When I logged on to VOX today, there was a question posted on the HOME PAGE asking when did I start my holiday shopping? I suppose they are asking about the Christmas Holiday shopping. It seems logical to me.
FIRST: Allow me to say this - - - - - - - I DO NOT SHOP!
I can't say it any plainer than that.
Today is Friday. It's the day AFTER Thanksgiving Day. I'm so full I can hardly blink my eyes now.
Just thinking about the fact that there are possibly a million or two people out there shopping right now causes my old heart to flip over in my chest. It's scary just to try and imagine what it's like.
Some of those folk were waiting at certain stores long before they opened up and those stores were opening early...at FIVE O'CLOCK AM. That's well before the sun comes up this time of year.
Thank GOD! The women in this household resisted the urge to get out there and join them today. OH! They've done it before. One year they bought a new computer for our daughter for around five hundred dollars because they got there soon enough and fought their way to the stockpile in one of the aisles before they were all snatched up.
I'm Happy Pappy. Do you know why I'm so happy? It's because I don't shop. Gave it up as a bad habit.
You will too if you are wise. You don't need to buy me a gift so forget about it.
There are some talented singers in my family. I'm possibly NOT one of them but I'm not shy and timid. I don't hesitate to embarrass myself and believe it or not, I don't drink alcohol in any form. I don't need to be drunk to be bold and uninhibited.
What song makes you rock the karaoke mic?
If you are really interested in my response, click on over to my Blog where I've written a post with pictures about my karaoke talent.
Happy Pappy
What game show or reality show would you kick butt on?
I've been gathering useless information and various Trivia fuel for many years now.
I believe I could kick butt on Jeopardy or Who wants to be a millionaire or any other TV game show that requires knowledge of trivia.
As with most people, I will play along with certain programs while watching TV. I always do well then. What I worry about is ... What would happen should I ever really get on such a program?
I'd probably make a giant fool of myself. Did I say MAKE? I think I may already be there.
They wouldn't listen to me so they had to pay the price.
A word to the wise is usually sufficient. I could go on quoting cliches for a few minutes but it wouldn't help this entry a bit.
Check this out!
We were sitting outside on the new patio.
Having just eaten a very enjoyable meal, we decided to play a "friendly" game of poker (friendly meaning no money was involved, only chips).
We were having a good time and before we knew it, the sun had set and it was getting difficult to see well.
It was myself and five women, trying to wring the most out of the dwindling summer. There was no clear winner yet so no one was ready to quit playing.
It was about then that someone suggested we turn on the outside light so we could see better. I interrupted, telling them I thought it would be a mistake. So far, the bugs hadn't been too bad that evening but turning on that light was sure to change that pleasant fact. It was like they couldn't hear me. I hate being ignored. Someone got up and turned on the light and the game continued...for almost five minutes I'd estimate.
Suddenly, Sue who was sitting to my left shrieked as something brushed the top of her head, almost getting hung up in her hair. Sue's like that; doesn't care much for bugs of any kind, especially when they land in her hair. I don't have hair, so I can't relate to the sensation.
The thing that brushed Sue's hair continued on and ended up on Gail's chest. Gail was positioned just across the table from Sue. I believe it was I who shouted out..."It's a Praying Mantis!" Gail used one hand to brush the Mantis off and it landed with a noticeable sound, something akin to dry leaves rustling because it was trying to take off again but its wing casings were tangled up a bit.
This was a large, female Mantis. I know because there once was a time that I collected them in mason jars so I could observe them for a school science project.
I know they CAN bite because they have no trouble tearing apart the males who come courting them and eating them after they mate. It's a well known fact I believe. I used to handle them with bare hands and have never been bitten. Just lucky I suppose. Whether they can or will bite is neither here nor there; no one wants a large bug crawling all over them or even landing on them unexpectedly.
The Mantis righted itself and realigned it's flying apparatus, looked right at Sue and with another loud sound, took off and flew directly between Sue and I, both of which were leaning as far to the right and left as possible to allow it the widest of take-off lanes. It flew between us and out into the darkness just beyond the light's glow.
Needless to say...the card game was over. GOOD NIGHT Mother Nature whereever you are.
Here's a picture of me when I was VERY young, perhaps two or three years of age.
It's bad enough that they hung this terrible first name on me (Clarence) but I've put up with it because it's my favorites uncle's name too. He was my namesake I am told.
If you guess it, you WILL NOT receive any prize of any kind. You will simply have to accept the fact that you were the most intuitive (read ESP) one around right now. So don't go off and pout if you guess it correctly and then get angry about not getting a prize of some kind. Don't say you were not informed in the beginning.
HINTS
My middle name begins with an "A."
It's all I can do to admit that it's a female type name.
That's all the hints you are going to get.
Ready! Set! Guess!
