Sunday Stealing: The Screaming Masses’ Meme

This week’s meme comes from Carmen at Mom to the Screaming Masses, who responded to If You Tag Me, I Will Write by Mim.

The Screaming Masses’ Meme

1. What are your nicknames?

Moi, MaMa Moi, and Sweetheart.  When we were dating, I did my Miss Piggy “Moi?” impression for BigBob.  He started calling me “Moi” and would not be dissuaded, even though it makes no sense to call me “me.”  It has stuck for more than 23 years.  In fact, I can’t recall a time when he called me anything except those nicknames.  He does it in public, too, but I don’t care.

2. How do you style your hair?

I wash and condition it every morning. Then I brush it, work in Paul Mitchell ultra-firm gel, and arrange the spikes.

3. What’s your favorite or least favorite Christmas song?

“The Little Drummer Boy.” Seriously, all that rum-pa-pum-pumming gets on my last nerve.

4. How many colors are you wearing now?

Two: Pink and white.

5. Are you an introvert or extrovert?

I’m not the least bit shy. I am outgoing and friendly. So I was shocked the first time I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality assessment and it revealed that I am an introvert. But when I read the explanation, it made perfect sense:

I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what I’ll be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing.

Note that the key indicator is the source of your energy. “Everyone spends some time extraverting and some time introverting. Don’t confuse Introversion with shyness or reclusiveness. They are not related.”

6. What was the last book you read?

“A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle.

7. What’s one piece of fiction that changed your life?

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. The movie was equally inspiring and remains one of my all-time favorites.

8. If you are attracted to someone who is already in a relationship (or married), what might do you do?

Keep walking.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?

I was feeling unhappy about a toxic relationship. I attempted to change the tone and tenor of the relationship by meeting with the person and having an earnest conversation. Because I had not seen or interacted with the individual in question for approximately nine months, it was an educational but sadly illuminating experience.

I realized that I cannot change that person, but the meeting affirmed that I cannot have a relationship with that individual, either. I am no longer unhappy about the situation. I am at peace leaving things as they are. I wish things could be different, but accept that, at least for now, that is not possible because to attempt to maintain a relationship would be highly self-destructive.

10. What’s your favorite dessert?

Pumpkin pie.

11. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Thirty minutes.

12. What websites do you visit daily?

I read all of the local newspapers online, as well as a number of blogs to which I subscribe via Bloglines.

13. What classes are you taking right now? And if you’re not in school any more, what’s your job?

From time to time, I conduct or attend job-related training opportunities. I am a senior attorney for a large public entity, handling employee disciplinary matters. I love my job because it is endlessly fascinating from
all perspectives, including the human and legal interests.

14. Do you like to clean?

If I did, I would not have employed the same woman to clean my house every week for about the last 15 years.

15. What was the last song to get stuck in your head?

“If you like it than you should have put a ring on it . . .” by Beyonce. The lyrics are ridiculously redundant.

16. What’s the last movie you saw?

In the Valley of Elah starring Tommy Lee Jones. I have been a loyal fan since he appeared on One Life to Live in the early 1970’s.

For this film, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor and, in my opinion, should have won. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Every American should see this movie.

17. Pirates or Ninjas?

Definitely Pirates.

18. What is your least favorite thing to do that you have to do everyday?

Figure out what to wear to work. I tend to buy the same type of clothing over and over and over . . . Same brands, same colors, same basic styles. I refer to my wardrobe pieces as my “Lawyer Uniform.”

19. Best time of your life?

Right now because it just keeps getting better all the time. And I am not getting older . . . I’m getting better.

I am of the opinion that the day you stop believing that your life is getting better all the time is the day you lose hope.

20. What are you most looking forward to in the coming month?

I’m on vacation and today is my birthday, so I’m having a great time right now.