In Good Company

Amanda did this on her blog, Orchestrated Happenstance, and I just had to do it too. Summer is coming to an end, and I'd like to do something fun and frivolous today before school is back in full swing and work gets crazy again.

Here's what she had to say about the questionnaire: "James Lipton heralds Bernard Pivot as the best interviewer ever and adapted his questionnaire to present to every guest on Inside the Actor's Studio."

Therefore, some of the most fabulous people in the world have answered these questions on "Inside the Actor's Studio." Feel free to post on your own blog, or add your answers in my comments section.

And here's the famous questionnaire:

What is your favorite word? sparkle

What is your least favorite word? nugget

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Gentleness. Being with someone who is kind and gentle makes me a happy person, and therefore I am able to think creatively. Emotionally, I feel safe, and I believe true spirituality is not conveyed by zealots, but by those who are gentle and kind.

What turns you off? Argumentative and close-minded people

What is your favorite curse word? F*ck. I think it's hilarious that it has like a bajillion meanings. It can be used in such a variety of ways, and it always makes a big splash when used. That being said, I try not to say it too much.

What sound or noise do you love? The words "I love you." Whether they come from my friends, my baby cousins or my husband, it always brings a smile to my face.

What sound or noise do you hate? Waking up to hairdryers or lawnmowers. Oh, it's horrid.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Anything where I could be rich and famous...I would love to be a television journalist and get to do cool specials and interview celebs.

What profession would you not like to do? Anything requiring manual labor i.e. construction.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Welcome, my child."

Guster is OK

Well, they're a lot more than "OK," but that's what it said on the bumper sticker that Bert purchased at the concert. We had the best time at the Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta hearing Guster. If you have not heard them, I highly recommend purchasing the CD "Keep it Together." That is my favorite. You may know their song "Fa fa" from a few years back and "I Hope Tomorrow is Like Today" from the movie "Wedding Crashers." Also, if you've seen the movie "Life as a House," their music plays throughout the movie.

We had awesome seats, and everyone around us was just sitting there digging into their coolers and just staring at the band. I mean, if you just want to sit there, then go home and put in a CD! I was initially very disappointed at the energy level of the crowd. But I didn't let that get me down. Bert folded up our folding chairs, and we made our little area a dance floor. We danced for hours, and had the best time. It was so.much.fun. By the end of the night, the place had much more energy, and I didn't even care that my legs ached from personal training and that mascara had sweated down my face. No siree. I was so happy to dance and sing along, as I knew every song. I felt so proud.

But mostly I felt proud that I had a husband to dance with me and say, "to hell with this heat...if I'm going to sit here and sweat, then I'm going to get up and have fun while doing it!" And that's exactly what we did.

Warning: Pet Story

OK, so I promise I'm not going to continuously tell pet stories, but I do have one today that I must share.

Matty has been sleeping in the living room. His preferred place was under a blanket on the couch. This was my first weekend with our new kitten, so I made sure to spend plenty of time with him. That love and attention he got from both of his new "parents" certainly made an impact on him late last night.

I had held Matty in my arms for well over an hour while he slept and Bert and I watched TV. This was the first time he had slept on me, so I was very, very excited. He looked so adorable asleep in my arms.

Bert and I got up and went to bed around 11:30 pm, and we shut our door. We do this because I have a fear that Matty will jump on my face in the middle of the night. I don't know why I am so worried about this, but anyway...

I heard all these noises, and got up around midnight. There is a quilt rack in the hallway outside our bedroom, and Matty had gotten down quilts to make his own bed outside our bedroom. I just couldn't believe it.

I never thought I'd love an animal so much. He will never be able to say a word to me, but it was so apparent that he wanted to be close to us last night. That was his way of saying I know you love me, and I love you so much right back.

Mattingly

When I was a little girl, we had a gentle pit bull I adored. A few years later, a dog chased me, and my dad saved me from being bitten. From that moment on, I had been afraid of animals.

A few weeks ago, I visited an old friend who had a giant indoor dog. I was terrified. After a few days, I found myself petting the dog and letting it curl up next to me.

Since then, I decided I wanted a pet. Recently, I went to see kittens for adoption. I held the first kitten of my life, and it was so adorable. When my husband would hold it, it would hold out its arms for me. It would extend its claws and hold on to my shirt for dear life.

That kitten stayed in my mind, but I didn’t think it was possible that the first kitten I had ever held would be the one for me. I didn’t want to act hastily.

The next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about the kitten. I called the store, and a girl had it on hold. I figured she took it home with her. The following Monday, the gray kitty was still on my mind. I hurried to the shop on my lunch break, and it was still there.

I hurried and told a salesperson I wanted it. They told me all about it receiving its vaccines, and I had my checkbook out. My heart was pounding with sheer elation; I knew this kitten was meant for me. I truly loved it.

Then, the worst possible thing happened. Another sales associate came up and said that another woman had laid claim to the kitten.

I watched my kitten get adopted by someone else.

I sobbed and asked the lady if she would consider letting me adopt the kitten instead. She said that she had big plans for the kitten, and would be placing it in cat shows.

I asked if I could hold the kitten, and she obliged. I sobbed. The kitten held on to my shirt for an extra moment before I handed it back, and I left the store, crying.

Through my tears, I realized how grateful I was for that kitten. Less than a month ago, I didn’t want a pet. Today, I am a woman who has sobbed over a kitten in public. I felt a love for animals that I have not felt in twenty years. And I have that special creature that slipped through my fingers to thank for it.

Or so I thought.

My husband had called the place the kitten was adopted from, and asked them to pass along our phone number to its new owner. When I found out about this, I told him it was sweet, but that we needed to move on.

However, when the lady called and left us a message the next day about returning the kitten, my heart stopped. I suppose she had figured out tabby cats weren't exactly show cats and decided to return it to the store. She claimed it was because it didn't get along with her other cats, but when we saw the kitten the first time, it was cuddled up with another kitten.

Bert and I hurried to the pet store, and saw our kitten asleep. Tears came to my eyes as I held it again. We loaded up more than a cart full of kitten supplies, and headed back home.

Some people have referred to our kitten as a "miracle cat." They are exactly right. Named after Yankee great Don Mattingly, our little "Matty" has been such a source of joy in the short time that he's been our own.

I have a renewed sense of faith that the universe does indeed right itself. There's simply no other explanation that my sweet Matty finally came home.

India's Finest

This is one of the sweetest men I have ever known. He is my grandmother's brother, and I had the great pleasure of getting to see him this past weekend. He is visiting from India, and is awesome.

He loves to joke around, and when I was little, he would play with me. He told me stories this weekend on how he used to take my mother on motorcycle rides around India when she was a little girl. It was so nice to sit with him and talk.

I love my Uchu Mamu so much.

Let's Go to the Movies

So, Bert and I went to see "Superman" last night. My purse was stocked with candy, and now I feel fat today, but that's not the point.

The point is the fart.

Yes, that's right, ladies and gents. While enjoying one of the best superhero movies I have ever seen, someone in the theater let one rip.

Twice.

Mind you, there was only like one child in the theater, and everyone laughed and laughed. I could.not.stop.laughing.

I mean, if it had been me, I wonder if I would have left, blamed it on Bert or just laughed. I really do not know. Once, I did fart in third grade in class. People started to make fun of me, and I just looked at them and said, "What?! I just dropped my book."

They totally believed me.

But the one in the movies last night could in no way be covered up. It was so loud that it was like a movie sound effect.

Anyway, far more entertaining than that was the actual movie. Giant thumbs up!

Alabama in Pictures

Wedding Part Deux

Well, folks, I'm off after work today to head out of town for another wedding. It's the couple in the last picture on the previous post. The wedding is a bit more fancy than most weddings, so it's cocktail attire for the rehearsal dinner and wedding. I, of course, am glad that I got two new dresses out of the deal. And to boot, I got a perfect pair of shoes that go with both dresses for $10 on clearance at one of my favorite stores, Target. Now, just cross your fingers that they'll be comfy.

I am excited that one of my best friends from college and her husband live in the same place as the wedding, so I will also get in some fun times with Haley. I'm overpacked as usual, but I'm sure we will find room in the car if any additional purchases are made if Haley and I are so inclined to indulge in a little retail therapy.

Have a good one.

Snapshots from Mississippi...