MOOD...With Attitude

I told you, when 'IT' arrived...I'd warn you.  'IT' is here...and 'IT' is bad!  The last time I went through this, I had others around to interact with and help blow off steam.  This time, I'm going it alone...cold turkey.  The first few days are always the easiest...then, 'IT' sets in; the most foul, ornery mood.  Rob is not a happy guy.  I hate happy!  Don't laugh...don't even let me hear you smile.  The only thing that's going to make me feel better is a cigarette...and I'm not going to do it...so enjoy 'Crabby Appleton'.  I'll get over it, but until then...suffer!

Now that y'all have been properly tipped off, I've got a gal I'm going after first...and I'm using names.  I'm calling out Gather Hoo Ha, Stefanie Plum!  Looky here, Missy.  I've got a bone to pick with you, you...you...instigator!  I knew back when I saw your original post announcing points for filling out your 'Mood Survey'; we were going to have trouble.  Oh, no...Gather sanctioned propaganda.  I knew it.  I can see the headline on the Boston Globe...'Plum Exposes Self At Gather Offices'.  The staff's secret operation to instigate member participation has been blown wide open...and Stefanie has been busted as one of the main players.  Thanks, lady!  Somehow, I knew when I read that post, Gather would be coming after me.

It didn't take long.  Within hours, I received my initial contact informing me I had been 'tagged'.  It was harmless.  I could brush it off...blame it on a Gather glitch.  I never got notified.  Before the first day was done; I had been 'tagged' again.  Overnight,  I was 'tagged' in my sleep.  (I always say, for me to really enjoy a good 'tagging', at least let me be awake and part of it.)  The Gather gals are after me.  More and more of them lining up to 'tag' me.  I thought I was safe here?  I thought everyone understood I'm not their kind to 'tag'?  Yet, the attempts to 'tag' me go on.  Now, I'm being double 'tagged'.  They're coming after me two at a time; coming after me more than once.  I can't take it any more.  Leave me alone...just leave me alone.  I'll do it already.  Here I am.  Take me!  'Tag' me...'tag' me all you want!  I give up...I'll put out.  Are you done?  Are you happy now?  Can I at least have a cigarette to light now that it's over?

So, you want to hear what kind of mood I'm in...what's really going on with me emotionally?  I've been saving this post for just a time like now.  The blame for all my answers lies soley with Stefanie Plum...for being the first one to ask...and then for being the one to pass it on unfairly...using points as an enticement.  Illegal use of authority!  My feelings are all flying high for various reasons, so you never know how I'll react.  I have no clue.  I may start with one emotion and my head spins so it changes in mid-sentence to the total opposite of where it began.  All of my feelings are coming to a peak at the same time; an explosive situation...very volatile times.

It's called 'Mood Tag Survey'...but I'm in a mood, so I'm not following the rules.  I don't want to play a game.  That's too 'happy'.  I don't want to join a group geared more toward women, because I'm not 'that kind of gay'.  The points would be nice, but I'll forfeit the chance to win so I can do this my way.  I also don't want to 'tag' five others (well, I know of at least five I would like to tag, but that will never happen).  There are too many I'd like to tell they have to do this, too...five wouldn't come close.  Many members have already taken part and I think as long as I was 'tagged' so many times, I've got some spare 'tags' I can share with those who are 'tagless'.  Feel free to participate either way...'Stefanie's way' or the right way...my way!

It's time for a little Mood...with Attitude......

1. What is the number one thing that puts you in a  good mood? It's not a thing...it's a person...my best friend, Scott.  For the most part, unless he's in a rotten mood; which happens too often; just talking with him, but especially hanging out together, really sends my spirits soaring.  There was a time, during the first few years of our friendship, we were seen with each other so much in so many different places, half the city thought we were a couple...and the other half wanted to do a threesome with us.  Lives change, people grow older and settle down, other things come along that require attention.  Now, we stay in touch daily, but those visits once every week or two are more special and I cherish our time with one another, savoring it until we can meet up the next time.

2. What is your biggest pet peeve?  I'm a pretty easy-going person; patient, lots of time on my hands.  There are a few things that really irk me, but I deal with them.  There's not much I can do about the actions of others.  I don't care for rudeness when it's not warranted.  I will return it when provoked.  When you pick your nose and wipe it somewhere and you think you just got away with it?  You're just plain nasty...because I saw what you did!  Little, picky things get to me. My biggest pet peeve is waiting for someone who gives you the time they'll be somewhere...and they're nowhere to be seen.  I even arrived at the destination early to make sure I didn't miss them...and where are they?  10...15 minutes...half an hour...an hour...LATE!  Do not give me a time...and not make that time; not even let me know you aren't making that time.  The two worst offenders...musicians and gay guys.  When I managed bands, I always deducted an hour.  Be at the club for sound check at 7:00...so they'd be there by 8:00 when equipment was scheduled to be tuned.  With the 'pretty boys', it depends on the event.  Shopping, coffee, a quick bite to eat...add 15 minutes.  Dinner, clubbing, a stroll along the strip...half hour to 45 minutes more.  Major happening, big party, sizzling hot date...a full hour to an hour and a half.  It's not only about location.  It's also about preparation...and cocktails while getting ready.  8 PM - What are you doing?  Getting ready to go out.  What time are we meeting up?  11 PM  As the clock strokes midnight, he materializes.

3. What foods put you in a good mood?  Though I'm a somewhat picky eater, plain and bland, there's enough on my list that anything someone else cooked for me would work as long as I don't have to prepare it myself.  I'm a consumer; not a chef.  If I absolutely have to fix a meal, I will...as long as it's quick and easy; not elaborate and takes two hours.  Micro-nuked works for me.  Ready to eat is even better.  Comfort foods are excellent...home made mac and cheese, cheesecake, creamed chipped beef on toast, goulash, pancakes. For me, the biggest smiles come from cookies! Calling all Gatherers.  Send me cookies!  Put a happy face on Rob...give cookies.  No dates, but does birthday mean anything?  Give now...to make sure you don't forget...seeing how you've already missed Easter. My favorite is French fries...crinkle cut, but substitutes are allowed; even shoestrings. A salt shaker is a gimme and make sure there's a bottle of Heinz handy. It goes on the side for dunking.  A piping hot, fresh pizza delivered to my door does it for me, too.  I'm simple when it comes to pie...just cheese works for me...double cheese is tops. I can eat other toppings; even anchovies; if somebody else is buying.  I don't like to pay more...on top of the delivery charge, tip and cost of the pizza...$20. I can get Oriental delivery; enough for three meals; $12.

4. Who in your life cheers you up?  Obviously my best friend, Scott, would lead the way here.  My cat, Shimmer.  Scott's pet...Dakota, The Pooper Dog.  A handful of gals on Gather, especially the ones who send cookies!  Mildred, an older cashier at the supermarket.  An older gentleman who rides the bus and always makes sure he speaks.  Chris, a cashier at the convenience store across the street.  My 'friend', Tiger, if and when I ever get to see him.  My nursie poo, who feels comfortable enough to use the 'Eff' word around me...imagine that.  Wonder where she heard that from?

5. What's your favorite 'Mood Movie' - happy or sad?  I don't care for the sappy, Sad Sack stuff.  My feminine side comes out and I cry too easily.  I can do that watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition or when someone finds out they have a treasure on Antiques Roadshow.  I like horror, but they don't fit a mood.  Comedy is great to lift you up, but my sense of humor is warped and doesn't get caught by many films.  (Can you say 'very naughty'?) When I want to feel happy; maybe a bit melancholy; I'll go with something like 'The Wiz'; the black version of 'The Wizard of Oz'...the one featuring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, Nipsy Russell, Lena Horne and others.  It's got some lively, happiness to it.  Ease on down the road, baby! I may go way back and visit 'my father's fambly' with one of the Ma and Pa Kettle (Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride) movies I've collected.  Gram and Gramps...and their brood of 13 yunguns...were country bumpkins and there are so many similarities.  My father used to watch them on an old time movie channel when I was little and I grew fascinated with the films 'made about my dad's side'.

6. What's your favorite 'Mood Song' - happy or sad?  Since I can't understand the vocals being sung most of the time, I look to a song or genre where the music stands out.  I get into anything with a dance beat; club mixes, techno, trance, disco...things that make you move.  I'm a great chair dancers, but you won't catch me out on the floor groovin'...unless I'm cocktailed...with shots.  Single songs...the one I've wanted to share with someone for many years...'Stay With me' by Erasure.  It's a soft, mellow...sappy, mushy...song.  When the right one comes along; I will play it for him.  Playing it for myself makes me feel sad, lonely, longing, hopeful.  Giving the music to someone else will make me feel happy, loved, cared for, satisfied.

7. How do people know when you're in a bad mood?  Like the calm before the storm; things go eerily silent.  The sun hides and disappears behind the clouds.  The birds stop singing.  The temperature falls and an icy cold takes over.  I become quiet.  That's the most frightening part...when a hush takes over Rob...Mighty Mouth is muted.  When you get that treatment, it may be best for you to skedaddle.  I'm not going to talk to you...and you really don't want me to if you were able to get me to.  Maybe it can be discussed in the future.  Maybe you cease to exist in my world for eternity.

8. What is you favorite type of weather?  I like it when it's comfortable...not too hot or cold, sunny or cloudy.  70 - 75 with a slight breeze and the sun darting in and out from behind fluffy, white clouds.  No scorching, sunny summer days. Early autumn, before the extremes start to set it, and late spring without the showers are enjoyable.  You can get out and do things.  A love a good snow storm...when I don't have to go anywhere or do anything...preferably on Christmas Eve.  Blizzards can be fun in the middle of the week...gives everyone a day or two off.

9. What ways do you relieve stress during the week?  I do the same think all the time...seeing how I lead a somewhat stress-free life.  I only have little things to worry about and try not to dwell on them compared to the overall scheme.  A short chat with Scott can break a mood I'm in.  I used to light a cigarette and sit out front to relax while I smoked.  A little alcohol or a puff or two of the funny stuff will do it for me, too. I gave up crutches and walk on my own now.  Rarely will I use a crutch on stress.  Watching people while sitting outside having coffee can do the trick.  If nothing else, petting my cat while she sits on my lap works wonders.

10. How do you cheer up others who are in a bad mood?   I always take the person who's in the bad mood into consideration.  People deal differently.  Some don't want anyone trying to cheer them up.  They're feeling like crap and want to stay there for awhile; think and maybe work it through in a way that they can handle things.  They want to be left alone.  Just get out of their face.  Some want you to be a sounding board so they can get it out of their system.  There are those who spill their guts and want you to come up with the answer.  Then you have those who want to laugh and forget about their troubles.  I'm one who clams up and keeps to myself; wanting to figure things out on my own if I can. One thing that always brings me out of a funk, guaranteed...a rousing game of 'Pull My Finger'...with lots of ammunition. 

Like the weather in some places, stick around five minutes and my mood is likely to change.  As for Stefanie and the rest of y'all...don't make this a habit...not when I'm a moody, old poop. Now, zip it!  It should pass...at least we hope.  Remember, when confronted with a bad mood...hand out cookies!  (Write for my address!)