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Friday, January 13, 2006
Reader Survey

This isn't a meme - just a list of questions I'm interested in hearing people's answers to. Feel free to answer in the comments section, or on your blog, or not at all.

1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

4. What is your favorite flower?

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe.
 

4:35 PM #

Comments:

 Hi Gwen. I think your blog is hillarious, i have it linked on mine. you might like this survey a friend of mine sent a few days back. those are my answers, i'm sure you know what to do.
enjoy.

> 1. Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record
> collection, which one do
> you own the most albums by?
uh, prolly a tribe called quest
>
> 2. What was the last song you listened to?
> galvanize, by chemical brothers just finished.
now it's dirty harry by gorillaz
>
> 3. What's in your record/CD player right now?
> probably one of those cd's i made with a bunch
of songs that dont belong together
>
> 4. Do you know what music the person before you is
> into?
> April Macatnagay likes CHER, ASHLEE SIMPSON,
KELLY CLARKSON, and all things suck.
>
> 5. What's your favorite local band?
> Velvetron is good. is Jedi Mind Tricks from
Chicago, too?
>
> 6. What was the last album you bought?
> i think it was the last white stripes CD. i
didnt like it.
>
> 7. What was the greatest show you've ever been to?
> when i was 13, my mom and i got into a stone
temple pilots show for free. we got in through the
back and bumped into the singer, but i totally did not
recognize who he was, and ignored him. But I was
really into them at the time. that was my very first
concert, and therefore the awsomest.
>
> 8. What's the worst band you've ever seen in
> concert?
> i'm sorry, i dont pay to see people that suck.
oh, wait! i did drag everyone to milwaukee to see
that one band that is terrible, just cuz the guitarist
is literally THE MOST GORGEOUS GUY I'VE EVER SEEN. i
had a crush on him pretty hard. his band fucking
sucked, tho. but it was worth it.

> 9. What band do you love musically but hate the
> members of?
> i dont hate folks that i never met. but guns and
roses seem like a bunch of fuckin assholes
>
> 10. What is the most musically involved you have
> ever been?
> uh, you mean besides listening to a great deal
of music? none. oh wait, i was forced to play recorder
in 3rd grade.
>
> 11. What shows are you looking forward to?
> not planning on going to any in the future, but
i'm always down for an adventure.
>
> 12. What is your favorite band shirt?:
> i used to have a soundgarden shirt that was
baseball style when i was like fifteen. who knows
where it is now. prolly keeping some kid warm in
Tijuana or something.
>
> 13. What musician would you like to hang out with
> for a day?
> Common, cuz i want to explain to him how we are
blood related.
>
> 14. What musician would you sleep with in a heart
> beat?
> musicians are dirty-boys. i dont want genital
warts.
>
> 15. Are u a stalker?
> i dont know, i never liked someone so much that
i felt the need to "stalk" them, but you never know
what could happen.
>
> 16. Sabbath or solo Ozzy?
> Guh, prolly Sabbath.
>
> 17. 80's Madonna or Kabbalah Esther?
> who the fuck is kabbala esther?!?
HAHAHAAHAAAA!!!!

>
> 18. Punk rock, hip hop or heavy metal?
> can i have hip hop AND punk????? they're both so
close to my heart.
>
> 19. Name 3 timeless records?
> radiohead- the bends/ kid a
> soundgarden - superunknown
eryka badu - momma's gun
>
>
> 20. Name 3 artists that suck?

gee, there are so many....uh,
nickelback,
disturbed,
and 50 Cent.
there, did i win?????
>
> 21. Did you know that filling out this survey makes
> you a music geek?
> no, just a little self-absorbed, like the
Hedonism-bot from Futurama.
>
> 22. What was the greatest decade for music?
> i think the 90's were funny cuz there was such a
huge rift between stuff that was awsome and stuff that
sucked like nobody's business.
>
> 23. How many music-related videos/dvds do you own?
> i had around 10 at one point, but i've widdled
it down to one that i havent watched in years.
>
> 24. Do you like Journey?
> Honestly, i dont know. whistle one of their
songs for me.
>
> 25. Don't try to pretend you don't!
> i guess i'm not such a fucking dork afterall.
SUCKERS.
>
> 26. What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
> Garden State soundtrack is pretty sweet


# posted by Blogger Tatiana : 5:20 PM  

 dont get none on ya...


# posted by Blogger Tatiana : 5:22 PM  

 Thanks. I'm going to answer that one Monday, on my day job lunch break.

For other peeps who want to use Tatiana's meme and link to her, here's her URL:
http://nappyfro.blogspot.com/


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 6:53 PM  

 My Answers to Gwen's Questions:

1. Surfing the net for me is pretty much any time the Safari window is open and I'm not doing work.

2. I have this sort of bizarre paranoia about buying things online, so I don't do it much. When I do, though it's usually ebay.

3. I ignore Valentines Day. I've always disliked it, even when I was in a relationship. It isn't a bah humbug thing, it's more of this thing about so much percieved pressure to get everything JUST RIGHT because if you don't you obviously don't love the person enough.

4. Snapdragons

5. Food, absolutely. That and finding a place big enough to hold everybody.


# posted by Blogger lumenatrix : 7:00 PM  

 1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

Mostly blogs, livejournal, and forums.

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?

I like window shopping for vintage-repro clothes and for shoes. I've got a bunch of sites for that.

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

Haven't got any.

4. What is your favorite flower?

Honeysuckle

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe.

Honestly, the wedding's not important--the marriage is.


# posted by Blogger Veronica : 7:47 PM  

 Hi Gwen,
Here's my answers to your survey, and I also posted them on my blog.

1.Reading blogs and writing on my blogs (yes, I have more than one, because I'm a glutton for punishment), and researching on stuff for the stories I write, and my family genealogy research. And helping my daughter with her homework.

2.E-bay

3.I ordered a wish pearl for my daughter (from e-bay I just won the bid today, he), and we may go out to dinner my husband, my daughter, and myself.

4.Sweet alyssum because it smells so good, and I love orchids but they're too expensive so I've never had one.

5.Well since I'm already married (26 years)this would have to be a renewal of my wedding vows.

Dress--a off white cocktail dress with some green here and there, or maybe a green cocktail dress with off white here or there. Since I can't wear my old wedding dress anymore. My husband would have to wear a suit that complemented my dress in color. And our daughter would "stand up" with us, and I may have her walk her dad down the isle to me (he was so nervous the first time, his knees shook).

flowers--off white and green lily's, carnations, and roses, with maybe a few orchids stuck here and there--if I have the money.

music--a selection of love songs from the 70's for the reception that follows, but for the main even it would be "What would I do (with out your love)" by LeAnn Rimes. My friend Nellie gave me this song an "our song" for my husband and I, for our 20th anniversary gift. She actually sang it to us, then gave us the song printed and framed. Isn't that sweet? And that was because I told her we didn't have an "our song". I actually thought "our song" was "Time in a bottle" because my husband sang it to me while we were dating, but he said it wasn't "our song." ???

food--we'd actually have food this time, because my dad wouldn't be paying for it!
So let's see; a salad, followed by chicken cordon blu or steak because people like to choose, and baked potato with sour cream and chives, and asparagus and corn. Why the corn you may ask, because my husband loves corn (he has to be in there some were). The wedding cake would be simply decorated and small, maybe chocolate and vanilla(chocolate for me, and vanilla for my husband), with white frosting and frosting flowers.

Janice~


# posted by Blogger Janice : 9:58 PM  

 ok, here goes nothing:

1. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I have a routine I follow on not busy workdays:

I start at the bottom of my favorites list and work my way up. This includes a few DHAK blogs, a couple of email accounts, nhl, tsn, sportsnet, calgaryflames.com, hockey buzz, TWOP, GFY and my yahoo site that has various rss feeds. I also read my city's newspaper, cnn and check a few things on msnbc. On weekends I also check the USHL scores.
It may seem like a lot, but really isn't as time consuming as one may think.

2. I don't really shop online, window or otherwise.

3. I don't have specific plans for V day, but I still have a month to make plans.

4. Purple tiger lilies

5. The dress would/will be the most important. I think it's the day to feel like a princess and you can't feel like a princess without the perfect dress.


# posted by Blogger lisa : 11:03 PM  

 Hey, pretty Gwen. My answers are on my blog.


# posted by Blogger tina : 6:15 AM  

 1. Mostly reading blogs, with the occasional looking for weird stuff.

2.Ebay, hands down...you can find anything there.

3. Valentine's day is my birthday, so I have no idea. My husband put off Christmas shopping til the very last minute for me this year, and then spent ALL DAY Christmas eve in the emergency room and that was that on my Christmas present. So I think he's going for romance this year, as he sort of owes me one... I'm kind of hoping for something quiet with the kids around.

4. Sunflowers

5.Definitely the guests. Best part is having everyone you love sharing it with you.


# posted by Blogger Amy : 8:40 AM  

 Hi.

1. Yes, basically everything you said. I read a bunch of blogs, I check my email compulsively, every time, and the rest depends on my mood.

2. *quiet shame* gap.com - don't judge! their jeans fit me SO WELL, and online you can always find longs. I also love to look through shoe sites, although I rarely buy.

3. My fiance and I have a tradition for V-day. One of us makes dinner, the other makes dessert. We go buy a playstation game, and spend the day playing it together. We are dorks, it is fun.

4. I like lilies, especially callas.

5. I am planning a wedding, and my dress is pretty important to me. The only other part I want is my family around me and to end up married to my boy. My dress, I'm thinking


# posted by Blogger Karen : 8:50 AM  

 1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

Yes, yes, yes, yes (although I would prefer the term "liberating", no

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?
Amazon, half.com, nordstrom, zappos, land's end, ll bean, talbots. I do a lot of shopping on the web.

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?
I'm married to a guy who thinks of flowers and cards as "false sentiment," so we've never celebrated v-day. Occasionally, he surprises me with a homemade card and I usually get someting for and from the kids.

4. What is your favorite flower?
Hyacinth. I love the smell (it makes me swoon) and it was my grandmother's first name.

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe.
We had a small wedding (about 75 people), which was just exactly right for us. Everyone knew at least two other people and there was lots of cross-mingling of family and friends. I go to big weddings and feel overwhelmed by the scope - the bride and groom get lost. If I had it to do over again, I would be more specific with the photographer about who to take pictures of, and I would have gathered more groups of people (cousins, college friends) for informal but posed shots. We mostly have just random people-standing-around-with-a-drink shots from our reception.

Hope this helps (?) - I enjoy your blog.


# posted by Blogger Sweetie Darling : 10:40 AM  

 1. I define surfing as anything Internet-related that does not have a specific purpose. Googling something for work? Not surfing. Reading a recap on Television without Pity? Not surfing. Deciding that I need to know about Dan Hedaya and spending twenty minutes looking up his life's work? Surfing.

2. Half.com by a mile. I also like to get kids' clothes at Old Navy.

3. As far as I know, no plans for Valentine's Day. I will have to remind my husband to buy me flowers a few days prior. Other than that, and cards, we won't do anything special.

4. Irises.

5. I really really loved my wedding, and I don't think I'd do anything different. Well, I wish we'd gotten more people to talk on the video. Other than that, nothing.


# posted by Blogger Gayla : 10:54 AM  

 1. What does "surfing the 'net"... Reading 3-5 blogs (this being 1 of them), browsing Gymboree.com, chron.com, and msn.com.

2. What are your favorite web sites... Gymboree.com (when there's a sale), oldnavy.com, amazon.com (all for buying). For window shoppping: potterybarn.com, potterybarnkids.com, striderite.com, torrid.com

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Don't celebrate.

4. What is your favorite flower? Sunflower first, daisy second and orchids for the smell.

5. If you had to have a wedding ... Definitely the place. I was so poor the first time I got married that we did everything ourselves, except the catering, but we got a really good deal on that because my mom knew the guy.

If I remarried or had an awesome 20 year anniversary party, I would have enough money to have it done by someone or somewhere that did everything for me. I would also have tons of natural flowers and real plates and silverware (haha). I'd wear a much more simple straight dress and I'd have a real band (like Mango punch) play and a DJ during their break. Food? Hmmm.... I have to say I might do Vietnamese or Thai food.


# posted by Blogger ShoeGirl : 11:38 AM  

 1. Blogs, political and personal. Some forums. Some news and pop culture websites. Not pron, usually.

2. I almost never buy online, but half.com and amazon get most of my cash when I do.

3. I don't know, but I hope it involves sex.

4. Roses? I don't know, I don't pay a lot of attention to flowers. I like them, I just don't think about the different types. I don't think I'd like that flower that smells like rotting meat, but that's it.

5. If I redid my wedding, we'd go to Hawaii alone for 2 weeks, get married on the beach, then come home and have a party.


# posted by Blogger emjaybee : 7:17 PM  

 1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

Forums, blogs, DHAK-affiliated sites, shopping, planning my evil travelling plans, research for work, googling random shit, messaging and emailing.

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?

Amazon, boots, banana republic, expedia.

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

So far, nothing, but am going to Paris the day after Valentines!

4. What is your favorite flower?

I really like roses and carnations. Guess that makes me a cheap date!

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe

No idea, so far, just that I'd want the music to be awesome, and involving as many of my friends as possible, and as eclectic a mix of music as possible (a little Marvin, a little Handel, a little Tallis, a little Gabe, a little Nickel Creek, a little MC Hammer...). Yay!


# posted by Blogger Claire : 12:23 PM  

 1. Reading blogs and news sites and whatever else I run across.

2. Amazon and Zappos

3. I dunno - work? Wish I had flowers but be kinda glad I don't have a boyfriend?

4. Daisies

5. Having the getaway car primed and ready at the side door.

Love you blog, btw


# posted by Blogger Beth : 5:25 PM  

 Oh goodie! How fun, thanks! I always love when you do surveys and meme's of others! How delicious of you to turn the tables!

1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

No news unless it catches my eye on the msn home page when I open up the browser first thing in the morning. It ususally is something war related or a famous person passing away. I read blogs, journals, forums and get sidetracked looking for weird stuff. I will try to find info on one thing and like 3 hours later realize that I now know more than I wanted to about the word 'weenis'. I dont steal pics as a rule but love looking at them.No pron but LOVE live cams. yes, *sigh* I am an ex addict of live web cam sites. Not pron necessarily but peeping in on lives. It's like reading blogs but live.

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?
None. I dont shop on line except for cheap tickets for flights. I do peruse Ebay looking for interesting cool stuff that I wish for occassionally.

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?
Valentines Day is my favorite holiday. I love making it all up. Fancy candle lit romantic dinner at home, my son and I have even made a whole set of placemats and napkins with hearts and we decorate the heck out of the house. It IS LOVE DAY that day here. We go all out creating romance in the air.

4. What is your favorite flower?
I'm a shmuck. I love flowers. Any flower. Big fat roses. Cabbage roses. Joseph's coat roses. Lincoln roses. Yellow roses.Hiacinth for smell. Iris for class. Peonies for filling old fashioned beautiful crystal vases and decorating. Hollyhocks for swaying beauty, daisies for sunshine smileys, sunflowers for charm but mostly roses. My main decorating theme in my whole house is flowers on dishes, material and pictures. I just realized this the other day as a matter of fact that I'm a huge sucker for anything with a flower on it.

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe.

I agree that the marriage is more important than the wedding but if I had to do mine over I would have more money to do more flowers, have it catered instead of making all the food ourselves and definitely the most most most important number one thing that I think I would spend chunks and chunks of money on is the best photographer on the planet and the best videographer (is that a word?) because we had a friend of a friend "do" ours for free and she was clueless and we have a handful of pictures from just a couple of rolls that actually came out. None of the actual wedding but just of the reception. It broke our hearts. Pictures are what help you remember how wonderful it felt to get married to that man in the first place on tough days!!!!

Thank you Gwen, that was fun!


# posted by Blogger pixielyn : 5:39 PM  

 1. Surfing the net? I'm sorry to admit that I have become a part of the "fad" of myspaceing it. Who can resist the pull of high school dramatics all over again (although I did start this in high school, that is irrelevant).

2. I try not to buy things on the internet, but if I have to pick I'd say...Victorias Secret. Don't get me wrong, I do not buy teddies and whatnot because I don't have the "modle body" but what the hell is wrong with buying some new cute panties, or a new bra? I have yet to buy a bra from Victorias Secret but I'm just saying.

3. Plans for Valentines Day? Please, I think what I am honestly going to do, is get the DPC (well most of them) together and just chill and watch movies. DPC= Dirty Pillow Crew. I'll let you guess what Dirty Pillows are...=)

4. I'm going to be different and not say roses. I love plumerias. I used to come over to my aunt's house and make flower lei's out of the one's she had growing in her backyard. They're so pretty and they smell really good. You can't get any better than that.

5. The most important aspect of any wedding is the honeymoon! Haha! Just kidding, if I ever get married, the most important aspect will be to make sure my family doesn't do something to embarass me. No matter how hard I try though, I know they're going to, so it's a foolish wish but I will definitely pray for it when the time comes.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 8:15 PM  

 1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

Blogs, news sites, message boards. Basically filling time.

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?

Amazon for its encyclopedic knowledge. But probably buymusic.com and itunes for actual purchasing. I don't really buy online unless it's something I can't get in person. Oh and woot.com.

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

I have none right now, because I'm not dating anybody, but I might be starting something, we'll see. I kind of would like someone else to plan for me for once for V-day.

4. What is your favorite flower?

I don't know... when I was a kid it was tigerlilies. Now I just like a colorful bouquet if I have flowers.

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe.

Most important would be that it would be relaxed, not super formal, have good music, and feature a choreographed dance routine led by me.


# posted by Blogger Bad Robot : 1:46 AM  

 Fun!

1. Check out salon.com, TWOP, DHAK, a few trusty livejournals and other assorted blogs, drop by cnn.com, see if in4mador.com has any interesting new links, check out a few online comics.

2. Hmmm, I think I buy mostly from amazon, eBay, J. Crew and uncommongoods.com. I like to window-shop at mightygoods.com and Shiny Shiny, and *every* now and then I pretend I'm rich and order from Nordstrom or melange4women.com.

3. Dunno -- we usually just make a point to actually spend time together because we both work a lot and it's not as easy as it seems like it would be.

4. Gardenias.

5. My wedding was beautiful, but I think if I did it over I'd like to elope -- just the two of us at some far-away location with great scenery, and we'd take tons of pictures.


# posted by Blogger ChickenFried : 9:53 AM  

 This post has been removed by a blog administrator.


# posted by Blogger kevinfisher01501107 : 10:54 AM  

 Go to hell, Kevin Fisher. I will *never* check out your blog. How dare you post to my comments, calling my blog "inquisitive"? Buy a dictionary, and never spam my blog again. Or else.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 11:55 AM  

 Y'all please ignore me yelling at the comment-spammer above. I was seized by a fit of intolerance.

Lumenatrix: Snapdragons are awesome.

Veronica: I was hoping y'all would post exciting window-shopping links. Where do you look at vintage repro? Also, did you ever eat the honeysuckle nectar when you were a kid?

Janice: What's a wish pearl? (I guess I could google it, huh...)

Lisa: Don't be ashamed of your surf habits. I have a similar routine. Re: dresses being important: I asked the wedding question because one of my coworkers described his daughter's upcoming wedding to us. She's spending the most on photography and flowers. Least on her dress, and NONE on music. They aren't having music. It made me realize that people have different priorities. I feel you - it's your day to be a princess. When else can you wear the most awesome dress ever, besides your prom?

Amy: Hopefully your man will come up with something good. How often you must get lame V-Day merchandise for your birthday...

Karen: That dress is gorgeous. And I won't hate on you for shopping the Gap. I recently bought a coat from their outlet.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 2:37 PM  

 Sasha: Ha re: liberating. I think of it as sharing pixels.

Gayla: Hey!

ShoeGirl: A Thai food wedding sounds really good to me right now. Is Mango Punch local?

Emjaybee: You and me both. I'll be lucky to get some on V-Day. (Dumb weeknight holiday.) Also, thank you for making me think of the rotting meat plant. I saw one in real life once, at a tropical plant place. It looked spooky, too.

Claire: I like that your travel plans are evil.

Beth: Getaway car - ha.

Pixielyn: Dude, seriously? I like the idea of web cams but never could get into them because all I ever saw were people sitting at their computers. Give us links to good ones, if there are still any around. I love that you love flowers to such a detailed extent - me, too.

Reading about y'all people who had lame wedding photos is breaking my heart, btw.

California Gwen: Give us a link to your MySpace, then!

BadRobot: When you say choreographed dance, are you talking Grease, or Romy & Michelle, or something completely different?

Chickenfried: Tell me some of your fave online comics, then.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 2:48 PM  

 Um, okay but no laughing at my URL. Keep in mind I did make this in high school (which sadly was like 2 1/2 years ago) and...let's just say I am a lot more grown up than I was back then (or so I'd like to think...).

http://www.myspace.com/iamthecoolestkidontheblo

That last word is supposed to be block but what can you do? =)


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 3:46 PM  

 Can you even have a wedding without music??

I kid, I know you can, but I seriously just about put that down instead of the dress. I had the sentence written about how the music has to be perfect, not just at the ceremony, but at the reception too. Then I was like f that! It's going to be all about me having the most beautiful dress ever! So yeah, I went with the dress instead.

Don't worry, I'm not really ashamed of my surf habits, at least not here, on the INTERNET. However, I do have many, many friends who either don't have a computer, or if they have a machine, they don't have internet. They don't understand why one would need 4 email accounts, or why I was freaking out about going to a farm in Saskatchewan for a week where there was no computer and no way to get internet on my laptop. To me:the end of life as I know it, to them: not a big deal.

I was very happy to find out that the week went by and I hardly even missed the net at all, there was too much card playing going on, but I don't think I'd be happy without it for too long.


# posted by Blogger lisa : 5:58 PM  

 finished! I put my answers on my blog.


# posted by Blogger dazed : 6:20 PM  

 Gwen: You shouldn't be embarrassed about your age. Everybody has to be that age some time, right? Do you have fun with your MySpace? I'm thinking about making one, but I can't tell if it's much different from Friendster. Mostly your friends just comment on your stuff, and you do little entries, right?

Lisa: That's what I said! How in GOD'S NAME do you have a wedding without music? He said it was going to be a tea-time Junior League affair. And I'm like: Hello... string quartet, then.

Also, I feel you on the importance of the Internet. Do you get annoyed with your friends who don't have access? I do. I hate to admit it, but I lose patience. I have this one friend who always asks me what's up with my books, and I'm like, "Don't you ever read my blog? I always post what's up there." And she's like, "Well, our computer's real old, and we still have dial-up, and the kids don't let me check my email, and..."
And I'm like: "There is no excuse for that sort of thing."

Everybody go look at Dazed's blog. It has a nice yellow base with a Wonder Woman theme.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 6:58 PM  

 Haha, I am in no way embarassed by my age! I love being 18 (although 21 might be a little more fun...)! Myspace is way fun! Yea, it basically is posting lame comments to your friends, but you can put up a bunch of pictures, write "e-mails" (also called messages but whatever), and you meet some fairly interesting people. Also, this really is a small world because you find all these random people you used to know on there, or, rather, they find you. Haha, but if you do get one (which I would definitely recommend) add me as a friend! That's so cheesy but whatever. It's a little bit lame because it seems like a popularity contest but for me it's not. It's more of a "lets keep in touch with people I probably normally wouldn't" type thing. Which is good because a lot of these people that I normally wouldn't are way awesome. Anyways, that's my spiel, have fun with it and get a myspace! =)


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 12:21 AM  

 Late to the party, but:

1. For me, "surfing the net" means reading blogs, online newspapers (i.e. the Times or Salon) and reading TWOP.

2. I don't shop online a whole lot, unless I'm looking for something specific. And sometimes I look to see what's in stores that I shop at in real life, like J. Crew or Ann Taylor or Banana Republic. Mostly if I'm looking for a new suit or something and want to see what's on sale. I think Amazon and Barnes & Noble are pretty much the only websites I actually buy anything from, and even that is pretty infrequent - maybe a couple of times a year.

3. Nothing, really. Maybe we'll go out for dinner or make a nice dinner at home. I'm really not into the V-day thing; not to act all cynical and holier-than-thou about it, but I totally think it's just a Hallmark holiday. I usually do buy my husband a card, though. But it has to be a funny card.

4. I think my favorite flower is a sunflower, or maybe an orchid, but i don't feel like I've been exposed to enough flowers to say that with any conviction.

5. If I had to redo my wedding, there isn't much I would change. I liked my whole "eloping" with the reception afterward thing. My dress was very important to me and I loved it - it was a yellow silk chiffon BCBG dress that I bought for about $300. But then I spilled wine on it at the reception and ruined it. I'm still holding out hope that I can find someone to get the wine out or maybe I'll just dye it a darker color.

Our reception was tiny - only about 50 people - but it was so much fun and it's such a happy memory for me. I guess if I would change anything, it would be to have music and dancing - we had the reception at a really cozy and awesome restaurant, and we had music, but there wasn't really any space for dancing. That would have been nice. Of course, it would have been less nice if my husband had then refused to actually dance with me, which he typically does, because he hates dancing. He might have made an exception under those circumstances, though.


# posted by Blogger kate : 8:41 AM  

 Hmmm -- online comics. I always check in on the daily comic at www.explosm.net. And I've been looking for a new favorite ever since my beloved Buttercup Festival (archives at www.buttercupfestival.com) stopped being drawn by the artist. And I'm in love with Natalie Dee and the Perry Bible Fellowship (www.nataliedee.com and www.thepbf.com). Now that I think about it, they're pretty much all of the weird, one-off variety in the vein of The Far Side, and not so much like traditional comic strips or comic books. I do have to admit that I check in on For Better Or Worse every day even though it more often than not infuriates me.


# posted by Blogger ChickenFried : 9:47 AM  

 Gwen, although I do have momments of annoyance, like when there are eye rolls directed at something I've mentioned about the internet, but I mostly believe that my friends just have no idea whatsoever what is out here. They just don't get it.

I have one close friend who shops and follows hockey (or at least one player) on the internet, but other than that even she is clueless about some of the stuff I do.

I don't think they are wrong, it is just so foreign to them. The funniest thing is when you try to explain about reading blogs...they don't get anyone would do that.

I grew up with computers in the house, I used the old bulliten boards and internet in it's earliest form, so for me it's just kind of always been there.


# posted by Blogger lisa : 9:51 AM  

 Posted on my blog, but will repost here:

1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you? Reading blogs? Browsing online catalogs? Reading news? Looking for weird stuff? Stealing jpgs? Pron?

All of the above, except the last two. I read lots of blogs, of friends and people I don't know; I look at things I want to buy and sometimes even put them in the "shopping cart" to pretend I am buying them, but then delete them all; I browse the news; I don't necessarily look for weird stuff, but if I come across it then I check it out.

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from? Or, to window-shop on?

I like to window shop on anthropologie, Banana Republic, Delia's and Old Navy websites; also Victoria's Secret. I sometimes buy gifts from: Wishing Fish, Uncommon Goods, and Fred Flare. I've actually bought stuff for myself from many sites, too many to list. Oh, I almost forgot, I get almost all of my makeup from Benefit.

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?

None. I'll probably get my husband a little something special and we will probably be in the middle of our Sopranos mega-marathon so we will probably spend the night watching that.

4. What is your favorite flower?

Gerber daisies. They don't really smell good, but I LOVE the way they look. They are so fabulous, especially in a vase on my dark wooden dining table.

5. If you had to have a wedding (or if you had to redo your wedding), what would be the most important aspect of it for you? Dress, flowers, music, food? Explain and describe.

I would not really re-do anything at all, except I might relent and invite our parents the next time. Also, as I was just explaining to a friend, I do regret not getting to wear a pretty princess dress, so if I re-did it, I might say screw the fact that I am getting married at a drive through window, and wear a fabulous gown anyway.


# posted by Blogger KT : 6:03 PM  

 Yeah seriously. web cams. Not people sitting, but people letting peeps into their whole life. Its facinating as he**. I once watched this live cam couple where they had their whole house wired with cams and then would chat every morning. The guests would come to the computer and chat too. freaky but deliciously fun.
Do a search under webcams to see whats showing now, or go to http://tv.earthcam.com and they have an "interests" section you can click on to see people with like interests. It takes time to "click" with a family or to find someone you wanna peep and chat with. Its really not about pron or chest shots or watching nekkid people type, at least it wastn for me. It was more like penpals or sometimes just people watching people like when you go to the mall and eat at the food court and are so busy looking at people you forget what you came there for.
There are some clubs that all have cams and they all get together on a certain day to "visit".
I had all kinds of cams on my favorites and went through the list daily, even the Panda cam at the San Diego Zoo!!! But I dont anymore because I dont have time and it is a time sucker.
Try it, do a search under web cam and ______ whatever subject interests you like World of War Craft and it might pull up like minded people on web cams. Or search under web cams and families and see if it pulls up some nice families who wanna meet other families.........Achhhh dont get me started again............aaaaahh


# posted by Blogger pixielyn : 9:13 AM  

 Barely responding! Yes, Mango Punch used to be a great local salsa/merengue/Spanish rock band in the 90s when I was young and single. Here's a blurb I found about them. http://www.entertainmenthouston.com/acts/bands/mangopunch/mango.htm


# posted by Blogger ShoeGirl : 10:13 PM  

 Lemur has been baby busy, but Here I Am!

1. What does "surfing the 'net" encompass for you?
News, some blogs, trolling through e-bay

2. What are your favorite web sites to buy from?
e-bay, New Egg, Law Books, BN.com

3. What are your plans for Valentine's Day?
None at the moment... if I can find a babysitter, I might be able to make some, do you want to baby-sit? ;)

4. What is your favorite flower?
White gladiolas

5. If you had to have a wedding what would be the most important aspect of it for you?
Music, beautiful trumpet music.


# posted by Blogger R.T. Lemur : 11:24 AM  

 Gwen: I did it. But I think it looks kind of sucky. But maybe I can fix that.

Kate: That sucks about your dress! I wonder if you can have it dyed. Do you look good in maroon? Also, for Valentine's Day, I think you should force your husband to dance with you. No, just kidding.

Chickfried: Are you Canadian? I notice a lot of people read FBFW even though they hate it... especially Canadians. Do you like Achewood? I'm really into that one. And I love Natalie Dee. Therefore, you must have good taste, so I will definitely check your other picks.

Lisa: You and me both. I wasn't actually born - I sprung fully formed from the monitor of a TRS-80.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 12:16 PM  

 KT: Thanks for the good shopping site ideas. I love Gerber daisies, too.

Pixie: Awesome. I am totally gonna check it out.

ShoeGirl: Do you remember when Norma Zenteno was the big popular wedding salsa band in town? I heard them at Cosmos Cafe about a year ago and was disappointed by their attempts at blues.

Lemur: I was just about to ask if *you'd* babysit for *me* so *I* could go out for VDay...


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 2:52 PM  

 You jest, but I just might be amenable to baby-sitting those three. See, then you would owe me one...

How are they at changing diapers?


# posted by Blogger R.T. Lemur : 8:20 AM  

 Fun stuff! I'll have to go check it out and see if I can find you. They all look kind of bland until you add some fun stuff to it. I personally, have absolutely no idea how to do it. I made my friend Shauna do it, ha! But if you look at other people's myspace's then there might be a little thing that says "edited with Tom's MySpace editor" or something of that sort, and you can click on it, and...make some cool stuff happen. Haha, its kind of exciting. =)


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 4:20 PM  

 Not so much getting valentiney crap for your birthday as getting Birthday presents for valentine's day that sucks.

Never had romantic Valentine's til I met my husband, who is great at hearing what is important to me and acting on it.

My V-day plans have been updated, however, given a weekend visit from my dad, and news this weekend of a friend's stage commitment for the weekend.

This year, for my birthday, I'm taking my slightly stodgy dad to the Vagina Monologues, and then I'll probably spend the rest of the weekend making him sing Karaoke with my 10 year old, and really, what could be better than that?


# posted by Blogger Amy : 10:16 AM  

 badverb's answers to Gwen's net questions:

1. Reading blogs, yeah, but also Googling a lot of things for work. Shopping for housewares, in order to feed my towel lust. Occasionally doing random hits on my friends' wishlist item to surprise them. Spending too much money on books for myself, but I do that in the non-internet world (the outernet?) as well. Also, reading the newspapers.



2. Oh ... I'm bad at buying on eBay too. I sell things there, but I have little luck buying them. Hmmm ... I love all the housewares stores, and Nordstrom has good shoe sales online in spring. Amazon I use, but I'm sort of mad at them, so they don't really count as a favorite.

3. Pretending my birthday isn't two days beforehand so I can have a real birthday party without a whole bunch of sticky pink decorations. Oh, you meant ON Valentine's Day? Well. Cuddling Nounsgood, probably, and eating chocolate. I do plan to ban pink hearts, though, unless they're made of candy.

4. Calla lilies. I like the orangey-red ones and the purple ones especially.

5. If I had to redo my wedding ... the one thing I would change is the seating arrangement, meaning I would enforce it via the ushers. Three members of my bridal party revolted and refused to sit up on the platform with us (because they felt uncomfortable being on display, not because they didn't like us -- or so they said), so it looked really weird -- we had an empty table right in front of us. We played it off like it was for absent friends, but it was really because our friends were present, but acting oddly. Which is hard to explain to a crowd of 75 who keep asking why there's an empty table on the stage.


# posted by Blogger badverb : 10:10 AM  

 Badverb: You must repay your friends by embarrassing them at their own weddings. I suggest dancing on tables, or public nudity.


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 8:32 AM  

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