Because I'm sick.

As seen at The Clutter Museum and Seeking Academia. Though I don't do a memes very often, but this one was random enough to be appealing. And I really don't feel well enough to tell a story after writing all day (when I wasn't curled up in pain). Poor me...

Explain what ended your last relationship.
Depending on how loosely you define relationship, it was ended by lack of interest, I think.

When was the last time you shaved?
Just now - ten minutes ago.

What were you doing this morning at 8AM?
Washing dishes, basking in the bright, sunny kitchen.

What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Taking a shower. I'm not feeling well and it's dark enough to go to sleep.

Are you any good at math?
Yes. Yes, I am. I almost had a minor in undergrad and would sometimes work integrals just to relax. I am not, however, so good at teaching math.

Your prom night, what do you remember about it?
I didn’t attend the prom. If memory serves – and it’s not very clear – I believe I stayed home and read a book.

Do you have any famous ancestors?
Nope. But I do have really good ones.

Have you had to take a loan out for school?
No. I had scholarships (I was a National Merit Scholar, I brag bashfully) for undergrad, then did an RA followed my an NIH fellowship.

Do you know the words to the song on your MySpace profile?
No MySpace profile for me!

Last thing received in the mail?
Bills, prints from a digital photo order, catalogs, junk mail…

How many different beverages have you had today?
4: Coffee with vanilla cream (bad idea), water, Diet Cherry Pepsi, Sierra Mist Free.

Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machine?
Of course, but I don’t like the phone so much.

Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?
The earliest show I remember seeing is Disney on Ice. (Wave the light wands when the bad characters appear!) Though it’s rather sad, I think my first actual concert was Matchbox Twenty when I was in undergrad (late bloomer, apparently). I went with my two roommates and it happened to be held in the city where I would eventually attend grad school. I had a fantastic time – we sang and danced and giggled together. Then Rachel’s radio was broken on the drive home so we decided to sing – in order – all the songs from the first CD from memory. It wasn’t particularly well done if I’m thinking objectively, but from my personal perspective, it was exquisite.

Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
I have, of course, but I don’t always.

What's the most painful dental procedure you've had?
I hate dentists and dental work. Hate, hate, hate. I never had Novocain growing up, so every filling was quite painful. Icky, shudderingly awful.

What is out your back door?
My gas grill. My parents bought it for me as an Easter gift, and I use it sporadically. But it is shiny and pretty.

Any plans for Friday night?
I’m going home this weekend!

Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
My love of the ocean means I will forgive any hair offenses. So I actually don’t mind the salt and curling and weirdness.

Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?
Yes, though not recently.

Have you ever been to a planetarium?
Oh, yes. Those were good times in grade school. I liked the music and darkness and tiny, glimmering lights on the domed ceiling.

Do you re-use towels after you shower?
Yes, though I only re-use my own towels. Guest towels are freshly laundered before and after any use.

Some things you are excited about?
Huh. I can't think of anything. I think I'm still leery of wanting something too much - it can lead to extreme disappointment. So I'm trying to be mellow and stable about life in general. Which doesn't allow for much excitement. Now I'm a bit sad about that.

What is your favorite flavor of JELL-O?
I like red. It can be cherry or strawberry or anything, really, as long as it’s red. With mixed fruit inside. Unless I’m sick, and then plain red is just right.

Describe your keychain(s)?
I have a thin gold rectangle with the name of my undergraduate institution on it. I've used the same one for nearly 10 years now.

Where do you keep your change?
I carry some in my wallet. I used to keep quarters in a pretty glass bud vase, but now that I own my own washer, the vase is empty. I also store some change in my drawer at work so I can buy Diet Coke.

When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
June 9, 2006.

What kind of winter coat do you own?
I have a long gray wool and a short gray wool for dress. I have a lighter brown coat that’s very soft and fluttery. It makes me feel pretty. I don’t get to wear them though – it’s very sad.
Instead I have many sweatshirts and light jackets for the “winter” here in the south.

What was the weather like on your graduation day?
Quite windy for high school - it was my only outdoor ceremony and I took off my cap before giving my speech.
Quite hot for undergrad – I wore a cute sleeveless black dress with a wispy layer on top that had pretty purple flowers and green vines.
Quite cold for my doctorate – I don’t remember what I wore, but I do recall being bitterly and completely frozen in the short walk up hill toward the graduation location. The pretty roses Dad bought me froze on the walk to the car afterward.

Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Open – the animals like to come and go. Usually it’s just me in the house, so it doesn’t matter. But even when there are people visiting, the door is open at least part way.