- Crossed a provincial, state, or international border on foot.
- Been summoned for jury duty. (I know Kristen and Jenny have been jurors recently!)
- Started a campfire without matches or a lighter.
- Crashed a wedding. (I can’t imagine doing something like this.)
- Used gold leaf while preparing a fancy dessert.
- Been mistaken for a celebrity or someone famous. (But one of my favourite things to do is look for celebrity lookalikes.)
- Taken a lie detector test.
- Donated blood. (I’d love to, but had chronic anemia for many years so, alas, it’s not currently an option.)
- Used a fire extinguisher. (Thankfully!)
- Driven on the left side of the road.
Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7. Part 8. Part 9.
You know the drill!
- How many of my Never Evers have you done?
- Has anyone crashed a wedding, driven on the “wrong” side of the road, or crossed a border on foot?
- Do you enjoy spotting celebrity look-alikes as much as I do?
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I’ve only done one this time – driving on the left in South Africa! It’s surprisingly easy to adapt, probably because everything is flipped: driver’s seat, gear stick, pedals. That said, I still regularly turn on the windscreen wipers instead of the blinker!
Imagine crashing a wedding! And then getting stuck in a conversation with Aunty Mabel about cousin Eddy! 😂
I cannot imagine crashing a wedding. Eeks! Though a tiny part of me does think like it sounds fun. I’m not nearly rebellious enough.
Only two for me this time
8. Donated blood – I used to when I was younger, but I can’t anymore (breast cancer)
10. Driven on the left side of the road – always in the UK. I have driven on the wrong side of the road (right side) in Florida a few times 😀
I suppose “wrong” and “right” are very relative in terms of driving position!
I’ve done #2 ( called twice, was actually on a jury once), #8 ( I donated regularly until I was permanently deferred after my 4th kid was born. Having lots of kids can throw some weird markers in the blood, I guess.) and #9 ( only as a kid at a fire safety event. I did out the fire out!). I am pretty sure I’ve crossed state boundaries on foot on hikes. And I walked over the Mississippi River from one state to another on a pedestrian side of a bridge, so that counts.
I just don’t understand gold leaf on food- it adds no flavor. Why waste your money and time messing with it?
You’ve done a lot of my Never Ever’s this time.
I don’t understand gold leaf either, but then I’m decidedly NOT fancy with food in any way. It looks pretty, I guess??
I’ve been summoned for jury duty three times, but have never served on a jury. I’ve used gold leaf to decorate fancy handmade truffles. And I’ve donated blood a handful of times.
Three times?! Wow. Is that a lot? It feels like a lot?
And now I am suddenly (for real) desperately hungry for homemade truffles!
I have hiked Simpson Pass, where you can have one foot in BC and one foot in Alberta at the same time. I should find that photo, I think it was 2019.
I’ve donated blood many times but not for a while.
I think it was 2024, we were in Mexico and a few girls thought my husband was Josh Duhamel! They said to me “We saw you at the pool today, we just thought he got remarried.” Um. Josh Duhamel was with a) Fergie and b) a Miss America, so what a comedown for poor Josh! Lol!
*Me, going to Google Josh Duhamel*
Yes! They do look a lot alike!!!
I’m here to represent 1 and 2!
– Last year I went to Cincinnati and walked across not one but two bridges that span between Ohio and Kentucky. After the trip someone told me that there is a land point where you can be in Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois at the same time, so if I ever find myself in that place I know what I must do.
– I’ve been summoned a few times but never had to serve.
THREE STATES at once. Mind blown, Birchie!
My brother and SIL were somewhere last year and I’m pretty sure there were in three countries at once while sitting on a particular rock? I can’t remember the specifics but I remember being very impressed.
Seeing you in photos, Josh would be upping his game. No one else rocks a LBD or bikini like you!
Yes to #2, although I don’t know if I can actually be called a “juror” as I didn’t actually get that far in the process. It seems like I’ve done #1, but I can’t think of where or when that would have been.
To clarify, I’ve never even been summoned for jury duty, so in my mind you are definitely a juror since you did your civic duty to be available.
Imagine being someone called in something like the Karen Read case, or back in the day for OJ Simpson!!
Crossed a provincial, state, or international border on foot – not on foot, but I did it on a bicycle in Europe. We rode thru the Netherlands into Belgium. There was a pole on the side of the road to indicate the boarder.
Been summoned for jury duty. Yes, and almost got picked, but luckily didn’t. In the States now, you call a number the night before to see if you need to report to court. Much easier. And if you have a high number, you are usually safe from being called, but still have to check by calling until you are dismissed.
Donated blood – I donated platlets once and it was too tough on me. Maybe I’ll just try regular blood next time.
Driven on the left side of the road – once or twice in Ireland and I absolutely refuse to do it again. I am too fearful of not being able to judge distance from the other side. If we go to a country that has driving on the other side and my husband insists on renting a car, he is doing the driving.
All the others are a no.
Bike definitely counts! Very cool!
The thought of driving on the “wrong” side is very daunting to me. And I know my brother drove in Ireland when he and my father were there on a trip together and he said the roads are soooo narrow. And of course everything was 5-speed at the time. That would be a hard no from me!
This comment was for Nicole.
I have only done 8 and 10! I used to donate blood in college and my 20s. Now it is not an option because of all of my RA meds apparently. Phil donates but not during the summer as he has to take time off from running after he gives blood because it wipes him out! And I drove on the left side of the road when I visited New Zealand during my study abroad program. It wasn’t too bad except when we were in the city – especially when turning!! I’m kind of amazed I was able to do it at age 21!
I think I would have been braver about driving on the wrong side when I was younger. Now I’m more aware of the headaches of being in an accident!
The only two I’ve “done” are 2 and 10.
2- I was summoned for jury duty but I was excused because my work wrote me a note saying they needed me from memory (that was in my early 20s – if I got summoned now I would definitely do it – what an interesting experience).
10 – not only have I obviously driven on the left side of the road since its the “right” side hehe, I have actually ridden a bicycle on the right side in Cambodia. I found it so challenging I’ve never been keen to drive on the right side in an actual car – I happily leave that to Alan, who prefers to be the driver anyway in most situations.
John is definitely the “head” driver in our household. Obviously I drive a lot (everywhere when he’s away for work), but the thought of driving internationally sounds positively horrid to me!
I love these kinds of posts! Here are the things I have done:
I was skiing in France and crossed over the border into Spain, and back again! I thought I was so cool! (This was pre-EU) I’ve also walked across the Montana/Wyoming and Montana/Idaho borders.
I have been summoned for Jury Duty too many times. I’ve never had to serve, though. Most of them were canceled/settled out of court before having to go. Twice, I went to the courthouse but wasn’t chosen.
I haven’t been mistaken for a real celebrity, but once a little child said, “Mom! It’s Ariel, The Little Mermaid!” That was awfully flattering!
I donated blood one time, and it was a real ordeal for me. I had to sit there for about 2 hours because I was so dizzy. And I felt weak for days. I haven’t ever done it again.
THE LITTLE MERMAID! Not only were you seen to be a look-a-like, they thought you were a mermaid. That is very cool, Michelle!
Wait – how have you never been summoned for jury duty???
I get summoned every three or four years, but only served once. I actually got summoned a month ago to serve last week, but then forgot about it, and then got a gig for the exact same time, and had to ask my employer to write me a letter to postpone service.
I don’t know if it really counts, but my work is on the DC- Maryland border, so I cross that border a lot, mostly to get lunch…
I’ve donated blood once, but it wasn’t a great experience, so it will take a lot for me to want to do that again.
Maybe it’s not nearly as common? I don’t know anyone in my immediate circle of friends or family here in Canada that have ever been summoned!
I have not done any of those things, except donate blood. The blood donating thing didn’t go well, and I’m not sure I’ll do it again. It messed with my vaso vagel issue and I started to pass out. This took place on a bus that was designed to drive around and accept donations. It was in honor of our neighbor’s daughter, who died young in a tragic accident. Anyway, maybe it was the combo of being on a bus (stationary but still – it felt like a bus, closed in, etc) and the fact that I pass out easily. I, er, worried that I was going to lose control of my functions, if you know what I mean. I couldn’t get up and walk and they were hollering at me to stay awake all the time I was panicking that this was maybe gonna end really badly.
That situation sounds terrifying and awful! Eeks. I have never done it and don’t see myself ever doing it because of all my anemia issues in the past. I wish I could – what a wonderful way to contribute to the health and wellbeing of society, but I’ll have to look for other ways!!!
I’ve crossed a state border on foot while hiking. The Appalachian trail goes along the Tennessee and North Carolina border for awhile and I’ve done a bit of that portion and you’re pretty much constantly crossing the border. Can’t say I would have known when on the hike I was crossing, but I did it several times!
I was called for jury duty my last semester of university and asked for a deferral and then moved out of state (the summons was at the county level) before they gave me a new date.
I’ve donated blood 13 (?) times. I’ve lost count – it was 10+ when we moved from the US and I think I’ve donated three times in Canada. The requirements are stricter in Canada so I haven’t been able to donate as much. For women it’s every 56 days in the US and you can donate again but it’s 84 days minimum between donations in Canada. There’s also a 6 month exclusion after giving birth in Canada and a 6 WEEK exclusion in the US which feels much too short.
I’ve used a fire extinguisher but only in safety trainings!
Six weeks after delivery you can give blood? Yikes. That poor mother would be absolutely drained (in more ways than one)!
1. Crossed a provincial, state, or international border on foot – Yes, we crossed the French/Spanish border over the Pyrenees by foot on our Camino. I’ve also crossed the Victoria/NSW border while out on a run in Moama/Echuca and also by stepping over the high water point on the Echuca side when we camped on the river. The border there is the Murray River, so once you are on the river you are in NSW.
2. Been summoned for jury duty. (I know Kristen and Jenny have been jurors recently!) – yes a few times. Once I got out of it because I had three young kids at home and the other I rang in and they didn’t need me.
3. Started a campfire without matches or a lighter – no
4. Crashed a wedding. (I can’t imagine doing something like this.) – no
5. Used gold leaf while preparing a fancy dessert. – no
6. Been mistaken for a celebrity or someone famous. (But one of my favourite things to do is look for celebrity lookalikes.) – no
7. Taken a lie detector test – no, can’t imagine what situation I would need to
8. Donated blood. (I’d love to, but had chronic anemia for many years so, alas, it’s not currently an option.) – not yet, but once I’m back in Melbourne I plan to
9. Used a fire extinguisher. (Thankfully!) – yes. The fire department came and trained all the research students and staff in the Chemistry department at university in proper use and they lit fires and we all had to put one out.
10. Driven on the left side of the road. – obviously a yes for me, but I’ve also driven on the right-side in the US.
I have crossed an international border on foot – Canada and the U.S.! There’s a place near Niagara Falls where you can be in two countries at once, so my mom and I had to do that while we were there.
I have been summoned for jury duty – only once! I have donated blood. And while I’ve never been mistaken for a celebrity, I have been mistaken as someone else ALL THE TIME. I just have one of those faces and people constantly think I’m someone else. It’s wild!
Crossed a provincial, state, or international border on foot. NOPE
Been summoned for jury duty. (I know Kristen and Jenny have been jurors recently!) YES
Started a campfire without matches or a lighter. YES
Crashed a wedding. (I can’t imagine doing something like this.) NOT ON YOUR LIFE
Used gold leaf while preparing a fancy dessert. NOPE
Been mistaken for a celebrity or someone famous. (But one of my favourite things to do is look for celebrity lookalikes.) NOPE
Taken a lie detector test. NOPE
Donated blood. (I’d love to, but had chronic anemia for many years so, alas, it’s not currently an option.) NOPE
Used a fire extinguisher. (Thankfully!) NOPE
Driven on the left side of the road. YES
yes, I love seeing doppelgängers in the wild!
Definietly walked across a border multiple times. Easy enough if you hike in the mountains. Or ski. At least in Europe.
Never donated blood.
Also no jury duty in Germany.
No jury duty? So…how does the legal system work? I’m curious!!!
Have you tried donating blood lately? I used to get rejected when I was young, due to anemia, but as I got older (and gained weight) that problem resolved itself. In the US, you have to weigh at least 110 lbs, which I always did, but the phlebotomist told me that things get a lot easier when someone gets to 120 or 125. If you’re over 125, you might give it a try and see. I HATED giving blood, but loved the feeling that I was saving someone’s life, which made it worth it to me.
I know I’ve crossed the border on foot between the US and Mexico a couple of times, but I don’t think we did the same thing in Canada, we drove.
I’ve been on 2 juries, but with my husband’s current job I doubt they would pick me.
Ha. Definitely over 110 lbs (and 125!).
What does Ted do again? I’m curious why it would rule you out for jury duty.
You know I love these, even if I am a bit late! It’s not going to be another no hitter though!
Crossed a provincial, state, or international border on foot. YES, many times! In fact, just a couple of weeks ago –> I hiked through Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo.
Been summoned for jury duty. NO, thank you!
Started a campfire without matches or a lighter. I tried to do it with a bow, but to no avail. So…no.
Crashed a wedding. (I can’t imagine doing something like this.) No, how embarrassing!
Used gold leaf while preparing a fancy dessert. You lost me at gold…NO!
Been mistaken for a celebrity or someone famous. No, but I have been told I look like Gwyneth Paltrow.
Taken a lie detector test. Nope!
Donated blood. Yup! But I have very low hemoglobin, very low BP and VERY low pulse, so I often get rejected.
Used a fire extinguisher. I think maybe I did have to do it when our washing machine caught on fire. I can’t remember!
Driven on the left side of the road. YES!
So my yesses were 3/10. That was a good one, as in, you found many that I have not done!
I knew you would SLAY the first one!
It seems like people in the US get summoned for jury duty a lot, so I’m a bit surprised this hasn’t happened for you.
“You lost me at gold” – hahaha.
Do you have low cholesterol, too? If so, can you send some of that my way?
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