Okay I got tagged---so now I'm "IT"

My blogging buddy Wayne tagged me, and I don't wish to be a drag on the party, so will play the game----

First I gotta give ya the rules of the game and they are as follows. (don't get tensed up, the rules are simple and easy to follow)

1. Identify the party that tagged you, and leave a link to their blog page, and before you post your response, post these rules on your blog . (what?? you don't know how to create a link? let me know will try and teach ya how to do that)

2. Now share seven (7) random/weird facts about yourself.

3. Tag seven (7) others, and create links to each of their blogs

4. Now having complied with the three rules up above, your almost done, all thats left to be done is to go to each of the persons you tagged, and alert them that you have tagged them by leaving a comment on their blogs.

(okay I have identified who tagged me, made a link to his page, so now I gotta put up seven wierd facts about myself----hmm this could take some time---I need a few people---actually what I need is a beer----BRB)   okaaaay here we go-----

1. I get uptight with people who ask me for my opinion of something and then after I give it,

proceed to disagree with me, and argue about it.

2. Start cooking something only to find I don't have all the ingredients necessary to finish the

job. (in my case like Denny Crane---I blame it on the "mad cow")

3.  I have a propensity to view both sides of a given topic, that is to weigh the pros and cons, and in doing so end up unable to state with any sincerity my own opinions---which I think makes me come off as being a person without convictions.-----a neutral nebisher (bah humbug)

4.  I like parties, but hate crowds

5.  I like feeling my life is moving to accomplish whatever goals I have in mind---and thusly I get very uptight when I find myself faced with indecisive moments, example, right now know I will be moving in the monthes ahead, but at this point in time, do not know where, do not know what to keep, or sell or give away, and the clock is ticking------(but I know in time this will ultimately come to a conclusion----eventurally, but til then---yuk!!

6.  It irritates the hell out of me hearing advertisments promoting this is or that credit card telling you the more you spend the more you save --(for each 100 dollars you charge we will give you 2.00 back or similiar fuzzy thinking)

7.  I am not a good listener---people start to talk, and even before they are finished my mind had leaped ahead and I interrupt them with my response before they finish, only to find had I waited and listened properly that my response was incorrect, or at best merely underlining what they were saying all along.  A most annoying trait I have been unable to break.

Alright, enough about this old dude-----so who am I going to tag?? (hey where did everyone go??), and the winners are:  hmmm, I think I will not tag anyone---but (big grin on my face) anybody wanna volunteer?   I double dare ya ! (lol)

Motivated Reader's Meme

Most adults do take time from time to time to read. SOME actually spend more time reading than they do watching Television. (a great collective gasp from the audience ) In anycase here is a fun little Meme for those that are readers. Those of you who wish to take the time to do the Meme thing and post your answers on your own blogs are welcome. (just leave a comment that YOUR answers are posted on your blog page .

(For your edification and ease of reading I have put the Meme questions in BOLD face type my innane answers in standard typeface.)

The Questions

1. What is the Last book you purchased?

2. What book (or books) have you read MORE than once?

3. Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? (if yes what was

it?

4. How do you choose what book to read, by its cover, by author, by title, or just what?

5. Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

6. What is more important, beautiful writing, or a gripping plot line?

7. What is the most memorable Character from a book?

8. What book, (or books) are you currently reading?

9. What was the last book you finished reading, and when was it?

10. Have you ever started a book but then gave up on it halfway through it? (if Yes

what was its title?)

MY ANSWERS

1. I can't actually remember the date I last purchased a book. I make full use of my local lending library, a habit I started at the age of 8, when I discovered I could actually own my own library card. To attempt to answer the question I would have to guess it was back in highscool, when I bought a racy Mickey Spillane paperback and snuck it into my room and kept hidden from my parents---(blush)

2. I have re-read a number of books, but the one book that flashed into my mind reading this question was, "Battle Cry" by Leon Uris. A book my older Brother gave me when I was about 10 years of age. The book describing in quite detailed and adult manner the experiences of a young man who joined the marines at the outbreak of WWII---which of course was exactly what my brother had done.

3. I guess a number of books have had things in them that stuck with me and in their own way have altered my view of life. I can not say with any real conviction a title of a single book that has affected me but---I would definitely say that thre writings of two authors pretty much are the basis of much of my likings of the world. Those two authors were , O. Henry, with his surprising plot twists, and Horation Alger, for all the optomistic stories of how hard work and perserverance reaped good rewards Between these two Authors I learned to look at all things from different perspections (not everything was necessarily as it appeard (o. henry), and a engrained assurance that if I worked hard enough, and long enough I would be rewarded---not to mention appreciating others who followed the same philosophy.

4.   I guess primarily I am drawn to a catchy title, but then there are other times, I limit my hunt for a good book to genre, mystery, sci-fiction, history, biographys etc.  I also prefer an author who had written more than one book, as I invariably check out 5-6 books at a time and I live finding a good fictional character whose adventures run over a whole series of volumes, and read then in sequence.

5.  No contest actually, I am a dyed in the wool "who done-it?" afficianado, so definitely love good imaginatve fiction.  but then there are those times---see anwer to question number 4 above.

6.  I like a book that grabs my attention in the first three or four pages and then has a tight convoluted plot that keeps me guessing til the very end.  Books with flowery prose and admiral usage of words and their meanings just don't hold my interest.  I will take Ian Flemming (author of the original seven James Bond Stories) over Shakespear).

7.  Good golly miss molly how to decide on which ONE---when there are so many?? Guess I would have to choose Nero Wolfe---in all the Rex Stout stories featuring Nero Wolfe, he was always  pictured in my mind as an encentric brilliant mind, who didn't suffer fools easily.

8.  Currently I am reading a book Titled, "Eden Burning", by Elizabeth Lowell---you all know how there are "chick flicks"?---well kinda would have to classify this book as a "Chick book"---but have invested to much time in reading it and I only got the last chapter to go, and the volcano is about to explode---).

9.  The very last book I finished , and before I started my current one (see question 8 above) was, another Elizabeth Lowell novel, titled "Amber Beach" and when I finish my current book I will start yet a third Elizabeth Lowell book titled, "Die In Plain Sight".  (which reminds me I need to go onlined with the Los Angeles Library system and renew the above books, they only allow two weeks now to read them once ya check them out., but you can renew them up to three times if necessary, this will only be my first time at renewing them)

10.  I have been "suckered" with fast paced synopsis on the fly leaf covers of any number of books only to find once into them that its really nothing substantial and I have without any remorse closed them and forgotten them and their authors---the one big (literally) novel that was on the NYC Best Seller list for many monthes , that I started to read with great curiosity which died a slow death, was "Hawaii" by James Mitchner----the Movie with Julie Andrews wasn't all that much better, but thats just this old dudes opinion.


     Well there you have it----have fun with it.

Old Dude Strikes AGain (Get Shorty)

When in doubt---push a Meme out----(you can quote the old dude's maxim) , its nothing fancy, pretty straight forward----here ya go .

OLD DUDE STRIKES AGAIN MEME

1) What is your favorite quotable line from a Movie.

2) Who is the most famous person you have spoken to?

3) How many bags/boxes of Potato Chips are consumed at your place in a month?

4) Who is your all time favorite Cartoon Character?

5) What foreign food Dish do you prepare from scratch and Serve?

6) What is your favorite section of the Supermarket?

7) What was your high school teams mascot and what were the school's colors?

Needless to say, to play the game , one has to A) answer the above questions in a blog posting, B) Identify the (5) who you are going to tag, and C) acknowledge who TAGGED YOU.----and ooh yeahhh, have a nice day.

NOBODY tagged me---I created this sucker (heh, heh, heh)---and I AM TAGGING,
------Alexi, Dana, Mrmcrum, Joyce-----and that fancy toed dude Wayne.

The Last 15 Years Meme

Seems picking on old people is getting to be quite the rage anymore----okaaay I'm tagged again with another Meme. This one titled "The Last Fifteen years Of My Life described in 10 bullets", (but since I am SO OLD, I am allowed to have 15 bullets---oooh joy, be still my heart!).



Now lets see, 15 years ago, would make it 1993---it was a Tuesday, I remember it well, it was raining that day----yeah right my memory is that good uh-huh---sure it is.

1993 Working as a Major subcontract Administrator at a MAJOR aerospace company, living
alone. Making good bucks, life was good.

1994 same as above

1995 same as above---cept starting to get really bored with my career and pining away about
not having to work at all. But being only 58, and having only worked at the company for
7 years, would have to work at least another three years to qualify for a minimal 10 year
pension. but then I was making good bucks, and I could do the job in my sleep now.

1996 To my great joy and pleasure, the company decided to downsize and so offered the
long term older employees an early retirement program. I investigate and oh my
goodness, learn that in that I was originally was hired by the company and STARTED on
the job 12/16/89---that with the formula they used, I qualified for the early retirement
by less than one week ---my actually seven years seniority, with the plan would be called
10 years, and along with a 10 year pension, would get full medical plan, and since I was to
young for social security, would get paid an addition $400/mo til I I reached 62 and
eligible for social security. (well needless to say I took it in a new york minute---and
retired at the tender age of 59 , on the last working day of 1996---12/23 to be exact.)

1997 I was totally into my life of leisure, up early, off to a local coffee shop for breakfast, home
again, play in the yard, go to the library, work some more in the yard, watch some TV---
life was good. (but in that I wasn't working had noticed my monthly expenses, aka
mortgage, credit cards and utilities were somewhat higher than my income-- (now kinda
regretted, the $800 bucks I lost in Vegas that summer)

1998 It was either find a job or---sell the house and get out from under the 1200/mo mtg. I did
not really want to return to the 40hr grind ---so put the house on the market--Sold my
900 sq foot jewel that I had bought for $90,000 in 1982, for a grand total of $146,000,
which after paying off the mtg, the real estate fees etc, etc, etc, let me walk away with
about$25,000-------it was about this same time that my Neighbor Jerry, who lived two
doors up ---suggest us two old dudes move in together. He needed a Lil extra income, and
I needed inexpensive rent---so I moved in with him. (you have seen the pics of the place
that I have posted in earlier posts to this blog, so you can see its a grand place to live).

1999 life goes on, play in the yard, do more of the house work to make up for Jerry's failing
health. Coffee in the mornings with the SOCDS crowd (that's my joke name for the group
that meets at the local coffee outlet in Sherman oaks on week day mornings, thus the
name, "Sherman Oaks Coffee and Debating Society"). My daily routine sometimes
interrupted with occasional trips to attend family get together's, at Xmas, Easter,
Birthdays, 4th of July and such, necessitating road trips to Irvine, or Redlands, or Corona,
or Fallbrook, or Poway----(not sure if its a fact, but one gets the impression, that failure to
attend these gatherings one runs the risk of being labelled a "Party Pooper", or worse
maybe even a "Spoil Sport"----so one attends.

2000 more of the same----

2001 The only thing I remember about 2001, is that it was the Year I lost my brother Frank to
a sudden stroke. I remember however with real pride, the full Military Honors Funeral
given him by the Marines---the 21 gun salute, the dignity with which the flag was taken
from his casket, folded by the honor guard and given to his wife---the large number of
people in attendance, and later the hundreds that came to the gathering after the funeral,
hearing so many wonderful anecdote's so many people had to say about my brother, his
barber, his lawn bowling partners, his bridge partners, his neighbors----anyway was one
grand sendoff.

2002 coffee, library, yard work, house work----(ooh,wait, that was the year I sold my old 1991
Chevy Cavalier, and took possession of my brothers 1996 Chevrolet S-10 Truck, with the
Marine Corp Sticker and the American Flag decal on the rear window----runs like a top,
and I still am driving it.)

2003 pretty much the same as 2002, but not sure if it was this year or 2004, but my Niece,
Gabriel was given her Birthday Party at Disneyland by her Husband, and so of course
being invited, went---- The cost of $57.00 to get in the park kinda surprised me, (would
have been $75, but I got the senior discount). So spend the entire daylight exploring the
new California section of Disneyland, then at sundown attending the birthday dinner at
the HOUSE of BLUES restaurant (her husband had reserved the entire outside second
level balcony dining area). There were about 40 of us at the dinner, not counting the Lil
rug rats. (Jerry didn't go, his health now such that he never leaves the house--his
emphysema requiring him to be on oxygen 24/7)

2004 same as above give or take the above described birthday occasion----not going to
describe the normal family picnics and gatherings we have ---as they are typical of all
family gatherings.

2005----ditto
2006----ditto
2007----ditto
2008----pretty much the same---except Tish and I, and her sister Melanie along with her
Husband, attended the Reagan Presidential Library---that was really enjoyable and I can
highly recommend it to others should you ever be in the area. Currently Tish is slowly
going nuts trying to organize a tour of JPL and The Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, but
between when those to places are open to the public, and when Melanie and Bill, are
available to attend, not to mention Tish's Boy Friend Carl's schedule-----it may or may
not happen, I believe the last input I got on that was it was to happen on July 28th----
stay tuned sport fans. There is a family off the cuff gathering scheduled for the 19th
which is locked in ----gonna be a busy month socially it seems. (OOH, yeah back in April,
I started this blog---you can blame that on Judi)

So much for the last 15 years of MY life------(describing it has so depressed me I don't feel like tagging anyone).-----and I need a fresh cup of coffee too.

The Tag From Dana---

The name of this Meme is "Seven Personal Things Nobody knows about You". I was sneak attacked by Dana and got tagged----but you all KNOW how she gets when she fails to take her meds----but that's another story---anyway to play the game and pass it on----here are seven things about myself you most likely didn't know or weren't sure about-----

1) I attended no less than three, (3) different High schools, in two different States---no not an Army brat here----my Father worked in the Steel Industry, and was an expert in the production of Seamless Tubing---so as he changed jobs, moving up promotion wise, I the kid moved from city to city----(I graduated from Pueblo, Central High school, class of 1955---"GO WILDCATS")
2) My favorite veggie is Cauliflower with cheese sauce, but guess most everyone knows that now, so my second best favorite veggie is Zucchini with a moderately spicy tomato sauce. (remind some time when I have had a couple beers to tell ya about my first introduction to Zucchini, and the resulting major physical confrontation with my Father)
3) I am a avid reader of books, primarily fiction, mysteries, sci-fiction, etc. anyway I took a speed reading course, and read about 2,000 words a minute with 95-100 percent comprehension----well a lot slower when dealing with mathematical equations and columns of numbers. As such, I go through a couple novels a week.
4) I volunteered and enlisted in the Army for a three year hitch. I reached the rank of E-5, Tech Specialist (Hawk Missile internal guidance repairmen), for those not familiar with military rank, that equates to being paid the same as a Buck Sargent (three stripes). At the time I left the service my pay was a grand total of $150/mo---that was April 1963.
5) My father was of the school of thought I should learn to drive and be taught properly so he refused to teach me, insisting I should take driver training at school----don't know how it is in schools today, but when I went, only the "dumb" took driver training---and I wasn't about to mingle with that crowd---end result----I didn't learn to drive a vehicle til I was 23, my driver training professionally taught me by an army Sargent, my first vehicle a 5 1/2 ton, extra long wheelbase Truck----by the time the army got done I could drive every vehicle in my unit trucks, vans, jeep's 3/4 trucks----I was the only one in my unit that never got a ticket in the three years I was in (just never got caught that's why)----remind me sometime to tell ya about the morning I did a 360 degree skid on the road to the ammo dump with 8 guys in the back of the truck).
6) One of the things I learned as a freshmen in college, from my basic Psychology 101 class, and not to many people know this about me. One of the things taught was the effect of people who are color blind----lo and behold---I found out I was "Red/Green" color blind. Plays merry hell with me in picking out brown vs green colors when buying clothes----as such I mostly wear, greys, blues, blacks and stay away from browns and greens---or I let others pick out those colors for me.
------and now finally , (drum roll please----) we come to number 7) I have had the personal pleasure of shaking hands with both Dr. Werner Von Braun , whose team of rocket scientists help us build the rockets that took us to the moon, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. (He was Governor of California at the time).

Now to complete this Meme properly I get to pass this Meme on ---and so letting my fingers slide through the old list-----hmmmmm, yes , I am tagging Wayne, Judi and my newest acquaintance Wondering Coyote. (Now stop nagging me about the meme Dana.)

What Constitutes a Proper Tagging?

Attention all Bloggers, an important matter has come up which I feel the entire blogosphere should pay attention to----sloppy tagging!!! Like all good games there are rules, as without rules all ya got is a drunken mob---not to say sometimes a drunken mob can be kinda intertaining, but I digress, the subject here is what constitutes a proper, legitimate tagging---SPECIFICALLY as it applies to passing on of a Meme----.



Correct me if I am wrong, but---my understanding of how the game is played, says first off, the Person who is it---must first describe the individual who tagged them, secondly describe what the Meme (aka puzzle) is , and what rules apply to solving it., thirdly , the Person who has been tagged must then present they're solution to the puzzle (observing the puzzle rules), and finally only then can the person who had been tagged now identify who they are tagging.



Now having said all the above, the question is----Has Dana laid a legitimate tag on me yes or no. Is it legal to tag someone via comments to a post , and is it kosher to tell the person that has been tagged in this weird fashion that to fully understand the puzzle they have to go read the taggers posted blog for instructions-------?? this doesn't seem proper to me at all? Please check out 1) the comments made to my POST titled , "Library, Yes or NO" , and then 2) Dana's blog for the so called meme ----and let me know, have I been properly tagged??

"A Meme a day, a Meme a day"---reminds me of an old Kingston Trio song

Gosh, golly gee----thanks Rose. -----Okaay I'll play, hell I know the answers so this Meme is easy.---and in the mortal words of Jackie Gleason----"and awaaaaaaaaaay we go!!"

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.”----

1) What were you doing 5 years ago?
Five years ago, ah yes I remember now, the year was 2003, it was a Tuesday---wasn't as hot
as today, but if memory serves a pleasant enough day. I spent it playing on the computer (I
had a Compaq, 17inch monitor then, and I read a lot of mystery who done-its. (I spent the
summer reading all the Sue Grafton novels A through Z). The SOCDS at that time held
they're meetings at Solly's Famous Deli, (on the Patio where we could smoke---the good old
days).

2) What are 5 things on your to-do list for today?
Normally on Tuesday I would make a trip to the local Supermarket to do the LP's grocery
shopping list. However did that yesterday so now today don't have that to do. I plan on
working on my blog, read 1/2 dozen chapters of my current Anne Perry novel (due back at
the Library on the 27th), probably will take a nap, Cook dinner for the LP and Myself, and
watch the last two episodes of the cable TV show "Dead Like Me"----and then call it a day.

3) What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
cheerios, bite-sized 3 musketeer bars, Toasted wholewheat bread w/peanut butter, Buttered
Popcorn, and of course eclairs. (none of the above is permitted entry to this house)

4) What are five things you would do if you were a billionaire?
Pay off my credit card, buy a mountain, and build a home that would make Hearst's castle
look pathetic, set up an annual award for the top five people (under the age of 30) who had
made themselves successful on they're own effort and drive. (College is so overrated these
days), and oooh yeah, buy a whole lot of stock from Ben & Jerry's ---chocolate, strawberry,
carmel, some vanilla, mint chocolate chip, etc, etc, etc)

5) What are five jobs you’ve had?
Laborer in a Brickyard, Bellhop in a resort hotel, Electronics Repairmen for Hawk Missiles,
procurement expediter, buyer, Sr. Buyer, Major Subcontract Administrator, and Now Care
Giver, and all round nice guy. (I know that's more than five, but was on a roll---)

So now for those that I am tagging, can I get a drum roll please---------Alexi, Dana, Demeur, Sue, and-------(and guess who loves ya?)---Tish.

I hope you enjoyed my answers. If anyone else wants to do this----be my guest and go right ahead.

Blog Central

Being a relative newcomer to blogging , am learning new stuff everyday here. Meeting new people, making new friends and contacts. I am never really sure just what I should post about, so a lot of what ya see here is strictly off the top of the old dude's head hear. Some posts however are in response to either questions that come my way, or responses required to reply to Meme's or flat out personal challenges.
This particular post is just that---its my response to accepting the challenge made by the author of the blog "Life Is Good"----and posting a pic of my Lil cubby hole where I create my blogging posts. As you can see its a typical male, cluttered, not neat area----but hey its comfortable and works for me. The picture on the wall, in case you were wondering, is a painting of one of the Ladies in Waiting of the Queen of Hawaii's court, they were verry into Victorian dress style .