Question of the Day #1,007

Me: "Good morning."

My Six Year Old Niece: "Is there something wrong with you that makes you wake up so late?"

What question has a kid asked you that has really made you think?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,006

"This is Aunt Suzie's room." I opened my eyes and saw my brother standing in the doorway holding my two year old niece.

"Hi schnookie," I said. I outstretched my arms.

Her daddy put her on the floor and she ran over to my bed.

"Wanna come up?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said.

I pulled her up into the bed.

"Tell Aunt Suzie what you want for breakfast," her Daddy said.

"Bacon and eggs," she said.

"Who's gonna make them for you?" Daddy asked.

She smiled at me, all rosy cheeked and cuddly in her pink jammies.

"Okay, I'm getting up," I said.

Who can you not say "no" to?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,005

If you had the opportunity to tell off one person, who would you choose?

xoxo,
Suzanne
PS - I know Kelly's going to ask about me, so I will state that I don't feel like there's anyone I should have told off who I haven't already.

Question of the Day #1,004

Do you ever feel like you're starring in a movie about your own life?

I ask because some of my writer friends do feel that way. Almost Truman Show-like. Like cameras are around all the time.

Do you ever feel like that?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,003

After digging up all our childhood issues yesterday, I think we could use a pick-us-up! Let's name five things we like about ourselves. I like:

1. My hair
2. My voice
3. My brain
4. That people like me
5. That I'm not afraid of much

What five things do you like about yourself?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,002

Last night, during my critique group meeting, G mentioned that she's terrified of public speaking.

"What's the fear behind that?" I asked.

"That people will think I'm stupid," she replied.

"But you're very smart. You know that," S said.

"I think it has to do with your role in your family growing up. When I was a kid, my brother was the smart one. He and my parents would have these intense conversations over dinner in which they'd discuss world issues or classic literature and I'd sit there like 'duh'." G stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth.

"So because you didn't feel smart then, you question your intelligence now?" I asked.

"Exactly," she said.

What childhood feelings do you still carry as an adult?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,001

You may recall last Summer when I complained, complained and complained about how cold and cloudy it was.

This Summer is the total opposite. Gorgeous. Sunny. Splended!

How does this Summer compare to your last Summer?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,000

1,000 days ago we started the longest running game of Questions. Since that first post on November 6, 2008, my life has changed. A lot. Here are some lessons I’ve learned over the span of the game:

• Sometimes you have to go through the same experience more than once to actually learn the lesson
• Laughter heals
• The best kind of friend is so comforting that you don’t even have to worry about them when they’re there
• If your money doesn’t serve a higher purpose, you will lose it
• Some people will never hear your “no”
• Having that place to go is essential. So essential that when it’s gone, everyone around you can become lost
• The kindness and generosity of one friend can save your life
• Children are life-changing. Even when they’re not yours
• The ultimate goal is to love and be loved
• Walking provides a channel
• Late night dance parties can lift your mood for days
• Sometimes you have to smash wide open to put yourself back together
• Ego is hard to fight
• No one should ever go over 600 days without Sunday Night Dinners
• Prayer is the most powerful form of communication
• Everyone has an arrogance of something
• “Good enough” is never good enough
• People want to help
• Ask for what you want. You deserve it. You really do

What lessons have you learned over the last 1,000 days?

xoxo,
Suzanne
PS - Thank you for playing Questions!

Question of the Day #999

On the way home from work today, I caught a re-run of American Top 40. This week in 1979 was airing and Casey Kasem's voice brought me back to being a kid and listening to the show as we drove to my grandparents' house.

On those Sunday drives, we either listened to the American Top 40 Countdown or ABBA Gold.

Let me tell you, my mom, stepfather, sister and I do a mean four part harmony on "Take a Chance on Me."

What were family car rides like when you were a kid?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #998

Yesterday, while driving back from a meeting, I caught a radio show about Numerology. I have visited a psychic (or 10) in my time. I remember a period when I checked my horoscope everyday. But I've never looked into numerology.

Apparently, in order to determine your Life Path number, you add up your date of birth until you get to one digit. For example, here's mine:

0 + 4 + 3 + 0 + 1 + 9 + 7 + 2 = 26

2 + 6 = 8

Last night, I discovered I have an 8 Life Path number. I looked it up and found that the description is pretty darn fitting.

Wanna try it? Just for fun?

If so, click here.

What's your Life Path number and does the description fit you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #997

How do you feel about a Smurfs movie?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #996

We're a few questions away from 1,000! Crazy, huh?

Any suggestions on how to commemorate playing Questions for 1,000 straight days? Should I do something different that day? Or should it be like just any other day?

I'm not even sure how I could make it different. What do you guys think?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #995

I have a super huge deadine to meet. This morning, I got up before the sun did and got to work. I'm still in my PJ's, stomach rumbling and slightly dizzy. But I'm pretty sure after one more quick read-through I can send in the materials.

And then eat!

Are you under any deadlines?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #994

I just received a text from a friend wondering if she left her sunglasses at my house over the weekend. She is not the only person who has left a pair behind. And I'm constantly losing mine too.

What item do you often misplace?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #993

The following questions are brought to you from Wednesday night's live game of Questions:

1. Would you rather be Mick Jagger or Johnny Depp?
2. Is the glass half empty or half full?
3. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
4. Would you rather have fortune or fame?
5. If you had The Dolorian, where would you go?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #992

It worked! The brilliant Carmageddon scare tactics created by Los Angeles officials has emptied the roads.

Yesterday, I drove to and from Orange County faster than I ever have. Today, the PCH is wide open. And according to all my Facebook friends, the entire freeway system is wide open.

Amazing that millions of people heeded the warnings and either left town or hunkered down in their neighborhoods. Absolutely brilliant.

I can't remember a city-organized plan ever working so well. Can you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #991

Carmageddon. Sounds ominous, right?

This weekend, a portion of the 405 freeway is going to shut down for 53 hours. This may sound uneventful to a non-Angelino, but if you live in Los Angeles, the idea of closing a major artery in the already clogged heart of the city is akin to a complete shut down of the entire system.

On any given day, 500,000 vehicles pass through that section of freeway. So those 500,000 drivers will be displaced, traveling alternate roads and tilting an already fragile infrastructure into the crazy zone.

So, Los Angeles, the city of hypernews and gossip, did what it does best and created a genius marketing plan around the event. City officials have urged drivers to stay off the road. They asked people to stay in their neighborhoods for the weekend. People are planning block parties. Bars are scheduling pub crawls and offering $5 Car Bombs and Cadillac Margaritas. Celebrities are tweeting, "Stay off the roads!"

It just may turn out that all that manufactured fear will create less LA traffic than we'd experience any given weekend.

What marketing campaign strikes you as genius?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #990

If you had to pick one person to be stranded on an island with, who would you choose?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #989

If you could visit the past or the future, which would you choose and where would you go?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #988

Yesterday, while driving through Beverly Hills, C and I passed a house which had a giant Statue of Liberty on the front lawn.

I'm a big fan of freedom, but I'm not sure I'd choose to plant Lady Liberty on my lawn.

But if you had to put a statue in your front yard, what kind of statue would it be?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #987

If you could somehow jump into a book and actually become part of the story and live it for yourself, which book would you choose?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #986

Quote of the night: "That's where I draw the line!"

Where do you draw the line?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #985

When I stayed up last night for porch talk with H and TY, I probably should have remembered that east coast people wake up ridiculously early when they visit the west coast.

Since one of my favorite Jersey Girls is visiting, and she woke up during the 6:00AM hour, I'm feeling a little wonky this morning.

Hopefully a beach walk will work it all out.

Regardless, the question is, what nuances are you reminded of when you have visitors?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #984

My father just gave me a lovely compliment regarding my confidence and persistence. The fact that he noticed made me feel good.

Who was the last person who complimented you? What was the compliment? How did it make you feel?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #983

One of the benefits of living with a guy is enjoying his subscription to Men's Health. (When they write about women's wants and needs and how we think, they're actually right on. So much so that I wonder if any men actually read Men's Health. But that's a whole other post.)

According to Men's Health, in a 2009 study from Germany, researchers asked people how they felt about their age. Those who were happy with their age lived an average of two years longer than people were bothered by it.

Apparently, acceptance of aging, rather than denial of it, is related to healthy behaviors.

I feel, smarter, better and healthier every year. How do you feel about your age?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #982

Today has been cRaZy. It's after 5:00PM and I am only now writing a question. I really don't know what happened. I worked, cleaned the house in preparation for a visit from a Jersey Girl and then I went food shopping so she doesn't starve.

So maybe it's not so much what I accomplished but what I didn't accomplish. For example, I forgot to write a question. I also forgot to invoice a client and I forgot to pay an important invoice.

Then I just realized the craziest thing. I forgot to eat. I never forget to eat!

Clearly, I'm having a scatterbrained day. What kind of day are you having?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #981

I invited friends over to watch fireworks last night. But on Sunday night, while curled up on the couch, fully immersed in True Blood, I heard a pop. Then a boom.

I jumped up and went outside. Fireworks exploded over the deck. Giant color splashes lit up the sky. The overhead show was amazing.

And a night early.

I felt so bad that I mixed up the schedule. I thought the fireworks were Monday night, not Sunday night. My friends were expecting a show.

Ultimately, we did see fireworks on the 4th. They were just far more distant than the ones I'd witnessed the night before.

What dates have you mixed up?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #980

1. Sausages
2. Corn on the cob
3. Mac and cheese
4. Ice cold beer
5. Bathing suit
6. Towels
7. Patriotic playlist
8. Sunshine
9. Beach
10. Pool
11. Sunscreen
12. Good buddies

My checklist is complete. What more could I need? How are you spending your holiday?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #979

"I had heard so much about how amazing J was that I was actually nervous about meeting him," N's wife said.

"Oh, it's true. By then people considered J and me a man-couple," N said.

The three of us glance over at J, poolside dancing to hip-hop.

"After she met him, we drove away saying, 'I think that went pretty well, don't you?'" N said.

I laugh.

"Ridiculous, like meeting the parents."

"Exactly," they said.

Who have you been nervous to meet?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #978

Today, I will celebrate my freedom by brainstorming with a couple friends. Because in this country, women can write, create and be anything we want to.

Then I will get a pedicure, because in the U.S.A., women are free to wear shorts and sandals. We don't have the burden of covering our bodies head to toe.

Finally, I will celebrate my freedom by attending my friend J's pool party. There we will eat plenty of food, enjoy a few cocktails and swim. Because as Americans, we are lucky enough to prosper and celebrate.

How will you celebrate your freedom this holiday weekend?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #977

H is at jury duty. I just got a text, "Only in LA do they have to talk about celebrities and media at juror orientation."

That's a good one.

Here's another, "Only in LA do you have to plan an hour to drive 12 miles."

What's unique to your city?

How would you fill in this blank? Only in [Your City] ______________________________ .

xoxo,
Suzanne