By MarkTapioKines.

1. In terms of historical events, I am old enough to remember…
the advent of MTV and the internet.

2. I admit to being prejudiced against people who…
love the TV show “Lost”.

3. You might be surprised to hear that I really like…
camping. Apparently gothy dressers aren’t known for their love of the outdoors. The musical “Oklahoma!”. The film “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle”.

4. You might also be surprised to hear that I DON’T really like…
guacamole and eggplant (yes, even Parmesan). The films “Ferris Bueler’s Day Off” and “Napoleon Dynamite”.

5. If given the choice between having more closet space and having a larger garage, I would choose…
the garage. We’re good on closet space.

6. If given the choice between having a washer/dryer in my home, or two separate bathrooms – whether or not I already have either or both – I would choose…
the washer/dryer. Laundry is already enough of a pain with one. I feel like we’re doing it constantly.

7. One of the best years of my life was…
2007. So many amazing trips and an incredible summer, spent with wonderful friends and the man of my dreams. 2008 hasn’t been too shabby either, career woes aside.

8. One of the worst years of my life was…
2002. I lived alone for the first time in a scary studio apartment with drug dealers for neighbors, had a tremendous lull in my dating life and was extremely depressed for a variety of reasons.

9. A song that reminds me of my current (or most recent) romantic partner is…
there are a lot to choose from but “The Air That I Breathe” will be our wedding song.

10. My biggest wish for my current (or most recent) romantic partner, other than the usual “to be happy,” is…
Well, he seems to be doing fine career and health wise so I suppose I mostly hope that his tremendously good health holds up for a very long time.

11. One of the strangest things I own is…
a painting of Crispin Glover turning a cat into a jello mold.

12. One of the most flattering things you could ever say to me is…
“Your [piece of writing] was very funny.”

13. Something that makes me not a typical liberal is…
that I find many self-proclaimed feminists annoying.

14. Back in high school, my worst grades were in…
Chemistry and math. To some extent P.E. (I had a dick of a P.E. teacher one year that, even with a doctor’s note, wouldn’t let me get out of running the mile. Since my knees prevent me from running, I couldn’t possibly earn a “good grade” there.)

15. And my best grades were in…
English, Social Studies and Art.

16. Out of all the Best Picture Oscar Winners (click here for a reminder list) in history, the ones I’ve seen which I personally think are great films are…
No Country for Old Men, Return of the King (Though I personally thought either of the first 2 were better and I’m annoyed they “waited” to give it to him), The Deer Hunter, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Annie Hall, On The Waterfront.

17. While we’re looking at that list, the most recent Best Picture Oscar Winner that I have not seen is…
The Departed. I also haven’t seen Casablanca. I aim to correct both of these things.

18. I’m terrible at…
drawing, doing math in my head, public speaking, most physical activities on account of my knees.

19. I’m rather good at…
knowing actors’ names, learning computer programs (relative to other folks my age or older), baking, recognizing untrustworthy people, Dance Dance Revolution.

20. The summer blockbuster I’m most excited about seeing is…
either The Dark Knight or The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull though I must admit extreme reservations about the latter.

April 3, 2008
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

My brain is in meme mode. Therefore…

1. Are you taller than your best friend?
No. I am not taller than many people.

2. Do you have a favorite type of pen?
Gel or fine point sharpie.

3. Look at your planner for March 8th, what are you doing?
Nothing in there yet but it usually fills up fast.

4. What color are your toenails usually?
Toenail colored.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned?
My body.

6. What color are the sheets on your bed?
Red.

7. What color are the seats in your vehicle?
Grey.

8. Have you ever had a black and white cat?
I am currently step-mother to one.

9. What is the last thing you put a stamp on?
A rebate. I love those things.

10. Do you know anyone who lives in Wyoming?
I do not.

11. Why did you withdraw cash from the ATM the last time?
To have cash. It's convenient.

12. Who is the last baby that you held?
DZ’s niece, I believe.

13. Can you spell well?
No. But that's what spell check is for.

14. Do you like Cinnamon toothpaste?
No. I don't feel as clean as I do with mint for some reason. It's silly, I know since they're both artificial flavors.

15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago?
No car.

16. Pick one: Miami Hurricanes or Florida Gators?
No.

17. Last time you went to Six Flags?
When I was six?

18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house?
No.

19. Closest thing to you that is yellow?
Post-its.

20. Last person you gave a business card?
Dude at Victory studios.

21. Who is the last person you wrote a check to?
Bizness associate.

22. Closest framed picture to you?
There is nothing framed in this room.

23. Last time someone cooked for you?
B. recently.

24. What kind of computer do you have?
I am currently on an HP. It sucks. I own a Gateway laptop. But soon I will have a new imac to replace my stolen G4 and that I am very very pleased about.

25. How many emails do you get in your inbox daily (excluding spam)?
Between work, and personal, probably 150-200.

26. Last time you received flowers?
I don't remember. I think flowers are kind of a waste and I think everyone who would get them for me knows that.

27. Do you own a pair of bowling shoes?
Yes. 2 souvenir pairs from Sunset Bowl.

28. Do you play air guitar?
No I do not.

29. Has anyone ever proposed to you?
Yes!!

30. Do you take anything in your coffee?
Cream.

31. Do you own any Willow Tree figurines?
I don't even know what that is.

32. What is/was your high school's mascot?
Cougar.

33. Last person you spoke to from high school?
WriterBoz.

34. Last time you used hand sanitizer?
Don't remember. I usually just wash my hands.

35. Would you like to learn to play the drums?
Yes! And with the help of Rock Band I am attempting to do so.

36. What color are the blinds in your living room?
No blinds. Working on getting curtains.

37. What picture is on your calendar?
No calendar in here but at home we have a souvenir calendar from the topless dancers at the Luxor.

38. What color is your bath robe?
Brown.

39. What was the last pageant you attended?
I don't recall.

40. What is the last place you bought pizza from?
The grocery store.

41. Have you ever worn a crown?
Yes. But it was totally ironic. I swears.

42. What is the last thing you stapled?
Rebate!

43. Did you ever drink clear Pepsi?
I tried it out of curiosity. It tasted like regular Pepsi. But since I don't like Pepsi the behavior did not continue.

44. Are you ticklish?
Yes.

45. Last time you saw fireworks?
4th of July.

46. Last time you had a Krispy Kreme doughnut?
High school. I find them utterly revolting.

47. Last person that IMed you, and you actually responded?
Nic.

48. Do you have a favorite hat?
Yes. My black crochet beanie. It's the only hat that looks OK on me.

49. Do you have a black dog?
No.

50. Do you have a hairless cat?
No, but we did shave Tobe last summer and he loved it so we may do it again.

51. Are you an aunt or uncle?
No.

52. Who has the prettiest eyes that you know of?
B.

53. Last time you saw a semi truck?
Recently, I'm sure. B. and I saw (and got stuck behind) hundreds of them on our road trip.

54. What is the last song you heard in the car?
Something from my ipod.

55. Do you have a little black dress?
Of course.

February 27, 2008
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

Another fun one from MarkTapioKines

1. Do you think castration could be a fair punishment for sexual/violent criminals?
Yes, definitely. And they should also find a way to give them urinary tract infections. Those things are hell.

2. Is your real name also a .com that you own and control?
Yes. JessicaBaxter.com. It just links to this blog though.

3. What's your general opinion of rock star Tom Petty?
Some of his songs are catchy and I kind of enjoy them when I hear them but I never seek him out.

4. Name a well-known song you hate by a well-known band (or performer) you like.
“Blister in the Sun” by the Violent Femmes. I've just heard it too damned much.

5. Name a well-known song you like by a well-known band (or performer) you hate.
“Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

6. What Beatles song would you be happy to never hear again?
“The Long and Winding Road”. Long and winding indeed.

7. What is your favorite nut?
I do love a cashew. Particularly if they are honey roasted.

8. What percentage of Catholic priests do you think are actually gay?
90%.

9. When you get a mass email from a friend, do you ever check out the other email addresses on the recipient list?
Yes. Is that wrong?

10. Would you rather go for one month without access to your email account, or one month without access to a cell phone?
Cell phone. I am not a fan of being on the phone in general and I actually conduct most of my plan-making via email. I imagine if I could tell people I wouldn't have my phone for a month, they would know to email me. Plus, I wouldn't have to listen to my mother's monologues for that long.

11. Would you rather be ridiculed for something you purposefully did, or be falsely admired for something you know you didn't do?
Ridiculed for something I purposefully did. I'd either be proud of it and not feel the need to defend myself or I'd have learned a valuable lesson. Nothing good could come out of false admiration and taking credit for something you didn't do.

12. We're halfway through January 2008. Is there anything new you've done in 2008 that you've never done before?
Voluntarily purchased a ton of vitamins. Usually, my mother would force them on me.

13. Have you eaten in any restaurants this year that you have never eaten in before?
Yes. I ate at Serious Pie on Friday. It was quite delicious. Now, what, prey tell, do you think their little logo man has caught on fire.

14. Been anywhere in 2008 where you've never been before?
We went to the future location of our wedding ceremony. It was a part of Discovery Park that I have never visited. That is a big park.

15. Who do you hope becomes president in 2008?
O'Boy Obama. If Clinton gets the nomination we are screwed for another 4 years because there are way too many voters who have personal vendettas against her for her to get elected.

16. What do you usually eat and/or drink for breakfast?
I waver between oatmeal with a cut-up banana and instant grits. Both with tea. On the weekends, it's often some sort of egg with veggies and toast combination.

17. What are you most annoyed at your mother about?
Not being able to get through a single conversation with me without saying something disparaging about my father.

18. What are you most annoyed at your father about?
He could have been slightly more tactful with my mother.

19. If your house had to go without gas, water or electricity for 48 hours, what would you choose to go without?
I'd go with electricity. I could go to a movie to entertain myself. Not taking a shower makes me grumpy

20. Finally, how are you doing so far on your 2008 goals/resolutions?
Fairly well. I was keeping up with my exercise regiment until I got sick yesterday and I've been eating pretty healthily. I didn't overdo it booze-wise over the weekend either. It's early days yet and I'm about to go to party-central, but I'm cautiously optimistic.

January 15, 2008
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

Meme from MarkTapioKines

Post the first line of each blog post in a new month for the past year. This becomes your year-in-review of sorts.

January
All told, a lovely, relaxing long weekend.

February
I have been feeling sort of crappy for the last couple of days.

March
Since I was sick this weekend, I didn't really do much so I kind of felt like I was cheated out of a weekend.

April
We began our evening at the Tin Hat.

May
Happy May Day. They finally removed the blood-soaked rag from the sidewalk outside my office building!

June
If I were a doll, the accessories packaged with me would be:
Removable winter coat, large satchel, bottle of vodka, graphic novel, wooden stake. (I imagine the doll version of me is a vampire slayer.)

July
Movies about Hit Men with a Heart of Gold are played out.

August
The company I work for was featured in a New York Times article this morning.

September
Should I be upset that over the past year I have been increasingly deleted from the Top Friends of MY top friends on MySpace?

October
As you may or may not know, for the past year I have been writing for a company called Not For Tourists.

November
I'm going to ignore how terrible and “Dark Angely” this sounds and just be happy that Whedon and Co. are returning to television.

December
It makes perfect sense that Dominic DeJoseph would want to document the man called Johnny Berlin.

It seems like over the past year, my blog has become all memes and reviews. I'm OK with this though. If I'm going to actively pursue this freelance writing thing and use my blog as a promotional forum for that, I should probably get away with writing about my personal life anyhow. Besides, I've been pretty bored writing my personal blog entries (and have often aborted them halfway through) so I'm sure that my reader(s) got there way before I did.

December 10, 2007
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

MySpace Meme that's almost as interesting as a Mark-scribed one.

*I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments. What do you pick?
1. Produce—> Fuji apples
2. Bakery —> Crusty whole grain bread
3. Meat —> Facon or eggs
4. Frozen —> Dijourno Pizza
5. Dry goods —> Grits

*Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
Assuming I'm allowed to wear a bra, underwear and shoes…
1. Black flowy skirt
2. Black cami
3. Thick hoodie

*If I were to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the workday, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. That's bullshit.
2. What the fuck?
3. Unbelievable!
4. He/she said what?!
5. He/she did what?!

*So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you'd probably be in a pretty irritable/bad mood?
1. Some sort of exercise.
2. Caffeine.
3. Shower.

*What are 3 things do you have in your room/house that have been with you for the longest amount of time?
1. Fred, the teddy bear who belonged to my father.
2. My Winnie the Pooh baby blanket.
3. My Catwoman action figure.

*If you were only allowed to listen to 5 albums for the rest of your life, never adding anything else, which 5 could you listen to & be content with?
That would be a nightmare, but for the sake of argument:
1. The Clash – S/T
2. Elliot Smith – XO
3. The Dandy Warhols – Welcome to the Monkey House
4. Built to Spill – There's Nothing Wrong With Love
5. Weezer – Pinkerton

*You're driving down the road, and suddenly you're hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?
1. Hummer Limo
2. Small woman in an S.U.V.
3. Ignorant Republican bumper sticker

*Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Smoke/watch terrible movie/TV show
2. Clothing shopping (I hate shopping with other people)
3. Photoshop project
4. DDR marathon
5. Me time

*We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Monkeys
2. Elephants
3. Water mammals

*You just scored tickets to the taping of any show of your choice. You can pick between 5, so what are you deciding between?

I'm altering this question to say that the time continuum is at your disposal.
1. Colbert Report
2. The Price is Right with Bob Barker
3. Late World With Zack
4. The Gong Show
5. Conan

*You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
I don't like mixing ice cream, but for the sake of argument:
1. Green Tea
2. Coconut
3. Vanilla

*Somebody stole your wallet. In order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. Driver's License
2. Credit Cards
3. Belle and Sebastian Tip Chart (I would want that returned more so than the credit cards)
4. Completed punch card from Beba's Deli all ready to reward me with a free sandwich
5. Receipt from Fat Burger which says the order is for someone named Christ (a perplexingly awesome misspelling of “Chris”)

*You are at a job fair, and asked about what areas in which you are interested in pursuing a career. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted. What 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Restaurateur
2. Comic Book Artist
3. Band Frontwoman
4. Publisher

*If you could go back and talk to the old you when you were in high school and give yourself advice on 5 things that were going to happen, what would it be?
1. Stay away from suspiciously charming men in college. Especially if they consider themselves “Artists”.
2. Learn to eat normally now. You're not fat and what you're doing to yourself will make it harder to maintain a normal weight later.
3. Start freelance writing on spec ASAP. And schmooze your ass off. Maybe then your writing career will take off before you’re 30. I know you want to make films, and you can do that, but trust me, you won't be able to turn it into a career.
4. Don't go to the Art Institute. You can learn everything they will teach you from a handful of books you can buy on Amazon.
5. Speaking of Amazon, I know you're going to London in a couple of months, but you really should go to that interview and see where it goes, because later on, it will be really REALLY hard to get one.

November 16, 2007
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

MarkTapioKines made another thought-provoking meme.

1. When was the last time you bowed your head in prayer (even if you didn't pray)?
In August when we were visiting Brugos' family. His aunt requested grace before eating. I did not pray, but I did mumble a polite “Amen”.

2. Name a band or performer whose final studio album was on par with their earlier releases (meaning good, not bad!).
1965 by the Afghan Whigs.

3. In what ways do you consider yourself “punk rock”?
Like Mark, I am openly atheist. I like the idea of socialism. I have 3 tattoos. I attempt to do unusual things with my hair. My favorite band of all time is The Clash. I'm listening to the Buzzcocks as I type. I'm veg. for political reasons. I ride the bus. My friend Nicole noted on Friday that Brugos and I have a lot of subversive skull imagery in our house. That last one might just make us morbid.

4. In what ways do you consider yourself a yuppie?
I own a lot of stuff. I have an increasing enjoyment for good wine and food made by trained chefs.

5. Name a food you loved as a kid that you wouldn't eat now:
Pepperoni. Soda.

6. Name a food you love now that you wouldn't eat as a kid:
Yogurt. Asparagus.

7. What is/are the best thing(s) you're doing for the environment?
Riding the bus. Being veg. Buying organic vegetables. Recycling everything I possibly can.

8. What is/are the worst thing(s) you're doing to the environment?
Not buying and using more cloth bags for groceries. (I only have one that I bring with me to buy lunch and office snacks at Whole Foods). And I'm kind of wasteful of water. I'm sure there are loads of things, that I don't even thing about right now. Halp!

9. What charities do you routinely give to?
Human Rights Campaign. Amnesty International. I don't have a regular animal charity I give to, but I usually send a couple bucks to each one that pops up in my mailbox. Any suggestions?

10. What other non-profits (art museums, public radio stations, political organizations like the ACLU) do you financially support?
KEXP Public Radio. Northwest Film Forum.

11. What do you consider to be your biggest luxuries, i.e. something a little costly that you could technically do without, but don't want to?
Soon to be my mom's hand-me-down car (the car will be cheap, but the insurance won't be). My billions of DVDs.

12. If one of your best friends decides to get married, would you rather be a member of the wedding party or just a guest?
Just a guest is fine. Being a bridesmaid is stressful.

13. Would you rather rob a bank and go to jail for 5 years (and not keep any of the money), or murder somebody and never get caught?
I'm with Mark. I pick murder as long as it's someone who deserves it.

14. Post a link to, or embed, a video on YouTube that you found very funny.

15. Where will you be this Thanksgiving?
In the Old Dominion for the first time in 5 years with my dad and step family. Brugos will get to see where I grew up and we will get to see the sun. I love friend Thanksgivings but I think this will be pretty fun.

16. What is your excitement level over next year's new Indiana Jones movie?
I think it's going to be awful (the title alone!) and so does my subconscious. In part of one of my dreams, I was in an arcade and there were all these men in Papier-mâché mouse masks holding axes. I was told they were a promotion for the upcomning Indiana Jones movie. On second thought, if those guys were in it, maybe it wouldn't be so bad…

17. What's your favorite non-English language movie?
Story of Riki.

18. In all your life, what's the longest period of time you've lived at one address? How about the longest after college?
11 years on Rockport Landing Place in RVA. In Washington, I haven't lived at at any one address for longer than two years. Although Brugos and I have no plans for leaving the Bettie Page House.

19. Other than a car, any life forms, or the home itself, what's the single most valuable item in your home?
Besides my engagement ring which would come with me if fleeing from a fire or other disasters, nothing is really monetarily valuable but there are plenty of things with sentimental value. I'd probably grab my signed copies of “Life Without God” and “Perv: A Love Story” and my painting of Crispin Glover juggling a cat and a bowl of jello (the only piece of art I've ever bought).

20. Whose life would you rather live – Bruce Springsteen's or Sting's?
Springsteen. I agree with Mark, Sting is a cunt.

November 13, 2007
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment

Meme from ZeroShapiro about youth.

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?
Playing with my best friend, Joe Schultz. His Lego collection was teh awesome and his mom made us Nutella sandwiches.

2. Who was your first childhood enemy?
Any girl in my class, actually. They all hated me because I only hung out with boys. Then when the boys started liking girls, I didn't really have any friends. Luckily, I moved schools.

3. Who was your first love? Do you know what happened to him/her?
If you mean crush (non-fictional) than it was this hippie senior named Jeremiah when I was in 8th grade. He had big curly locks and rosy cheeks. I know that's a long time to go without any real crushes, but pretty much every single guy I knew was an asshole until high school.

4. Who taught you how to drive?
My parents took turns and then, when they couldn't stand it anymore, they hired someone. I don't remember his name but I had to go to the mall for the lessons.

5. Where did you go to college and how/why did you make that decision?
University of Puget Sound. I almost went to a couple of other schools. I got into Emerson in Boston and Evergreen. I nixed Boston because of the winters and I nixed Evergreen because I thought I needed a more structure curriculum. In the end, it really came down to small liberal arts college in a city I liked. Yes, I liked Tacoma. Still do.

6. What was your favorite hangout as a teenager?
Grace Street downtown. Punk rock shows and all-night diners!

7. Who is your oldest friend that you still keep in contact with?
Does being MySpace friends with high school colleagues count? If not then it's Kristie Keely with whom I became friends my freshman year of college. That's 11 years, ya'll.

8. What was your first job out of college? If you didn't go to college, what was your first “real” job?
My first job out of college was a temp. I temped for a long long time. That is hardly a real job. I guess my first REAL job wasn't until my 3-year tenure at the investment banking firm. Sad.

9. What did you do for your 21st birthday?
I went to The Owl and Thistle. I do believe a fight broke out.

10. Tell me the story of how you lost your virginity.
I was sixteen. We were in my bedroom. We'd just smoked pot in my closet. My parents were downstairs. It hurt a lot and was over very very quickly. At the time, I felt like the world's oldest virgin and just wanted to get it over with before I turned 17 (which was creeping up in 3 months). Like Elyse, I'm very relieved that sex has gotten much much much better.

Also, Happy Halloween.

October 31, 2007
Categories: Meme Crazy . . Author: Baxter . Comments: Leave a comment