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Post by Siren on Feb 2, 2008 19:51:20 GMT -6
Lol!
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Post by Phalon on Feb 2, 2008 19:54:12 GMT -6
A silk jacket, an ascot....and a snifter of brandy, yes?
“BRANDY, n. A cordial composed on one part thunder-and-lightning, one part remorse, two parts bloody murder, one part death-hell-and-the-grave and four parts clarified Satan.” ~ Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) 'The Devil's Dictionary' (1911)
"Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy." ~ Samuel Johnson, quoted in James Boswell's 'Life of Samuel Johnson'
If not you, Moonglum, perhaps a drink for Jason.
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Post by Siren on Feb 10, 2008 0:05:06 GMT -6
Since we have quite a few cooks in here...
What's your kitchen specialty?
Mine: meatloaf, chicken-fried steak, spaghetti
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Post by katina2nd on Feb 10, 2008 20:47:52 GMT -6
Sounds mouth watering good Siren, I'm especially partial to meatloaf, like spaghetti, and I'm sure your version would be tastier then mine, and haven't had chicken-fried steak but it sounds yum ......................... what time do I turn up for supper tonight? My specialty, well I can whip up a mean toasted cheese sandwich, or toast and Vegemite. Don't know that I have a "specialty" really, but can turn out a fairly edible Casserole even if I do say so myself.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 10, 2008 23:34:33 GMT -6
Oh, I make a killer meatloaf too! Actually, it's never been documented that it's killed anyone, though there are rumors.
Just kidding - the family loves my meatloaf, which rarely tastes the same twice. Generally everything but the kitchen sink goes in there....or whatever is hanging out in the fridge.
Meatloaf, herbed and lightly breaded baked chicken, and chicken parmesean - just a variation of the baked chicken.
And salads. My pot-luck crowd always tells me I make the best salads. Unusual, I think was the word that was used. But I'm always asked to bring another, and the bowl is always empty when it's time to leave.
Katina - what are the ingredients to a Fairly Edible Casserole; I couldn't find it in my cookbook.
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Desire
Whooshite Apprentice
You may conquer with the sword, but you are conquered by a kiss.
Posts: 218
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Post by Desire on Feb 11, 2008 7:02:28 GMT -6
Roast- I make a roast that falls apart. Vegetables that simply melt in your mouth, and gravy that is scrumdiddlyumtious.
Don't like my cooking at all do I?
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Post by fallenangel on Feb 11, 2008 9:02:56 GMT -6
Chicken and dumplings, or Lasagna
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Post by Siren on Feb 11, 2008 10:05:48 GMT -6
Mmmmmmm, yinyang - chicken & dumplings. Love 'em! For awhile, we were afraid my youngest niece was going to turn into a dumpling, she requested them so often from my mom. And my hat is off to a good lasagna-maker. From what I hear, if you're doing it right, it's labor-intensive, like making tamales. But oh, how your dinner guests love you for all that work!
Hey, Desire, if it's a fact, it's not bragging! A great roast is one of my favorite meals. And the cold sandwiches the next day...bliss! My roast is adequate, but that's about all.
Gams, it doesn't surprise me that your cooking is never the same twice. It's a reflection of your creativity. I'm a by-the-book cook, which is a reflection that I have no artistic tendencies.
kat, I wish I could wave a magic wand and have us all around the dinner table together. Wouldn't that be fun? I'd be glad to whip a good ole Okie chicken-fried steak (steak breaded like fried chicken, then fried and served with cream gravy *low-cal, NOT*) for you. But if we really behaved ourselves, my mom would do the cooking. And can she cook!
Don't underestimate the value of your casserole. It's so comforting at the end of the day to come home to the smell and sight of a casserole, fresh from the oven. The more humble (canned soup base and a potato chip topping), the better I like it.
I forgot one of my specialties: my cornbread. I don't do anything secret or special to it, but my mom says it's the best. And any cooking compliment from her is praise, indeed!
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 11, 2008 15:39:11 GMT -6
My mouth is watering and it won't stop! Please feel free to share recipes on the Good Eats board.
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Post by katina2nd on Feb 12, 2008 1:10:05 GMT -6
Katina - what are the ingredients to a Fairly Edible Casserole; I couldn't find it in my cookbook. Well of course you couldn't Lady P, because you'd have no need for this particular cookbook, which is the hopeless-and-helpless, with-any-luck-it-will-turn-out-fit-to-eat-cookbook-of-culinary-experimentation, alternatively titled, if you're still standing twenty four hours later it was a success. kat, I wish I could wave a magic wand and have us all around the dinner table together. Wouldn't that be fun? I'd be glad to whip a good ole Okie chicken-fried steak (steak breaded like fried chicken, then fried and served with cream gravy *low-cal, NOT*) for you. But if we really behaved ourselves, my mom would do the cooking. And can she cook! Would be fantastic wouldn't it, and what a feast, your Chicken-Fried Steak, Gams Meatloaf, Desires Roast *with the scrumdiddlyumtious gravy* and Yinyangs Lasagna ........... any room left for dessert? Don't underestimate the value of your casserole. It's so comforting at the end of the day to come home to the smell and sight of a casserole, fresh from the oven. The more humble (canned soup base and a potato chip topping), the better I like it. Yep one of my favourite winter meals, and if you like em humble you'll love mine, they don't come any more humble I can tell you.
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Post by Siren on Feb 19, 2008 21:04:10 GMT -6
Next nosy question...
What would be your dream vacation?
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Post by Phalon on Feb 22, 2008 1:54:21 GMT -6
Oooo, fantastic dash usage there, Katina!!!! That's that's what cooking is all about: dashes and dots. Oh wait...dashes and pinches, I mean. Dashes and dots - that's Morse Code, and a cry for help, which, if you think about it, might fit in perfectly if I'm doing the cooking - Kitchen Morse Code for Those Too Choked Up To Yell For Help; I'll write it myself and make my first million.
I think a pot-luck feast at Siren's mom's with all of us around the table would be grand. If we all bring our "specialties" what'll Siren's mom make.....we've heard enough about her cooking to know that it's not something to pass up the opportunity to taste, (even though since we're all converging there, she ought to have a rest, kick back, and let us do the cooking). But, but, but....how can we pass this up? Ha! No one mentioned dessert as their specialty. Siren? Think Mom's up to it? Damn, a gooey rich slice of whatever comes fresh out of her oven sounds good.
Ooops, I popped in here to answer the vacation question, but got sidetracked talking about food - my favorite topic, it seems. It's late; I'll answer the dream vacation tomorrow, possibly after I dream about it tonight. Meantime....Katina warm up that casserole, and keep the fridge well-stocked with Vegemite, (is Vegemite a refrigerator item, or is it one of those last-forever-never-goes-bad type things); I believe you're going to have company.
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Post by katina2nd on Feb 22, 2008 19:45:35 GMT -6
Yep, that dash usage is something I picked up from your good self Lady P, hope you don't mind the flagrant plagiarism. Meantime....Katina warm up that casserole, and keep the fridge well-stocked with Vegemite, (is Vegemite a refrigerator item, or is it one of those last-forever-never-goes-bad type things); I believe you're going to have company. "I'm" going to have company? Thought we were converging on Sirens Moms place, or is this something new? Whatever, I'll have enough casserole on hand to feed an army, and I'm always well stocked with Vegemite, which doesn't need refrigeration, just sits in the cupboard until it's used up, I've actually had a jar that was stored away and forgotten about for several years and was as good as new, better really, it kinda ages like a good wine. ;D Oh and by the way, I have a dessert that I concocted [ sorta ] that's not half bad if Sirens Mom doesn't feel like cooking, just give the word and I'll knock a few [ dozen ] together. Sheesh Lady P, now you've got me talking about food as well, instead of answering Sirens new question, oh well it'll give me a chance to ponder on it.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 23, 2008 8:17:03 GMT -6
First to Siren's Mom's place for the feast of a lifetime, then I'm packing up the family and heading to your place for my dream vacation.
Katina? Katina! Somebody get a glass of water; some smelling-salts might do the trick. Oh damn, I think the Poor Man's fainted from fright!
I've been lucky enough to do quite a bit of traveling - not a great deal compared to some people, but I've been to Europe: England a few times, same with France; to Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, (yes, tiny little Luxembourg), Belgium, Germany, Spain...I think that's it over there there; it's been a while. And Oh! Canada, Mexico, and a coupla handfuls of states here. I'd love to get a chance to go to Greece, and Ireland one of these days. Alaska too.
But Australia! And New Zealand too! That's a dream of both Hubs' and mine.
Don't worry, Katina; I would not dream of showing up on your doorstop unannounced. Maybe just slug down a couple of Aussie ales with you, sitting in wherever one slugs down Aussie ales over there....no Vegemite for me, thanks.
Oh, and how are your child-sitting services; are you for hire? The girls, I'm sure, would love to spend an afternoon eating Vegemite sandwiches, driving around in a Ute, and then off to a footie game where you'd teach them the finer points of yelling at the refs, (no, no...I'm just kidding about the ref part; I'll provide them with ear-plugs). This would allow Hubs and me to do whatever Hubs and I would do with an afternoon to ourselves...if we ever had an afternoon to ourselves.
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Post by Siren on Feb 23, 2008 9:45:12 GMT -6
Lol! Ah yes, kat's legendary heckling of the refs. My sister read kat's (paraphrased) "a coldie in one hand, a semi-edible pie in the other" post after I laughed about it. And she has mentioned it a couple of times since then. She liked the part, especially, where fans questioned the players' "lineage, courage, sexual inclination", etc. Again, I paraphrase, but it was soooo funny. That is a classic, kat! Well, that makes 2 of us who dream of New Zealand, Gams. After seeing the breathtaking scenery on Xena, and on the "Lord of the Rings" movies, I've longed to see it for myself. I hope the hide-a-bed's a king-size, kat. With Gams, Hubs, the girls, and me, we'll require plenty of room! I envy your world travels, Gams. What a privilege! But, as I recall, you earned it the hard way. As for dessert at my mom's house, I would request that she make banana pudding. The best part is scraping the bits leftover, clinging to the sides of the cooking pan. The warm pudding is swoooooooningly good - one of my favorite things in the world! But I'm not above throwing an elbow when jockeying for position around the pudding pan, so be warned! And then, the joy of the pudding is two-fold. Mama can leave it plain vanilla, as used in banana pudding, or add cocoa, and make a chocolate pie, which is almost (IMO) as heavenly. And if we're really lucky, we'll get Mama to make some of her fabulous homemade strawberry-pecan ice cream. It's my second-favorite dessert she makes, right after the pudding. I can just see us all around the table together. What fun that would be!
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Post by Mini Mia on Feb 23, 2008 19:55:31 GMT -6
Speaking of BP (Banana Pudding, not Baby Phalon). I've never been a big fan of it. I will eat a little of it, but never more than a small bowl. However, I have had some VERY good BP. I learned that it was made with graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers. That BP I will go back for seconds, or even thirds.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 23, 2008 22:53:29 GMT -6
Oooo, I'll go for the chocolate pie, Siren! A thick slice, please.
Some of it was earned the hard way, Siren. Germany, which I must have really liked, because apparently I did a double tour of duty there, (not really - did love Germany, but listed it twice by mistake), Texas, Alabama, and the DC area, (I lived not only in DC, but both Virginia and Maryland while working in DC). Most of the rest were courtesy of another job I had for nearly fifteen years: Corporate travel consultant. Work had its perks; traveling was one of them. I'd have never have been able to do as much foreign travel as I did if not for that job.
Five in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over!" And they all roll over and one fell out. There were four in the bed, and the little one said....
Can you sense that I need a vacation?
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Post by katina2nd on Feb 24, 2008 5:41:25 GMT -6
First to Siren's Mom's place for the feast of a lifetime, then I'm packing up the family and heading to your place for my dream vacation. Katina? Katina! Somebody get a glass of water; some smelling-salts might do the trick. Oh damn, I think the Poor Man's fainted from fright! No no, haven't fainted, did go a bit green around the gills though, ya can't go springing surprises like that on a codger my age ya know. Don't worry, Katina; I would not dream of showing up on your doorstop unannounced. Maybe just slug down a couple of Aussie ales with you, sitting in wherever one slugs down Aussie ales over there....no Vegemite for me, thanks. Oh, and how are your child-sitting services; are you for hire? The girls, I'm sure, would love to spend an afternoon eating Vegemite sandwiches, driving around in a Ute, and then off to a footie game where you'd teach them the finer points of yelling at the refs, (no, no...I'm just kidding about the ref part; I'll provide them with ear-plugs). This would allow Hubs and me to do whatever Hubs and I would do with an afternoon to ourselves...if we ever had an afternoon to ourselves. Announced, unannounced, makes no difference Lady P, you'd have a 95.174% chance of catching me at home anyway, and I'd be absolutely chuffed [ that's pleased ] to have your good self and family as guests. And yep I'd even throw in the child-minding as a free service, take em off your hands for a day so you and Hubs can have a bit of free time to yourselves, long as you have no objections to LX and BP acquiring a few ockerisms and Vegemite breath, which can be a bit lethal I believe to anyone not accustomed to it. Lol! Ah yes, kat's legendary heckling of the refs. My sister read kat's (paraphrased) "a coldie in one hand, a semi-edible pie in the other" post after I laughed about it. And she has mentioned it a couple of times since then. She liked the part, especially, where fans questioned the players' "lineage, courage, sexual inclination", etc. Again, I paraphrase, but it was soooo funny. That is a classic, kat! I hope the hide-a-bed's a king-size, kat. With Gams, Hubs, the girls, and me, we'll require plenty of room! I'm absolutely certain I'd have no trouble finding space for you also Siren, heck if it came down to it I'd chuck a mattress on the floor of the living room for myself, but I'm sure it wouldn't come to that though, there's ample room. Oh and thanks for the warning about when we visit your Moms, I'll be sure to wear plenty of padding when trying for my share of your Moms pudding pan, though it sounds so good a cracked rib or two would be a small price to pay I'd say.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 25, 2008 9:40:27 GMT -6
Siren, since we are heading out to Australia, I thought I'd pass along some travel tips I received in an e-mail. I can not verify their accuracy, (maybe Katina can), but rumor has it they were taken from an Australian Tourism website, run by officials with a very interesting sense of humor.
Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? ( UK ).
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
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Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? ( USA )
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.
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Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden )
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.
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Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia ? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane , Cairns ,Townsville and Hervey Bay ? ( UK )
A: What did your last slave die of?
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Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia ? ( USA )
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe . Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.
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Q: Which direction is North in Australia ? ( USA )
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
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Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia ? ( UK )
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
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Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? ( USA )
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
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Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia ? ( UK )
A: You are a British politician, right?
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Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? ( Germany )
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.
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Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can Dispense rattlesnake serum. ( USA )
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.
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Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA )
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
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Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? ( USA )
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
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Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? ( Italy )
A: Yes, gay night clubs.
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Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia ? ( France )
A: Only at Christmas.
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Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the Girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross*. Can you help? ( USA )
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour..
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Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA )
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first
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Post by Siren on Mar 4, 2008 8:55:34 GMT -6
I've jotted those down, Gams, in my traveler's notebook. Good to know! Next nosey question: What were your best and worst subjects in school? My best was English. Worst was math. Favorite was choir.
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Post by Phalon on Mar 5, 2008 9:09:07 GMT -6
I'm pretty much the same: I loved English and it was my best subject, which is kind of funny when I think how I did - and still do - always pretty much make my own rules, grammatically speaking, as I go along. My worst subject was math; I've always hated it and that hasn't changed either. Even helping LX with her math homework when she is stumped is something I refuse to do; that job falls on Hubs, while help with English homework is mine. Amazingly, she is getting an "A" in both subjects.....which, LMAO, has nothing to do with either parent; she rarely asks for help.
I was never in choir, though; I'm sure I would have been barred from the classroom if I tried to enter. Singing, with my can-not-carry-a-tune voice, is something best left to the interior of my car when I have no passengers.
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Post by Siren on Mar 6, 2008 8:37:48 GMT -6
Our choir class was as much a social get-together as it was a class, though we did sing well when we got around to it. And our teacher was wonderful. She was so committed and encouraging, and even wrote fun little songs for the elementary kids to sing. I'm not sure that my old school even has a full-time music teacher anymore. The arts are alway the first departments to be dropped in times of budget cuts. But heaven forbid that they cut the athletic departments any! Really, really annoys me. (And that comment is from a huge sports fan.)
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Post by Phalon on Mar 27, 2008 23:44:39 GMT -6
Does anyone have any phobias that they’d care to admit to having?
I was reminded of one of mine the other day when I thought I’d take advantage of the late snow and go cross country skiing one last time this season…..and I had to get up on a ladder to get my skis down from the rafters. I have a fear of heights, which is called acrophobia….which I had to look up, which is not as scary as looking down.
Then there’s my fear of public speaking; that one I’ve mentioned many times. It’s called glossophobia, and I do not suffer alone. I’m such a commoner. Fear of public speaking is the most common of all phobias according to the Book of Lists…or the Book of Lisps, I suppose, if you had to give a speech on glossophobia, had it yourself, and started slurring your words because glossophobia suffers tend to race through their words with thick tongues just to get it done as quickly as possible. <long sentence….deep breath> Seventy-five perfect of the population suffer from it; it even outranks the fear of death. Jerry Seinfeld once said, "The average person at a funeral would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.”
There’s aviophobia – the fear of flying. After a couple bad landings....and one that was aborted when a private plane started take off on the same runway, (the only runway), as the plane I was on started to land, and I began to grow nervous. Then came 9-11; I haven't been on a plane since then.
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Post by Mini Mia on Mar 28, 2008 15:38:54 GMT -6
My biggest fear is the fear of the dark. And then there's 'things that go bump in the night' that have no explanation. At least when I went searching I found no reason for the noise. I only fear heights when I don't feel safe. In other words, if there's no way I could fall, then I love being up high, but if there isn't any solid obstacle that will prevent me from falling I hate being up high.
I fear the supernatural too. (The things that go bump in the night that can't be explained are done by them.) And yet I love to read horror. Being scared is a fun pastime. I'm so warped.
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Post by Siren on Mar 31, 2008 18:57:45 GMT -6
I have a fear of smothering. Have sometimes slept sitting up in an easy chair when I'm congested due to a cold, etc. Can't stand for the room to be too warm when I'm trying to sleep.
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Post by Phalon on Apr 9, 2008 6:36:34 GMT -6
I don't think warped, Joxie, because then I'd have to call myself the same. I am the biggest wimp when watching scary movies; I scream at the drop of a hat....or body, and usually watch with one eye open, and through fingers covering my eyes. Hubs has too much fun with this, because, of course, I won't watch alone.
But I've never had a fear of the dark, which is called either nyctophobia, or scotophobia, which is strange....scotophobia is also listed as an abnormal fear of the Scottish. Maybe a fear of Scottish Serial Kilters lurking in the shadows?
Siren's fear of smothering is called pnigerophobia, (yeah, I two-minuted drilled these). I had a friend who had such a fear of smothering that she could not wear a turtle-neck. Not only did the feel of something being around her neck bother her, she couldn't stand getting into one; the two-second feeling of being lost in the folds of material as it went over her head put her into a near panic.
I get to experience my fast-talking, sweating palmed glossophobia this coming Saturday. <grumble, grumble> When I got to work yesterday, there was a note on my desk; a Girl Scout troop is coming to the nursery, and I'm supposed to teach them.....something. They gave no indication of what; the subject is up to me. At least I've only got three days to stress about it. Maybe the subject will be "How to Dress for the Weather". (eye-roll) It's supposed to be a high of forty degrees with a rain/snow mix on Saturday.
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Post by Siren on Apr 9, 2008 21:33:42 GMT -6
"Siren's fear of smothering is called pnigerophobia, (yeah, I two-minuted drilled these). I had a friend who had such a fear of smothering that she could not wear a turtle-neck. Not only did the feel of something being around her neck bother her, she couldn't stand getting into one; the two-second feeling of being lost in the folds of material as it went over her head put her into a near panic."
That reminds me of my sister GG's childhood saying, which has become a part of our family lore. When my mom was pulling a smothery shirt over GG's head, Mama says GG would say, "You're zooting me!" In our family feeling smothered is being "zooted", or if you feel the need to leave a crowded or stuffy room, you might say you were "zooting" in there. Don't ask me why she came up with "zoot". She was just a little kid, not knowing how to express that feeling, and inventing a word so she could.
"glossophobia" - what a pretty word. A glamorous-sounding affliction.
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Post by Phalon on May 14, 2008 5:59:44 GMT -6
This is not a nosy question....just a "just curious" question.
What are the gas per gallon prices where you live? We hit $3.99 yesterday, up from the $3.57 it was this time last week.
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Post by moonglum on May 14, 2008 14:43:50 GMT -6
This is not a nosy question....just a "just curious" question. What are the gas per gallon prices where you live? We hit $3.99 yesterday, up from the $3.57 it was this time last week. Here's a frightening set of figure's, Lady P. Diesel, which I use in both my truck and car, and which is about 5 pence a litre more expensive than petrol, is currently averaging £1.24 per litre. The US gallon, I believe, is 3.785 litres. Your gallon, bought over here, would cost you £4.69 or 9 dollars. The British gallon is 4.546 litres and is costing us £5.64 or 11 dollars. I wonder what size trailer I could pull with my mountain bike?
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Post by fallenangel on May 15, 2008 12:26:50 GMT -6
It was $3.71 here yesterday. Havent been to town today though.
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