Yesterday I invited you all to ask me anything. And geez, you guys got creative! You made me laugh, and you made me think. And you made me type. And type. I’m still typing, but in the meantime here are some answers. I’m still working on the rest, so there’s still time to hop over here and ask away.
What is your favorite movie of all time? The one you curl up with and see repeatedly. You know the one. (Ti)
I actually never intentionally choose to re-watch a movie. Just the thought makes me antsy to do something else. However, Hamburger will watch the same movie over and over and over. And over and over. In fact, just the other night he watched that Marky Mark movie where he takes over as a singer in a famous band for the 10,000th time. But there are three movies that I can think of that I don’t mind watching again if he happens to tune in to them: Shawshank Redemption, Napoleon Dynamite (although I’m approaching my limit on this one, even if it is wonderfully quotable), and Little Miss Sunshine.
What is your biggest pet peeve these days? (Ti)
These days? People who only want to talk about their medical problems (I’m a bad, bad girlfriend). But historically, my answer to this question has always been people who click or tap pens repeatedly (repetitive noises drive me crazy, because as a teacher I was trained to ignore them). Now that I no longer teach, I no longer ignore.
If you could be any character from a book, who would you be? (Ti)
She’s a real person, not a character, so I might be cheating an eensy weensy bit. Alice Steinbach traveled to different places and did fun things and then she wrote about it and got paid and then they paid her to do it again. I want to be her. Kind of like Frances Mayes, only less “let’s move to Italy! let’s make a movie!” famous.
What was the most horrible book that you have ever read? The book that you would rather throw in the trash than have another reader exposed to. (Zibilee)
Too Much Tuscan Sun. I won’t even link to it. It’s full of obnoxious stereotypes and the author thinks he’s the best thing around (he’s an Italian tour guide). I bet you thought I’d say Moby Dick, but since I never actually finished that book, it doesn’t count.
Does anyone call you Soda Pop in real life? (Kathy)
Soda Pop, no. Softdrink, yes. Hamburger calls me that all the time. As did his 4 roommates at the time we first started dating. They’re the ones who gave me the nickname. Why? Because they already called him Hamburger.
What’s the one place you’ve never been that you’re dying to visit? (Kathy)
Agh! This is hard. I really want to go to Washington D.C. and Ireland, but those would be repeat visits, even though I barely saw them the first time around. And I want to do a road trip across the US, but that’s more than one place. Iceland is a possibility. And New Orleans, although I’m a bit nervous about that one. Montreal. Maine. I’d love to see the Northern Lights, but I don’t know where. St. Petersburg (aka Leningrad and before that Petrograd and before that St. Petersburg). Scandinavia. Amsterdam. Someplace in England that I haven’t been, although I don’t know where exactly, which means I could go through London, which is my favorite place ever.
You see my trouble? Where would you suggest?
I am curious as to why you divorced yourself from the term book blogger. (Sheila)
Because I don’t want to be known as someone who “reviews” books. I want to casually chat about my thoughts, whether those thoughts are on books, travel, or whatever else pops into my mind. I don’t want to take books so seriously and I no longer want to accept books for review. I don’t want to get caught up in debate or drama, whether it’s on accepting/requesting books, or disclosing where I got them.
And I realize I mostly already took that approach and also I can do all that (or not do that…I’m starting to confuse myself) and still be a book blogger, but I think the community has lost its sense of fun and to some degree, community. I’ve been seeing less tolerance and more people taking themselves too seriously and I don’t want to be like that.
Not that you all are like that. You’re not. I was just finding it hard to avoid on twitter and it was affecting my mood so I instituted the divorce to give myself some distance. I removed most references to book blogging from my blog and I quit twitter. Yes, really, I quit twitter. I haven’t missed it a bit.
Secondly, favorite goodie you make for the holidays? (I need some ideas 
) (Sheila)
I’m not baking this year, but here’s a good cookie recipe. They don’t look very impressive, but they sure do taste delicious.
Ricotta Cookies
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 (15 oz.) container ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs
4 cups all purpose flour
2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon saltIcing:
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons creamPreheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat sugar and butter until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes). At medium speed, beat in ricotta, vanilla and eggs until well combined. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; beat until dough forms.
Drop dough by level tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake approximately 15 minutes or until cookies are very lightly golden (cookies will be soft). Remove to wire rack to cool. When cookies are cool, prepare icing. Drizzle icing across tops of cookies and immediately sprinkle with sugar crystals or sprinkles. Allow to dry at least 1 hour, preferably longer. Yield: 6 dozen.
Ugly, but tasty
I didn’t yet quit twitter, but I do admit to dropping most of the people who bring up controversy the most. There are still people I want to talk to there, though the crowd is getting smaller. I’m glad I’m not the only book person who has moved away from the book blogger label.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking: Life with Vegetables!
I put Soda Pop? Ugh, I meant Soft Drink. Oh well, you answered my question anyway. I want to go on one of those trips with you!
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Kid Konnection: Bird in a Box
I find ignoring the controversy and the Serious Bloggers to be highly effective in maintaining sanity.
And you know, I’ve never seen Napoleon Dynamite. I think that makes me completely uncool and I may have to remedy that.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
I’m actually stunned at this. wow. Wish I could watch it with you; I’ve only seen it once and I must not have been in the mood. But it seems like a movie you would have seen just cuz I think of you as cool and slightly odd. In a good way.
sorry, back to Softdrink…
Care´s last [type] ..Love Actually
I have never heard of that book, and your aversion to it makes me want to avoid even doing some research about it! I also have been collecting new and unusual cookie recipes for this year’s baking, so I appreciate the recipe for the ricotta cookies! Thanks for answering my question, and by the way, the repeated pen clicking and noises that are similar drive me crazy too!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Doll: The Lost Short Stories by Daphne du Maurier — 224 pgs
I don’t think I am on Twitter enough to hear about the controversy. I guess that is a good thing.
Out of the three movies you mention the only one I have seen entirely is Shawshank Redemption and to this day call it one of my all time favs!
I loved this posting Jill and am here to confess that I used it this morning at Book Journey. Great idea to get the creative thoughts flowing which this morning… I seem to be short of
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..I Am Ready To Answer Your Questions
I am not a move re-watcher either, but I used to find myself renting Mask (the one with Cher and Eric Stoltz) when I needed a good cry!
Helen´s last [type] ..The best Christmas tree ever!
These questions are fabulous. Teaching middle school, I already deal with a lot of dramatic bs. I think I’ve created this tiny little bubble where I only converse with a small few intimately here in the netosphere. I’m kinda mouthy irl so it probably works out better that I’m quiet in this cyber land.
(And Di is down for the count with her shoulder surgery. I am a horrible nurse. Is it bad that I want to give her *extra* pain killers so I can open up a bottle of wine and watch Pride & Prejudice???)
christina´s last [type] ..Cinder
I really agree with you when it comes to how book blogging is changing. It kills me when people say that only “serious” bloggers know that it’s not a hobby. What?! I’m not getting paid so therefore, it’s a hobby. I don’t know if I’m ready to give up Twitter though I have thought about doing it. I find a lot of great articles and posts via Twitter than through the new Google+.
I might just keep it for informational purposes than conversations with others.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..TSS Review: Fante by Dan Fante
I didn’t know the story of your nickname — that’s cute! And that cook recipe sounds so good. I might actually get out of pjs and go to the store for ingredients. I haven’t done any Christmas baking this year and I’m getting a little antsy to cook something.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..Review: ‘Here Is a Human Being’ by Misha Angrist
I missed the chance to ask you anything but I loved seeing what other people asked you and your great answers!
Amused´s last [type] ..Book Review: Christmas Jars
I agree with your thoughts about book blogging. I guess because I’ve been sort of absent lately I’ve missed some of the most recent drama, but it sounds ridiculous. I don’t even log in to Twitter anymore. I have never really been able to figure out how to best use it, lol.
I have never seen Napoleon Dynamite, but will. I haven’t heard of Without Reservations before, but will be getting it since I find this type of book very interesting. I too am backing away from being known as just a “book blogger”. I recently changed the name of my blog from I’d Rather Be Reading At The Beach to I’d Rather Be At The Beach. I post a variety of things, not just book reviews.
Vicki´s last [type] ..Saturday Snapshot
WHY WOULD YOU EVER BE SCARED OF NEW ORLEANS??? :p You totally need to come down here! I’d be happy to be your tour guide
Also, I totally get you on the book blogger thing. It really has lost a lot of its sense of community which is really sad. I’m thankful I’ve been able to just keep my blog personal and keep it for me rather than making it a blog to advertise on. Sad 
Chris´s last [type] ..Bad Bloggers…the Pre-Christmas Post
I’m considering taking a break from Twitter. It’s making me cranky and like you say affecting my mood. I used to love being on there and talking to my book peeps. Not so much now. I still want to be a book blogger but I miss the way things used to be.
Chrisbookarama´s last [type] ..Friday Bookish Buzz: Buzzing to the Holidays
This was so fun to read. I felt like I learned tons about you. And I’m amazed Brothers K didn’t make the worst book … or Fool (I know you hated that). But as bad as some books are, there are always worse ones.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Book Title Short Story
This was lots of fun. I don’t “tweet”, and I do love blogs that have a mix of books and personal life chitchat or photos the best. It makes me feel like I get to know the person better.
Diane@BibliophileBytheSea´s last [type] ..Saturday Snapshot
Like so many of the other commenters I can relate to your feelings about blogging. I mostly use Christina’s “little bubble” technique.
Nymeth´s last [type] ..Persuasion by Jane Austen
Despite having a Twitter account, I am almost never there and I have never missed being part of all the drama that seems to play out over there. I haven’t given up my identity as book blogger, but I do think it is important to maintain one’s perspective…which is why I choose to include other stuff on my blog besides books (like my quilts, my animals, travel, etc…). I think it gets unhealthy any time we start to take ourselves too seriously!!!
Wendy´s last [type] ..Looking Forward to 2012
Little Miss Sunshine IS pretty cool. I am a huge re-watcher.
Ti´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon: Most Horrible Party Photo EVER
HELLO, your list of travel places looks a lot like my list of travel places. Hmmmm… I’ll bring this up again soon — as in tomorrow.
Wallace´s last [type] ..Anna Karenina Read-a-Long :: Week Ten
I am not moving away from the term book blogger as much as from the idea of being a book reviewer. I review what I want to review but if I don’t write them….no worries…and to be honest that change has coming over the last few years. I figure it is more an evolution of my blog rather than a conscious decision to be one thing or another.
Marg´s last [type] ..Kommandant’s Christmas memories
I have always posted about things other than books on my blog, so I don’t know if I was ever a ‘book blogger’. Maybe in the very beginning… I suppose books are my main focus, though. I don’t really do a lot of personal posts and such unless I have personal connections to whatever else I am talking about. I have in the past, though. It just seems to depend on the year for me. This year I was all about books, but either last year or the year before I rambled about pretty much anything but books. So, it is hard to say what next year will bring.
As to Twitter, I wouldn’t go so far as to delete it entirely because I do enjoy talking in an easy-going manner to people on there, but I go long periods of time without logging in… It bugs me all the time, though. I think I have always been one of the people on there that just vanishes for long periods of time. I guess I get tired of the rambling and miss the people that I used to actual talk to. Sometimes I luck into them being on there, but not as often as I would like…
Kailana´s last [type] ..My Book Loot – A Vlog
At times, Twitter can be super-dooper for getting a question answered quickly or just fun little snippets of exchange. It is where I know I can find some people so I’ll stick with it. But I have dropped a few of the un-fun people I used to follow and I seriously would like to cull my followings even more. I really don’t expect anyone would notice anyway.
Maybe cuz, I, too, am not a SERIOUS-book-blogger but a fun-bookish-blogger.
Care´s last [type] ..Love Actually
Excellent answers, all. Loved reading these, Jill. I wasn’t aware of the divorce, but I can’t say I blame ya! I generally miss the controversy since I’m usually stumbling behind the pack anyway. Ha!
Andi´s last [type] ..The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories
Well now I’m curious why Hamburger is…well, Hamburger! It is a very cute nickname (Softdrink). As for places to go, I have the same troubles–too many things I want to see!! I REALLY want to go to Southern Utah (Zion, Moab, Arches, Bryce Canyon) but Scott went when he was little and is convinced it sucks. I was hoping to go this summer but he’s convinced me that Elle is too young. Hmmm…apparently HE sucks!
I’d settle for DC instead–have always wanted to see the city.
Trish´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon 54: End of the Year Survey
Oooohhhh fun idea! I recommend, from that list, New Orleans. Not scary! And Montreal because we all know Canada is awesome
Also, I LOVED Little Miss Sunshine 
Amy´s last [type] ..BAND December 2011: Truth in Nonfiction
Love them cookies. Oh, did you talk about yourself? Must.pull.eyes.from.food. I’ve seen the northern lights a few times right here in the good ole US of A: In Michigan, in Pennsylvania, and in Washington State.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Imprint Friday: Letters to Jackie by Ellen Fitzpatrick
I’ve seen those movies and loved Shawshank and Little Miss, but seriously thought I might have to give up on Napoleon. Stuck it out because my cousin kept quoting the damn thing, but wish I’d given up halfway through. I’m missing the cool dna for it, I think.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Christmas with Gage