Friday, June 11, 2010

Free Book Friday - Surprise Edition

I, by nature, am a suspicious sort. I don't like surprises at all. I'd really rather know what's going on. Part of the reason is because I lack the proper responses to most things. Catch me off guard and who knows how I'll react. If I know I'm going to have a surprise party, I can practice my surprised face and be gracious about it. Yes, I really do have to think about these things. Being in my head is a strange and alien place to most of you. You should've seen me at my high school graduation party. All the attention on me, opening presents. Trying to gauge what the appropriate response is to getting money, versus jewelry, etc. If I'm not careful, the people will think I don't like the gift, which is usually far from the truth, I just don't instinctively know how to express it. I'm sure its second nature to some people. I've got to work at it, but I'm better now. But I still like to be prepared.

(For the record, if DB ever thought he'd do some big public proposal type thing I didn't know about, I doubt it would be one of those Hallmark moments. I'd probably just stare blankly at him until he nudged me, then I'd start to cry hysterically and run into the bathroom. That would be for a 'yes,' by the way.)

Point being, that even though I don't like them happening to me, I really like planning surprises for others.

So here we go... It's Free Book Friday, but I'm not going to tell you what you're going to win. It's going to be a complete surprise. I'm not going to tell you how many books or what kind or by whom. Just know they'll be fabulous, no matter what.

To enter, comment today with the phrase "I love surprises!" but then tell me how you really feel about them. Are you like me or do you get joy or thrills from the uncertainty of it?

33 comments:

Jane said...

I love surprises. I really do enjoy surprises, but there's always a bit of anxiety that goes with the excitement because you're unprepared for it.

Cheryl said...

I love surprises. Not really...I am like you - I never know how to react. I love presents, especially from hubby, but he has learned she doesn't gush. LOL. I just am not an effusive person.

Laurie G said...

"I love surprises!" NOT!

My godparents would give me the most awful presents: a gargoyle type statue?? a pink knit poncho?? hideous stuff. I'd cringe opening those presents!

I'd rather get something that I want or need. I hate shopping for others or myself. I'm a very practical person. I'm terrible at keeping surprises too.

There's always room for a delicious book surprise package YUMMY!

Maven Linda said...

I don't like surprises, either. Strange. Because unexpected PROBLEMS don't bother me nearly as much. Give me a problem to solve, and I'm all over it. Give me a gift, and I'm perplexed.

I don't believe I ever got a marriage proposal. It was more of looking at a calendar, and picking out a date.

Problem Child said...

I like little surprises, but not big ones.

And like Linda, I didn't get a fancy proposal. It was "Hmm, DG can't stay in the US unless we get married. How does Monday sound?"

Playground Monitor said...

I remember an episode of the old Lois and Clark show where Lois said she loved surprises; she just like to know about them ahead of time.

I think it depends on the surprise. A pink knit poncho? Uh, no. A trip to the mountains? Sure!

I'm giving more and more gift cards as gifts these days because it reduces the surprise element. This way the person can get exactly what they want.

mslizalou said...

I love surprises. Not really...I like to be in the know too much. Plus like you, I don't always know how to react.

runner10 said...

I love surprises........
I don't think so. I plan everything and like everything to go as planned.
Hope you have a great weekend.

Stephanie said...

I love surprises.

Now the truth, I could barely type that for fear of lightening striking me down and blowing up Pantster's computer. I don't like surprises either. I am an effusive person and can gush with the best of them but surprises are not a good thing in my world.

Someone once asked me but what about surprise gifts or delivered flowers...nope, not even that usually. It just catches me off guard and makes me wonder what else are they going to do to surprise me. Not a good feeling.

SP-I am so with you on the public proposals being a BAD idea!!

PM-Lois had it right. I like to know about the surprise!

Maven Linda and PC- Always happy to hear about how folks got to the altar. :-)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Wow, lots of fellow surprise haters out there. Does anyone like them? Glad to know I'm not the only one who isn't sure how to react.

Fortunately, Db is the private kind. When he gets around to it, I have no doubt it will be heartfelt and quiet. I can deal with that.

CrystalGB said...

I love surprises.
For me, it depends on the type of surprise. If the surprise occurs in front of a large group of people, then I get embarassed. Other than that, I am ok with surprises.

Unknown said...

I love surprises! I don't get surprises very often but when I do I am so unprepared for it! I don't know what to say or anything.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love surprises!

As long as they're not bad or embarrassing. But, for other things, I like to be surprised. I don't want to know what I'm getting for my birthday or Christmas and I can actually wait until the days to find out. That's why I didn't find out the sex of either of my children beforehand.
Margay

gigi said...

"I love surprises!"

I really do love good surprises. I wish I got lots more 'good' surprises.

I don't like bad surprises. Especially form the kids and it involved school. I get the hives just from thinking about it.

Summer said...

I love surprises, as long as they're the good kind.

chey said...

I love surprises! Sometimes they are great, but often I'd rather have some time to think about it first.

Have a great weekend everyone!

tetewa said...

I love surprises! I never as a child wanted to know what I was going to get for Christmas always wanted it to be a surprise!

Anonymous said...

i love surprises...especially nice ones :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

love surpreise hope it is big lol
have a great weekend all
kh

Sandy Jay said...

I love surprises.

I love surprises like this one. It's always fun to go to the mailbox and find something nice that you weren't expecting.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

catslady said...

"I love surprises!" At least I think I do - don't remember ever being really surprised - at least nothing big but I'm positive I'd love it. Maybe one of these days.

mariska said...

I LOVE SURPRISE ! :)

When i already had some hint about the surprise though *grins*.

well, a big surprise for me when I thought that i only won one book, but then when i opened the package i got two books instead ! That's a cool surprise :)

Pat L. said...

I love surprises - it is the excitement and anticipation of what that surprise may be.

Especially if the surprise is unexpected. This surprise is nice because we know there is one, but not what it is.

BookHounds said...

no need to enter me, I posted this at www.winabook.westofmars.com

http://winabook.westofmars.com/2010/06/12/surprise-free-book-friday/

Anonymous said...

Please enter me for the surprise. And yes, who wouldnt like a surprise. Anticipation and all that....

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

Helen L.

Lauren said...

"I love surprises!"
Except.. I don't most of the time. Birthday parties always made me cringe when it came time for me to sit down and open the presents.. Everyone watching.. gah. Anywhere public, and I hate it. Last time someone did that, getting waiters to sing, I wound up crying into the husband's shoulder, and they still didn't back off until I flat out left.
If it's at home, and the kids want to surprise me with a drawing or something, that's fine. Small things, I'm ok. Big publicized things.. Nooo way lol.

Alyce said...

I love surprises - sometimes. It really just depends on what I'm being surprised with. I really don't like surprise parties, but I don't mind if someone sends me something unexpectedly. :)

baileythebookworm said...

I love surprises! I really do -my boyfriend is always surprising me with wonderful gifts (he built me a bookshelf for Christmas) and coming to visit me unannounced when I'm at school. He's a keeper, that's for sure. His surprises are the best.

baileythebookworm[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I love surprises when they're the good kind.

A good surprise: hubby taking me on a month-long Mediterranean cruise for our anniversary.

A bad surprise: relatives "dropping by" en masse (and unannounced with loads of luggage) from out-of-state for a week-long visit.

kzupancic[at]yahoo[dot]com

JHS said...

"I love surprises!" (No, I really don't if it involves people hiding my living room yelling "surprise" or being blindfolded and led somewhere.)

BTW, stop by Colloquium, and enter to win a copy of "This One is Mine" by Maria Semple. You can sign up until midnight (Pacific time), June 15, 2010!

JHS
Colloquium

jhsmail at comcast dot net

Margie said...

I love surprises. I usually like to know exactly what is going on...I'm pretty organized and don't like too many real surprises. Thanks for the fun giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

"I love Surprises" NOT - I am like you. I can't stand surprises!! I like to be prepared.

bsyb100 at gmail dot com

Cass said...

I love surprises. I really do. Heh. I dunno. There's the tension and anxiousness. You never really know what you're going to get until you get it, so sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't. Lol, very wishy-washy answer. :P

cc932005[at]hotmail[dot]com