Question of the Day #915

Late last night, L wriggled up under blankets on the couch and asked, "Do you like hard or soft pillows?"

"I don't use pillows. Well, not under my head anyway. But sometimes I like to sleep with a squishy pillow over my head," I said.

I looked over at her. She was asleep.

So, let's answer Sleepyhead's question. Do you like hard or soft pillows?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #914

Have you ever had acupuncture? If so, what for? And did it help?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #913

"How is your face?" GB asked.

"It's all back to normal now. Thank you for asking," I replied.

"How could I not? You always get the weirdest diseases."

I laughed.

"I know."

"Seriously, you're the only person I know who's ever had Lyme disease."

"People on the East Coast get it all the time."

"What about the spider bite?" GB asked.

"Okay, that was weird," I admitted.

"Yeah, about as weird as your face blowing up from sunscreen."

Am I alone? What weird medical issues have you had?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #912

"I was a little skeptical of acupuncture. But this woman got me when she asked me if I hated the wind," said G.

"Do you hate the wind?" I asked.

"Yes. I hate the wind." She nodded.

"I love the wind!" said S. "I'm a kite flying, walk on the windy beach loving..."

"I hate the wind too," said T.

S's face fell. She turned to me.

"I don't hate the wind. But it can be annoying. Like on Sunday, I had friends over and we had to pull out the puffy coats at 1:00," I said.

I turned to J.

"Do you hate the wind?"

"Yes," she replied.

"See? So the acupuncturist just knew. She knew I hated the wind," G said.

"Does the acupunturist hate the wind?" I asked.

"Yes," G said.

"Clearly, this is tomorrow's question," I said.

"Good. I can't wait to see if other people hate the wind!" G said.

So, how do you feel about wind?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #911

This question is sponsored by the letters T & Y:

If you could go back and attend any concert in history, what musical performance would you experience? Why?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #910

Usually, on Easter, I make a pork roast or some kind of fancy roast with a million sides. Last year, H set a gorgeous table with linens and china for our feast.

Yesterday, a few friends came over and we ate burgers, mac and cheese, tator tots, brownies and ice cream.

Simple and good. We watched baseball, then the sunset, analyzed the world and laughed a lot.

When you celebrate, do you keep it simple or break out the china?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #909

Baseball + Burgers + Buddies = Easter

What non-traditional math have you added up lately?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #908

Recently, while my parents were on vacation with some friends, The Question of the Day came up and they began to brainstorm. Here are the results:

1. Why are perfect people so annoying?

2. What's the strangest meal you've ever had?

3. When you sit at a table that wobbles, do you fix it? Suffer with it? Complain?

4. What have you done for someone today? Or what have you done lately to pass it forward?

Here are my answers:

1. I don't know any perfect people. If my question donors are referring to people who act like they're perfect, then they're just plain annoying. No "why" necessary.

2. Ooo. Good one! H and I recently had fried pig ears. Delish. We also once had a raw quail egg over raw fish eggs. Not delish.

3. I usually wait for someone else to fix a wobbly table. Which is odd. Because metaphorically, in the big scheme of life, I'm the fixer.

4. I have done nothing for someone else today. Not even lately. I've had a very Suzie-centric week. Gotta get on that.

Thank you to J, M, W & E for the fun questions! So readers, it's your turn. How would you answer?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #907

There's a lot of hoopla out there about the Royal Wedding taking place on April 29, 2011. Speculation about what Kate will wear. Articles about the castle the royal couple will live in once they're married. The Queen's consent. The commemorative Royal Wedding stamps being created. And it goes on.

The other night, I was watching a Piers Morgan interview with Sharon and Kelly Osbourne. He brought up the royal wedding and after a minute or so of surface talk, Kelly asked, "Why are we talking about this?"

He mumbled something about being three Brits so he thought it might be an interesting topic. Then the subject was promptly dropped.

So, I'm wondering, how do you feel about the royal wedding? To care or not to care?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #906

When I first lived in LA, with all the girls at Mansfield, we loved to sing. We dreamed of starting an all girl band, but none of played an instrument. So I decided to rent a piano and learn how to play it.

The thing is, I'm not that coordinated. So a friend taught me how to play chords. Enough so I could accompany us while we harmonized.

But I never really learned to play.

In fact, a couple years ago, one night when LDZ and I found ourselves at a party house in the LBC, I sat down at the baby grand and couldn't remember a thing. Not even a chorus. And when my fingers hit the keys, I wasn't even sure if I was playing real chords.

If you could suddenly acquire a great artistic ability, what would you choose?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #905

Last night, in a drowsy antihistamine induced daze, I watched "Sex in the City II."

Boy, was that movie bad.

After a trite karoake scene, a contrived desert camel ride and too many lame sexual puns, I was asleep on the couch.

What movie should never have had a sequel?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #904

So, my friend, N, just informed me that I'm under-reacting to the allergic reaction I'm having. And since my face is more swollen this morning than it was yesterday, I'm going to agree with her and go to the doctor.

When have you under-reacted to a medical situation?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #903

I do my best to eat as many organic foods as possible. I use paraben free lotions, deoderant that doesn't contain aluminum and at the beginning of this weekend I used a new organic sunscreen.

Yesterday, my face turned red and itchy. My cheeks puffed up a bit and my arms sprouted little red bumps where the sunscreen had been.

But, this morning, wowee! My face is gigantic. My right cheek is so puffed up, I can barely see out of my right eye.

It's hilariously pathetic.

Have you had any odd experiences while attempting to go organic?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #902

Apparently, there is a big Lakers game in a few minutes. I'm not really a basketball fan. But I'm going to a friend's house to watch it anyway.

How do you feel about watching sports? Big fan? Not a fan? A social spectator like me?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #901

Woohoo!!! It's HOT! That's right, a fabulous 80 degrees at the beach! Which if you live in So Cal, you know is a downright rarity.

I'm spinning with glee. Skipping instead of walking. Singing with joy. A hot day makes a simple thing, like sipping water, totally awesome.

Obviously, nothing makes me happier than hot weather.

How do you feel about hot weather?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #900

The other night, at my client's house, I noticed that a dish of gourmet jelly beans had been put out on an entry table.

I grabbed a handful on my way to the kitchen. Pink tasted like cotton candy. Purple like grapes. Blue like some kind of sweet heaven.

I was instantly transported to the year Jelly Bellys launched and I became obsessed with Jelly beans. My father used to take me to a candy store where huge bins dispensed coconut, pineapple and bubble gum flavored jelly beans. We'd hold white paper bags under the spouts and fill them, part way, then look at each other.

"A little more?"

What candy transports you back to your childhood?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #899

Last night, as I cooked dinner at my client's house, Rapunzel sat nearby, at her little table, coloring.

"Suzanne, I have an idea." She stood and inched toward me, careful not to cross the line between the cabinets and the forbidden stove.

"You do? What is it?" I asked.

"I think there should be streets with names of cities or countries and then all the restaurants on that street will have that kind of food. Like New Orleans Street will have beignets." Rapunzel's big brown eyes widened like she just told me the secret to becoming a princess.

"Ooo. That's a good idea. So you mean there could also be Rome Street, and on that street, all the restaurants could serve Italian food?"

"Yes!" she said.

"The street next to that could be Athens street. And there they could serve Greek Salads and fried cheese."

"Uh huh," she said as she sat down to her coloring book.

I sauteed onions and checked the potatoes in the oven.

"Suzanne," Rapunzel looked up at me.

"Yes?"

"I brought beignet mix home from New Orleans," she said.

"Wow. You did?"

The genesis of Rapunzel's genius idea had been revealed. Since their family trip to the Big Easy, she was obsessed with beignets. Regardless, I liked her idea about streets hosting restaurants representing different culinary cultures.

Not bad for a five year old.

What great idea have you heard from a kid?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #897

"I got a new iphone and I'm addicted to it," TY said.

"Really?" I said.

"Oh yeah." He held the phone up to my ear. Charlie Sheen's voice said, "I'm winning."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"You can't believe the stuff you can download. There's an app for everything!"

"Obviously," I replied.

What gadget are you addicted to?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #896

I hoard meat.

It's not pretty, but it's true. When organic chicken goes on sale, I stockpile it, vacuum seal it and pop it in the freezer. The same goes for chops and beef.

I know that around the holidays, roasts go on sale. Right before Easter, I'll be able to nab a $50 standing rib roast for about $16.

I can also tell you where to buy the sweetest organic tomatoes at the lowest price and the best wild caught fish for the least amount of money.

"You're like a food shopping expert," D said. "Out of nowhere, you'll say, 'Whole chickens are on sale for 69 cents a pound.' Who knows that stuff?"

"You know how to install a thermostat and wire light fixtures. Who knows that stuff?" I asked.

"I guess everybody has a thing," he said.

"Exactly, like my mom with gardening. Total expert. That's because she loves it. Like you love building stuff," I said.

"Like you love food," he said.

"Exactly," I said. "Is dinner almost ready?"

At what are you an expert?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #895

My left shoulder hurts. It always hurts. When someone rubs it, I'm like Edward Cullen - marble like and cold. (Did I just reference "Twilight"? Yowzers!)

Anyhoo, my left shoulder is my problem spot. What's your problem spot?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #894

While on the freeway this morning, I passed a "STUDENT DRIVER" car in which the driver was talking on a hand-held cell phone.

What examples of setting a bad example have you come across lately?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #893

Do you think quoting movies is a guy thing? Yesterday, D and his brother quoted a couple movies, mid conversation. That reminded me of my friend, R, who constantly spits out punch lines and cracks himself up. I usually respond with a blank face and a weak smile. Totally lost.

Do you quote movies?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #892

Yesterday, at the beach, the winds whipped through the palm trees, dusted up sand and blew it through the screens into the house. Rain smattered the windows as I made tomato soup.

When the girls arrived, I tossed a salad and made grilled cheese sandwiches. We drank red wine with our child like meal and discussed adult matters.

Exes
Work
Sex (or lack thereof)
Our families
Debt
Friends
Stalkers
Business
The Past
The Future

Amidst all that serious stuff, we laughed. And when they got up to leave, I felt thankful. Not just for good friends, but for the ability to laugh at chaos.

Last night was my favorite kind of night. Good friends, good food, good wine, good conversation.

What does your favorite kind of night look like?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #891

Yesterday, after I finished working, I found myself with a couple hours to kill before I had to drive a friend to the airport.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

I haven't been writing, so I don't have a WIP to work on. I've been working and cooking so much that I haven't even cracked a book. So I had nothing to read. It was already dark, so a walk wasn't an option. I had already blogged. And I did not need to check out Facebook again.

I was bored.

It's very odd not to use my free time for writing. While working, I used to automatically think things like, "After I finish this document, I'll have two hours to work on my manuscript."

Now I watch "The Waltons." (No, I am not kidding.)

If I get any more free time, I may be forced to start writing a new novel.

What do you with your free time?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #890

It’s like this
I wake again at 4:00 AM
The hour you described as when the world is most quiet
I think about opening the window
Letting the waves rock me back to sleep
But instead I cuddle under blankets
And talk to God
I give thanks for all the things I prayed for
That finally came
Work
A solid foothold
Confidence’s return
I don’t panic about tomorrow
My to do list
What could happen
What might not happen
I’ll face those things one step at a time
A new talent I’m developing
Paciencia en la vida
I remind myself
As I feel sleep creeping in
It’s only right to remain peaceful
When the world is
Most quiet

What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night?
xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #889

Years ago, my friend, J, was on a road trip with her boyfriend. They stopped at a cheap motel late at night and checked in.

In the morning, as they were packing up, J said, "Babe, you left your underwear at the bottom of the bed."

She pointed at the briefs crumpled up in the sheets.

"Those aren't mine," he said.

How would you describe the worst motel/hotel you ever stayed in?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #888

I'm vacillating between the desire for ice cream and potato chips. I want a treat. But I'm not sure which way to go.

Sweet or salty?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #887

Today, D and I went to his sister's house. D and his oldest nephew battled out three games of pool before Nephew #1 headed out to the pier with his buddy.

As we attempted to play a video war game with D's brother in law, Nephew #2 called and needed a pick-up from town.

When the three of us arrived, D's shaggy haired middle nephew and his buddy dropped their skateboards in the trunk and hopped into the backseat with me.

When we got back to the house, nephew #3 bounded through the front door with his little buddy. The dad of the house lit a fire in the firepit while Mom put chops on the grill. D and nephew #2 played with bb guns while the little guys skated on the half pipe, whipping a ball around with hockey sticks.

Their home is the perfect mix of warmth and chaos. Definitely the cool place to be.

What was your home like when you were a kid? Was your family's house the place where all the kids wanted to hang out? If not, who had the cool house?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #886

Confession #1: I haven't been writing. Not fiction anyway. Sure, I've been writing training and other business materials and blogging, but no stories.

Confession #2: I don't really miss it. That feels weird. One part worried, one part guilty, one part scared. Like what if I never want to write again?

Maybe it's just a phase. A slice of life when focusing on improving life overrides the desire to write. I don't know.

What about all you writers? Do you go through writing phases? What do they feel like?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #885

Generally, insects don't freak me out. But I just killed the hairiest, spiniest, multi-legged, spotted creature on the planet. It sent shivers up my spine.

What insects bug you out?

xoxo,
Suzanne