Here’s another installment of Sunday Stealing, which is reason enough to have a picture of blueberry muffins. The first question is, What’s your guilty pleasure?
I’ll list foods I should not eat but crave for this exercise. These tend to involve pastry with fruit, such as banana bread, blueberry muffins, and apple pastry.
Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner, because it tends to be the most varied. Breakfast is almost always oatmeal. Lunch is whatever leftovers might be kicking around. Dinner tends to be the most interesting.
What do you do when you want to chill out after a long day?
It tends to be watching television, specifically the Evening News, which we record and fast-forward through the commercials. So, I’ve managed to miss the bulk of the political ads running. Then, my wife and I play the New York Times Connections together.
How would you spend your ideal weekend?
On Saturday, we usually attend some event: a concert, play, musical, movie, or social gathering. Sunday involves going to church and then talking to my sisters on Zoom.
MUSIC, of course
Do you listen to podcasts, or mostly just music? What’s your favorite podcast?
I listen to a lot of music, usually seven CDs per day. Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Dr. John, and Neil Young are currently heavily in the rotation. But not many podcasts because I can’t multitask. I have to listen intently. It’s the same reason I can’t listen to audiobooks and do something else, as some people, notably my wife, can. I am utterly incapable. I have to concentrate on the item. So, besides Arthur’s occasional AmeriNZ item, the only podcast I listen to regularly is Coverville, which is mostly music.
Cinema, always. I saw many movies at home during COVID-19, but it wasn’t the same. I remember going to the Spectrum Theatre when the vaccine was available, but social distancing and masks were the norm, and it was such a treat to see the films on the big screen.
TeeVee
What was your favorite TV show growing up?
The Dick Van Dyke Show. Mark Evanier has linked to his ten favorite episodes. (His #2 may be my #1)
What’s your favorite TV show now?
CBS Sunday Morning, a magazine on the air since 1979.
How would you spend your birthday if money was no object?
I’d rather throw a surprise party for Kelly with a few dozen of his closest friends and family in Washington, DC.
What’s your favorite season? What do you love most about it?
Spring. It could have snow or 86°F/30°C, but ultimately, it will have new life.
Do you prefer camping or going to the beach?
I don’t like either. If I had to choose, I’d say go to the beach, but I’d need a huge umbrella to protect me from the sun.
Which phone app do you think you use the most?
I probably use Noom because it can track all my food consumption. After that, I’ll probably use Venmo to send money to my daughter and the CDTA navigator so I can get around on the bus in Albany.
Steppin’ Out
Would you instead cook, order delivery, or go out to eat?
I would eat out almost every meal, every day. There’s something about other people preparing your food for you and then cleaning up afterward. It’d be different restaurants with a variety of levels of fanciness.
How do you drink your coffee?
I don’t drink coffee. I know it’s unAmerican.
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose?
I don’t want another pet. We had two cats this year; one of them died. It’s much easier to go away when you don’t have a creature depending on you. I liked having them and love our remaining cat, but I reckon we won’t have another one.
I always “think” I could eat out every meal, and then we go on a trip where we literally eat every meal out and I’m so ready for a plain meal when I get home. I remember being at Disney World with our kids when they were about 10 years old. On the plane when we were on our way home, one of them leaned over to me and said, “can we have chicken in the skillet, green beans, and mashed potatoes when we get home?” They were tired of eating out.