The white glove test

When you're having people over — say for a party, or a houseguest — and you need to clean up but are short on time, what do you feel is the most important thing you can do to make your space welcoming?

This week's theme is important things.

Important things

Think of all the things that are new in the world — inventions, people, organization, TV shows, commercial products, or traditions that have existed for less than one year. What is one newly-arrived thing that plays an important role in your life?

This week's theme is important things.

Tell us a story: fire drill!

Tell us about one time when your day was disrupted by a fire drill, a false alarm, or some other anticlimactic emergency. When did you experience a big interruption by something that turned out to be a big "never mind"?

The bright spot

Which room in your home has the best feel, the brightest energy? Which room is the most comfortable and welcoming?

R.S.V.P.

Polite manners seem to require lying when you turn down an invitation. Do you agree that lying is sometimes better than hurting someone's feelings?

This week's theme is lying.

The truth fairy, delayed

Was there a time in your childhood when your parents kept the truth from you about something? Did they think you couldn't handle the truth, or were they trying to make something easier on themselves?

This week's theme is lying.

Means to an end

What's one time that you lied — or stretched the truth — in order to gain a tangible benefit (such as a job, a higher salary, free food, entry into an event, etc.)? Was the benefit worth the lie, or did you agonize over it for a long time afterward?

This week's theme is lying.

Pants on fire

What is one lie you told recently? Who were you trying to deceive? Did they suspect that you weren’t telling the truth?

This week's theme is lying.

Lying

Are you a good liar? When necessary, can you convincingly say something that isn't true?

Now, what about the flip side? Can you usually sense it when someone else isn't telling you the truth?

This week's theme is lying.

Tell us a story: that thing about my mother

Tell us a story about why and how your mother came to have some trait or characteristic you associate with her. You may know this information from stories you heard (or read) secondhand, but don't worry too much whether your answer is fact or conjecture. What do you think happened in her younger years that helped shape her personality or world view?

Keeping secrets

Do you enjoy hearing people's secrets? Is it easy, or difficult, for you to keep secrets?