Friday couldn’t come soon enough this week

My mind has been running a marathon all week and I’ve lost much sleep as a result. I have been very pensive about my future, my career, my goals, and just life in general. But some very awesome things did happen for me this week. I may have landed my very first paid sponsor (!) and when I contacted a well-known satire site about writing opportunities, a very polite man replied to tell me he was “quite familiar” with my blog. It made me feel good. Maybe he was blowing smoke up my ass, but it was a nice pick-me-up all the same.

I very rarely participate in memes but it’s nice to have a writing prompt every now and then. And the very awesome Sorta Southern Single Mom tagged me and I can’t say no to her. If you don’t already follow her, go visit immediately. She’s one of the most supportive bloggers I’ve met and I love our email exchanges. As for tagging my friends, I have listed a few at the end of this post. Feel free to answer the questions on your blogs or not. I won’t be offended either way. But if you’re experiencing some writer’s block, this may help.

The Rules:
1. Post the rules
2. Share 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions posted to you from your tagger
4. Come up with 11 new questions for the people you tag
5. Tag your peeps on Twitter, Facebook, or on your blog

11 Random Things:

1. I learned sign language in grade school and since then I’ve developed a really annoying habit of signing the letters to the very last word that hangs in the air in a conversation. Been doing it since I was seven.
2. I am fluent in German, speak a bit of French, and learned a year of Dutch in college. Before I decided on a career in the world of publishing, I thought maybe I could be a diplomat. Or a spy.
3. I hate peas and licorice.
4. My favorite place in the world is Sacre Coeur basilica in Paris. When I went to the city last year, I stumbled upon one of the most spectacular views I had ever seen… and it was so breathtaking, I nearly cried.
5. I’ve always wanted to visit Monet’s gardens in Giverny. I have a slight obsession with the impressionist and would love to ride a bike over the Japanese bride, gaze at the water lilies, and engage in a conversation with a relative who still tends to the property.
6. The Count from Sesame Street once paid me a visit when I lived in a haunted house in upstate New York and he’s creeped me out ever since.
7. The first cassettes I ever purchased were Mariah Carey’s self-titled album and Another Bad Creation’s At the Playground. Don’t judge.
8. Stupid things I did in my youth: got in cars with strangers and hitchhiked in Europe.
9. I won a hula hoop competition at my cousin’s bar mitzvah. Haven’t hooped since though I attempted once at a Phish show.
10. My roommate in Heidelberg and I were once coerced into having a fake wedding (complete with vows and flowers) to a very adorable and younger Polish kid who worked in a McDonald’s.
11. Despite the fact that I can’t swim, I once went swimming with stingrays in Barbados. While wearing swimmies. Guess who was the coolest kid in the water that day?

Sorta Southern Single Mom’s 11 Questions:

1. Favorite teacher?
Mrs. Malloy, my high school English teacher.
2. Why was he/she your favorite?
She really encouraged my writing, taught me to appreciate Poe and literature, and allowed me to have many “ah ha!” moments under her tutelage. It was in her classroom where I realized I could do something with this passion if I worked hard enough.
3. Movie line you are most likely to quote?
Oh, lord. I’m SOOO bad with movies. But this is one of my favorite exchanges from the movie Office Space:

Samir: No one in this country can ever pronounce my name right. It’s not that hard: Na-yee-na-na-jar. Nayeenanajar.
Michael: Yeah, well, at least your name isn’t Michael Bolton.
Samir: There’s nothing wrong with that name.
Michael: There *was* nothing wrong with it… until I was twelve years old and that no-talent ass clown became famous and started winning Grammys.
Samir: Well, why don’t you just go by Mike instead of Michael?
Michael: No way! Why should I change my name? He’s the one who sucks.

4. Song, not necessarily your favorite, you find yourself belting out at the top of your lungs?
If I’m alone, anything by K$sha. If I’m in front of people, something respectable, like Dylan (Hurricane, Quinn the Eskimo, or One More Cup of Coffee) or Marley (Coming in from the Cold, Is this Love?).
5. Favorite vegetable?
Anything green and leafy, like spinach, kale, or swiss chard.
6. How do you prefer to get your caffeine? Coffee, tea, soda, chocolate?
Oh, caffeine, how I miss thee. I went decaf a few months ago but when I do treat myself to it (on weekends occasionally) I take a French Vanilla (light and sweet) from Dunkin Donuts.
7. Wine? Beer? Fruity drinks? None?
Vino. Lately Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
8. Your first kiss?
My across-the-street neighbor Greg. I think I was 9 and it was behind the bushes.
9. Favorite place to vacation?
Europe or the Caribbean. Depending on the season and what I need the getaway for.
10. Size bed you sleep in?
Queen.
11. Bikini, tankini, one-piece, covered from knees to nose?
Bikini. LMAO @ covered from nose to knee.

11 questions for my bloggy friends:

1. If you could do anything with your life, what would you do?
2. You are leaving to go on a deserted island and are allowed to bring three CDs. Which ones do you take?
3. Who do you look up to most in life and why?
4. Book that changed your life?
5. What are the top three items on your bucket list?
6. What is your proudest accomplishment?
7. Vacation destination at the top of your list?
8. First crush?
9. The world is coming to an end and you are allowed to make three phone calls. Who do you dial?
10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
11. If you could chose one superpower, which one would you pick?

And the bloggers I wish to tag (in no particular order) are:

Nikki of Constructive Compulsion
Dave of ΔΟΚΕΙ ΜΟΙ
Shana of Fumbling Towards Normalcy
Jayme of The Random Blogette
Tina of Florida Girl with a New Life
Brandy of Deliciously Alive

If I haven’t tagged you, but you’d like to participate, please do! And to all: please send me your links if you do answer these questions. XOXO