Questions taken from an interview with Mark Morris in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, altered accordingly, and idea snagged from photoblogger Heather Champ

Best household chore

Which is the best? Meaning, which one am I the best AT or which one do I enjoy the most? When I first starting living in apartments, I was a cleaning freak. My friends will testify for that I’m sure. Switch weekends to clean this and that.. blah blah blah. But I’ve relaxed the last few years. Perhaps to a point of laziness. Not good, I know. But I still clean, just not as obsessively. I’d have to say, I like cleaning the kitchen. Not the dishes – but the counter top, pantry, fridge, sink, etc.

Fantasy career

Party and event planner, painter, and professional photographer. I love to throw parties. You have no idea how much I’m fighting my decision not to have my somewhat-annual holiday party this year. (Not enough cashola is the bottom line.) BUT I already have a post-holiday party in the works — so my mind is at ease. The photographer thing.. well it’s something of hobby for now, but I intend on taking several classes (lighting for one) and collecting a few more accessories for my Canon. So hey, who knows, maybe someday I can actually claim that last one.

Favorite place to shop

Michaels, various scrapbook stores, Borders/Barnes & Noble, Target. I’m fooling myself if I go to Target or Michaels with a list of specific items to buy. I also have geekLOVE for office supply stores. Oh and then there are hardware supply stores. Mmm. LOVE the smell of lumber…. ok moving on.

Superstitions

I think the only one I really pay attention to is opening an umbrella in a building. I try to avoid it like the plague. Which, I assume is what one would suffer from if he or she constantly opened umbrellas while indoors. It’s odd that it even bothers me; I don’t care about walking infront of black cats (often I start to make little th-t th-t noises to attract the cat) or under ladders (unless it just seems silly and potentially dangerous.)

Morning routine

Wake up at 6:30, shower and prep for the day. I leave no later than 7:15 (that’s pushing it as it is) to catch light rail. 50 minutes and a bus ride later, I’m at my job. Every other Thursday I check the Wave Magazine for their newest issue and my entertainment while on the bus.

Evening routine

After work, Adam picks me up. Each day is different. Sometimes we’re running errands, meeting up with friends, or actually staying at the apartment and doing the tv & dinner thing. I try to accomplish random crafty tasks (scrapbook, photo projects, etc) but sometimes those are thrown to the wayside because I’m already tuckered out from the long day at work.

Favorite memento

Photos. Yea it’s kind of a broad answer, but really the photos that I have taken of family, friends, events, and trips are the mementos I treasure the most.

Favorite place in the house

I don’t think I have a favorite place in this apartment. It still seems like ‘the spot between’ for me. But, as for the house back in Modesto, I’d have to say sometimes my favorite spot is in the living room. There is no TV, stereo, or computer. Just a large cozy couch and armchair and a table with family photos and a few plates and dolls from my great grandmother. The window is huge and lets in a ton of light. It’s a great room to just sit and think, read a book, or take a quiet nap.

Best thing about being you

Guh, you want me to compliment myself? Honestly I don’t know what the best thing about being me is. A lot of what I can say is the same quality others have – so what is so special about that? I sat here for almost 10 minutes and I have shot down every potential answer I had for this question.. so.. I move on.

What’s your reputation

Curly Haired Redheaded Photography Nut (and my superpower is blinding people with my flash! mwa ha ha)

Favorite movie

So I Married An Axe Murderer

“Ohhhh I hated the Colonel with his wee, beedy eyes.. and that smug look on his face! ‘Oh you’re gonna buy my chicken, ohhhh!’”

Book to recommend

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire.

Your welcome mat

While we don’t have an actual welcome mat – I tend to actually be one from time to time. “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

Little big toy

Canon 10d? While it’s not really little… it is my favorite toy.

Last meal

Carls Jr. Chicken sandwich and fried zucchini. Mmmm.

Technology item you can’t live without

My computer. Big dork, I know.

Idea of the perfect party

I prepare all the meals – complete with fancy items like chocolate baskets to hold strawberries in (dessert). Decorations are simple yet have a somewhat professional touch to them. Friends fill the room, snacking, mingling, laughing, and generally having a wonderful time.

Topic you wouldn’t bring up at a party

I guess most people say politics, but politics are often ok to bring up between my friends. Be prepared and fully educated ’cause the discussion can become heated and fast paced at times.

Fictional character you most identify with

Well don’t tell anyone but, JEM is my name.

Favorite decorating technique

Hah! Decorating. Well I guess it would be photos. Photos are usually in frames – which I have plenty of – however, I have yet to actually REALLY decorate in this apartment. I’m in the process of buying which photos I need to fill the frames I have. Our lease is up in May, and I bet I won’t fully be done “decorating” until, maybe mid-March.

Thing in your house you’re fussiest about

We have two chairs that face the TV. I insist that one of the chairs be smack-dab next to the end table. The other chair is closer to the wall. This leaves a walking space between the chairs to access the tv, coffee table, couch, and balcony. Every now and then I find the chair closest to the end table about a foot AWAY from the table. I found out that Adam has been moving it because he likes the little gap so he can walk straight from the couch without having to go around the chair.

Procrastination technique

It’s this little thing called the Internet.

Guilty pleasure

Does chocolate consumption count?

What’s by your bedside

A bookshelf with a ton of read and unread books. Still needing to finish Naked (David Sedaris), start 1984, and finish Lost (Gregory Maguire). Not to mention finishing two Buffy theory/essay books, and two Advertising books.

Pets

None at the moment. I want a kitty so very badly, but I cannot have one until Darren is not living with us. The boy is allergic. Since I don’t want to pay for medical bills or shots, the cat will have to wait.

Recent purchase

Scrapbook goodies from Michaels. I couldn’t resist. I’ve actually made like four pages in my Grand Canyon scrapbook – my goal is to be finished by Christmas to show the fam.

Always in the fridge

Two Britas of water, condiments, lettuce, leftovers.

Nagging injury

Ever since Vegas a few weeks ago, my right knee aches. I’ve noticed it only acts up when its freezing. I shouldn’t have worn those Tommy shoes up and down the strip. Bad Jen!

Collections

Superman memorabilia – which is tucked away in various-shaped Rubbermaid boxes at home.

Keychains (400+) from countries, businesses, cities, states. Either I’ve been there or someone else did and they brought it back for me. I started a database a few years ago but haven’t updated it since.

Fitness routine

Tae-bo or gym, when I can. Should be more. ‘Nuff said.

Recurring nightmare

I haven’t had a recurring one in a long time. Most of my dreams aren’t even nightmares. Though, a recurring dream I’ve had is where Steve walks into the house. I guess it’s kind of like a nightmare too.. not being real and all.

Idea of a perfect day

Full night’s sleep, waking up early and heading off to San Francisco, Monterey, Sea Ranch, Bodega Bay – or another coastal city/town. Taking photos, hitting the beach and just relaxing. Not thinking about work or unfinished projects. Heading home and curling up infront of the tv to watch a good movie before falling asleep.

I’m a tad belated, but..

Congratulations to Marc & Shanta on your engagement!

“And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva”

Felt like participating in a blog meme.. so here are my answers to this week’s Sunday Brunch. (There are two sets since one is Thanksgiving-themed.)

1) How do you cook your turkey? (Stuffing, spices, cooking bag, etcetera)

Well I never cook it myself – but we’ve had it cooked in the oven with various veggies and whatnots sitting around it. A couple of times we had it cooked in a fryer (it was kind of dry…)

2) What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?

Homemade peach cobbler or apple pie.

3) What are you doing this year for Thanksgiving?

Hanging with 70% of the family at my aunt’s house.

4) Do you have any family traditions at Thanksgiving?

Just mingling about, playing with the lil cousins, eating food, and more mingling.

5) What one dish does it just not feel like Thanksgiving without besides turkey?

Green Bean Casserole with French’s Original French Fried Onions. My grandmother would make this every year and it is is a favorite for my cousin Kim and I.

…

1) Do you enjoy flying by air?

I do! I love looking out over the land.

2) Do you typically check a bag when you fly or carry on?

Most of the time. Not very picky about how much time it would take to get the bags from baggage claim.

3) Has an airline ever lost your bag? Describe what happened and if you were compensated by the airline.

Nope, not yet!

4) Do you eat the airline food?

Hah, so far yeah. Mmmm peanuts! I haven’t been anywhere that far where they give you a full meal.

5) What do you do to pass the time when you fly?

I always bring a magazine or something that I intend on working on – but usually my attention goes right out the window. Literally. I stare out and just watch the clouds, the land, or take photos!

(Photos from the flight to and from Vegas)

My oh my.. I cannot believe I made it to Friday.

Tough week ya’ll.

So what did I treat myself to?

It’s marathon time, baby.

Well *I* am not in Texas, but because all I have been doing is work this week, I feel compelled to share with you the photos that Adam has been taking while he’s on his trip in Texas. He’s out there for some conference dealiebob for his job. When he left, I told him the email address that is used to send photos to my Flickr page. He took photos! AWESOME photos! Let me share them with you…

So go ahead, check out the rest of his photos here.

I should have known better than to post some sort of to-do list.

Saturday: Up at 5:30 and on the Bay Bridge at 7am. The cones were already put out, blocking the left lane at this time. Adam and I thought we’d arrived too late – but the SUV infront of us had two bikes hanging from the back and they had their left turn signal on – FOLLOW THEM! We made it, just in time. After walking around, we found Maya, her mom, brother, aunt, and uncle hanging out by the water. Maya was understandably nervous. Around 8:30 I walked Maya over to the switching area (or whatever it’s called) and gave her a pep talk and she went to get into her wetsuit. She noticed her group wasn’t even preparing yet, so she asked Someone In Charge and found out that her group doesn’t swim until around 10:30! More waiting, which resulted in Maya getting more nervous. Eventually, 10:30 rolled around and we watched Maya get ready for the swim. I ran over to the mini-dock area to snag a good photo spot.

Here’s Maya (she’s in the front-ish area) getting ready to get into the oh-so-cold water.

After swimming, she hopped on her bike for the *6* laps up and around the island…

And then she ran!

(Check out all the photos here.)

It was a lot of fun, cheering her on. Not to mention very inspiring. I’m tossing around the idea of participating in a relay next year – the swimming part. But that depends if I can actually stick to something for once in my life. </topic>

After the triathlon we went back to her mom and brother’s apartment, walked to Chevy’s, had some yummy food, and took off for San Jose.

We missed out on the hockey game, but there will be more… yes I know.. game of all games… shhh.

Sunday was spent doing laundry, cleaning my room/bathroom, and watching a Lost marathon with Adam and Maya.

Today.. uh.. today I went to work, some lady was annoying on her cell phone on light rail, and a little 9 year old was heard telling her 9 year old friend “I saw the most beautiful purple BMW the other day.” Sigh. Whatever happened to “Look at this bug I just found!” ???

5:30… saturday… awake… huh?

the cycle hums.. ready to race to you!

These days… I notice that I really need longer weekends.

I always have plans to do a millionandahalf things in one weekend… and then I end up doing a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT list of items.

For example, this weekend I plan to go to the triathalon at Treasure Island to support Maya and her Wonder Woman efforts. I will be there rooting Maya on, camera and video camera in tow. I will shout, “GO MAYA! WHOOOO!” That is, after the intense urge to fall asleep fades away (this thing starts at 7AM).

That evening is an SJSU Ice Hockey game. SJSU vs Palmer. The game of all games. I will shout, “GO LONNY!! WHOOOO!” Again, I will be there with my camera, and maybe my video camera as well.

Now, those are the solidly planned events for this weekend. The rest will be a blur. I need to clean my room and bathroom. I need to do laundry. I’d like to actually use the $200+ worth of scrapbook materials and working on my friggin’ scrapbook(s). I’d also like to paint, given I have the creative urge to do so.

Then there are Christmas gifts to buy/figure out.

sigh

Can I have a longer weekend please?

Canada 2.0

(via LYD)

No Canada safe haven for Democrats

Well I’m all for Canada…

The beauty of BC:

The World’s Largest Mall in West Edmonton:

And of course.. music music music music!

Election Guide 2004

Via Maya