Accent: Standard Midwestern with a hint of Southern twang.

Breakfast or no breakfast: That depends on whether Dan eats all of my Special K with Red Berries.

Chore I don’t care for: Insert chore here: __________.

Dog or Cat: Yes.

Essential Electronics: Yes.

Favorite Cologne: Chanel No. 19.

Gold or Silver: Platinum.

Handbag I carry most often: I don’t carry a handbag. I’ve tried it, I don’t like it.

Insomnia: Guaranteed!

Job Title: Feeder.

Kids: Five cats, one dog, an African grey parrot and a leopard gecko.

Living Arrangements: Let’s not go there.

Most Admirable Trait: Um… I’m nice to people I like. I’m loyal. I once rescued a woman, her three kids and their dog from drowning. Hell, I don’t know, I’m a cranky, snarky misanthrope who hasn’t done much. I have a short attention span and no patience to complete things. Wait a minute, I got it! I’m honest. Some who have met me might interpret that as tactless, but still. It works for me. Besides, that guy really did need to buy a stick of deodorant.

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Um… I got in trouble in second grade for drawing naked women. The other stuff? No one has found out so far, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Overnight hospital stays: Twice when I was eighteen. First one kidney took a dive, then the other.

Phobias: Water, car crashes, centi- or millipedes.

Quote: Please refer to the handy quote thingy at the top of the first sidebar.

Reason to smile: When Solomon (the bird) makes burping noises.

Siblings: One brutha, one sistah.

Time I wake up: Around noon. If I go to sleep at all, that is.

Unusual Talent or Skill: It’s hard to describe, but I can turn my tongue over sideways.

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Not applicable.

Worst Habit: I pick and chew at my cuticles.

X-rays: I’ve had a few. Never for a broken bone, though.

Yummy Stuff: Avocados, raspberries, a rare tenderloin steak, Claussen pickles, pork rinds, home made mac and cheese with gravy, sashimi… I think it’s time for lunch.

Zoo Animal I Like Most: Elephants.

I saw this on Nick’s Bytes and thought I’d give it a try.

Here’s how it works . . .
• Answer each of the questions below.
• Surf over to Flickr (set up an account if you don’t have one–it’s quick and easy AND I DON’T THINK YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO THIS - SET UP AN ACCOUNT) and type your answers (one at a time) into the search bar.
• From the choice of pictures shown only on the front page, click on the one that moves you.
• Once the page with your picture opens, copy the URL.
• Surf over to the Mosaic Maker, set up your mosaic, and paste your URLs.
• Click “Create!”

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. Where would you go on your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. Choose one word to describe you?
12. Your Flickr name? (Substitute a nickname if you don’t have an account.)

Photo credits:
1. Cloud Bed, Courtney Skott, 2. Surf and turf, 3. Storm aftermath, Urbana IL, 4. llibreria - bookstore - Amsterdam, 5. LastEver, 6. Drink Dr. Pepper!, 7. (0430) Pyramid of Menkaure or Mykerinus (Giza) Egypt, 8. szechwan peppercorn creme brulee, 9. Cricket? Grasshopper? I’m no entymologist!, 10. Got milk?, 11. Lonely Fish , 12. Epicuro, la morte

Nothing like a crappy meme to brighten up my day.

1. Ten years ago I was: Lemme see. I was twenty years old and a server at the local Perkins Family Restaurant and Bakery. Yeah, still can’t forget that. I had just alienated my best friend, Worley (if he ever reads this: I’m sorry and I miss you), and I was an all around slacker. Most things have drastically improved. Some things just are and can’t be changed.

2. Five things on my to-do list today: Import music from CDs (I’ve gotten 22 done so far), watch Lost, start a new book, prepare tomorrows shopping list and tidy up a bit.

3. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire: Travel, travel, travel.

4. Three bad habits: I pick at my cuticles, erm… I still smoke (I know, I know, bad Courtney) and… Does a bad temper count?

5. Five places I’ve lived: Actually, there are only five places I’ve lived: Arthur, IL; Tuscola, IL; Urbana, IL; Champaign, IL and Kalispell, MT.

6. Five jobs I’ve had in life: Well, there was the aforementioned restaurant server. I worked in a movie theater, mostly doing projection. I spent a few years working sales at an independent pet store — I’ve forgotten more about fish than most people are ever likely to learn. I delivered auto parts and I was a customer service rep in Customer Care for Nextel phones.

I didn’t get tagged for this, but I’m doing it anyway; five, non-blog sites I visit daily:

1. At first I didn’t get it, but I’ve become obsessed (or is it possessed?) with LOL Cats. Sure, some of them just aren’t funny, and it’s absolute murder to read the comments, but the funny ones? Ohmigosh are they funny!

see more crazy cat pics

2. Postcrossing helps feed my urge to see the world, without having to go any farther than my mailbox. I’m up 109 110 postcards from around the world. It’s also a relatively cheap hobby.

3. I know, I know, who needs to register for yet another social networking site? But Livemocha is a little different. It’s entirely geared towards language instruction. You can take courses that are similar to Rosetta Stone, and converse with native speakers of the language you’re learning. I’m still hoping that they add Irish language instruction to their list of available languages, though.

4. I like to cook, right? Actually, it’s more accurate to say that I like good food. Sometimes I just throw stuff together, and sometimes I try what others have just thrown together. That’s why I spend way too much time on All Recipes. I also found the BEST Colcannon recipe on All Recipes. Wanna try it?

Colcannon
INGREDIENTS
  * 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
  * 4 slices bacon (I like to add a bit more)
  * 1/2 small head cabbage, chopped
  * 1 large onion, chopped
  * 1/2 cup milk
  * salt and pepper to taste
  * 1/4 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
*Place potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender.
*Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, reserving drippings, crumble and set aside. In the reserved drippings, sauté the cabbage and onion until soft and translucent. Putting a lid on the pan helps the vegetables cook faster.
*Drain the cooked potatoes, mash with milk and season with salt and pepper. Fold in the bacon, cabbage, and onions, then transfer the mixture to a large serving bowl. Make a well in the center, and pour in the melted butter. Serve immediately.

5. Even though I haven’t updated my reading list in a long while, I do still read, and I’m cheap, so I peruse the listed books on Paperback Swap. I really wish I hadn’t wasted a credit on Flowers for Algernon, but hey, I can re-list it, and send it to someone else!

So there it is. Five places where I enjoy wasting time. No, I’m not going to tag anyone, but I’d love to know what five, non-blog sites you visit frequently.

1. I think March and April are the worst months for me. The cabin fever is at it’s worst, and I feel more cooped up than ever.

2. We just got a Cue Cat to scan DVD’s and books into our Collectorz programs. It’s kinda cheap and plain, but it gets the job done.

3. I seriously need a drastic change. I’m not sure what that change should be.

4. I really want a new Swingline stapler. You know the one. The red one.

5. If we don’t find a place to live soon, I’m going to go crazy.

6. I’d really like to join a gym. There are a few here, but they’re either not in Kalispell, or have horrible hours. Seriously, what gym closes at 5pm?

7. I cannot wait until Dan gets home so we can start dinner. Mmmm… Spaghetti with garlic shrimp.

8. I’m thinking about uninstalling the video and audio comment plug-in. It’s never been used, and it’s kind of pointless anyway. Anyone wanna try it out before I uninstall it?

9. We got 10% off of next months Netflix bill. Cool.

10. I really, really need to buy new clothes. I used to be quite the clothes horse, but in the last few years, it hasn’t seemed important. Well, unimportant until you don’t have any.

11. There’s no new Lost until April 24??? How will I survive? I’m already in withdrawl.

12. I didn’t want Penn Jillette to get voted off of Dancing with the Stars. I’m a huge Penn & Teller fan. Monica Seles totally deserved to get booted.

13. Just once, I want to be able to eat string cheese in peace. If the bird’s demands don’t drive me insane, the 22 pound cat that takes a flying leap into my lap, will.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

If I say this is inaccurate, does that make it accurate? Dan is convinced that I have Asperger’s Syndrome, do you think these test results fit?

I know, bad, baaaad title. Apparently, if I believed in a soul, mine would be the Seeker:

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!).Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Five minutes to yourself:
I always have five minutes to myself, so it’s difficult to answer this one. Maybe just to kick back and zone out. That’s something I don’t often do, but it’s always nice.

Five bucks to spend right now: how would you spend it?
A magazine, baby!

Five items in your house you could part with, right now, that you hadn’t thought of already?
Raul, Maddy, Meg, Max and Jazz. NO! You don’t really think I could part with one of my cats, do you?

Five items you absolutely, positively could never part with in your house?
Raul, Maddy, Meg, Max and Jazz. There, that’s better.

Five words you love?
Floccinaucinihilipilification. Aesthetic. Botanical. Caterwaul. Cthulhu.
All for various reasons.

I stole this, without guilt, from Sometimes Saintly Nick because I’m sick and have no interest in a real post right now.

Your Personality Is

Rational (NT)You are both logical and creative. You are full of ideas. You are so rational that you analyze everything. This drives people a little crazy! Intelligence is important to you. You always like to be around smart people. In fact, you’re often a little short with people who don’t impress you mentally. You seem distant to some - but it’s usually because you’re deep in thought. Those who understand you best are fellow Rationals. In love, you tend to approach things with logic. You seek a compatible mate - who is also very intelligent. At work, you tend to gravitate toward idea building careers - like programming, medicine, or academia. With others, you are very honest and direct. People often can’t take your criticism well. As far as your looks go, you’re coasting on what you were born with. You think fashion is silly. On weekends, you spend most of your time thinking, experimenting with new ideas, or learning new things.

The Three Question Personality Test

I totally stole this, I wasn’t tagged, and I’m not tagging anyone. I feel no guilt.

1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Mostly wrapping paper, but sometimes a gift bag just works better.

2. Real or artificial tree?
Artificial all the way. I’m terrified of house fires.

3. When do you put up the tree?
December 10, my birthday.

4. When do you take the tree down?
January 2.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yuppers! I especially like eggnog milk shakes.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Oy! I have no idea, I don’t even remember them. Maybe Frosty, the Siamese cat I was given. I woke up Christmas morning and she was hanging out of my stocking.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Um, that would be a vehement ‘NO’.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Fabric Softener, and a six-pack of Coke.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Snail mail, if I remember.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Meet Me in St. Louis.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Christmas Eve.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Home made noodles. Otherwise known as pure cholesterol.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
My Christmas tree has clear and blue lights. The multi-coloured ones are just tacky to me.

14. Favorite Christmas song?
Maybe Deck Us All With Boston Charlie.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We usually go to Hungry Horse, but that’s not exactly major travel.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Vixen, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer… Rudolph? I guess not.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?
You can probably guess this one — a star.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
What’s the point of Christmas if you’re going to open presents on Christmas Eve?

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Where should I start? Pushy, rude shoppers, carolers, carols, Salvation Army bell-ringers, fruit-cake, long-lines at the post office/store/bank, etc., etc.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?
I suppose my tree has mostly blue ornaments.

21. What do you leave for Santa?
A warning not to drink and sleigh. ‘Cause you know people leave him booze!

22. Least favorite holiday song?
That effing bells song.

23. Favorite ornament?
My stuffed Classic Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore ornaments.