Page 123 - The Book tag

This tag from Shyam (well, who else?). Considering how long I normally take to do tags, this one has been completed in record time.

Rules of the game, I mean, tag:
1. Pick up the nearest or any book handy.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge the person who tagged you.

At long last, I have a book with me, thanks to this tag. It is On Beauty by Zadie Smith.

A Sunday Times topseller and according to the NY Times, “…it is that rare thing: a novel that is as affecting as it is entertaining”.

I have no clue what the book is about or how the novel will be as this is a new author I am trying out now, thanks to a workmate. And I haven’t even read Page 1. But for the tag, here is extract from Page 123:

“Like one of the statuaries in the bottom of the Fitzwilliam, in Cambridge. You’ve seen those, right? Such an anciently wonderful face.”

Ooh, sound interesting and intriguing.

Now, for rule #5. Hardest of all for me. Finding 5 more to tag. I mean, I don’t even know who visits my blog anymore, ‘coz most people just zip in and skip out without even saying hi (hint, hint). So, I’ll just have to guess and pick, eh? I do know that some of you don’t have blogs, but you can stick your replies in my comments box. And let me know when you’re done, please....

1. Rads
2. Lak
3. Vidya
4. Heather
5. Jo

The one-word tag

Another tag, but they’re mostly no-brainers, so here goes. Oh, I got this from Shyam’s blog.

The rules are:

1. After reading my answers, copy and paste the list into your blog.

2. Change my one-word responses with yours (but I have used two words, you’re not allowed to!).

3. Publish your blog post.

4. Send me a link on my comments box.

If you get something out of a vending machine, it's most likely to be: chocolate/chips;-)
A word you sometimes catch yourself misspelling: focused
You least want people to see you as: dumb
You're a little scared of: creepy-crawlies (that counts as one word, hopefully)
The least attractive thing you do in your sleep: Snore
The number of contacts in your cell phone: Heaps
How many of them are restaurants: None
You lose your cool when someone: shouts
When you go to the drugstore, you often can't leave without buying: something
Your dance moves can best be described as: graceless
The majority of your underwear is: ewwwwwwwww
Something you eat even though you hate how bad it is for you: sweets
You think you're really not a great: teacher
How much cash is in your wallet right now: $1
The majority of your shoes are this color: Black
You don't think you'll ever be able to get rid of your: accent
If your breath is bad, it's most likely because you had: garlic/milk
You feel embarrassed when you: stammer
The last public place where you used the restroom: railway station?
Something you don't like to debate in mixed company: religion
You don't think you can pull off wearing: evening dresses
Something you own entirely too much of:clothes
Someone you would love to see in concert who might bring down your street cred: Dunno
The last thing that you spilled on yourself: rasam
If you were on a reality show, the producers would likely portray/characterise you as the: nerd (yay, nerds are cool)

Tagged and about time too!

Last Movie You Saw In A Theater:
Jodha Akbar.

What Book Are You Reading:
Nothing – am I for real? Although I am currently reading some unpublished excerpts from Ashok Banker's works, thanks to the author himself...

Favourite Board Game:
Gah, dunno.

Favorite Magazines:
The only one I read nowadays is Economist and I quite like it.

Favorite Smells:
sandalwood, all citrusy smells, fresh mint, fresh coffee

Favorite Sound:
River/stream sounds, birdsong, child’s laughter

Worst Feeling In The World:
Seeing/reading/hearing about suffering and being unable to help

What Is The First Thing You Think Of When You Wake?
"God", or "What’s the time” or “I hope it isn’t raining or cold”

Favorite Fast Food Place:
None in NZ. Call me ‘pattikadu’ but in Chennai, it is Saravana Bhavan…

Future Child’s Name:
You’re joking – and if you think that’s a name, fine, go ahead.

Finish This Statement. “If I Had A Lot Of Money I’d…”
Quit my job, hire some house help, travel heaps, buy another car and a bigger, more modern house and do tons of charity, of course, all to excellent worthwhile causes - I'd be a regular Warren Buffet and Bill Gates rolled into one.

Do You Drive Fast?
Often *wink*

Do You Sleep With A Stuffed Animal?
No

Storms - Cool Or Scary?
Scary.

What Was Your First Car?
My first car was a Nissan Sunny, white, and on its abso last
legs….

Favorite Drink:
Water.

Finish This Statement, “If I Had The Time I Would …..”
Exercise more, visit more people, spend more time with kids, cook more …well more of pretty much everything I do now, except office.. he he

Do You Eat The Stems On Broccoli?
Strange question. But yes, I do.

If You Could Dye Your Hair Any Color, What Would Be Your Choice?
Black with reddy-brown foils

Name All The Different Cities/Towns You Have Lived In.
Madras/Chennai and Wellington. Haven’t led a very adventurous life, I’m afraid…

Favorite Sports To Watch:
Very very rarely, cricket.

One Nice Thing About The Person Who Sent This To You:
Well, all the things I want to say about Shyam are nice, so hard to pick just one, eh? But since that makes Shyam think that I am side-stepping the issue diplomatically (which I truly wasn't), let me say, she's got a voice to die for, hair to live for, and having her as a friend makes life much more fun!!! (and mind you, whatever she says, all of that is true!)

What’s Under Your Bed?
An empty flower pot.

Would You Like To Be Born As Yourself Again?
Not really thanks.

Morning Person Or Night Owl?
Night owl, but now twisted and warped beyond recognition into a very grouchy morning person (what that means is that I have to get up at unearthly hours to get to work on time;-(

Over Easy Or Sunny Side Up?
If that’s eggs, I don’t eat ‘em.

Favorite Place To Relax:
At home…

Favorite Pie:
Apple, maybe?

Favorite Ice Cream Flavour:
Ooh easy one, esply now: walnut with maple syrup;-)

You pass this tag to -
Can’t think of absolutely anyone, so whoever wants to do this tag is welcome to. Just let me know if you got tagged be me, though…that is, after reading my blog;-)

Of All The People You Tagged This To, Who’s Most Likely To Respond First?
Sorry, I ain’t a fortune teller.

'3' tag

Thanks Shyam for this one...

I still have many unfinished tags, much to my everlasting shame....no wonder hardly anyone tags me anymore.....

Three things that scare me:
1. Losing family/friends
2. Loud sudden noises and people creeping up silently behind me (they're always doing to me at work, just to see me panicking)
3. The thought of becoming deaf or blind

Three people who make me laugh (really hard one, this):
1. Some friends (with them, not at them)
2. My little littlie
3. Vivek's and slapstick comedy

Three things I love:
1. My kind of music
2. The view from my lounge windows (all green hills and tall pines, with birdsong in the background and mostly, peaceful)
3. To be told that I am organised, friendly, helpful and efficient (yikes, what have I become)

Three things I hate:
1. Smell of any seafood being cooked
2. Abuse of any kind
3. Slugs (for sure, Shyam)

Three things I don’t understand:
1. Myself
2. People
3. Maths

Three things on my desk (at home- what desk????):

Three things I’m doing right now:
1. Feeling sleepy (it is 11.16 pm now)
2. Thinking how to find answers to all these questions
3. Wondering if I can make it upto 12 midnight, as today is Sivarathiri..

Three things I want to do before I die:
1. Become thin
2. Travel a bit
3. Gain true knowledge

Three things I can do:
1. Cook
2. Multitask
3. Yell and swear

Three things you should listen to:
1. The flute, played by any maestro in any genre of music
2. What your kids say
3. What your parents say

Three things you should never listen to:
1. Tamil 'sexy' movie songs - the lyrics are so salacious, they make me blush and worse
2. People who don't know what they are talking about
3. Politicians and CEOs

Three things I’d like to learn:
1. How to write a good media release
2. How to let my mind 'go'
3. Patience

Three favourite foods:
1. Puliyorai (esply made by my grandmother)
2. Dosas with milagaai podi (true Madrasi touch, that)
3. Podi potta kathirikkai
And I could give you at least 10 sweets that I love. You know me, I only never eat more than I can lift....

Three beverages I drink regularly:
1. Coffee (of all kinds)
2. Water
3. Fruit juice/smoothie

Three books I read as a kid:
1. Enid Blyton
2. Amar Chitra Katha
3. Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mysteries

And what this tag has shown me is how much we still have in common, Shyam, even after all these years. Whoo hoo - way to go, girl! Amazing how many answers I lifted straight from your tag...;-)

I'd like to tag no one specific, thanks. Sorry to be a wet blanket - but anyone who wants to can go right ahead and blog on the '3 tag'....