Questions from KLo

KLo tagged me in a series of questions on her blog. You know the drill:  I answer her questions, then make up eleven questions of my own and tag people to answer them. I'm new to blogging, so I don't have many people to tag, but if you want to participate, leave a link in the comments.  Thanks!

1. Ocean or lake?

Both have merits, but the ocean wins on sheer coolness. A lake is good though if you want to swim for more than a few minutes without freezing to death.

2. Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate if it's by itself, but vanilla is often better when mixed with other flavors (particularly berries).

3. Android or iPhone?

I love my iPhone, and I'm looking forward to the iPhone 5 this fall, which will be out just after I'm due for an upgrade.  I've never used an Android, but it seems that most of the people I know who have them start to complain about their quirks after owning them for about six months.

4. Coke or Pepsi?

Coke all the way. Well, I do have to admit that the Throwback Pepsi is great. Now, if Coke did a non-corn syrup retro release, that would be perfect.

5. Nickelodeon or Disney?

Neither. I must be old...

6. Facebook or Twitter?

I like both for different reasons. Facebook is great for being social and keeping in touch with family and friends. I use Twitter more for news; I've found that since I started using Twitter back in January, I have a much better idea of what's going on both locally and globally.

7. Loud or quiet?

Depends on where I am and what I'm doing.  A few examples: 

• I can't stand it being loud when I'm in a restaurant because it makes conversation difficult.
• I often have a hard time falling asleep if it's too quiet. I find myself thinking too much instead of nodding off.
• People talking loudly at concerts drives me nuts. I paid to hear the band, not a prattling moron!

8. Summer or winter?

Summer. Yes, it's hot, but at least I can stand to be outside. I don't like to be outside in the winter at all.  Oddly, it's not because I get cold, because I seldom do get uncomfortably chilled. It's more that I just don't find it appealing on any level.

9. Car or truck?

I like my mid-sized SUV because it combines the best of both: okay mileage and comfort, with the cargo space to do home improvements. 

10.Marlon Brando or Tom Hanks?

Brando. His range was much, much better, and he was more convincing in his roles. Hanks has tried to play the Everyman for a couple decades now, but try as I might, I just can't see him that way.  He has too much screen presence to be convincing.  That, and I'll never forgive him for that idiotic movie with the volleyball.

11.McDonald's or Burger King?

Burger King burgers are better, but the fries at McDonald's are the best.

And now for the part where I tag you:
The Philosophy of KLo
Grapefruit Juicyfruit

My questions for you:

1.  Appetizer or dessert?
2.  Camping or hotel?
3.  Star Wars or Star Trek?
4.  Breakfast or dinner?
5.  Driver or passenger?
6.  Permission or forgiveness?
7.  Theater or TV?
8.  Newest album or old favorite?
9.  Aisle or window?
10. Connery or Craig?
11. Now or later?

By *This* Much

While driving home from summer school today, I saw a woman get hit by a car while crossing the street at the intersection of Granite and Elm. She was crossing against the light, but looked first. However, she wasn't showing any sense of urgency about getting across either. A car turning left onto Granite hit her, but not at full speed. The driver saw her at the last moment and hit his brakes. She fell into the hood of the car just as it stopped, and regained her balance just as she was about to roll off.

She was fine, but it was a near thing. I am convinced that a few milliseconds of driver response determined if she walked away or was taken away.

Here's the thing though: just a few moments before, I was watching a guy on the side of the street she was heading for as he waited for the light and I was thinking to myself, "You S.O.B., why did you hit the button? We're all stopped anyway." I was served a humbling reminder about being hasty, about paying attention, and most importantly, about judging others.