TPBM #46 - Thirty trombones more and we can have one BIG parade!

The question was Posted by SomeGuyInVirginia:

TPBM has worked in one of those historical reenactment places, like Williamsburg or Mystic Sea Port.

No, but I've been to both.

TPBM thinks that Reenactors are an odd lot.

Link to previous thread

Yes, actually I do. But whatever trips their triggers is fine with me. :)

TPBM prefers wearing silver jewelry to gold jewelry.

Knowing that silver matches shades of gray and blue better than gold does, I should. But I really prefer gold. That said, I wear very little jewelry. Gold would, to my taste, show up in pocket watches and fountain pens; my collections are not full of gold pocket watches and fountain pens though.

The person below me likes their gold straight, in bars, ingots, and coins.

I have one gold coin; I think it's a $2.50 piece minted in the 1870s and is about as big as the end of a pencil eraser. I agree with km that silver looks better than gold.

>>1 WholeHouseLibrary: WHL- I think those people who reenact battles really are nuts. It's nothing like kids playing cops and robbers, and there's nothing in my understanding that would lend empathy to dressing like a Confederate or Union soldier, or a Crusader, and pretend in a situation where the first principle is not to stay alive and not die but to stay down when you're declared dead.

TPBM had gold knickknacks.

I agree I like the look of silver better than that of gold myself. BUT if it goes to monetary value : oi vay ;-)

#4: Agree, the Pixar short is pure gold.

TPBM has gold dental crowns.

We are NOT going for eachother's gold dental work! Sorry, but you have to draw the line somewhere. ;-)

In response to 6. I have three or four of them; I'd actually have to look to know. They work well, but for gold I prefer my coins.

The person below me has porcelain dental crowns.

No I don't.

ETA : (Sorry, I don't know what came over me. Didn't mean to spoil the fun. Please ignore.)

I don't either - when I last saw my dentist he sais that he thought my teeth would see me out. I suppose that's a comfort.

TPBM has been told they grind their teeth

I have been told that, and I'm fully aware that I do it; I wake up with headaches and jaw pain sometimes, but all the OTC mouth guard things I've tried hurt me. I can't afford to see a dentist about a properly-fitting one yet.

BarkingMatt - It's very hard to continue the game if you don't provide a prompt for the next person to respond to. Like so:

TPBM knows a very smart child.

I do, and we're trying to figure what to do with him.

TBPM thinks that getting along with people is much more important than getting along in school.

Yes, but that (theoretically) doesn't justify completely slacking off academically, either.

The person below me is listening to a podcast.

Dolphins do broadcasts? Blimey, I am falling behind with this technology lark...

TPBM has seen a whale or dolphin.

Yes I have. But probably not the way you're expecting someone to answer. Marineland of the Pacific when I was a child in Southern California and SeaWorld.

TPBM loves SeaWorld, Marineland, Aquarium types of experiences.

*Leapfrogged*

Yes! Returning from Ireland to Wales recently on a very windy day I went on deck to blow away my mild seasickness and there, swimming along in the lee of the ferry were 4-5 dolphins in a tight formation. Amazing to see them clearing the rough sea so effortlessly. - a beautiful sight.

Having answered #14 thus, I have to say that I hate to see cetaceans confined in aquaria - Free Willy! I quite like big tanks with lots of small fish, though.

TPBM has has a close encounter with a shark

Yes but it was a whale shark. Monstrous great animal, but harmless unless it accidentally bumps into you!

TPBM is of the belief that if sharks will stay out of their house, they will happily return the favor and stay out of the sea.

Why, yes. That seems like a perfectly reasonable compromise to me.

TPBM has gone scuba diving in a coral reef.

Nope, but it's on my bucket list.

I have, however, canooed around mangrove swamps and marveled at the diversity of animal and floral life in them.

I don't know what the link between the two experiences is, but it just sprung up in my mind, so there.

> 14: I've seen dolphins within meters of distance, playing in "my" yatch's wake with such glee that I was almost tempted to join them. =)

TPBM has gone scuba diving in a coral reef.

No, although I'd like to try it. I've got a cousin who's a treasure hunter in Florida; now that I would LOVE to do.

(Happy Turkle Dee, everybody.)

TPBM found something interesting that's been buried for a long time. (Writing 'my sense of dignity' doesn't count, having found a Roman coin does.)

Under those rules, "Gran'mama" probably wouldn't be accepted either. So I'll have to pass.

Well, I have some very pretty rocks. Does that count?

The person below me has an antique something or other he or she really likes.

No, no. I wouldn't say he's antique. Just middle aged.

TPBM has an antique object he or she really likes.

My grandfather's humidor. It's floor-standing, with a copper-lined chamber and a no longer functioning clock set into the door. I don't know if it hits the 100 years old mark for an "official" antique, but my dad said he remembered that Grandpa had it already when dad was a little kid in the 1920s. Unfortunately, I've moved so many times, I noticed this last time I took it out of the truck that it's starting to get a little beat up.

TPBM stays put.

I've been in this townhouse since early 1973 and don't want to leave. I don't, however, own the fee simple interest in the land and so may be forced out in a year or eleven years; I have no place to go.

The person below me has a fairly secure future.

Not really. But even if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still worry. Worry seems to be my natural default state.

TPBM had an encounter with the super-rich.

I work for them.

TPBM is drinking a hot beverage right now.

Soon. Wife fixing coffee.

TPBM woke up sprouting turkey wings.

Pretty much, I woke up with a food hangover- bloated and blah.

ETA- Yay! PB's back!

TPBM knows what to do with the turkey, now that it looks like it's been got at by lions.

Turkey pot pie -just turkey meat, salt, pepper, butter, turkey/chicken broth, homemade crust, baked til golden.

Husband's grandmother made it this way and I've come to like it a lot. Plus daughter LOVES it.

Wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it.

(You can do this with chicken, too)

TPBM has a different way to use left over turkey.

Soup. With carrots, celery, onions, and rice. Nice and thick. And if there's some leftover gravy to put in, it adds a nice touch.

TPBM has worn snow boots lately.

Not in the last 26 years... which is, by the way, the overall duration of my current lifetime.

TPBM lives or has lived by the sea.

Only when I was a kid and my folks vacationed at the Jersey shore; and when MrsHouseLibrary and I did that cruise to Alaska. Well, that's more ~on~ the sea than ~by~ it.

We're going to be in the Lesser Antilles in 2 weeks (for about 2 weeks).

TPBM knows how to survive without the Internet for a long period of time.

*E2 replace 1st parenthetical preposition, for clarity.*

Just entertain youself as much as possible and try the best you can to not worry about what you may be missing online. Best technique, but you must have self control.

TPBM has a very frustrating experience with the Internet once that made s/he really mad.

Disturbed but not angry.

>>33 WholeHouseLibrary: WHL- Wow! We'll want a trip report.

TPBM has a barber/beauty shop horror story.

A lot of them. In my youth I seemed to attract every asshole barber in LA.

TPBM believes: go bald, you won't go back (or grow back--one or the other).

No. (And why not? Well, I suppose it's got something to do with being a girl.)

The person below me, despite my username, had no idea that I'm female.

No, I knew you were female, but I have no idea why you don't believe that Persis Khambatta changed all that sexual presupposition about hair styling.

The person below me had their prejudices readjusted by Star Trek: the motion picture.

Leaped. I really do need to take a typing course.

I don't know really. I don't remember seeing it, but as long as I didn't need to adopt any new prejudices and just got a fine turning of the ones I already hold.

I did, I peeked down your blouse when you bent over to pick up a knitting needle you'd dropped.

>>36 sholofsky: sho- 'every asshole barber'? Isn't that a sweeping generalization, an indelicate indictment of all practitioners of the coiffure's arts? I ask yourself to seek in your heart for a better understanding of your fellow persons, that you may realize that we are all equal, in the end.

TPBM needs to get home because, although he/she loves his/her family, there's a reason he/she ran away to join the circus.

Are you saying life is not a circus, Someguy? Had to join or die.

BTW #39, I said "every asshole barber in L.A." not "every barber in L.A. is an asshole." There are, unfortunately, assholes in every profession--just my poor luck to find every one in L.A. at this formative period in my life. And in the early 70's there were a lot, let me tell you. Kids, a formerly substantial part of their clientele, were all growing their hair long. Barbers were going out of business--and the ones that survived were PISSED. I would enter a shop to get my long hair cut for a job and one of these assholes would spout off "Whatta we got here, Buffalo Bill?" It was almost a question of who got to the razor first.

#38 Mr. Durick, sir, you are on the money. Hair or no hair, Persis Khambatta in STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE was definitely hot.

TPBM is thinking twice about getting a haircut.

No money for haircuts at present. And no-one in the family who can do it for free. At times like this, I wonder why we have no hairdressers, car mechanics or joiners in the family...

TPBM has a family member with a handy skill.

My brother knows a great deal about financial markets, and when I have a question about my computer I ask my mom who's a wiz at them.

>>39 SomeGuyInVirginia: You see, this is what I mean. Who gets up at 6:30 on a Saturday?! And I'm the last one up- the others have been up for an hour. What are we, farmers? I was adopted. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

>>40 sholofsky: sho Damn, I wasted a perfectly good pun. 'asshole barbers' - 'we're all equal in the end'. I've been trying to work that one in for about 5 days now.

TPBM is still blissfully asleep.

I was (turkey in my belly still waking me up).

#42 I see your pun and raise you. The concept was so strange to me--well, let's just say I only conceive of hemorrhoids and "equality in the end". Still, happy my rant served a purpose beyond disturbing everyone's peaceful Thanksgiving reflections.

TPBM is interested in dueling SomeGuy with puns (nether can play the banjo).

Only if I can choose the arena. That'd be either an airport security line or a street in France during a riot. At ten paces.

TPBM has nothing they need to do today.

I wish. Gremlins got into my house while I was shopping yesterday and the place is a wreck. Got housework to do and no motivation to do it.

TPBM already has a sparkling-clean, Christmas-decorated house.

In my dreams. I love my new roommates, but the house is unabashedly chaotic. Add to that an extra six dogs we're boarding for the holiday weekend. (There's 10-12 here normally as it is.) Imagine being trapped in a karaoke bar with "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" running on a loop. With dogs singing. All night.

TPBM has a strong opinion about karaoke.

(Snort. Nice.) You know, I've never been to a karaoke bar. I used to go to a few open mic nites, and depending on the crowd that could be a lot of fun.

>>43 sholofsky: sho- You know, we are farmers. If my dad hadn't decided he liked city life better than country life, I'd be raising tobacco today.

Anyway, I accept your challenge, albeit with fear and trepidation. I can tick off five or six names of people who could easily trounce me, and an equal number of names of people who I've simply ticked off. I've also long held the suspicion that one of us is a ringer, a pro, in short- an actual working writer. (And you know who you are.) Not to mention those dread sentients who, until now (I hope) dispassionately read this thread then cut and move on without leaving a mark.

Anyway, here is a thread I started in Games: Safe Words, Ejaculations, and Persons with 'Ideas'. The point is to make up a word and supply the definition. Don't be put off by the thread name; I like provocative titles because I think they draw attention (and it's play on words), but the point of the game is not to be intentionally rude or shocking.

TPBM knows how to make those carrot flowers.

You mean these carrot flowers?
http://www.thaicarving.co.uk/html/carrot_flowers.html

Or perhaps these?
http://www.thaicarving.co.uk/html/carnation.html

TPBM knows how to make something else.

Noise.

The person below me is a craftsman.

#47 and 49, I confess, SomeGuy and Mr. Durick, I am a working writer--which means, alas, like most writers, I work at writing but can't make a living from it. Your turn, SomeGuy, confess or...vee have methods...

TPBM has something to confess to all of us.

I've been wanting to get this off my chest for some time now. I put the "shoop" in the "shoop-di-whoop-di-whoop".

I also, and with malice aforethought, did put the "ram" in the "ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong".

TPBM has led a legally pure life, or at least, has never been caught.

See, I've never been caught cause I never tell!

TPBM thinks they have to thank justjim for the fact that their baby fell in love with them!

So, it was his fault?

TPBM knows who wrote the book of love.

Uh.... I suspect it's one of those before-my-time references. Failing that, one of those I-have-funny-taste-in-music references.

The person below me also has funny taste in music.

Only when it comes to THE MONSTER MASH. Otherwise, not a big fan of novelty records.

TPBM has written a turkey rights song dedicated to all the turkeys Obama didn't pardon.

No I haven't. I think turkey's have gotten all the attention they deserve and been far too much trouble.

>>50 sholofsky: sho- I am but a simple peasant lad, a wage slave, a lackey to the man. Re: the writer- as Yoda said, 'There is another'.

TPBM knows how to describe a wandering minstrel.

A thing of shreds and patches?

The person below me is watching Green Bay try to pull it out! (Game tied up w/ 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter!) Update: Green Bay lost in overtime. So sad. Much gnashing of teeth.

I was. Neither hate nor love the Packers, and I don't like nor dislike Brett Favre eitehr.

TPBM only likes Brett Favre becuase of the Vikings.

I'm fond of vikings who hand me drinking horns full of mead.

TPBM likes mead, too.

Gak. Leaped!

Never had mead. Couldn't tell you if I like it or not.

I don't follow football. I get more than enough updates on it because my father, uncle, and grandfather are die-hard Vikings fans, all three having been born and raised in Minnesota. Not one of them was thrilled about Favre being added to the team roster, mostly because as of late the man cannot make up his mind on whether or not he's retiring.

TPBM doesn't give a rat patootie (or any other rodent body part, for that matter) about football either.

Starting to get that way, but it should be America's national sport.

TPBM also believes that football should be Americans should switch our national sport from baseball to football.

Leaped...

I think it should be basketball.

The person below me is planning on buying something on cyber Monday.

Nope. I'm the person who has everything that advertisers are always gabbing about.

TPBM is on this thread because no one is posting anywhere else (that popular LT holiday known as post-Thanksgiving). (I know, SomeGuy, not my best).

No, I'm posting on this thread because I am a regular here.

The person below me is new to The Person Below Me.

I am not new to myself. I am new to this game.

TPBM has their Christmas tree up.

I do. Did it the day after Thanksgiving.

TPBM always have Christmas stuff in their house.

No, we never put it up earlier than the first weekend in December. And this year we also have to figure out what to do with the massive treadmill before we'll have space for the tree.

ETA: Leapfrogged! But the same answer applies.

TPBM is doing SantaThing.

Nope. Just feel like Santa after Turkey Day.

#67 Sylvia, you can store your treadmill on my profile page.

TPBM wants to use it, too.

There's a gym in the building and I still hardly ever use it.

TPBM works out regularly.

Haaaaa.... only if you count getting up. (Which is a feat when your center of gravity has displaced itself and you're being kicked from the inside all day.)

TPBM tries to eat right, but neverminds the exercise stuff.

Pretty much... and it's not working.

I've been finding that the exercise is much more important than dieting - when it comes to controlling my Diabetes, AND my weight. The trade-off is huge.

TPBM knows Morse Code.

-. --- -. --- - -- .

TPBM can read my fib above.

--.-----.----------.

TPBM can tell I don't know a damn thing about Morse Code.

(72) nonotme and (73) no way to tell what it is; it needs spaces

The person below me is seeking shelter.

Arghh, I forgot about talk's annoying habit of compressing white space. I really was a Royal Australian Navy trained communicator, including Morse, flags and semaphore. Never mind, carry on...

I'm pretty sheltered, which is good, since it is cold tonight. (Not cold like some of you have. 30 degrees is all.)

SylviaC, I love SantaThing! It is nice to get a new book or two.

The person below me is reading a book by an author new to him or her.

No, but I just finished a book by an author new to me.

TPBM hasn't started their Christmas shopping yet.

Hell, no. Having a husband with a birthday in late November makes it difficult to think up yet more gift ideas a scant month later - I'll have to make a panic run to Glasgow in a couple of weeks and hope inspiration strikes ...!

TPBM enjoys sailing.

I do right up until someone yells 'duck' and I don't.

TPBM saw a famous rock group back in the day.

Bunch of second tier groups, actually: Guess Who, Mothers of Invention, etc. But the wife was lucky enough to catch the Beatles in one their last official concerts, Dodger Stadium summer of '66.

TPBM was a groupie.

Um, I don't think so. Although I did make a special trip to hear Herman's Hermits at a club in DC some umpty-ump decades back. But one live performance doesn't constitute being a groupie; a real groupie would not have gone because Peter Noone was not participating in that reunion of the group.

The person below me loves bubble-gum music.

As much as I do pets.

TPBM is waiting anxiously for a particular package to arrive.

Not really "anxiously," but it will make R shut up about "When is the new TV lamp coming in?" He's been griping about it since Saturday. I don't think it occurred to him that we placed the order on Wednesday afternoon; if the company was even open on Friday, that would be the soonest they'd even process it, and we're in a three-day shipping zone for them. We probably won't see it till Wednesday at the soonest.

TPBM has packages to send.

Yes, I do. They are in their pre-package status - unframed pictures, unpurchased tins for sweets, unmade sweets, etc.

TPBM is just finishing up an excellent book.

I wish, I've got three serious books to read and I've been reading a long thrashy thriller instead (not excellent, BTW.) Giving me goal agida.

TPBM doesn't stress.

I don't at all unless there is too many people around that are stressed and that wears me down and ends of stressing me, but that usually doesn't happen.

TPBM has nothing to be stressed about.

The definition of an unstressed human is "dead." Or maybe "Sleeping like a baby."

TPBM is focusing on a moral irritant.

The great cause of my life is to make 'right on red' a felony.

TPBM is going out tonight.

No; I was away all weekend, and helping MrsHouseLibrary set up for the book fair today. Tonight, we sleep.

TPBM has reservations for something, somewhere, sometime.

Only the great beyond--but that's out of my hands.

TPBM visits the great beyond.

Sorry. I've never been in a spaceship.

TPBM has gone under in a submarine.

No, but I wouldn't mind as long as I could take a shower. I don't like doing anything that requires more than two days without soap and water.

TPBM knows the words to Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries'.

dum-da-da-da-da, dum-da-da-da-da, dum-da-da-da-da, dum-dee-dee-dum? Or is it Elmer Fudd's rendition instead, Kill da Wabbit, Kill da Wabbit, Kill Da WAAAA-BIT?

The person below me thoroughly enjoys Chuck Jones' cartoons.

Chiefly on the big screen.

TPBM wants cartoons in theaters again.

Cartoons ARE in theaters... haven't you seen any of the animated movies lately?

TPBM has seen a movie in a theater recently.

Must disagree, Rose. Disney would never have called SNOW WHITE or FANTASIA cartoons.

Haven't been in a theater since AVATAR. All the cartoon characters that have left the screen were in the audience.

TPBM will weigh in on the cartoon versus animated feature controversy.

It's too controversial for me. I just like watching entertaining stuff, animated or real guys (well, you know what I mean).

The person below me wonders what people 70 years ago would have thought of the computer generated movie stuff of today.

I do. I also wonder what Beethoven would have made of the whistles-and-bells electronic keyboards we have these days.

TPBM worries about saving the human race, as opposed to saving the planet.

Nah. I've been watching that programme about the fall of ancient civilisations on the BBC and I know we're all doomed. Doomed, I say!

TPBM is smiling in a sinister fashion.

I'm too tired to tell if I'm smiling or not.

TPBM is more awake and therefore more aware of his/her facial expression.

Yes, I'm pretty much awake. I've been at work 3 hours and I'm not even yawning yet.

And, for some strange reason, being aware of my facial expression per SRedRose's post above, I've got a teensy smile on my face - probably just in anticipation of lunch soon. :)

I'm going to try this one again. TPBM is just finishing up an excellent book.

I recently finished Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman, and it was, indeed, an excellent book.

TPBM is just starting to read what they hope will be an excellent book.

The Fortune Teller by Marsha Norman. So far it seems promising, but I'm not familiar with this author, so I'm hoping she makes a good impression.

TPBM is waiting for a certain book to be released.

I am waiting for Cryoburn to be released in paperback, which will probably be another year:(

I love Miles Vorkosigan, but a hardback won't fit on the shelf with all the other stories. And anxiously waiting to read it from the library in the meantime.

TPBM already has all the books they ever want.

All the books I ever need, lifetime-wise--never all the books I want.

TPBM has a similar book-lust.

Yeah, it's a hording mentality which is always at war with my hatred of clutter-I totally get the Hindi God Kali. I've never tried an eReader, but after posting to the Books in 2015 forum I've realized I could easily move all the genre lit (mystery, horror, sci-fi) to an eReader and most of the lit. As I've thought more about it, most of the non-fiction could go digital as well. Only thing is, no way in hell am I going to buy the same titles again. BTW, the books in 2015 is an interesting topic started by Tim; everyone should give a shout.

TPBM has recently made a big purchase.

I could never have all the books I ever want. I don't have to own them either, I get excited just stepping through the doors of the local library because of all the wonderful possibilities that await me.

OOPs. Leaped Yes, I have.

TPBM remembers a special book from childhood.

Yes - my FAVORITE story was The King, The Mice, and The Cheese.I donated my copy to Goodwill when I was a teenager, not thinking that I might want to save it for my own future kids. It's no longer in print, but Amazon has used copies; if I have enough money after Christmas shopping I'll buy one.

TPBM saved their special books from childhood to share with their kids.

I don't have any kids, but if I do, I plan to do that exact same thing, because I still have my special childhood books.

TBPM still enjoys those books from their childhood constantly and still reads them.

In general I don't reread books, just too many I haven't read the first time!

TBPM has noticed a large increase in junk email this week relating to 'Black Friday', 'Tech Monday' etc.

Yeah, I think retailers are desperate. Also, I did a quick Google search and it seem this is the first year the term 'cyber/tech monday' has been used, although the media makes reference to 'cyber/tech monday' 2009. Looks like we've got a new event, via marketing>media. Gah!

TPBM has been to a live show recently.

Yes, I was at a live show earlier this month. We have a small community theatre that puts on great productions. The one I saw was called Flamingo Court and it was about the residents of 3 condos in Florida. Funny, sad, racy, it had it all.

TPBM has never seen the Nutcracker.

Never have, probably never will.

TPBM actually has seen the Nutcracker, whatever it is.

I like the music and I've got the book
http://www.librarything.com/work/105569/14939791
- nice illustrations by Maurice Sendak - but I can't abide ballet so I probably never will either.

TPBM OTOH loves the ballet.

Some ballets. I'm not familiar with many, but the ones I do know, I really like.

Some of my favorite music comes from The Nutcracker. Especially this version.

TPBM has a favorite Christmas song.

The Little Drummer Boy is my all time favorite followed closely by Silent Night.

TPBM has other favorite Christmas songs that may or may not surprise people. Perferably may.

I am a sentimentalist and I come from a close family so it should be no surprise that my two favorite Xmas songs are "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays".

TPBM likes a more modern Christmas song.

DragonFreak, I love "The Little Drummer Boy" by Bob Seger. He sounds so real when he sings it, not like most of the singers, who seem to be more interested in showing off their voices.

DeltaQueen50, I like the new arrangements of old songs by Mannheim Steamroller. They're not so new any more, though.

Love to hear Perry Como sing the "Ave Maria." It's not strictly Christmas, but he used to do it on his Christmas special every year.

TPBM wishes people would wait just a little longer before playing Christmas music and putting up decorations.

Nope. Thanksgiving is a good season opener.

TPBM thought everyone had heard of the NUTCRACKER.

Well at least anyone who's celebrated Christmas in a western nation anyway.

TPBM has recently discovered that something that happened "just a couple years ago" was really closer to 20, to their dismay.

Yes, getting married. I mean, I have a 17-year old daughter and intellectually realize that I've been married that long, but sheesh! It will be 20 next April. How time flies when you're having fun.

TPBM has celebrated a significant anniversary recently.

Yeah...have I been married that long?

TPBM wants to award TPAboveM the prize for most obscure TPBM entry.

No way, time is marked in the south by what happened a year ago, or 5 or 10. Totally valid.

>>93 jillmwo: Jill- Yes! Should have mentioned it earlier. Also a fan of Chuck Jones' cartoons.

TPBM has a great bar trick.

I can make a bar of dark chocolate disappear quickly.

The person below doesn't think that is what SGiV is asking.

Hell! I'm afraid to even ~speculate~ about what he meant.

He's one of my favorite off-beat personalities, but please don't ask me to figure him out.

TPBM has been to a rodeo.

I have. Rodeos are very abundant where I live. I don't like them at all.

TPBM hasn't been to a rodeo.

No. But it's an ambition.

TPBM was a rodeo contestant--no, SGIV, mechanical bulls don't count.

No, we don't have rodeos in the UK. A friend's horse once bucked me off into a hedge, though, if that counts...

TPBM likes an adrenaline sport.

I love watching ... well, perhaps not adrenaline rushes exactly, but tennis when Roger Federer is playing and curling. I tolerate watching American football and basketball to please husband and daughter sometimes.

TPBM still has Thanksgiving leftovers.

I didn't have any at all, darn it. (We went to my mother's.) Turkey sounds good. So do mashed potatoes. I guess I'll be cooking something tomorrow night...

The person below me has a party to go to this coming weekend.

No, but I do have to make cupcakes to send with Kidlet to school on Monday (that's his birthday and I always send cupcakes to share with his class).

TPBM just realized that it's December and wonders where the year went.

Stumper!

SRR, you made everyone catch their breath and start wondering just where it has gotten to. (probably WAAAY under the bed)

TPBM doesn't care what month it happens to be.

Aak! Leaped.

Time does seem to pass more quickly now, but I get the 'whoops' sense more with a two month span than I do when I look back over the entire year.

I love this time of year- winter, Christmas, parties. When I worked close to St. Matthew's cathedral (where JFK has his funeral) I'd go most nights for the free concerts. I've already bought lights for the balcony and ordered a wreath from LL Bean. My parents, who have been sick for years, are visiting on the 18th so I'm forgoing a tree because I'd have to disarrange my apartment to make room for it and right now it's set up 'just so'. My grandmother made everyone in the family (that she liked) a ceramic tabletop tree, but it's in storage and I can't find it. One of the reasons, probably the main one, that I've done so much to the apartment recently is because I don't want my parents worrying about me being able to take care of myself in what, they feel, is a severe and progressing national downturn. I also want my mom to say 'wow' when she walks, and dad to tell me that I've done a good job on the painting.

>>126 WholeHouseLibrary:- Thanks WHL. I've thought about it and each of us who posts to this thread is remarkable in his or her own way. Nobody here isn't a curve buster of some kind.

TPBM visits the library at least once a week.

No, since the books I tend to read are history and biography -- too long and dense to read at least one per week.

The person below me has figured out how to place holds on library books over the internet.

yep and even renew them for another week.

TPBM likes visiting national parks and monuments.

Depends. Yosemite, in my state, used to be marvelous. Now, on holidays, it's like a traffic jam.

TPBM thinks Yogi Bear is an actual resident of Yellowstone.

Now, here I thought it was Jellystone! (Are you suuuuuuure Yellowstone doesn't have a bear named Yogi?)

TPBM is excited.

Pinch me! I've fixed a major electrical problem in the house (still more to do that absolutely requires an electrician, though - not 'til Friday...) AND I'm about to leave here to help MrsHouseLibrary do the Book Fair at her school.

TPBM can read Braille.

Not even with my eyes closed. Though we did try when we were in Girl Scouts.

TPBM has an invisible friend.

As a tyke I had one imposed on me. I wonder how many invisible friends are reckoned as existing by their cohort?

The person below me chews bubble gum without blowing bubbles.

No. But I miss the old bubble-gum square packs, with the Bazooka cartoon strips. Ooops, dating myself again (I know, SomeGuy, shouldn't do that 'cause I'm married).

TPBM sent away for the X-ray glasses that used to be advertised in the back of comics.

No. My mom wouldn't let me. In hindsight, I'm thinking she was probably wise.

The person below me is thinking conservatively about something (spending, eating, whatever...)

At the moment the only thing I'm thinking is that if I see another brown recluse in my house I'm having a discussion with the landlord. We've had a roach problem since we moved in and set bait traps for them, which seems to have worked for the most part. But I DON'T do spiders with necrotizing poisonous bites, especially not when I have kids and pets in the house.

TPBM is kinder to buggy things than I am.

No. Outside the house I'll leave them alone. Inside the house, they're dead meat (er, chitin, whatever). I have just squished about 6 or 8 bees in my kitchen in about 15 minutes! I wish I knew how they were getting in. I also hope that they are bees and not European wasps. I suppose that I should look at their forlorn little bodies a bit closer.

TPBM is more 'live and let live' to their insectoid visitors.

I am. I will capture and release most insects. I was raised that way, it's habit. Though if I ever saw a roach, that would be different.

TPBM never gets snow.

I live in Florida. I've never seen true snow in my area (Gulf coast, about halfway down the peninsula), but I have seen it flurry a few times.

TPBM nearly always has a white Christmas (or whatever it is you celebrate in December).

Only the Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye chestnut regrettably. 29 degrees F is the memorable low in our area and that was caused by one of my first dates (seem to have dates on the brain today).

TPBM has been to Palm Springs and tasted of its dates.

No, but just as well - I'm not a fan of dates (the fruit, that is).

TPBMcan tell me why pediatric therapy equipment is so dang expensive (just did the pricing for Kidlet's walker - with all the attachments he needs it's over $2000! Thank god for Medicaid and CMS, or we'd never get the equipment he needs!)

The same reason the co=pay for the pills foe my Diabetes are relatively cheap, and the test strips cost 10 times as much =
Because it's something you have to have and you have no choice in the matter; that's why.

TPBM is having trouble sleeping.

No, I should be in bed. But, I'm having a committee meeting at my house tomorrow afternoon so I am cleaning and tidying things up. Why, oh why, do I always wait until the last minute?

The person below me also procrastinates.

edit: I checked out SGiV's recommendation on the Books in 2015 group. Very interesting! Thanks for the referral.

Ha! There was a competition for the World's Best Procrastinator, and I would have won, no problem, but I never got round to nominating myself ...

TPBM hates their hair.

Only when it refuses to cooperate with me.

TPBM has an appointment today.

CAT scan. Not my favorite. Drinking barium--uughh.

TPBM has never had a CAT scan.

I have never had a CAT scan. Thank Goodness. Sorry that you have to have one sholofsky.

TPBM has never used a tanning bed.

I never have. Think I would feel like I was in a coffin. Used to sunbath all the time but only do now when I'm in the pool a few times in the summer.

TPBM has a lunch date.

I did in college (A few of my college years where spent where winter lasts 7-8 months) and a few years after, also during the winter. I like them, even though I know they're supposed to be bad for you. Aren't they illegal or regulated now?

>>154 sholofsky: sho- Man, you will use ANY excuse to drink barium. Seriously, get some help.

The person below me has a lot more than keys on his or her key ring.

Used to have a pen knife from Disneyland, but it vanished (probably in fear of TSA screeners).

#157 I've demanded the stuff in a hollowed cocoanut with paper umbrellas. I'll see how much pull I have.

#155 Thanks, thebeadden.

TPBM misses Disneyland.

never been there, been to Disney World 3 times but not Disneyland.

TPBM is a theme-park junky

When I can afford to be, which isn't often!

TPBM is playing with something.

How did you know?



TPBM has worn out more than one Rubiks cube.

I wore out the "stickiness" from pulling the squares off and putting them back on so it looked like I had solved it.

TPBM loves playing board games

No. I used to have to play Monopoly for hours when I was a child. I only found out recently that the adults were as bored as I was but thought they were doing me a favor -- not a lot of children my age in the family. I do like Scrabble, though. My daughter once made 213 points on one word.

TPBM likes to play Scrabble, also.

Edit: SRedRose, we used to go to Tampa every Thanksgiving when I was a child. The birdbath in my aunt's yard froze, and we did have light snow a few times. That was a very long time ago.

Don't have it, but love it anyway. Also love Scrabble Slam! too.

TPBM actually does like board games and maybe possibly has a favorite board game memory.

My mother and I used to play Scrabble every New Year's Eve. I couldn't even come close to winning. The interesting thing is that, since she was blind, we played with a Scrabble set that had the letters in both print and Braille on the tiles, and the board was also specially adapted. I've inherited that set. The kids have their own game for playing around with, but for special occasions, I bring out my Mum's game.

TPBM owns a family heirloom.

I have some jewelry pieces from my great-grandmothers and one grandmother. I plan to pass them down to my daughter eventually.

TPBM has family game nights.

Boobalack, Tampa's still a bit north of where I am. I've seen birdbaths freeze here and had to scrape ice of my windshield a few times in more recent winters, but snow seldom happens in Manatee County and almost never sticks when it does. I have only ever seen flurries here, nothing that still resembled snow when it got to the ground.

On the fourth Wednesday of most months a group of us gets together at church for a potluck dinner and to play a game we call Speed Scrabble, distantly related to, but still dependent upon, the real game of Scrabble. A fellow around at the founding of some events at church, including this one, liked to think of them as expressions of the family of congregants.

The person below me plays cutthroat Scrabble.

We used to play aggressive double triple quad solitaire where you are allowed to play on any pile.

TPBM has family campfire nights.

Nyyeh! leaped.

TPBU take your pick.

I play Scrabble, but not the cut-throat variety; I like to have fun, and extreme competition is not fun for me.

And we don't have family campfire nights - that would require being outside, and my fiance doesn't do The Outdoors. In fact, he's rather like Monk - "It's Nature! Get it OFF ME!"

TPBM has adventurous family vacations.

They actually start ordinary, but fate makes them adventurous (wife breaks an ankle at the outset, etc.)

TPBM wants to tell us about a disasterous vacation.

One time... in Band Camp...

TPBM tats.

Do you mean tatting with thread? I have done hand tatting but never kept up with it.

TPBM should really be in bed.

Good advice, doc. Give Pamela Anderson the same prescription and we'll-- What am I saying? Must be all that barium.

TPBM is already sound asleep and can only respond in a dream state.

I wish, but I still have bills to pay and checking accounts to reconcile.

The person below me has someone else to do such things for them.

It helps to be schizophrenic... so I'm told... by me, apparently.

TPBM is pretty handy with a chainsaw.

Eeek, no! I even consider a steam iron to be a power tool, and therefore Somebody Else's Problem.

TPBM is in need of a hug.

I never say no, but there's no particular need today.

TPBM in into cyberhugging

No. I'm a Brit. I run screaming walk quietly away from emotion.

TPBM is happy to hug.

It depends on how close (relationship-wise) I am with the hug-ee. I'm always up for hugging my preschooler, but the next-door neighbor? Not so much.

TPBM gives random hugs.

No, I'm too reserved for that.

TPBM has a favourite comfort food.

Tea and crumpets--but only when I read Dickens.

TPBM has a favorite dis-comfort food.

Leaped again!

There used to be a chili place in Arlington where the food was so hot it was more like a dare than nourishment. I tried 'Death Rain' potato chips there and they were so hot I actually sweated. Until then, I thought that was just a figure of speech.

I used to- Breyer's Fudge Ripple ice cream. I'd pour a leetle milk over a few scoops and watch a movie. They changed the formula and added a gum filler, now it's no different that any other ice cream.

>>179 RandomActofMuse: SRR- I wouldn't randomly grab someone and squeeze if it made them hiccup dollar bills.

TPBM has a life's ambition.

to be financially well off enough to retire by 45, be that a benevolent gift, winning the lottery, making the 'right' investment or just earning enough somehow between now and then. It has a statute of limitations so either I'll make it or I won't, and it's not looking to good right now...

TPBM has a different life ambition.

Being that I'm already 57 and don't have wealth now, I don't anticipate getting it anytime soon.

So. To have a good rest of my life. This breaks down into:

To live into my 90s with reasonable health. To be reasonably well off enough to not worry about money all the time. To have my eyesight so I can read up until near the end. To see my daughter happy in her life. To have my husband with me into his 90s too. Grandkids would be nice.

TPBM likes Invader Zim.

No, but I'll settle for the rest of your life, karen--your husband's half, that is.

TPBM also likes karen's plan.

I do. I'd like to either be fabulously rich or be around to welcome the Messiah. I don't know why, by all accounts I'm going to get burned, but I would like to see Him.

Oh, and make 'right on red' a felony.

TPBM will also tell us their life's ambition.

Die young and make a lovely corpse! I'm tired and I want to check out of this work-a-day rat race. But sadly, that particular life ambition is unlikely. I've passed the age of eligibility for membership in AARP....

The person below me has a more positive outlook on the future.

If I could find $200,000 or so to buy the fee simple interest in my home, I'd feel as positive as I think it would be rational to feel (the oligarchs may steal everything, after all). Until I do, I'm pretty negative, personally.

The person below me if knocked over will get back up.

187 --Every day when I wake up, still able to breath and take myself to the potty and take my meds and hug my husband is a gift. That's about as far as my outlook on the future goes. Good enough for me.

188 -- I have done so many times.

TPBM is also thankful for each day and takes it one day at a time.

I am thankful for each day. I can't predict the future, so I might as well enjoy my day.
Not that I don't plan ahead.

TPBM is very organized.

Well... kinda. My house is perpetually in a state of what I call "organized chaos." I know where everything IS, but that doesn't mean that everything is where it BELONGS...

TPBM will remind me not to make my crochet chains so darn tight.

Okay.

Hey SRR! Loosen up!

Goodness, have we taken on a darker hue in this thread. Having been near death twice, I understand both sides of the issue. Actually, there are many more considerations, but I'm not going to get into it here. Suffice to say, I'm glad to still be around. The alternative takes all that away.

TPBM meditates (not to be confused with "medicates").

Sometimes I sits and thinks - sometimes I just sits (as someone, I don't know who, once said). I don't know if that counts.

Re "the darker hue", it does seem to me that most of us are a bit influenced by the imminent approach of the winter solstice. Things will look a bit brighter when the days start to lengthen. That's my thought for the day.

TPBM has tried bright lights in the winter.

No, but by February I am not a happy camper. I think even if I tried bright lights, by then I would just be complaining about the bright lights in my eyes. I like seasonal changes, but winter is just tooooooo long. I do like after all the holidays looking forward to curling up with a good book on a snowy weekend when there is not much else to do.

TPBM has an even better idea for winter blues.

I have the same problem. Dark outside, light inside, NOT a good combo. What I do when I get so irritated with the brightness, I just go to sleep for thirty minutes to an hour, I get back up and I'm very cheery. Either that or I read a book while I'm resting and the same thing works.

TPBM Actually likes winter and not for the holidays that come with it.

(Yikes, so many people leapfrogged on me I can't count 'em!)

Both in my case, unfortunately--I wish I could rely entirely on the latter.

TPBM is into yoga.

Florida winters tend to be pretty mild, for the most part. They're a welcome break from the ordinarily hot and humid weather and a perfect excuse to wear sweaters and drink hot chocolate.

TPBM has a pet or a child in their lap.

No, a laptop is in my lap because the child is taller than I am by about 10". (And HE has a laptop in his lap as well.)

The person below me is enjoying the sensation of warm toes in socks.

Ha! I just asked a cousin to get me electric sox for Christmas because my toes are always cold. Right now they're not toasty, but they're not frozen (yet) either.

TPBM is in a real life bookclub.

Not me. I read much too slowly to inflict me on a Book Club.
My late sister, however, was in a book club (as a charter member) for over 23 years.
I got to meet the other members (most also charter members) at her Memorial.

TPBM is already sleepy.

How did you know? But, I'm determined to stay awake for a few more hours.

TPBM would also like to go to bed for the night, right now.

I just awoke from a nap, but I could go to bed for the night right now. I won't.

The person below me likes polished rocks.

Polished and unpolished. How did you know? I make jewelry.
I could also go to bed for the night and won't.

TPBM expects a polished rock for Christmas.

No, but the wife does. Diamonds are forever.

TPBM is tumbling rocks tonight--to the perplexity of his/her neighbors..

It wouldn't matter. It seems to them that I can do no wrong. Silly humans!
They gave me an electric chain saw for Festivus last year - to replace the one that burned out removing a huge dead Elm tree between our houses.
They even like my wind chimes!

TPBM has a decent relationship with his/her neighbors.

On one side--on the other, well, let's call it a work in progress.

TPBM is a counselor who mediates between neighbors.

No. I could have used one though. I had a neighbor who poisoned my dogs. He was one angry guy. The last complaint was that I had some trimmings in my yard that were in his way when he climbed the fence to look around.

The person below me has put up some holiday decorations.

Not yet - no earlier than the weekend before Christmas in our house. I don't much like them hanging around after Boxing Day but there is domestic conflict if I try to get my way. "Woodman, woodman spare that tree. Touch not a single bough, etc. etc."

TPBM stays decorated until Twelfth Night.

Have one decoration up till the twelfth of never--too hard to get to and remove.

TPBM swears by artificial trees.

Frequently. My parents have one that opens like a damn umbrella. Put a bathroom freshener in there that squirts a pine scent every few minutes and it would be perfect. Like something out of Dickens.

>>207 xorscape: xor- That's bad. That man wasn't angry, he was nuts. I know a lot of people who would gladly beat the tar out of a dog poisoner. I'm just saying.

TPBM has bought something for someone they KNOW he or she will like.

I have bought myself some shortbread.

TPBM has bought something for someone else they KNOW he or she will like.

Huh? Too many declensions there for my early morning brain (what's that you say--almost noon?)

TPBM is planning on going back to sleep.

I'm wide awake and planning on staying that way as have to go out and run errands and am planning on having company for dinner so no afternoon nap for me!

TPBM functions best if he/she gets an afternoon nap.

No. Afternoon naps don't agree with me at all. Even if I only nap for a few minutes, I have a terrible time getting to sleep that night. But my husband can sleep half the afternoon then fall right asleep again at 11 p.m.

The person below me has had a productive day.

So far. I've cleaned out the refrigerator, emptied the dishwasher and filled it again with dirty dishes again, made 2 desserts for the Band Banquet tonight, spent 3 hours with my Assistant Treasurer for Band Boosters stuff, and wrapped a present for our Band Director.

Tonight is the Band Banquet at which I'll do a lot of running around having fun and having people give me money from various band activities.

Then home and Invader Zim.

TPBM is amazed at the snow.

I would be amazed at the snow if we had any. We were watching football, though, and saw plenty on television.

TPBM lives where there is a lot of snow on the ground.

No, I'm ever so pleased that there's no snow on the ground around me. Remember the words from Camelot? The winter is forbidden 'til December and exits March the second on the dot...

The person below me believes that Lancelot and Guinevere didn't really do anything other than fall in love with each other by mistake and that Mordred was the rotten apple.

Always, made sense to me. But then I knew the couple's great, great, great, great, great, great...oh, never mind.

#215 karenmarie, how much do you charge by the hour?

TPBM wants to hire karenmarie after me, but only if she does windows.

Yes please! We have very large windows here, and when the sun comes out it's quite embarrassing to see how grubby they are ...

TPBM is confused about something.

Yes, I'm confused about why I wasn't born wealthy in a warm tropical place.

TPBM has made snow angels.

Yes, I have, but it's been several years since we had a good enough snow to do that. We had a flurry yesterday but it's already melted.

#218 and #219 nope, don't do windows. Our friend and neighbor Dwayne (I cansee his house down the hill, across the creek, and up the other hill) has a window cleaning business and he does all our windows inside and out just before Thanksgiving. I'll do a window here and there if it needs it, but very rarely. We have lots of big windows on the second story and don't have the equipment to do them.

TPBM thinks "white" chocolate is a misnomer.

Never. I am going to the beach for a weeks holiday next month, so I might make some sand angels!

Leapfrogged!

Yes it is. I've heard that there is no 'chocolate' in white chocolate!

TPBM does not live in the southern hemisphere but wishes they did at this time of year.

Nah. Too much hassle to change residences, especially in the middle of a school year.

It's raining where TPBM lives.

No, snowing. Not too heavy right now, but pretty windy. According to the forecast, we can expect snowsqualls every day for the next week.

TPBM has a snowmobile.

No, we only get enough snow to use one about every 15 years in the DC area, although last year it would have come in handy.

TPBM thinks that Billie Holiday was the Maria Callas of jazz and likes Ella Fitzgerald better.

Close on the first--but my heart belongs to Nancy Wilson.

TPBM wants CD's for Christmas.

Sounds right - Holiday was a bit too troubled for me and I suppose that fits Callas. So who was the Ella Fitzgerald of opera? Dame Joan Sutherland maybe? Ella was better looking.

Mind you I'd rather listen to Callas than La Stupenda.

Whoops!

CDs always acceptable -- or booze.

TPBM has another favourite jazz singer (or diva, if you'd prefer).

Whoops again!

Yes! I'm getting two- compilations of X-Ray Spex and Mink De Ville. (sho- have you heard Betty Swann? Double plus nice.)

TPBM has already gotten something accomplished today.

Only a double leapfrogging!

TPBM's done better than that.

Afraid not. That leapfrog was entirely my fault. I'd say Gundula Janowitz was the Ella Fitzgerald of opera- control and passion.

TPBM has another favorite jazz singer (or diva, if you prefer.)

Always loved Shirley Bassey, too.

#228 Had to google Betty Swan, so you can tell I'm no expert.

TPBM chooses vinyl in the vinyl vs. CD fidelity fight.

Wait, I gotta choose a side on that one? Um, well, I'm TOLD that experts are returning to vinyl as best for fidelity.

The person below me carries their entire musical collection with them on a device of some sort.

I've almost filled my 30gig iPod and have got a lot of CDs still to load. Maybe I'll get a 160gig job for Christmas.

TPBM still has (and plays) some old personally compiled musicassettes.

Have, yes, but I'm lacking the equipment to play them.

TPBM prefers live concerts.

I used to love going to Dan Fogelberg's concerts, but the light went out.

TPBM is cold.

I like Sarah Vaughn and also Diana Krall.

Edit: How could I have forgotten to list Lena Horne, the best, and also Dinah Washington? That just proves that my brain has not yet returned from vacation.

Edit - II: Patty Ascher is great, too, but you might have to Google her. She has some things on YouTube.

Add Nora Jones for me.

Oh, sorry: no, I'm in sunny L.A. and it only approaches cold when I get a rejection slip.

TPBM has known acceptance all his/her life.

No, that has not been my my burden.

TPBM has a lot of blue things in their house/apartment/cell.

No, not really. Which is surprising, because I rather like blue. Next time I paint the bathroom, it will be blue.

TPBM enjoys redecorating.

I would if there were fewer very full bookcases to shift out of the way before I can even think about starting!

TPBM is experiencing a snow dump (it rained heavily overnight and we both were woken up by it - huzzah, we thought, that's got rid of the ice and left-over snow - and this morning it's a white-out again! So much for popping to Glasgow to do some Crimbo shopping ...).

Yes we are getting a snow dump. Have gotten about a foot so far and it isn't supposed to let up until at least Tuesday night.

TPBM will explain what Crimbo shopping is.

Possibly a 'tyop' for Crambo! shopping, where you go and buy The Penguin Rhyming Dictionary

TPBM has now seen the light and will now come and play Crambo. Or will at least refrain from flagging me for spamming Talk.

Sorry, slow today. The cold must have got into my broadband - I'll leave the post in the interests of accuracy!

Won't play Crambo, but also wouldn't dream of flagging jim.

Crimbo is an alternative term for Christmas - really the material rather than the spiritual aspects of the season, shopping, excessive consumption of food, alcohol, etc. To my surprise, the OED notes first use in 1928. I don't remember ever hearing it before the 1980s.

I'm sure in Glasgow Crimbo shopping will include buying a case of Crabbie's Green Ginger Wine - just the thing to keep out the cold as you struggle through the snow on Sauchiehall Street ;-)

TPBM thinks I'm being racist

Well, possibly Scottist! Anyway, Green Ginger Wine is a darned good idea, especially half-and-half with whisky to make a Whisky Mac (although the locals tend to use Buckfast Tonic Wine (really - you're not missing anything there) as anaesthetic when it's a wee bit Baltic).

TPBM understands the vital difference between being cautious and over-cautious when walking in difficult conditions.

Sounds like any sort of locomotion is dangerous in Glasgow!

TPBM prefers margaritas.

I don't drink. Don't like the taste and I don't really want to try to "muscle past the gag reflex," as my uncle says :-/

TPBM isn't so picky.

(Aside - Kidlet is 5 today! Just felt like sharing (: )

I guess I'm just as picky. My opinion of alcohol is exactly the same as SRR's. I have no moral objections to reasonable drinking, but to me it just tastes yucky.

Happy Birthday to Kidlet!

TPBM remembers an especially great birthday celebration.

I don't, as a lifestyle, "celebrate" my birthday.

Having said that...
I was still married to my first wife when I turned 42. A friend of ours had a birthday close to mine, so we 'doubled up' on the party (so to speak). My wife made a joke that she was going to trade me in for 2 21-year-olds.

Her 42nd birthday was about 4 months later, and again, we had the same set of friends over to celebrate. I reminded her of her joke, and announced that I was going to trade her in for 3 14-year-olds.

TPBM thinks that was rather tacky of me.

only if you didn't want them as dates for your son's...

;)

TPBM knows several meanings for '16 will get you 20'...

Only one: if you have a sixteen-year-old son you can steal his 20-year-old girlfriend (always dated girls four years older than me!).

TPBM once borrowed from their kid's piggy bank.

No kids, but I probably wouldn't because it would give them power. Same with naming them.

>>247 WholeHouseLibrary:- C'mon, admit you were drunk. Confess now, because nobody suspects... the Spanish Inquisition!

TPBM has a fireplace.

Sadly, no. During the era when our house was built, the fireplace would not have been seen as attractive in a newly constructed brick home because everyone was so impressed with furnaces.

The person below me has had to replace a furnace in his or her time.

I have. It was just weeks before Christmas, a few years ago. Really put a damper on the holidays.

TPBM likes their alone time.

More than I care to admit.

TPBM took Wood Shop, or Home Economics, or both, in high school.

Both, but neither was in high school. Took them both in 7th grade. Preferred Home Economics.

TPBM needs something.

Money.

The person below me needs evidence of exalting virtue.

In regard to whom? I don't need evidence that I am virtuous.

TPBM knows I'm really not all that virtuous, though I try to be. ;-}

She offered her honor,
he honored her offer,
and all night long
he was on her and off her...

TPBM will admit to cracking a smile over that...

I will. That was cute.

TPBM laughed at it too.

I did, it was the most humorous part of my day. Is Monday over yet???

TPBM has another good one to share.

Sure.

>>255 Mr.Durick: Mr. D- I feed the squirrels and worry about them now that it's so cold. That's all I got. (Ever notice that the abbrv of your screen name with the dash kind of looks like a Picasso hipster emoticon?)

TPBM is enraged by certain kinds of hats.

No, pretty indifferent to them really.

TPBM will explain how hats can enrage you.

When I see a father with a baseball cap on backwards teaching his kids to vote Republican I think of my second amendment rights.

The person below me has no shame.

The wind will blow them down the street.

No I don't I used up all my shame.

TPBM never wears a hat.

readafew -- That was very funny! lol

My eyes must not be completely healed, yet. I read #260 as "how hats can escape you." Gaaah!

I may have to start. I've gone Yul Brynner to see how I like it. It's cold.

TPBM has knitted caps for babies.

I may have to start. I've gone Yul Brynner to see how I like it. It's cold.

TPBM has knitted caps for babies.

I have not knitted baby caps, but have crocheted them.

TPBM is watching something.

I was going to watch the season finale of The Walking Dead but that's going to have to wait.

>>262 Mr.Durick: sho- Hats. They're just so in your face. I've always hated golfer's caps, sometimes called cabbie hats. So my dad buys one. It's black leather. He thinks it makes him look jaunty and dangerous; I want to tell him that it makes him look like Tom of Finland's pappy.

TPBM knows the words and music to a Gregorian chant.

No, but they have enchanted me on occasion.

#267 thanks for filling us in on your hat antipathy. You may ressurrect Freudian analysis single-handedly.

TPBM has been or is in analysis.

Oops. Leaped. I used to see Dr. Nancy. She helped me through my divorce. I was sorry to see her retire.

Gregorian chants. I do have several cd's that I like to listen to. It's just darn calming music.

The person below me loves singing Christmas and other holiday music.

No one has ever accused me of the act of singing.

TPBM has a headache.

Yes--stop singing #270!

TPBM is content to listen to Christmas music.

Argh! So now, I'm finally accused of singing... Great. My reputation is now ruined. Thanks a lot.

I'd be more content if I never heard christmas music ever again.

TPBM has ridden in a subway.

In New York and in Tokyo.

The person below me commutes by train.

There just aren't any commuter trains here. I drive my car wherever I go.

The person below me does live near mass transit.

Depends how you define "near" and "mass transit", but within just over an hour I can be in Glasgow and doing the Clockwork Orange Pub Crawl!

http://www.barcrawl.co.uk/pubcrawl.aspx?Crawl=84

TPBM enjoys pub crawls.

I've never participated in one. Ought I to put it on my Bucket List?

TPBM is having breakfast. (Oh, and you're required to confess what that breakfast consists of...)

I should be having breakfast, but I'm not hungry enough to get out of my chair right now. Besides, there's a very warm, very sound-asleep little dog curled up in my lap and I don't want to move him. When I do get around to it, chances are it'll be cereal or something else that doesn't require the use of the stove.

TPBM has already had breakfast, and will tell us what breakfast was.

Real heathy. Take a bagel, put it in the toaster. Take it out, put a glob of cheese on it. Put that in the microwave for 1 minute. Cool. Eat.

TBPM has a heathier breakfast.

Plain Greek-style yoghurt with a little honey, toast with sunflower oil spread - added omega-3 and low in trans fats, tea.

I'd rather have a 'Full English' but it's too much trouble early in the morning.

TPBM skips lunch

True. It's usually an early dinner for me.

TPBM has trouble deciding what to eat.

No, it's usually what's the least trouble. Fallback plan, barring going out, is a sandwich with a glass of milk. I stopped ordering in because the food usually is execrable, and my favorite pizza place has moved out to east egypt. (Hellish dining room/awesome pie.)

TPBM is renowned for one of their dishes.

My baked apples have been known to get requests at Thanksgiving (until I hinted coring apples was too damn much work for more than half a dozen people). Now I do apple cobblers instead.

The person below me thinks of ways to modify recipes before they've even tried them out as-is.

Always.
Almost all recipes contain some food element that would be dangerous for me to ingest.

TPBM, on the other hand, has a proverbial cast iron stomach.

No, Wholehouse, am a diabetic, too, and it wouldn't do me any good.

TPBM knows someone with diabetes.

yes I do.

TPBM has driven a tractor at some time.

In New York City? Are you nuts?!?!

The person below me has driven a bus at some time.

No, AnnaClaire, I've never driven a bus. But now enquiring minds want to know if you have driven a bus in NYC!

The person below me is also interested in hearing what AnnaClaire has driven.

Sure, I like a good story.

TPBM is likely to be AnnaClaire and tell us what she or he has driven.

if I remember right she doesn't have a drivers license so I expect no more than 'bicycle' or 'shopping cart'

Leaped! but I'll leave it. It still sorta works.

TPBM has driven something other than an automobile.

I've driven a joy-stick working lawn mower for my Grandfather's lawn service once. I damaged a lot of stuff. Never trust me anything that has wheels or fire on it.

TPBM has driven something a little bit more impressive.

I've driven our riding lawnmower and our tractor. Neither more than a couple of times. I leave that to husband and daughter.

TPBM has post-it notes all over the place.

Well, maybe not all over, but within close range I can see one that says "Mystery, Science fiction, Fantasy," one that says "non-fiction, fiction, poetry, short stories, picture book, omnibus," one that says "1805-Up, Up, Down," and one that says "16 seeds/ft 1000000 seeds."

TPBM makes verbal notes on a little voice recorder or cellphone or ipod or somesuch thing.

I tried that technique for a while, several years ago.
It got tedious very quickly, because I always remembered what I had recorded (possibly because of the act of recording it), and then finding that one bit of information to erase was always a hassle.

During my divorce, and for many years thereafter, any time I'd talk with my ex on the phone, I had to record it. In face-to-face meetings, I'd have a voice-activated recorder in my shirt pocket. Whenever I want to write something dark, I'll listen to a random tape for about a half hour - works every time.

TPBM has a sure-fire, legal, mood enhancing trick.

I don't have one but could sure use one right now. I AM SICK OF SNOW.

TPBM will tell me a sure-fire, legal, mood enhancing trick right now (at this point it doesn't even have to be legal)

Sleep. My cat is better at mood enhancing but less sure-fire.

The person below me likes sure-fire, legal, mood enhancing dangerous tricks.

Mr. Durick, I have too much to do to sleep. I need something else.

TPBM lies sure-fire , legal, mood enhancing dangerous tricks.

Aak! Huge Leap! Must not have refreshed screen.

I adore the machinations of the legal system.

>>293 WholeHouseLibrary:- That's a good one, but I think now you have to make people aware that you're taping them. Even the knowledge is enough to intimidate many people and puts everyone on edge. If you're in friendly negotiations it can backfire, because the other guy is sure to lawyer up.

As for mood-enhancing legal tricks, I say hire the meanest son of a gun and do EXACTLY as he tells you. My brother learned this the hard way during his divorce. If you think his advice is mean spirited and you don't want to appear uncool, you don't need a lawyer, you need to write a check.

TPBM wears a flower in their hair.

Never.

As far as taping phone calls go... In Texas, in Civil Court, as long as one person is aware that the conversation is being recorded, it's admissible - but only the conversation; not any background noises or conversations with/by another person not on the phone.

TPBM hates legalese almost as much as I do.

Yes. If it isn't something I can understand without having to look up half of the words, I'd rather not deal with it.

TPBM is adept at eating with chopsticks.

Yeah, but I do it wrong. The back ends cross the way I do it, but I'm never going to go hungry just because someone serves me Japanese or Chinese food, and all I have to eat it with is chopsticks. I also prefer chopsticks for fried chicken if the pieces are not too big and for most salads.

The person below me eats with their fingers.

I have, upon more than one occasion. The consumption of holiday Petit fours demands such delicacy.

The person below me spears broccoli.

I do often with my chopsticks!

TPBM loves Chinese Food - with or without chopsticks.

I do!

TPBM loves hot spicy food.

I used to. Now I pay for it in the end (pun optional).

TPBM can still eat anything he or she wants.

No, but we still say hello when we run into each other.

TPBM borrowed something and never returned it.

Was it something blue? Alas, I never did get married.

TPBM has been married more than 2 times.

No, once was enough to scar me for all time. It was my own fault. There were plenty o' clues before we got married.

The person below me never loans anything that he or she really expects to get back.

I do loan things I would like back. I do understand I'm risking never seeing it or getting it back again.

TPBM is also up when they should be sleeping. (I am expecting a call)

Two hours ago I was sleeping when I should have been up.

TPBM never over-sleeps

Depends what you mean - I never sleep more than I need to.

TPBM has "issues" with his/her bed.

Hum, not all bad. It's old, so the top of the mattress is about 4 feet above the floor. I've tried to crawl onto it and slid off, but I can hit the ground running. When I had Buddy The Coolest Cat of All Time, I had to make a ramp out of a chair and books so he could get up, but he never did follow it down. He was 26 when he died so I'd worry about the jump. I also swear by those pillow top mattresses- comfy like no other. I do have an issue with pillows; after 4 or 5 months they go flat and I have to replace them.

TPBM has an issue with something else in his or her house/apartment/bunker.

(not a response to TPBM, so just cruise on by.)

Some Guy, two words - "solid foam rubber"

We have no bath! It will happen eventually (once we get some spare time - oooh, look up there - aerial bacon!), and to be honest I prefer showers for actually getting clean, but sometimes a long soak in the bath is just what's required, especially in winter ...

TPBM has a rubber ducky in their bath.

Yes, we have 4 of them on the counter guarding the jacuzzi tub!

TPBM remembers The Rubber Ducky Song by Ernie of Sesame Street.

I even bought a 45rpm for my mother! I have one, too.

TPBM also likes silly songs.

Yes:    ♫ "I'm your only friend I'm not your only friend but I'm a little glowing friend but I'm not actually your friend but I am..." ♫

The person below me knows what (silly) song that's from, and will tell us.

"Glow Little Gloworm"? Sorry, left my silly song and silly string stages at the same time.

#313 I was wondering why your cat couldn't make a four foot hop--till you said he was 26! That's like asking George Burns to walk the highwire (when he was among us).

TPBM will describe what Sophie236 means by "aerial bacon".

I would guess she was referencing 'flying pigs'

TPBM likes that kind of word play.

Yes. A bit rushed at the moment to think of a good one though.

>sholofsky That was from They Might Be Giants' "Birdhouse in Your Soul"

The person below me will give a good example of word play.

So long as it is not overdone.

The person below me indulges in puns.

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

No I don't. Just thought I'd add one.

TPBM would like to add one too.

I do, and one and all are welcome to give it a whirl at Safe Words, Ejaculations, and Persons with 'Ideas'. Rool the whirl, peeps.

TPBM belongs to a secret society.

I had to come back and tell you I went to the link. How witty! Good stuff.

continue....

So secret they never told me its name.

#321 Thanks, Anna, for the info.

TPBM already has their tree.

Only if you think of a Rose of Sharon as being a tree. I have one right outside my bedroom window that we consistently have to prune back. (Oh, dear...I just got it. You meant a Christmas tree, didn't you? Well, no I haven't.)

The person below me is snickering at my lack of speed on the uptake.

Snickering WITH you.

TPBM needs to step away from the screen.

Yes. The AOAO Board of Directors is going to walk about the property in a few minutes, and I am one of them.

The person below me lives in a single family house without deed restrictions or absurd covenants.

Yup. I've always tried to avoid subdivisions for just that reason. I don't like being told what I can and can't do with my front lawn.

TPBM knows how to mend a broken heart quickly. (Can't really fix the problem if I'm too busy focusing on how much it hurts.)

You got that. Just a sensible fixed mortgage--though I'm sure someone would give me a hard time if I decided to keep elephants in the backyard.

TPBM would raise elephants but their compost heap is already sky high.

SRedRose, I have no remedy but wanted to say I hope it's not your heart that is broken. Chocolate might help.

I wouldn't raise elephants under any circumstances. I'm afraid of them, which makes more sense than being afraid of cats. Or does it?

TPBM is afraid of cats.

I fear nothing. Except spiders.

TPBM has one of those cool phobias like clowns or flocks of birds.

#330 Ditto, Rose, hope your comment wasn't personal. Unfortunately, the only sure-fire cure is time (there are, of course, exceptions).

I am definitely wary of cats--and any other animal that can hurt you while it's acting friendly. Give me a nice stable dog anyday.

TPBM has been leapfrogged on so often he/she has webbed feet. (Damn, happened again--more traffic jams on this thread than my old commute!)

Not yet, but give me a chance.

TPBM is as tired as I am and just about to log off for the night.

Yes. 'Night.

TPBM generally sleeps well.

Thanks to the new mattress, absolutely!

TPBM prefers the term "Simulpost" over "Leapfrogged" (which, grammatically, should be "LeptFrog").

How 'bout "unintended intercourse"?

TPBM relishes a contest for best alternative to "leapfrogged."

Oh, dear. "Unintended intercourse" gave me a mental picture of a couple of teenagers in the backseat of a Chevy on a Friday night...

sorry, carry on...

The Chambers Dictionary 10th Ed. gives leapfrog as a transitive and intransitive verb - Leapfrogging, leapfrogged. Good enough for me - I shall rally to the leapfrog call!

>339 theretiredlibrarian: Just getting into the back seat surely suggests intent by at least one party?

TPBM will declare their preference for simulposting, leapfrogging, whatever.

How about just... leaped?

#332 & 334 - it was personal, but having had a chance to talk things over with the other person involved, I think it is definitely fixable. Just gonna take some time and work.Thanks, though.

TPBM knows how to steer a camel.

No, I took the archery class instead.

See above for Exhibit A; 1 (leapfrog).
Simulposting is when I'm beaten to the draw. Leapfrogged is when I frittered time away without checking for new posts.

TPBM has noticed a disturbance in the net force- mayhaps the work of the Juliettes?

Don't you just turn the wheel?

uh, maybe I should get back to work.

edited here - Girl Scouts?

TPBM is done with his/her list for today.

I haven't even started my list for the day. Don't really wanna. It'll keep for a couple hours.

TPBM is warm.

I am but baby, it's cold outside, so I'm stying put.

(Glad you've got positive feelings, SRR)

TPBM puts an orange in Christmas stockings.

No but my MIL still puts Grapefruit in stockings for everyone.

TPBM is all set for the Holidays.

Aak!

I have to buy something for my brother and then I'm set. He sent out a list but it's a joke; he has me down to buy Ocracoke Island. I've told him that Jack Daniels and email don't mix and he's getting a screaming monkey slingshot, same as last year.

That's a traditional gift in the American South, but it's fallen out of favor because of negative associations. (Here's an orange. It's all we've got. You can thank Sherman and that damn fool Hoover.)

TPBM uses a pineapple as a Christmas dinner table centerpiece.

We don't really "do" Christmas dinner, let alone with a centerpiece, so no.

The person below me works and/or lives in a building where the heat isn't on, but merely "on" (despite it being within 10 degrees of freezing out).

Well, I get dressed in the morning and then spend the rest of the day shedding various layers (stopping of course before there's any danger of chilblains or anything of that ilk). The heat works well both at work and at home.

The person below me is sees icicles outside of their window.

I probably would if the window wasn't so covered in snow that I can't see out.

TPBM has places they would like to go, but can't.

Yes. I am afraid of flying, and passenger liner service just isn't what it used to be, so Paris is out.

The person below me travels widely despite fear of flying.

On the occasions that I ~do~ travel, I don't fear getting on an airplane. It's the getting to the airplane that is the hassle for me - with 2 screws in my hip, the airport security thing is always interesting.

*edited to add:
MrsHouseLibrary and I will be on a cruise for the next 2 weeks, and seeing how using the cell phone or the Internet will be prohibitively expensive, we're going to do without. We're leaving Monday, and will return late on the 23rd. Happy Festivus to you all, and try not to miss me too much.

TPBM has been to the Adirondacks.

Yes, though not recently. My dad and I used to go camping for some part of most summers while I was in middle and high school, and some years we went to the Adirondacks.

The person below me has also been camping in the Catskills and/or the Adirondacks.

Mr. House, you know you'll be missed. Have fun!

SRedRose, glad to hear that you'll be okay.

I've been camping at Flat Rock.

TPBM has been camping in the Catskills and/or the Adirondacks. (So as not to disappoint AnnaClaire.)

I've camped out on an Andirondack chair in my back yard while reading a book. That's as close as I've gotten.

TPBM is glad that they don't go camping anymore.

I definately am. My family used to do it all the time, and I used to like it, but not anymore and it's always torturous.

TPBM doesn't really like it when someone goes "TPBM does so and so or this and thit" and the person below that one goes "No, but TPBM actually does do so and so or this and that.

I don't mind. I think I have done that. Is that a no-no?

TPBM reads while relaxing in the tub.

No, the last time used a tub I was in Las Vegas.

>>352 WholeHouseLibrary:- Bon voyage, Whool, bonne chance. Taek newts.

TPBM is going to watch a movie tonight.

If I linger in the bath with a book, I tend to doze off. Wet paperbacks are more reliable than wet Kindles but I don't like the way the spines swell up so, no. I do listen to the radio.

TPBM has a TV in their bathroom

That was a partial simulpost but I insist I was leapfrogged!

TPBM will answer SGiV

Unlikely, I just got my new laptop in preparation of starting my Masters program in Jan. Need to set it up and get everything how I like it, no time for a movie.

TPBM wouldn't be caught dead going back to school.

If I could afford to not work and go to school. I'd love to do so!

TPBM wishes they had a laptop

I have a laptop and it's sitting on my lap even as I type this. I'm trying to decide if I have any interest in getting a tablet of some sort.

The person below me has a computer tablet.

BTW, I'm hoping WHL has a *great* time off the grid. (See #352 above)

>#357 It's not a no-no. That's been done as long as I've been here, and probably before. As far as I know, this is the first time anyone has indicated a dislike for it.

I have no play at this point, so TPBM can answer jillmwo.

I have no idea what a tablet is. Like a note pad?

TPBM has some type of e-reader.

Yes, I have a Sony Reader (with a touchscreen--I'm a sucker for a touchscreen). It comes nowhere close to replacing paper books for me, but I do find it useful for reading old, out-of-copyright, free(!) books.

TPBM has extravagant tastes.

When it comes to books I do, nothing but the best, and I obsess about them until I can get them ALL 1stE/HB

TPBM buys books even if they know they shouldn't!

Leaped. 366> Constantly. Santathing resulted in me finding a bunch of new books - for me!

365> Yes, and a beer budget. Darn it.

We went and looked at the pretty zoo lights tonight.

The person below me has been to a zoo decorated for the holidays.

If by "holidays" you mean Easter, sure. Never for Christmas, it's always too cold and many of the exhibits are closed.

TPBM loves the holidays so much, they even dress up their pets in festive attire.

No, but I love pets...and holiday attire.

TPBM got scratched trying get his/her cat to wear a Santa suit.

Shirley, you must be joking!

TPBM knows an apt response for that response.

You twisted it around, Wholehouse. It's "SURELY, you must be joking." Reply: "I never joke--and don't call me SHIRLEY." Leslie Neilson is turning over in his grave.

TPBM thinks Wholehouse has already gone on vacation, and has put an android in charge of his internet affairs.

Probably a Blackberry; he's more businesslike than 'Droid.

The person below me has no problems with their mobile telephone.

You mean my Droid X? Some days are better than others.

TPBM gets that "Shirley" was done on purpose, and there's a deeper meaning to that twist.

You mean I didn't get the deeper meaning again? Sometimes I think I'M on vacation.

TPBM will clear up the mystery of "Shirley".

sorry you know what they say 'If I have to explain the joke..."

TPBM always laughs last...

Or not at all, sometimes. *scratches head*

TPBM has been struggling to contain inappropriate laughter.

I have a problem...with laughing...it's kind of annoying to other people...it's kind of annoying to me...when reading...

TPBM has too many blonde moments even if s/he isn't blond.

More than a few and more and more.

>>359 abbottthomas: at- you didn't get leapfrogged, you got served old man! Bazinga!

TPBM is throwing a party this weekend.

How did you guess...."more than three, is always a party" and I think we are having some company...so sure let's call it a Par-tay!

TPBM knows a thing or two about shaking his/her rump.

Whoops, this time I got leapfrogged.

I used to "shake my rump" alot, but I have slowed down in recent years.

No but my daughter is having an open house this evening and we'll be going to that. Then tomorrow night we are going out to dinner with friends and on Sunday out with some of my husband's brothers and sisters. Whew!

TPBM is also socializing a lot this weekend

"Pride goeth before a fall".

TPBM is so vain s/he probably thinks this post is about him/her.

I DO NOT have an apricot scarf so it's notabout me.

Nobody does it better than TPBM.

True, very true, but I'm still trying to discover what that talent is.

TPBM knows his/her greatest talent and employs it often.

Yes, I do. The gift of gab!

TPMB is afraid no one listens to him/her anymore.

Sometimes.

TPBM didn't know scorpions could walk up walls.

True. I always thought they were sneaky and hid in your shoes. (Strange topic, Rose; you always seemed so, well, rosy.)

TPBM thinks scorpions are baby lobster who got stranded on the shore.

(See all the great stuff you'll be missing, Wholehouse!)

(sho - in the opening scene on a show my mom and I are watching, a scorpion went up a wall from the ground and it struck me as interesting; I had no idea that scorpions could climb such steep angles!)

#388 Really, I thought you were joshing me. Another meaning for the last line in THE THING: "Everyone, everywhere, look to the skies!"

At the risk of replying to myself, I will pass.

No, I've never thought that. I live in scorpion country and don't think much about lobsters. (Other than to feel sorry for those stuck in restaurant tanks. Very sad in my opinion.)

The person below me is enjoying the weekend so far.

So far, yes - all the snow and ice has gone, hurrah! Later I'll be in the upstairs flat painting woodwork and listening to the radio, and tonight my husband's making macaroni cheese - yummy!

TPBM is good at flower-arranging.

Actually, I am. And collecting plants, instead of an old woman with so many children, I'll have so many books and plants.

TPBM is up way too early for a Saturday. (Unless of course you reply and it's 10AM)

Had insomnia and never hit the sack--I have the very dubious honor of beating everyone on this score.

TPBM is still not up.

I will reply again. I am still not fully awake...as for being up, does that mean I'm asleep? I might be...typing in my sleep. Or not up and out of bed?
(I woke up hours too early, I don't know what's worse, can't sleep 'til late or waking up too early!)

TPBM likes their coffee very strong.

Coffee: medium. In answer to your question, Second, not sleeping at all has to be worse. (We have so many sound sleepers around us, my dear, this is turning into our own private chat room!)

TPBUs was awakened by strange voices on the thread.

Not exactly what you mean by that...

TPBM is already planning for what will be in growing in the garden (besides weeds) come Springtime.

Not much. Roses and lillies...every year...like clockwork.

#396 'Cause we didn't wake you up...

TPBM is actually not going shopping this week-end.

Too late, I already did! I generally avoid shopping on weekends, especially at this time of year, but we are between two storm systems so I had to go while I could.

TPBM has a snowman in their yard.

SRedRose, my daughter was sitting on the edge of the tub one evening helping her little daughter dry off after a bath, and she looked up to see a scorpion walking down the shower curtain right toward her head. I shook a scorpion out of my sleeping bag one morning while on a camping trip. I guess it just climbed in to get warm, because it didn't sting me.

I had a snowman in my yard several years ago.

TPBM feels very sorry for those who already have several feet of snow in their yards and towns.

I don't know that I would say I feel sorry for them, but I certainly am very grateful that I haven't several feet of snow in my OWN yard and town.

The person below me is always grateful to be left alone for a stretch of a few hours.

I am. I love quiet.

TPBM would rather spend a week-end socializing than alone.

Only with the wife.

TPBM has constructed an anatomically correct snowman.

I don't recall having ever built a snowman, anatomically correct or not. I suppose it's possible I did as a toddler, but we moved from a snowy state to Florida when I was three. I visited family up there over Christmas when I was 15, but the snow was too dry to stick and make even a decent snowball, let alone a whole snowman. Kidlet got to help with a snowman last Christmas when he went up with my mom and sisters for Christmas; I had to stay home for work.

TPBM knows someone named Fred.

Three, actually.
My high school Algebra teacher, and 2 guys I went to college with.

TPBM knows some (personally) who has 6 toes on one foot.

No. I did baby sit 3 siblings, 2 of which had 6 webbed toes on both their feet. If I recall, the older boy had his extra toes removed, his twin brother was born with the usual 5. The toddler had all 6 toes (At the time)

TPBM has moved more than three times in their adult life.

Yes. I hate moving and hope to never need to again.

TPBM likes making new friends.

I don't do friendship competently, so I gave up on it. There are people I treat more intimately than strangers, however.

The person below me has tapped a keg of beer.

Share it with me, Mr. Durick, and I'm sure we'll end up friends. Particularly if the topic of conversation is Persis Khambatta (but we can talk about religion, too).

TPBM also appreciates Persis Khambatta--or, at least, beer.

She's pretty, but I'm not familiar with her work. And I find beer icky.

TPBM knows better than to be up at oh-dark-thirty, but is awake anyway (and playing around on LT, at that!)

Looks like it's only you and me, Rose--though in L.A. it's only just after ten.

TPBM thinks we need scorpions to make this picture complete.

No, I think we need a new thread to make this picture complete.