wearing belts, a concept I didn't really latch onto (heh) until maybe a year or 2 ago, and the extra step of buckling, usually after going to the bathroom, meant that the zipper was left in the Downward Dog Position.  After getting called out too many times to count (often by my MANAGER), I am now hyper aware of that status of my fly.  As a result of being hyper aware of it, I am contantly taking my right hand to my lower abdomen to do a "secret check".  Yes, this looks about as cool as you think.  I try to do the "secret check" before I exit the ladies' room, however,  (surprise!) sometimes I forget.

*and Dawn's all, "And Montreal!"

5 Questions: Her MADGEsty

Today on 5 Questions I bring you Madge of Mainely Madge fame. Story goes like this: man, woman-- Tugboat and Madge, live in NYC, have The Bird who has coped with some seriously funny hair-raising issues since birth, the 3 move to Maine for Man's boat stuff (geddit? man =Tugboat), she trades Manolos for flips and clogs, he then suffers near fatal accident at work, and they are now waiting on the muthufucking courts to settle their lawsuit. In interim, Tugboat thinks he can hide cookies from Ms Madge, which is just so stupid because WE WILL ALWAYS FIND THE COOKIES, MENS (link providing photographic documentation) as they await the arrival of The Bird's little brother or sister whose arrival is slated sometime around December.

Also in the interim, she gets to see cute shit like this:

And reminisce about how she used to dress like this:

1. I get the vibe that you're a lovah of fine shoes. What are you most beloved, makes you all a-tingle because they are so special in their inherent awesomity pair? If there is a story that comes with them (on insane sale? did not eat good food for a month due to their cost?), please provide.  In contrast, what pair winds up getting worn most days (please provide photos)?

I AM a lovah of shoes. (And I have the early stages of bunions attesting to the fact.) Unfortunately, I've been on a cute shoe-buying moratorium lately. Because my husband's accident coincided so closely with the birth of my daughter, I effectively stopped buying delicious shoes about three years ago. It's been hard to rationalize the expense of my former habit while living primarily on savings these last years.

I don't know that these are my favorites EVER, but they are the most aesthetically pleasing pair currently in the roster. I got them for a fabulous wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Our friends getting married are both photographers, so the guest list featured some very hip and fashionable types. While not normally susceptible to such things, I felt a keen pressure to measure up for this particular event.

I love the colors, I love the knobby silk shantung, but most of all I love the fuschia leather on the heels.

Sadly, you won't usually see me sporting a pair of fabulous mules, but, depending on the season, either Dansko clogs or Reef flips.

2. What are you biggest annoyances of the general public (max 2)?

a. Being an ass in the car. (Using a handheld phone, not indicating when turning, slowing down on an on-ramp, tailgating, etc.)

b. Everyone wanting to be famous. Why is there a reality show for every goddamn thing? Why does everyone want to be on TV? This used to be especially frustrating to me when I worked across the street from Rockefeller Center. The throng that would clog the streets for the Today Show made getting to work in the morning really fucking frustrating. Who cares if you just got engaged? It's not enough that you're happy and on vacation in New York? You HAVE to get on TV as well? I just don't get it.

3. What are the little details surrounding your first real date?

I think I've answered this elsewhere, but here I go again: In the seventh grade I was asked out by an impossibly pretentious boy named Phip (short for Philip). I actually liked his friend George, but he hadn't asked. Phip took me to see Transylvania 6-5000 with Ed Begley, Jr. We walked home about 10 blocks from the movie theater to my apartment. Once in front of my building, he rather forcefully kissed me just as a neighbor and friend of my mother's was coming out of the lobby. I recoiled in embarrassed horror and basically ran away from him. He called me a few times, but I never took the calls. I don't know why, but he'd made me very uncomfortable.

I think he was pissed and told his friends I was a slut or something, because all of a sudden all these random boys from his school started calling me. One of them was George. I was thrilled until I realized why he was calling. I hung up quickly and didn't take any more calls from those boys. (Side note: I did end up hooking up with George a few years later out at the beach. And he was just as cute!)

4. What talent or skill do you wish you possessed?

I should probably say the obvious: DANCING. Unfortunately for me sheer force of my will has not improved my moves over the years. But, I actually don't care that much about being a good dancer. I'll keep doing it, bad or good. The skill I would REALLY like to have is The Shine. That's right, I'd love to have some psychic abilities.

5. What expression or verbiage would you like removed from the every-person lexicon and die a slow and painful death?

I would be a happy, happy woman if I never heard the Snoop talk again. You know, Homeys in the HIZZ-ouse. Yo, shizzle, ma nizzle. That's the shizz-nit. Actually, no it is not anything of the sort. Go back to fourth grade and learn to speak, please.

Bonus question:

What cheesey movie could you watch over and over again?

This is not easy, because I have some pretty cheesy taste. Sure I have a few high-brow, foreign-language favorites and a bizarre penchant for the mob genre. But, mostly, I love a good cheesy movie. I love a movie I can quote for years on end and drop everything to watch. Because I'm somewhat of a connoisseur, I don't think I can narrow this down to one. Plus, I think cheesy movies fall into a few different categories. So, I'll give you my top pick for each group:

Cheesy Chick Flick: Steel Magnolias
Cheesy Comedy: Tommy Boy
Cheesy Romance: The Cutting Edge

So go check her out.  And Madge, ya know we love ya more than our luggage!

5 Questions: A Man Without a Blog, Mr. MG

Today on 5 Questions, a inside look into the mind of someone from my past, Mr. Mike G. 

Back in the early 90s, Mike and I met in a bar by a pool table when I was just a wee innocent of 21 and he a sage, older man of 25. Because we met in a bar, naturally this meant we were destined to date because we both liked beer and well, let's face it, I'm easy. We went out possibly an entire month before it fizzled out, but through our shoulder shrug of  "divorce" (meaning too lazy to call one another anymore), I ended up scoring joint-custody of his UConn friends in our settlement (haha, suckah).  After much intense psychotheraphy, and from what I've gleaned from the whispers in the corners of cocktail parties, a round of shock treatment, he was able to pick himself up, dust himself off, and get over the sweet French kisses he once received from your truly (what can I say, the hearts I do break), and we have remained friends since. Also almost interesting enough to note, his younger brother and I share the exact same birthday (including year), which I am sure that is telling of something, though I'm just not quite sure as to what exactly.

Mike drinking champagne circa August 2001. Yeah, maybe someone should tell him his face is in the front, you know, where the mouth is.

On with the show....

1. You get 1 do-over, what would it be? Why?

I have some great friends out there who mean the world to me.  I would like to have the chance to have been a better friend to some of them.  I have lived a pretty charmed life, and there have been a few times where some folks got hurt along the way unintentionally.  So a few less "good times at any cost decisions"  but only a few.  Oh, and try to have graduated from college would be nice.

2. Good or bad, what is the one thing that  people would go, "Oh, that's a 'Mike thing'?"

Anyone who has had to share a room with me in a summer or winter house would immediately say that the jackhammer like snoring noise from the other room is a Mike thing. That and good parking  karma.

3.  Your home is engulfed in flames. What non-living thing would you bring out with  you and why?

My Maxtor external hard drive.  A complete mirror of every digital picture (since 1998) and CD that I own.  I'm not going  through all that again.  Everything else is replaceable.  I highly recommend everyone go buy one and do the same.  I'm a geek, but you  knew that.

4. As a man about town known for actually  **having an opinion** on such things, what in are the things you'd wish women would  let go of (fashion or otherwise)? What do you wish you'd see more of or that we'd  embrace?

[ed note: a guy having an opinion is something I appreciate, even if I don't agree with the him. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard "whatever, I don't care" I'd have ...well, more than one dollar, that I can tell you]

LET GO OF:
1. Asymmetric single shoulder tops.  Spend the extra $5 on the other shoulder strap.

2. jeans or leggings under dresses.  It's a shirt or a dress, pick one.

3. Low rider pants with the normal height thong/bikini.  Really, none of you have figured that out yet???

MORE OF:
I just got married so this will likely be a different  answer than a few months ago......

1. Women in men's button down shirts. (I'll  try not to go so far as the previous post video on the prep scale)

2. Wear those big heels even if you are 5'10" if you want.  As a shorter man, I  can say who cares.  Like a guy for what he says, not whether he looks you in the eye or chin.  Wear what you like.

3. From my previously single days:  Ask more guys out.  We need the help.

You mean to tell me I could have worn heels at this event?

5. Name 2 people you would  like to meet any why?

LIST  A:
Kiera Knightly / Scarlett Johansson  - why do you  think?  (I knew that list was going to come in handy)

LIST  B:
- My guardian angel to say thanks. I assume I actually have one.  No one is this lucky.
- The president to say, "really, come  on, what are you actually trying to do?"  No I didn't vote for him.

Kicker Bonus: What are you a sucker  for?

Historically, red heads.   Like my kryptonite.  I was powerless against them.  "Sure you can move your cat in", "Sure I'll drive down to DC in a Jeep", "Sure I'll answer your questions"  -- oh wait, Jenny doesn't have red hair.  I actually volunteered for this.

Now that I'm married though, I have a working lead shield to  protect me.(sorry for the superman references, told you....geek)   So, now....probably kids.  Can't wait.

Had the author known the power of her hair's hue that night, she would have asked for that pony she'd always wanted.

A My Bad from the author:

I have been horrible at acknowledging and getting to those who expressed interest in 5 Questions. That is not to say I have forgotten you.  I am getting them out to everyone who has said they want to do this, just at a snail's pace.  If you are interested, drop a line in the comments or e-mail me.

5 Questions (with Bonus Question): Liberal Banana

Today on 5 Questions I bring you our friend, Liberal Banana. You gotta love a girl whose tagline reads, "Over 25% of human genes are the same as a banana. Get over yourself." And if you do get the chance to check her out, you will see that she holds true to her word in not taking life too seriously. I also gotta give any girl props who shares the same "penchant" for car wreckery.  While my claim to fame is smashing up on birthdays after random act of kindness (on my part), hers is brand new cars mintues old. She also loves the show "So You Think You Can Dance!" if possible, almost as much as I do. We also have the same bathing suit and handbag.  It's getting to the point that I'm wondering if we're twins or if it's possible that I am existing in 2 places at once.

Anyway, on with the show.

1. I understand you have been in a danceoff or 2 in your life. What, in your mind, are the key elements to securing a win?

Key elements to securing a Dance-Off Champion title are the following: Confidence (a la Maria in the Sound of Music). If you need alcohol to accomplish that, get a strong buzz but nothing more - if you're too drunk, you won't have proper control of your limbs. You'll think you looked hot, but looking back on pictures (or God forbid VIDEO), you'll realize you actually looked like you were having a seizure. (In other words: not so hot.)

Channel Napoleon Dynamite. Try not to do the same three moves over and over. Look around at other people and get ideas from them if you have to -but spice it up, baby! Woo! Become part Tazmanian Devil (the Looney Tune, not the carnivorous Australian marsupial). If all else fails, dance circles around your Dance Floor Nemesis. It'll make him or her dizzy and, if you're lucky, maybe evenfall down!

Voila - you win!

(ed note: based on my How To Guide, she is utterly correct)

2. Have you ever ordered something off an infomerical? If yes, what was it,approximately what time did you order it and did it live up to the hype?

If not, what have you been close to ordering (b/c we all have fallen victim to at least THINKING about it at one time or another) or are right now contemplating a purchase?

Also, in your opinion, do celebs like, for example, Cher, Christie Brinkley, Chuck Norris, Susan Lucci,and Leeeza Gibons give the product more or less credibility?

I have never bought anything from an infomercial and GOB HELP ME if I ever do. I think the closest I ever came to picking up the phone was for Bare Essentials, the makeup products. But I did some research and a lot of women were unhappy with them, so I decided not to.

In general, I think celebrities who end up doing infomercials are just sad. But when I saw Jessica Simpson on the Proactiv commercials? I was like, "Damn. I don't even have any acne and I want to get that stuff. Look at how nice her skin looks now!"

3. What movie(s), while not what people would consider "Oscar worthy", it is totally underrated or for that matter, "misunderstood" for its time and should get a viewing before one expires? And why should we?

The Sweetest Thing with Christina Applegate and Cameron Diaz. I love the part where they're riding in Christina's Volvo station wagon and Cameron says "What smells in here?" (climbs into the back, poking around) "...UGH, it smells like ASS." And then Christina says, "Yes, yes. I think I left some ASS in the back." Priceless! Classic! Why don't they have statues yet? I LOVE THAT MOVIE.

(ed note: I, too, love this movie with purity of heart and have made the recommendation to several. That said, while she is all about the Diaz love (which she confessed in a subsequent e-mail), I feel that Miss Applegate stole the movie here. "Why you gotta be so be-jiggity?".)

4.What purchase or find are you most proud of-- that made you go, "awww yeah."

I'd have to say my car. I lurrrve my car. I think it's super cute and I'm rather proud of it. Driving it home from the dealership I was practically shaking - I couldn't believe that I actually had my own new car. (I'd solely used public transportation for 2-1/2 years here in DC prior to that.)

5. You get 1 do-over, anything. What is it for you? Why?

Getting a perm right before I turned 21. Worst. Decision. Ever. The quality of my hair has not been the same since. Remember, folks: Friends don't let friends get perms.

Bonus question:

The FBI raid your house and have full access to your Cd and iTunes (or similar) music collection. What artist or song would cause you most embarrassment?

It would have to be a tie between 'N Sync and the Spice Girls. I have no idea how they got into the collection but they're definitely cringe-worthy. (Unfortunately, that doesn't stop me from getting my groove on with them when I'm alone...)

(ed note: if it's any consolation, I may have *A* Spice Girl song on the list and *possibly* a few N'Sync hits)

So, there's Miss LB.  Now with 25% more Banana.

If you would like to participate in 5 questions, please e-mail me or drop a line in the comments. 

Nancy Drew

As BlogHer 2006 mania hits a fevered pitch, I had an "exclusive" (*cough* hi Roo!) interview with Nancy of Mom/Ma'am/Me.

Feeling that the conference itself would satisfy all the blawgy talk, I made up my own questions. Also because I'm nosey. 

For those unfamiliar with her site (I hate the "B" word, and I vote we get a new word for it, btw), her approach runs from the funny to the sensitive to the deep and thought provoking to the tackling issues she's faced with daily.  She is also known in certain circles as The Commenter Extraordinaire, and has the award to back it up (I am not searching for it right now). Another fun fact, she also has to most thoughtful co-workers one girl could ever hope for (Exhibit A below):

Anyway, 5 Questions (with bonus question) interview:

1. When and what was the first blog you ever read and how did you come to find it?

The first blog I ever read was My Name is Mommy(http://bunky.typepad.com/) -- I found Amy by accident doing a Google search, and I loved reading about her life in CA with her husband, 2 girls, and horses. I remember the second blog I read was another momof 2 girls: CityMama http://citymama.typepad.com/).

2. What 3 products found in the health & beauty aide aisle (or Sephora-like store) rock your world? If not rock, then are at least integral of getting you to look like you.

Hmmmm. Definitely my LUSH Imperialis facial moisturizer. Previously I would have said M.A.C. Studio Fix, but I took a tip from Amalah's Advice Smackdown and picked up some Smashbox primer and Sue Devitt foundation. I love that combination. Probably also my Nads (heh) facial wand, which I use to wax my eyebrows. I like the instant gratification of that versus the longer process of plucking.

3. Three things you could not live without. Do NOT include any of the following: My babies, my babies' daddy, my laptop, coffee, my iPod/mp3 player because, like, duh.

Definitely 1 and 2 would be a sketchbook/blank book and pen. I don't know how I could survive without at least a low-tech way to write and draw. Number 3 would be access to books -- either via the public library or my own collection. Reading to me is as necessary as eating and breathing.

4. You have a 2 week all expense trip to anywhere (planes, traines, boats). No Kids. Where do you go and why? (realistically - no China to Spain, to Australia etc. just because it's on the house and in make believe land you would be tired from all that).

Wow, there are so many places on my must-see list. But I think the top of the list, sans kids, would be Florence, Italy and the surrounding area. I took a class on Renaissance and Baroque architecture in college, and ever since then I've been fascinated by all of the amazing architecture in and around Florence. I would guess the excellent food, drink, and scenery that I'd be exposed to there would be none too shabby, either...

5. Thing you hate/least look forward to do as part of your daily routine? As part of your weekly routine?

I don't know why, but I hate taking a shower. (Not sure why, maybe because the shower is the symbolic beginning to the work day.) I do it every day, of course, but I am not a shower-lingerer. In the morning I'll procrastinate on getting in the shower until the last possible minute, then run around like a chicken with my head cut off to finish getting ready. On a weekly basis, I HATE sorting the kids' laundry. Something about putting those piles of baby socks and Dora panties together by color drives me nutso.

Bonus question: Where do you buy your underpants? What style of underpants do you favor? Why do you like these kind of underpants? How much do you usually spend on underpants? Do you like the word "underpants"? Do you think I have used the word "underpants" enough in this bonus section?

While *I* like the word underpants, and don't feel you could ever use that term too much, Mimi corrects me whenever I use that term and informs me that the proper term for girls is "panties." (Boys wear underpants, girls wear panties apparently). So in deference to my 4 1/2 year old grammar police daughter (she didn't fall far from the tree here) I shall use that term.

Being a bit of a lingerie junkie (ahem), I have all kinds of undergarments -- thongs, boyshorts, bikinis, etc. I find I am most comfortable with the cotton bikinis, though -- I just haven't gotten beyond the feeling-of-wedgie point when wearing thongs everyday. I have typically bought the Victoria's Secret cotton bikinis, but I've never been thrilled with having the VICTORIA'SSECRETVICTORIA'SSECRETVICTORIA'SSECRET running around the waistband. However, I just discovered the very nice cotton bikinis made by Gap Body, which I'm planning to buy soon. I will probably wait until I can find them on sale, but if I decide I must have them Right Now I'll buy them whether or not they are on sale.

I think these questions are pretty representative of what we're dealing with here, so if this interview has scared the (under)pants off ya, drop by Nance's site. 

And tell her Jen sent ya.

Also, regardless if you are going to BlogHer or not, if you would like to participate in "5 Questions with Bonus Question" interview, please drop me a note.