[ T - T R A i N ]

Data

Instead of sending this around, I'm posting this on my blog. Because I'm slacking again on my postings. And because I'm trying to put off making a decision. hahaha. No, not really. Just trying to keep my reader(s) amused. And even if you've done this before, do it again! I know you're just looking for an excuse not to work. (Care of my friend, CC.)

1. FIRST NAME?
A. T.

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My dad and my grandfather. Variation of their names, at least. And from Wagner's opera (inspired by a German retelling of a Celtic legend).

3. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Oh gee... Not too recently, but not too long ago either. Sometime within the last 6 months.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Other people like it very much. I'm okay writing in print but don't count on my script.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
As in processed meat? Cold cuts? I eat them but I don't care much for them so I can't say I have a favorite.

6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
None yet.

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I think so. I'll probably think I'm an ass (see #8) but I'll still be friends with myself.

8. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
I used to, but I think I've toned it down quite a bit in the last few years.

9. YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.

10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I already have. Would love to again.

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I can eat Honey Nut Cheerios (with lactose-free milk) for breakfast, lunch or dinner. So I guess it's a favorite.

12. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Lately, no.

13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically, I can be stronger. I get by through sheer will and determination.

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie

15. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their smile.

16. RED OR PINK?
If I had to choose? Red. But not on myself.

17. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Uhm, I don't know. Indecisiveness? Maybe. lol.

18. HIGHWAY OR BYWAY?
Byway. More interesting and allows you to slow down.

19. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
I don't even expect everyone to read through all of this.

20. WHAT COLOR OF PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING?
Not wearing pants. (Get your mind off the gutter. I'm wearing shorts.) Not wearing shoes. (I have flip-flops on.)

21. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Tuna melt (with cappuccino decaf).

22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The hum of the electric fan.

23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Olive green

24. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Fresh bread and cinnamon.

25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My dad.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Of course! We've been friends for 20 years.

27. FAVORITE DRINK?
Water. Really. And cold fresh calamansi juice.

28. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Tennis.

29. HAIR COLOR?
Black.

30. EYE COLOR?
Dark brown.

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes.

32. FAVORITE FOOD?
French. Italian. Quite a lot of Filipino dishes.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.

34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:
Uhm.... Haven't been watching a lot of movies lately. Or TV.

35. WHAT COLOR OF SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black. Plain black.

36. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer. Any excuse to go swimming or to go to the beach.

37. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both. But sometimes a well-timed hug is worth more than a kiss.

38. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Tough question to answer... Ice cream is enough to make me happy.

39. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Don't know.

40. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Don't know.

41. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Re-reading Terry Pratchett's 'Soul Music.' Recently re-read 'Witches Abroad' and 'Reaper Man.' Also re-reading an old book from grad school about comparative politics. Does that mean I need new books?

42. DO YOU HAVE A SECRET EMAIL BUDDY?
A secret from whom? I guess the answer is I don't.

43. NUMBER OF FRIENDS YOU TELL EVERYTHING TO?
I don't think it's possible to tell everything to one person. I can think of at least 5 people I can easily open up to.

44. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
The faces of George Washington and some other guy I can't identify. (Probably another American president?)

45.WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
I didn't watch TV.

46. FAVORITE SOUND ?
Whatever the sound is at 5 AM.

47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

48. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
If by 'home' we mean the Philippines, and by 'furthest,' we mean completely on the other side of the planet, then it would be the east coast of USA.

49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Keeping out of trouble?... Let's just say it's baking. I'm good at following instructions.

50. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
In Manila.

51 WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
I'm not picky. Anybody.

Seven Songs

Because I was told I never answer tags.

Seven songs that I like. None of them are particularly new. I don't listen to the radio at all these days. Of course, I like more than seven songs.

1) Man With The Child in His Eyes (Kate Bush) - I've always liked Kate Bush from the first time I heard her. But I became familiar with her work through a 'best of' album (The Whole Story), which was sort of cheating. Still, I think her songs are great and is a unique vocalist. I remember back in elementary school I would play this song in my head to put myself to sleep.

2) Lean On Me (Beth Orton with Terry Callier) - I downloaded this many years ago when I was first looking for Beth Orton songs. It's very mellow with a lot of percussions. Callier has a very distinct voice nicely complementing Orton's. A very encouraging song.

3) Galileo (Indigo Girls) - One of my favorites from the Indigo Girls. It's one of those perfect songs, in my opinion.

4) Ligaya (Eraserheads) - Z. brought a copy of the Eraserheads Anthology CD when he went to DC for a visit earlier this year. As soon as I hear the first beats of this first track, I know I'll be in for a good ride.

5) Peach Trees (Rufus Wainwright) - One of many beautiful Wainwright songs. I like this one in particular because it was used in the film Prime. (It also appears on his Want Two CD.) I love the imagery used.

6) Shelter (Ray LaMontagne) - Also used in the the film Prime and part of LaMontagne's debut CD, Trouble. I discovered him through the Prime OST. This guy/singer/composer/guitarist reminds me of Van Morrison. His live tracks are excellent. He also has a very interesting life story.

7) Midnight Train to Georgia (Gladys Knight and the Pips) -  "I'd rather be in his world than be without him in mine."

And you're tagged (if you want to be tagged).

Tagged: Simple Pleasures

To make up (sort of) for my absence...

simple pleasures of life
from Anj and Jowi

Instructions: Name ten of life’s simple pleasures that you like the most, then pick ten people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.

1. Finishing a good dessert (especially if it's chocolate cake or cheesecake) and not feel bloated.

2. A milkshake when you're feeling down.

3. A nice homecooked meal when you're far away from home.

4. A book sale.

5. A long and satisfying nap.

6. A warm, sunny day that is good enough to wear shorts in and pleasant enough for a picnic.

7. A clean apartment.

8. An unexpected compliment.

9. Finishing something before the deadline.

10. A milkshake even when there's no need for one. (This is something that my B20 JVP partner said.)

And an extra:

11. A tight and sincere hug. (Because a hug is always welcome.)

I wanted to include, "Waking up next to the person you love/like/you're really into." But then, I realized that this one is potentially high on 'pleasure' but low on 'simple.'

I tag everyone who wants to do this. And do consider doing the list. It's fun.