OK.  It's been a while, I haven't used this in forever, and now I'm going to live-blog the NBC broadcast of the women's national gymnastics championships.  Disclaimer:  while I enjoy watching gymnastics and skating, and usually follow both sports, I do not know much about the technical side.  Nor do I feel obligated to; this is fun for me, after all, not my job.  So I'd rather just relax and think what I want. :)  I will not be too mean to the gymnasts here; goodness knows enough people are already.

• How do you pronounce "Mustafina"?
• Go Aly... just saying... I feel bad because of all the hate for her online lately, which she does not deserve.
• I hear all these things about Anna Li, and I really appreciate older gymnasts, just seems like every time I actually watch her she has an off day.
• Feel awful for Rebecca.  I don't mind her "form" - glad she's not starving herself for the sport - but she seems so stressed, even more than before.
• You Don't Mess With The Memmel.  (quickly becoming my all time favorite, for independence and toughness if nothing else)
• What has Shawn done with her hair?  I know it's not her fault she's built like a fireplug, but I just can't get "into" her anymore.
• OK, I know about Aly's bar weakness, and I remember the mess-up at Classics, but she's done a respectable job on both routines here, even if not with the most difficulty.
• Is it too much to ask that there be some actual performance component to the floor exercise, and not just tumbling skills performed to some music that has to be there, with a stone face?  I think our only remaining actual performer is Vega, and unfortunately she doesn't seem to be in the mix for the top teams.
• I wouldn't put Shawn Johnson and "adversity" in the same sentence. (hello fluff piece)  Olympic all around silver and event gold, popular figure around the nation.
• Poor Gabby. :(  (after Day 1)  She looks frightened.  The bloggers were being harsh, saying her elite career was essentially over. (hello, ever hear of a bad day?  and how old is she, 15?)  Good to see her hit well enough to smile.
• I do not agree with Shawn's taste in leotards.
• Feel like Wieber has been predetermined to win.  I know about codes etc., but what I see from her does not stand out enough and is not all that clean.  Rooting for Raisman.
• And I do like Chellsie's taste in leotards.  And general a$$-kicking-ness.  (disagree with the haters of her hair - I think it's great. though it was a little longer at Classics? :(  )
• Second sanitary product commercial of the night...
• Nastia's hair is getting bigger, and her makeup is a bit much.  Quit trying to get her to say anything controversial in an interview.  She knows better.
• Maroney is getting better.  Thinking she has good odds of being on the world team. (along with Wieber, Memmel, Raisman, Sacramone.  last spot between Bross and Johnson - if Bross keeps going downhill fast.  just another prediction worth what you paid for it.  The one-event gymnasts and bars specialists don't seem to be proving themselves special enough to be worth it.)
• You can tell Alicia is determined to never fall off a beam again.  (Still stinks that so many of the general public know her for that only, and not as a multiple world event gold medalist.)
• Shawn is finally back in beam form worthy of her reigning Olympic title. :)
• ...and (just now felt like I could even type) how bad I felt for Rebecca before is nothing compared to now.  So painful. :(  The other gymnasts feel bad but have to go on with their meet.  Raisman did a very uncharacteristic beam set and was no doubt rattled by what had just happened.  As Rebecca is taken off the floor in a wheelchair, looking even more defeated.  Wondering what this is and how long it will take to heal. :(
• That just took the air and the life out of the whole meet.  Sac hit on floor, but how much joy can there be in it... and then there's Memmel (former world champion, half a lifetime ago) on bars.  She dropped off the bars - twice - and didn't get back on after the second time?  OK (and here's where I have no technical knowledge) is there some rule, or did she get hurt?? :(  She is usually the most consistent, but the injury has rattled everybody.
• So Jordyn is 1) unsurmountable, 2) predetermined, and 3) was lucky to not have to go right after the injury.  Probably is the front runner for Tokyo, with the Russian injuries, but don't jinx her.  I wonder who our other all around girl will be. (given recent :(  events)  Raisman?  Memmel?  Maroney? (possibly the latter believe it or not) 
• I do give Jordyn credit for a good beam set and for holding it together in rough circumstances.  Even though it will be hard to celebrate like you normally would.
• Chellsie with a bag of ice on her shoulder. :(  Is it true it's only a dislocation?
• Guess it's down to Maroney vs. Raisman for silver?  Raisman's floor looked decent; she is still shaken up.  Don't think Maroney has gone yet in her last rotation?  Or did they not show it?
• Jordyn will never give an interesting answer in an interview.  Accio Veritaserum....
• Wow, Mackenzie Caquatto moved up to fourth; Vega to fifth.  Bridget C., whom we never even got to see, is in sixth.  Well I guess that's what happen when two top athletes go down.  Alicia is "limping" too?  Are we going to break all our athletes before Worlds?  Are we practicing for what we do before every Olympics? :(
• IF Memmel isn't that severely injured, predicting Wieber/ Maroney/ Raisman/ Johnson/ Memmel/ Sacramone for World team.  But who knows between now and then.
• Yikes.  Off to see what the rest of the world says about it, I guess.  Guys' was less of a bummer atmosphere (on Universal Sports - which is only online for me - last night).  We had fun making jokes about "Towel Boy"; all in good fun, he did after all win.  Liking Horton as always, and also Orozco and Dalton, building up nicely to the Olympics.

1.    In which seat is your favorite to sit when you are riding along in the car? If you drive, do you prefer to do that over riding along with others? 
shotgun is my favorite.  I’d rather ride if the driver is a good one.  If they’re scaring me, then no, I’ll drive.

2. On long road trips, what is your favorite thing to do to keep yourself entertained? Are you able to easily sleep in the car? What is the longest trip on which you have ever been?
the best way to stay entertained is talk, look out the window, talk about what’s out the window, etc.  In the absence of good scenery or conversation, listen to music and/or read if I’m not driving.  Sometimes we read to each other.  I don’t sleep in the car well for long periods, but can take a 10 minute nap in my seat.  By the longest trip, not sure… these were all long periods of time… but there was the Austin, TX à Yellowstone thing, or any of the three “loop” trips (Virginia/West Virginia/Ohio/Illinois 2006, Cincinnati/Chicago/Michigan/Wisconsin/Minnesota/Iowa 2009, Gulf Coast/Oklahoma/Kansas/Nebraska/South Dakota 2010).

3. Did your very last bad day get any better? What happened to make it a bad day in the first place?
trying to think if any days have been particularly bad lately.

4. What is your definition of a clingy boyfriend/girlfriend? Are you one yourself? Have you ever dated someone who wouldn't give you enough of your own space?
A clingy person doesn’t want to do things separately and sometimes won’t let their partner even have decent conversations with others.  I used to be somewhat of a clingy girlfriend.  I never meant to be.  There were a lot deeper problems in it; I shouldn’t have been so devoted to that relationship in the first place, it wasn’t worth it, and hanging onto it more wasn’t going to fix it.  Things you learn.  I’ve never dated a clinger myself.

5. What is the most recent advice that someone has given to you? Did you ask for it, or did they simply offer it to you? Did you take this advice?
hmmm… I guess the last person I talked to that gave me advice was Dorothy, tips on how to survive in the teaching world.  I plan to take the advice but haven’t had a situation to try it out with yet.  I did not ask for it specifically.

6. Are you good at giving advice to others? Is this something that you often do?
meh… I used to think I gave good advice but now I’m not so sure.  I can only give my thoughts and everybody’s perception of a situation is different.  It won’t resonate with or help some people.  So… I give it if they want it and hopefully they take it with a big chunk of salt. 

7. Where did you last go shopping? What did you buy? How much were those items? Is shopping an activity that you like to do often?
Fortunately, no embarrassing spending this time.  My last shopping was at Publix before work the other day to buy a cabbage (to use in an experiment), shampoo, and then I added chocolate covered Altoids that were on sale.  These were about $1.50, $1, and $1 respectively.  I like to buy stuff but obviously that’s not good cash flow – wise.

8. Do all of your friends know one another? Do they get along? Have you ever been in a situation where you have had to choose one friend over another? How did that turn out in the end?
My friends either don't know each other or hate each other, and I've never had to choose between people.  Well, I sort of tried to make someone choose between me and someone else once when I was young and immature.

9. When you say that you are jealous of someone, what does it mean? Who was the last person that caused you to feel that way? Are you still jealous of them now?
Jealousy isn’t good so I try not to even go there.  I remember feeling it back when, back when I wasn’t used to accepting that things were not always going to turn out like I wanted.  (then it leads to other petty situations such in #8)

1o. If you are in a relationship and something were to cause it to end, would you be able to move on? How long do you think that process would take? Who was the easiest person for you to get over? Who took the most time to get over?
Actually not that long for me; I am a survivor.  Sometimes in my past those whom I wasn’t even in an official relationship with were harder to get over; at least I usually knew what I had to do.  “Drag yourself away kicking and screaming” if you need to.

11. What is one moral or belief you have that you know will not change? What is one thing you used to believe in, that you no longer do? Is it easy for someone to change your mind, or are you usually firm in your beliefs? Have you ever changed someone else's mind about a particular belief or opinion?
What will not change:  my belief in God and in a greater meaning to life than just survival.  I used to believe people were generally honest and now I’ve realized there is more BS out there than I’ve ever believed possible.  It’s not extremely easy to change my mind; on the other hand it’s not good for me to be too inflexible either.  I’m not very good at changing others’ minds unfortunately.

12. With which of your friends do you have the most inside jokes? Do you ever have a hard time re-telling or explaining these jokes to other people? Do you ever feel left out when others are having an 'inside joke moment'? 
Probably at this point Geoffrey because we spend most of our free time together.  I have some with everyone though.  I used to feel a little left out at others’ inside joke moments, but I try not to because everybody has them.  I do feel better when they explain them to the others though.

13. What kind of dreams do you tend to have? Which people generally make appearances? Do people act differently in your dreams than they normally would in real life? Do YOU act differently in dreams?
Usually vaguely silly dreams with obvious origins in real life/ real fears, but they don’t make a lot of sense.  Occasionally I get lucid dreams (fun!), but it’s been a while. 

14. Are you someone who likes the holiday season? Why or why not? What was your best holiday experience? Which was the worst? Have you ever received presents that you didn't particularly care for? Have you ever given someone a present that they disliked?
I like the holidays; the lights, food, atmosphere, music, meaning, everything.  It’s special.  The best year – can’t say for sure, most of them have been good.  The worst was 2001 when I couldn’t get home for Christmas (stuck keeping someone company who had to work; even though my teaching/academic jobs guarantee that Christmas is safe, those around me may not get those kind of schedules).  I try not to think about that one.

15. How would you describe your fashion sense/style? How long have you dressed this particular way? How did you dress when you were in middle school? Elementary school? When did you start picking out your own clothing?
I don’t have a lot of fashion sense or style.  Deal with it. :)  It’s not that important to me.  Mostly “whatever is cheap and looks OK”.  I have dressed that way for my whole adult life.  In middle school… well, I didn’t quite have any fashion sense at all (especially 7^th grade) and picked these bright weird things as well as some ill-advised hair experiments.  Ick.  I want to care for and protect all the sweet nerd kids who just have no clue, and give them good advice about stuff that will make their lives easier…  Elementary, I guess I wore what the other 80’s kids did.  I started picking it out around elementary school somewhere I guess.

Survey #2

Hello, care if i ask your name?
Jennifer, you should know that

And how old might you be?
35

If the opportunity presented itself, would you travel to space for your wedding?
no 

Do you think its likely that out of the entire universe that we are not the only living beings?
quite possible

Do you believe in evolution?
to some extent, though we can’t say for sure how far it’s gone… none of us were there.  I believe in creation regardless.  They are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

If you could attend any college or university, what would you attend?
n/a because it feels like I’ve attended most of them by now

Do you have morbid interests?
no

Name one interesting fact about yourself or your family.
ummm, last year on the way to work I apparently drove over a bridge/creek named for my extended family and never knew it.

What is the most unusual thing you have done recently?
what’s unusual for me…  I can’t really think of anything that would be unusual for me

Would you ever consider joining the service?
no

When you play truth or dare what do you usually pick?
truth because I’m a big chicken but I can usually admit to things

Favorite animal of the mammalian variety?
sea lion

What is the creepiest thing you have come across in the woods?
hmmm good question… probably icky dead things

What kind of car insurance do you have?
State Farm – expensive but worth it, it does its job well

How exquisite is your porn collection?
nonexistent.  I do have some class…

How old is your vehicle?
2002

Describe your handwriting:
it’s OK.  Neat enough if I want it to be.  If it’s just for me, I write as fast as possible.  It is a lot less legible, but I figure it’s just for me.


What scent is your deoderant?
I don’t know.  Good enough!

RANDOM | by shrinkmyworld.

01. If you have a Tumblr, are most of your posts reblogged or posted originally by you?
I don't have a Tumblr.  I don’t even know what that is.  Even after learning about myspace, facebook, twitter, foursquare (where apparently you learn where everyone has gone when running their errands for the day, not that anyone cares), I don’t know Tumblr nor what it is.

  
02. Whose death did you last hear of? Speak of?
hear of… probably no one I know well.  Speak of – probably Michael Jackson.

03. When a seagull comes over to you at the beach, do you shoo it away or do you feed it whatever food you have?
I don’t feed it.  I quote the “mine mine mine” from Finding Nemo.

04. On average, how many times a day do telemarketers call your house?
maybe once every few days.  We’re supposed to be on the do not call list.

05. Do you know anyone who served in the Vietnam War? Do you know anyone who served in World War I or II?
I have uncles that served in Vietnam.  My former landlord (RIP) served in WWII. 

06. Do you think you take things for granted? What kind of things do you take for granted?
I take a lot of things for granted:  free time, private space, comfort, adequate food, the “right” to be pain free, climate control, sanitation, hygiene, government and parents that will help you if everything else falls apart.  Just for starters.

07. When you're frustrated, do you ever just break down and start crying? Do you feel better after doing so?
often.  Usually after I pass through the rough crying stage I do feel better or at least able to handle whatever it is.

08. Do you like purple or green grapes better? Why?
Green, because the purple ones usually have seeds… right?  Well I haven’t tried any in a while, they’ve probably re-engineered them…

09. What do you eat first from a vegetable platter? From a fruit platter?
from a vegetable platter, whatever looks chewable without a whole lot of effort.  That takes out the carrots and celery; maybe cucumber or zucchini if I see either of those.  From a fruit platter, fresh pineapple or strawberries.

10. Did you know Lindsay Lohan is in jail? If so, where did you first hear of this? Do you know why she's in jail? Do you even care?
Yes, I know she’s in jail, because it is apparently the top news item of the day.  I’ve been hearing of it so many places I can’t tell you which was first, and I know why.  I like gossip and all but I don’t care that much.  She needs a bit of a reality check, so good.

11. Do you like the new Xanga? Why or why not?
how is it new?

12. Do you find lightning awesome or scary?
I usually like it

13. Have you ever watched "School of Rock"? Do you like Jack Black, or do you think he's a crummy actor?
cute little movie.  He’s fun.

14. What foods do you usually eat with whipped cream?
warm pie or other dessert

15. Are you counting down to anything right now? If so, what?
three days until the Texas trip

16. Do you take naps daily, or is it a rare occurrence?
almost daily lately.  Bad Jennifer.

17. Have you ever watched the film "Independence Day"? Thoughts on that?
yes; it was the typical summer popcorn-muncher of its year.

18. Do you know what the highest grossing movie in your birth year was? Have you seen it?
No.  Probably something corny.

19. Do you like the smell of sunscreen?
yes

20. Have you ever found a turtle while out walking or in your backyard? What about a snake? How did you react?
turtles are cute; never seen one in my yard.  We found a few cute little snakes in my backyard in Memphis growing up.  None of them were even remotely poisonous.  I still wonder what the one was that was patterned like a soccer ball.

21. Have you listened to any of the Twilight soundtracks? Do you like them?
do not even ask my opinion of Twilight.  It involves words that I try not to say on this Xanga.

22. Do you have any really old antique items in your house from your parents childhood? Are you curious about these items at all?
in mine, not a whole lot.  My mom has plenty in hers no doubt.  I am gradually growing more curious.

23. Don't you love when random people say random nice things?
sure

24. Does it bug you when people ask you to get people to follow them?
on twitter?  Or in the old UTSA parking lot so they could take your parking place after you leave?  What?

25. Do you get allergies? What kind of medication do you take for them?
yes.  I had shots when I was little and take an occasional generic Benadryl.  I am allergic to tobacco, dust, grass mold, and the state of Alabama and the whole Southeast, as well as to my own life.  So I probably need more meds but don’t want to pay for it.