52 posts tagged “qotd”
While driving, what's your biggest pet peeve?
Submitted by AlexandraI hate it when I'm at a green light with oncoming traffic, trying to turn left and the cars behind me impatiently honk. Maybe they would risk their lives to turn in front of fast moving vehicles, but I want to live a few more years.
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).
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.
What is your favorite term of endearment?
Submitted by lostdwarf.
sweetie
Did you order Girl Scout cookies this year? What kind?
We don't order anymore now that they are often sold in front of grocery stores.
After being the mom of a girl scout - the cookie thing just doesn't seem the same as it did before. Even the cookies seem less flavorful.
But we did buy thin mints and samoas.
What is your current obsession(s)?
Submitted by eijsr.
I got a chance to read this before it was released and found it to be one of the best written books I've read in years. The author writes as if he's conversing with a friend. No flowery language and no SAT vocabulary words. His descriptions leave me with vivid pictures in my head of people and scenes from the novel.
It is the story of an Ethiopian expatriate and convenience store owner who is content to read all day in his store and serve his customers until the house next door to him is purchased and restored by a white woman and her bi-racial daughter. He becomes friends with his new neighbors and thinks beyond his little store for the first time in fifteen years.
The story discusses such issues as gentrification, revolution, and assimilation.
The fact that this is Mengestu's first novel is amazing. I'm hoping there are many more after this one. He is a brilliant writer.
I guess I'm obsessing on it a little because it is the first book I've read that I was expected to review. That someone thought enough of my skills to trust me to review it is pretty empowering. Not only all that, but the author is reading from his book this evening not far from where I live, so not only did I get to read and review this book, but I get to see, and maybe even meet, him in person.
