Friday 5: Deadlines
This week’s Friday 5 is all about deadlines.
When was the last time you had a serious deadline to make, and did you make it?
I have a serious deadline each time Saponifier goes to print. We haven’t missed one yet!
Do you generally plan for deadlines, or are they more likely to sneak up on you until you’re frantic?
Work deadlines are planned out in as much detail as possible. Personal deadlines… well… they’re another story! One of my favorite quotes is from Douglas Adams, who once said, “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”
When did you last set a deadline for someone else, and did that person make it?
I set deadlines for the Saponifier staff; they’re amazing and meet them on a regular basis.
How flexible and understanding are you when it comes to other people meeting your deadlines?
One thing I always try to keep in mind is that life happens. If someone misses a deadline, I figure out ways around the problem and try to be as understanding of their reasons as possible. If they miss deadlines repeatedly, then they’re not reliable enough to be on our team and I replace them.
That, of course, is completely different when it comes to my children, who seem to view deadlines as mere suggestions.
What were the circumstances the last time you hung up on someone in the middle of a phone call, or the last time someone hung up on you in the middle of a phone call?
Oh gosh, I can’t remember. I’m not a hanger-upper. I hate if someone does it to me, so I try to avoid doing it to others.
Today is also #followfriday, so I’d like to share a few links to Twitterites that I follow and I think you should follow, too!
Of course, you should follow me: http://twitter.com/lunafate and Saponifier: http://twitter.com/saponifier
Here are some friend- writers, crafters, etc- who I think you should add to your list!
http://twitter.com/nessa_martine
http://twitter.com/OceanDoctor
http://twitter.com/LaurasEmporium
Friday 5 for March 5: Staples
It’s finally Friday! {This is where we insert random cheering, fireworks, etc}
Of course, Friday means its time for the Friday 5!
Of all the hundreds of sizes and shapes bread seems to come in, what is your favorite?
Braided Easter bread. There is just something special and comforting about the bread- and the tradition behind it. Mine are never very pretty when compared to others, but it is the only time during the year that I typically bake bread from scratch. Oddly, I love the process; my children love to participate, too. You might think we’d do it more often because of that, but maybe keeping it to the holiday makes it even more special?
This year I’m planning on trying something different. I’ve heard rumors about my great grandmother’s breads- they had amazing tops shaped like full Easter baskets (with handles!) or featuring doves, rabbits, and other woodland creatures peeking out. This is something I’ve never attempted; I’ve kept my bread limited to only reproducing the braided twist with colored eggs. This year, I’m going to expand my horizons and try a more traditional paska bread. I’m also going to attempt the more structured, decorative top. Wish me luck!
What’s your favorite thing to eat with rice?
This is an easy one to answer! My favorite thing to smother rice with is Jambalaya! Sometimes you can really tell I grew up in the southern states..lol. The current recipe (which made that dish on the right over there) came from a recipe out of the book, “The New Orleans Restaurant Cookbook,” a gift from my daughter.
The recipe was a staple in Corinne Dunbar’s (located on lower St. Charles Avenue, the restaurant was in operation from the mid-1930s until the 1970s) and was served with salad and cooked rice. I serve it the very same way- you don’t mess with perfection.
My second favorite thing to add to rice would be coconut. I adore coconut rice.
What are your feelings about milk?
Ambivilent at best.
What was wrapped in the tortilla you most recently ate?
Seasoned ground beef, lettuce, black olives, a four cheese blend, taco sauce and sour cream. Made for a very yummy dinner from last night.
How many staplers are there in your house and where are they?
Two – one on my husband’s desk and one on my desk.
Friday 5: Taboo
In order for you, my readers, to understand this week’s challenge, I need share a bit of information from the Friday5.org blog:
“This week’s 5 is inspired by the party game called Taboo, in which players must make their teammates utter key words by giving them clues. The twist is that each key word is assigned five Taboo words, and players are forbidden from using the Taboo words in their clues. For example, one key word might be milk, and its Taboo words might be dairy, cow, drink, white, and carton. Your clue might be something like, “It’s a beverage from Bessie,” or “You add it to coffee,” or “The land of BLANK and honey,” or “It comes out of breasts.”
Your task is simply to answer these five questions without using any of the Taboo words or phrases. Challenge yourself not just to avoid using the words, but to think of fresh, new answers to these sort of cliched meme questions!”
Now that you know the rules of the challenge, on to my answers!
1. Who’s making a positive difference in your life?
Taboo words: friends, family, husband/wife/spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend.
I think right now I’m making the most positive difference in my life. I’ve pulled up my big girl panties and dedicated myself to truly working on being a writer. As a result, those around me have become more supportive, offering feedback and encouragement at levels that just continue to propel me forward. If I had ever had an inkling it could be this wonderful to be a writer, I’d have made the commitment long ago!
2. Where would you like to be right now?
Taboo words: home, bed, anywhere but here.
I’m torn on my answer to this question. Part of me would love to be somewhere that is described with words like ‘windswept’ and that has rocky sea cliffs, heather and endless views. Another part of me yearns to be in Indiana, where my best friend lives, so that we could spend some serious quality time together- its been years since we’ve seen each other and the internet, while great for keeping up with each other, just isn’t the same.
3. What’s the first thing you’d do with a $5,000 (or your local equivalent) gift?
Taboo words: save, debt, vacation, payments, invest.
No questions here- I would buy a new computer (mine has SO many issues!) and a new camera. I’ve wanted both for quite some time, but never seem to find the money in the budget to allow me a guilt-free purchase.
4. What super-power would you really like to have?
Taboo words: invisibility, x-ray vision, flying, strength, transform.
My first instinct was to say empathy, but the more I thought about it, I realized how painful it could turn out to be. So instead, I’ve decided on super-speed. That way, when I find I’ve procrastinated to the point of danger, I can catch up without worry! On the down side, I’d eventually become accustomed to the super speed, thus procrastinating even more.
5. What’s your favorite sound?
Taboo words: laughter, music, ocean, wind, ____’s voice.
Well, this is a pickle. I can’t use any of my favorites, which are all included in the Taboo words, so I’m at a loss. Wait! I know! The sound of fingers typing quickly on a keyboard- the sound of writing, of progress. Yep, love it!
Friday 5 for July 17: Scattergories
This week’s 5 is inspired by the party game Scattergories, in which players have to come up with items, all beginning with the same letter, in several categories. The letters used in today’s 5 will be generated randomly by an online generator. So, without further ado, the Friday 5:
What random letter was generated by the online random-letter generator? (this doesn’t really count as one of your five questions):
T
1. With what famous person, whose name begins with the letter in question #1, would you most like to be stuck on a desert island?
Hmm… a toss up between Mark Twain (for the conversation) and Donald Trump (since he’d get us rescued somehow..lol)
2. What food item, whose name begins with the letter in question #1, can always be found in your pantry?
tortillas
3. What song, whose title begins with the letter in question #1, always makes you feel good?
Thank You – Dido
4. What is your least-favorite film whose title begins with the letter in question #1?
Tarantula (1955) – pretty much anything having to do with spiders is a no-go for me.
5. What unusual animal, whose name begins with the letter in question #1, would be a fun pet?
Tamarin – like this guy:
