(Every Friday I interview a different person and share that interview with you. Perhaps they will be a fellow-author. Perhaps one of my neighbors. Maybe the bagger at the grocery store. A member of my family. A follower of this blog. Maybe it will be you! Hey, it could happen.)Today's guest is Victoria Allred. I first met Victoria in 2002--we attended the same church. My family and I moved across town, but a couple years later, her family moved to the same area and we were once again church-buddies. I happen to think Victoria is a fantastic lady and I think you'll agree!
SME: Welcome to INFF!If you'd like to be interviewed for "I Need Friends" Friday, shoot me off an email: friends at sarahmeden dot com!
Victoria Allred: Thanks for having me
SME: First question--and this is crucial--What was your favorite candy you used to get with Valentines at school?
Victoria Allred: I loved the conversation hearts. I liked to form sentences with them.
SME: I always felt they were sorely lacking in modifying phrases. Perhaps that was a clue that being a writer was in my future.
Victoria Allred: Yeah it was a problem, but it was fun to eat them anyway. Now I prefer good chocolate.
SME: The taste buds do mature, thankfully.
Victoria Allred: They do. I like brussel sprouts now.
SME: Mine aren't quite that mature. I've reached the bell peppers and cauliflower level of maturity.
Victoria Allred: Those are yummy too. Actually, I do like vegetables. And they don't need to be covered in cheese or ranch to be enjoyed.
SME:
Victoria: Although cheese and ranch makes them better.
SME: Yea. Did you notice the silence... I didn't want to admit that I rather like the cheese topping.
Victoria Allred: We often use cheese to get the boys to eat them.
SME: We use that same underhanded parenting technique.
And now for the classic INFF question: What's your favorite continent?
Victoria Allred: I've been thinking about that one. I've been around North America, however I'd have to say Europe because I want to visit and see as many countries as possible. It's kinda like states here--close enough to see a bunch.
SME: Europe has had quite a few votes.
Victoria Allred: Yeah I noticed that in your recap. And I was thinking about changing to help out one of the lesser chosen continents, but then it would not have been my favorite.
SME: If your up for it, I have a game to play--one which is not only a little random but also very timely.
Victoria Allred: okay, I like games.
SME: Tuesday was Groundhog Day--a holiday I have never fully understood. I remember as a child coloring pictures of really big rodents at the beginning of February and our teacher saying something about winter lasting 6 more weeks. Arizona doesn't really have a winter. It didn't seem like a really big deal.
In honor of Groundhog Day (the holiday, not the movie), I have invented yet another game: "Punxsutawney Phil Really Needs An Easier Name"!
I will ask you three trivia questions about the world's most famous groundhog. Choose the right answers and you will be the INFF champion!
Victoria Allred: OK. This sounds hard!
SME: 1.) What is the ratio of "Phil seeing his shadow" to "Phil not seeing his shadow"?
a.) 99:15
b.) 57:57
c.) Phil refuses to reveal this highly classified information
Victoria Allred: Since we don't have winter in AZ, I am going to guess low. B
SME: OOOhhhh. The answer was A. Apparently Phil sees his shadow A LOT!
Victoria Allred: Although I don't know if he really sees his shadow or if that's something the media makes up to selll Groundhog toys.
SME: I don't place a whole lot of confidence in the shadow thing.
Victoria Allred: Why can't it be if a dog sees his shadow or if a tree has a shadow?
SME: Apparently groundhogs have an in with someone in authority.
Question 2.) If Phil sees his shadow, as he did on Tuesday, this is supposed to mean...
a.) 6 more weeks of Winter
b.) Spring is just around the corner
c.) Phil does not need to report for his annual eye exam
Victoria Allred: 6 more weeks of winter.
SME: Absolutely correct!!
3.) Which of the following have fellow weather prognosticators (great word, eh?) NOT actually say about Phil?
a.) CNN meteorologist, Chad Meyers: Phil is correct only 39% of the time.
b.) US National Oceanic and Atmostpheric Administration: Phil has "no predictive skill"
c.) Jealous Meterologists Anonymous: Phil is nothing more than the reality tv pseudo-celebrity of the weather world, and it's time his fifteen minutes of fame came to an end!
Victoria Allred: B.
SME: Actually, there is no "Jealous Meterologists Anonymous", so their quote is the fake one. So, C.
Victoria Allred: Oh I was thinking I was choosing the true one.
SME: I wondered, 'cause I was pretty sure that "quote" was just ridiculous enough. *sigh* You did get the essential one correct though. You now know that there are 6 more weeks of winter.
Now on to the part of the interview when I draw a portrait of my new friend. You.
Victoria Allred: How fun.
*SME demonstrates her highly-honed artistic skills*
Victoria Allred: oh wow. You even got my bangs. I love how thin I am. I look like I lost 100 pounds.
SME: That is my favorite part about stick figure portraits--everyone is happy with their figure. (Except Mr. Darcy, he grumbled.)
Victoria Allred: He didn't seem to like anything anyway. I noticed you gave me flats. Is that cuz I am tall and shouldn't wear heels?
SME: Um, I figured if I put you in heels, I wouldn't be able to see your face and that would make the portrait harder to draw.
Victoria Allred: That's quite possible. I think I have almost a foot on you. (In height not an actual foot.)
SME: Final question: Top 5 reasons this is the best blog interview you've ever done. Ready. Go.
Victoria Allred: 1) my first ever.
2) Got to talk about the next holiday - Valentine's
3) Got to talk about food
4) Learned the word prognosticators
5) Got a new pair of pink shoes (well kinda)
SME: Prognosticator is a wonderful word!
Victoria Allred: 6) made a new friend. I know you said 5 but some people only give you 4. (Although I was already your friend so that might not count.)
SME: That almost makes up for Mr. Darcy--he only gave me 2, I think.
Thanks for stopping by and being my Friday Friend!
Victoria Allred: Anytime.
SME: *cue exit music* Well, this has been "I Need Friends" Friday. Come back next week when I will make another friend!!
I am looking for anyone and everyone, whether or not you think you are interesting. You'll get a fantastic stick figure portrait of yourself, a little promotion (if you're looking for that sort of thing) and the opportunity to tell your friends and family that you've been interviewed by SME, er... by ME!
(Don't forget--If Victoria gets 5 or more comments, she gets an additional 2 entries in January's giveaway!)
7 comments:
I love the word "prognosticator" too, and all it's variations!
As much as I love holidays, I can't embrace Groundhog Day. Although...it's probably because it's the only rodent themed one, so there you go.
That is one of our vocabulary words in 5th grade- prognostication! The kids love it.
I'm not real fond of Groundhog's Day the holiday. But I do enjoy the movie.
I always plan to make a big celebration of Groundhog Day, and then every year I forget. I think it's because it's in Feb, when the world is still all gray and drab. Can we move it to August? There are no holidays in August, you know.
I agree iwth Melanie. I can't get into groundhog day. It actually just depresses me. Sad thought considering it all revolves around a rodent seeing his shadow. I don't believe in it, but all the same I am always disapointed when I have 6 more weeks of winter. When will the cold be done? When will warm sunny days, filled with pool sitting and park visiting come back?
I wanted to comment that I linked this interview on both my blog and FB.
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