kc bob: MEME

Showing posts with label MEME. Show all posts

what it means to stay positive

These words speak to me about having a resilient attitude. They remind me to keep going in hard times.

I have had a rough week. I needed to be reminded that success often looks like just keeping on keeping on.

So in the coming days I will purpose to live one day at a time and find joy in things both small and large.

a spring meme

My obligatory seasonal meme with a tip-o-the-hat to my friend Ollie.

Favorite smell - bacon, of course
First job - YMCA camp counselor
Current job - VP of Human Resources, Retirement KC
Dream job - I no longer dream about employment.
Astrological - Taurus, you now I am bullish. ツ
Favorite Pizza- Chicago Deep Dish … joking … NYC pizza of course!
Favorite foot attire- Crocs that I use for slippers.
Roller Coasters - Yuk!
Favorite candy - Chunky with M&M Peanuts a close second.
Favorite ice cream - Pistachio
Pet Peeve - Folks who say "the bible says" based on their interpretation.
What are you listening to right now - the sound of silence
Color of your vehicle -tan
Color of eyes - blue
Favorite holiday - every day is a holiday when you are retired
Night owl, morning or day person - morning
Favorite day of week - Monday
Tattoos - No but if I did it would be Lady Liberty
Like to cook? As long as a frying pan or grill is involved.
Beer or wine or neither? Depends on the meal.
Can you drive a manual transmission? Sure but ramped vans are all automatic.
Favorite color? Blue
Do you like vegetables? Depends
Do you wear glasses? Sometimes
Favorite season - Spring

Share how you would answer in the comments or on your blog.

It's fun to learn odd little things about people.

the 007 meme

I have loved these stories since I consumed all of the Ian Fleming spy novels in high school. So I thought it appropriate to do a meme based on the movies that I (mostly) love so much. Answering with my favorite Bond:

car: BMW 750iL (with remote control drive) in Tomorrow Never Dies

gadget: Oddjob's bowler hat was great. 007 watches always had cool stuff.

location: Hard to beat Jamaica in Dr No and Golden Eye.

song: All Time High from Octopussy. Runner-up is Live and Let Die.

singer: Shirley Bassey for Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever.

movie: Goldfinger. Tomorrow Never Dies is a close second.

actor: Sean Connery. Pierce Brosnan is runner-up.

henchman: Harold Sakata as Oddjob. Runner-up is Richard Kiel as Jaws.

villain: Gert Fröbe as Auric Goldfinger. Runner-up is Charles Gray as Blofeld.

actress: Jill St John as Tiffany Case. Michelle Yeoh as Colonel Wai Lin is runner-up.

quote: Bond: Do you expect me to talk? Goldfinger: No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die!

What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments or on Facebook.

me is for meme

  1. Who are you named after? My uncle's first name is my middle name.
  2. Last time you cried? I regularly teared up seeing victims in Houston.
  3. Soda or Water? Water. I tend to refill sodas too much for my own good,
  4. What's your pizza? Italian sausage and mushroom.
  5. Do you still have your tonsils? Got them removed when I was about 5.
  6. Would you bungee jump? Not no but hell no!
  7. Did you go to college? Goofed around in community college and was drafted.
  8. Untie your shoes when taking them off? Usually.
  9. Roller coasters do you like them? No!
10. Favorite Ice cream? Pistachio.
11. Favorite things? Being with my wife Ann.
12. Shorts or Jeans? Shorts means the weather is warm!
13. What are you listening to right now? Instrumental Folk Radio on Sonos via Pandora.
14. Favorite Color? Blue.
15. Tattoos? I am too cheap for body art.
16. Color of hair? Blonde gave way to brown in '68 which gave way to gray in '90. #likehavinghair
17. Eye color? Blue.
18. Favorite thing to eat? Alaskan King Crab!
19. Scary or Happy endings? Neither. Thoughtful endings with a twist do it for me.
20. Android or iPhone? Android works so well with google fiber! And it is way cheaper.
21. Car? Our Toyota Sienna ramped van is great for getting Ann around town!
22. Favorite holiday? Easter marks the start of Spring, nice weather and new beginnings for me.
23. Beer or wine? Depends on the meal and my mood.
24. Night owl or mornings? Mornings. Yet I'm not as much of an early riser as I once was.
25. Fave day of the week? Mondays are good for retired guys like me. ツ

Fun with Fours

Four names I go by:

Bob

Robert

Dad

Bobby

Four places I've lived:

New York

Texas

Kansas

Missouri

Four things I love to watch on TV:

Homeland

The Americans

Modern Family

Elementary

Four places I have visited:

Hong Kong

Niagara Falls

Acapulco

Vancouver

Four things I love to eat:

NYC Pizza

Key Lime Pie

Alaskan KIng Crab

KC Barbecue

Four favorite drinks:

Nespresso Intenso Coffee

Boulevard Beer

Cabernet Sauvignon

Water

Take one of the fours and share your answers in the comments. ツ

The 'What About Bob' Meme

It has been a while since I have done one of these. Found this one on Facebook.

✓ Been Married

        Been Divorced
    ✓ Fallen in love
        Gone on a blind date
        Skipped school
    ✓ Been to Canada
        Ridden in an ambulance
        Been to Hawaii
        Been to Europe
        Been to Las Vegas
    ✓ Been to Washington D.C
    ✓ Been to Nashville
    ✓ Visited Florida
    ✓ Visited Mexico
        Seen the Grand Canyon in person
        Flown in a helicopter
    ✓ Been on a cruise
    ✓ Served on a jury
        Danced in the rain
    ✓ Been to Los Angeles
    ✓ Been to New York City
        Played in a band
        Sang karaoke
    ✓ Laughed so much you cried
        Laughed so hard you peed
    ✓ Caught a snowflake on your tongue
    ✓ Had children
    ✓ ad a pet
    ✓ Been sledding on big hill
        Been downhill skiing
        Been water skiing
    ✓ Rode on a motorcycle
        Been on the Radio
        Traveled to all 50 states
        Jumped out of a plane
    ✓ Been to a drive-in
    ✓ Rode a Horse
    ✓ Been on TV
    ✓ Been in the newspaper
    ✓ Stayed in the Hospital
    ✓ Donated blood
        Gotten a piercing
        Gotten a tattoo
        Been scuba diving
    ✓ Got a speeding ticket
        Broken a bone
    ✓ Gotten stitches
    ✓ Traveled Alone

Make this meme your own. And let me know where to find your check marks. ツ

End of year Hodgepodge

The folks at From This Side of the Pond have a meme called Wednesday Hodgepodge. Here's my entry for today.

Share a favorite memory/moment from the week of Christmas.

Gathering, cooking, eating and sharing with my family on Christmas day.
If someone wrote a book about your life based on the past year, what genre would it fall under? What would the title be?

Self help book based on Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward".
It would be titled "Stumbling Upward".
What made you feel patriotic this year?

Shows and stories about how America is caring for our wounded soldiers.
Also, watching American Sniper and seeing the bravery of our troops.
What experience from this past year would you like to do all over again?

Exploring downtown KC and trying new lunch spots close to our loft.
What song lyric sums up or is a reflection of your 2015?

You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you just 'might' find, you get what you need.
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate 2015? (10=stellar) Why?

5.5 - more good than bad. Not ready to commit to a 6 at this time.
What part of the upcoming year are you most excited about?

Spring. Love the walkable weather in downtown KC,
Insert your own random thought here.

Life is too short to drink bad coffee.

Thanks for reading. Join the fun at This Side of the Pond.

Ten Questions

My Facebook friend Bill reminded me of these questions that James Lipton (pictured) used to ask his quests at the end of each interview of The Actor's Studio. Here they are with my emboldened responses:

What is your favorite word? :: optimizer
What is your least favorite word? :: disability
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? :: diversity
What turns you off? :: a closed mind
What is your favorite curse word? :: calvinism ツ
What sound or noise do you love? :: my wife's voice
What sound or noise do you hate? :: passive aggressive silence
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? :: chef
What profession would you not like to do? :: acting
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? :: Welcome home.

Did you ever watch the show? How would you answer any, or all, of these questions?

Grown Up Hodgepodge

The folks at This Side of the Pond have a meme called Wednesday Hodgepodge. Here is my entry for today ...

At what age did you feel like a 'grown-up'? What keeps you young now?

Two answers: When I raised my hand and was sworn in to the US Army. And when the eye doctor told my first wife Ellen that she was going blind. These days my grandkids keep me young. Sort of. Sometimes they make me feel old. ツ
When did you last buy a vehicle? Was this by design or because you had no other option? Was the car/truck purchased for your own personal use or was it bought for someone else to drive? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being delightful and 1 being 'pass the Excedrin') how would you rate the experience?

In January 2008 I traded my great SUV in on a wheelchair minivan. It was a depressing purchase as we had no other option - except for color and features. I give the buying experience a 2 but these days I see it more as a 7.
Corn bread, corn chips, corn pudding, corn on the cob, cornflakes, corn chowder-your favorite of the corn-y foods listed? What needs to be served alongside your selection?

KC Cheesy Corn, corn on the cob and corn out of a freezer bag. Nothing beats a slab of KC ribs with a side of Cheesy Corn! Add a side of KC BBQ Beans and you have a meal!
What's something in your life that regularly requires you to 'put your thinking cap on'?

Trying understand where a person is coming from. Not making assumptions about their motives.
Trying to walk a few proverbial blocks in their shoes.
Share a favorite movie set in a school or classroom, or whose theme relates to school days in some way.

Both "To Sir With Love" and Grease come to mind.
Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic' are commonly referred to as the three R's. What are the 3 R's in your life right now?

Reading blogs, developing Relationships and walking to Restaurants close to our loft.
What's something you've learned or tried recently you can say was as 'easy as ABC'?

Learning about the affects of carbohydrates on my body. Putting my learning to use and eating less carbs.
Insert your own random thought here.

"Only the mediocre are at their best every day."

Thanks for reading. Join the fun at This Side of the Pond.

Five Bob Facts

My bloggin' friend Gregg tagged me in a meme a while back. I thank him for recognizing me as a creative blogger.
The first part of the meme is to share five facts about myself. A few thoughts:

I have been blogging for 10+ years.
I greatly enjoy spending time reading and discussing books with our Wednesday night BYOB group.
Nothing beats playing games like UNO, Risk and Concentration with my two grandchildren.
I routinely share devotional thoughts from the bible on the
An Eye for Redemption blog and prayers at Daily Prayer.
My greatest source of inspiration is my wife Ann. Each day she shows me what grace and courage looks like under fire.

The second part of the meme is to nominate other creative bloggers. Here are my nominations:

Pearlie at Pearlie Gates. A long time friend, thoughtful blogger and devoted follower of Christ.
Wanda at Got a Minute or Two? A fellow Daily Prayer blogger and wonderful Christian friend.
Mike at Mike Erich - The Mad Theologian. Another Daily Prayer blogger and very thoughtful man of faith.
Debby at Just Breath. Love reading her Wednesday Hodgepodge and movie review posts.
Fred at One the Journey. Another Daily Prayer blogger. His faith journey resonates with my own.
Sue at photowannabe. I have been enjoying her pics for years and appreciate Sue's photographic skills.
vanilla at String Too Short to Tie. A new friend with fun and interesting insights.
Alice at Whatsoever is Lovely. An honest blogger who communicates such reality about her life's journey.

I could nominate more. Over the years my life has been touched and enriched by so many bloggers.

I invite the folks nominated above to follow suit posting five fun facts about themselves and then nominate others to do the same. Please let me know when you do as I am sometimes a bit slow in my blog reading. ツ

A Moving Hodgepodge

The folks at This Side of the Pond have a meme called Wednesday Hodgepodge. Here is my entry for today ...

1. What's something you're looking forward to in the month of June?

Twenty years ago Ann and I were married. Five years ago we moved to a loft in downtown KC. I am looking forward to celebrating these times of new life.

2. In what way have you come full circle?

I grew up in New York City and was able to walk to stores from my house.
Since moving, I am able to do that again.

3. Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America [Queens NY, Western South Dakota, New Orleans, Colorado River Region, North Conway NH, Indianapolis, Greenville SC, Oakland, Duluth MN, and the Mount Shasta Region CA] you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see?

Loved New Orleans and have been there twice. Think I visited Queens a few times in my earlier years. Have stayed in Indianapolis on my way to New Jersey. Would not mind going back to New Orleans.

4. A song that describes your mood right now?

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights ツ

5. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine...your favorite?

Like them all but I like Strawberry Shortcake the most.

6. Aesop's birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that's accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?

Like the Tortoise, this slowpoke is just wanting to finish the race.

7. The answer is yes...what's the question?

Reminds me of Jeopardy. So the question is "Do you and Ann watch Alex Trebek?"

8. Insert your own random thought here.

"We don't have to agree on anything to be kind to one another."

Thanks for reading. Join the fun at This Side of the Pond.

Solo Rx Pizza Bad Movie Hodgepodge

The folks at This Side of the Pond have a meme called Wednesday Hodgepodge. Here is my entry for today ...

July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day. Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. What's something you've recently accomplished solo?

Assuming that the question does not mean blogging or grocery shopping ...
I did recently water the plants. ツ

What's one product you use that never ever fails?

Not that they "never fail" but I am thankful for the prescription and over-the-counter drugs that alleviates the arthritic pain in my wrists and ankles.

Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

My "place in the world" seems to change each decade. What I know to be true is that my place is defined by roles like husband, father, friend and follower of Jesus.

Worst movie you ever saw?

There are a few movies: Atlas Shrugged, The Amazing Spiderman, Religulous and Sea Wife all share that dishonor. Click on my "Movies" link above to know why.

What's the last fun thing you did?

Shared a birthday meal with my beautiful wife last night.

The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome?
What's your favorite Italian dish?

Never been to Italy. I would name pizza as my favorite Italian Dish but everyone knows that pizza was born in New York City.

What is one piece of advice you'd offer new mom Kate Middleton?

I would advise her and her family to live in America. ツ

Insert your own random thought here.

My wife Ann had a birthday yesterday. She continues to be my best friend and truest inspiration. I wish her many many more years of happiness and joy.

Thanks for stopping by. Got any hodgepodge to share?

A Bit of 2013 Hodgepodge

The folks at This Side of the Pond have a meme called Wednesday Hodgepodge. Here is my entry for today ...

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013:

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why.

Bucket List mainly because I have given up on mine.

2. When was the last time you rode a train? Where did you go?

If you don't count subways, in 1968 when I took a three day train ride from El Paso to New York. In the nineties I road one from the Jersey Shore into Manhattan and back.

3. Bagels-yay or nay? Favorite 'flavor'? Favorite topping?

This New Yorker absolutely loves poppy seed bagels with strawberry cream cheese.

4. 'Tis the season of awards shows...
if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

Chariots of Fire comes to mind. I'd love be Eric Liddell for a few weeks.

5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months....what say you? Do you think kids perform better if separated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination? If you're a parent, is this something you'd support in regard to your own children?

I do think that boys learn differently than girls but I am not sure that separating them is the answer. Perhaps a middle ground approach could be used where some classes are coed and some are not?

6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

When I traveled on business a lot I loved the tranquility of room service.

7. Do you have a 'word' for 2013? What's the story behind your choice?

Just today thought of 'opportunity'. Wonder which ones might come my way this year.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My friend and pastor Scott wrote this today: "History is on the side of the rule breakers when it comes to a life of faith." I like that!

Let me know if you play along or how you might answer any of these.

Christmas Favorites

Thought I might share a few favorites ala Debbie's blog:

  •  Christmas Movie: "It's a Wonderful Life" tops my list
  •  Winter Beverage: Hard to beat a latte when it is cold
  •  Christmas Song: "O Holy Night" still moves me deeply
  •  Winter Clothing: Sadly, probably my KC Chiefs coat
  •  Holiday Food: Love peanut brittle and cheese balls
  •  Christmas Decoration: Prelit Xmas Tree - so easy
  •  Nail Polish: I hammer nails but don't polish them.
  •  Top of my Xmas list: Something a person cannot give
  •  Plans for Christmas: Xmas Eve kids sleepover

What are your Christmas favorites? Anything to add?

Blue Pancakes

My friend Dan made a boatload of pancakes this morning for our weekly men's gathering. I like the idea of playing or singing in a band but I am totally tone deaf - can't carry a tune in a bucket. :)

Considering the image to the left: What is your band's name?

Take the John Wesley Quiz!

The questions have their origin in the spiritual accountability group (called "The Holy Club" by some) started by John Wesley when he was a student at Oxford. The first list of questions appeared about 1729 or 1730 in the preface to Wesley's second Oxford Diary. Similar questions appeared in his 1733 A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week.
Here are the first five questions replete with my comments:

Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am?

I struggle with comparison and judgmentalism. Sometimes excuse and rationalize it. I am not better than anyone.
Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?

I do not pass on confidences but I do sometimes catch myself passing on gossip.
Can I be trusted?

I hope so yet I do understand how weak I am.
Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

Not as much as I used to be. Being retired has freed me of some of those constraints. :)
Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

Sometimes. I can especially relate to self-pity. I am a work in progress.

As late as 1781, Wesley published a list of questions like this in the Arminian Magazine. Joni and Friends published the whole list of questions here. Let me know what you think of the list and how you might have answered one of them.

Random Saturday Hodgepodge

Joyce asked some interesting questions this week at From this Side of the Pond. Here they are with my responses ...

Spring is in the air (at least in my neck of the woods) and the birds are singing...what's your favorite bird?

My favorite bird is the eagle. Reminds me of the eagle in Isaiah 40:31.

Speaking of birds...do you tweet? If so tell us your screen name and we'll come flocking to your Twitter site. Even if you don't let's all pretend here that we do-in 140 characters or less, sum up your week so far.

I do tweet. Click the Twitter button above to follow me and I will follow you.

Its been reported recently that employers are not only viewing the facebook pages of potential hires but they're also requesting your facebook password to have a look at what you've kept from public view. What say you?

Employers need to mind their own FB business and employees probably should not FB at work.

It's April and you know what that means-Major League Baseball is back in action. What's your favorite baseball movie? If that's too hard, what's your favorite sports themed movie?

I am a Kansas City Royals fan. My favorite baseball movie is The Natural.

Something else this season brings-asparagus. Yes please or no thanks? If it's yes please what's your favorite way to have it prepared?

I love asparagus drenched in olive oil and cooked on the grill.

What drives you? (Don't you love how I sandwiched that one in between asparagus and jugglers???)

These days I am driven by a passion to care for and be with my wonderful wife.
April 18th is International Jugglers Day...can you juggle?

I can juggle my budget. Does that count?
Insert your own random thought here.

I took a few months off and am just getting back into the flow of blogging again. If you want to be on my Blogroll (see circled B on the right) please send me an email with your info.

How would you answer Joyce's questions? Maybe you can answer a few in the comments?

Has love or pain changed you more?

Joyce at "From This Side of the Pond" used one of my past questions (#2 below) in her Wednesday Hodgepodge post today. If you want to participate or read others' answers check out her blog. Here are the questions with my answers.

1. It's that most wonderful time of the year...tax season! Do you complete your own returns or farm that job out to the professionals?

My wife Ann does our taxes using Web Turbo Tax and I edit and review.

2. Which do you think has changed you more - love or pain?

Pain came into my life very early and made me bitter. Love came in about five years later and turned my world upside down. Fifteen years later pain hit again and made me more compassionate. Five years later love came in and wowed me to the core. Since then I think that my life has been changed more by pain than love. But I am open to love rocking my world in a major way. :)

3. Tangerine Tango has been named color of the year for 2012. Your thoughts? Would I find this color anywhere in your house? How about in your closet? If not, will you be adding this color to your life in some way in 2012?

I bought a yellow Chiefs cap last year. Don't see tangerine invading my life in 2012.

4. Are you a collector? What do you collect and does it get admired, used, and/or dusted regularly?

I am not a collector.

5. February is National Heart Month...besides a green salad what is one tasty heart healthy dish you like to prepare?

I like salmon but tend to eat it with a loaded baked potato.

6. When was the last time you had car trouble?

Last month I replaced my 11 month old battery. Odd because the battery had a 5 year warranty.

7. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less?

Less. Retirement has given me perspective about priorities.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Why be something to everybody when you can be everything to somebody? -GK Chesterton

If you want to participate or read others' answers check out Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Hodgepodge

The folks at This Side of the Pond have a meme called Wednesday Hodgepodge. Heard about it at my friend Susan's blog. I have never tried it so I thought that I might today ...

1. Lake Superior University has once again banished a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012 -

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, ginormous, trickeration and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why.

amazing. I think that it and awesome are way overused

2. Are you easily embarrassed?

I can be when I do not know the folks I am around.

3. what is your go-to snack?

I have a few. Lately it is munching on Bison Summer Sausage watching the NFL playoff games.

4. Have you ever been to Washington DC? if not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most like to see in that city? If you have been what's your favorite site?

Our spring day trip in Junior High School included a train ride from Staten Island to DC. Enjoyed the Smithsonian the most. I'd love to go again. I have heard that DC is fairly wheelchair accessible.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats-which one do you hate the least?

My arthritis keeps me away from such things. I do well to get a walk in.

6. What's a small act of kindness someone did for you that you've never forgotten?

A supervisor gave me some tough advice when I worked in Newark in 1975. I wanted to blow it off because I did not like what he said. I took it to heart and it changed my life.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?

I give blood every three months. I have donated over three gallons. Would have been higher if I was not banned from giving for about 12 years because of HH.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

In my life I have found that pain has changed me more than love has. I am hoping to see that change. :)
Which do you think has changed you more - pain or love?

Pet peeves and other stuff about me ...

My friend Susan recently posted this meme and I thought I would do it as well:

What is your biggest pet peeve? || Television volumes that increase several decibels during commercials.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? || Right here in Kansas City. My children and grandchildren are here! I belong here.
Have you ever been searched by the cops? || I have been patted down by airport TSA. I am a bit shifty looking.
What is the one thing on your mind right now?
|| Ann's recovery. I am wondering how far her stem cell transplant will take her.
What is your favorite song right now?
|| I don't really have a favorite song these days but I do enjoy elevator music.
What talent do you wish you had?
|| I have always wanted to be able to sing but cannot carry a note in a bucket.
What is your favorite drink?
|| AM: Starbucks half caff || PM: an occasional glass of dry red wine.
Describe yourself in one word?
|| Relentless. I don't give up too easy and I usually hang on to long.

Feel free to share your answers here. Or let me know if you share on your blog.

Pages