Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past NINE (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine. 🙂
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
I wouldn’t be me if I said no, right?
Yes, I totally have, and I wish I could say that it was in some cool-@ss flash mob in the middle of Union Square, but no. It was a two-minute dance routine to a New Kids on the Block song in high school (I can’t remember which song; I think I blocked it out).
Oh, it gets worse…
We did it to promote this one band girl’s party.
I don’t even know what we were thinking, but we were like, “Let’s do a dance!” and then at the end of it we all yelled, “Party at Rochelle’s house!!!”
Haha!
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
I like to go with people who enjoy…
Wait –what am I saying?
Um…no. I don’t really like to go antiquing. It’s just not my thing, and I’m always afraid that I’m going to buy something haunted, to be honest.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
If I’m reading or writing, I need to have silence or some kind of white noise, but for tasks that don’t require any verbal or written skills, I like all kinds of music.
It depends on my mood that day, but I listen to a lot of music on YouTube, or I like to stream directly from radio station websites.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Persimmon
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Sadly, no.
A new week…
Most of the time on the blog I don’t like to get too deep when it comes to politics, just because I’ve always viewed this as my little island away from all the…I guess, hard stuff in the world, but I want to say that no matter what side of the fence you’re on, I hope you can remember that there are still good people out there.
You’re a good person, the people around you are good people, and we’re all just doing the best we can.
It’s a new week, my friend. I hope you have a good one.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yes, I used to be in a dance group. I miss it…
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Nah, not my (porcelain) cup of tea.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
If I’m writing, no, but for things that require less focus, yep. I like rock music.
4. I wish there was a shrug emoji.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
No. I’d hate to waste food!
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yep! AND got made fun of for it. So there’s that 🙂
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
If I have time and I’m with someone else who’s interested in poking around, then yes! I don’t really like to go by myself – I feel guilty getting store owners’ hopes up, and the pressure seems to be really “on” when I go alone, lol.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
It depends on the work. If I’m doing busy work, I really like listening to videogame music (my go-to soundtracks are the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker, and the soundtrack for a game called “Flower”). If I’m trying to create or think critically, though, I can’t have anything on. Too distracting.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Sandwich. (or other food-related items – I need to be SPECIFIC with my food-emoji-representations!)
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope! Which is probably good. I’m not a fan of getting gross-messy.
Thanks for the words of kindness, Karen! I spent a whirlwind weekend with my family in Seattle, so I’m fairly exhausted (came back to NY on a red eye this morning) but am feeling mighty loved. And feeling reminded that we need to spread love like woah.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? In 8th grade a bunch of my friends and my sibs did a dance to “Monster Mash” in the school talent show. So fun! And we got to go to school dressed up all crazy, which was a big deal back then!
2. Do you like to go antiquing? I like going into stores that call themselves “antique” stores but are really vintage stores (less than 100 years old). I especially like looking at 70’s bakeware, 80’s anything, and vintage Fiesta ware. I’m not a furniture fan.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? Motown kind of rocks my world when I need a pick me up. And you can’t go wrong with 90’s hits, ever! Especially when you want to embarrass your freshman daughter by singing loudly!
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. Clarinet, it would make my FB posts on both my daughters’ band pics easier. And a pug one, for my dog!
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No, it’s a waste of food and I can’t handle that!
As for politics, I’m sad that my candidate didn’t win, I was devastated. But what kills me is the reactions from my kids’ friends, some are scared they’re going to have to leave the country, some are scared because they’re LGTBQ, and some are scared because they don’t think they’ll ever be considered equal. I HATE that kids are scared. But there is a beautiful trend of love and acceptance that is coming, and that thrills me.
1. I mean, I like Zumba, so yeah. 😀 My Zumba instructor was doing a public class in the middle of the mall to advertise so I did Zumba in front of a lot of shoppers! It was a blast.
2. Yes! Mostly to window shop. I wish I knew more about it so I could spot the good deals and special finds.
3. If I need to sit down and get shit done I put on Muse.
4. I wish there was a happy/angry emoji. you know, smize with an angry mouth.
5. I have a toddler so yes, every damn day.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? Ha no. But I love to watch those dancing flash mobs.
2. Do you like to go antiquing? Not really. However, I have been venturing into the occasional antique shop to look for unique photo props.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? We’re not allowed to listen to music in the newsroom. At home, when I’m working on my website I don’t either really. I guess I equate music with recreation and I get very little of that. Hubs and I will listen to jazz in the car on the way to date night unless we’re meeting each other there.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. smarties
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? I feel like I have but I can’t remember details. Nothing that’s been movie-worthy for sure.
Also, forgot to say, I am a bit leery of buying things in antique stores for the reason you named. I’ll never buy used or vintage jewelry because I feel like those pieces carry too much weight.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?: Oh no. I am way too shy.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?: Yes, but I mostly do that online. I wish I knew of more antique stores that don’t cater to super rich people.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?: When I work at home, yes. I like Enigma and Loreena Mckennitt.
4. I wish there was a face palm emoji.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?: Not a physical one, but I have argued with people over which cookie recipes are the best. 🙂
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yes, I used to belong to a dance company for 6 years when I was a young girl
2. Do you like to go antiquing? Once in a while, but not something on a regular basis
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? I listen to a variety of music , but mostly upbeat dance music or Hip Hop/pop
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. I don’t know or who cares
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No, I have never been in a food fight
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yep, I did dance team in middle school, then color guard in high school. I now take ballet on the weekend as a hobby activity.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Yes! My neighbor has so many neat little antique shops, too.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
I can’t at work, but when I’m doing housework or cooking at home I blast music. Usually pop punk or alt rock, but Ingrid Michaelson gets me pumped, too.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Taco!
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope, and I don’t think I’d enjoy it…
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Umm….yeah…when I was in elementary school. I also took tap, ballet, and jazz as a kid so we performed all over the place including the Alameda County Fair
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Oh heck no….I’m afraid of ghosts and spirits attached to items. Have you not watched the conjuring?
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
Yes…I do including when I’m writing. I can’t function in quietness.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
black cat
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
I can’t say that I have…
Hi Karen, thank you for your (much needed) positivity!
So…
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
I have – dozens of times, actually. I was in a hip hop crew for about 10 years.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
I’ve never done that, nor have I thought of doing that, so I guess the answer is no.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
I need silence if I’m writing or reading, but I love music when I’m taking/editing pictures, and I’ll pick the music based on my mood/the mood I want to be in.
4. I wish there was a Spritz (which is a very popular aperitif here in Italy) emoji.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope!
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? I take Zumba and Dance Jam classes. 🙂
2. Do you like to go antiquing? If I’m with one of my best friends–she makes it fun and has a great handle on actual value of items.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? I listen to a wide range of things on Pandora. Anything from Country to Alternative Rock.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. few more cat emojis!
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No just whipped cream. 🙂
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yes. But I did all kind of crazy stuff, as I did a lot of acting.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
No. Not at all.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
No. With two kids around I enjoy a minute of silence whenever I can get it.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Hm, never thought about that.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
I grew up with three sisters. Many of them.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yes
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Yes
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
I can’t really as I’m on the phone a lot for work.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Hug and middle finger
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
No, food was too scarce to waste when in my house even though I had 3 other siblings, it never happened.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
For nearly 5 years I did. I was a ballerina for nearly 4 years and then I did a year of figure skating.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Yes.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
When I volunteer at the NFP, no. It’s important to stay on your toes and be cognizant of what the horses are doing at all times. Some horses easily spook, so music is a no-no (yea, you know how in movies, people have their stereos going while bathing or working with their horses? No, just…no.)
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Hugs and kisses
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
No
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yes. I was also in water ballet (synch swimming) in high school, which is like a very athletic dance in a pool to music. How’s that?!
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
There’s a lot of junk out there, but I actually love it. I’m a historian, and my son loves history, and we like to poke around and talk about objects in different time periods and how people lived then. It’s really fun. But it takes time, and it’s rare to find a truly compelling piece I’d like to buy. So I don’t do it much.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
No, I hardly ever listen to music, period. It’s too stimulating/distracting. Plus I don’t follow musicians, so it takes too much energy to figure out who to listen to, and I don’t have an easy setup for music through my iphone.
My husband has a pretty good LP collection, though, and every once in awhile I’ll put on Johnny Cash, Mahalia Jackson, Mozart, Beach Boys…last week it was Boston and John Williams. Like when I’m cleaning the house. Hubs is a musician, and I love it when he picks something. He’s very eclectic, from rap to choir music. I love the element of surprise.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Bowl of cereal
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Yes! Eighth grade going-away party. Tortilla chips and popcorn. The entire floor was an inch thick in crunchiness. Wow, did we get in trouble.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? Sure, when I was littlz at school. I was always very nervous but did my best and had fun.
2. Do you like to go antiquing? I love it but I don’t do it very often unfortunately. I love old things, I just love imagining their past lives and history.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? If I am working on something important, music distracts me too much so I won’t listen to it.
4. I wish there was no emoji.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No but how I wish I could be! Assuming I can take a shower right after.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
I was on the high-school dance team and drill team. One time, I did a very awkward solo dance on/around the solo trumpet player during a football game halftime show.. Whhhhhy?!?!
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
I absolutely LOVE to go antiquing. My dad (49 years old when I was born) would have me tag along with him when he’d be on the hunt of old fishing lures or WWII military uniform patches. Now, I look for retro decor and furniture, even jewelry when I am cruising through.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
I am forced to listen to a terrible station at work that repeats the same songs.. over and over.. again. I do love to jam, though. especially while cleaning house!
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Manatee (:3) I actually heard this might be happening!
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
If you count being fed your first bite of wedding cake a food fight, then yes! 🙂
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yup! I danced ballet and modern dance for 15 years. At one point I wanted to do it professionally.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Totally! Especially with my mom. She’s an interior designer and she’s always able to find the coolest stuff.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
Yeah, usually! If I don’t, I get too distracted by noise around me. Usually pop and rock.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Dinosaur! I’ve actually written to Apple about it, believe it or not. Until then, I have to use the alligator emoji.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope!
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? No — which is probably a good thing, I’m such a klutz!
2. Do you like to go antiquing? I think I could enjoy tagging along with someone who was knowledgeable and enjoyed it, because I am interested in history and I do like old things… if it was old spinning wheels, looms, and knitting needles, I think I could really get into it.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? Always. But, if I’m reading or writing, it has to be instrumental music or music the words of which I can’t understand. Fortunately, I love tons of music from West Africa but can’t speak any of the languages (except for the occasional song in French), so I’ve got tons of artists and playlists I can listen to. If so what kind of music gets you going? For housework, I like upbeat rock from the late 60s and early 70s.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. Someone wrote . I second that! Also, would be good.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No. Good thing — see klutz, above.
You’re right, Karen, we’re all doing the best we can. My mission is to understand all points of view, to help people come together.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? Yes. I took dance lessons as I was growing up and belonged to a dance troupe.
2. Do you like to go antiquing? No. Other than vintage perfume, I don’t like old things. I’m a modernist at heart.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? Classic rock and roll. The Stones, The Beatles, The Doors, etc.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. Black cat emoji. I can only find a calico cat emoji in my list. (But persimmons! Yum!)
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No.
My wish is that we all start to discuss our wants and needs without fighting and name calling. Maybe I compromise a little bit here and you compromise a little bit there and we meet more in the middle. It won’t be perfect, but anything is better than the bitter acrimony we seem to have now.
Wishing everyone a good week.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Definitely! I’ve done a couple group burlesque routines with my friends.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Only if it’s vintage clothing or something :p
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
Yes, or sometimes standup comedy! My musical tastes really vary from day to day. Lately it’s been rock / hard rock, or whatever songs I’m planning on using for aerial or hoop routines.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
I don’t actually use emojis that much. Is there a bunny emoji? That’s all I really need.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope!
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
I want to say yes because this is exactly the kind of dorky thing I would do…but probably not. I’ve done other weird dorky things though.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
I like looking at antique furniture and jewellery but I don’t have the space or money to actually get anything!
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
I like all kinds of music – depending on my mood. For example, I listened to Wiz Khalifa’s ‘Black and Yellow’ while sorting out laundry yesterday 😛
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Durian (hehe)
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
No way! Food is sacred. I always hear my grandmother’s voice in my head saying it’s such a waste of food when people are food-fighting in the movies.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
A LOT. Here in Mexico you dance on Christmas and Mother’s Day festivals, and on closing ceremonies from kindergarten to even high school in some cases -I stopped when I finish junior high school-. I think our best dance was in our last junior high year during Mother’s Day, both classroom made lipsync of old bands our moms loved -Timbiriche, Flans, Menudo-. I was part of Menudo we did Claridad and I always joke I was Ricky Martin.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
In Puebla there’s a street in the city center where you can find a lot of antiques and I like to look at them but I haven’t bought any.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
I do and most of the time is on YouTube or Spotify, I listen to lastest hits or old music but Many times I forget the music is on.
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Curly hair emoji, we need one.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
Never, I’ve only thrown a donut on my friends face.
You’re right about being positive, I talked to my friends and we -mostly me- need to work on certain stuff to achieve harmony. Also I didn’t go to Pride parade but I had a very interesting talk instead.
What did you do on your hair? I’m planning to bleach mine again and get again that silver blonde or that lavender color.
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public?
Yes, in 3rd Grade Brownies Troop.
2. Do you like to go antiquing?
Haven’t really done that, but it sounds like it might be fun.
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going?
Sometimes. Usually pop and rock from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s (yes, I’m older than you).
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji.
Not really into emojis.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight?
No. Thank goodness the movie “Animal House” didn’t come out before I graduated from high school, or some idiot would have started one in the cafeteria at least once.
Where did you get that perfect notebook?!
1. Have you ever done a choreographed dance in public? Do dance recitals count? If so, then yes. Ballet and jazz/hip hop. Oh and of course the Thriller dance at weddings! All have been quite a long time ago now.
2. Do you like to go antiquing? No and I totally agree with you about the haunted thing!!
3. Do you listen to music while you work? If so what kind of music gets you going? Ooo. Um, no, I need full concentration or I’d be a nervous wreck. Only because of my type of work. However I can’t workout without music. I’d leave the gym if I forgot my iPod!
4. I wish there was a _____ emoji. Good question! Is there a dizzy emoji on iPhones? If not, then that.
5. Have you ever been in a food fight? No, how boring am I? I’d be so mad if it were lunch, I was starved, and wasted my good by throwing it on someone’s face! ?