This is my most informal interview session to date. The recorder's already...recording so I'm just describing the set-up here. I'm on the floor in front of the couch in Barb's house (Bill's at Nicki's and Barb's upstairs finishing up a 15-page paper she's turning in tomorrow) having my hair braided by Miss Tancy. For some reason, that was part of the deal. I'll ask Teenie, for the record, why when we get this operation underway. I just had a great bath. I'm all relaxed and I smell like peaches because of the lotion Teenie let me borrow. Is this what Georgia smells like? Huh. Anyway, Teenie's working her magic on my hair and we're watching "Madagascar" on DVD. Like the others, we're shooting for a three-minute, rapid-fire format...I can probably stop explaining that each time, but I thought I'd re-explain just in case, I guess. Anyway, this movie's good, but not great, and it's winding down anyway so now's as good as time as any to begin. Ready, Teenie? She's nodding "yes" (with a strand of my hair in her mouth no less)...so here we go. Timer...and GO.

Me: Why'd you want to braid my hair while doing this interview?
Teenie: I just did. No real reason.

Me: Not a great start there, but, that's ok. Um...you're getting more and more into sports. Why do you think that is and what sports are you surprised you like as much as you do?
Teenie:: I think I'm starting to like sports and competing and stuff because when you're playing, everyone's trying to do the same thing - score a goal or hit a target or get a basket - and that's all that's on everyone's mind. You're not thinking about homework or your teacher or anything like that. Like, if you're playing basketball and someone's guarding you really hard, it makes you want to try so much harder to beat them and score. Not in a mean way. You can like that person or hate them, but you just wanna score on them because they're trying so hard to not let you score. I like that...having one thing to think about.

Me: Right.
Teenie:: Um...the sports? In the team sports, which I like all of, I'm surprised that I like playing defense as much as I do. I mean, like I just said, you usually think about just scoring, and when you have the ball, that is all you're thinking about. But, like, in soccer, I love playing defense. If you get a chance to shoot, you want it to go in, but that's not your main duty. You're responsible for protecting the goal and letting the goalie do her job. I just like...liking something that you didn't think was so important when you started playing. But it is.

Me: I bet that makes you a great teammate.
Teenie:: I hope so. Oh, and the sport I'm surprised I like? Track. Well, running, I mean. At first I thought it was boring, but now I'm starting to really love it. I like running the mile most.

Me: I don't think I've ever run a mile in my life.
Teenie:: I ran one in seven minutes, thirty-seven seconds last week. Ben said that was better than his time when they were doing football try-outs.

Me: That make you happy?
Teenie:: It did.

Me: When do you get your braces off?
Teenie:: Not for a long time. I hate them.

Me: They hurt?
Teenie:: They do now because I just got them tightened the day before yesterday. That's the worst part. They also make it harder to bite your nails, which I do and want to keep on doing!

Me: I hear you. What's your favorite holiday?
Teenie:: Um...actually, Martin Luther King Day.

Me: Wow. That's a really good one to like. He was a really special man.
Teenie:: I know. And...don't take this the wrong way, but I also like that it's in January so once you've had Thanksgiving break and then Christmas break and you're thinking: "I don't get a day off again forever" and then...in January, you get one more day off. I like that.

Me: That makes total sense.
Teenie:: And he was a really special man. I know that's really important, too.

Me: It is. Favorite color? I've been asking everyone?
Teenie:: Orange.

Me: Peanut or plain M & Ms?
Teenie:: Peanut butter.

Me: I always forget about those. Great answer.
Teenie:: I think they're better than Reese's.

Me: Wow. Bold words.
Teenie:: I like them 'cause they're bigger. And more round.

Me: Would you rather be hot or cold?
Teenie:: Cold. You can always bundle up.

Me: I know your dad always talks to you guys about setting goals. What's one of your goals this year? What's the one you want to achieve more than all the others?
Teenie:: I want to get a lot better at math. I hate it so much, but I hate it because I'm not good at it so if I can get better, sooner or later, it won't be the class I dread all day.

Me: Are the Jazz gonna be good again this year?
Teenie:: I have no idea. I don't like pro sports.

Me: Why?
Teenie:: Because when they start getting money for playing, they forget that they're just playing and they never seem thankful that they get to wear basketball shoes to work.

Me: And make a boat-load of money...
Teenie:: Exactly.

Me: Do you have a boyfriend?
Teenie:: Pass.

Me: Boo.
Teenie:: I can pass one. You said so.

Me: I know, but still...boo.
Teenie:: Kinda. I kinda have a...we're really just friends, but...we're not like, officially, boyfriend/girlfriend or anything.

Me: I hear you. What's his name? Do I know him?
Teenie:: Pass. Seriously.

Me: To which one? Are you passing on the name question or the do I know him question?
Teenie:: They're the same question! If I say his name and, it turns out, you know him, then...

Me: I get it. Whatever. Boo, none the less.
Teenie:: No Boo. Pass.

Me: We gotta be close to...are we close to three minutes? Two-thirty. Thirty more seconds.
Teenie:: Bring it on.

Me: What's your earliest memory?
Teenie:: Mom being sick.

Me: That must have been really hard.
Teenie:: It was. I love her.

Me: She loves you, too.
Teenie:: I know.

Me: Good. What do you look forward to most?
Teenie:: In life?

Me: Sure.
Teenie:: High school. And driving.

Me: This week, what are you looking forward to?
Teenie:: The weekend.

Me: Always, right?
Teenie:: Always.

Me: Thank you, Teenie. I really appreciate it.
Teenie:: Thank you.

Me: You have a nice handshake, by the way.
Teenie:: Thank you.