Question of the Day #511

When I make up my mind, I make things happen fast. I'm not a waffler. Okay, maybe when deciding where I want to go to dinner, but for the big things, I just do it. Get it over with. Get it done and move on to the next big thing.

Are you decisive? Indecisive?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #510

So, I'm in NJ, visiting my brother for his 40th birthday and enjoying time with my fairy goddaughter.

I've never been a babysitter. Most of my west coast friends don't have kids. So I haven't spent a whole lot of time with little ones. But I'm really enjoying my niece.

I've found that my habit of constantly making up weird songs and singing comes in very handy. My latest hits, "Buddy the Penguin is Your Friend" and "The Dance in Your Pants" can instantly stifle a cry and sprout a smile.

I'm also thinking that I might be able to skip working out my arms this week, since walking around the house while singing and bouncing the little one seems to be tightening everything up just fine.

I've fed her food, warmed bottles and played with lots of toys. All in all, I'm thinking Auntie Suzie is doing pretty well.

How about you? Are you a kid person? What have your experiences with kids been like?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #509

My 40 year old brother wants tator tots for dinner and Margie and I just got our picture taken with The Easter Bunny.

What childhood favorites will you never grow out of?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #508

Mashed potatoes or french fries?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #507

March Madness. People are going gonzo over basketball.

How do you feel about basketball?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #506

My Autumn into Winter into Spring eating binge has finally caught up with me. Surprise, surprise! My jeans are tight. I'm working hard to conceal some muffintop and overall, feeling pretty yucky.

So last Friday, after Nicolean Dynamite left, I began eating less. More fiber and protein, less fried foods, less fatty foods and less ice cream.

Oh ice cream, how I miss you.

I also began walking more. But I don't live in the hills anymore, so it's not like I can jaunt up the hills for a week and get an instant butt lift. Little J and I did hike up a canyon on Wednesday, but other than that, I've taken a flat 40 minute walk along the beach every day this week. (Except yesterday. I will admit yesteday got away from me. But I did work my arms with weights. So that's something.)

It's going to take a while to right this body. So I'm looking for a long term, gym-less plan that involves flat land.

How often do you exercise and in what form?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #505

This question is brought to you by the Hooligans at Fox Sports:

If you had to give up one forever, caffeine or alcohol, which would it be?

As for me, I don't drink coffee unless I'm about to fall asleep at the wheel. But I do love a Diet Coke over ice first thing in the morning.

But I'd much rather never have a Diet Coke again than never, ever, ever enjoy the perfect red zinfandel with pan roasted lamb chops or a delicious beer with a bacon cheeseburger.

I'd definitely kick the caffeine before the bubbly. You?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #504

Little J and I are going for a hike, but not on our usual narrow, not well traveled trail. Last week, Little J encountered a rattlesnake while hiking it. So we're opting for a wider, paved fire road today, where it's less likely that we'll run into any dangerous creatures.

In So. Cal, when we hike, we have to consider rattlesnakes, coyotes and mountain lions. Where you live, what animals do you need to be aware of when you enjoy outdoor activities?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #503

Crackle, rumble, swoosh!

I jumped then giggled at myself.

The icemaker.

What normal household sounds sometimes catch you off guard?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #502

Tonight I meet with my critique group. For you non-writers out there, we meet monthly and exchange manuscript pages. We then read, make edits and give suggestions on how to improve the work.

Critique groups are probably the most important tool a writer can have. And I'm excited about meeting with mine tonight.

What kind of groups / clubs are you involved in?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #501

At breakfast this morning, S told H and me how she's become fascinated with true crime shows like Dateline and 20/20.

"There was this guy who worked on Wall Street and lost his job. He didn't want to disappoint his family, so he decided to rob a bank," she said as she poured syrup over her french toast.

"Logical idea," H said.

"Obviously," she said. "Anyway, he did some research and discovered that most people got caught using a getaway car. So he just walked out instead."

"And he didn't get caught?" I asked.

"Not until the 12th time," S said. "But can you imagine being his wife? She had no idea."

"That's like J's sister," I said.

"Huh?" They stared at me.

"I didn't tell you this? J's sister was living with a guy. They were madly in love. He was a totally normal guy, a mail carrier in fact. And one day the FBI breaks down their door because he's robbed 11 banks."

"No way!" S said.

"Way," I replied. "She had no idea. Here she is, thinking she's in the most healthy relationship she's ever had and it turns out the guy's a bank robber. Freaky huh?"

Have you ever discovered that someone you knew wasn't at all who they seemed to be?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #500

Years ago, my friend, her husband and I got stuck in an elevator. Unfortunately, her husband suffered from claustrophobia. So for him, those two hours were terrifying. But had he not been there, she and I would probably have plopped on the floor and giggled ourselves silly.

Have you ever been stuck in an elevator?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #499

Nicolean Dynamite is gone.

As sad as I am to see her go, I'm ready to get back to normal life. That means eating some fruit and vegetables. (We set a world record for number of fried meals eaten in a week.) It also means getting back to my WIP and readying up pages for Monday's critique group. It means making sure B remembers what I look like and spending some quiet time at home.

First and foremost, I'm heading to the supermarket and buying foods brimming with antioxidants.

What's the first thing you do to normalize after guests visit?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #498

This question is brought to you by the letter B. But not my B. Another B.

What is your theme song?

My theme song is always changing. But today it's Jersey Girl. Because I've been with one of my faves for the last few days and I am, and always will be, a Jersey Girl.

How about you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #497

Nicolean Dynamite and I are going to the Farmer's Market for a yummy breakfast and then to an outdoor shopping plaza to hunt for flat shoes, new jeans and the rest of the list of necessities I'm lacking.

Friends of ours are celebrating St. Patty's Day indoors with green beer and Irisih bands, but the idea of being in a bar when it's 80 degrees and sunny seems sinful to us.

How will you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #496

Nicolean Dynamite and I have a tradition of going to Benihana whenever she comes to LA. It started years ago, when she took all the girls out to dinner and we were flabbergasted that someone could treat six people to a Japanese steakhouse.

Man, she was rich.

Or maybe were all just broke and she had a real job and a generous spirit. Regardless, during every trip over the last 15 years, we hit Benihanika (that's what her little guy calls it).

Yummy.

Do you have a tradition involving any particular restaurant?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #495

My friend, Nicole, is in the house! We've been BFFs since high school and just about every year I've lived in LA, she's flown-in some fun for me and my LA buddies.

At first, when I lived at Mansfield, Nicole packed a week long party in her suitcase. We'd be exhausted from her vacation and somewhere along the party train, someone gave her the nickname, The Antichrist. After that, the nicknames piled up. Nicolean Dynamite, then Shorty to my Boo.

And a few that are not rated "YA."

Do you have a nicknames? What are they?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #494

Once, when I dropped my mom at the airport to head home from an LA visit, we discovered we'd forgotten about springing ahead when she missed her flight.

Oops.

How does daylight savings impact you?

xoxo,

Suzanne

Question of the Day #493

I am sooo tired.

What do you when you don't have time to nap and you have to be awake and seriously on your game?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #492

There is a TV in my bedroom that I never watch. It was also in my bedroom in my old house and the only time it was ever used was the one time I was sick and the short time I dated a guy who had to fall asleep to the TV.

That drove me bonkers. In fact, in that case, it was a dealbreaker.

But some people are like that. For example, my brother and his wife also fall alseep to the TV and they seem completely happy.

But I need to get the TV out of my bedroom. It's just taking up much needed space.

There are two questions here:

How do you feel about TVs in the bedroom? And, what is in your bedroom that you need to get rid of?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #491

This picture was taken during my mom's trip to Africa. Imagine being close enough to take it? Definitely a moment of a lifetime.

If you could take a once in a lifetime trip anywhere in the world (and not have to worry about funding it) where would you go?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #490

So, my friend, LDZ, who is a very creative person by nature, decided to try something new and wrote a picture book.

It's funny and the words pop and the characters are great and I think the imagery will be fun for an illustrator to work with.

Now, I'm not a picture book writer. But I like to read them. And so does LDZ.

I think reading a zillion picture books is the best way to prepare to write one. One of the girls in my writing group, Sara, made a goal to read 100 picture books and did it. She says it's made her a better writer.

We wouldn't be writers if we weren't readers. Reading makes us fall in love with books. It gives us ideas and makes us grow as writers and as people.

So, congratulations to LDZ for trying something new!

What new thing have you tried and what inspired you to do so?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #489

This is one of those mornings that I don't have a thought provoking, genius question to ask, so I'm going to blast you with a bunch instead:

1. Who occupies the last house you were in besides your own? (B.)

2. Where were you at 12:00 AM last night? (Sleeping.)

3. When was the last time you ran? (From the dining room to the kitchen while working on Thursday night.)

4. Do you have a tan? (Unfortunately not. Hopefully soon.)

5. What did the last text message you received say? (Ok.)

Wanna play Questions?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #488

How about a little Oscar talk?

I thought Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were hilarious. Their whole opening of picking on the audience had me in giggles. The two of them in a snuggie made me laugh out loud.

My thoughts on dresses:

Penelope Cruz - Stunning as usual.
Sarah Jessica Parker - Very cool and different, but she figeted with the strap.
Sandra Bullock - Lovely. Perfect for a winner.
Oprah - Gorgeous.
Robert Downey Junior's wife had a very cool dress on. Different. Striped. Loved it.
Nicole Richie's gown looked like jeweled Missoni straight out of the 60's. Amazing.
And I loved maggie Gyllenhall's print.

I didn't see many movies but I found the show to be entertaining nonetheless.

What are your thoughts on the big night?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #487

It's raining on Oscar. Which is fine with me and B because I have a killer stomach ache and have been a lump on the couch all day. So the rain makes me feel a little less guilty for being a lazyhead.

But I feel badly for the actors and actresses who have to attend the ceremony. Imagine trying to keep zillion dollar duds dry? And keeping coifs coiffed? Yikes.

It's like rain on prom night or on your wedding day.

How has weather impacted a special event of yours?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #486

Last night, a bunch of us went to the Viper Room in Hollywood to see our friends, The Green Car Motel perform. It had been years since I'd been there or at any club on the Sunset Strip. At the time, Johnny Depp had been the owner.

So when I settled in next to E at the bar, I said, "This is where Johnny Depp and I made eye contact. My knees wobbled and I almost fell over. For a moment I thought we'd live happily ever after. But then he looked away. And it was over."

She giggled and pointed to the end of the bar.

"One time, I went to put an empty drink on the bar over there and this guy passing by shoved me, so I slammed into this other guy. I grabbed his shoulder, looked up and said, 'I'm sorry.' Then I realized it was Johnny Depp." She made googly eyes at me. "I was like ohhhh...it's you..."

We laughed, fully understanding the lovestruck/starstruck crazy thing that happens when you encounter a star like Johnny Depp.

Have you had any funny celebrity sitings?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #485

I should be embarassed. I live in LA. Tons of my friends work in the biz. I'm going to be in Hollywood tonight, just steps away from giant Oscars, the red carpet and the helicopters buzzing above. And I have only seen one film that was nominated this year: Up.

Pathetic. I know.

I'm betting you did far better than me. What films did you enjoy this year?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #484

Yesterday, M, who has curly hair jut like mine, asked me, "Who cuts your hair? I need a new hairstylist."

"I do," I replied.

She looked at me like I'm koo-koo.

"You cut your own hair?" She asked.

"Yeah, I just lean over, gather the ends and I cut them. Then I stand up, pull the ends evenly over both shoulders and chop them."

"Can I touch your hair?" She asked and grabbed it. "Ohhh, you have way less hair than I do."

I felt hers and agreed. She had three times as much. There is no way she could ever self-clip like I do.

"I have to spend a zillion dollars on haircuts and hair products. It's ridiculous. You're so lucky," she said.

Yes, I am. I will admit my hair products are expensive, but I don't color my hair and I cut it myself. And I know that some people spend a fortune on hair maintenance.

So what about you? What does it take to maintain your mane?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #483

So last night, QOTD regular, Kristen, mentioned that over the years, she has collected tons of cooking magazines and recipes and has compiled them into a binder. She says goes back and reads them over and over.

Which of course, sprung the question, what can you read over and over and never get sick of?

I'm a cookbook freak too, and I have a bunch of favorites that I've dog-earred from frequent rereading. But when it comes to novels, I've read Sarah Dessen's novels over and over. I never get sick of the main character's voices.

What about you? What can you read over and over and never get sick of?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #482

I just entered a chance to win a getaway at an amazing spa and inn in Big Sur. Just the thought of a luxurious quiet weekend makes me drool.

I rarely enter contests. But I guess you have to enter to win, right?

How often do you enter contests? Have you ever won?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #481

Last night, after my shift, I sat down at the bar with my friends and watched the crazy gigantic moose and beavers carousel all over 32 flat screens. Just when I thought nothing could tear me away from the Closing Ceremonies, the the guitar plucking of Melissa Etheridge's "I'm the Only One" sounded. I turned around, glanced at the stage, where a blonde perched on a bar stool, tapping her foot to the beat.

Then she began to sing.

It was like yelling. Screeching. Off key madness. By far, the worst karoake I have ever heard.

Matt and EMoney called it "auditory rape."

I'm sure some of you are thinking all karoake is bad. But I'm in LA, and a lot of people can sing well. And bad karaoke is kind of odd.

But this. This was so bad I started cackling out loud. Like an insane person. Like somehow the cackling would make it stop.

Matt and EMoney stared at me. But I stuck with it. And while the singing didn't stop, the cackling made me feel better.

What insanity are you cackling through?

xoxo,
Suzanne