Flanagan's Flair

QotD: Best Mom Award

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:44:53 -0600

Besides yours, who do you think deserves "The Best Mother in the World" award?
Submitted by Connie.

My sister, Kristi. She is an outstanding mom. She has two kids right now and a baby girl on the way, due in June. She absolutely amazes me with her patience and impresses me with the way she encourages her children to explore and learn the world around them. She has taught them kindness, sharing, curiosity, honesty, love and so much more. I have no doubt that her children will grow up to be incredible human beings - just as she is.

Kristi's family

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QotD: Sensitivity Chip

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:57:04 -0600

What are you most sensitive about?

Being wrong.

Being proven that I'm wrong. Having someone point out in front of others that I'm wrong. Figuring out on my own that I was wrong.

Point blank...I just hate being wrong and I get really panicked and frustrated inside when I am.

By the way...for those of you that do prove me wrong, no need to stop - just know what you put me through when you do. ;)

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QotD: And of course, the title has to be... Home Alone!

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:55:09 -0600

What happened the first time you were left home alone as a child?
Submitted by Warhead.

The very first time I was left home alone, my mom gave me two rules:

"stay here"
"don't answer the door"

She was gone for half an hour or so. When she returned, she was surprised to find me sitting on the steps exactly where I was when she had left. As the obedient child that I was, I took her "stay here" rule literally and didn't move from the step for the entire time she was gone.

Boy, how things changed as I got older.

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QotD: I Left My Heart in...

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:12:09 -0600

What do you love about where you live?
Submitted by Emu with a Clue.

Twenty-five minutes from my house to get here:

Colorado's Continental Divide

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QotD: What?! No Goodnight Kiss?

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:03:09 -0700

What is the worst date you've ever been on?

I would probably have to say the one where the guy promised me he would stop doing drugs if I continued to date him. This was over dinner at McDonald's. Then, he took me to see A Few Good Men, which I had just seen the night before!

Ya...I think that was the worst. Needless to say, I didn't continue to date him. And, yes, he continued to do drugs.

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QotD: For Everything, There Is A Season

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:32:17 -0600

What are your top five favorite cooking seasonings?
Submitted by skip.town.

Cayenne Pepper
Cilantro
Cumin
Curry Powder
Garlic

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QotD: World Teachers' Day

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:13:21 -0600

In honor of World Teachers' Day today, tell us about a teacher who had a positive impact on your life.

I started my schooling at Vista View Elementary School and had some great teachers during my time there. But, the teacher that probably had the biggest impact on me in my early years was my 6th grade teacher, Ms. Smith. She had taught in Indonesia and Malaysia prior to coming to Vista View. As a result, she spent a lot of time on Geography, Social Studies, Cultural Studies, History, etc. This is what truly sparked my interest in "the world". Ever since, I have wanted to travel continuously and learn as much as I can about other cultures. Some of my favorite books typically have something to do with anthropology, sociology, history, and/or culture. Here are some that I have read and others that are on my list to read:

Return to Laughter - Elenore Smith Bowen
Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe
I, Rigoberta Menchu
The River Between - Ngugi wa Thionga'o
Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families - Philip Gourevitch
Amazing Grace - Jonathan Kozol
Cry, The Beloved Country - Alan Paton

I also developed a weird infatuation with geography and maps. With a handful of exceptions, I can pretty much tell you where any country is in the world and what its neighboring countries are. I used to be really good with capitals as well - but that information has passed from my brain over the years.

I learned a lot from my other teachers during elementary, junior high and high school - but none of them opened my eyes the way that Ms. Smith did.

Thank you, Ms. Smith!!!

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QotD: Kitchen Essentials

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:28:21 -0600

What are the 10 foods you must have in your refrigerator and/or your kitchen cabinet?
Submitted by Carol.

Tofu
Brown Rice
Peaches
Carrots
Hummus
Edamame
Nuts
Onions
Garlic
Sweet Potatoes

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QotD: Thanks for the Memories

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 15:32:25 -0600

What are the 10 most memorable music performances you've seen? (Remember, "memorable" may not be good.)
Submitted by Bill.

Ben Folds Five - First Avenue - 1997

Ben Harper - First Avenue - 1998 (After the show, not only did I get to meet him, but he gave me a hug!)

Phish - Y2K - Seminole Indian Reservation, Florida - 1999/2000

Yonder Mountain String Band at the Cabooze after the Big Wu Family Reunion - 2000

String Cheese Incident - Telluride Mountain (in the middle of a slope) - 2002

Educo Africa students sitting around the braai (barbeque in South Africa) in the Cedarberg Mountains north of Cape Town - drumming and singing songs about Apartheid, reconciliation and life in general - 2003

Abavuki performing at Lydia's Restaurant in the Langa Township in South Africa - 2003

Prince at Xcel Energy Center - 2004

Kathee, Matt and Brendan performing The Luckiest at Jon's and my wedding - 2006

Flaming Lips - MN State Fair 2006

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QotD: Chores

nobody@vox.com(Jen) — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 14:08:34 -0700

Which household chores do you most/least enjoy?
Submitted by falcon.kmc.

I'm not the biggest fan of cleaning the kitchen or the bathroom. But, lucky for me, Jon is really good at cleaning both and neither seem to bother him much.

On the other hand, I do like vacuuming, dusting and tidying up around the house. I also enjoy getting rid of things. Just yesterday, I filled two garbage bags with junk. I think I could do that every weekend. It's amazing how much crap one can accumulate over time.

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