Note: it may technically be Friday, but fiscally, it’s still Thursday night.

Onesome: Are–Are you planning on heading out this Memorial Day? …or is it a ’stay at home and chill’ kind of holiday for you?
We’d considered heading up to Fuzzy’s sister’s place in Iowa, to see everyone, but they’re leaving for Europe a week later, and the last thing they really need is MORE people. So we’re rescheduling. Most likely, we’ll go to the last weekend of Scarborough Faire.

Twosome: we– ….and who is “we” when you go traveling? Any preferences that you can state here in blogland ?
Generally, just me and Fuzzy. While I like meeting people at destinations, I don’t like having to stick to other people’s schedules. As for preferences, I detest road trips. Flying may be uncivilized, but it’s FAST. I wish we could bring the dogs with us more, at least on overnights, as I hate going to bed without them.

Threesome: there yet?– …and when you get there, what are you going to do? …or if you’re staying in, what’s on the menu? Are you cooking out or just opening a can of tuna?
I like picnics at the beach, but other than that? Find me a restaurant with table service, please. Or let me just cook at home, with my frou-frou professional-grade appliances. If we don’t go to Faire, we’ll probably putter around the house, do some gardening and see some movies.

This meme can be found here.

Onesome: All– all the world’s a stage… So what types of issues put you on your soapbox?
I don’t generally talk about politics in my blog, but I do have strong opinions. My biggest personal issue is reproductive choice - it’s NOT about being for or against HAVING an abortion. It’s about individuals being able to choose what is right for them. Beyond that…social justice, peace, animal welfare, though not to the extreme that organizations like PETA go to.

Twosome: Things– what sort of things are you most likely to purchase “spur of the moment” when shopping?
Books, pens, cool stationery, hats, the perfect lip gloss, earrings, and shoes.

Threesome: Girl– sugar and spice and everything nice? Come now, what are YOU really made of?
Me? I’m baggy v-neck sweatshirts over lacy tank tops, and comfortable sneakers. I’m strong coffee, red wine, and dark chocolate. I’m pen and ink and 0’s and 1’s and words and music and rhythm. I’m jazz and blues and standards, old folk songs, and songs of consious, a touch of classical, a peck of pop and rock, a glimmer of gospel, and just enough country to make things interesting. I’m funky hats and dangly earrings and hair color that is subject to change without notice. I’m books and quilts, cuddly dogs and mugs of tea. I’m the scent of damp earth mixed with the essence of fresh-cut flowers: iris, calla lilies, sunflowers. I’m eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, and olives. I’m purple and forest green and faded black, alternating with fiery orange and red. I am one in the morning, and I am the morning sun. But mostly, I’m just Melissa.

Onesome: Light– Light chocolate or dark chocolate? …or no chocolate at all?

Dark, dark, dark. The darkest possible. My favorite thing about France was that every cup of espresso came with a tiny bit of chocolate noir - 70% cocoa dark chocolate. Bliss!

Twosome: or–Yeah, easy stuff this week Coffee with cream or black as night? Or maybe: colas or clear sodas? …or just water, thank you?

Coffee! Strong enough to kill a spoon, with milk (I don’t like the texture of cream), and two packets of Equal. Or, if I’m being completely sinful, a venti all-caramel syrup (no vanilla), extra-caramel (sauce) quad shot macchiato.

Threesome: Dark– Light-colored clothing or dark clothes? Which do you prefer to wear? Angel to goth, we’re curious?

I wear a lot of black, but I mix it with either vivid colors or icy pastels - jewels and sherbets, you know? I LIKE black. It goes with everything. But I’m not a goth, or anything.

Onesome: The next- What would be your idea for the next great reality tv show?
Before this month, I’d have said, “Queer Eye” for women, but that exists now. I’d love to see something like “Runway” done with writing, but there’s not much that’s visual about a bunch of people stringing words together. Maybe a behind-the-scenes at a magazine?

Twosome: American- What do you think of as typically American? Mom and apple pie? Afternoons at the ballpark watching baseball?
Lime green polyesther. Seriously, aside from our serious knack for conspicuous consumerism, I’m not sure what qualifies as quintessentially American. Jazz and coffee houses, I guess.

Threesome: Idol- Who’s the one person you admire the most and why?
This changes on a daily basis, but the list generally includes: My mother (really, there’s more to her than the Hurricane Susan persona I complain about), K&L in San Francisco, Liz, my aunt P.

Onesome: Fish- Do you have a favorite outdoor hobby or are you a strictly stay at home type?

I like gardening, and I like hanging around on beaches collecting shells, but we don’t live near one. As a kid I played softball, and roller skated outside a lot. And I really miss riding my bike, but I HATE bike helmets.

Twosome: Chips- Do you gamble? Lotto, weekly poker night or weekends in Vegas?

I live for poker.

Threesome: and mushy peas- What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

IF you define ’strange’ as ‘exotic,’ then I guess sea urchin and beef tongue are up there. If you define it as ‘odd,’ then….I don’t really know…I like peanut butter and banana sandwiches. For that matter, I like tomato sandwiches (like in Harriet the Spy).

Onesome: Christmas–Hey, an easy start for you, what with the new layout and all: What is your favorite Christmas song? …and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to listen for on the radio or hit ‘repeat’ on the player…

My favorites change depending on my mood. This year, I’m into Oh Holy Night, and Grown-Up Christmas List, but perennial favorites are Silent Night (I especially like the Spanish version), and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Twosome: Is– Is the longer “Holiday Season” this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas making it easier to get your Christmas act together? Last year’s was short; has this year flowed any better for you?

This is the first I’ve noticed that there’s any extra time, but, if you say so, I won’t argue. What I don’t like is that in retail Christmas starts in mid-October. But I’ve never liked that.

Threesome: Coming– Ready or not, here it comes! Are you ready? What do you have left to do with just over a week to go? …or are you just cruising?

I’ve done MOST of my shopping, just have to finish wrapping and sending. But I’m also having a party on 12/22, and parents descending on 12/18, so those things are foremost in my mind. Oh, and the carpets…have to clean those still!

Onesome: Dancing– Dancing? Does anyone go dancing anymore? I mean, disco died, and the club scene? Hmmm… Is dancing dead? …or are we just here on the web instead of out for the evening?
I love dancing, but my husband, typical geek, has no love of the activity, and even less rhythm. I live for dancing in the living room, at every opportunity, however.

Twosome: Polar– Polar bears seem to do well in the snow… How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? …and if you’re posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It’s okay to admit it…
When it comes to snow, a childhood split between Colorado and New Jersey, and then, later, three years in South Dakota, means that I have both been there and done that. If I controlled the weather, there would be situational snow, that lasted from the time everyone got to where they were supposed to be on Christmas Eve, and ended just before they needed to leave that place - but other than that, rain is my preferred precipitation, thanks.

Threesome: Bears– Bears? Christmas Bears? Have you seen the number of bears on the shelf this year? Are you getting one for anyone? …or are you looking forward to receiving one? …or do you still think that inguana in the elf outfit is more your style ?
I’m not really a stuffed animal fan. I liked them well enough when I was a child. Well, I do still have the Winnie the Pooh I got when I was a baby, but that’s a nostalgic thing, and I did pout at Fuzzy til he got me the Godiva-bearing (no pun intended) Vamp!Teddy from Barnes and Noble for Halloween. But for the most part I don’t see the point. (Although, last year I accompanied a friend to a Build-A-Bear place, and for a brief time I could see the allure.). So, no, no bears here. Chihuahuas wearing antlers, and toy trains around the Christmas tree, though, yes.