Kermit the Frog Here

Kermit the Frog
You scored 50% Organization, 50% abstract, and 94% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.

Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.

Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are mostly organized, both concrete and abstract, and more extroverted.

Here is why are you Kermit the Frog.

You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Kermit is also reasonably tidy. He'll even dress up for interviews.

You both are sometimes concrete and sometimes abstract thinkers. Kermit spends a lot of his time as a reporter collecting facts, but he is also the author of the dreamy song "The Rainbow Connection." You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course.

You are both extroverts. Kermit gets along with everyone. Sure a few folks annoy him, but that's just because they are annoying. Kermit likes to meet new people when he does his job as a street reporter. You definitely enjoy the company of others, and you don't have problems meeting new people... in fact you probably look forward to it. You are willing to take charge when necessary or work as part of a team.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Kermit starred on Sesame Street years before The Muppet Show.

The other possible characters are
Oscar the Grouch
Big Bird
Snuffleupagus
Ernie
Elmo
Cookie Monster
Grover
The Count
Guy Smiley
Bert

Five years ago today...

I had just started my new job as a trainer for GC Services. We were an operator center for MCI.

It was the first time in a long time that I was working the "day" shift. It was early. I was groggy.

How I found out about the terrorist attacks on the towers is up for debate. Mr. Chep says he called me, I think I called him. Either way - we called one another.

The rest I DO remember.

I was walking through the breakroom where the TV was tuned to GMA. Everyone was stopped in their tracks. I glanced over at the television and saw smoke. I stopped for a closer inspection. Someone leaned over and said, "It's the Twin Towers. There are EMERGENCY signs all over on GEN"

I had just been promoted to a "Trainer" at the call center. It had been almost a year since I had taken an "operator" call (connecting callers for overseas calls, 1-800-Collect....that kind of thing) Suddenly I was thrust into the role of operator. The lines were flooded and they needed operators.

The first call I got was from a distressed caller trying to reach her family in NYC - she was calling from France. I attempted to break through the line - to no avail. We tried several times to get through - when we finally did, I connected it at no charge. It was the least I could do. She was one of the lucky ones.

So was I.

As a phone operator we had callers that were trying to make calls - connect to directory assistance, easy calls. It was the operators that worked in paging that had the heart-wrenching calls. A page from a husband to his wife telling her he loved her; and that he was not going to make it, calls from passengers on Flight 93, and calls that informed emergency crews where survivors were located.

Yes, those operators saved some lives. Others passed on messages to loved ones from burning buildings in NYC.

Iowans played a small part in connecting loved ones on those days - and the weeks to come. I am grateful for the few I was able to assist - and saddened by all those we lost 5 years ago today.

I've been tagged....

I needed the help! It's going to be a long week at work.

So here it goes....

1) A book that changed my life: Geometry I (Author unknown) It was this book that made me realize that I am really terrible at math.
2) A book that I've read more than once: To Kill a Mockingbird
3) A book I'd take to a deserted island: Peterson’s Field Guide: Edible Wild Plants (and yes I own it!)
4) A book that made me laugh: Oh the Places You’ll Go
5) A book that made me cry The Green Mile, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
6) A book I wish I’d written: The Hobbit
7) A book that should never have been written:
8) A book I'm currently reading: Well here’s the sad part; I’m not reading anything. Maybe I should read more of these and get some suggestions!
9) A book I’m planning to read: Harry Potter book 7 (other than that anything Kelscraggly is suggesting)
10) Who I'm tagging next: Kelscraggly, J-Shay (that is if she reads!)


1… Things that scare meTornados (so most Iowa weather)
Being lost in a crowd
Raw chicken (hey it would scare you too if you had salmonella)
Gas station bathrooms

2…People who make me laugh
Lego
Kelscraggly
Writermom
Mr. Chep
Dad
My sister and D

3…Things I hate the mostNon-team players
People that take advantage of other’s good nature
Wet hair
Flesh colored bandaids

4…Things I don’t understand
Math
People who abuse their pets
How I could NOT be allergic to ragweed

5…Things I’m doing right nowWatching the President speak
Answering WM’s meme
Feeling the effects of last night’s chili
Typing

6…Things I want to do before I die
Have children
Visit all the NL and AL ballparks
Travel west of DesMoines, IA
See the Grand Canyon
Kiss the Blarney Stone

7… Things I can do
Bake some damn good cookies
Multi-task
Fix a toilet (although I don’t CHOOSE to)
Crochet

8… Ways to describe my personality
Easy going
Communicator
Um…people say I’m fun???

9… Things I can’t do
Run
The splits.
Backbends
Eat coconut
Intentionally hurt someone’s feelings
Watch reality TV

10…Things I think you should listen to
The Barenaked Ladies complete set (at least once)

11…Things you should never listen to
Noises coming from your dog’s bum (or at least stick around for it)

12…Things I’d like to learn
Excel
HTML
How to say ‘no’ when I’m too busy to take on yet ANOTHER project

13…Favorite foods
Chicago Style pizza
Sushi
Tacos

14…Beverages I drink regularly
Water
Diet Coke

15…Shows I watched as a kid
The Muppets
The Cosby Show
MASH
The smurfs
ChiPs (I loved me some Poncho)

Here's to you...

Here's to you...
Originally uploaded by Chepner.

The (displaced to Iowa) Hoosier girls thank you for all you do!

(It's not Guiness - but it's a fine domestic brew!)

So here's to you Violinsoldier!!