Too Late to Die Young

What did you do for fun when you were a kid? How is it different from what you see kids doing now?
Submitted by jaklumen.

When I was a kid, after dinner, on warm summer nights, we'd meet up with the neighborhood kids and play or catch fireflies.  When it got too late, we'd begin hearing our parents calling. The names were different, but the intonation was always the same. DA-da (DO-na, KEV-in, CA-thy, DE-von -- you get the picture). Slowly the group of kids would become smaller until everyone had gone home, tired and sweaty from running around.

These days, after dinner, kids gather around the television to watch reruns of The Simpsons, or individually, sit in front of a computer screen and visit with their friends by way of some social networking software such as Facebook or MySpace.

As a parent of modern-day children, I'm to blame for my children's after dinner activities. But even if they wanted to go out and play with friends, there is no one to play with within walking distance. All of those kids are inside watching TV, virtually poking each other or writing on each other's virtual walls.

Have you ever served on a jury?  What was your experience?
Submitted by jacolily.

When I was about 24, I served on a jury with some interesting people. One was a teacher at my former high school, one was a feminist who worked at a local women's clinic and one was a belly dance instructor.

The case was about a guy who got caught in a sting operation when he sold cocaine to a cop. I felt bad for the guy, but it seemed to be a clearcut case. He was unlucky.

I remember thinking that the prosecuting attorney was a jerk, and would have liked to vote "not guilty" just because of the lawyer. As it was, I was scheduled for a vacation the next weekend with the man I ended up marrying, so I was not about to make the case go on any longer (it ran for a week as it was).

What board game are you really good at?  Really bad at?

I used to be good at Trivial Pursuit - I really don't like board games that much.

I'm bad at checkers.

What do you enjoy most about summer?
Submitted by Alex.

Not having to put on a coat to go outside.

What other names did your parents consider for you?

The only name they picked out for me was Steve before I was born. Afterwards, when they realized I was, in fact, not a boy, they hadn't a clue. Stephanie was not an option because Mom's good friend just named her daughter that. My uncle suggested they name me after him. So I became Dona (one "n" to relfect being named after my Uncle Don).

Audio: Share a song you can't help but sing along to.

Have you been affected by the pet food recall?  Has it changed the way you feed your pets?

No, but thank you for mentioning it. I'd heard about the recall of the bargain brand pet food, but didn't check after that. I see that a brand I used until recently was also involved - Hills Science Diet.

Luckily I switched to the cheaper option of Urinary Tract Formula Purina - or something like that.

Book: What book would you like to see made into a movie? 
Submitted by Felipe Anuel.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Audrey Niffenegger

A few weeks ago I received an email from someone named Nikki who praised me about my review of The Queen and said that since I wrote about that film that I might like to write a bit about Showtime's The Tudors.

I did. Here and on my Blogger space. I am sorry.

I am ashamed to have done so. I told myself that it was ok since I was excited about it. But knew, deep down, that it was akin to selling my soul. Well, a part of my soul.

So sorry to anyone who read those posts. I promise never to do it again.

And I didn't even get the Tudor related goodies in the mail that Nikki promised I would.

Sincerely,

Cedar Waxwing

PS I am sure it was not the same Nikki who is my Vox Neighbor.

Book: What book are you most ashamed you haven't read?
Submitted by Byrne.

1984 (Signet Classics)

George Orwell