I have a blog-crush on The Restaurant Refugee (don’t worry, he knows) which requires me to complete any meme he writes. It’s in the rule book. You can check it for yourself.

1. It’s not fall in Gainesville (or your city of origin) until _____________? It’s not fall for me until I get to go on a hayride. It’s not fall until the leaves on a Bradford Pear tree turn scarlet. It’s not fall until we’ve picked out our Halloween costumes. It’s not fall until I’ve baked my first loaf of pumpkin bread.
2. Kelly Preston’s character in the movie For Love of the Game expresses her need to escape NYC because “Summer’s almost over, and I feel like I missed it.” What do you need to do in the waning days of summer for it to feel complete? Make one last trip to the beach – which hasn’t happened yet for me. We only made it to the east coast a few times and that wasn’t nearly enough.
3. The person I know is wrong for me but about whom I frequently think after a break-up is _____________? I think it’s natural for your mind to wander back to the one you let slip away. In my case, I practically handed him over on a platter to the woman who became his wife which makes it particularly bitter for me. Over time though it’s become less of a “what if” and more of a “wonder how he’s doing” line of thinking.
4. The US Tennis Open, one of four Grand Slam events in that sport, is currently in the quarterfinal round. If you could only attend one major sporting event what would it be?Florida State Seminoles crushing the Florida Gators in a national championship game, with Bobby Bowden still on as the ‘Noles’ coach.
5. Assuming that you write an anonymous or partially anonymous blog, by what non-physically identifying characteristics might you be identified in a bar? I wouldn’t be noticed. I’d be the one standing off to the side watching everyone else. Quite possibly with a cup of black coffee in my hand, just watching and soaking it all in.
6. Most blogs cover some sort of niche – personal, political, dating, culinary, etc. What topic, if any, would you like to address on your blog but doesn’t fit into your niche? I try and live my life transparently and hope that my writing reflects that. But every now and then I’ll sit down and start writing some rant or observation that is a toss up between being a little lippy or downright bawdy. I have an unusual take on certain things and so it’s probably best those thoughts stay tucked away inside my head.
7. If you could manipulate the time space continuum and give as many as three pieces of advice to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give and to what age of you? Only three? I could make a list of three-hundred. 1. Don’t quit band after two years (14 years old), 2. Don’t get in the car with him (17 years old), 3. Don’t marry him (36 years old).
8. Who among your friends do you really wish had a blog because their stories, or perspective on something ought to be shared? How about relatives? My dad should blog about his 37 years in law enforcement. He should name it “Behind the Gun” and regale us all with stories of drug busts, shoot outs & high speed chases. He could tell some real heart breakers too of the innocent victims he fought for so many years. When I was in high school, my friends would come over to pick me up for a night out and end up sitting on the floor at my Dad’s feet listening to him tell a story from the road. No lie. Of course, I’d have to be his blog editor because his typing and grammar skills are atrocious!
9. If you were to take an e-cation (vacation from the trappings of our electronic world,) and assuming that employment obligations would allow it, how long of a break could you take? What would you miss the most, the least? Phones without voice mail, postal service instead of email, libraries instead of Google. After the facial tics subsided, I’d be good for the long haul. But you’d have to move me out to the country and remove me from modern society all together. I could totally be a farm wife…just need to find me a farm husband.
10. On September 11th of this year, I will be attending a couple of parties and am somewhat conflicted by the fact that this ignoble anniversary shall pass with it being just another day in the eyes of many (and in some ways my own eyes as well.) Thoughts? I can’t ever imagine seeing 9/11 as “just another day.” I still get emotional when I think of the panic and fear the people affected must have felt when they realized the magnitude of what was happening. I think of all the shattered lives left behind. It’s inconceivable that anyone would ever see it as just another day.
11. How high are your walls? Who was the last person to scale them? What tools should would-be climbers have on their belt?Their height fluctuates. At one point, they were insurmountable. Right now, they’re pretty low – but they are surrounded with sticker bushes! The climber must have a heart for God and a desire for a deepening relationship with Christ. He must have a gentle spirit yet a fiercely protective nature. He will be my Solomon. A pack of skittles wouldn’t hurt either.
12. The sexiest thing a wo/man can say to you (or has said to you) is _____________? “I love you” when said properly can still bring me to my knees.