2:20 with Steph

A 2:20 PC2PC chat with Steph~



1) If you woke up as the opposite gender, what’s the 1st thing you would do?
Likely get up, go to the washroom and leave the toilet seat up. :-)

2) Are you a morning or night person?
Definitely a morning person!

3) Do you have any cool/crazy scars & how did you get them?
Yes. When I was a teenager, my father was using an electric garden edger. It kicked up a stone, firing it directly at my upper thigh. I was only standing about 5 feet away at the time and did it ever hurt and it bled like crazy! It has faded over the years, but for the longest time it looked like I'd been shot.

4) What is your favourite thing about your Mom?
Pretty much everything. :-) I admire her strength of character.
My mom IS the BEST mom ever!!

5) Given a choice other than your present one, what career would you wish to be in?
In my teen years, I briefly considered becoming a Funeral Director, but realized that clientele would not always be elderly people who had lived a long life.
Having said that, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a architect. For years I would draw floor plans and various elevations. I LOVE ARCHITECTURE.

6) What is the best thing about your career?
The knowledge that each of the children I come in contact with, will take a small piece of me (be it a phrase or an idea) with them into their lives and maybe even pass it on to their own kids.

7) Who did you last get in an argument with?
The nurse at the doctor's office.

8) Do you have any bug phobias?
I don't like BIG spiders or June bugs or earwigs.

9) If your boyfriend were to order an entree for you in a restaurant, what would be his fail-safe?
Peppercorn steak with garlic mashed potatoes.

10) Did you ever sneak out of your house as a teen & if so, were you ever caught?
Nope. I was the perfect child...bwahahahaha.

11) Do you have a favourite "wild animal encounter" story?
Yes. What turned out to be a young squirrel became trapped in behind the wall in my front hall. How he got in, I still have no idea. I could hear it scratching away for a few hours and realized if I didn't help, it would die. I got one of those small humane traps and proceeded to cut a square out of the drywall. I held the trap up against the hole and waited and waited. Eventually, the squirrel ventured out of the wall and into the trap. However, I was so excited that I pulled the trap away from the wall prematurely and he fell out onto the floor and was now running amok on the main level of the house. It took me over an hour and half to get him directed to and out the front door. It was crazy!

12) What is one trait about yourself that you would like to improve?
In many situations, I am a worrywart.

13) If you were to enter & win a cooking contest, what dish would it be for?
I love to BBQ! My best dish is marinated pork tenderloin served with herb & shallot butter and grilled asparagus. I also make a mean grilled pear with chocolate.

14) What is your favourite childhood candy, and do you still indulge from time to time?
Reese Peanut Butter Cups...about once a month...sometimes in ice cream...SO good.

15) In the 80's, what fashion fad are you most embarrassed about participating in?
Big earrings and big hair.

16) What is your most passionate topic of conversation in regards to current political events?
Canada's participation in the war in Afghanistan. Typically this conversation includes Americans who have no clue we are even there.

17) Did you ever yell so loud that you lost your voice for a few days?
No.

18) If you went out to a club with some girlfriends, are you the type to dance or are you a point-and-laugher?
I am not a dancer (unless it's slow dancing and that is a different situation).
;-P
I applaud people who can get up and dance like no one is watching.

19) If you make an outrageously clumsy move, do you get embarrassed & hope nobody sees, or do you laugh at yourself & brush it off?
Oh, I laugh it off. People should not take themselves so seriously.

20) What are you most looking forward to about Autumn?
I live out in the country and when the leaves begin to change it is simply breathtaking.

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Two, Twenty. Asking Jen!

Here are my Questions for Jen aka Jenuine. Ya I threw in one multiple choice...


1)How do you find the time to blog with such a busy family life? do you..

A) change the clocks and pretend you have time and go without sleep
B) Use your laptop in the bath
C) Play hide and seek with the kids and you find the perfect hiding place
D) blog at work
E) fill in the blank with a better answer... blog when I can't sleep or get inspired by an 'issue'.

2)What is your favourite sport to play?
Team sport: Beach volleyball. Indiv. sport: Caber toss.

3)Are you a fan of socks?
In the winter....yup! Toe socks, fuzzy socks, knee socks, striped socks...

4) You want to show off what Vancouver has to offer your guests. What would you show them first?
Granville Island; for the artists, musicians, artisans & markets.

5)Is Wreck Beach a beach you would take visitors to?
Unfortunately, I've used up all my guest passes.

6)What card or board games are you an ace at?
Uno & Othello.

7) Can you win against your kids on their video games?
I can hold my own.

8)What was the last concert you went to?
Last Friday at an outdoor evening concert featuring: P.I.G.S.- The Canadian Pink Floyd Tribute Band.

9)What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
Practical: contact solution. Impulsive: sun hat.

10) What is your favourite charity?
Our local food banks.

11) Cats or Dogs?
Amazingly enough...dogs. (We have six cats.)

12) Do you have a philosophy about bras?
They hide the truth.

13)Is our PM doing a good job?
Do any of them, while in office?

14) Do you 'get' CFL Football?
Not really, but awesome to watch live.

15)What are you doing at 6pm on weeknights?
Trying to wrap up at work, to get home.

16) Exotic pet or exotic plant?
Plant.

17)What room in your place would you renovate given the funds?
My all-in-one 6x6 Laundry room/food & storage pantry/hot water tank & recycle closet/cat food room/back yard entrance & mud room.

18)What tech equipment could you not live without?
None of them, however, I would miss my PC the most.

19)Do you swim like a fish or more like a dog?
Fish.

20)Say you won one free round trip anywhere in Canada... where would it be?
Halifax, to visit my Nanna, then on my way back, a stop-over in TO to visit my 'girls' & 'boyfriend', of course, and through to Alberta to meet my neice & bff's.

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The Final 2:20.....with Michelle

Before I begin the final edition of this summer's 2:20 with the girls of the Stroumboulopouli, we hope we've brought you a bit of info & humour during the off season & wholeheartedly give a shout-out to our summer-time readers who've popped in from time to time: Thanks!

So here goes......Michelle's turn:


1. If you had the chance, which person would you most like to interview?
~ On the newsy side, Romeo Dallaire. On the entertainment side, Rick Mercer.

2. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate?

~ Dark.

3. What was your favorite childhood toy?
~ I don't recall a particular favourite toy.

4. Hypothetically, if you stumbled into a fairy ring, what era would you teleport to and why?
~ Victorian or Edwardian as I've spent so much time researching events in those eras and it would be interesting to experience it first hand.

5. What culinary creation would you whip up for Gordon Ramsey's discerning palette?
~ Maple cured, cedar planked Pacific salmon with a wild rice pilaf and fiddleheads.

6. What is your favorite thing to photograph?

~ Unscripted everyday life.

7. Karaoke....if you had to choose: solo, duet, or group song?
~ Definitely a group song.

8. If for one night, you were asked to be part of a band, who would you pick?
~ Colin James' band.

9. If you were chosen for a walk-on role in a current/recent TV show, which show would you be most excited to be on?
~ ReGenesis or Slings & Arrows.

10. What achievement would your parents be most proud of?
~ Making my own path in the world and not feeling forced to follow the expected societal expectations placed on women.

11. What holiday do you full on, go absolutely nuts over?
A tie between Christmas and Hallowe'en.

12. What holiday drives you nuts?

~ Valentine's Day, if that can be considered a holiday. If not, then American Thanksgiving.

13. What's your favorite nut?
~ Almonds.

14. If you were to substantially win the lotto, what charity would you donate the largest sum to?
~ The Alzheimer's Society and/or scholarship programs for students attending the post-secondary programs I graduated from.

15. Cheesy horror movies or fluffy romantic comedy?
~ Neither...

16. Where would would you go for your dream vacation?
~ The North Shore of Vancouver Island, Prince Edward Island or The Netherlands.

17. Marilyn Monroe or Bettie Page?

~ Bettie Page.

18. What would you most like to be remembered for?
~ Leaving my little corner of the world a little better than when I found it.

19. Who's gravestone do you have a desire to see, in person?
~ Any of the three Dionne Quintuplets that have passed.

20. If every man on earth, except one, were to be wiped out by an alien invasion, who would you choose to survive?

~ That, my friend, is a top secret answer.

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2:20 with Steph!

1) You can invite three people, dead or alive, to a dinner party. Who would they be?

(photo used with Steph's permission. Actually, it was her idea!)

My maternal grandparents, both of whom passed away far too early.

The third? Maybe my father.

2) Parallel park or drive around the block?
I learned how to drive in my dad's three-quarter ton pick-up truck modified for off-roading. In the words of my Young Drivers of Canada instructor

"If you can parallel park that, you can parallel park anything!"

3) Which would you prefer: a dozen roses or a box of chocolate?
ALWAYS roses...preferably orange ones.

4) What's the most unusual thing you carry in your bag or purse?

In celebration of Chinese New Year, a little boy I know gave me a lucky red envelope. I keep it tucked away in my wallet.

5) MySpace or Facebook?

Facebook.

6) Ultimate Travel Destination:

For a weekend: Ottawa. Far off destination: Greece.

7) What do you do when no one's watching?

That all depends on WHO I'm with...and that's all I'm saying!

8) Favourite television show (either currently on the air or off):

I loved Street Legal. I am currently in withdrawals over 24. And of course, The Hour.

9) Vancouver Island or Prince Edward Island?

PEI.

10) At the movies: butter or butter topping?

The real deal...butter. Layered so it is dispersed throughout the bag.

11) Can you change a tire?

YES! And the oil, air filter, and if need be, also the serpentine belt! I also pump my own gas and put air in the tires. This is what happens when parents raise their daughters to be capable and self-reliant.

12) What's your favourite thing to do on a rainy day?
Sleep or read.

13) Phone, text, or email?

Without a doubt, email. No one ever answers the telephone anymore thanks to answer machines. Texting just takes too damn long.

14) Poutine: gift from the gods or what the hell were they thinking?

I like french fries and cheese, but not together. I'm not a big fan of gravy. For me, it's a little of both.

15) Favourite season:

Autumn. I live in the country where the fall colours are simply stunning.

16) Favourite cartoon character:

Charlie Brown.

17) Truth or dare?
Truth.

18) Have you ever sent yourself flowers?
No. Who does that?

19) Ginger or Maryann?

Neither. Refer back to my answer for question 11.

20) Can you roll your tongue?

No.

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2:20 with Barbara

In today's edition of 2:20,

Barbara answers Steph's questions...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Q: A walk in the snow or a walk in the rain?

A: Fresh snow so I can make a new path.


Q: Board games or card games?

A: Whatever you want to play.

Q: Body art...yay or nay?

A: The human skin is not a canvas as far as I am concerned.

There is no artist in the world who's art I want on my skin... so Nay I guess.

Q: Roller coasters...the best amusement park ride ever or

an accident waiting to happen?

A: The best!!

Q: During a thunder and lightning spectacular do you watch

as if it were a movie or hide your head under the covers?

A: I watch on the porch if I have one.

Q: Travelling across Canada...plane? train? or automobile?

A: I think I would like to drive across it once...then maybe take a small plane back.

Q: From which 'celebrity chef' would you want to take private culinary lessons?

A: I just got the Food Network...Jamie Oliver.

Q: Have you ever wished upon a star?

A: Yes. It works... everyone should try it.

Q: What is your favourite song lyric of all time?

A: Joni Mitchell sang about clouds....

"It's cloud illusions I recall I really don't know clouds at all".

Q: Haggis...a Scottish delicacy or the food of Satan?

A: Never tried it.. can't judge. I think Satan would eat chocolate...

Q: What makes you the happiest?

A: Lack of things to make me sad I guess...

Q: Wax museums...really cool or just plain creepy?

A: I have never been to one but it would be cool to go once.

Q: At the movies is your snack of choice popcorn or nachos?

A: A small popcorn, and small drink.

Q: Live music or live comedy?

A: Love live comedy and it's usually cheaper than live music so

that's it's edge. But it's a close one.

Q: Elvis Presley...dead, alive or who really cares?

A: If people remember him and love him, he still lives on.

Q: If you won a large sum of money,

what would be the first thing that you'd buy?

A: A toy company.

Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?

A: My family.

Q: Ghosts...fact or fiction?

A: Love ghosts! But who knows for sure?

Q: What was the last thing you "Googled"?

A: Canadian Tire locations.

Q: As the Barenaked Ladies' song ("If I Had a $1000000") asks

"haven't you always wanted a monkey?"

A: I did want one as a child but i got over it.

Yikes...I can see why!

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2:20 Q's for Tracy

Now it's my turn to ask Tracy some friendly questions...

1) What summer Olympic sport do you imagine winning a gold in?

I only run if I'm being chased or playing baseball so... Diving?

2) If you were driving the bus to your favourite folk fest what musicians would be in your bus?

How big's the bus? Ron Sexsmith, Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland, Jackie Washington, Ari Hest, Brandi Carlisle, Lindsay Jane, Justin Rutledge, The Duhks, NQ Arbuckle, Kathleen Edwards, Chic Gamine and many many more!

3) A modern condo, or an old Victorian fixer upper?

Condo! Sleek and clean. No mice.

4) What would the title of your ‘Best Story Ever’ be?

My potential stepbrother was a Star Wars costumed freak. And probably a virgin.

5) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A mom or a lawyer.

6) And now?

Community Relations Director

7) Who was your Idol as a teen?

I was in love with Sting even before the tantric thing!

8) How many pairs of shoes do you own? A) less than 10 B) between 10 and 20 or C) lost count.

Ha ha.... C. I loooooove shoes & boots.

9) What fashion trend did you once follow that you never want to come back ever!?

Jelly shoes from the 80's. Jesus we looked stupid. Crocs with more air holes that cut your feet and are smelly and just fugly.

10) Ideal summer place in Canada?

PEI. I love the East Coast.

11) Ideal winter spot anywhere in the world?

Paris. Anytime of the year..... *sigh* or a hot spot - St. Maarten.

12) Read books, or listen to music? Choose one!

MUSIC. 100% - no contest. Reading is hard and I'm not that bright.

13) How do you get out of a speeding ticket?

Cleavage helps, so does being overly polite, crying? I have only had one that stuck. Female officer. She did drop my speed so I didn't get points. Whew.

14) Favourite vegetable?

Edamame ---- soyriffic!

15) Favourite segment on The Hour

Cold Openings

16) Who would win in a Jell-O wrestling match between Paul Bates and Allan-I-mean Adam?

What? I hope that only their ladies and trainers could tell you. I'll go Paul, cause Adam had that horrible yellow sweater.

17) Would you pay to watch that?

Not a chance in sticky sugary hell.

18) Who should fight the winner?

Trish Stratus. Then you'd get guys paying to see it...

19) Would you rather skydive or hot air balloon?

Balloon with brie and wine. Jumping out of a plane? Only if it was crashing.

20) Death by skydiving or hot air ballooning?

Balloon - screaming my freaking head off all the way down.

Bonus question:
Jokers Hockey Club or the ChartAttack Hack, whose team would you root for?

Jokers. Sean Cullen was robbed on Last Comic Standing. He should get a trophy at least...

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Counting down the weeks to the new season... with a twist!

With only five weeks to go until the premiere of The Hour's fifth season, the Stroumboulopouli are pulling a few tricks out of our sleeves and putting a new twist on a familiar segment that premiered last season on The Hour. That's right... we're talking about 2:20. With a twist. A Stroumboulopouli twist.

And what's our twist? Well, every week for the next five weeks, one of our members will be in the hot seat with questions created by another member of the blog. So Steph could be firing off questions at Barb and Jen might be in line for some serious questioning from Tracy. Who knows... you may learn something totally off the wall about your favourite Stroumboulopouli!

Make sure you come back to the blog every Wednesday, starting August 13th, to find out which Stroumboulopouli member will be first to sit in the hot seat.

Cheers!

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