I didn’t forget about Tuesday…but I just didn’t have a chance to get the questions posted any sooner thanks to sweeps!

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Last week, Cat of “Sweet Memes” was first to play last week! Congratulations, Cat!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: RERUNS

QUESTION A:
If you sit down to watch your favorite television show and you see that it’s a rerun, how likely are you to watch it anyway and what would make you ultimately decide whether to change the channel or not?

or

QUESTION B:
Would you rather see no reruns at all, more specials when your favorite shows were not on with new episodes, or two television seasons per year, and why?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question B: I think the networks need to start ordering more original episodes of the series they air. With cable outlets that repurpose network shows within a day or two of their original airing, and the growing popularity of services like iTunes that now sell episodes of shows, there is less of a need for viewers to make an “appointment” to watch. To stay that much more relevant, the networks need to offer more fresh programming and less reruns.

Sorry for the lateness of the hour. I was detained at work getting ready for May Sweeps which, regrettably, begin this Thursday. I do take comfort in knowing that as I post this, it is still Tuesday in Hawaii.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Last week, Wil of “The Daily Snooze” made sure he wasn’t napping when the Tuesday Two first appeared, because he was first to answer last week’s question about mind reading. Congratulations, Wil!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: DISEASE

QUESTION A:
What disease or illness are you most afraid of and what made you become afraid of it?

or

QUESTION B:
You are given the power to eliminate one specific disease. (For example, you can’t say simply “Cancer;” you’d have to narrow it to a specific type of cancer.) Which disease would you eliminate and why?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question B: I’d eliminate ALS, a debilitating disease for which there is currently no cure at all.

Sometimes it would be so much easier — or at least it seems like it would be — if we could just read each other’s minds. That way, there would be no possibility of deceit. But would it be worth it? That’ll get you thinking about this week’s question.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Charley, a man I’ve found to be of great courage, who happens to write a blog called “Courage” was first to answer last week’s question about mail. This was his second week in a row at being first to play the Tuesday Two. Congratulations, Charley!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: MIND READING

QUESTION A:
You are given the choice of whether or not you’d like to gain the ability to read minds. There is one catch: once you possess this gift, you cannot shut it off: you will always be able to read minds of those around you. Would you accept the gift? Why or why not?

or

QUESTION B:
If you could explore the mind of one person close to you and gain their thoughts or opinions about any particular thing, what person would you choose, and why?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question A: I think I would accept. I generally like to know what people really think about things. I wouldn’t use such a gift as a source for gossip-spreading, but rather as a better (and faster) method of learning what makes those close to me tick. And I think it would be very educational to know how often what we say and what we believe really are two different things.

I’ve been on a house-cleaning tear lately, and I’ve been going through stacks of (mostly junk) mail, and this got me thinking about a topic for this week’s questions.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Charley of “Courage” was first to answer last week’s question about over-indulging. Congratulations, Charley!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: YOU’VE GOT MAIL

QUESTION A:
If you could block traditional mail from a single sender, (and it couldn’t be a company that you currently legitimately owe money to), which company would you select and why?

or

QUESTION B:
The cost of mailing a letter now stands at 39¢. How much do you think is too much for postage for a single letter? What amount would be the cut-off at which you’d stop sending letters, or is there any amount that would make you stop completely?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My answer:
A: I’d block mail from MBNA. I had a bad experience with an account I had with them years ago and I can’t imagine doing business with them again.

There’s nothing like a diet to make you realize how much you over-do it when you sit down at the dinner table. Over-doing it is this week’s topic.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Carly of “Ellipsis…Suddenly Carly” was first to answer last week’s question for the third week in a row. Congratulations, Carly!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: OVER-INDULGING

QUESTION A:
When you over-indulge, what do you most often enjoy too much of? How hard have you tried to avoid over-indulging in this particular thing?

or

QUESTION B:
Consider something that you have over-indulged in before: How do you define what your limits are, and more importantly, how do you make sure you don’t cross them?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My answer:
A: Normally, it’s food, but over-indulging in depression might be a close second. I am working on cutting back on food, and the diet is back on. I’d still like to lose 40 pounds by my birthday. We shall see.

A new piece of equipment at work has me thinking about the wonders of technology. That’s the topic of this week’s question.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Carly of “Ellipsis…Suddenly Carly” was first to answer last week’s question for the second week in a row. Congratulations, Carly!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: TECHNOLOGY

QUESTION A:
In general, do you think technology makes our lives easier or harder, and why?

or

QUESTION B:
What “modern marvel” could you most do without, and why?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question A: I think technology can definitely make lives easier, but in doing so, it only complicates things. Most technology, particularly the kind that’s supposed to make things easier, ends up making us have to do things a completely different way just to accomodate the technology itself: instead of making it easier to do what we do, we have to change what we do to make things easier for the technology, and that doesn’t strike me as being “user friendly.”

Even a springtime snow can’t stop the Tuesday Two!

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Carly of “Ellipsis…Suddenly Carly” was first to answer last week’s question about animals.

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: YOUR SPACE

QUESTION A:
What room of the house do you most consider to be entirely “your space” and what makes it so uniquely yours?

or

QUESTION B:
A co-worker wants to borrow your workspace while you’re out of the office. The next day, you return to find your things out of place. Will that bother you at all, and will you say anything about it, or just quietly return things to “normal?”

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question B: It would bug me to find things out of place, because while I’m not the neatest person, everything is exactly where I can find it easily, even if no one else can. I wouldn’t say anything; I’d quietly clean up the mess, but if it happened a second time, I might reconsider letting this person use my workspace again.

Here we are with another regular edition of the Tuesday Two.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Wil of “The Daily Snooze” holds the distinction of being not only the first to answer last week’s question, but also the only person to do so!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: ANIMALS

QUESTION A:
What is the most exotic animal you’ve ever actually come into physical contact with? If you’ve never touched an exotic animal, which one would you most like to touch?

or

QUESTION B:
How do you feel about zoos? Do you think that they are a valuable resource to encourage an appreciation of nature, or a harmful industry that only exploits animals?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question A: I have held two different tiger cubs, a Siberian and an Albino, before. I had a photos taken with them at the time, and as I held them, I rubbed their bellies. Their fur felt like velvet, and the first time I held one, as I was rubbing its stomach, I heard this little sound getting louder and louder and I started to get a little nervous because I thought he was growling at me. Then I realized that it was actually purring, just like a house cat!

Their eyes were even more beautiful than their markings. To me, a tiger is one of the most gorgeous animals on the planet.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks…much going on, and many distractions to keep me away from more regular blogging. I’m blatantly cheating on this one, by backdating this entry so it’ll still register on Tuesday! Sorry for the delay.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Carly of “ Ellipsis…Suddenly Carly” was first to play last week! Congratulations, Carly!

Each tenth edition of the Tuesday Two requires that you go back to a previous edition and answer the question you didn’t answer the first time around. So if you were trying to avoid a topic, here’s where you find out whether the gamble paid off or not. (Of course, if you still don’t want to answer, I won’t send any henchmen to your door if you still don’t!)

So answer your previously-unanswered question from one of the two previous editions:

EPISODE 14: BLOGGING

or

EPISODE 15: FUNERALS

Choose A or B, the one you didn’t answer the first time around, indicate which question you’re answering, then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
From “Blogging,” Question B: I think Blogging is only partially (and sometimes) about discussion. Genuine discussion can occur, but it requires a willingness of readers to be as open and objective as they demand the blogger to be, and that doesn’t always happen. Too often, commenters can come along and leave rude comments because they disagree, without even going into why they disagree. Blogging is what the blogger wants it to be about, and when commenters choose to participate reasonably, only then can it start to be about discussion.

In case you didn’t notice, I missed the Tuesday Two last week. It was one of those weeks. Sorry about that.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Carly of “Ellipsis…Suddenly Carly” was first to play last week, beating even Babs to the first comment! Congrats, Carly!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: DEADLINES

QUESTION A:
Do you find that you work better under deadline, or that you work better when you can set your own pace?

or

QUESTION B:
How successful are you at setting deadlines for yourself in your personal life? Do you find that you are as motivated to meet them as the ones your employer requires you to meet?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question A: I think I need deadlines. When I set my own pace, I’m too easily distracted by other projects that come up unexpectedly or I move too slowly, spending too much time trying to fuss over every small detail.

Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to surprise that special someone in your life. But how do you feel about being surprised? There’s your topic for this week.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Babs of “Independent Single Professional Female in the Buckle of the Bible Belt. YEE-Haa!!” may be the queen of the Tuesday Two! She’s managed to pull off a feat that no one else has ever done on any of my weekly memes, as far as I can recall: last week, for the fourth time in a row, she was first to play! Congratulations again, Babs!

Can she make it five?

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: SURPRISES

QUESTION A:
When was the last time you were genuinely surprised (pleasantly) by a loved one, as in a gift or party or something similar that you weren’t expecting at all?

or

QUESTION B:
As a general rule, do you like surprise parties or do you prefer notice, and how did you arrive at this decision?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question B: I like the sentiment behind a surprise party, but I prefer a little notice. I like to make sure I look my best (as good as it gets) and that I’m in the right mindset. Sometimes, I have to “talk myself up” if I’m not really in the mood for an event that I have no choice but to attend.

Based on some recent comments and questions, I thought I’d try to clarify the “first to play” rules. Though I try to include a quick explanation in every meme, some people just skip over that part and go straight to the questions. So let me try it again in an entry in which there are no questions competing for your attention.

To be considered the “first to play” either the Saturday Six, Sunday Seven, or Tuesday Two, you must do one of two things:

1. Be the first to answer the questions in a comment on this blog.

OR

2. Be the first to leave a comment with the complete URL to the specific entry in your own blog in which you answered the questions.

Option 1 seems pretty self-explanatory to me. Option 2 is the more complicated one. The reason I encourage you to answer in your own journal and leave a link is that it gives people who might visit here for the first time and browse some answers the opportunity to find your blog. It’s a promotional opportunity for your own blog to get an extra visit from someone who follows a link from this blog.

So what do I mean when I say “complete URL to the specific entry?” That’s simple. Let’s use, for example purposes, the most recent edition of the Tuesday Two.

Some people leave a link that looks like this:

http://patricksweekender.blogspot.com

If you click on that link, you just go to the front page of the blog itself. But if you’re looking for the specific entry in question, unless I’ve posted nothing else since that entry went up, it’s not going to be the first thing you see.

The specific entry’s URL, therefore, would look like this:

http://patricksweekender.blogspot.com/2006/02/ tuesday-two-episode-17.html

All of that extra stuff after the “.com” links someone directly to the single post in which you have answered the questions.

So why get so picky?
This came up fairly early during the run of the Saturday Six. There was a concern about the possibility of someone leaving a link to their blog in general, but not immediately answering the questions: in other words, without requiring a specific link, it was possible to just jump in to leave the first comment whether you’d answered the questions or not. Requiring the specific link helped alleviate this problem, particularly on AOL, which assigns random numbers to entries after they are published.

Do I discriminate against AOL bloggers?
Of course not. If you’re the first to play, as I have defined above, and your blog is on AOL, then I’ll be happy to recognize you. If you leave an incomplete link, it doesn’t matter what blogging service you use: in accordance with the rules, I’ll have to skip over you to find the first person who did leave the complete link.

Do you have to do the complete link?
Of course not. Some people just show up to play the game. They don’t care about being recognized as “first to play.” And that’s perfectly fine by me, too. I’m just happy you’re here; whether you want to go for the “bonus” of being “first to play” is up to you.

If you have any further questions, please ask. Happy motoring.

Last week, I had people saying “Cheese” on the topic of photography. Tonight, that cheese is still being put to good use…in the kitchen!

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Last week, Babs of “ Independent Single Professional Female in the Buckle of the Bible Belt. YEE-Haa!!” pulled off a three-peat, being the first to answer last week’s question for the third week in a row! Congratulations again, Babs!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: COOKING

QUESTION A:
How much of the cooking do you do in your home, and would you like to do more, less, or keep things as they are?

or

QUESTION B:
When you cook, do you follow recipes as strictly as the person whom you learned cooking from did, and why or why not?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question A: If it is cooked in my place, I’m the one who’s cooking it. I wouldn’t want to cook more, but I’d like to have more expertise in cooking a larger variety of items.

You might want to take a look around your home at the photos you’ve decorated your living space with, because this might help you choose your question.

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Last week, for the second week in a row, Babs of “ Independent Single Professional Female in the Buckle of the Bible Belt. YEE-Haa!!” was first to answer last week’s question about Funerals. Congratulations again, Babs!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: PHOTOGRAPHY

QUESTION A:
Someone’s about to get their picture taken. Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or the one taking the picture, and why?

or

QUESTION B:
Of the photos you have on display in your home, not counting yourself, of whom do you have the most photos? Why do you think you have so many photos of this person?

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question B: I have several photos of my parents, and several with me and former co-workers. I have a few of the dogs, too, but I have five of my best friend. I appear in a couple of those as well. I’ve known him for about 14 years and for about ten of those fourteen years, we worked together and therefore saw each other every single day. For three of those years, we were even roommates. Despite that nearly constant contact for the better part of a decade, we’re still as close as ever, and I guess I have those pictures on display to remind me how lucky I am to have that kind of friendship.

There are always two reasons to celebrate a new edition of the “Tuesday Two.” First, it means that we’ve all survived another Monday. Second, we’re one day closer to the weekend!

For those who have never played, the rules are simple: I offer two different questions, both related to the same topic, but you only choose one of them to actually answer.

Last week, Babs of “ Independent Single Professional Female in the Buckle of the Bible Belt. YEE-Haa!!” was first to answer last week’s question about Blogging. Congratulations, Babs!

Now, onto this week’s choice of questions. And remember: don’t answer both questions!

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: FUNERALS

QUESTION A:
How do you feel about open casket viewings or visitations at funeral homes? Does it bother you to see the decedent or do you feel a more complete sense of closure from it?

or

QUESTION B:
If you had a chance to come back long enough to see your own funeral (unseen by the visitors, of course) just to see and hear what was said about you, explain why you would or wouldn’t take that chance.

Choose A or B, (indicate which question you’re answering!) then either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered “first to play,” a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Remember: choose one or the other…not both!

My Answer:
Question A: Assuming that the body hasn’t been disfigured by some kind of accident or fire, I think there is some part of me that does gain one more step of closure from seeing them that “one last time.” My best friend considers this morbid, and I do see his point, but for me, I connect a very personal reverence to being able to see that final glimpse of the person as I pay my last respects.