A Swift Kick & A Band-Aid

Do You Have Christmas Spirit?

Your Christmas Sprit Level: 70%

You have a lot of Christmas spirit, and it's evident to most people who know you. You love most things Christmas, and you do your best to make sure everyone has a great holiday. While you like the more commercial aspects of Christmas, you truly know what the spirit of Christmas is about. You're all about giving, being kind, and sharing the spirit of Christmas with everyone you know.

What Do The Holidays Mean To You?

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about generosity. You give as much as you possibly can to friends, family, and charity. You celebrate the holidays in a minimalist style. You are likely to only give one great present and decorate your house with a few special items. During the holidays, you feel magical. You love all of the decorations and how happy people are. You like to sit back and take it all in. You think the holidays should be decadent and indulgent. You never mind gaining a few holiday pounds... it's worth it! Your favorite holiday memories strongly evoke your senses. You are vividly aware of all the tastes, smells, and sounds of the holidays.

What color purple are you?

You Are Grape

You are bold and a true individual. You are very different and very okay with that. People know you as a straight shooter. You're very honest, even when the truth hurts. You are also very grounded and practical. No one is going to sneak anything by you. People enjoy your fresh approach to life. And it's this honesty that makes you a very innovative person.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills. Idealistic and dreamy, you tend toward the impractical. You have a knack for getting yourself in sticky situations. Brainy and intelligent, you are intellectual to the point of being incomprehensible. Your emotions tend to be relaxed and uncomplicated. You don't read too much into things.

My Fine Is $630.60

And who's surprised about my score?

But I'm just going to leave you guys to guess how it got that high ... ;-)

Here’s how it works: You don’t have to confess your answers, just the amount of your fine. (Not per incident!) Tally up your score and post it on your blog with the title… ”My Fine Is…”

Smoked pot — $10
Did acid — $5
Ever had sex at church — $25
Woke up in the morning and did not know the person who was next to you — $40
Had sex with someone on MySpace — $25
Had sex for money — $100
Vandalized something — $20
Had sex on your parents’ bed — $10
Beat up someone — $20
Been jumped — $10
Crossed dressed — $10
Given money to stripper — $25
Been in love with a stripper — $20
Kissed some one who’s name you didn’t know — $0.10
Hit on some one of the same sex while at work — $15
Ever drive drunk — $20
Ever got drunk at work, or went to work while still drunk — $50
Used toys while having sex — $30
Got drunk, passed out and don’t remember the night before — $20
Went skinny dipping — $5
Had sex in a pool — $20
Kissed someone of the same sex — $10
Had sex with someone of the same sex — $20
Cheated on your significant other — $10
Masturbated — $10
Cheated on your significant other with their relative or close friend — $20
Done oral — $5
Got oral — $5
Done/got oral in a car while it was moving — $25
Stole something — $10
Had sex with someone in jail — $25
Made a nasty home video — $15
Had a threesome — $50
Had sex in the wild — $20
Been in the same room while someone was having sex — $25
Stole something worth over more than a hundred dollars — $20
Had sex with someone 10 years older — $20
Had sex with someone under 21 and you are over 27 — $25
Been in love with two people or more at the same time — $50
Said you love someone but didn’t mean it — $25
Went streaking — $5
Went streaking in broad daylight — $15
Been arrested — $5
Spent time in jail — $15
Peed in the pool — $0.50
Played spin the bottle — $5
Done something you regret — $20
Had sex with your best friend — $20
Had sex with someone you work with at work — $25
Had anal sex — $80
Lied to your mate — $5
Lied to your mate about the sex being good — $25

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence

You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others. Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel. You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations. A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict. You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person.

Girl Fest Continues

As promised ...

The haircare products (much fewer of these):

The infamous lotions ...

And finally, by AWTM's request, the body wash/exfolliants/random skin care products:

If only you people knew how small my bathroom really was, you'd be AMAZED that I fit all this crap in there. And that's not even touching the contacts, make up, hair accessories, or nail products.

You Make Me Feel Out Of My Element

Some days, I wonder how it got so girly in here ...

I have 13 bottles of shampoo

(only 11 are pictured because I forgot about the other 2)

I have 15 bottles of conditioner

And I'm the only one using them. No roommates to share with or anything like that.

Can anyone beat those numbers?

Next up, more hair care products ... and lotions ...

Pretty Princess ... By The Numbers

Thanks to T1G, my personality by numerology:

There are 22 letters in your name.
Those 22 letters total to 94
There are 8 vowels and 14 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 4

The characteristics of #4 are: A foundation, order, service, struggle against limits, steady growth.

The expression or destiny for #4:
Order, service, and management are the cornerstones of the number 4 Expression. Your destiny is to express wonderful organization skills with your ever practical, down-to-earth approach. You are the kind of person who is always willing to work those long, hard hours to push a project through to completion. A patience with detail allows you to become expert in fields such as building, engineering, and all forms of craftsmanship. Your abilities to write and teach may lean toward the more technical and detailed. In the arts, music will likely be your choice. Artistic talents may also appear in such fields as horiculture and floral arrangement, as well. Many skilled physicians and especially surgeons have the 4 Expression.

The positive attitudes of the 4 Expression yield responsibility; you are one who no doubt, fulfills obligations, and is highly systematic and orderly. You are serious and sincere, honest and faithful. It is your role to help and you are required to do a good job at everything you undertake.

If there is too much 4 energies present in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes of the number 4. The obligations that you face may tend to create frustration and feelings of limitation or restriction. You may sometimes find yourself nursing negative attitudes in this regard and these can keep you in a rather low mood. Avoid becoming too rigid, stubborn, dogmatic, and fixed in your opinions. You may have a tendency to develop and hold very strong likes and dislikes, and some of these may border on the classification of prejudice. The negative side of 4 often produces dominant and bossy individuals who use disciplinarian to an excess. These tendencies must be avoided. Finally, like nearly all with 4 Expression, you must keep your eye on the big picture and not get overly wrapped up in detail and routine.

Your Soul Urge number is: 5

A Soul Urge number of 5 means:
The 5 soul urge or motivation would like to follow a life of freedom, excitement, adventure and unexpected happening. The idea of travel and freedom to roam intrigues you. You are very much the adventurer at heart. Not particularly concerned about your future or about getting ahead, you can seem superficial and unmotivated.

In a positive sense, the energies of the number 5 make you very adaptable and versatile. You have a natural resourcefulness and enthusiasm that may mark you as a progressive with a good mind and active imagination. You seem to have a natural inclination to be a pace-setter. You are attracted to the unusual and the fast paced.

You may be overly restless and impatient at times. You may dislike the routine work that you are engaged in, and tend to jump from activity to activity, without ever finishing anything. You may have difficulty with responsibility. You don't want to be tied down to a relationship, and it may be hard to commit to one person.

Your Inner Dream number is: 8

An Inner Dream number of 8 means:
You dream of success in the business or political world, of power and control of large material endeavors. You crave authority and recognition of executive skills. Your secret self may have very strong desire to become an entrepreneur.

Not A Lady? GUFFAW!

I know I'm not exactly a demure little kitten, but seriously?
I think this is off ...

You Are 28% Lady

You tend to make up your rules of etiquette, throwing all conventions aside. And while you try to be a lady (sometimes), your behavior is often quite shocking.

That Softer Side

Dudes ... a quick hint here ... Mr. Josh Turner has a song that is exactly the kind that gets to me. Those Brad Paisley lyrics last week were mighty fine too. Call it campy, call it cheesey, call it whatever you want ... it still makes me smile ...

...and if you've got a problem with that, I'll punch you in the kidneys

Listen to it at CMT (not firefox friendly)

Boobs & Booze

Too often in my life I have let two things be a monumental distraction and get in the way of what I know is good for me - Boobs & Booze ...

I'm sure some of you guys out there are nodding in agreement. You've been there too? *shaking head* I don't think so.

I'm not referring to the bouncy, perky, sweater pillows that you guys thinkg I'm talking about. I'm referring to the selfish, lazy, TV watchers of the male gender that some of you may very well have been at some point in your life.

Whether it was because I was tired from a long night of drinking or because some boy didn't want to wait on me to go to sleep, I can recall many an occasion where I didn't wash my face at night, or apply moisturizer, or floss, or take a vitamin, etc.

But I'm trying to turn that around these days. I've got myself a tastey mouthwash, pretty smelling lotion, and a lovely soothing moisturizer that are becoming loyal and relaxing bedtime companions.

Now if only I could find a way to get a pedicure and manicure just before bed once a week ...

Cinematic Challenges

Hi, I'm Princess Cat and I suffer from cinematic challenge syndrome ...

As I've been repeatedly told in recent months by the male persuasion, I am severely lacking in the movie viewing department. They argue that the viewing of a set of movies is required for understanding the inner workings and important personality aspects of any husband-potential mate.

So, male readers ... I'm sending out a call for help ...

What movie(s) do you believe are required for my new netflix queue?

Famous Last Words

Who else isn't surprised?

Your Famous Last Words Will Be:

"I dunno, press the button and find out."

What Will Your Famous Last Words Be?

Shamelessly stolen from That 1 Guy

Hi, I'm Here Because I'm Fat

I just read Tammi's post about her issues with food. It made me incredibly sad ... because I too have issues with food. I guess a lot of people do. But even a good face can't erase the food demons. The body image demons scream even louder most days.

You see, I grew up the fat girl. I have never known what it was like to be skinny. There are pictures of me as a kid before I was old enough to be in school where I am thin. But once you get to the third and fourth grade, the time that I can begin to remember, the pictures portray a fat girl. The teasing that I remember was aimed at a fat girl.

When I was young, it was "baby fat" that I would "grow out of" ... but I never did. By junior high, I wore clothes from Lane Bryant. I was not in fashion, for any age group, let alone my own. In order to find a dress for my 8th grade graduation I had to go to a special "fat lady" store. My dress was a Woman's 1X. I looked like I was wearing a big pink tent with lace.

The weight just kept coming on. I was as awkward as any freshman I suppose but my anxiety and depression made me feel like I was the only one. Compounded by the fact that I didn't really have any friends to speak of. By my sophomore year, I was at Weight Watchers meetings every Saturday morning. They helped a little, but not much ... and certainly not in a lasting way. My prom dress was more black fabric than I ever hope to see again. Again, not even close to fashionable for prom.

I'm sure there are a lot of factors that contributed to the reason why, but the weight just never went away. Before I knew it, I weighed 215 pounds. And at only 5'9" ...

Over a year and a half or so I was able to lose a total of 50 pounds by learning to like new types of food, by learning to give into a craving with a bite (not a whole cake), by being conscious of not only what I was eating but how I was eating and realizing the psychological effect of foods.

Most of those 50 pounds has stayed off ... but not all of it ... and I want to lose 25 more, at least.

I have massive anxiety about eating with people I don't know very well. At parties or gatherings with strangers, I hardly eat a thing because I feel the eyes watching, judging, waiting to tell me that my food choices are why I am so fat. At get togethers with a buffet, I've been known to be too scared to get my own food and had a boyfriend get it for me.

There are still days that I take out my contacts or refuse to put on my glasses, just so I don't have to see myself naked in the mirror. I hate myself naked. I disgust myself. I only have boobs because of the fat. I am a hideous pear. I have more stretch marks than some women who've had three kids. No amount of exercise will give me a flat, toned midsection. The extra skin and kangaroo pouch are a permanent reminder of my painful, lost youth. My body is forever ruined. I will never know the simple pleasure of living in a young, nubile body.

Some days I ask myself, why watch what you eat if you'll never be who you want to be? And those are the days I'm glad I don't keep much food in my house.

Meme of Fours

Bou's newest blogson, Blue Tige, tagged me with the Meme of Fours.

You know, Meme of Fours ... that sounds strangely like metaphors in my head as I type this. And come to think of it, maybe these answers could be metaphors about the life of the answering blogger...

Four Jobs That I've Had:
1. Shipping & receiving at Barnes & Noble
2. Hotel front desk
3. Government affairs assistant (for a professional medical society)
4. DC Intern

Four Movies I can watch over and over again:
1. The Cutting Edge
2. The Replacements
3. Boondock Saints
4. Memento

Four T.V. Shows I love to watch: (note the theme here...)
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. ER
3. House
4. CSI

Four Website's I read Daily: (it didn't say blogs...)
1. ME (DUH! comments are my friend)
2. Gmail
3. University email
4. Fox News

Four Places I've Been on Vacation:
1. Vail, CO
2. Ensenada, Mexico
3. Tampa, FL
4. United Kingdom

Four Favorite Foods:
1. Cheese
2. Chocolate
3. Mashed Potatoes (so long as they aren't crap)
4. Breads

Four places I’d rather be: (again... a theme...?)
1. In a hot tub under the palm trees and stars, with a nice drink
2. A warmer (but NOT humid) climate
3. On a secluded beach under the stars on a warm night
4. A friendly bar laughing with all my best girls

Four People I tag (if they haven't been already):
1. Johnny-Oh
2. Shoe
3. Jim - PRS
4. Ted

Christmas Movies

Tammi has tagged me with the 5 Christmas Movies Meme, with the expectation that I will have a surprise or two up my sleeve no less ... but I don't think have any surprises left on this one.

ELF is the only Christmas movie I can remember watching in the last 5 years. That has to say something for it. It means you just have to laugh... "Hello, this is Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

But, you see, I usually change the channel with Christmas movies come on TV. I'm not much of a Christmas kind of gal ... there's not another season that leaves me more disappointed and depressed. At some point, I end up off in a corner somewhere crying, every year.

I love doing things for others, buying them gifts and making them cookies, making other people feel valued and loved ... but I do that whenever I can, not just Christmas. The exchange of wish lists and poorly thought out gifts that do not reflect any real relationship between the giver and the receiver leaves me cold inside. It cheapens the idea of gift giving as a whole, it means no one really knows a thing about each other ... and the whole season has become nothing but that empty trade ...

I'm not upset over the commercialization of Christmas because people have to choose to participate in commercial activities. If people want Christmas to be religious and/or spiritual, they will experience it that way in their own personal way. That is the nature of faith, personal choices, experiences, and relationships ... ones that no one could ever take away from your heart where you live them the most deeply.

I grow increasingly frustrated by the multitude of people who talk the talk of acting in the spirit of Christmas and are so proud that they have been nice to others during the month of December. Where were you the rest of the year? Are you really proud of yourself for dropping a couple of nickels in the Salvation Army bucket when you've ignored every other charity all year long? Are you really proud of yourself for smiling at the person in the next car over a couple of extra times when the rest of the year you'll probably cut that person off four times that amount? The mass of hypocrites and fair weather good Samaritans is enough to make me skip Christmas all together.

And then there are my personal Christmas experiences... lets just say my family is full of those hypocrites - the ones that get on your case for the way you are behaving, that tell you to live in the spirit of Christmas, and then go behave worse than they do the rest of the year. Christmas has always meant fighting. It has always meant a lot of alone time, abandonment, and a lack of love. As an adult, it grew to mean egregious betrayal was in the works. Those that I love and trust are the most hateful at Christmas.

Every year I try to start fresh, to love the season, to be cheery, to spread joy and happiness ... but it never seems to work ...

I'm just not much of a Christmas kind of gal

Psychic Panties

What Your Underwear Says About You

You like to think of yourself as innocent, even though you're not! You're a closet exhibitionist who gets a thrill from being secretly naughty.

Anyone that needed to check my panties to know this... well, let's just say they're dense enough they'd learn how to drown on dry land...

5 More Weird Habits

Since I got hit by this meme a second time (this time from Sissy), I guess I'll answer it again. I figure I'm weird enough I've got another five floating around here somewhere...

1. I shop for bath products whenever I am feeling sad or stressed, but I don't really like to take baths. I'm a big shower kind of girl...

2. I keep my hair really long and refuse to cut it short(er) because I think I look stupid with short hair...but I almost always wear my hair up...

3. I can't leave the house without seeing how my butt looks in the mirror, while I'm dancing... even if I'm going to work...

4. I memorize cheesey movies from years ago that no one else would ever admit to watching, let alone memorizing. For example, Hackers or The Cutting Edge

5. I have a habit of walking like I'm going to beat someone's ass... through the airport, going home from work, shopping at the grocery store... just about anywhere I am walking to a specific end point. (Maybe this is why I always have to ask dudes out and they rarely do the asking?)

Now this means I get to hit five MORE people...MUHAHAHA!
Zonker
Ted
Shoe
Amelie
Redneck

My 5 Weird Habits

Matty Blackfive has tagged me with the Meme "5 Weird Habits" so... here goes... ya'll asked for it...

1. I wear a pair of hefty black boots to work everyday...rain or shine... every day. People are always looking at me like I'm prepping for the coming invasion. You never know when you'll need to engage in a little office combat...

2. I use chopsticks for every possible task I can think of. In fact, I have probably just as many pair of chopsticks as I do forks. Some I use in my hair, others are for eating, and others are for cooking. I knew I was weird when my Chinese friend came over for holiday dinner at my house and tilted her head crooked while she watched me cook. I was scrambling eggs in a rice bowl for a Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner, with chopsticks... and even the Chinese immigrant looked at me funny... Fine, it's weird.

3. All the women will hate me for this one... I have a habit of training myself into disliking foods that I know I shouldn't be eating. I can't manage to train myself out of chocolate but I did manage to effectively wipe pizza and lasagna off the menu. They still taste good, but I have to make myself want to eat them now.

4. In keeping with the food theme... I've grossed a lot of people out with this one. The Scandinavian crowd will be with me on this one though... I think. I like to eat pancakes with a thin layer of sour cream on them. And if you put a thin layer of blackberry jam on top of that... MMMmmm, boy is it yummy! You get sweet and savory, hot and cold... Damn, now I'm hungry...

5. I'm a dancing fool. Not the kind that has all kinds of impressive moves... the kind that does it all the time (so long as no one is looking). I rock out at my desk while writing papers blogging. I listen to country and I can't help but line dance in my head, even in the shower. I'm constantly singing and dancing in the mirror when I'm having a good day... on a really geeky day I even bring out the cowboy hat and rock out like I'm on a stage... (oh god, did I just admit that?)

And just as a bonus weird habit, how about a non-habit?
... I don't drive ... period. Weird, huh?

So, since I have to tag five other people... I choose
Eric
RSM
The Maximum Leader
Dawn
Buckethead

Awww...I'm So Cute!

You Are A: Kitten!

Cute as can be, kittens are playful, mischevious, and ever-curious. Like you, kittens hate getting wet. Kittens are often loving, but are known to scratch or bite when annoyed. These adorable animals are the most popular pets in the United States--37% of American households have at least one cat. Whether it is your gentle purr or your disarming appearance, you make a wonderful kitten.

You were almost a: Bear Cub or a Groundhog
You are least like a: Chipmunk or a FrogWhat Cute Animal Are You?

stolen (a long time ago) from: Ramblings and Travels

What Kind of Soldier

The lovely AWTM called to check on me today since she knew I was struggling with these papers so much (she's such a sweetie) and we got to talking about some soldier stuff...

It made me wonder, what kind of soldier would I be?

You scored as Officer. Officer, your the brass. The leader of the bunch. You have leadership qualities, or you have a really big ego. Most likely both. You know how to get things done, and don't care who you have to kill to get them done. Your a man/woman with a mission and to stand in your way means pain. You have gumption and intelligence to back it up. Hold the line!!! AND SOMEONE GET ME COFFEE!!! Officer 75% Engineer 69% Combat Infantry 63% Special Ops 63% Support Gunner 56% Medic 44% Artillery 31% Civilian 0% Which soldier type are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I'm 0% civilian... hehehe... nice...

H/T: Bou

Which Food TV Star Are You?

Which Food Network chef are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

ROCK ON! I love Paula Deen!!

Easy or Stupid?

I have several labor day stories to tell but I'm not in much of a writing mood. So you're getting another quiz-like entry instead.

I first have to say however that I believe, The Job Predictor, (that I found via Boudicca) is rigged.

As my super fun blogger identity, I am meant to be a pole dancer...

As my real life identity, I am meant to be a professional tramp...

So either this job generator is trying to get some by convincing me that I'm easy, or I've been wasting a lot of time, effort, and money on all this edjumakation nonsense...

It's MY White House Now

You know, it's about damn time someone recognized me as the rightful leader of this country!

But what's with all these posers ahead of me? Whatever...here's the plan...
First I have to kill Eric, and then VW...and then all those other people in my way.... and then ... if I can avoid being framed for the mysterious disappearances of these imposters ... THE SEAT OF ULTIMATE POLITICAL WORLD DOMINATION WILL BE MINE!! MUHAHAHAHA!

How long will you have to wait? Check here ... but be forewarned... I'm one tough bitch to kill.

Bedroom Secrets

You want to know about my favorite part of sleeping with a man?

(totally safe for work)

When he gets his bed hogging, covers stealing, log sawing, good pillow thieving, sleep farting, snooze hitting ass out of bed and leaves!

That next hour or so I get to sleep alone all snuggled up and comfy, without anybody bothering me is just like heaven...

Craft Lady

I have had a roller coaster of a weekend and I'm not sure I'm still the same person. I mean, what kind of ass-kicking, name-taking, un-apologizing princess does crafts?

I don't know what to tell you, folks... but I have paint brushes and plans... this could get a little strange...

Dirty Girl

We needed a quiz to figure this out?

My life is rated NC-17.
What is your life rated?

(stolen from everyone...so I'm a lemming sometimes...deal...)

Purple Rules!

SWEET! It's my favorite color and everything!

Your Mood Ring is Purple

Sensual Clear mind Purpose is known

Weird-o-Meter

Ok, now we all know this test is flawed...I'm way weirder than this thing thinks I am!

You Are 20% Weird

Not enough to scare other people... But sometimes you scare yourself.

Hell Yeah, I'm American

You Are 89% American

You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you!

I guess the remaining percent is the honorary Asian in me...

Innocence Lost

I've always taken myself to appear rather innocent on the surface. I mean, I generally don't make a grand entrance when I walk into a room...I'm quiet and generally keep to myself...at first...

I really thought that at least someone was still playing along with the innocent act. Hehehe...not so much...I apparently lost it somewhere along the way.

Yesterday alone I heard...

..."I don't buy that innocent thing at all..."

..."Innocent? I don't think so...you've got that hint of decadence about you that just throws it all off..."

..."You have an innocent act?"

..."I must have missed that act..."

..."it's not a frequent act of yours..."

Well shit...if no one is buying it anymore...wonder what kind of trouble people expect me to get into instead...

Sex Style

Meee-ow I'm awesome...come and get it boys!

Personality

I'll let you be the judge of this test's accuracy...

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

Pulp Fiction

You know you want me...I'm Esmarelda...

You're a hardworking individual enshrouded by an overwhelming sense of mystery, beauty, and intrigue. Though always on the go, you keep focused, helping -- often rapturing -- those you meet. Take the What Pulp Fiction Character Are You? quiz.

Stolen from Sadie

Drinking Skill

Bacardi 151 Congratulations! You're 134 proof, with specific scores in beer (80) , wine (133), and liquor (60).

All right. No more messing around. Your knowledge of alcohol is so high that you have drinking and getting plastered down to a science. Sure, you could get wasted drinking beer, but who needs all those trips to the bathroom? You head straight for the bar and pick up that which is most efficient.

Not bad for a youngin...don'tcha think?

Chinese Zodiac

You Were Actually Born Under:

Full of spunk, you are the original party animal. You bring fun, activity, and stimulation to any event. Self-control is not one of your strong points; you have been known to over indulge. Cheerful and energetic, you can turn the most boring thing into something fun. You are most compatible with a Rat or Dragon.

You Should Have Been Born Under:

You are solid, methodical, and you do things right the first time. Even when no one else does, you always believe in yourself. You tend to see the world in black and white, right or wrong. A good memory and eye for details means you tend to thrive at near impossible tasks. You are most compatible with a Snake or Rooster.

The REAL Princess Cat...

... hello, Swift Kick Minions... Eric from SWG here... the lovely Miss Cat has asked me to handle the reins for a while as she enjoys a holiday...

.. I was wondering what y'all might like to see here... and then, it hit me like a freight train... you guys probably want to know what the REAL Princess is like... right?... well, having met her, I feel I might be able to shed a wee bit of light..

... for instance, while strolling through DC with her, I was truly impressed with her wit and intelligence.... guys, she's a real keeper... but she is also keen on military and political affairs... a very pleasant surprise... as we strolled the Mall, I couldn't help but imagine that when she finally starts commuting around DC, she'd love to have one of these babies... I think it'd suit her personality perfectly... oh, yeah...

My Deadly Sins

I couldn't pass up posting this. It made me laugh too hard not to.

Thanks, Dad

The question was posed to me recently...How am I able to be so in touch with my feelings and then describe them in such a logical, straightforward, uncomplicated manner?

At first I didn't know. After contemplating it, I have my dad to thank. All those talks we had when I was a kid helped me to be able to identify my emotions and generally pinpoint their source. It probably worked because he didn't give up until I could give him an answer and lying to my father was just something that I was not built to do. It wasn't a badgering kind of not giving up; it was more of a sympathetic, but persistent nudging. After a while I got better at expressing my emotions in a coherent and understandable way. I knew how I felt and he knew what I meant. The talks with dad got less dramatic in nature and my life felt less out of control. I grew up what I like to consider well adjusted.

So now we have today a Princess Cat that may not always feel like the world is on her side or that there is anything she can do about it...but a Princess Cat that can tell you the specific who/what/when/why/where/how of the situation without making a scene...usually...

Thanks, Dad...

Thanks, Dad...

Owner's Manual, p. 86

Who Am I?

Princess Cat (def): A conservative, country-lovin, suburbanite girl trapped in a liberal, big city life on the wrong coast.

Name: Cat
Nickname: Princess Cat / Kit Kat / Miss Kitty / SharpTooth / Sharpy Girl / Splenda / Whiskey Girl
Astrological sign: Gemini
DOB: 06/06/1980
Height: 5'9"
Weight: enough
Level of Education: B.A. Political Science/International Relations; B.A. Economics; M.A. Security Policy Studies (Candidate)
Occupation: Professional Student
Birthplace: Iowa City, Iowa
Marital status: Not Married
How many children: NONE - thank GOD!
Do you drink (alcohol): Hells yeah I do!
Do you smoke: Here and there, but only if I'm under unusual stress
Favorite outdoor activities: hanging out at the beach, picnics, BBQs, reading by the pool, strolling through the rain, jumping in puddles, scenic photography
Favorite indoor activities: Chillin with Sheila (the computer), cooking/baking, chatting on the phone, napping
Favorite colors: Purples/Reds - especially lavender and blood red
Favorite type of music: Country
Favorite musical groups/performers: Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Allison Krause, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Terri Clark, Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Bates, Brad Paisley, Chris Cagle, Alabama, Blackhawk
Favorite song at the moment: "Delicious Surprise" by JoDee Messina
What's in your home CD/cassette player right now: Julie Roberts
What's in you car CD/cassette player right now: In the CD player I listen to while taking the Metro to class is a Pop/Rock mix I burned
Do you play an instrument: Technically? Yes... But I haven't touched a violin or a piano in years
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping: I've always been too shy
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up: As a young child, I wanted to be a vet. When my cat got hurt I changed my mind. I just assumed it would be something medical after that.
What would be your dream job now: Red cell analyst with the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Office at the Department of Homeland Security (IAIP @ DHS)
Have you ever been convicted of a crime: The law still smiles on me
Places you'd most like to visit: Australia, Ireland
Your first car: When I get one, I'll let you know
Dream car: I used to think this was a BMW M5 but I haven't really put much thought into it for a while
Car you Drive now: None
Favorite season: Spring
Favorite holiday: Independence Day
Favorite hobbies: Fixing computers, coloring, baking, home improvement/ housewares shopping
Favorite sport to play: Hockey (as long as there is no ice involved)
Favorite sport to watch: Football
Least favorite sport to watch: Baseball
Most humiliating moment: I've had a lot of embarrassing moments, two tie for most humiliating.
(1) One that was especially humiliating follows one of my winter orchestra performances. We had gone out afterward to bond. We had not been in the orchestra together long. Anyhow, I was getting dropped off with 3 friends still in the car. It was icy, I was in heels, carrying my violin. I got out, closed the door, and turned to walk up to the driveway. As they rolled down the window to say something I slipped and lost my balance. While falling forward my long black skirt flipped up and the car got a nice ass shot. It didn't just go back down either. I had to fight with it being tangled in the coat as I tried to recover my composure. They reminded me to be careful of the ice a lot after that...as we laughed.
(2) One morning my dad dropped me off at school (innocent enough). I drew a lot of attention because he drove me in his boat (a 1965 green sedan deville). That wasn't the problem. The problem was me running late and not paying attention. I jumped out of the car and whipped around to run to class...only to smack my face into the pole of a no parking sign.
Do you have any siblings: Lil bro, Ian
Do you get along with your parents: Yes and no. I grew up a total daddy's girl but he and I have drifted apart after his second marriage. We don't fight but we aren't that close anymore. Sometimes I really miss him. I've never really gotten along with my mom. It's always been more of a sibling relationship than a parent-child relationship. We fight less now but I don't ever see us being close.
Favorite place to chill: The California shore of the Pacific Ocean under the moonlight
Favorite place to visit: Vail, CO
What is your bad time of day: The time when I have to wake up for no good reason
What is your good time of day: The time I get to connect/share with friends (via email, phone, chat, blog, etc)
Favorite flower/plant: Stargazer lily or white & lavender rose (think fire & ice type look)
Favorite subject in school: Advanced Anatomy (cadaver class)
Least favorite subject in school: Math
Favorite authors: Richard Preston, Patricia Cornwell, Robert Sabuda
Favorite book genre: mystery/forensic fiction
Favorite book: Dove by Robin Lee Graham
Current book I'm reading: 1421, The Year China Discovered America by Gavin Menzies (in bits and pieces since I'm buried by academic reading)
Favorite magazine: Scientific American, maybe ... I don't really read mags
Favorite movie of all time: Top Gun
Other favorite movies: Real Genius, PCU, Boondock Saints, The Cutting Edge, Hackers, Grosse Pointe Blank, The Replacements (Yes, I like cheesy movies but I can watch them over and over again and they make me laugh every time)
Favorite actors/actresses: Ben Browder, Val Kilmer, Nicholas Cage, Kevin Spacey, Goran Visnjic, Tommy Lee Jones
Favorite cartoon characters: Bender (from Futurama), Dexter, Mojo Jojo, Tigger, Crush the Turtle (from Finding Nemo)
Favorite food: Anything my aunt makes *especially* her homemade mac n' cheese...Mmmmm
Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla - you can always add chocolate!
Favorite alcoholic Drinks: Tequila shots, Jack & coke, Jaeger & redbull
What is your bedtime: Whenever I'm so exhausted I'm about to fall down or whenever someone else makes me go to bed. Left to my own devices I tend to go to sleep sometime just before sunrise.
Worst enemies: No one I actively am enemies with...but there's a list of people that I fear or that hate me
Interesting fact about your childhood: I was ultra shy & I don't remember most of it
How many rings before you answer the phone: I only use a cell phone so there aren't rings, just different songs.
The first thing you think of in the morning: WTF time is it?
Favorite thing to do when you're home alone: Play my favorite songs extremely loud and dance around the house
Things that make you feel good: Being wrapped up in a blanket, the smell of fresh baked goods, the smell of a garlic infused meal being cooked, a nice glass of red wine, the 'click' that happens when someone finally understands something you are trying to teach them, falling asleep being held by someone I love
Things you don't like: Foods with a mushy texture, safety Nazis that try to save people from themselves, people that insist they are right but don't have facts or evidence or even logic to back up their blabbering, masses of people all trying to do the same thing without any order involved (like in malls, stores, etc)
Worst feeling in the world: The idea of never being important
Scariest feeling in the world: Feeling helpless, powerless, and/or trapped
Best feeling in the world: Love
Do you get motion sickness: Unfortunately. Sea sick most often, sometimes car sick but I never actually lose my cookies
Roller Coasters - Deadly or Exciting: Exciting, so long as they are only the kind at Disneyland. That's where I draw the line.
Thunderstorms - Cool or Scary: AWESOME
Pen or Pencil: Pen
Do you like to drive: NO
Do you sleep with stuffed animals: Just two right for the time being - a giant Easter bunny and a teddy bear. I miss my giant panda. The rest of the stuffed animals are either decorating the bedroom or stored in California.
Did you have imaginary friends or a blanket as a child: Who has an imaginary blanket? I just beat up on my little brother when I was bored instead of making things up.
What is on the walls of your room: Cowboy hat, American flag, USMC flag, Diploma & cap (with HS and college tassels), fraternity medallion, UCSD pennant, Japanese fan, Japanese print, ledges (holding stuffed animals, pics, keepsakes), wood & glass shelf with princess items on it, princess mirror, pics of roses, pics of friends, family portrait, corkboard w/keepsakes, magnetic dry erase board
What words or phrases do you overuse: Dude, awesome, nice, f*ck
Coolest things anyone ever gave you: Blue gave me a pen engraved with the initials of all our friends at the time, Ang gave me a photo album with all kinds of personalized touches as a going away present, boytoy gave me boba for our first Christmas together (its an Asian drink)
How would you characterize your political leanings: Conservative realist, libertarian idealist, independent thinker capable of evaluating issues on a case by case basis, promoter of personal responsibility and ownership in all aspects of social, economic, and political life
If you could pick one super-human power, what would you choose: Invisibility - I could go anywhere or do anything and no one would know!
Favorite Quotes/Lyrics/Poems: Most of these will be put in the blog from time to time as I remember them. I'm good at posting lyrics, a lot.

"When someone shows you who they really are, believe them the first time." -- This was said to me by Lisa Tombalakian, an instructor of international marketing. I think she read it or paraphrased it from somewhere else but it has stuck with me

"Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean that they don't love you with all they have." -- Truman Capote

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." -- James D. Miles

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." -- Dr. Seuss

"Except for ending slavery, fascism, Nazism, and communism, war has never solved anything." -- USMC bumper sticker

100 Things

1. I curse enough to make military men blush
   
2. I'm a Gemini - my sign fits me & I most definitely have 2 sides
   
3. I think I was born in the wrong part of the country
   
4. I have never felt at home anywhere but my Palmilla Apt in San Diego
   
5. I'm an occasional overachiever, when I give a damn
   
6. I enjoy smoking a good cigar
   
7. Stupid people are the bane of my existence
   
8. I am an ESTJ - the guardian/administrator
   
9. Sometimes I'm an ESFJ – the caregiver
   
10. I can't stick to a hobby for any length of time
    
11. I'm addicted to Sheila (my computer)
    
12. I always have an opinion
    
13. If I think you're wrong, you'll soon know
    
14. I'm a terrible packrat
    
15. The Pacific Ocean talks to me (when I am on the beach at night)
    
16. I can't wait to own a house CHECK
    
17. Singing, however badly I do it, always makes my day a little better
    
18. I think sarcasm is an art form I am working to master
    
19. The smell of lilies calms me
    
20. I've only known my dad to cry 3 times, twice it was my fault
    
21. I hate school
    
22. I'm very proud of having attended 5 different universities
    
23. I love learning
    
24. I love immersing myself in music (read: the surround sound is cranked)
    
25. Tequila is my shot of choice
    
26. I crave attention
    
27. I hate the spotlight
    
28. Having to be the bigger person really chaps my hide, but I keep on doing it because I hate myself if I'm not
    
29. Baby snot is the most disgusting thing I can think of (just the sight of it makes me gag)
    
30. I'm fascinated by military affairs
    
31. I can't wait for a job, that stays at work Not as great as I thought it would be
    
32. I've been suicidal more than once in my life
    
33. I can hold a grudge for eternity
    
34. My parents are divorced, at least 10 yrs too late in my judgment
    
35. I love to travel
    
36. Being away from my things for too long makes me uneasy
    
37. I like country music more that most other genres
    
38. Both my grandfathers died before I was born
    
39. They both died of cancer before my parents ever met
    
40. Reality TV has a way of sucking me in
    
41. I can do 0 to BITCH in under 2 seconds
    
42. Teaching comes naturally to me
    
43. The only potential in-laws to openly like me were not US citizens
    
44. I seriously considered joining the Marine Corps
    
45. Beyond family, I can count the number of people I truly love on one hand
    
46. The few I bother to hate I can count on the other
    
47. The mainstream media annoys me
    
48. The people who believe the MSM bullshit annoy me far more
    
49. I've dissected a human cadaver (and it was one of the most awesome things I've ever experienced)
    
50. I get along much better with male roommates than female
    
51. I don't like other people to do my laundry
    
52. I have an incredibly violent mind
    
53. I only fight when someone else throws the first blow
    
54. I find line dancing fun
    
55. Silence freaks me out, especially if I'm alone
    
56. Kids are not a part of my future plans
    
57. Plastic surgery is, hopefully sooner rather than later
    
58. Being the rock for others gives me purpose in life
    
59. I have an incredibly analytical mind (that doesn't shut down)
    
60. I don't tolerate deception, period
    
61. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot is my favorite phrase
    
62. I have a compulsive need to correct things that are out of place (i.e. books out of place on the store shelf, sugar packets at a restaurant, the writing assignments of my peers)
    
63. Explosions and fire turn me on
    
64. I make myself feel better by buying bath products
    
65. Taking baths doesn't relax me
    
66. I'm not ready to be a grown up yet
    
67. I have never fit in with my peer group, at any age
    
68. I can't stand not being trusted
    
69. I'm a Reagan Republican
    
70. The idea of being married makes me feel secure
    
71. The idea of getting married is unfathomably scary
    
72. People that don't pay attention to politics are a constant source of irritation to me. Especially if there is an upcoming election.
    
73. I can't stand going to bed at night unless I am worthlessly tired
    
74. Waking up is my most dreaded part of the day
    
75. I have never felt like more than a flawed version of what wish I were or people expect me to be
    
76. I can't read more than a few pages of anything before my attention span fades (thanks grad school!)
    
77. My father went to military school
    
78. Ignoring me/not listening is the quickest way to piss me off
    
79. I always have a bottle of Jager in the freezer
    
80. I'm terrible at expressing my gratitude for other people
    
81. I hate the color pink, unless it is associated with princess stuff
    
82. I'm one of the laziest people I know
    
83. Hurting people, no matter the circumstances, is one of the most difficult things for me to do
    
84. Classical music grates on my nerves
    
85. Feeling trapped is one of the worst feelings I have experienced
    
86. I CANNOT have sex with only my socks on
    
87. I am easily amused by cartoons, stupid humor, and simple things (like jumping in puddles with friends)
    
88. I can't help but rock out to Bon Jovi (Living on a Prayer/Wanted Dead or Alive/You Give Love a Bad Name)
    
89. I've been accused of setting the women's movement back 20 years with my thinking
    
90. I believe in equal responsibility for equal rights (personal responsibility and ownership - novel concepts, I know)
    
91. I don't participate in organized religion & my faith is very private
    
92. Only one person close to me has ever failed to let me down - the rest have done a terrific job of it at least once
    
93. That person will probably never really know how much she means to me - no matter how much I try to tell her
    
94. Playing the drums would rule!
    
95. White roses with lavender edges (think fire & ice) are my favorite - I've only found them once, ever (florists have no idea what I'm talking about)
    
96. I can be painfully and unapologetically blunt with the truth
    
97. My world seems off balance without fighter jets overhead
    
98. I feel guilty spending money on myself
    
99. I can organize anything, except my own life
    
100. A solitary walk through a rain storm can wash away nearly all my stress and worry