Question of the Day #1,039

I love Facebook. It's entertaining. It keeps me clued into what friends are doing. Facebook provides a fabulous tool with which to disseminate information, ideas and news.

But you know what kills it? The whiny people. The people who post about how tired they are or how terrible life is. The people who criticize our country or different cultures. The people who make fun of people.

Sure, I "hide" them. But the whole idea of this incredibly powerful tool being used to spread negative stuff is totally aggravating.

As a result, I'm complaining about it. Right now. In my own forum. Because energy is contagious. Whether it's positive or negative.

I'm tempted to delete this. Because if you know this blog, you know it's a not place for rants. But for discovery's sake, I think there is a valid question here.

What energy is rubbing off on you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,038

This question is brought to you by GB:

Would you rather eat a pound of mashed potatoes or a pound of macaroni and cheese?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,037

"This song reminds me of Mansfield," I said.

"I don't really know the lyrics," H said.

"It's called 'Last Friday Night.' Basically, she wakes up to tons of evidence that some crazy stuff happened. She's not quite sure what it was, but she's pretty sure it 'ruled.'"

"Ruled. I want to bring that word back."

"That's a good word."

What word would you like to bring back?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,035

A hedgehog, an octopus and a fox get in fight. Who wins? Why?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,034

What are some things you do to prepare for a natural disaster?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,033

Hurricane Irene.

I don't like the looks of her.

While I watch from the safety of the west coast, I'm a little nervous for my east coast friends and family. (Not to mention the economic impact a storm like this will have on the country when we really can't afford it.)

What does Irene have you thinking about?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,032

I eat a banana every morning. This morning, all the bananas in my fruit bowl are still slightly green. I bit into one. It was tart and the consistency was off. Kind of stringy or something.

Just not good.

What was the last not good thing you ate?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,031

The marine layer has ventured back into my bay. Kids are going back to school. My friend, K, posted this on Facebook,"I want to grab Summer by the leg and beg her to stay!"

I feel the same way. Like she's slipping away and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Sad, sad, sad.

How do you feel about Summer winding down?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,030

My word for the day is "rushed." (And I'm not liking it.)

What's yours?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,029

My friend B calls anything warm and comfy "fozy." That's a combination of "fuzzy" and "cozy."

I've been using that word for years - every since I heard her use it for the first time.

What words have you or someone you know made up? And have they stuck?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,028

Last night, at a roofdeck party in Venice, a long haired man with a ZZ Top beard sidled up to me.

"Pelo rizado," he half spoke, half groaned.

"Excuse me?" I said.

"Your hair. It's smiley."

"Smiley, huh? That's funny. My friend has the same hair and her niece calls it 'spicy,'" I said.

He grinned.

"It's smiley because it's spicy."

He looked up at the sky then turned back to me.

"You are so beautiful."

"Thank you."

"This night is so beautiful." He tossed his hand up at the sky. "Look at this amazing night. God made this amazing night."

He took a long sip from his cup and leaned in so close that I leaned back.

"How does God party?" he asked.

Thoughts, anyone?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,027

I just read a poll that said 40% of Americans believe animals have a sixth sense. Some say cats can predict storms and dogs know when earthquakes are coming. Both are reported to have the ability to sense spirits.

What do you think? Have you ever witnessed an animal's sixth sense in action?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,026

Last night I went to a party at a speakeasy. The password was "Honey Badger."

"What kind of password is 'Honey Badger'?" TY asked.

"Well, if you were having a party in a speakeasy, what would your password be?" I asked.

"I don't know." He rolled his eyes. "What would yours be?"

"Some reference to Mansfield, probably. 'In other words,' or 'Higman' or 'Black Mamba.' Something like that."

What would your speakeasy password be?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,025

I've been seeing lots of Facebook posts about Summer concerts. I haven't attended any this Summer, but I do remember the thrill of enjoying an outdoor theatre and a live band under the stars.

Have you been to any concerts this Summer? If so, describe them. Make us jealous. ;)

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,024

Last night, after picking up my car at the dealer, I stopped in at the grocery store.

As the bagger loaded my veggies into paper bags, he said, "Next month these will cost 10 cents each."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yep."

"That's great," I said.

The bagger cocked an eyebrow at me.

"I usually use the reusable bags. But since I didn't plan on coming here tonight, I don't have them with me."

"Uh huh."

"I think charging people for bags could be good incentive for people to reuse."

"Or good incentive for them to get mad."

I thought about that for a second.

"I'd say 'screw 'em' but that won't make it any easier for you, will it?"

He smiled at me and shook his head.

How do you feel about being charged for bags?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,023

For years, when it needs service, I've been taking my car to the dealership where I bought it.

It is NOT convenient to take it there. I live 40 minutes away without traffic. Which usually means I have to wait around while the work is being done. But while I wait around, I can sip free Diet Coke, enjoy a banana, write a Question of the Day and feel confident that Tony, the guy who has been managing my car's service since I drove it off the lot, is going to take care of everything.

When a taillight goes out, I bring the car in and Tony has it repaired within minutes. When I worry about a weird sound coming from the soft top, Tony explains why it might be happening. When I ask not so bright questions, he doesn't laugh at me. He answers me with a smile.

I drive all the way to the other side of LA because this dealership offers extraordinary customer service.

What business provides service so extraordinary that you will overlook inconveniences?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,022

I'm iPhone illiterate. I've been working on this post for 15 minutes.

Do you speak iPhone?

Xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,021

My aunt and I just set up her new blog. She recently began writing and decided she's all set to share her experiences and view point with the world.

Pretty cool, right?

Who have you been thrilled to witness stepping out of their comfort zone?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,020

"What's a good question?" LD asked her six and a half year old.

"For what?" she asked.

"We need a good question. What do you want to know today?"

S looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought.

"What are we going to do today?" she asked.

"That's a good question," I said.

"Mom, can we go to Chuck E Cheese today?"

"Oh no," I said.

What will you do today?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,019

I love hydrangeas. Big pink puffballs. What's not to love?

Puffballs seem to be a theme with me, because if I had to choose a favorite summertime flower, I'd choose peonies.

What's your favorite summertime bloom?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,018

If you could get rich by doing something you love, what would that thing be?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,017

The last plane I flew on was electric green bearing the 30%-40% less emissions logo above.

I was surprised and pleased to see that airlines are making efforts to go "greener."

What new "green" have you seen?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,016

Last weekend I went plum crazy!

My father has lots of fruit trees on his property. I fell in love with the plum tree above. The sweet juicy fruit explodes when you bite it into and the skin pops with tang.

They're amazing.

I ate about six of them each day I was there. Then I smuggled a bag back to LA.

What fruit are you crushing on?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,015

If you had to perform in a circus, what would you do?

I think I'd give the flying trapeze a whirl. Or a twirl. A flip?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,014

A yellow jacket bit my foot while I was at my father's house. It burned at first and slowly spread into a quarter size red itch blotch. Annoying as it is, I realized that the bite was one of the only ones I've experienced this Summer.

(Have I mentioned that one of the reasons I love LA so much is because it pretty darn near mosquito free?)

So, instead of complaining about the itchiness, I'm going to rejoice in the fact that I'm enjoying a bite-free Summer.

What is (or isn't) biting you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,013

T threw out her back. I asked if I could get her a snack and she said, "No thank you. I don't need to eat anymore. I had a "feeling sorry for myself" bowl of ice cream late last night."

What's your go-to "feeling sorry for myself" snack?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,012

Every year, my father has a wine tasting BBQ in Sonoma. Every year, he asks me to make sausage and peppers. This year 120 guests are attending.

I've been crying, runny nosed, chopping onions for 30 minutes. Three giant baking pans of onions and peppers later, I'm ready to start on the sausages.

Anything for a good party, right?

What dish do people most often request you make?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,1011

Expense reports. Timesheets. Travel plans.

This morning I'm focusing on the annoying parts of my job.

What parts of your job annoy you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,010

This question has been borrowed shamelessly from my high school friend, T:

What was the first album you ever bought with your own money?

Mine was a cassette of Men at Work: Business as Usual. I played it on my little red Casio tape player and memorized every word.

What was the first album you ever bought?

xoxo,
Suzanne
PS - Thanks T!

Question of the Day #1,009

After an hour and a half car ride to the airport, a two hour delay plus a one hour flight, topped with a three hour delay and a three hour flight, I finally entered my hotel suite somewhere around 1:15 AM.

Then I put the two diet cokes I had purchased for the morning in the freezer.

What kooky mistake have you made when you were too tired to think?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #1,008

My brother, N, is making pancakes. He's the family pancake expert. Since he usually makes them around Christmas, today feels a little like a holiday.

We even have fresh maple syrup from the neighbor's sugar shack.

What family breakfast says "holiday" to you?

xoxo,
Suzanne