It Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time

QotD: What's in a name?

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:13:37 -0700

What is the meaning behind your birth name?
Submitted by turtlegod.

Didn't we cover this once before?

But I'll play along. A repeat story for many of you, new to a few.

Amy is derived from the Latin verb "to love". Amo, amas, amat. I love, you love, he/she/it loves. I forgot how to conjugate in the plural froms. Mea culpa.

When I was little, I was afraid that Amy was not a very good name to have as I grew older. It sounded like a little kid's name and would be simply silly for an old woman to have.

These are things I pondered as a wee child.

Then I discovered my Latin root and I regained some semblence of nomenclatural dignity. After all, I'm now related to such friendly words as amigo (Sp.), ami (Fr.), amore (It.), etc.

My parents took none of this into consideration during the minimal thought process as to my birth name. It's a very solid assumption that DadH had no opinion and/or input.

MomH wanted me to have a simple name that I'd be able to spell when I got to Kindergarten. She felt sorry for children with long and difficult names. Because you know, they'll never be able to figure it out.

Amy

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QotD: Ouch, That Hurt!

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:53:53 -0700

Have you ever broken a bone? If not, what's the worst injury you've sustained?

No broken bones but plenty of stitches. That said, I'm trying to think of the worst injury I've had. Hmm...

I was thrown off my horse when I was in Jr. High. Knocked unconscience and had a wicked headache for a few days. Most likely had a concussion but apparently my family was too busy to take me in and have it checked. I think I've recovered, regardless.

In high school, I was kicked square on the kneecap by an angry cow. Dropped me on my back in a flash, screaming and writhing in the middle of the barn aisle. An aisle filled with cows trying to get to their food, only I was in their way. My brain kept screaming "Get up! You are going to get stepped on the head!" but my body was screaming "OWOWOWOWOWOW!"

DadH grabbed my by the shoulders and dragged me to safety. Whew! He helped me hobble to the house and MomH decided to take me to the hospital for X-Rays. I was shocked. Really? "You don't mess around with your knees." Oh. Okay. Nothing more than a hyper-extended joint. I had an immobilizer splint thingie and was on crutches for a few weeks.

After that, some big spills running hurdles in HS track and a major spill on my roller blades. Those were mostly loss-of-flesh injuries.

I don't think scorpion stings count as injuries, per se, but they do hurt like effing hell.

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QotD: Tomorrow's Daydream

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:11:34 -0700

If you could do anything you want tomorrow, what would it be?
Submitted by Becca-Pink.

I would be getting on an airplane to jet off somewhere fantastic, like New York City.

New York City

While I'm there, I would be hanging out with some fun and rowdy peeps, like Dr. John, Dora and TJ.

Hot Toddies w/ Dora

Oh, wait. That IS what I'm doing tomorrow!

Dreams do come true!

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QotD: Procrastinating...

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:36:12 -0700

What have you been putting off all weekend?

My to-do list. In its entirety.

Okay, maybe I'm not THAT bad, but I can't vacuum in the living room because Elvis is in there sleeping. He's too cute and sleppy to move.

I also can't decorate my fridge with postcards because I have no tape.

Naked Fridge

But I do have the time and motivation to take and post pictures of my cat and my refrigerator. Huh.

Anyway, I've been fairly productive all weekend. I should go grocery shopping but it's so darn hot I don't feel like stepping outside. I walked to church this morning and was really woozy and light-headed by the time I got there. It was probably due to not eating breakfast and my low blood pressure, but I still hitched a ride home anyway. I think we're supposed to be 110 or 111 today. Blarg.

Okay, enough of this goofing off. I should probably get back to checking things off my list.

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QotD: Childhood Memory

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:52:02 -0700

What is a childhood memory that still haunts you?

When I was not more than eight or nine, our family Airedale terrior went for the neck of my younger cousin. Cousin Nate and been playing with Raymond and me in our front yard for about half an hour when Nate said his goodbyes and turned around to walk home. The next thing I heard was screaming and snarling. Rex had Nate by the throat. Ray started kicking Rex and Nate ran into our house, blood gushing everywhere.

MomH put compresses on, his parents rushed him to the hospital and DadH called the county animal control to come get our dog and have him put down.

I love dogs but sometimes I'm on edge when I meet new large dogs, especially ones who aren't either indifferent or busting out of their skins to say 'hi!!!'.

I also have zero tolerance for keeping dogs after unprovoked attacks. I would also not have any problem defending myself with fatal force if I was ever threatened or attacked. There were times walking around the farm, back by the woods, when I would come across a pack of dogs. I really thought I was going to ripped to shreds and I'm lucky I never was.

Now, the family has a pit bull that adopted them. Tyson, as in Mike Tyson. Ha. He came to live there and has not left. He is also the sweetest, smartest, most well-trained dog they've ever had.

But as with all of our dogs, he doesn't have much room for error. Violence and fear does not mix well with livestock and children.

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QotD: Rise & Shine!

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:54:46 -0700

What are your first thoughts upon waking?
Submitted by Cher Cabula.

It depends on the time. These are pretty standard times and actions below, although each occurrence may not happen every night. Sometimes, however, this is my waking schedule.

2:14 a.m. - Damn cat! Do you really need to flick your tail at my nose! There's a whole bed to lay on!

3:33 a.m. - Gah Elvis! Go clean yourself somewhere else! Stop with the licking already!

4:05 a.m. - No, Elvis, I don't want to play right now. Please don't purr so loud, mommy needs to sleep.

6:40 a.m. (later on weekends) - Where's my kitty? Where's my Mr. Wuv Wuv? C'mere kitty! Come get your snuggles!

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QotD: Since my first post on Vox, I've...

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:58:01 -0700

Look at the first post you ever wrote on Vox. What important developments or changes have occurred in your life since then?
Submitted by Alexandra.

Four things:

1. I still don't have a dishwasher.

2. I'm on the interwebs more than is healthy.

3. My avatar has changed frequently. I'm non-committal like that.

4. I've met a bunch of peeps and you are all as delightful in person as you are on here. Can't wait to meet more of you. But not in Boston. Yes, Arbed, I suck, I know.

EDIT - Okay, five things - I did break down and buy a DVD player in February of 2007. Such a sellout...

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QotD: Pet Names

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:36:05 -0700

What are the goofy nicknames you have for your pet? Bonus points for sharing a picture of him/her.
Submitted by Papi Chulo.

You will now listen to me...

Surprisingly, Elvis the Cat and Elvis the Dog don't have too many nicknames in common. I can't go around calling my cat 'Poop Eater', after all.

Elvis
Elvy-poo
Elv
Mr. Elv
Mr. Silly
Mr. Chub Chub
Mr. Fat Cat
Elvis Schmelvis
Pookie Cat
Boobers
Boobums
Boobie Doobs
Kittums
Sweet Kitty
Sweetie Pie Cat
Li'l Buddy
Buttercup - as in "Wassup, Buttercup?"
Best Kitty In the Whole Wide World

and last but not least -

Mr. Wuv Wuv

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QotD: Ten Years From Now...

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:04:24 -0700

Where do you want to be in ten years?
Submitted by baby3194.

I hate this question. Always have. It always gets asked in job interviews or other interviews - like the one I had yesterday. I can't even remember what I came up with. I think I said I didn't know and was hoping my experience in the leadership institute would help me figure it out. Or something like that. It was brilliant, I'm sure. At least it was honest.

Ten years ago this summer I was getting a divorce. Ten years before that I would have never imagined that was going to happen nor that I would be in Arizona doing it. So ten years ago, I had no idea I would still be here in Arizona and doing what I'm doing now.

Wherever I may be in ten years, doing whatever I'm doing, I do expect to be happy with the way I've handled what life has had in store for me.

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A Day Late

nobody@vox.com(AmyH) — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:34:56 -0700

In my zombie fog of yesterday, I never saw the QotD for a favorite painting. I saw other posts today and then realized I'm a bit slow on the uptake.

I know you were expecting another view of "Sunday on the Pot with George", but I'll spare you for a change. I don't really have too many favorite paintings outside of the Museum of Bad Art collection, but here's one I've always enjoyed.

It's in Vienna but since I saw it back in 1991, I went to some other museums around town this most recent trip. Have to maximize limited time, you know. More info on it here.

Jupiter and Io

So instead of visiting Io and lusty Jupiter, I saw this piece of seduction and submission at the Belvedere:

The Kiss

Like I said, I don't have a favorite painting, but I do like to look at them. Of course, tonight I'll remember that I really do have a favorite and shake my head at how out of it I am.

EDIT: Okay, fine. Here's George for your viewing pleasure. Gawd, I love this picture.

Sunday on the Pot With George

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