14 posts tagged “qotd”

Do you have a particular "catch phrase" for which you are known?
Submitted by Emu with a Clue.

My father had a platitude for every occasion, it sometimes seemed. One of his favorites (especially when it came to me...) was "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Which seems to me like a no-win situation if you think about what that really means.

I prefer the much less judgemental, though ambiguous, "Interesting..." It can fit any number of occasions, although sometimes one is forced to declare something as strong as "It takes one to know one." Oh. Yeah.

What one object/thing would you take if your house were on fire?

My negatives. My thousands of freaking negatives which basically document much of the jazz scene in NY during the

'90's and a lot of New York from the late '80's to the early 2000's, as well as my family since I came back here in '04.

And my turtle, Porgy. But I could just stick him in my pocket for the duration, 'cause he's a lil thing.

Have you ever had a premonition about something that came true? 
Submitted by Sheri.

Yes. I've also had dreams that came true. And unfortunately, they weren't The American Dream.

What's your favorite hangover cure? 
Submitted by Soup.

Not drinking.

What are 10 things you've done that other people probably haven't? 
Submitted by Janette.   

1. Hitch-hiked across country (from Indianapolis to Los Angeles) when I was in my teens. It has been many years since then, I don't think I'd do it now.

2. Shot (photography) jazz recording sessions with many great jazz artists, including Dave Brubeck, Marian McPartland, George Shearing and dozens of others.

3. Did extensive/intensive photo research for the Ken Burns "Jazz" Series.

4. I have been deep sea fishing.

5. I have been held at gunpoint and didn't pee my pants.

6. I worked at a shelter in NYC for a year and a half.

7. I was once (quite by accident) featured on one of Oprah's Random Acts of Kindness shows, when a hidden camera caught me helping a woman who had dropped her things at the corner of Washington Square Park. Apparently, I was the only woman who had stopped to help this lady all day, including a nun that they caught just walking past her. I would not have wanted to be that nun when they stopped her and asked her on tape why she didn't stop.

8. I once worked at a restaurant where I had to slide down a fireman's pole carrying cakes. I got so that I could come down that pole upside down, not using my hands because I was carrying a cake in each one, which I would hand off to other wait staff at the bottom. Thrilling. I figured since my grandfather had been a fire-chief for something like fifty years, and my dad had been a volunteer fireman, it must be in the genes...

9. Ummm, my sister and I were the youngest members (ever) of the adult choir at our church when we were kids...

and

10. Uh, I can't really think of a tenth thing right now. But I'll add it tomorrow, after I've slept. Maybe.     

One in four American adults read NO books last year. How many did you read?

First of all, let me say that I find this almost impossible to believe. However, I have to believe it, because I actually know people who don't read books. They are usually the same people who simply refuse to go into a book store with me anymore, because they know that they will have to drag me out by my hair, kicking and screaming. I don't blame them. I'm an addict.

Personally, I probably read somewhere in the vicinity of 250 books last year. It's hard to say, because sometimes I'll read a book and a half in a day, but there are also days when I either don't get to read at all, or I'll only get to read a chapter or so before work, and a couple more before bed, depending on what else is going on in life. And often, I'll have a couple of books going at the same time, like right now I'm reading the Oscar Wilde bio, and a contemporary mystery. The Oscar Wilde bio is just soo dense with details, that I need a break from it periodically. Plus, I know how his life ended, and it wasn't pretty, so why rush toward what you know isn't going to be particularly uplifting?

I had decided this year that I'd keep track of all the books I read, like a list of titles. In a way though, that seems a little competitive or more like I think I'm actually accomplishing something, when, in reality, it's a necessity. And lets face it, I'd really rather... just read.

Who's the next celeb destined to end up in rehab?

Tom Cruise. But I don't know if they've developed a rehab for what he's got yet. Poor, poor Katie.

If you could choose any singer to sing at your wedding (past or future), who would you choose? 
Submitted by CYAN.

Jazz Icons: Sarah Vaughan Live in '58 & '64

Because she could, and did, do it all.

 Speaking of Sarah, I got this Jazz Icons DVD of her for Christmas. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, mostly because I was spending my spare time catching up on the Mad Men episodes that I had missed, and re-watching some of the ones I had seen, thanks to my brother Dick, who had copies of them all. Since I gave those back the other night, and since it is going to be NO degrees here this weekend, I plan on enjoying Sarah and the Oscar Wilde biography I'm reading. Not at the same time.    

What do you do with the cards and letters you receive?  Do you keep them all, just keep the photos, throw them away? 
Inspired by jacolily.

I keep them. I have cards and letters from decades ago from some people. I also keep engagement calenders, or planners. It reminds me of all the lives I've led.

What's your favorite thing to drink when it's cold outside?

Cappuccino

2 comments

Wasn't this a given?