[Weird Questions]
EgoOverdose @ Xanga

1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what exactly is it that you are looking for?
weight loss… hoping… double chin effect going away, hopefully… hoping I look young

2. Was the last scratch you sustained made by an animal or an object?
hmmm… it’s been a while… got one from a cat a few weeks ago but probably some other one since?

3. What do you typically bring with you when you stay overnight at someone else's house?
clothes, toothbrush & personal stuff, something to read or work on, hidden stash of food in case they don’t feed me anything or anything I like :)

4. Have you ever cancelled plans with someone simply because you didn't want to go?
probably, though I explained more to it… like being tired or busy (which no doubt I was anyway, so it’s not a lie).  I remember one time a long time ago I just did not want to have to face something… but we’ve all had that.

5. Have you ever ditched plans with someone for (better) plans with someone else?
not really… if it’s just social stuff I won’t.  The most I have done was cut out early to go meet the someone elses, or do the above if the original plans were a work related side activity and not something truly social anyway.

6. What is the longest amount of time you have spent alone, without human contact?
wow… can’t be more than a day or so and probably talked to someone on the phone

7. If you are the type that likes going to the movie theater, what makes it fun? If you are not that type, why would you prefer to stay home?
I like to go because of the bigger screen, lounging in the seats and just getting out of the house/’Vallo.  It is expensive though.  Usually I go to the Carmike in Hoover - $1 all shows.

8. How do you know whether or not you "have a life"? Has anyone told you to "get a life"?
if you do these surveys, you either have no life, or you are desperately trying to avoid yours.  j/k.   People who have no life don’t have anyone to talk to, don’t have anything to do but work, or have their entire personal universe contained in, say, some online game.  I don’t get told to get a life often, but my mom has told me to occasionally, mainly when the amount of time I spend sleeping during breaks, or on facebook, is something she doesn’t understand.

9. What is one of your weirdest habits - the type that you generally try to keep to yourself, or perform in private?
well, now.  Why would I be putting something like that on my xanga all of a sudden?

1o. Do you like to type things a certain, unique way ( ie. "&" or "+" for "and", or using brackets instead, etc )?
not really… I can’t stand the way pEoPle Do thiS. .. you get what I mean.  I used to think there was some secret code in the capital letters but I guess not.

11. If you are bothered by Twilight, what is it about the series that irks you so much? Or, if you like it, what are the qualities of the tale that you enjoy(ed)?
It sounds stupid.  I suppose I should try reading a bit of it sometime before I go judging, though.  A 100-year-old (no matter how young he looks) who has to restrain himself from drinking my blood isn’t my idea of a fun date.  For starters.

12. If a good friend asked you to go with them to see concert featuring a band you did not know of ( or disliked ), would you choose to go with them, or would you decline?
I’d probably go if I didn’t know the band, as long as it was inexpensive and fit with my schedule.  If I couldn’t stand the band, then probably not.

13. When was the last time you and someone else said the exact same thing at the same time? What did you both say?
Geoffrey; can’t remember what it was we said

14. Is there anyone whose sentences you are able to complete without them finishing?
Geoffrey… he has trouble sometimes finding words and I’ve gotten good at it.  He also knows me well.  This morning I said, “Geoffrey, next time there’s a commercial” and he knew to finish the sentence:  “clean out the coffee maker and make some coffee.”  Psychic.

15. Which direction does the window in your bedroom face, approximately ( if you have one )?
east.  Hey, at least oversleeping’s not a problem.

16. How would you describe your room's general set up?
my bedroom is mostly a big bed, with small tables at each side, a dresser, and a pile of stuff.  But we have the whole apartment so it’s not like our room is our only personal space.

17. How long have you gone without cleaning your room? Was it a mess when you finally decided to clean it?
many months, I’m sure, in the past

18. Do you keep your school supplies in good shape throughout the year, or are they trashed by the time summer comes around?
dunno… notebooks get used up.  Folders I never intend to last more than one semester.  Pencils get used up.  Bag, etc. are usually OK but might need replacing every couple of years.

19. What color and style of belts ( if you wear them ) do you prefer?
don’t usually wear belts.  If I do, they go with a skirt and are the loose cloth kind.

2o. In the past month or so, which song have you listened to most often?
lately… New Divide – Linkin Park

21. Have you ever seen anyone pick their nose? Do you pick / have you picked yours?
saw a friend doing it once when I don’t think he was aware of himself.  Picking/cleaning it out is one thing, but do it behind closed doors in a place, like the restroom, where you can immediately wash your hands.  I am assuming here, if you are over elementary age, that you do not eat the boogers. :)

22. When was the last time you were in a public restroom?
I guess at work Thursday… that’s a while but I haven’t been anywhere much in the last few days

23. Have you ever caught anyone snooping through your room/belongings? How did you react?
hmmm… not that I remember, maybe my mom

24. Do you have dating expectations or standards? In general, what are they?
I’m married, but before:  the guy needed to be a Christian.  Appearance – not important, but severely different cultural backgrounds might have caused too much strain for my family.  I probably wouldn’t have considered it.  Age – as long as he looked/felt young.  When I was single again, probably not over 40.  Decent personality, not too much baggage, little or no alcohol/drugs.  Then again, I used to say “no smokers” and Geoffrey smoked when we started going out.  We were friends so long that I broke my rule about that, and he ended up quitting so all turned out well. :)

25. If you encountered a lost child while shopping in the mall, would you stop to help him or her, or wait for someone else to come along?
not sure how well I do with kids.  I’d probably just go report it to security, unless the kid asked me something.  Then I might help.

26. Is there anything that just makes you feel like you want to die?
food poisoning

27. How about anything that makes you feel so happy and alive?
singing in choir.  Playing music with an ensemble, if it’s a decent part and it’s a bunch of people I like playing with.  Swimming in cool clear water.  Laughing with friends.  Cuddling with my guy.

28. Do you act differently around certain people, or are you nearly the same in terms of personality no matter who you are around?
I’m mostly the same, but put on the professional side at work.

29. Do you text or listen to music in class? Why or why not?
no, for goodness’  sake… I may multitask but not to that extent.  I just work on other work or make to-do lists.

3o. Who is your oldest ( aged ) friend? How about youngest? Which one are you closer to?
I have friends in their 50’s and 60’s, though it’s more casual.  My youngest friends start around 19.  I’m a little closer to the younger end because there’s not as much general power difference.

31. Are you typically friends with older or younger people?
younger

32. What is your strongest or most obvious personality trait?
I use too many big words, throw out too much trivia

33. When was the last time you tried to get out of doing something? Did it work?
Thank you for reminding me, actually.  I thought about a meeting I’m supposed to go to for work, since it messed up my weekend plans, and wondered how important it was.  I think I’ll go anyway though. 

34. If you could know, today, whether or not you would have a happy rest of your life, would you want to know?
no.  If the answer was “no” I couldn’t stand living the rest of it.

35. Which celebrity/famous person death has affected you the most?
Princess Diana.  That freaked me out for some reason.

Complete this sentence...Share
Fri at 8:44pm

(where did 1 go?)

2. Maybe I should...... buy my textbooks tomorrow

3. I love... food way too much

4. People would say that....... I am some sort of nerd or something

5. I don't understand....... why girls wear uncomfortable shoes that will destroy their feet

6. When I wake up in the morning… I like to take it slow and drink coffee and listen to music

8. Life is full of............ surprises

9. My past taught me......... to be strong and not let your life get bogged down by other people

10. I get annoyed when.............. stuck behind someone slow on a two lane road with no passing opportunities

11. Parties are......... freaking loud.  Not really a good way to have a conversation.

12. I wish........ I was a few years younger

13. Dogs... are kind of loud and messy

14. Cats... are interesting creatures, and fun to play with the friendly ones

15. Tomorrow is.......... not a work day!

16. I have a low tolerance for..........  bull$**t.

17. If I had a million dollars........... I wouldn’t worry, wouldn’t need student loans, and would go ahead and have a baby

18. I'm totally terrified of....having something horrible be my fault

19. My last kiss....... was with my husband

20. I am listening to....... the air conditioner.  Nice to have it relatively quiet.

21. I talk........ weird.

22. My best friend...... is special.

23. My first REAL kiss..... I’d like to only count the ones with Geoffrey.

24. Love is....... found in many places

25. Marriage is...... not bad this time

26. Somewhere, someone is thinking....... Calgon take me away

27. I'll always.......care about special friends

28. The last time I really cried was because....it was late at night and I was thinking too much

29. My cell phone is...my lifeline

30. Before I go to bed...... I make sure everything is off downstairs

31. Right now I am thinking about......whether or not I should go to that work dinner thing, especially since I lost my RSVP letter and can’t find the information anywhere.

32. Babies are...... messy.  But on the other hand, they can’t run around and get into stuff yet.

33. Today I.... didn’t get enough done

34. Tomorrow I will be.... getting more done, I hope

35. I really want to be....a person with the energy to do what I need, and the right kind of charismatic personality

[made @ acoustic_surveys]

How many people can comfortably sleep in your bed?
let’s cap that at two

Do you ever make the first move?
No.  I am female, it’s not for me to do that.  Say what you will about equality, and it’s a free country, but it just seems to work better when you leave it up to the guy.  At least you’ll know you get one who wants to be there.  I didn’t make the rules of nature, it just seems to be how it works.

Have you given up on anything lately?
probably something or other

In school, do you/did you work better by yourself or in a group?
depends on the situation.  Often it’s easier to just do it yourself, quickly and efficiently.  But you learn a lot from others too.

When is the last time you ordered from a catalogue?
it’s been ages.  Usually I use online catalogs.

What do you usually get on your pizza?
pepperoni & mushrooms

Do you know anyone who has a collection of old records?
my mom probably still has hers.  I assume you mean vinyl.

What's the name of the gas station you last stopped at?
Wal-Mart

Is there a piece of jewelry that holds any sentimental value to you?
my wedding and engagement rings

What was the first song you heard today?
honestly, I’m not sure… it’s way too late in the day to ask that… “Sunshine Of Your Love” (Cream?) was in a movie and that was one of them.

Have you ever gotten a magazine subscription as a gift?
yes.

What was the last video you watched on YouTube?
people playing Debussy – Prelude from Pour Le Piano.  To see how it’s done so I can theoretically do it.

Is there a topic that gets you really heated when it's brought up?
the current political debate is starting to… I always hated to be too strongly on one side or the other because of fear of alienating people/relationships, and there’s certainly a such thing as being too conservative, but it’s the ones who are too liberal I’m worried about right now. :(

Say 'Happy Birthday' in another language:
(darn it can’t remember, forget it)

Have you ever sacrificed something for someone you love?
yes

Do you go on any forums often?
yes

What does your Facebook status say right now?
it still has yesterday’s, about being glad Montevallo isn’t starting yet.  I have not had one all day today, nothing new enough to report.

Do you forget to flip the page of your calendar at the start of each month?
no, I don’t use a paper one right now

How many people are subscribed to you?
I don’t go and look

Would you ever agree to an open relationship with someone?
no, eewww

Is the TV on right now?
no

Who is your least favourite actor?
can’t think of one

Do you have an alarm system on your house?
no

Have you ever locked yourself in your bedroom for hours?
not since I was a kid

When is the last time you had a cigarette?
never

Was babysitting your first job?
no

Do people always say you're too thin?
heck no.  Not a problem.

Is there something that you could never give up?
oh yeah, lots of things, you know, caffeine, junk food, fast food, sugar, whatever.  Cut down, sure, but not give up entirely. 

Could you design an whole web page yourself?
I’d rather not.  I used to back in the Frontpage days, and before that when they were very simple.  Now – ummm, no.

Have you ever cooked an entire dinner for your family?
yes.

Do you prefer piano music or violin music?
piano FTW

Why were you in a hospital last?
visiting Geoffrey who was having brain surgery

Who do you tend to get in fights with the most?
Geoffrey just because we’re both here with each other, hehe

Have you ever had your picture in the newspaper?
yes, I won the Memphis spelling bee once

Do you know how to read guitar tablature?
mostly yes

What kind of bread do you prefer?
multigrain; liked white forever but have trained myself otherwise for health reasons

How old were you when you started wearing makeup?
13

Do you have a friend that is old enough to purchase alcohol?
most of my friends are.  Hehe.  (of course, I know I’m on the older end of survey takers.  I know older people do surveys, I’m just trying to find good survey sources.)

Can you say today's date in a different language?
probably not anymore

Would you prefer a small, intimate wedding proposal, or a big-scale, over-the-top proposal?
small and intimate.  That’s really a couple moment, not the business of the whole football stadium. 

[made @ acoustic_surveys]

Forget the list format... too complicated.  Random things would be quicker:

• We are now back at Germantown "headquarters" after going through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas.  I suppose Geoffrey and I can also count Alabama and Mississippi. :)
• School starts... too soon.  Now or earlier, of course, for some kids, depending.  Last week for Troy but thank goodness I teach only labs so I didn't have to be there.  Middle of this week for Shelton State (and for my labs at Troy-Montgomery) so my vacation's nearly over.  Montevallo is last, the 31st.  More piano practice time, though I have made pretty poor use of the summer compared to what I had hoped.  I can say "oh well I wasn't counting on Geoffrey having surgery", etc., but I shouldn't make excuses.
• Iowa is full of cornfields, rolling hills, and it's actually kind of nice having the open space around.  We even stopped by the Iowa State Fair.  If you see Iowa and Minnesota T-shirts on me this year, at least it's unique down here in the South.
• I can say "y'all" again now.  I was trying not to, in order to fit better with the local environment and not look like some hick tourist, but it's a part of my regular vocabulary so it's hard to remember not to say it.  Don't have to tone down the Southern accent anymore either.  My mom is the other way, she'd rather be the tourist and be special.
• They really do have some different accents up there.  People really are built bigger in Minnesota.  Wish I had had time for thrift store shopping there; probably more to fit tall people. 
• The Upper Peninsula of Michigan - good nature, etc, but not much otherwise to see.  At least I saw some loons and swans in the wild.  Wanted to swim in Lake Superior.  If there was time, I would have.  A lot of it seemed tourist/outdoors oriented with shops selling "pasties".  I know those are not what a stripper wears, in this case.  I googled pasties and made sure to add the word "food".  They look kind of gross.  Didn't try one.  Had some whitefish and walleye but probably neither from the best sources.
• Local food I do like - which has probably already been covered - Cincinnati Skyline Chili, Culver's, and Chicago deep dish pizza. 
• Mall of America in MN had some amazing food.  It was just neat to see all the sights there too.
• I like Minnesota - the prairie landscapes and feeling the wind and the wildflowers.  I know it's not nearly so nice most of the year though.  Should google pictures of it in the winter, along with those Michigan mitt towns I think are so cute in summer.
• Dipped our feet in a river at Mammoth Spring on the Missouri/Arkansas border.  The boat ramps were slimy.  The river looked OK but was cold and scum grew over parts of it.  And that's as pretty as it gets down here, I guess... I am spoiled and I am starting to favor things that are not from around here.  I want my Lake Michigan.  Or else my Texas rivers, my Frio and Guadalupe.  Some people will just swim outside in anything.
• As a matter of fact, no, I don't want school to start back.  I am not ready for fall.  Usually I am.  This year I wish it would just go away.  Odd that I wanted to be back in school for music so badly, and it's not good to quit this far into it, and I don't want to give up my right to be in these ensembles, study music, and go to these conferences... but it feels rather silly being in a traditional school after this many years.  Of course, I turn right around and play teacher role at two others, usually the same day.  I should be able to handle it all, but it's hard to be both, and whatever makes me money, etc., gets the priority... Anyway, I hope I take my school more seriously, that I have the energy, that I not feel like such an outsider in Alabama.
• Tomorrow - start cooking again.  Get back to preparing for fall.  Syllabi are due about now too.  Let's see... soft food, vegetarian food, affordable food... must search for recipes... must hit the piano, anyway... I tried one out in a vendor tent at the Iowa State Fair.  Realized I had been getting rusty.  I love roaming the country and seeing what's down every road, knowing the U.S. really well... but it is good to be back and have our own rooms again.

Franklin, KY to Cincinnati, OH.  Went through Bowling Green and Louisville.  Lost an hour... well, you might say "gained" it, which makes it lost to us.  Didn't even notice it missing for a while.  It will come back in Chicago anyway, and then go away again in Michigan.

• Activities:  looking out the window, Newport Aquarium (on the Kentucky side, essentially part of Cincinnati). 
• The aquarium turned out to be the main thing.  Made an exception to my usual rule of not paying for expensive attractions.  It was crowded but fun.  Glassed in areas where fish could swim above or below you.  Jellyfish, penguins (hyper and did little "tricks" - they swim fast too), otters, birds, a giant octopus, anemones, and all sorts and sizes of sharks and rays.  They had a good touch tank where it was fairly easy to pet small sharks.  They didn't seem to mind.
• Food:  Moe's, and tried the Skyline Chili for dinner.  Local thing, controversial from Internet reports that I've read in the past.  Some people love it, some say it's revolting.  I actually liked it.  You just have to be prepared to accept it for what it is.  I knew it was going to be made with cinnamon.  I knew not to expect Tex-Mex.  I tried a Loaded Chili Bowl which included chili, red beans (apparently not always part of the chili), lots of cheese, sour cream, and mustard.  Good, especially with crackers, but was finished with it before I knew it.  More chili might have been good - I loved the flavor myself.  Geoffrey got a chili and cheese bowl which is just what you would expect.  More of the chili.  Interesting local things.  I wasn't sure if they would have vegetarian options (for my mom) but actually they have several.
•  Roadside sights and missed photo ops:  probably quite a lot, darn if I can remember any of them now.  I should write them down.
• Actual photos:  here.  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=97873&id=657575813&l=08b6718fda
• Highlight of the day:  petting the little sharks.  I'm all feeling like "fish are friends, not food" now. :)