What's My Line Blog, Anyway?

Have you ever seen the show, "What's My Line, Anyway?" The actors/contestants compete in rounds of ad-lib spur-of-the moment shorts/skits. The topics come from the Host (Drew Carey) or members of the audience. Members of my family love this show. I, myself don't watch it too often. Mostly, because I don't think it follows the general rules of game shows (not that I watch game shows either...but that's a whole other post), so I just can't get past it.

Anyway, I have had a bit of blogger's block the past few days, so here's the deal. YOU tell ME what you want my next post to be about. Go ahead, give me a topic starter. Perhaps there is a burning question about me that you're just dying to know the answer to. Or maybe it's a fill-in-the-blank. Or tell me about one of your best posts, and maybe it will inspire me. Come on all of you bloggy fans - I need you to be my muses for my musings at the moment.

I am planning on using your topics throughout the rest of this month. I can't wait to see what you come up with...

Interview with Big-D

Me: First off, everyone wants to know if you liked the quilt.
Big-D: Yes.

Me: What was the best thing you ate during Christmas?
BD: The Jumbo Shrimp cocktail at work.

Me: Best thing about Christmas this year?
BD: I dunno. I didn't really get into it this year.

Me: The worst thing about Christmas this year?
BD: Going to the church Christmas party alone. Never doing that again. It was just awful. I felt like I was the new kid at school with no friends. And then everyone feels sorry for you cuz they recognize that you are by yourself. So then they feel obligated to make conversation.

** side note: Big-D's church party was the same night as mine, and he was asked to help with his set-up/clean-up, which is why we each did our own thing that night.

Me: Thing you like best about winter?
BD: Snowstorms.

Me: Thing you hate most about winter?
BD: Cold Weather.

Me: Any resolutions for the new year?
BD: Nope.

BD: Kind of a boring interview, huh?
Me: Yep!

Me: What's got you stressed most right now?
BD: This house (as he is painting and me, sitting here blogging)

Me: One thing you look forward to about selling this place?
BD: Not being in the HOA (currently secretary). Never again.

Me: one thing you are looking forward to in a new home?
BD: No HOA.

Me: Do you like all of your paint choices?
BD: So far. [pauses and looks at the walls] Someone's gonna walk in here and say, "this guy knows what he's doing".

Me: And who picked out the paint colors?
BD: You. (I smile)

Me: Any hopes or dreams for the new year?
BD: Uhhh...Run the whole year injury free, starting with my Dr. apt for my physical a week from Monday.

Me: Best thing about this interview?
BD: That it's over?

Me: Worst thing?
BD: That it started.

Ha ha . very funny.

Creature Feature

Ok - so I've interviewed the Off-Spring in previous posts and was then informed that I have forgotten a member of the family... 4-legged-creature! Not to be left out, I present to you the Creature Feature.

Me: Thanks for taking the time to sit with me and do this interview.
4-Legged-Creature: [panting deeply, looking around, wagging tail]
Me: I know it's hard for you to sit still. But please, for the sake of the interview, try to calm down and not get so excited.

Me: What's your name?
4LC: Kayli

Me: Your Breed?
4LC: I'm a puggle. It's one of those new très chic hybrid breeds. Means I'm half Pug and half Beagle.

Me: What's your favorite thing to do?
4LC: Follow you around, waiting for treats and/or praise.

Me: What about when no one is home?
4LC: Barking at the squirrels in the front yard. Followed by continuous jumping in the same spot in an attempt to see what is on the kitchen counter. Then I go through your dirty laundry in search of an article of clothing to nap with, then take said nap. Nap is followed by barking at the mailman. Then running in circles chasing my tail followed by another nap (time permitting), and finally barking at kids on their way home from school.

Me: Wow! Sounds like a rough day.
4LC: Hey! It's a Dog-Eat-Dog World out there.

Me: How do you feel about felines?
4LC: They are yummy! God's creatures. I may not approve of their behavior, but I will respect them as long as they respect me and stay off/out of my territory!

Me: What do you wanna be when you grow up?
4LC: Tall enough to reach the kitchen counter.

Me: Who's your hero?
4LC: Tank (the backyard neighbor's Highway-Patrol-Drug-Sniffing Dog).

Me: What do you hate the most?
4LC: Going out to tinkle when it's raining.

Me: What do you like best about being a puggle?
4LC: Everyone just LOVES my baby pics. (see me below - aren't i adorable)
Me: Your favorite treats?
4LC: Bananas, Bacon, and if no one is around, the entire pan of Costco Lasagna that was left cooling on the kitchen counter... burp! Excuse me.

Me: Who's your favorite member of the family?
4LC: You are my favorite, Mom. Unless we're speaking victims here...then it'd have to be LittleDuckling. He is such an easy target, always forgetting to guard his candy and such...

Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
4LC: [distracted]...huh? what? Oh no, nothing else. I'd really like to go now though. Bang is outside (the neighbor's dog). Now there's a piece of tail nice doggy...so cute too! Gotta run... [off sofa and barking at back door].

Well, there you have it. Every member of the fam has now been officially interviewed. Click here if you missed one.
My Interview
PrettyPrettyPrincess Interview
LittleDuckling Interview
FunnyMan Interview

What? What's that? No Mr. Dust Bunny - just because you've lived under the sofa for months on end does not make you a member of this family. No, I will not interview you. Nor you, Mr. Chia Pet, so don't get any ideas...

Starring: FunnyMan

Okay, so last but not least, Introducing the oldest of the Off-Spring, FunnyMan. Age 14, Grade 9.

ME:What is the best part about being a teenager?
FunnyMan: Later in the teenage years, I guess driving would be really cool. there are more opportunities. but also more responsibilities.

ME: What is your favorite class in High School this year?
FM: Photography

ME: The lyrics that you write...most of them are about love, or jaded love. Would you say this is from personal experience?
FM: no

ME: If you wrote a book, what would it be called?
FM: I am writing a book, its called Dark Matter
ME: What's it about?
FM: Its a very disturbing book about a boy where everything in his life goes wrong. Drugs, parents were killed in front of him, and he has attained the ability to... manipulate matter. A super hero story.
ME: Deep. (Where's that number to the counselor???)

ME: What is one thing you really HATE doing?
FM: Homework

ME: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
FM: laziness, find my self-motivation to actually do something

ME: If you were old enough to vote in the election this year, who would you vote for?
FM: McCain
ME: Hmmm. Well, I am a firm believer that you need to form your own opinions...Be sure to consult me when you're old enough to vote...

ME: You'll be taking driver's ed next year. Any thought to the type of car you'd like to drive?
FM: 1965 Mustang Fastback, black with two white racing stripes going down the middle. Dice in the rear view mirror.
ME: (choke, gasp, cough). Right. So, the mini-van it is...

ME: What is your Ultimate Dream Job?
FM: McDonalds! No not really. Actor, Singer song-writer, screen writer, movie director, a highly acclaimed author, or maybe just an English teacher.

ME: What are you doing now to prepare yourself for that?
FM: writing stories/poems, singing a lot, making film projects with friends, making people laugh and teachers shaking there heads in disbelief to what I've said.

ME: If there was a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?
FM: There aren't many good young actors that I would like to portray me and seeing that I haven't grown into a full adult I don't know an actor extremely fit for my part. But maybe... Aaron Yoo, Frankie Muniz, and Rob Schneider as an older me.

ME: What is the one thing that you think that most people do not know about you?
FM: I've played Capture the Flag in my underwear.
ME: A mother's proud moment...I am sure.
FM: hahahaha.

ME: Your life philosophy?
FM: Be free to express yourselves, don't be embarrassed when you do something stupid/out of the ordinary. Just laugh and move along.

Thanks. Now, go do your homework.

LittleDuckling Quacks Us Up!

Ok - so last week you met PrettyPrettyPrincess. This week's spotlight interview is on the middle child. He's 10 1/2 years old and is in 5th grade. Without further adieu, I present to you LittleDuckling...


Me: what's your favorite color?
LittleDuckling: red

Me: Which season do you like the best?
LD: fall

Me: Why the Fall?
LD: not too hot, not to cold

Me: If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
LD: Cap'n Crunch

Me: If you could create your own video game, what would it be called?
LD: I dont know. Taco Time.

Me: What would the objective of this game be?
LD: ummm....find and eat tacos? (in a "duh" voice tone)

Me: if you HAD to choose between sitting next to an annoying girl or sitting next to a stinky boy, which would you choose?
LD:is there a middle choice?

Me: no - you must choose one or the other.
LD: how stinky is the boy?

Me: pretty stinky
LD: the girl i guess

Me: If you could describe ALL girls with ONE word, what would it be?
LD: overly-chatty. which is really my "nice" way of saying obnoxious. but since you said I couldn't say that...

Me: What is your favorite hobby?
LD: building with Legos, I guess

Me: What is one thing you LIKE about school?
LD: The time when I get to go home.

Me: What is one thing you HATE about school?
LD: The time when school starts.

Me: If I HAD to cook the same thing for dinner every night, what would you want that one thing to be???
LD: Ravioli

Me: What do you like to do together as a family?
LD: Eating out.

Me: What's your favorite chore?
LD: Excuse Me?

Me: What's your favorite chore?
LD: My favorite chore? Are you being for real?

Me: Yes.
LD: Is eating or sleeping an option?

Me: No.
LD: Cleaning the hallway, I suppose.

Me: What is one thing you'd like us to know about you?
LD: My middle name is Maliq. Can I go now? I'm hungry!

Well, I guess that sums it up, folks. Thanks to LittleDuckling for being such a "great sport".


*on a side note, LittleDuckling's ADHD meds were recalled (yikes). Going through this interview "cold turkey" has been quite the adventure - for both of us. The doc says I should have the new prescription in a few days (fingers crossed).

Interview With a Princess

Ok, well not a REAL Princess...but MY Princess. During my "interview" blog post a few weeks back, The BlogStalker recommended getting to know the "kiddos"...so that's what I've decided to do: Introduce you to the Off-Spring. We will start from the bottom up, age-wise that is. So, today, I introduce you to PrettyPrettyPrincess.
Age: 8 1/2 Grade: 3rd

Me: What is your favorite color and why?
PrettyPrettyPrincess: Red. Cuz it reminds me of strawberries, cherries, apples, and what-not. (yes...she said "what-not"...it is one of her "isms")

Me: What is your FAVORITE DINNER your B-E-A-U-Tiful Mother makes for you?
PPP: Pretty much anything. I like your Pot Roast, Pancit, Company Chicken, and Tostadas.

Me: If I were your short-order cook, what would you want me to make for you right now?
PPP: Gingerbread cookies.

Me: I don't make gingerbread cookies. Anything else?
PPP: All right then, how about Pumpkin cookies?

Me: How about pumpkin bars?
PPP: Oooooh.....that WOULD be better.

Me: Who's your favorite singer/musical artist?
PPP: The Jonas Brothers, A Ca Pella, John Mayer, James Taylor, and Hannah Montana

Me: So, which Jonas Brother is the cutest?
PPP: Nick!

Me: So, you LOVE him???
PPP: [giggles]...[pause]...No.

Me: What is your favorite holiday?
PPP: I'd have to say in order Christmas, Halloween, and the 4th of July.

Me: What is something I do that you HATE?
PPP: Take me with you when you go "you-know-what" shopping.

Me: What? Bra-shopping?
PPP: Yeah-yeah-yeah. Fine. Please don't say that again.

Me: What is something I do that you LOVE?
PPP: Cook! Also, you play the piano. I like it when you play and we sing together.

Me: What's your take on Global Warming?
PPP: What does that mean?
Me: Nevermind...Tell us some of your talents, hobbies, or interests.
PPP: I like playing piano and drums. I like jump roping and hula-hooping. I like making Abstract Art. And I like writing poems, about things that happen to me, and sometimes fiction.

Me: Do you think Jump Roping and/or Hula-Hooping should be an Olympic sport? PPP: I think that Jump Roping should, because you can do lots of tricks.

Me: What are your favorite books?
PPP: The Missing Piece/The Missing Piece Meets the Big-O. But I also LOVE the "Bailey School Kids" books and the "Fablehaven" series.

Me: How do you feel about being the youngest child in the family?
PPP: Umm...I DO hate it when the boys boss me around, like [LittleDuckling] for example. But I DO like it cuz I don't have as many chores.

Me: How do you like being the only girl?
PPP: Umm...not really liking it, cuz the boys don't really play with me, and they make fun of my girly toys.

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
PPP: A Pediatric Nurse.

Me: Why Pediatric?
PPP: Cuz I feel bad for little kids when they are sick. And if it is something really serious, I don't want them to die; they are just little kids.

Me: What job would you want your future husband to have?
PPP: hmmm...I'd say a Chiropractor. Cuz, if my back hurts, he can crack it.

Me: If you could be a flower, which kind would you be?
PPP: A Yellow Tulip. Cuz they are pretty and yellow makes me happy cuz it reminds me of the sunshine.

Me: What do you think about your dear old mom blogging?
PPP: I like your blogs cuz they are funny. But some of the posts I HATE - like when you talk about BRAS!!! Wait - how many blogs do you have?
Me: Three. But I'm asking the questions here.
PPP: Whatever.

Me: What do you like about school so far this year?
PPP: Each table has their own fish tank. We have our own fish and snails in it. Currently we have 4 snails and three fish. We named their environment "The Tropical Under Sea World".
Me: How do you like being in a different school this year and in the Spectrum Program?
PPP: I like it cuz now I have NEW friends. But the playground is small. My new school is more challenging, and I like the challenging parts. But I do miss my friends from my old school.

Me: What do you think about your mom's friends?
PPP: You like to talk a lot with them. Like when you say you're gonna "stop by" to just drop something off. Then you end up like taking 2 hours, cuz you talk!

Me: If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
PPP: I wish I could have a sister.

Me: Well, that about sums it up. Anything else you think we should know about you?
PPP: I would love to have a teacup dog. (hint hint)

Interview with a Mindless Banterer

So recently, I was honored at the Bloggy Bottom Awards (BBA).
This is a major event, in which the Blog-cademy scrapes the bottom of the barrel in search of the most mindless blogs. The following transcript is from the Bloggy Bottom Junket Interview.

Bloggy Bottom: Are you familiar with interview code 401c?
Mindless Banterer: No - what is that?

BB: That you can't answer a question with a question.
MB: ok. I can handle that.

BB: What are your muses?
MB: I'd have to say that everyone and everything around me is my muse: My idiosyncratic family, the situational comedy that is my every day life, and my observations of what people are NOT telling me.

BB:When you leave this world what do you hope family, friends, and people in general, will say about you?
MB: Have you read her blog?

BB: What is one bad habit you have?
MB: Switching from past to present tense mid-blog. I blog about past experiences, therefore the writing should read past tense. However, in an attempt to make my readers feel like they are right there with me, in the moment, I usually switch over to present tense at some point. Bad habit - a writer's faux pas; possibly even punishable by the Association of Bloggers.

BB:What is your favorite comfort food?
MB: I'd have to say pretty much anything that you can eat, which is edible, meant to be consumed, or otherwise known as food is my favorite food.

BB: What is your five year goal?
MB: Blog. Go back to school. Blog about school. Get degree. Blog about graduation. Teach high school choir. Blog about that. Write a book. Feature it on the Blog. Marry the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. Blog about him and our blissful, perfectly-perfect love. And, if I can find the time, I'd like to blog more.

BB: If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?
MB: Sleep more. Eat Less. Exercise more. Weigh less. Make more. Spend Less. You get the idea...

BB: If they wrote a song about your life what would it be entitled?
MB: No need to write a song about me. I already have several "theme songs". Let's see... There's Green Day's "Good Riddance"- things are always unpredictable with me- I just try to make the best of it and have the time of my life. John Mayer's "My Stupid Mouth" pretty much sums up all of my social casualties. Police's "Voices Inside My Head"...well, that's self-explanatory ...Actually, I sort of feel like my life could be described in a musical soundtrack with all sorts of songs.

BB: So, if they wrote a musical about your life, what would it be called?
MB: Ummm... "Musings of the Mindless Banterer-The Musical?" duh.

BB: I heard you have a thing for shoes. What are your favorite kind of shoes?
MB: Let me clarify - I used to have a thing for shoes - but that sort of thing take fundage, of which I am currently lacking. The perfect shoes however, would be sexy but comfy heels in every color and a pair of awesome tennis shoes that are both cute & comfy. But also - I HATE FEET! So, generally speaking I would prefer the ugliest shoes as opposed to looking at someones ugly feet.

BB: We all know how much you love to talk and blog. What would you do if you were in an accident and you could no longer blog and your jaw had to be wired shut?
MB: Probably go completely mindless! However, I would definitely entertain myself with all of the mindless musings in my head. The Dr's & nurses would probably wonder why I was always giggling.

BB: Which TV Family would you live with if you could?
MB: I have to confess that I have secretly always wanted to be a part of the Camden Family from the WB's (now CW) 7th heaven I always loved how Annie could manage 7 kids so well, and keep her family organized and centered on Christ.

BB: What inspired you to use "Musings of the Mindless Banterer" as your Blog Title? I mean are you really bantering with your readers, and is your banter really "mindless"?
MB: I do enjoy a good banter, and I do engage in a little banter with my readers. However, mostly the banter is just something that occurs between the various voices in my head, which usually leads to the "mindless"-ness of the musings, thus resulting in a Blog Post.

BB: So, that's pretty much the thought process that directs your posts?
MB: Pretty much.

BB: I've been told you are a person of faith. How do you rely on the Lord to help you through tough times?
MB: Fav Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." Typically, I over analyze the situation to figure out what I should or shouldn't do. Then after banging my head against the wall several times, I realize it's time to "turn it over" - to believe that it will all somehow "work out". It usually does. I think having a positive outlook creates some sort of synergy or whatever you want to call it, which in turn creates powerful faith. Easier said than done.

BB: What are you most proud of in your life? (Aside of your 3 a-DOR-able and smart children)
MB: At the risk of no longer sounding "mindless", I would have to say that I am most proud of "surviving". There are things that have happened in my life - whilst in the midst of them seemed impossible to bear. But I got through them. I accomplished things I never thought possible. I realize through the last two years - the hardest of my life - that my trials help define who I am, that I am not alone, and that I CAN do hard things.
____________________________

Ok - so that was fun! As you probably figured out - this was all just a parody. However, the questions were real, and I thank all of you who submitted the questions to help in the making of this post.

Now - - Anything else anyone would like to know??? Ask away!!! I may just have enough for a second "interview".