I’ll get asked this at work today, so it’s your turn.

How was your weekend?

Nice and quiet, thanks.

I realize this will get a sardonic chuckle from some of you, but here goes:

What are your plans for summer vacation?

For me, I’ll be making my annual pilgrimage to Stratford, Ontario, in August with my parents.  Other than that, [sardonic chuckle].

Continuing with the vacation theme:

What’s the one place in the world you’ve always wanted to visit?

I haven’t done this one for a while, but I always enjoy the answers.

You (and your best-beloved if you have one) have won an all-expenses-paid weekend vacation anywhere in the world.  Where do you go?

Shamelessly nicked from Melissa:

What is the last book you tried to read but just couldn’t finish?

For me, it was The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  I could barely make it through the movie version, either.

For you frequent… or not-so-frequent fliers:

Window or aisle?

I used to always want a window seat so I could watch the world go by or enjoy the cloud patterns.  But as you get older, you begin to appreciate the accessibility to the lavatory that comes with sitting on the aisle, and besides, once you’ve seen the landscape between Dallas and Albuquerque, there’s not much more to see.  The downside of the aisle is that people bump into you as they walk by with their luggage, and the food cart is a mean missile.

Even though we got a blast of winter’s last gasp in Kansas last weekend, it’s full-tilt springtime, and a lot of folks turn their thoughts to the outdoors.

What’s in your garden this year?

Mine consists of my faithful philodendrons and orchids, still growing despite my best efforts of care and feeding.

The TV season is just about over.  I’ve become a fan of a few of the new ones; Vegas with Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis, Elementary with Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, and several others.  (No, I am not a Game of Thrones person; I watched couple of episodes and it did nothing for me.  Sorry.)

What were your new favorite things to watch on the TV this season?

By the way, sticking with the oldies but goodies works, too.  I just discovered Body of Proof and Castle, and apparently they’ve been around for a while.

It’s been a while since I asked this one.

Read any good books lately?

I’m going down Main Street by Sinclair Lewis again, as well as taking a trip with John Steinbeck and his Travels with Charley.

Spring is the time of year when a lot of people turn to the outdoors.

What plans do you have for your garden/greenspace this year?

Despite sincere attempts, I’m not very good at gardening.  My current residence has some very nice flora: several hibiscus trees, two orchids, and a couple of potted plants, including a philodendron that I got over 30 years ago and still going strong, but that’s about it.  Since it’s a rental property, I’m not inclined to make a huge effort to turn it into a bucolic paradise.

Via Julie:

What is the weirdest, most inappropriate spam mail you get?

I’ve gotten a lot of weird and inappropriate spam mail, but the one that jumps to mind is my recent spate of “Chinese women want to meet you!” solicitations.

Following up on the post below…

Are you allergic to anything?

Me: Medically, nothing that I know of.  Philosophically, I get a visceral reaction to trolls, especially the type couched in “well-meaning concern.”

Sparked by a commentary heard last night on NPR:

Do you wear cologne/perfume?

Me: No.  Allen once got me some cologne for Christmas and I tried it.  But it mixed with my body chemistry to give off the scent of cucumber salad.  That’s not a bad smell in and of itself, but I got some funny looks at potluck dinners.

Write your congressperson.

When was the last time you contacted an elected official?  What for?

And if you did, did you hear back?

Get down with your bad self.

When was the last time you danced?

Apropos of the post below about growing up in Florida…

What do you like the most about the place where you live?

As noted below, President Obama proposed raising the minimum wage to $9 an hour.

Have you ever had a minimum wage job?

Feel free to share your story.

Via Julie:

If you wrote a book, what would it be about?

I’ll let you know when I finish it.

We’ve done this one before, but it’s been a while.

What book(s) are you reading?

I’m working my way through god is not great by Christopher Hitchens.

Last week Lake Superior State University issued its annual list of Banished Words for 2013.  The number 1 choice for permanent exile from the lexicon was “Fiscal Cliff.”

Your turn:

What word or phrase would you like to see banished forever?

For me: “At the end of the day.”