Gunfighter: A Modern Warrior's Life

It's Saturday, Here's a Meme

Part One – Describe:

Your hair? Very short.  You might even say stubbly.

Your mother? Not well.

Your father? Great with children!

Your favorite food? Chinese

Your dream last night? Talking to my boss about my promotion

Your favorite drink? Stone Imperial Stout

Your dream/goal? My dream?  To go into space.  My Goal?  To be able to be a good father and provider for my familyas long as they need me.

The room are you in?A big room full of cubicles.

Your hobby? Reading

Your fear? Fear?  Ha!

Your TV? Is where the moving pictures are.  They tell me things.

Your Pets? Charlie, a retired Explosive Detection dog.

Friends? Few, but important.

Your life? Pretty darn good.

Your mood? Right now?  Upbeat, although I am doing this meme to avoid getting my fat ass on the elliptical trainer.

If you’re missing someone? I miss Pastor Ken.  He is an awesome guy.

Your best friend? I'm married to her.

Part Two – The Where’s?

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Right where I am now, except not as fat as I am today.  I'll also be 6 years closer to retirement.

Where were you last night? It was Thanksgiving... I was in the freakin' kitchen all day.

Where did you grow up? Vauxhall, New Jersey.  I lived there from age five through seventeen.

One place that I go to over and over? Barnes & Noble bookstores; Williamsburg, Virginia; Orlando, Florida.

Your favorite place to eat out? Mandarin Court

Wish list items? An iPhone; A Barnes & Noble Nook; a larger Sunday School class; a hefty gift card from Gander Mountain.  I won't be getting ANY of that for Christmas... OR my birthday, which is next Sunday... not that I am hinting about anything.

Last time you laughed? Dude.  I laugh all the time.

Last time you cried? Cried?  yeah, right.  Like I'd tell you.

Part Three – The What’s?

Something that you aren’t? An ass-kisser.

Last thing you did? Drove to work and turned on the office computer.

What are you wearing? A kelly-green, sleeveless t-shirt (dig the guns!), gray shorts, white sock, athletic shoes, my watch, my wedding ring, and four boss tattoos.

Something you’re not wearing? Well, that would sort of cover lots of things.  For instance, I'm not wearing a Burqa (sp?), nor am I wearing elf shoes that are turned up at the toes.  See, this is one of those open-ended questions designed to drag you into a meaningless discussion of minutae.  I suppose I caould just hare off into uncharted country and talk about all sorts of things, like the time I went out in public NOT wearing anything... or when I was arrested for.... See what I mean?

I'm just going to stick with the thing about the Burqa.

Your favorite store? Barnes & Noble; Gander Mountain

***NOTE*** Totally kidding about the getting arrested thing.  Never happened.

30-20-10-0

30: 1979

• I was was about to turn 16, and about to lose my virginity.
• I was in my Junior year of high school.
• We lived in Vauxhall, New Jersey, on May Terrace
• I lived with my mom and my brother, as my sister had recently left for college..
• My father and stepmother lived in Baltimore, Maryland.
• I hated my life and wanted to be out of that town.
• I rode my bicycle everywhere.
• I was in the Air Force Junior ROTC.
• I was in the Chorus... Mr C. was our teacher.
• I collected comic books.

20: 1989

• I was nearly 25.
• I was married.
• I drove a Hyundai Excel.
• I was in the last year of my enlistment in the Marine Corps.
• I was stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
• I drove to Forestville, Md every weekend
• We had a pet rabbit (I know.  I know)
• I drank WAY too much
• I used to go to watch live jazz at The Saloon, in Georgetwon.

10: 1999

• I was nearly 36.
• Ihad been remarried for 5 years.
• Soccer Girl was nearing her first birthday, Fast Pitch was almost 10.
• We lived in Woodbridge, Virginia.
• We took Soccer Girl to Disney world for the first time.
• We had a retired racing Greyhound named Duncan.
• I had been working with my previous agency for two years.
• My mother went to rehab.

0: 2009

• I am 45.
• Soccer Girl will be eleven next week.  Fast Pitch is tewnty, and in her third year of college.
• Mrs Gunfighter and I have been married for nearly sixteen years.
• I'm getting a new dog this week
• My hair is turning gray
• All of my irritating aches hurt like bloody hell now.
• I teach Sunday School
• My Mother, Grandmother, and brother have all survived cancer.
• I spend an inordinate amount of time wondering when cancer will strike me.
• I'm middle aged.  Where did the time go?.

Old School Friday

This is my first foray into this meme, but I could truly identify with it, because I had one of those "fell in love to this song" experiences when I was a very young man... not much more than a boy, really.

The year?  It's 1981.

I was just about to turn 18 in the autumn of 1981, and I was stationed at a military installation in San Antonio for some advanced training.  It was my habit (as well as the habit of hundreds of other young enlisted people) to go to the enlisted club on a Saturday night to drink, socialize and dance. 

This particular Saturday night was like all of the others in that I went to the club with my buddies, consumed a bit more alcohol than my almost 18-year-old-self probably should have had, and dnaced with any number of girls.  When the evening was about to end, and we were about to leave, a song came on (I don't remember it now) and one of the guys with us turned around and darted back onto the dance floor, because it was time to do "The Bus Stop", which was a popular line dance at the time... think the "Electric Slide" before there was an electric slide.  You with me?

Anyway, a couple of the other guys went back out to dance, while I stayed in the lobby, waitnig for them to finish.  What happened next was... well, a first for yours truly.  A pretty young woman came up to me, and said that she was waiting for her friends, too... so we proceeded with boy meets girl.  Boy and girl get on famously for 20 minutes while waiting for their groups of friends.  As friends come back into the lobby, the Rick James and Tina Marie classic hit "Fire and Desire" comes on.  Young boy and slightly older girl (ok, woman, she was twenty) have a dance and... well... the details don't matter, really (get your minds out of the gutter... we were together for five months and nothing like THAT happened), but, by the end of the evening we were both all entwined, kissy-face, and in loooove.

When I left Texas for my next assignment, we made promises of love and forever... of course, that only lasted until we both met other people while she remained in Texas, and I went overseas for nearly 4 years.

 

I still think about that night whenever I hear that song. It was a time of near-total innocence. A truly happy memory.

I hope that life has treated you well, Maria.

This post has been done in conjunction with Old School Friday.

Gunfighterology

Hi,

Here is more crap about me that you probably didn't know, and would never have asked me.

 

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice?
Blue Cheese

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
No particular favorite

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Beef & Broccoli

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Sausage, Black Olives, Anchovies

What do you like to put on your toast?
A slice of Velveeta

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house?
3

What color is your cellphone?
I have a Blackberry that is silver and black

Do you have an iPod?
Yes

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Left (like all the sexy-and smart- people!)

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A bag of books at Barnes & Noble yesterday

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
No

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No, I like surprises.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I kind of like my name.  It suits me... but I would probably go with Hamish, because it would make people wonder.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
Yup... probably for less.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season?
Summer

Holiday?
Christmas

Day of the week?
Saturday

Month?
December (Christmas AND my birthday!)

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone?
No... soccer girl is home from camp!

Mood?
Tired but cheerful

What are you listening to?
Mrs Gunfighter snoring

Current worry?
I never worry about things.

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning?
To pick up soccer girl from Girl Scout Camp

What's the last movie you saw?
Star Trek

Do you smile often?
All the time

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
None.  I don't believe that a man should wear those things.

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
Um... did you forget what I do for a living?

Last person you talked to?
Mrs Gunfighter (if you don't count talking to myself)

Last person you hugged?
Soccer Girl, before she went to bed

Do you always answer your phone?
No

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
If you text me at 4 AM don't expect to hear from me until a more human hour.

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Change these eyes?  No way!

Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yes

Favorite Christmas song
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
If I get a gift from anyone, I'll be glad about it, whatever it is.

Can you do push ups?
Yes, but these days, I avoid it.

Can you do the splits?
No effin' way.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Nervous.  I won't be here for much of it.

Do you have any saved texts?
No

Do you have an accent?
Depends on where the person listening to me is from.

What is the last movie to make you cry?
Cry?  Me?

Plans tonight?
I tried to watch some Currie Cup rugby (from South Africa) but I fell asleep.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
No

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
Lunch at Five Guys, fish & wine for dinner

Have you ever been given roses?
Yes

Met someone who changed your life?
Yes

Name two people who might complete this?
Nope

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Yes, but only if I get to come back.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
No piercings, but I have four tattoos... the newest of which is only 10 days old.

Does anyone love you?
Yes.. more than a few, for that matter.

Would you be a pirate?
No

What songs do you sing in the shower?
They vary.

Ever had someone sing to you?
Yes

When did you last cry?
See my earlier answer about crying.

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Yes, soccer girl

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
soccer girl

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Depends on how you define the terms old and new... but mostly new.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
yes

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
People only make fun of me behind my back.  It's healthier.

10 Guilty Pleasures on TV

Every once in a while, I discover, via comments, that I have a reader that I hadn't previously known about.  I heard from one such reader just the other day, and she was nice enough to wish us well on our fifteenth wedding anniversary.

Trying to be a stand-up guy, I visited this nice lady's blog in return and found lots of neat things... and this is one of them:  She had made a list of her top 10 guilty television pleasures.  Not one to be left out of making a list, please have a look at mine.

1.  American Idol.  Laugh if you like, but I enjoy this show thoroughly.  I seldom miss it, and always record it, just in case I'm not home.

2.  Dancing with The Stars.  Go ahead, laugh again, but I have two words for you:  Cheryl Burke.  'Nuff said.

3.  Terminator:  The Sarah Connor Chronicles.  It's too bad that this show didn't find it's feet until part-way through the second season, it had the potential to be one of the greats... alas, it didn't gain enough traction, and has been cancelled by FOX... who should have cancelled that stupid Dollhouse show.

4.  Boston Legal.  Yes, I know that it was cancelled after the 5th season... its just the way things work in my world.  If I love a network show, it gets cancelled.  Hey, you all know that I love William Shatner, but my love of this show goes beyond Shatner-love.  The show is exceptionally well-written, it has (had) an interesting cast, which was superbly led by James Spader and the aforementioned Shatner.

5.  Bad Girls.  Some of you may not know of this show.  It's from the UK, and I originally saw it when it regularly aired on BBC America, and after it ended on BBC America, it was picked up by LOGO.  It ran for eight seperate seasons, and has been so popular in the UK and the US, it looks like it will make it's way ont American television soon, in a US production that should be made sometime soon.  It isn't likely that I'll watch it, because like other American re-makes of shows from the UK (The Office being an apparent exception), it will probably REALLY stink.

If you are looking for the other five, you can stop now.  This is all that there is.  I don't find a lot of interesting things on television that aren't listed above.... or international rugby, and that doesn't really count.

A Weekday Meme For you. Yes... you!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My father's father, William.  People always called him "Willie"... when my relatives tried to call me Willie, it resulted in much... resistance from me. 

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I don't remember.  I don't do it often.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I have never spent 5 minutes thinking about it.  I suppose it is adequate.  It isn't pretty, but it is legible.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Ham

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Two.  Both girls.  One is nineteen and the other is ten.  They are my joy.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Sure.  I think that I am decent, kind, and strong.  I'm loyal, devilishly handsome, I can cook AND I'm a trained killer, though you'd never look at me & think so.  What's not to like?

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Of course not.  See my sincerity in the answer above.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
I do, and I think that I shall keep them.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
No

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Grits.  With cheddar cheese.  If you mean cold cereal... well, I try to avoid it.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Always.

12.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Cherry Garcia... and Mint Chocolate Chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Whether or not they look like they are armed.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I'm one of the world's natural fat people.  I fight it as best I can, but what the hell?  You can only fight nature so much.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Sam H***  Sam was my friend and a fellow officer.  He died much too young.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
That would probably be quite dull.  This one is dull enough for three

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue jeans and brown hiking boots.

20. FAVORITE SOUNDS:
Automatic gunfire (no, I'm not kidding)
The laughter of little children.
Screaming guitars

Gregorian chanting (again, not kidding)

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
It's quiet in the house, now, but I can hear Mrs Gunfighter snoring softly.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
What kind of question is that?  How the heck are you supposed to learn anything with a question like that?  I'm not answering that.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
A roasting chicken
Roses
Soap
Mrs GF's favorite perfume

Woodsmoke

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Customer Service at Peek.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I only found her blog this morning, but she seems nice.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Sports?  There is only one sport worth watching:  RUGBY!

27. HAIR COLOR?
Black.... well, getting slightly silvery now

28. EYE COLOR?
Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Not since my laser surgery 3 years ago.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Roasted chicken & vegetables & Chicken Marsala, a la Gunfighter

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Pretty Woman  Hey, I was sick and couldn't sleep Saturday night!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
A Gray thermal undershirt.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer... bring the heat, baby!

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hug me, kiss me, then.... oh, sorry, this is a family blog.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Not a soul.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
What difference does it make?  I only have 15 or 20 readers who acknowledge that they read what I write.

39. WHAT BOOK(s) ARE YOU READING NOW?
A Confederation of Valor (Tanya Huff), and Crusader Castles In The Holy Land (David Nicolle)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
It's clear.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
The L Word, Big Love, & Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

42. FAVORITE SONGS?
You Can't Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones), Somebody To Love (Queen), The 1812 Overture (Tchaikovsky), The Ride of The Valkyries (Wagner), The Title Theme to Superman: The motion Picture (John Williams), The Planets (Gustav Holst), My Sharona (The Knack), Jumpin' Jack Flash (Rolling Stones), You're All I need To Get By (Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell)

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
The Stones.  I love the Beatles, but the Stones are more me...  a little more bad-ass.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Norway.  Above the Arctic Circle.  Is that further from the east coast than Kenya?  Probably not.  Maybe it was Korea.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I am a good teacher.  I can teach nearly anyone, nearly anything.

46 WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Hamilton Air Force Base, Marin County, California

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
I'm done tagging people for these things, dude... but if anyone wants to jump in, go for it.

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
At work... our marriage is a direct result of the Gulf War (1991-92)

49. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
My family, & being helpful to others

50. FAVORITE SAYINGS?
I use the term "bloody" too often.

51. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET?
My 15 year old self.  I'd like to tell him some really important things.  Oh, and Saint Martin DePorres

The Happy New Year Meme!

Happy New Year!

No excuses... I just like doing these things... I know that it's not like most of you care about this stuff, but here it is:

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Got a tattoo on my back.  It's my third tattoo, mind you, and it won't be my last, but it's the first one on my back.

 

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't make resolutions.

 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

 

5. What countries did you visit?

I went to Maryland a few times... against my will, but there you are.

 

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Um... a new car and a book deal.

 

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Election day, baby!  Because the electorate rejected fear, xenophobia, torture, and the criminal abuse of our Constitution.  Go Obama!

 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Taking care of my family and helping to get Barack Obama elected.

 

9. What was your biggest failure?

I didn't fail at anything.

 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No injuries... some minor illnesses not worth the time it takes to write about them.

 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Another iPod.

 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Barack Obama's gracious, issue driven campaign, which stayed focused and didn't go into the mud like the rest of them.

 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Hillary Clinton's capaign behavior.  Hillary, you and your husband are on my political shitlist for life.  Not that you care, but you need to know it.  I was appalled, but not depressed, I always knew she didn't really have a shot.

 

14. Where did most of your money go?

Food, bills, vacation, living.

 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Electing Barack Obama, Rachel Maddow's new show, my new Chef's knife.

 

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"  Sure, the song is from the early 70's, but it reminds me of the OBama campaign... and you might have notice that it consumed a grewat deal of the year for me.

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? SAME
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter
c) richer or poorer? About the same

 

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Exercise.

 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Gone to the doctor.

 

20. How did you spend Christmas? 

In my cozy house, with my cozy family, with my new books, new knife, and really boss Christmas music.

 

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

No.

 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Boston Legal & Terminator:  The Sarah Connor Chronicles

 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Bill & Hillary Clinton

 

24. What was the best book you read?

How To Be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job - Brother Benet Tvedten (Awesome)

 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

That I actually liked a song by Beyonce (Single Ladies)

 

26. What did you want and get?

An immersion blender

 

27. What did you want and not get?

I got what I wanted... I'm good, thanks.

 

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Iron Man

 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

My 45th birthday was in December.  We went to the Candlelight tour of George Washington's house, and then spent a great weekend, just the three of us... there was good food, presents, and togetherness.  The best birthday I have ever had.  Really.

 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Getting a promotion (but I'm not unhappy, I'll probably get said promotion before the weather turns warm again)

 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Fashion?  Are you kidding... I don't do "fashion"

 

32. What kept you sane?

My incredible, monk-like discipline... or the fact that as a rule, I NEVER, EVER worry about anything.

 

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Fancy?  Well, there is Salma Hayek, of course... and Summer Glau isn't hard to look at.

 

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Getting Barack Obama elected... as a specific issue?  Ending our incredibly wasteful, stupid, illegal, immoral war in Iraq.

 

35. Who did you miss?

The in-shape Gunfighter

 

36. Who was the best new person you met?

A guy who visited our church a few months ago.  This guy was great.  I immediately connected weith him.  Real enthusiasm and a spirit-filled heart.

 

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Not sure I learned anything in that regard.

 

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"But it's allll riiiight now, in fact it's a gas!

But it's allll riiiight, a-Jumpin Jack Flash, it's a gas gas gas!"

ME ME ME MEEEEEEME!

Being unable to resist these getting to know you kinds of things, I stole borrowed, ripped off copied this from my pal Liz over at Los Angelista's Guide To the Pursuit of Happiness (go read her, you'll love her)

I completed this on Dec 24th, so the answers are relevant to that day.  Today is December 29ht, and Soccergirl and I are off to have adventure in downtown DC.

1. What is your occupation right now? I am a tactical firearms instructor for a federal law enforcement agency.

2. What color are your socks right now? White.

3. What are you listening to right now? The voices in my head... that isn't crazy or anything... I happen to like the sound of my own thoughts.  I'm never lonely.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? A hard boiled egg was my breakfast around 0530.

 

5. Can you drive a stick shift? I can drive anything.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? One of my idiot shooters.  He wondered why I wouldn't let him come to the range to qualify with his guns at 2 P.M. on Christmas Eve... like I have nothing else to do???

 7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Oh yes.  Liz is a smart lady and writes about interesting things.  Although, she didn't really send it to me... she posted it at her blog, and I read it.

 

8. How old are you today? 45... and damn if I don't look good (except for that prodigious spare tire)

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?  Rugby!!!

10. What is your favorite drink?   Stone Imperial Stout.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?  Hell no!  I am suspicious of men that dye their hair.... or any reason other than acting.

 

12. Favorite food? Roasted chicken and vegetables.

13. What is the last movie you watched? Armageddon.  Laugh if you want, but it has everything... explosions, laughs, male-bonding, strippers, and space ships.

14. Favorite day of the year? The first day of summer vacation.

15. How do you vent anger? Unfortunately, I tend to shout... or get really quiet.  When I get really quie, it's time to watch out.  Really.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child? A yellow Tonka dump-truck.

 

17. What is your favorite season? Summer.  Bring the heat!

18.. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries... from the tree... not thase thrice-damned Maraschino abomanations.

19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Of course

20. Who is the most likely to respond? I wouldn't even begin to know.

21. Who is least likely to respond? To this?  Probably Mrs Gunfighter.

22. Living arrangements? I live with Mrs Gunfighter and Soccergirl in a three bedroom townhouse... that has beautifully painted walls and lots, and lots (no, really... lots) of books.

23. When was the last time you cried? I don't remember. 

24. What is on the floor of your closet? Clothes.  Shoes.

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you're sending this to? I'm not going to send this to anybody, but I hope that lot's of my pals and silently lurking readers would do this, too.

26. What did you do last night? Went to Wegman's and shopped for Christmas dinner supplies.!

27. What are you most afraid of? My name is Gunfighter.  I fear nothing.  Nothing, do you understand me?.

28. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburger? Spicy... with cheese.  I hate mayo.

29. Favorite dog breed? Greyhounds.  The most loving friend you'll ever have.  What's more, you don't have to have one of those annoying rat-dogs that are so popular these days. 

30. Favorite day of the week? Friday... it's so full of promise for Saturday

31. How many states have you lived in? California, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and The District of Columbia (I'm counting it as a state for the sake of this post)

32. Diamonds or pearls?  You don't really think that I wear any sort of precious or semi-precious stones, do you?

See?  Aren't you glsad that you read this?

99 Things To Do (and some that I have done)

This little meme comes from fellow DC blogger Lola Gets.... who stole it from another pal from L.A., Los Angelista.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (but the answer is "no" if being at sea on a naval vessel doesn't count)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (some of them)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (but I have been on television many times)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (Mine?, or someone else's) 
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (I trained a guy who saved his own life in a gunfight)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit  (was sued by a suspect who was hurt while being handcuffed)
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Fun, right?

The Meme-ing of Life

I so totally stole this from a guy who was perusing my blog.

Thanks Night Writer!, and thanks for stopping by!

OK kids, the idea is to respond to each item giving a one-word answer... and no word can be repeated.

Here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone?  Desk
2. Your significant other?  Brilliant
3. Your hair?  Short
4. Your mother?  Chemotherapy
5. Your father?  Cool
6. Your favorite time of day?  Morning
7. Your dream last night?  Forgotten
8. Your favorite drink?  Ale
9. Your dream goal?  Remembrance
10. The room you’re in?  Cubicle
11. Your ex?  Idiot
12. Your fear?  None
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Alive
14. What you are not?  Maudlin
15. Your Favorite meal?  Fish
16. One of your wish list items? Kindle

17. The last thing you did?  Ate
18. Where you grew up?  Union
19. What are you wearing?  Uniform
20. Your TV is?  Loved
21. Your pets?  Dead
22. Your computer?  Busted
23. Your life?  Happy
24. Your mood?  Serious
25. Missing someone?  Daughters
26. Your car?  Plain
27. Something you’re not wearing?  Hat
28. Favorite store?  Wegmans
29. Your summer?  BUSY!
30. Your favorite colour?  Blue
31. When is the last time you laughed?  Today
32. When is the last time you cried?  Dunno
33. Your health?  Fair
34. Your children?  Loved
35. Your future?  Bright
36. Your beliefs?  Deep
37. Young or old?  Aging
38. Your image?  Tough
39. Your appearance?  Fat
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know?  Absolutely.