The Syndicate

Gift Cards, an Alligator Loki plushie, and a pair of beautiful birch bark look ceramic mugs that were custom made for me. This brother is currently in the lead to inherit all my worldly goods

What’s the best gift you ever gave someone else?

"It's really not your fault; stop kicking yourself, and take better care of yourself"

If you were to buy a new car today, what would it be?

I have to get up at 5 AM, so generally 10-11. If getting up for work wasn’t a thing my natural inclination would be around midnight.

What’s your worst vacation ever?

Many years ago I went through a Carver phase. I recall it as a detached introvert meets a blind man and has a maddeningly vague epiphany. So vague.

What time do you get up in the morning?

That's a stumper. I plan on being cremated, and don't want a marker. If a toast were to be made in my memory on occasion, though, I might like, "She tried to not be part of the problem, but sometimes that's what you need to move forward".

I'm pretty into genealogy. What's one thing about you that you'd like your descendants to know about, that they won't find in the paper trail of your life?

That's a toughie; my mind runs to places like Mt Fuji, or Bora Bora, or Rome or Stonehenge, but it all drills down to the tiny village in Norway where my grandparents came from, Aamli.

How long has your family been where they are now?

For me it was Sawyer. He had the best redemption arc, imo. He was loathsome yet still sympathetic in episode one, and he transcended that to become a good man in the end.

What one film do you think is a must see, a film that transcends genre?

Working and treading water

How old were you when you learned to swim? Do you remember not being able to swim?

There are probably dozens of them, but the worst would have been the cheap vacuum squared. I bought a cheesy vacuum, a Dirt Devil, I think, that clogged and broke almost immediately. So I went out and ... bought the same one again becasue survey says ...Cheap!!! That one lasted a bit longer, maybe a year, but it constantly clogged and had to be unclogged by hand. Gross. I bought a better one when that broke.

What's the story from your life, that when you tell it, people roll their eyes, and say stuff like, "Oh no, not this again"?

I went to a high end South American restaurant in NYC a million years ago, I was just dating my husband. We took a train into the city, in a group. I got some kind of bad chicken, and I was violently sick. Food poisoning. In fancy clothes, with a group of friends, and I needed a train to get home. OMFG. I ruined everyones night, I ruined the conductors night, my dress and I haven't eaten South American food ever again.

What the most exotic cuisine you have ever eaten?

That would depend on circumstances. If it was for work, no. But if the group of people who would have a happy ending were family or friends, yeah, I probably would.

I have a picture of my and my Grandmother and I at my wedding; every time I look at it, it makes me happy. Do you have something displayed in your home that makes you happy just be seeing it?

I had to think about this. There have been alot of them.

On my honeymoon, we went skiing (my anniversary was last week; we married in Winter). We rented a condo on the slopes for the week. The first morning, I woke up early, warm and snuggly, looked out the window (our bedroom had a window wall, that opened to the edge of the woods), and there was a flock of little birds in the snow. It's all little things, but it's a picture in my mind of a moment when life was absolutely perfect.

What's a story other people tell about you that you would rather they forget?

Hiking by the fjords with my dog. Maybe all the dogs I've ever had. Me and a pack of dogs checking out the fjords.

What's your happiest childhood memory?

Phobia, because I’d be terrified of myself.

What something you would love to see at some point in your life?

Anchovies, pineapple pizza, mustard on hamburgers, are all not very peculiar; kimchi (husband loved it, I hate it) and Lutefisk (grandparents love it, I loathe it) are fairly unusual where I live.

Clowns; hilarious or terrifying?

Political Philosophy. The teacher, Dr. Weissman, was amazeballs and really fostered critical thought.

What's something you learned in High School that you never thought you'd use, but, surprisingly, you do use?

I think Samwise was the actual hero of LoTR; I am not so sure Tolkien thought so. I think Tolkien had a somewhat contemptuous view of addiction. While you could find some pity for Gollum, he was mostly depicted as loathesome. His treatment of Gollum made Sam lest traditionally “good” than Frodo, who had sympathy for Gollum. I still think that Sam trying hard to save Frodo from addiction made him the hero even more so than how the ring actually went into Mount Doom.

Are there any movies you think did credit to the novel, or maybe were even better than the book?

Mad World, by Gary Jules. Although I also love the original by TfF, Jules' version brought a haunting, timeless quality to the song. It really has become the definitive version for most people, I think.

What book did you used to love, but now you're just "meh" or even "ugh"? For instance, I used to reread the LoTR trilogy every few years. When I realized I hadn't for several years, I started to read, and realized I was totally 'meh'. While the world building was amazing, the characters were one dimensional and trite, the good/evil dichotomy (except Boromir and Faramir) was pretty basic and clearly delineated. After Boromir died, I found myself skipping forward to the Faramir parts, and realized they were the only two characters who still interested me.

Yes! I could go on about horrible drivers, having to drive in NY traffic, but they’re everywhere.


You’re walking along, and *X* happens; you say ‘Nope, not happening’ and you turn around and leave.

What is *X*? For me it would be hail or a crocodile.

I prefer almonds, but I could live without either tbh. I AM a big fan of pistachios, though.

What's one non essential item (like, not food, shelter, clothing, medication, people, pets) you would find it hard to live without?

I like both, but I tend to drink more coffee becasue it gets me through work.

Do you like your job, or is it something you do to get a paycheck?

I had a Beatles lunchbox when I was very little, it had been my cousins and she gave it to me when she outgrew it since I liked it.

I met Joel Rifkin once, at work. Have you ever met anyone infamous?

I like jade, emeralds, peridots, pretty much anything green. My engagement ring was an emerald. If i had to pick one, it would probably be jade. It's so versatile.

What's a thing about your childhood you would like to bring back into your life as an adult?

Years ago, when I got a job in a different town and started socializing there rather than in my home town, for a few years I had a series of incidents. A young woman, maybe 5-6 years younger than me, would approach me and say something along the lines of, “Hi! Remember me? I dated your brother!” Now, at the time my brother was about 11, and I never met any of these girls before.

So in the early 90s I had a doppelgänger somewhere on Long Island, with a brother that got around.

What’s the most embarrassing thing a family member ever did to you?

I like a good Italian Sunday dinner.

What trait do you share with your father?

OMG maybe 10-12? More than that I don’t know how much of a personal connection I could have.

How many pets have you had?

No. I did not want to see the first; I can’t imagine I’d want to see the next.

If you could have one extraordinary talent, what would it be?

Epignosis wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 12:45 am

S~V~S wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 4:34 pm You know I'm a Mets fan, lol.

An excellent choice!

PS Max Scherzer is my favorite athlete.

Epignosis wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 12:44 am At this point, eggs. A dozen is almost as much as a pound of sirloin these days.

You have one extra hour in the day that nobody else has. Nobody can bother you or interact with you. What do you do with it?

I kind of already have that; I spend an hour every morning with coffee and the news. I like leaving the house well informed.

How many things you currently own do you think you could throw away and not notice a difference in your life?

I haven't for a while, but when I last did it was Cascadian Farms Honey Vanilla Crunch. Yum, now I want some.

If you could have an unlimited supply of one food item, what would it be?

Caumsett Park, it has woods and beaches and Gold Coast buildings.

Do you have a landline in your home anymore?

I was a sucker for Scooby Doo. I wanted to be Shaggy when I grew up. Even as a kid, I knew he was always high.

What's your favorite Sesame Street character?

Tom Seaver

Second favorite sports ball team?

Bananas; I eat one daily, and I have this bizarre fear that pineapples are harbingers of doom. Written out that way it sounds even sillier than when I think about it, but as far as I'm concerned, pineapples are death.

What silly superstition do you have?

Rudolph, I found Frosty a bit creepy as a kid. But in reality my real fave is the Bumble



Who is your favorite all time cartoon character?

Because we all have to grow up and go to work.

What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge or pantry? Why do you have that weird thing?

You know I'm a Mets fan, lol.

Favorite Muppet, definitely the Count. Bwa ha ha.

Favorite film Joker?

World Series? 1986

TV series? That’s harder. I would say LOST if not for the last season, or GOT if not for the last season, so I’ll say Six Feet Under because the last season was better than the first.

If you could witness one historical event in real time, what would it be?

Kate wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:18 pm

S~V~S wrote: ↑Fri Nov 25, 2022 7:20 pm She is. It looks like a professional picture.

Alaska. An Alaskan cruise (especially late summer/early fall) is amazing. The west coast of Canada is mostly wooded, with smaller towns. The glaciers are awe inspiring and the Northern Lights are so much better in reality than pictures. Two thumbs up.

You omitted the new question!

Lol, ong remember green blush?

Go to coping mechanism when overwhelmed?

She is. It looks like a professional picture.

Alaska. An Alaskan cruise (especially late summer/early fall) is amazing. The west coast of Canada is mostly wooded, with smaller towns. The glaciers are awe inspiring and the Northern Lights are so much better in reality than pictures. Two thumbs up.

I'm a Gemini; I don't *really* believe in Astrology, but I have to say the traits for mine are pretty accurate (except the gregarious part, ew).

I have a framed photo of some Italian doors a friend took. Do you have any art made by someone you know (not counting kids art)?

Probably Columbus Day. I could think of lots of people who deserve a holiday more, and you don't even get off work. Meh.

Have you ever met anyone notoriously evil (like, for instance, I met Joel Rifkin once)?

Yes, but the last two times I had a flat, someone else did it for me.

Do you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, and if so are you hosting or guesting?

Kind of a beige-y light tan. Not what I would have chosen.

Do you own a picnic basket?

6:24 PM

Are you wearing shoes right now?

Karen and Giovanna

Who was your most recent immigrant ancestor?

Dune

What's your favorite city you have ever visited?

When I was little, I loved 101 Dalmatians,The Sting as a preAdolescent and The Godfather since Junior High and that one stuck.

What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theatre?

G-Man wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 5:47 pm Peaceful outside, but obnoxious to the point of murder when I hear it coming from my basement.

Me too! I'm laying in bed, I hear a cricket. If I determine it's coming from outside, I can fall right asleep. If it's in the house, I can't sleep without finding it lol.

Um Both shrimp and crab are good, but I gotta go with crab. It's more of a special meal, restaurant food for me.

Do you believe in things like ghosts?

No.

Do you like cricket noises or find it irritating?

New Zealand. If they have that spider there that eats snakes that they have in Australia, I don't want to know about it.

Do you think they should try to bring back extinct animals, like the mammoth, or the Tasmanian Tiger?