10 on Tuesday - #1

In my exploration of other blogs, I came across Roots & Rings. Every Tuesday, Chelsea gives a list of 10 questions to answer--a fun twist on a writing prompt--and I've been waiting for a Tuesday to try it out!

So here goes...

Questions for Tuesday, January 11, 2011!

1. Is there a band/artist that you HATE? 
I wouldn't say "hate," but some types of music disturb me, like Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, and probably a lot of artists I've never heard of because I wouldn't come in contact with their work. I like loud; I can do screaming, but I like to be able to sing along, too.

2. What do you do when you get a gift that you do not like? How do you react?
I don't want to hurt people's feelings, so I find something I like about the gift or just thank them for being so thoughtful. I'm sure I've bought tons of gifts that weren't exactly what the receiver wanted!

3. How is your work office/cubicle decorated?
Well, I work at home, and it's not really decorated--more like populated: with papers, mugs, cords and wires, and cats crawling back and forth across the keyboard! My wall is painted a very pretty green color, though. And at some point I'd like to hang some photos.

4. Do you use all of your vacation every year?
Um. I'm the workaholic that worked on my honeymoon. I think I can go about one day without looking at my computer. But that doesn't necessarily mean I'm accomplishing anything!

5. Did you have a real or fake Christmas tree?
Growing up my parents always got a real tree--one year we went to a Christmas tree forest and cut the tree down ourselves. I've never had my own tree--no room; bad associations with Christmas or something. My sister has a fake tree from Hobby Lobby and it looks SO real. Knowing the hassles of a real tree, if I ever did get one, I'd probably follow her example. Otherwise, I'm perfectly happy with my three large vases filled with blue and silver ornaments--they can stay up all winter. And white lights around the ceiling, too.

6. If you could have anything for dinner tonight, what would it be?
Something home-cooked and made by someone else! My mom mentioned beef stew and I've been craving it. Her recipe is amazing! I made it sometimes as a teenager, but it's a lot of vegetable washing, peeling and chopping.

7. Do you bite your fingernails?
Not anymore, but I used to. They're not very strong, though--they rip off randomly for no reason! And I can't get polish to stay on them.

8. How many cups of coffee do you drink each day?
One or two. But I use a large mug if I can, and way too much sugar!

9. Do you have a nervous tick?
If speaking quickly counts, yes, I do that when I'm nervous. My voice gets higher and I use expressions such as "like," "um" and "you know" even more than I do in usual conversation (which is too often as it is). Perhaps I'm perpetually nervous?

10.  How often do you vacuum?
Not often enough!