Wednesday
Feb152012
Wednesday 8...No Reason, No Motive. Just Curious.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:10AM Mrs. G. 
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
6) Were you spanked as a child?
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
tagged Back Talk, Wednesdays
Back Talk, Wednesdays
Reader Comments (77)
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
6) Were you spanked as a child?
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
My rice cooker/vegetable steamer
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My grandfather--it had "Laugh In" type flowers on the frame and a purple banana seat
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Catastrophizing
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Empathy
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
I enjoy it. I like to go to movies alone too.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
No
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A king size tempur-pedic bed
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I'm a memoir junkie so it's hard to choose. "She Got Up Off The Couch" by Haven Kimmel and "Lit" by Mary Karr and "About a Boy" by Tobias Wolff come to mind
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
Duh, my coffee pot! I'm pretty excited about my new knives that actually cut well and can be sharpened.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
I don't really remember being taught. My first bike was a 3-speed that I got when I was about 11 or 12. My mom sent me outside with it, and a friend stood by and said, "Okay, get on and ride." Then she watched me repeatedly fall off and crash into things until I got the hang of it. Oh yeah, it was a boy's bike. I can still feel the pain of that bar. It took a while for me to figure out that I needed to tilt the bike to one side so my feet could reach the ground easily with a safe distance between me and that bar.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Shyness/lack of confidence/worrying what other people think
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
empathy/compassion
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
definitely not
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes, and I'm just fine.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
a staircase and narrow balcony
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
The Glass Castle
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? My Good Grips vegetable peeler.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? My dear Dad!
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Procrastination
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I can talk to anyone and I am not afraid to do things on my own.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Yes
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A bigger bathroom with a huge tub and heated floors.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Angela's Ashes
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Ooooh, my Kitchen-aid 600 mixer! It's my baby
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? Sort of my dad. It was a blue dirt bike with a basket w/daisies on it
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I can be pretty loud
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Humor
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes
6) Were you spanked as a child? A couple of times
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A comfy place to read
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Jeez, I can't think of one
Oooh! I just read Lisa's. I loved Angela's Ashes too! I'll steal that
1) My favorite kitchen gadget is the spoony thing with teeth for picking up cooked spaghetti. I don't know why.
2) I cannot remember who taught me to ride a bike though I suspect it may have been my older cousins on a summer visit to their house.
3) I have an overactive imagination...
4) ...and more than the usual amount of patience.
5) I have been forced to eat alone (and go to movies, etc.) I fidget a lot and end up paying an inordinate amount of time reading menus and promotional cards on the table.
6) I got the belt. And swore that family tradition would die with me.
7) Unlimited money and space in my bedroom? How about a manservant?
8) Mark Twain's autobiography has it all.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
Wooden spoons!
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
Wow...not sure. Probably one of my brothers.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Ummm, I don't think we have enough time for them all! Lack of patience and self doubt come to mind first.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Loyalty.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
I can't comfortably eat in a restaurant period. I don't have a problem with "serve yourself" buffet settings. But, I am extremely uncomfortable being "waited on".
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes, but not often.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A small space for a recumbant (sp?) bike.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
Is a memoir the same as an autobiography?
Karen, yes. Same thing. Mr. G. has a real thing for wooden spoons too. He can barely go to the store without bringing one home. He's really into bamboo utencils right now.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
Hands down, my immersion blender. I have already burnt through one - hopefully, my second one lasts longer than the warranty period...
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
I can be self-centered at times.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
I am very supportive of those I love. I think they can do anything and I will support them endlessly and patiently through the process.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
No problem - and I always have a book in my purse in case that transpires.(Not that it ever does - but I sometimes think that I would
like it to happen)
6) Were you spanked as a child?
I can recall one time only. My parents were mostly anti-spanking, but I think I presented some challenges that frustrated my most patient parents.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A reading nook, with a good chair and light and lots of space for books (and one of my knitting baskets).
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I haven't read any that I can recall. Several on my to read list are Jann Arden's, Rob Lowe's, Roseanne Cash, Tina Fey's. Oh, I really liked "Too close to the Falls"by Katherine Gildner. Funny and interesting.
1. Has to be my Kitchen Aid mixer or the food processor, close tie.
2. BFF's brother, taught me to swim too.
3. Stubborn, coud be good or bad depending on the circumstance!
4. Good listener , I remember what people have told me and don't tell tales out of school.
5. Have done it when travelling for work, but more comfortable with company or room service.
6. Nope, and I never did as a parent either.
7. A BIG deluxe walk in closet so that I would never have to go to the attic EVER again with "seasonal" items!!!
8. Stones for Ibarra was powerful and moved me greatly at the point in my life I read it.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
Right now I am quite partial to the chef's knife I got for christmas.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My father.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
I am prone to insecurity and dread.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Oddly enough I am an unrepentant optimist.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes. It is something I love to do. Movies too!
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Brutally.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A new handcrafted quilt.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
Elizabeth McCracken's An Exact Replica of a Figment of my Imagination
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? My electric griddle is high up there right now. It was the only thing I had to cook on for a while.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? My dad
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I have a bad temper.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I am a good listener.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? yes. traveling alone as a college admissions counselor will get you used to that right quick.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Once or twice.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? An alcove for a comfy chair and a book lamp. And a deadbolt on the door.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? right now, I'm listening to "Bossypants," by Tina Fey. The best one that I have finished is "Me" by Katherine Hepburn.
"She Got Up Off the Couch" - I liked that. Those 2 or 3 paragraphs about the author's grown brother struck me as just about the most beautiful thing I've ever read.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Microplane grater. Genius.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? Too long ago. No idea.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Extreme shyness.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Generally positive outlook.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Not really.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Yep. Not often, but often enough.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A really beautiful upholstered headboard.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? "The Liar's Club" by Mary Karr. God, I love that book.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
My hot water boiler.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
I couldn't remember, so I emailed my dad to ask him. It was he who taught me.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
I can't seem to stop measuring myself against others. I don't do this aloud at all, but in my mind it's a constant thing.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
I listen really well, without giving unasked-for advice or judgments.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes, if I have a book (or my phone) to read, or if people-watching is available to me. If not, I would probably get fidgety and self-conscious.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Not spanked. Hit by a large bamboo pole. That left welts on my thighs. Once. And I can remember that clearly to this very day.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A cozy yoga studio nook with bamboo (despite the whole pole thing) floors and all manner of yoga props and a great sound system.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
"Truth & Beauty : A Friendship" by Ann Patchett
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
Besides my good chef''s knife, it has to be the rice cooker. Tried for years to get the hang of rice steaming in a pot, no go.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
Older brothers good friend, the only person to take the time.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Temper, going from mild mannered Bruce Banner to HULK SMASH!! Working on it.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Enthusiasm.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
No.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes. Wooden spoons and willow switches.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
King size supportive bed with really reallllly expensive sheets and a custom made quilt. And an armoire. And ....stuff.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I read a lot of autobiographies, but the first that came to mind is "They Pointed Them North" by Teddy Blue Abbot, a mans life story as he fell in with texas cowboys as a teen, herding cattle from texas to montana. Has all sorts of stories about my beloved home state. Also, I have an old copy that my Nana gave me, even more special. When my husband and I were courting long distance, we would send each other books that were our favorites and ask the other to read them. It was romantic and a fun way to get to know each other.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Today, it was the cookie dough scooper. And I always love my cheese knife.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? I don't think anyone can "teach" you. You just keep trying until you get it.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I'm lazy.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I'm kind.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? YES! I blogged not too long ago about this.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Twice. Once when someone took my doll away from me and her head came off, once when a friend and I cleaned the bathroom and made a mess. Unfairly both times, in my opinion.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? More bookshelves.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? As Always, Julia
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? electric kettle
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? sister
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? blunt to the point of rudeness, a tendency to enjoy gossip too much.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? unshakable loyalty and i am a good listener.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? no but easier than it used to be
6) Were you spanked as a child? yes 2-3 times. have never spanked my daughter. i sorely wanted to at times but knew it would send the wrong message to my angry little girl, and give me a quick release followed by a lot of anguish and regret.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? bay windows and comfortable pillows. heavy drapes. lush, thick carpet. mood lighting. a dresser.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? where the rivers change direction by mark spragg.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
tie between my garlic press and my wine bottle opener
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My Dad.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
I get angry and impatient too quickly.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I'm loyal and a good listener, also I don't give up on things or people easily.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes, absolutely. I always have reading material and/or my iPhone with me.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes, occasionally. I do not spank my child though. There are much better ways to discipline children IMHO.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A top of the line comfy mattress and silk sheets with a fluffy comforter.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
Dr. Ruth's memoir -- I can't remember the name. She was child holocaust survivor. Also, "Me" by Katherine Hepburn
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
I don't have any gadgets in my kitchen that I don't love....or at least love their usefulness. My crockpot, coffee pot, food processor, microplane grater, chef's knife, electric tea kettle...
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad. It was the coolest purple bike with all these stars and comets in white on the crossbar. I didn't know the crossbar made it a boy's bike and the first thing my parents did when we got it home was remove all those wonderful stars and comets. It was still a cool purple bike, but not quite as cool as it was. I believe I was 5.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Pessimism.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Poise/grace under pressure. This is not unrelated to the above.
(BTW, do I get the job? ;))
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes, as long as I have something to read. Now that I have an ereader on my phone, I'm pretty well set, although I prefer real books and magazines. I've taken myself out to some lovely places over the years.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
Hrm. The master bedroom/bathroom is one big space with no doors, so I can I say "finish redoing the master bath"? We did half of it last year - the other half is just going to have to wait. And the one item would be that huge expensive tub and all the support work it's going to require. If that doesn't count, I'd add more outlets and get around to painting that accent wall that I have half a gazillion paint chips for. I'm really pretty happy with the bedroom the way it is.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
Can't remember if I've ever read any.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Good knives. We have finally got rid of the shitty serrated ones CK had owned for 500 years before I met him , they got sent to God last Summer. Maybe one she would figure but rigt now I am still getting to know Clarissa the KitchenAid.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? Ummm...my dad I think. I remember it being dark by the time I got the hang of it. Although that might be the mists of childhood creating a haze.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Laziness, volume (Sound not mass. Although...). Also I suffer from 'Auntie Lil's disease, that is I cry at the drop of a hat.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Loyalty, an exceptional emotional cheering squad - you should see my 'you are ace' backflips.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? I was just thinking about this last night. Yes I can but I get so bored I would probably have my knitting, a book or newspaper to hand.
6) Were you spanked as a child? The last time my mother smacked me I was 10 and she broke a blood vessel in her hand bc she hit the pocket seam on my jeans.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? Proper wardrobes. We have horrible skinny built-in ones that are like looking into a skinny-mouthed crocdile.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Katharine Hepburn's one really gladdened my 18 yo heart.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Keurig
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? Don't remember - prolly dad
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Criticizing
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Seeing the good in everyone (even if I've criticized them, mixed messages - I know. Sigh.)
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? yep
6) Were you spanked as a child? a couple of times
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? sofa/loveseat/cozy chair. Wait - unlimited money? Bathroom suite attached to bedroom - tired of sharing w/ the teenager.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Nespresso coffee machine
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? A group effort: my Dad pushing me forwards and my sisters running along side me, cheering me on.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Procrastination
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Loyalty
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? yes, I love to go to restaurants alone
6) Were you spanked as a child? Once or twice, my parents had to catch me first, I was a fast runner!
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A well orgranised, well lit dressing room attached to the bedroom. It would be big enough to allow me to see what I had to wear without disrupting everything and making it messy.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I loved "Two Middle-aged Ladies in Andalusia" by Penelope Chetwode. It's about a solo horseback riding trip she took through Andalusia in the early 1960's. The other middle-aged lady in the story is her horse, a 12 year old mare, La Marchesa. The book is a great adventure and a rare view into the rather primitive/unspoilt andalusian way of life prior to mass tourism in the 1970's.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
The wife got this strainer-colander thing for a buck not long ago, and dang if I don't use it all the time: drain and rinse beans, wash veggies, bowl full of fruit, that sort of thing. Never knew how much I could love a strainer!
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
The kid next door had a bike and was a little younger than me. I was 5. I would go over there and be jealous that he could ride and I couldn't, but then one day, GOT IT! That was when there were still sidewalks and kids spent all their time outdoors playing with other kids. DIFFERENT WORLD NOW isn't it? My parents benignly did not pay much attention to me most of my childhood, and here I am, independent minded and resourceful....
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Well, my friend Big D who has known me since I was 17 once said, correctly, that I am the most impatient person on earth. TRUE. But I make sh!t happen, you know????
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Oh, I am full of ABUNDANT awesomeness, I am...where to begin? CHARM. Soooo charming, right? And ........
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Well of course! I did so yesterday. Easier than being with some of my relatives at a restaurant, actually, MUCH EASIER. I remember last summer, JAYSUS, the visiting cousins who have 3 houses and lotsa cash NOT tipping or covering their dinner on a shared check. WTF? We were so embarrassed we ponied up a ton of money just because the waitress was awesome. Next time out, we had seperate checks, but STILL they would not even tip, and we had to cover tips for them because the waiter earned it....and I had just had, no joke, a peanut butter sandwich. You know MOOSEWOOD? The cookbooks, etc? You can get peanut butter and jam there for like, 2-3 bucks. Comes with fruit. S'posed to be for kids, but what can you do if you don't like the daily special?????
6) Were you spanked as a child?
spanked and whipped...I guess the parents paid some attn. to me from time to time after all...fuch, why am I answering this?
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
Shoot, nothing. Its great as it is.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I liked BOY by Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc....awesome :)
Now let's see what the rest of you say....
Sh!t. Many of us were spanked and whipped, that is so damn horrible. Why do conservatives want to drag the world backwards, to a time of no family planning and kids were given the belt? Fuching sh!t....
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Toss up between my Keurig and my food processor.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? My father
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I can be a tad judgemental.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Loyalty.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Sure, a girl's gotta eat.
6) Were you spanked as a child? I was, although "spanked" is a bit of an understatement.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? I'd add about 300 sq feet and a wall of windows.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? I remember reading Angela's Ashes, but I admit to not being drawn to memoirs .
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
My rice cooker, can't for the life of me make rice without it......a garlic press from Pampered Chef (AWESOME)...and a plastic pot scraper...ok that's three, but I love them all
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad....one of those get on the bike and here's a shove, go for it.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Need too much praise/positive reinforcement. Not confident in many things I do.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Great sense of humor, very fun to be around.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Probably not......can't really think of an occasion where I was alone in a restaurant.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes. My mom was a wooden spoon afficionado, she also would buy a paddle while we were on vacation at the usual souvenier stores....the one I remember said "For the cute little deers with the bear behind" and had a sticker of a deer on one end, a bear on the other. From her, you got a swat or two....my dad, another story....he would wail on my brothers to extreme.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
More storage......walk in closet or bigger vanity in the bathroom.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
Don't remember too many that I I'd qualify as a favorite....perhaps The Diary of Anne Frank.
Dang it, the interwebs ate my post! Recapping:
Gary, I don't think physical punishment is political. Maybe it's cultural, generational, or just plain lunacy! My dad was a bleeding heart liberal who would smack me with whatever he could get his hands on--a yardstick, a belt, a book or just his fists. I am fairly conservative. I have not, could not, would not beat my children.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
My househusband! Since he has been unemployed he has turned into quite the whiz around the kitchen and believe me, I don't miss that gig a bit.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
Dad, reluctantly I'm sure.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Only one? I suppose insecurity would be the worst.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Kindness.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes, but I don't much care for it.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
By mom, never. She just had to give "the look" and I knew it was time to behave. Dad gave me a running kick in the behind one time, during my overly-dramatic teenage exit after mouthing off to him. He also slapped me in the face once when I had been out riding my bike after dark. The running kick: yeah I probably deserved that one. The slap in the face: no way was that fair.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
One thing? You're killing me here. I suppose it would be a cozy reading area, complete with big bay window and sofa and fireplace.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
Don't read many memoirs but I really enjoyed "News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist" by Laurie Hertzel.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? At the moment it's my Keurig!!! I love it!!
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? Probably my dad. I don't really remember. I do remember my first bike being my ticket to freedom! I was able to go up and down the road and stop at my friend's house or stop at the pond for a dip. It was wonderful!!
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I micromanage my husband in the kitchen. He hates it. I can't help myself.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Compassion, Loyalty
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? I don't think I've ever tried.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Yes, but only once or twice. I still turned out ok.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A bathroom with a large jacuzzi tub and gigantic walk in closet.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? I honestly don't know if I've ever read a memoir?! Huh. I guess I better get on that!
1)I have broken dozens of garlic presses over the years- cheap sh*t even the ones that cost money i have broken. One day I picked up the zestier that my mother bought me for Christmas and I should use to grate Chocolate and cheese with. It is long and I can place it over a pot or bowl and grate garlic and ginger. It have become a much needed tool. Otherwise i am alos the gadget girl! Love all my kitchen tools. I would rather have those tools than shoes....
2) My mother and probably one of the older siblings.
3) My nasty bite when I am unhappy or feel like I am up against a wall.
4) I am very caring- too much at times but compassion and nurturing are my middle names
5) Yes, if I have to.
6) Yes, I am sure I was.
7)Paint- send money anytime!
8) Being snowed in with the family cooking on the wood stove and feeling no pressures to go anywhere or do anything but be with them.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? I love the toaster oven. Best purchase ever!
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? No one - we were sent outside to play, my cousin had a bike, I got on and learned how to drive it by myself.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Lack of empathy sometimes.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? My happy go lucky mood. Almost always a sunny person!
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?Of course! Have done it many times under the watchful eyes of others...who cares if you are alone? Geez, get a life.
6) Were you spanked as a child? I remember getting spanked twice. Once as a youngster - I had terrible blister on my feet, and my father demanded I put my shoes on. I refused, and remember being placed over his lap, pants down, bare hand on my behind. My feet weren't the only thing that was blistered that day. Once again as a teenager for talking back to my mother. I had a dentist appt and she decided she wanted to brush my teeth for me. Seriously? I was 14 and could brush my own damn teeth. I was bent over rinsing out my mouth and my father walked by and walloped me, driving my mouth into the tap. Not a pleasant experience. Didn't stop me from being saucy though...two spanking were enough and still are alive and well in my mind.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A pole.... :)
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? I don't think I have actually read any. Sorry!
This is great - all these new suggestions to fuel my memoir addiction!
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? probably my blender.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? my mum, I think. I was 4 or 5, and my bike was blue and silver with white tyres.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I get angry really easily. I'm working on this, with limited success. I don't usually express my anger, but it's there boiling up inside me. It's relatively recently that I finally acknowledged that other people don't feel this way too and there's something a bit wrong with the fact that I do.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I struggle with this one right now - I think maybe my analytical brain? I don't know. I'm pretty organised, too.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? No no never ever. I hate it and will do anything to avoid it. I'm not really sure why, but it's a visceral reaction.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Yes, very rarely though. My brother, on the other hand...
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? a tan leather club chair in the window alcove.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Roald Dahl's: Boy, and Going Solo are utterly, utterly brilliant.
Dang it. Apparently my post went to a black hole.
What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Is a coffeemaker a gadget? A Wusthof chef's knife? Beyond those, I'd say the most gadgety type thing is the small spatula that fits perfectly inside a tomato paste can. Also, as momwhoknits said, the immersion blender - love that thing. Every time a recipe says to transfer stuff in batches to the food processor, I tell it "don't have to!"
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? My dad began the process but had called a stop to it for the day when my sister took over. Before long I was riding off into the sunset.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Procrastination.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Loyalty.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes.
6) Were you spanked as a child? A couple memorable times.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? Awesome reading corner just for me.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Can't say I have one.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
A sharp knife.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
Dad and Grandma.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
I want to take on everyone and everything. It's not physically or emotionally possible.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
I have a huge heart.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Infrequently and by my stepdad or mom when angry.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A patio with double doors.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I don't know that I've read many. The only one that I can think of is the James Frey one and THAT'S NOT IT.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
I don't know what it's called, but I have a little whisk-type thing with the coils laid sideways that's made for whisking together vinegar and oil or other liquids for salad dressing.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My mom and dad
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Impatience and being judgmental
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Optimism
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes, although time to myself doesn't happen all that often. I really like going to movies by myself. God, it's been forever since I did that.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes, but only when I was very young...before my parents figured out better ways of discipline
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
An antique dressing table. Or a fireplace and couch.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I don't read a lot of memoirs. Most recently I read Bossypants, and I liked it. Before that, the last one I can come up with was "Me" by Katharine Hepburn.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? I like the Microplane hand held graters because I have a horror of the box grater and grating my fingertips off.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? I learned by trail and error and the error (I have a theme now) involved grating my knee cap skin right off because I was learning on a big lot my grandparents lived and worked on, and it was covered in sharp gravel.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? resentment/sullenness
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? generosity/humor
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? I like to eat alone, but I mean really alone, like not with other people around.
6) Were you spanked as a child? whaled on, would be more accurate.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? a desk with an iMac computer that was all my own.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? "Running with Scissors" is an old favorite.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Chef Knife
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? Myself
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? Like a clean house
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? Very dependable
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? No
6) Were you spanked as a child? No
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? A large master bath.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Bossypants
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? kitchenaid mixer
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? sadly, I can't remember. Probably my father or one of my siblings
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? can't deal with conflict
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? resourcefulness
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes and I, too, like to go to the movies alone.
6) Were you spanked as a child? No
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? My master bedroom is unusually large. I would like to make it smaller and cozier.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? Don't have one.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? I love my Cuisinart and my Kitchenaid mixer.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? - my Dad
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I'm impatient, I interrupt people, and I'm not good a schmoozing.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I'm pretty resilient and I don't hold a grudge.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes, I enjoy it.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Yes, but not very often.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? I know the answer to this one because I always dream about it - blow out the back wall, install French doors, build a deck with a hot tub and a tall fence.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? I love reading M.F.K. Fisher - I re-read her all the time. I also like Lesley Blanch. Haven't read Bossypants but I want to!
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Heh. Does coffee maker count? This morning I am particularly enthralled with it.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? I have no idea. I'm assuming my mom. I honestly don't remember the "learning" part. But I can ride a bike now so at some point someone must have helped me figure it out.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? i hate conflict. So I don't make waves. Unless I absolutely have to.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I hate conflict. I can usually find a compromise. I feel like I have a lot of empathy and flexible thinking because of it.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? yes. well, if it's a casual restaurant.
6) Were you spanked as a child? no. I only remember getting spanked on my birthday and then only a couple of birthdays. That's not to say my parents didn't spank me when I was a toddler. They just didn't do any spanking at an age where I would remember it.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? We had the option of putting in a bay window when we built this house. Now, I really wish we had. Either that or a super fancy shower like the one in the Kohler ad where the installer tries it out to be sure it's working properly.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? The one that is coming to mind first is The Glass Castle.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
A hard, plastic "spoontula" that came with some appliance. Long and thin, it's perfect for all sorts of things. I've never found another one, although I have several of the silicone ones that are out now.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad. I had a purple bike with the laugh-in flowers on the banana seat.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Lack of confidence - the fear that I'm going to open my mouth and something stupid will come out.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
My sense of humor.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Sure. I need a book though.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
That's putting it mildly.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
A bigger closet. That was one of two flaws in the redesign of the house. I've spent the last couple of months weeding through, so it's not as bad as it was.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I read lots, but I keep coming back to Madeline L'Engle's Crosswicks Journal series - A Circle of Quiet, The Summer of the Great-Grandmother, The Irrational Season, and Two-Part Invention.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget? My Dutch Oven. I love that thing.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike? My mom.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic? I can get frustrated very easily.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic? I'm very loyal and will cut a bitch that messes with my peeps.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself? Yes, but really only at lunch time. I'm working my way up to dinner time.
6) Were you spanked as a child? Only if the offense was really bad. I can only remember 2-3 times that I was spanked.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom? Oooo.... New pillows, fluffy bedding and shoe storage.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs? "The Apprentice" by Jacques Pepin
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
Wooden spoons are wonderful, but there's also stainless steel mixing bowls and quality cutlery. And who can forget the Kitchen Aid mixer. I love the kitchen.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Impatience, particularly when suffering fools and commercials.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
Loyalty.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Absolutely.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
I'm afraid so. I also had my mouth washed out with soap.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
The bedroom is pretty nice, as is. Maybe a skylight.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
"Speak, Memory" by Vladimir Nabokov
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
I use the coffee maker, microwave and oven the most (using gadget loosely here) but the one that makes me happiest when I use it is the little food processor. I just can't get over how teeny tiny it chops everything up!
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad. That was my most favorite bike. It was royal blue with a banana seat and glitter in the paint and seat.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
I'm selfish and prideful.
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
I am willing to admit I made a mistake, and I will apologize.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
Yes!
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
Huh. This is difficult. Most of the things I'm imagining would be better served in a different part of the house. I suppose a reading/computer nook. Desk w/tricked out computer, comfy chair and bookshelves. In other words, a place to hang out besides the bed. We currently hang out on the bed w/laptops and overflowing bedside tables.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I haven't read many memoirs. I'm not sure if I've read any. I'll have to see what the rest of you have read!
I have read some great biographies. I think Mountains Beyond Mountains by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder is outstanding. It's about Paul Farmer, a medical anthropologist who created the organization Partners In Health. They are affiliated with Harvard University where Farmer taught (may still teach there) and also have a main operating base in Haiti. The PIH team has expanded globally and they tackle the social, economic, political and other barriers to health. They've done incredible work to battle diseases like TB and AIDS. Mountains Beyond Mountains is probably the most moving book I've ever read, and it really cemented the fact that I want to do work to make the world a better place. It's in the narrative non-fiction category, so it feels like you're reading a story, but it's all true.
1) A spatula that is just the right size, curved on the edges with perfect flexibility, and cleans easily. I use it every day.
2) My dad. Mrs. G, I think we had the same bike; it was a purple Schwinn girl's bike called "Lil Chick." I loved that bike (sigh)!
3) perfectionist- it makes me procrastinate and hesitate
4) perfectionist- it makes me really good at what I do- science.
5) Yes. I can be anywhere as long as I have a good book or something to write with.
6) Yes. Unfortunately with a wig brush or those orange plastic strips you put together to race hot wheel cars.
7) A jacuzzi
8) I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
My good knives are probably the things I can't live without in the kitchen but my pressure canner is currently my favorite thing. Although I'm pretty sure that if some benevolent soul decided to gift me a vitamix blender it would usurp the canner right quick.
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
My dad taught me how to get going on the bike and my ex-Hells Angels biker neighbor taught me how to use the brakes.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
Hrm, probably either my tendency toward self-centeredness or procrastination and indecisiveness (those two are definitely linked).
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
I dunno. I'm very loyal. Or maybe that once I get over panicking about a bad situation I'm very good and getting down to solutions and making them happen.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
I love to eat in restaurants by myself although I always bring a notebook to write in and/or a book to read.
6) Were you spanked as a child?
Yes, although not often. My mother was more of a screamer. However, if I physically hurt my younger brother she would do the same thing I did to him, to me. So if I bit him, she would bite me. If I pinched him she would pinch me. She did however seem to draw the line at hitting me even if I had hit him. I would also like to point out that she did not do the same thing with him when he had physically hurt me. I suppose she must have thought that since I was older, I was always the one who should know better.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
Oh this is impossible to choose just one thing as our bedroom is by far the least developed room in the house. The most practical choice would be a dresser for me as my clothes have no home. My body would most love a new mattress and pillows, preferably a tempur-pedic. My visual sensibilities would most love a makeover of new wall colors, new bedding, and lovely pictures for the walls.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
I love memoirs but have read very few in recent years. I go back to Lillian Hellman's memoir collection "Three" (An Unfinished Woman, Pentimento, and Scoundrel Time) every couple of years and still love them.
1) What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
it would be a toss-up between my coffee maker and my bamboo steamer (as i haven't really used a microwave but for a few times in the last 10 years, that steamer is used quite often!!)
2) Who taught you to ride a bike?
my Daddy Charles...i was probably 5 and my bike was super cool....gold in color, with a silver designed banana seat and streamers flying from the handle bars.
3) What do you consider your worst personality characteristic?
my ability to put off absolutely everything until the last minute....and strangely enough, i am sometimes quite shy (uh-huh...i am...i just work really hard NOT to be!!).
4) What do you consider your best personality characteristic?
being naturally "genki"....energetic and happy. it sometimes annoys people,though. oh well. teehee.
5) Can you comfortably eat in a restaurant by yourself?
oh yeah. VERY comfortably!!
6) Were you spanked as a child?
once or twice, that i remember...i might have been a bit trying, at times.
7) If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?
a really nice bed.....i'm tired of sleeping on the floor.....oh! and a really big bay window, with huge cushions where i could sit and read and just be.
8) What is one of your favorite memoirs?
i loved Gilda Radner's "it's always something".....and have now made a note to get Kathryn Hepburn's and Tina Fey's when i'm home next month!! thanks, Derfs, for the great suggestions!!