17 posts tagged “qotd”

When was the last time you made a drastic change to your personal style (i.e., wardrobe, hairstyle, etc.)? What did you do? 
Submitted by miyna. 

This year I resolved to eat less, which more or less coincided with my marital woes, which helped immensely--without a spouse to cook & provide for, I was perfectly happy skipping meals and/or just having cereal. That change has led to a wardrobe change, because losing 25 pounds and 4 inches off my waist inside of a year has rendered most of my clothing unwearable. The downside here is small: I don't have the $ to buy new pants, so I'm cinching my belt up waaay too tight. But the upside--wearing the same size pants I did as a college freshman--well, let's just say I don't mind cinching the belt that much. Once I have a few bucks, I'm going to dress in whatever I want, not in whatever comes in my formerly giant size. I can shop off the rack at Urban Outfitters or Old Navy or anywhere else now, and I hope that'll be reflected in my style.

Now that I'm leaner, I've transitioned to salads for most munches and dinners. I'm feeling and looking better than I have in 10 years. On the dive trip I just took, the guys I hung around with were all in their early and mid-20s, and I didn't have any trouble keeping up. If it wasn't for the carpet of gray hair popping up all over my bean, I'd be positively boyish!

I still have some inches & pounds to lose, and I'd like to firm everything up a bit more, but at this point it's going to be more about maintenance. I'm a food lover, and a nervous/stressful eater. In the past, when times were tough, I would sit down and eat an entire pizza and a half pound of peanut M&Ms. Now I try to walk off the stress. Not that I'm under that much stress, but you know. I'm going to bite the bullet and join the gym here in town, and actually go 3 times  a week. Ugh.

I suppose another big change is financial. I had grown accustomed to buying what I wanted when I wanted it, and now my budget is tight enough that I have to shop carefully at the grocery store, let alone buy a DVD. But that's OK too--I'm eating well and happy, and my bills are just about paid on time. Once I move into my new, smaller, cheaper place (the next 2 weeks, oh joy) I should be able to pay every bill when it comes up and maybe, possibly go on a few roadtrips and/or a real vacation.

So more lifestyle changes? Yeah, between the move, becoming single, the diet, the money... I think Fidgette's favorite lifestyle change has been the sharp increase in the quantity and quality of her walks. 3 a day plus a hike when I can bring her along.

What are the 10 foods you must have in your refrigerator and/or your kitchen cabinet? 
Submitted by Carol.  

In the fridge: Aged cheddar cheese, OJ, bagels, mixed baby lettuce, Lactaid

In the cupboard: tuna, white beans, cereal (granola & Lucky Charms), microwave popcorn, peanut butter

BONUS freezer items!: soft pretzels, Boca Italian sausage, brussels sprouts, creamed spinach, assorted weight watchers entrees for lazy nights

What are the 5 words that best describe your life right now?
Submitted by mojito.  

Surprisingly happy, professionally fulfilling, busy

What celebrity do you most often get told you resemble? 
Submitted by Leets.  

For years I got Morrissey, then after Pulp Fiction came out I heard Quentin Tarantino. People stopped me in the street to tell me I looked like QT. Lately, nobody--until a few days ago. Tom Hanks? Me?

Why do you live where you live?
Submitted by memtony.

That's a great question, one that I've asked myself countless times lately. Who knows? I sure don't.

What movie cliché would you most like to live out in real life? 
Submitted by Wes.  

Not sure if it's a cliché exactly, but if I had my druthers, I'd want what Conan the Barbarian says is best in life: To crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentation of their women.

Like any sane person, I'd like a happy ending. Duh. I'll take the epilogue from Trading Places: That would be me on the yacht in the Caribbean with a young Jamie Lee Curtis. In a bikini. With mixed drinks. And millions. Except I'm thinner than Dan Ackroyd.

What do you absolutely refuse to eat?

I'm not a food prude. I work for a company that is largely vegetarian: Most of my coworkers don't eat meat or fish, and some are vegan. Me, I wouldn't want to live in a world without cheese. Although I'm a carnivore (especially for fish or chicken), there are some foods I will not eat: Organ meats, tongue, brains, or a literal face. I don't care if it's soused or what, but a pig's face on a plate is a meal-ender, straight up. Plus, the sight of a quivering liver or hideous kidneys on a platter will make me ralph. And tongue? Eurgh.

I also hate, hate, hate warm peanuts or peanut butter. I love Thai food for the coconut, but the smell of hot peanut sauce it a turn-off.

That sounds fussier than it is!

What time is your alarm clock set for?  Do you use the snooze button?

6:15 am, and I never snooze. I also never sleep until 6:15, so I usually turn the alarm off before it starts playing Crowded House.

Who's the most annoying person on TV?

No, not Trump or Bill "Falafel" O'Reilly (although they sprang immediately to mind) and not the charisma-free Brooke Burke. My vote for worst, most annoying, most hateful personality on TV is Elizabeth on The View. It is simply inexcusable to still be a Bushie, especially if you're cute as a button. How I regret rooting for you on Survivor, you neocon monster!

What other names did your parents consider for you?

Wolfgang. Really. My mother, bless her, vetoed dad & (paternal) grandma, and that could not have been easy.