The MI-5

Susan says: The rules are simple: You MUST pick one of the choices. You can explain your answer in more detail if you wish.
Would you rather:

1. Be able to stop time while you slept, OR Never have to do laundry?

I would rather stop time. If time stopped while I was sleeping, I’d have eight extra hours in my day. I certainly don’t spend eight hours doing laundry. Heck, if time stopped, I could do the laundry, iron, fold it, and put it away, and still come out ahead hours wise. I like this idea!

2. Hit every red light for the rest of your life, OR always be wrong?

I hate being wrong. I’ll take the lights.

3. Be debt free (except for your house), OR eleven years ahead of schedule on your mortgage?

I’m already mostly debt free, so I’ll take the eleven years ahead on the mortgage.

4. Always take a cold shower OR sleep an hour less than you need to be fully rested?

I think I’ll opt for the shower. That only lasts a few minutes. I’ll endure a few minutes of cold to get that extra hour of sleep!

5. Always have to say everything on your mind OR never speak again?

I’d rather not speak. Some of the stuff that runs through my mind is pretty depraved, and I’d rather not say it out loud. I’d rather control my tongue, and have to write everything to communicate.

Melanie sayz:

“Mi5 – 4/3 asks 5 party themed questions and because its April 3rd, I am going to ask you to give 4 answers followed by 3 details”

1. Just recently I started holding a monthly ‘Game Night’ to help give friends an excuse to get out of the house and get together. We kicked it off with a Murder Mystery Party which was great fun, most recently we gathered to play a game of cards called “Bull Donkey” the laughter went on all night. Tell us 4 games you like to play and include either 3 things (memories, feelings, skills, commonalities etc.. related to them)

Four games, huh. How about Trivial Pursuit Star Wars edition, Trivial Pursuit Genus Edition, Jenga, and Life. Three things related… Well, I remember playing Star Wars trivia with Susan. The question was: What was the serial number of the Storm Trooper’s uniform that Luke wore in “A New Hope.” When I correctly answered “TK-421,” Susan said something to the effect of “If you know that, there’s no way I’ll ever win!” Jenga is a game I like to play with the boys, and Life is something Susan and Julia like to play. Susan asked for a new version of Life for Christmas, as her old version was getting beat up.

2. When thinking of throwing a party what 4 people are always at the top of your list and tell us 3 things about them that put them there.

Jim Thompson, Paddy Rowling, Pastor Dave, and brother-in-law Dwane. Why are they there? They’re my man friends–and I don’t have too many. Jim’s been by bud for a long time. Paddy’s a great mixer, and knows a lot about everything. Dwane’s got super energy, and would be the life of the party. I’ll be outside cooking, trying to stay out of the way.

3. Most parties include food, share with us 4 favorite party dishes but only 3 adjectives to describe each one

My sister’s cocktail meatballs are saucy, sweet, and delicious. Aunt Ginny’s ham casserole is cheesy, hot, and brown. Mom’s “cheeze mess” is bubbly, bacon-y, and tangy. Susan’s cheesecake is rich, heavy, and not made with enough frequency!

4. Think back over your years and pick 4 parties you have been a part of and tell us 3 things about those parties. (What was it for, what did you wear, who did you see, how did you feel, what did you eat, what made you laugh, what happened, why did you go etc..)

My bachelor party was attended by me, my Dad, my father-in-law, my pastor (at that time), and my boss. It was, in actuality, lame. My wedding reception was hot. That’s all I got. I don’t go to parties. I’m usually in a club/bar/restaurant with a some band every weekend. When I get time off, I usually don’t want to go party.

5. A popular ice breaker at parties is “The Guessing Game” where you write down words that describe someone and people have to guess who that is. Pick one person from the MI-5 list and give us 4 words that describes them. Then choose a person place & thing that reminds you of that person. (making a total of 7 words) We can all make our guesses during the week, just please let us know who it was by next Friday.

Sexy, silly, cute, smart. Place=a little park by a lake in Washington ME. Thing=cheesecake and kisses. Person? I need to think of a person that reminds me of this other person? I don’t know, you got me there. You can guess without that, I’d venture.

I think it’s been three weeks since I did an MI-5. One of those weeks I was the author! I hope to get those weeks done at some point. This week, though, I’m back on the bandwagon!

Lisa said: I’ve been shopping a lot this week, so this week’s 5 is inspired by several of the stores I have been to:

1. TJ MAXX – I have no idea what the “TJ” in TJ Maxx stands for. Do know of someone who goes by his/her initials, instead of his/her full name? What is their full name? Why do they prefer initials? Tell us a little bit about this person.

TJ Kierstead was a guy I went to high school with. He played bass in a band I was in. I also remember going to Massachusetts with him in a small U-Haul to pick up some things at his mother’s house. We listened to Johnny Winter, AC/DC, and Van Halen all the way down. If I recall, TJ was short for Thomas Justin. Many people called him “Teej.”

2. TARGET – Tell us a story about target practice, hunting, or some sort of “shooting” activity.

I love shooting. I really wish I had opportunity to do it more. You can see some photos of me at the range here and here. (My boss, JP, took some GREAT shots at that second link.)

3. DOLLAR TREE – What’s the best bargain going nowadays? Is there anything you buy that is really only $1.00 (or less)?

The dollar menu at McD’s is cheap musician eats when your on the road. I’d really prefer not to eat there, but cheap is king to me.

4. BIG LOTS – What would your perfect house lot look like? Would it be big? Smaller, with less lawn care? Water feature? Stone wall? Fenced in yard? Wooded?

It would need to be near the ocean. Right on some rocky coast would be nice. Some woods is good, but not too much. Definitely put me down for a stone wall. Love ’em! And, I’d take an old graveyard on the property, too.

5. WENDY’S – When you have an “all-day” excursion planned, do you prefer to sit down and eat a meal at a restaurant, or do you prefer a drive-through type experience in order to save more time for other activities?

As per #3, I’d prefer not to eat at a fast food place. I’d rather go to a restaurant we don’t have around home. Since the kids are probably with us, it would probably be a chain restaurant like Bugaboo Creek, Macaroni Grill, or something like that. That way, the kids can get their chicken strips, but I can have something that doesn’t come in a box, or something I don’t have to unwrap. Hurray for plates!

1. Now that it’s warmer (or when it gets warmer if it’s still cold where you are) what are you looking forward to doing outside?

Absolutely! Scooter riding is high on the list, as if you haven’t read. (Maybe you haven’t read; read a few posts down.) Also, I’m looking forward to getting the grill out. Since it’s a little warm here today (about 40, I guess), I’m planning on getting the grill out of the garage, and having some steaks tonight!

2. Are there any special memories or moments that you associate with spring?

No, not really. We boys always got bolos from Ma on Easter, and that’s turned into a bit of a tradition.

3. It’s definitely greener here now. Is it green yet where you are? What are some of the first signs of spring you have seen or look forward to seeing?

It’s not green here yet. In fact, the snow isn’t even all gone yet. I did see someone putting daffodils in a vase today, so spring should be coming soon.

4. Do you have any spring cleaning rituals?

Only that we like spring cleaning, and it’s nice to open the windows and have the fresh air blow in. It’s rather dusty right now in the Batty household, so some spring cleaning will be nice.

5. Are you Irish? Do you take part in any special St. Patricks Day celebrations?

There probably is some Irish in the blood-line somewhere along the way, but I don’t really consider myself Irish. Ma usually makes corned beef and cabbage on the 17th, but I don’t really care for “boiled dinner.” I like corned beef sandwiches, and corned beef hash, but just a boiled dinner doesn’t appeal to me that much.

Here’s what you do. I start a story with five words. You continue the story with five more words. The next person adds five words, and so on, until we have 300 pages that will take Stephen King out of the best seller slot. Ready? Continue the story in the comments section.

“She knew the envelope contained…”