Proust Questionnaire--Interactive Edition. Part One

All right. Our numbers now have reached a critical mass of 10! Can I get a WOOT?

I am ignoring the fact that Tutcibachi is registered twice and proudly declaring that I have 10 followers!
Thanks to Soccer Mom for being proud #10!

Since we have reached the double digit milestone, I now believe it is time to launch. . . .

The Proust Questionnaire---Interactive Edition

For those of you that don't know, or have never read the back page of Vanity Fair magazine, the Proust Questionnaire is a series of questions first answered and published by Marcel Proust. These questions are fun, thought-provoking, and insightful for both the one answering the questions and the ones enjoying the responses.

Which brings me to the INTERACTIVE part of the program.

Each week I will be posting a few of Proust's questions along with my responses here. Your job? To read and answer the questions for yourself. Comments needed to play. If you don't choose to participate, I may send the cheeky monkeys to your house during homework and dinnertime. That means you, all you reluctant commenters. I am currently too polite to name names. But don't push your luck. Fun, yes?

And one more thing.

I think I'm ready to go a bit more public. So feel free to share the link with friends that you think would enjoy visiting Cheeky Monkeydom now and again.

Here's to the first ten! You are strong, fabulous women (and one man) with fantastic web aliases.

Love,
The Wrangler

One Sentence Wednesday

I received a CHILI PEPPER on Rate My Professor.com. Woot!!

Tutcibachi Speaks

Hey readers! All nine of you! Check out our own Tutcibachi commenting on the great blog, Penelope Loves Lists. She shares how list making can really be life-changing for people. Read it and get inspired!
I'm so very honored and am so grateful to all of you who read and comment. It makes a Wrangler's day!

One Sentence Wednesday

Warning: This is long. Not one sentence. But still germane to the overall spirit of the one-sentence idea. Bear with me.

In addition to holding the title of Wrangler of Cheeky Monkeydom, I also have the great good fortune of moonlighting as a professor to college-age cheeky monkeys who are studying to be cheeky elementary school teachers. Last Wednesday, some of these students of mine decided it would be fine to text during class and that certainly I WOULDN'T NOTICE.

HA. Don't they know who I am?

I'm The Wrangler, she who knows and sees all in Cheeky Monkeydom, the Home Front AND Cheeky Monkeydom, College Edition.

Well, when I get irritated I strategically choose words from my large vocabulary arsenal to lob at my intended victim(s), which typically results in blank stares. Here was the one sentence that got the attention of the College Monkeys last Wednesday. . .

Before you leave today, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this classroom is quite small, and that I see everything, including those of you who find it necessary to surreptitiously text during class.

Fast forward one week.

Today was my lecture on vocabulary, which happens to be one of my faves. I love words---I am a regular logophile (it's not dirty---look it up, Wise Woman). I mentioned to my class that when I get irritated, I tend to use much more elaborate and precise vocabulary. Don't you know that those cheeky monkeys morphed into HOWLER monkeys, quoting me verbatim from last week's fatwa on texting! I guffawed!

Here is one student's very cheeky rendition of last's week's class. . . .

In case you are wondering, the irate woman is me.

Happy Wednesday.

An Update: Bobby. Johnny.

His name is Mr. Bill. Go figure.

Bobby. Johnny.

Wrangler: What's the bus driver's name?
Big: Bobby.
Middle: Johnny.

Bobby.
Johnny.
Bobby.
Johnny.
Bobby.
Johnny.

You get the idea.

Wrangler: Ask him his name. The polite thing to do is to greet him by name when you get on the bus and thank him by name when you get off.

Yeah, says Little, perfectly on cue and always quick to point out what would be the mannerly thing to do.

Big, if his name is Bobby, give me a thumbs up when you get on the bus. Middle, if it's Johnny, you give me a thumbs up. That way I won't die of curiosity while you are at school.

They agree to the plan.

The bus arrives.

Middle converses with the driver.

I wait. With bated breath.

What do I see framed in the school bus window?

Two little monkeys. . . .

EACH WITH A THUMB UP.

The Best Thing I've Read in a While

Seems like I have had a thing for other men this week. (Sorry, Head Monkey. In your absence, I've fallen for a disembodied voice and a fictional man. Stay HOME.) First, my inclement weather guy. Swoon. Now, Major Pettigrew.

I love Major Pettigrew. For me, he is starting to rank up there with Atticus Finch. I would love to be his neighbor and have tea with him, but know that I AM NOT WORTHY. Here's my new favorite quote from the book. . . .

Lord Daginum:
"In my day, that would have sufficed, but these days, men expect their wives to be as dazzling as their mistresses."
"That's shocking!" said the Major. "How on Earth will they tell them apart?"
"My point exactly," said Daginum, missing the Major's hint of irony.

What's not to love about this guy? He is so proper and conflicted and delicious and human.

If you haven't read this already, do. It is a delight. Click here to read a review by someone much more literary than I.

Enjoy!