Tartan Day and following the band

The Declaration of Arbroath, which declared Scotland’s independence from England, was signed on April 6th, 1320.

Firstly it set the will and the wishes of the people above the King. Though they were bound to him 'both by law and by his merits' it was so that their freedom might be maintained. If he betrayed them he would be removed and replaced…

Secondly, the manifesto affirmed the nation's independence in a way no battle could, and justified it with a truth that is beyond nation and race. Man has a right to freedom and a duty to defend it with his life.   from TartanDay.org

In 1997, Tartan Day became official across the United States in recognition of the Scots influence in America and that our own Declaration of Independence was modeled after the Declaration of Arbroath.

~~

During the Creative Mojo radio interview, I mentioned that my Rehearsal series was inspired by my favorite band back in the 70s. It was “coming out day” as Nessa said, since I hadn’t said publicly which band that was. As it turns out, yes, the band was from Scotland and that gave a lot of us teenagers and pre-teens a huge interest in Scotland and in tartan. Hey, the BCR lads wore it to honor their heritage (or … to catch attention) so of course it was super cool, although in those days it was only super cool for Roller fans. It’s everywhere now, and it is “sick,” or whatever they say these days to mean cool, to wear plaid. Think it’s only circumstantial that it’s in vogue now that all those teens are now grown up and running things? Hm. Maybe.

Anyway, yes, Raucous, my band in Rehearsal, was inspired directly. And no, they are not meant to be an imitation. Raucous is an American band with a Scottish interloper, and they’re rock in the vein of Chicago and Journey meet KISS. As I told Nessa, I was still a young teen when I created this story and these characters. (Don’t worry; the writing has been completely redone since then!) The idea of a new guy coming in affected my thoughts and of course the tartan thing is there (but not worn by my band), and I borrowed a couple of names as a tribute of sorts.

Mainly, Rehearsal comes from my music obsession and my obsession with wanting to know and understand people’s backgrounds, the whys and hows of what they do and their choices, even when they are people I don’t know. I’ve also made a habit of studying the ripple effect in interpersonal relationships. Everything we do affects those around us, even if we don’t see it. Rehearsal has a huge ripple effect to it.

-- What happens when you give up something you want to help someone else? How does it affect that someone long term?
-- What happens when you choose to stay quiet and let things take their course instead of guiding them?
-- What happens when you don’t tell someone how you feel?
-- What happens when you make judgments about things you don’t fully understand?

There are many, many other ripples in the story, but all of these things spread wider than any of the characters expect.

Anyway, it’s Tartan Day, so back to Scotland. The photos in this post are my own, taken in 2008 when we went on a whirlwind Scotland, Ireland, England trip. The guy to the left is not a Rehearsal character (so far). He stood guard over dinner in a Medieval Castle dungeon.

The guy at the top is a bagpiper we found upon our entrance into the Highlands. We stopped and talked with him (yes, you have to love that accent!) and got our photos taken and picked up a Highland Sounds CD.

Along the way, everyone we met was incredibly friendly and it’s hard to go anywhere else and see as many smiles as we did across Scotland. Maybe that’s because we were so happy to be there they were laughing at us. Or because their Whisky is THAT good. (In Scotland, it is whisky, not whiskey.)

Although I began writing this series looooong before I ever visited Scotland, our trip provided some luscious detail that has been and will be included more here and there as it fits. (To the left is me along Loch Ness.)

Now what I need for the series is to tour with a rock band so I can to add to my internet research with more luscious details. Okay, that’s not likely, but then I never expected to meet the BCR, either, and in recent years, I have met two of them. No, they are not like the characters I created to work with the story. Hm, well, maybe bits and pieces are similar. ;-)


Happy Tartan Day to all Scottish Americans! And to all who love Scotland and all things tartan for whatever reason.

Here’s an excerpt from Rehearsal: A Different Drummer when Susie meets the Scottish interloper for the first time:

~~ ~~ ~~

As Susie walked beside him, she did her best not to let her nervousness show. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t been nervous when she met the other guys; well, not very. And she was nineteen now, not sixteen as she’d been on her first visit.

The guitarist’s eyes remained on her face. They were gorgeous: bright blue, with long lashes, and so shockingly direct. She generally didn’t like stubble on a man’s chin, but his accentuated his ruggedness. Maybe that wasn’t the right word. It was more ... a sensual aura. As she had felt at a greater distance, the man truly emitted pure sensuality.

“Suse, this is Duncan O’Neil. Susie Brooks.”

She barely heard Evan, but she already knew his friend’s name.

He extended a hand without releasing her eyes. “It is a pleasure.”

She felt the calluses on his fingers as he gripped her hand firmly, but carefully, as though trying not to hurt her. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you finally, since I’ve heard so much.” Good. She had managed to keep her voice from shaking.

He glanced at Evan with a slightly raised eyebrow, just one. It was adorable.

“I know you remember me talking about Susie.” Evan touched her back again, her lower back: a possessive touch that didn’t make much sense, considering.

Duncan noticed and released her hand. He studied her as though trying to remember. Evan obviously hadn’t talked about her much.

“My friend from Pennsylvania. I wrote that she moved out here.”

Now, a sign of recognition. “The one your mum took care of?” He tilted his head with a touch of a frown. “He did no’ describe you well. I was picturing a young girl, which you are no’.”

A young girl? Was that how Evan saw her?

“I can no’ imagine why anyone would no’ want you around.”

Susie pulled her eyes away in hopes he wouldn’t see the warmth she could feel crawling into her cheeks. Why was he getting to her? It wasn’t as though she had never received a compliment from a guy. She’d received plenty, but most had only been lines, not real.

“I am sorry. I did no’ mean t’ embarrass you.”

She forced an imitation calm and grinned at him. “No, it’s ... I was thinking the same thing ... about you... I mean...” Cursing herself silently, she shook her head and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long week. What I mean is ... Mike was just giving you a hard time. You fit with the band well. I hope you’ll stay and give it a try.”

“Hey, that is a compliment, coming from Susie.” Stu jumped in and nudged Duncan’s shoulder. “She’s the one who always has an objection for everyone we audition.”

Duncan barely glanced at Stu and his eyes were back on her. “D’ you hang with the band much?”

Band talk. She could handle that. “Pretty often. Whenever I’m not working.”

“In that case, I migh’ just hang around a while.”

Rehearsal: The Series
- A Different Drummer
- The Highest Aim
- Of Chaotic Currents
- books 4-6 still to come

LKHunsaker.com/Rehearsal/main.htm

Technorati Tags: Rehearsal,fiction,music,70s,Seventies,romance,Tartan Day,Scotland,books,BCR,Bay City Rollers

Weeds and Flowers

There is Scottish Thistle growing along the roads beside our house. We’re in western Pennsylvania, which apparently has such deep Celtic roots and ancestry that thistle happened to spring up from the earth. Okay, I suppose someone brought some back from Scotland. It wasn’t us, although we were there last summer, and although I had a lot of  fun admiring the country’s national emblem growing wild in the highlands and along roads and being depicted on street signs and shop signs. I didn’t notice it here before. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention.

To be honest, it likely didn’t have the chance to grow as well as it has this year because … well, our state has yet to approve a budget so weeds alongside the roads aren’t being cut. At least that’s my theory as to why they’re taking over the sideline landscapes.

Yes, I’m enjoying the purple thistle. It reminds me of Scotland and I have a true, deep love for that country. It doesn’t quite match the love I have for my own, but it would be one of two places I would relocate if I every got kicked out of here (and with some of my political opinions, maybe I will be). The other would be Italy, but then I’d have to learn Italian. The Scots at least speak English: not quite American English but close enough to catch on quickly.

No, I don’t have plans to move, but when I mentioned to my husband that a local plant nursery had thistle growing in front of their building, which I thought was very cool, he said, “I can’t imagine why anyone would plant a sticker bush.”

Oh. I suppose he has a point. As I thought about it, I decided I wouldn’t actually want it in my yard, either. It’s a weed, you know. It will spread and take over if it’s allowed. And although I enjoy the bit of it I see, there is a line things need to maintain or else they cause havoc.

I also enjoy the goldenrod not being cut down. I’m allergic to the stuff and definitely don’t want THAT in my yard, but in my car as I’m driving past with the windows closed, it’s very pretty. [Now I’m hoping I’m naming that bright yellow weed correctly. TC, my professional gardening friend, may correct me, a gardening amateur.]

But that’s the way it often goes – something that looks like a very cool idea in its bright and shiny glory at a distance changes once you start looking closer.  I think we see that in politics a lot. I’ll leave that thought for the moment. I blog politically blatant at Myspace and sometimes at Facebook, but not here. Don’t worry. I won’t start.

I know we see it in everyday life. And I see it in writing. Adverbs are weeds, for instance. In their proper place and kept at a minimum, they  are pretty words that help a writer get an image across. Left to spread uncontrolled, however, they muddy the waters and we’re left with so many of them it’s hard to see the grass. I love grass. It’s the basic structure, the spreading earthy grounding soul of a yard, and of a book. I’ve become obsessed with grass after living in the south for 12 years and having such a time trying to keep my yard green and fresh. I planted some recently here and go look out at it every day. It’s thriving. I did nothing but prepare the soil, throw some straw over top to hold it and mulch it, and timed it just before a few days of rain moved in … and it’s thriving on its own. A beautiful site.

The patch that was nothing but packed dirt and weeds is now soul-soothing (green will do that for you) and makes me feel like my thumb is a touch more natural than I thought.

Of course I have flowers, also. The marigolds in the photo above are now planted here and there around my flower beds. Many don’t like marigolds because they smell bad. Yes, but they are natural pest deterrents. Critters don’t like their smell, either. I put marigolds in with my veggies this year and have had very little trouble with Japanese Beatles.

Flowers are the extra description of a novel. They highlight the story, bring color and beauty. Again, though, too much of it and it  overpowers everything until the story is too hard to find.

Nature is about balance. Grass should be central. The Japanese would disagree with me, but I’m an American and so my statement stands. We like pretty yards of rolling grass without weeds and highlighted by flowers. That’s how I like my fiction, also. Rolling grass [story] with maybe a dandelion accent [weeds] here and there and a flowery [descriptive] highlight. 

~~~
Tomorrow (September 4th)  I’ll be introducing myself during Classic Romance Revival’s “Author Intro” month, part of their grand opening celebration. Come by and see what you can win just by commenting!
http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog

--

Setting: The Watery Breath of a Story

 

"Water is the driving force of all nature."
Leonardo da Vinci

 

As water is the underlying basis for everything that lives, so setting is to every story that breathes.

 

Everything has to happen somewhere.

 

How do authors choose where their stories will happen? ~shrug~ I can't speak for others, as we all have our different reasons for sticking our characters wherever we stick them. Generally, it's love: the love of history or love of a certain place we visited or love of the unknown. With me, it tends to be a mix of all three.

 

By now, I've lived in six states and two countries and have traveled* a lot in between. [side note below] I've also taken an incredible cultural psychology class that further emphasized how we are affected by where we live. In the words of Anais Nin, "We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." Setting is not only a place; it's character. It's part of who our characters are and novelists who ignore that are missing a huge chance to fill in the depths of the story.

 

Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, was born of the sea.
from pureinsideout.com

 

In my first-to-publish novel, Finishing Touches, Jenna is a small town Midwest girl raised nearly on the banks of the Illinois River. The river and trees surrounding it play a large part of her story, the trees being symbolic of her inner strength and deep roots and the river of her unbound soul that flows along where life takes her. There's also the little bridge mentioned that she crosses over, pausing to look down into the shallow creek. A bridge is a metaphor for crossing a boundary, for change, or for pulling the two different parts of her life together. In addition to the structural "place" of the story, being from the Midwest helps make Jenna who she is. As each country has its unique qualities that help define its people, so do different sections of countries. As a small town girl raised in the Midwest myself, I fully understand Jenna and have a special love for the people who tend to be very earthy and natural, and rather conservative in actions and speech. Although the story is not autobiographical, other than the searching issue, the setting is. My first novel has the most involved setting; it's the most interwoven with the main character.

 

When I first started writing the Rehearsal series in notes and scattered scenes and character development, I was still in that small Illinois town, but my thoughts were always wandering elsewhere. I wanted to go out and see new things, explore new places. I couldn't do it often at that time, but my characters did. As a result, they are more worldly than Jenna, all transplanted from the beginning of the story which makes the setting less woven into their characters. Two are from Pennsylvania, three from New Hampshire, one from the UK. The story is set in Massachusetts, roughly thirty miles from Boston. However, it takes them out of their adopted town often, into other places, a metaphor for my own wanderlust.

Each of us "belongs" in a certain place. It may not be where we were raised. There may be some other place that calls out to us and helps us feel more settled once we're there. For me, that place was temporarily the Northeast and permanently the Mid-Atlantic. We lived in Massachusetts for some time and I adored the area, was sad to have to leave. At the same time, when we passed through Pennsylvania to go back to visit family in Illinois, it called to me, as it had during family vacations when I was young. And so, my two main characters from Rehearsal, Evan and Susie, had to be from Pennsylvania. I set them in the eastern part of the state so it would work better with the story, but put Evan's alma mater on the western edge. When putting him there, I never in the world expected to end up living so close to it.

 

My New Hampshire characters are supporting cast. I wanted them transplanted instead of being Massachusetts locals in order to give them that extra edge. Their personalities aren't MA personalities. It wouldn't have worked. I have yet to visit New Hampshire, so if anyone from the state wants to comment on whether they fit, I'd love to hear it! Of course, you'd have to read the book to find out. ;-)

 

"It is a curious sensation: the sort of pain that goes mercifully beyond our powers of feeling. When your heart is broken, your boats are burned: nothing matters any more. It is the end of happiness and the beginning of peace."
George Bernard Shaw

 

My next-to-come book, Off The Moon (fall 2009), has two main settings: New York City and Bennington, Vermont. The main character is heavily in the music industry and so it worked well to have him in the midst of one of the music centers of the nation. His family is in Vermont, which worked in different ways: it's a short enough drive from NYC so he's able to run back and forth easily, it's another place I've yet to visit (love of the unknown), and it has a wonderful lake setting that's important to the story since he adores boats and owns a pontoon he uses to escape his busy city life. With any luck, I'll be visiting the area before putting the final touches on the book. However, he grew up a military brat, so for him, place is very fluid and the lack of deep roots shows through his personality and his actions.

 

If you haven't figured it out yet, water plays a big role in all of my stories. I'm drawn to lakes, rivers, oceans, and even small trickling streams. I love to swim. I love to watch and photograph waterfalls. I love to be on boats of any kind. I think it's unlikely I'll write a book without this feature, as it's too embedded into who I am.

 

"My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine.
(Fortunately) everybody drinks water."
Mark Twain

 

I'm currently in process of adding photos of some of the settings in my books to albums on my website. So far, I have the Finishing Touches album done and most of those photos were taken by family members. More setting albums will come soon.

 

***  This entry is part of Classic Romance Revival's Blog Carnival. Go to CRR to find more authors writing on the subject of setting!   www.ClassicRomanceRevival.com/blog ***

“The Truth is you are a part and parcel of the great being. You are one of the cells of the Great Being, you can call it. And once a drop falls into a ocean, it becomes an ocean. And once you become the ocean, you see the whole world in a different way, and understand the whole world as a beautiful place of enjoyment.”

Carl Gustav Jung

[side note: For those who have read the Rehearsal books, yes, I spell traveled as "travelled" in the series intentionally. There are two reasons for this: back when I was in grade school studying spelling lessons, many of the consonants were still doubled as they tend to be in British English, including travelled. I well remember when that started to change and balked at the idea. I don't always do change well. And I like the way the world looks better with two "L"s instead of one. As this series started to come to life way back during my school days in the 70s, I left it "travelled" as it was still spelled then. Also, much of the series is set in the 70s and so it's appropriate to use the spelling of the time. There's also the third main character who is from the UK and so would also spell it in that manner. Other than in the series, I sigh and conform and drop the extra letter.]

 

-

 

100 Things About Duncan O'Neil

Surveys are passed around online constantly. They can be great fun, but for authors, they can also be an incredible tool. I'm a writer who believes an author should know main characters inside and out. In that vein, here is one of my main characters:




Duncan O’Neil
(from the novel Rehearsal: A Different Drummer by LK Hunsaker)
**as of March 1974

1. WHERE IS ONE OF YOUR SCARS AND HOW DID YOU GET IT?

I ‘ave a couple on my legs from playin’ rugby in younger days.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?

I do no’ put anything on walls where I stay, as I would only have t’ take them down again when I leave.

3. IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHICH WOULD IT BE?

Likely a lion or tiger.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?

Rock mostly: Clapton, Zeppelin, Eagles, Skynyrd, and anything done well.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?

Nah, only the day. I am sure mum could say off the top o’ her head.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?

a reason no’ to keep moving

7. WHO DO YOU MISS?

I do no’ let myself think of it.

8. WHAT IS (ARE) YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?

My guitar -- a ’65 Fender Mustang I picked up second-hand years ago, the leather vest that gives some warmth as I need, Mum’s ring that hangs on a chain under my shirt

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?

5’9”

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?

Nah, bu’ I like open spaces as I can find them. Tops of mountains are good.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?

Only if there is something particular in the dark t’ be worried about.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?

I would ‘ave been too young t’ remember.

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?

Doesnae matter, as long as she looks no’ too fake.

15. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PROPOSED TO?

I would nae expect t’ be proposed to, unless y’ mean other than marriage. Subtle propositions are more likely t’ appeal t’ me for anything else y’ have in mind.

16. COFFEE OR TEA?

Coffee, black and strong.

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?

Sausage and anything else y’ want to put on. I am no’ particular.

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Steak, medium rare, and potatoes, any way.

20. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH RIGHT NOW?

Nah, I donae have crushes. I am interested for a time or I am not. If she is no’ interested, I donae bother worryin’ about it.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?

My sis saved up wha’ever money she could from helping with neighbor’s kids or chores one year and gave it t’ me to help buy the Mustang t’ replace the cheap acoustic I ‘ad been using. She ‘ad been wanting t’ get a good camera bu’ gave it up for the guitar. I am hopin’ to be able t’ get her any camera her heart is set on when I see her again.

22. WHAT WAS THE LAST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT?

Eric Clapton

23. NAME SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH.

To play with a band with a lo’ of skill and heart, and t’ write something that was worth writing.

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING?

Comfortable and well-fit.

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET?

Nah, I ‘ave enough of a time feeding myself dependin’ on the day.

27. NAME SOMETHING YOU REGRET.

Leavin’.

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THE PERSON IS ALREADY TAKEN?

Fallin’ in love is not something I need a’ the present, taken or not. If I started to go for someone taken, I would likely pick up and ge’ away from it.

29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?

If they mean something t’ you, it should no’ be hard t’ say it.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:

Why?

31. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT NUMBER?



32 WHAT IS THE NUMBER YOU CALL MOST OFTEN?

Ev’s, bu’ I am more likely t’ write him.

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?

All my life until a few years ago, since I was born in the UK.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?

Living with guilt of wha’ I ‘ave done wrong. I would guess it is true of everyone.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?

No’ that I know of. I ‘ave met many people from everywhere and ‘ave no’ bothered to ask if they are famous or if they are not. It doesnae matter t’ me if they are.

37. FIRST JOB?

Worked my father’s farm from the time I was small.

38. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX?

Playin’ guitar. Running early mornings while the sun is still tryin’ to come up.

41. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?

Takin’ a shower to ge’ rid of the smoke from the bar I am workin’ at.

40. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?

No, bu’ I have helped with two or three.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?

The guitar. Wha’ else would there be? Mostly girls lookin’ for a fling.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?

I donae acknowledge my birthday.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?

I donae know that I do. If it was the right circumstance, maybe two or four. I cannae see a girl wanting that with me.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

No’ that I know of. I ‘ave not bothered t’ ask.

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?

Wha’ever is cheapest. Soap, most often.

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

I can read it.

51. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Hamburger, bu’ anything will work

52. ANY BAD HABITS?

I would guess I ‘ave several, bu’ since I live alone, it doesnae matter much.

53. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Not likely. I would no’ have the patience t’ deal with someone like myself. Ev has the patience of Job.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?

Yeah, bu’ not as much as attitude.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?

I go running or I walk in the rain at night.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?

We didnae have toys. Mum took us ou’ to walk or play in the sand if we had time work didnae need t’ be done.

61. HOW MANY BIRTHDAYS DO YOU KNOW OFF-HAND?

Mum’s, Laura’s, Danny’s, Ev’s.

62. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME OF ALL TIME?

We didnae have Halloween. The ones I have enjoyed seeing in the States are the homemade ones tha’ look like the kids thought them up on their own.

63. BATHS OR SHOWERS?

Showers, with hot water when I can ge’ it.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?

potatoes

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PARTNER?

genuineness and honesty – hard to find in the places I ‘ave been

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?

At home they called me DJ but I donae go by that here.

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?

I donae usually have a TV available and I donae usually miss having it.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?

Vanilla – it goes best with pecan pie

71. HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED?

No’ yet.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?

Sleep – it’s past night already and into morning

74. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU HAVE?

I donae have a car.

75. WHAT KIND WOULD YOU HAVE IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT?

Harley Davidson Sportster

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RECENTLY?

Whatever the band I play with wants t’ do or whatever is on the box when the band is no’ playing.

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?

a beer at Sam’s

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Ev

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?

How she holds herself – the attitude she carries.

81. FAVORITE SMELL?

The trace of shampoo in the hair of a girl just out of the shower.

82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?

Anytime it is no’ too hot. September is good weather here.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?

brown

86. EYE COLOR?

blue

87. FAVORITE BOOK?

I donae read books much, but Dr. Jekyll was good.

88. FAVORITE COLOR?

red

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

I donae have one.

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?

I can eat it bu’ I donae have much interest.

91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED?

Last interesting thing? Mel throwing two young asses ou’ of the bar for breakin’ up her chairs.

92. WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS, WHO IS THE FIRST PERSON YOU WANT TO TELL?

Laura

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

Guitar.

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?

Maybe I will be someday.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?

Depends who they are from. A girl who is good at kissing is nice t’ find.

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?

Which d’ I have or which d’ I want? Are y’ offering?

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?

A hamburger and greasy chips, or fries as they are called here.

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE.

I donae have one t’ talk about in the last few weeks. It is up and down, bu’ I am no’ sure I would call it a “love” life, more a companionship search.