Saturday, August 23, 2014

The Sunshine Award (Mark's Version)


Thank you to Nevillegirl for tagging me to do this post. I always enjoy responding to prompts like this, even if it puts the pressure on.

Without further ado, here are my responses to The Sunshine Award. I just hope I'm doing it right:

Five facts about myself . . .

1. I have broken three bones in my life, but none for over 20 years.

2. Clowns creep me out. Like, a lot.

3. I wish I had more time to read because my to-be-read list grows exponentially.

4. Almost every movie I ever watch makes me cry at some point. I've learned to accept that and not resist.

5. Being a father to a daughter is scary, but not as scary as I thought it would be, at least on most days. I love being a father to both a son and a daughter.


Next, Nevillegirl's five questions . . .

1. What book will you read next?

Can I just tell you what I'm reading now? It's taken me long enough to get through it that it's kind of like reading it "next." I'm reading Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett right now. Next? Probably Landline by Rainbow Rowell.

2.Do your parents, siblings, or any other relatives read your blog? What do they think of it?

My immediate family? Yes, they do read it, and they really seem to like it. My sister-in-law Emily is a faithful reader. The rest of my extended family is sort of hit and miss, but they seem to enjoy what they read.

3. What is the funniest thing you’ve seen or heard recently?

We just saw "What If?" in the movies. That had some pretty funny dialogue. In today's day and age we're bombarded constantly with things that are supposed to be funny and I think it's getting harder to impress me. Sad, but true.

4. If you could choose, right now, to be either ten years younger or ten years older than you currently are, which option would you pick?

I would be ten years younger, but not because I'm scared of getting older. I would love to have a second chance at my 30s. As great as life has been there are quite a few things where a do-over would be nice.

5. What is your quest?

To seek the Holy Grail. (Just don't ask me the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow, because I don't knowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!) Oh, and I am on the quest for the perfect carnitas.


And, five questions from me:

1. Tell me about your mother.
2. There are two choices: 1. Perfect health, but a complete inability to remember anything the next day or, 2. A perfect memory, but having only the ability to observe life around you, not directly participate. Which do you choose?
3. Imagine your nemesis has developed a way to force you to read anything he or she chooses. What reading material will be first on the list of tortures?
4. Sea salt caramel. A passing fad you want to see disappear, or the greatest trend ever?
5. What do you think of going barefoot?


The nominations are always the hardest part for me, especially since Stacy is often tagged as well. I'm going to cop out and say I tag anyone who reads this post and feels moved to share. Enjoy!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to try not to cry during sad books/movies/TV shows, but then... Doctor Who. Also, A Song of Ice and Fire. Now I don't worry if I look like a dork for crying over a book because, hey, it's sad.

Why is being a father to a daughter scary??

OH YES *fist-pump* Someone got my "what is your quest" reference! :D

Emily said...

I know Dave reads but doesn't usually comment on any blogs he reads. Don't take it personally. :)

I cry at every movie too, it's kind of ridiculous.

LMW said...

I cry at movies with touching scenes, the most surprising being sports movies and shows (Friday Night Lights, the show). I don't even like sports, but sports movies get me just about everytime! I also cry at movies or shows that involve animals dying or very sick, but I typically don't cry at movies when people die. When people die in movies, I tense up and will even feel sad, but no tears. It's just animal deaths that get me that way. How strange, I know.

I'd like to answer your questions, but they're making my brain want to explode!:)

The Magic Violinist said...

Okay, I really have to watch "Monty Python" now.

Ha ha, we've watched some pretty rough stuff recently, too. "The Fault In Our Stars," "Parenthood," "Dead Poets Society," (and I feel like I'm missing something).

Nice questions. ;) Mine are never quite as elaborate.

Boquinha said...

Ooh, I'll play. And to vary it, I'll answer your questions since you've answered Nevillegirl's questions so well already!

I'm almost done with Landline.

Dr. Mark said...

@nevillegirl: That's how I feel about crying. If it's the natural emotion, so be it. I even got teary multiple times at the movies today.

Why is it scary to be a father to a daughter? Admittedly that attitude is a bit sexist at its core, and that's not right. I guess it's because I feel like women still don't get a fair chance in life for a lot of things. We talk a good game about equality, but a lot of our social conventions can treat women as less than, even to the point of accepting responsibility for the actions of other people. I will say that when I see some college kid eyeing my 14-year-old daughter my blood heats up a little bit. I shouldn't worry too much--Thing 1 can sure take care of herself!

The quest question was a gimme. Glad I could brighten your day.

@Emily: I'm guilty of the same thing. I should really comment more on what I'm reading.

@LMW: That's interesting. It just goes to show that we are all affected in different ways by different things. It keeps the world balanced in a sense. I'm not surprised about sports movies. I'm the same way. "Field of Dreams" and "Hoosiers" are two in particular that can get me going.

@TMV: "Monty Python" is a must see. We'll have to remedy that before too long. Of course the "rough stuff" will get me, but even the so-called fluff can get me, too.

@Boquinha: I'm sorry about the questions. I kind of figured you'd do Nevillegirl's. Apparently mine cause heads to explode.

LMW said...

Hahaha!! They're great questions, but I can't wrap my head around what answers I'd give to them.:)

LMW said...

Okay, Mark, I'll do this. I think you should answer these questions too though.:)

1. Tell me about your mother.

Whoa! We all know that Mothers are a hot button issue.:) She is strong willed, quick tempered, fierce and likes to have control. However, she is also sensitive, self conscious, loves fiercely and will do just about anything in her power to help her children. She loves her family, but could probably take or leave most other people. Her faith is strong, even though her church activity isn't as as strong. I neversomehow never doubt that she has a strong testimony and faith in the Church. She's an interesting paradox that I've come to appreciate more now that we have an adult mather-daughter relationship. We're nothing alike, but I love her deeply. And I'm really glad that she's not a phone person either.:)


2. There are two choices: 1. Perfect health, but a complete inability to remember anything the next day or, 2. A perfect memory, but having only the ability to observe life around you, not directly participate. Which do you choose?

I'd easily choose the first option, but it would be sad to not be able to remember the good times.


3. Imagine your nemesis has developed a way to force you to read anything he or she chooses. What reading material will be first on the list of tortures?

Chicken Soup for the Soul?


4. Sea salt caramel. A passing fad you want to see disappear, or the greatest trend ever?

I didn't even realize this was a fad or trend.:) Sounds kind of good though.


5. What do you think of going barefoot?

I love it!! I don't like wearing socks or shoes, because my feet get hot too easily and then it makes me hot in general and, unlike Stacy, I hate to be hot. Pleasantly warm is nice, but not hot. If I'm inside, my shoes are te first to come off and I'll wear sandals until it's just too cold to wear them any longer.

These are awesome questions!!

LMW said...

Sorry for all of the spelling/typing errors. Sheesh!

Boquinha said...

Oooh, I enjoyed reading your answers, LMW! I like learning more about you!

Boquinha said...

(I really love the paragraph about your mother - she sounds like an interesting person and the two you of must have an interesting dynamic. I'm pretty fascinated by mother-daughter relationships).