Chicken Butt

(Found here)

started 8:00 pm 5/9/25

3401. How well can you read between the lines when others are talking?

I do it without being aware of it. Early training on keeping track of the emotional temperature of the room. Then again, I can also be really bloody-stupid and clueless. It's quite weird.

3402. Would you ever speak in front of your peers about peace and social injustice?

Would I? Uhm, yes, and I have done so quite a few times in the past. Usually quite bluntly.

3403. Where does peace begin?

Oh, God, not this shit again. I'm not doing lyric/poetry interpretation tonight!

3404. Does America practice the ideals it preaches?

If yes when and where?

If not, why not?

These days, politically, emphatically NOT! It is heartening to see that personally most people are indeed doing daily kindnesses as usual.

3405. In conversations do you assume that you know what will be said?

If yes, isn't this a form of closing yourself off to new ideas?

I try really REALLY hard not to do this, sometimes even successfully. I love hearing new ideas!

3406. In what ways are you closed minded?/

I don't want to be open-minded about bigotry or meanness.

3407. Do you prefer beans or rice?

Depends on the variety of each of them. I don't like blaring-white rice (like Minute Rice), but I love brown and wild rice. I like refried beans, and pinto beans in general, and green beans are fine. I'll eat others, but they aren't my favorite food.

3408. Who's a better TV dad?--Dr. Huxtable (Bill Cosby) or Danny Tanner?

This certainly hasn't aged at all well. I never watched the second show, not even part of an episode, and I did love Bill Cosby back in the day. But man did he set fire to his reputation over the years.

3409. Detroit or New York?

Can I pick neither? Or Chicago? Or, honestly, almost any other city?

3410. What's your favourite Star Wars movie?

The original, released in 1977.

3411. What's your favourite Star Trek movie?

The one with Kirk and Picard both in it.

3412. How about Batman? I think I've only seen one, the one with Katie Holmes in it. It was ok.

Indiana Jones? Always and forever the first one.

Lord of the Rings? I've only see the first one, was told since I spent most of the last third of it with my face in Beast's shoulder I should DEFinitely NOT see the rest. I'm ok with that. 

Harry Potter? I didn't see the last two, I don't think. Or did I? I think my favorite is the one with the Whomping Willow in it, but they are all banned from my life now because the book author is a horrible, horrible person.

Star Wars? I ... didn't we do this already??

3413. If you could ask one question and one question only to the following people, what would that question be:

Saddam Hussein? Pass.

George W Bush? No interest in speaking to this man. None whatsoever. I would love to ask his wife WTF though.

John Lennon? I think I'd been too afraid of his sharp tongue to ask him anything. Can I just listen to him noodle around on the piano.

an alien? "When do we leave? Soon, I hope!"

God? Oh honey, I have a list of questions!!

Someone you knew who has died? I don't want to ask anything. I just want Beast to talk to me in words I can understand.

Steven Spielberg? No questions, just grateful thanks for all the stories.

JD Salinger? Pass. I don't generally engage in conversations with weird and cranky old men.

3414. Have you seen AI (artificial intelligence)? Nope

If yes, what were the beings at the end of the movie? Not a clue.

Do you see this as a possible future for humanity? Not even a guess.

What'd you think in general? I'm fully sick of hearing about AI of any kind whatsoever.

3415. If a-l-k-a-s-e-l-t-z-e-r spells 'relief' how do you spell:

love?

happiness?

evil?

sexiness?

yummy?

I'm not doing this, although I will say that my feelings about the r-e-p-u-b-l-i-c-a-n-s fit one of these options.

3416. Have you ever been to a Broadway show? Not on Broadway, only touring shows.

What one? Cats, Les Miz, The Lion King. I did see Evita on the West End in London, however, as well as Oliver!, both reboots.

3417. Nighttime shows or matinees? 
I'm in bed by 9 at the very latest these days, so matinees.

3418. How are your family get-togethers, loud and rambunctious or quiet and formal?

My family will never ever be known as quiet OR formal.

3419. Would you be able to survive shipwrecked alone on a desert island?

Nope. I'm assuming I will not be getting regular drops from Walgreen's with my Rx list?

3420. Speaking of islands, does Gilligan EVER get off his?

It seems not. 

3421. What movie has the BEST soundtrack?

Almost all of the soundtracks are better than the movie these days. I've enjoyed the Guardians of the Galaxy movies in part because of the music.

3422. Do you ever go into chat rooms?

If yes, what ones?

Not anymore. Do they even exist anymore??

3423. Is English your first language?

If not...How you say hello in your language:

another word in your language + english translation:

boob in your language:

Yo hablo inglés, pero puedo leer español un poquito.

(also, "boob"??)

3424. Make up a religion (make it up):

what would it believe:

I think the tendency to create exclusive clubs of this sort has been one of the downfalls of humanity. This view might be reflecting a recent book I read on heresies in the early Christian church and some of the things the soon-to-be-Catholic Church did to take over....

3425. Create your own country-

Name of country:

Ethnic background:

Language (make it up):

Other details:

Again, the creation of countries hasn't been a boundless success for humankind.

stopped 8:28 pm 5/9/25

restarted 7:38 pm 5/29/25

3426. How would you celebrate these holidays?

Dogs in Politics day: I would vote for all the good puppos!

Magic circles day: I would do what the famous (in our family) gal in downtown Milwaukee did and circle everyone's face as I passed them.

Be bald and free day: I would not shave my head. 

National mole day: I would check all visible moles for skin cancer.

Sylvia Plath day: I would not stick my head into any ovens.

Increase your psychic powers day: This seems like a good day to take a long nap.

Waiting for the barbarians day: Oh, you mean, like, EVERY day??

Air day: I would breathe deeply.

3427. Why do you think Steve got kicked off Blue's Clues:
I'm pretty sure he had other things going on and was tired of "being Steve on Blue's Clues."

3428. Hooked on heroin or hooked on phonics?

Actually, can I choose neither? I'm not a fan of heroin or phonics.

3429. Have you ever taken an insanity quiz and said, "Hay, that's a good idea!"

....nooooo...???

3430. - Have you ever covered yourself in blood and laid down on the side of the road to make it look like you were in an accident?

You don't know what you're missing.

Absolutely not. I listen to too many true crime podcasts for this to be even distantly amusing.

3431. Can you flare your nostrils?

Sure. I can't wiggle my nose, though.

3432. Do you want to swim in a vast lake of Gatorade? or, any other beverage for that matter?

It seems like it would be really sticky and gross. I'll stick to splashing around in water.

3433. Have you ever sneezed at the same time everyday, consecutively, for over 3 months?

I'd kill myself if this happened, once I noticed it! OK, no, I wouldn't but it would drive my OCD tendencies nuts.

3434. How did the first person discover that pigs feet would be so good that we call them a delicacy?

It's called "waste nothing edible"--or indeed usable in any way--and it's how most of humanity has lived for most of our time on earth.

3435. Why did the first person to ever eat pigs feet eat them?

See above.

3436. Do you like the idea of 'like father, like son'?

It's not a matter of liking. People who live together for extended periods of time tend to start behaving in similar ways, exponentially more in a parent/child relationship.

3437. Put the following musical acts in order from best to worst by numbering them..(1 for best, 2 for 2nd best, etc... 20 for worst).

Avril:

Ashanti:

Joan Jett:

David Bowie:

the Bee Gees:

The Doors:

Tool:

DMX:

Iggy Pop:

Creed:

Weezer:

Ministry:

Thursday:

Kittie:

Adam Ant:

Rancid:

the Clash:

Led Zeppelin:

Moby:

Tom Waites:

I will pass on this, but just say that Led Zeppelin, Creed, and Rancid can just be vaporized, and several others I have no name recognition whatsoever for.

3438. Would you rather be an evil dictator or a sitcom family member?

I'm really pretty happy being myself, which means neither of the above options appeals at all.

3439. What is the wave of the future?

Probably tidal.

3440. What's your favorite old movie (before 1990)?

And, just like that, I'm officially old. 

3441. When someone tells you that their significant other lives Really Far Away...do you ever suspect that they are single and making someone up?

This is not something people in my demographic spend a lot of time thinking about.

3442. Alaska or Hawaii?

Either, as long as someone else is paying the bills.

3443. Why did Kentucky Fried Chicken change their name to KFC?

It was an idea directly from the geniuses in Marketing at the company.

3444. What is there no place to hide from?

Yourself.

3445. Which makes you happier, giving presents or getting them?

Giving, these days. When I get gifts that are not consumable, I immediately start thinking where I'm going to keep them. I have so much junk!

3446. What can you never have just one of?

Anything small; I'm two-at-a-time eater.

3447. What comes to mind when you think of Hulk Hogan?/

His idiot wife.

3448. What would you be the patron saint of?

Sloth. Which would make me a demon, not an angel. Oh well.

3449. Do you still look at the world with wonder like you did when you were a kid?

I have days when this is possible for me to achieve. There are plenty of other days where I'm far too jaded and cynical to be childlike.

3450. For 5 seconds clear your mind. Good. Now write the first thing that you can think of!:

It is not possible for me to clear my mind for any length of time. Hence, insomnia, among other things.

3451. When was the last time you ate too much?

I ate far too much over the weekend while my brother was in town.

3452. Describe the sexiest person you can imagine:

Nope. Well, they'd be smiling, but otherwise, nope.

3453. What have you seen that's...bizarre?

Honey, I'm 61. I've seen more bizarre things than "normal" things.

3454. Are there any stores or brands or products that you boycott?

What and why?

I don't really boycott anything with intent. I try to avoid being a horrible consumer, but ultimately I'm terribly lazy.

3455. Do you want things to REALLY get out of control?

No, I emphatically do NOT want any more loss of control, tyvm!!

fell asleep at some point before 9 on 5/29

restarted 6:57 on 7/6

3456. Are you too tense?

Not so much anymore. My muscles can't keep up with that.

3457. Where would you be without love and bubblegum?

Dead.

3458. Why aren't comic books popular anymore?

They are called graphic novels and they are VERY POPULAR.

3459. Think of one friend (who?): I'll randomly choose Cindy.

When is the last time you saw each other? I saw her walking her dogs a few weeks ago on my way to work.

Do they smoke? I doubt it.

Do they believe in God?  Yes.

When you first saw this friend what was your impression?  She was quite pregnant with her 3rd (of 4) children, and was very friendly.

Their age? I haven't a clue, but based on her kids' ages, she has to be around 50.

The top five things you think they think about? Her kids, her husband's business (technically it's hers too), what to make for dinner, how to help whoever she's worrying about, and weeds.

3460. Do you say what you mean? Not as often as I'd like. 

Do you mean what you say? I try to only say what I truly mean.

3461. Could you eat meat if you had to hunt it yourself? Presumably I'd be that hungry if I'm killing animals.

3462. Order from greatest to least importance: spirituality, creativity, intellect, great body, open-mindedness, magical-ness, great dancer, interesting dresser, wit and cleverness, niceness, stability

Well, interesting dresser, great dancer, and great body are all at the bottom. Wit and cleverness, niceness (which I'm translating into kindness) and open-mindedness are at the top.

3463. Complete the sentence.

When a problem comes along you must: whip it!

3464. Pick the two most important attributes for food-- fast, cheap, tasty, healthy 
For me, tasty and quick. I should be adding healthy to the mix.

3465. What do you think is the best metaphor for romantic relationships? (e.g. a car wreck, a cruise): It is fully dependent on the specific relationship. I prefer a nice, calm ride in a convertible at night with the stars above and wind blowing everything around.

3466. Kittens or no kittens, that is the question.  Much as I like kittens, I fear that being around them will mess me up for days, so ... no kittens. <sob>

3467. Is gaining 15 lbs. in a night possible? Not for me. Or anyone I know in my friend network.

3468. Do you get emotional watching movies? Yes. I mean, isn't that what they're for??

3469. What makes you feel nostalgic? Specific smells, pictures, some songs, autumn.

3470. Do you feel like you've been misplaced? ...no? I hadn't ever considered it quite that way. For a long LONG time I hated living in this part of the country, but after doing so for 40+ years, it's where I belong.

3471. Have you ever fought someone, just for fun?  For fun? Physically? No to both.

3472. What gives you an adrenaline rush?  Losing my balance, which happens far too often these days. Also, fury at witnessing incompetence and/or meanness.

3473. What would you do if you loved someone more than anything else, and you could never have them? I would hate it, but if it were better for them for me not to be in their life, I'd make do.

3474. Rank these events in order of best/most exciting to boring:

drinking and dancing to your favorite music at a club: NIGHTMARE!

taking a walk in the woods and a bath in a stream: I draw the line at bathing in creekwater, but I'll wade and cool off my feet. This sounds nice.

having great sex: That time in my life has passed.

winning the lottery (one mil): OK, I'd be all right with that, but since I never buy tickets it's unlikely to happen.

getting followed home by a stray animal: A nice one? Lovely. A feral one? Not great. Either way, if it hung around I'd probably call animal control since (again) I'm allergic to anything with fur.

meeting someone interesting to talk to: I love when this happens!

seeing your favorite band in concert: This is another thing that I'm fully done with.

seeing a Broadway show: I'd like to do this, but it involves going to NYC and that's not something I'm crazy about contemplating.

Halloween: I have hidden upstairs away from the front door the last few years. I love the kids, but I just can't manage the dichotomy between that and the fact that I clearly live very much alone and worry about advertising that.

3475. Can you keep a secret? Sometimes. I'm better than I used to be about this.

3476. Where is the tenderness? Usually in the middle of a well-prepared good steak.

3477. What's one song you REALLY like from the:

30's? "In the Mood"

40's? "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

50's? "All I Have to Do is Dream"

60's? "In the Year 2525"

70's? "Bohemian Rhapsody"

80's? "Everytime You Go Away"

90's? "Wannabe"

00's? "Beautiful Day"

10's? "Raise Your Glass"
20's? (I literally do not know most of the songs listed, and the one I do recognize I don't like)

(pulled from the Google lists for each decade followed by "hit songs")

3478. Would you rather have a video phone, an electric scooter, or a digital camera? These days, electric scooters are the way to go. Also, I have the other two.

3479. If a ban on all violent video games was put into effect, would you be outraged by this decision? It wouldn't directly affect me in any way, but it's also not the answer that people think it is.

3480. In your opinion, is violence in society inescapable? Yup.

Why or why not? People are people, and injustice breeds retaliation.

3481. Have you ever mimicked a violent “action” from a video game you’ve played towards another person, whether it was to harm or just for play? Well, since my video games are usually Sim games or Civ or things like that ... no.

3482. Do you believe the violent content in video games influences aggressive and/or violent behavior in younger children? No, but it's also not something they need to have going into their brains for hours and hours every day.

3483. What makes life a bitter sweet symphony? I believe The Verve would like a word...

3484. Name four things that are AWESOME: 
1. The view from the top of a mountain

2. Seeing a baby's birth

3. Laughing to the point of peeing

4. Waking up fully rested

3485. What's the most creative/funny answer you can come up with for this question: What are you doing? I'm merging into the recliner, putting off the inevitable tramp upstairs to make my bed and go to sleep.

3486. Can you imagine this world going on without you? Yup. Y'all will be fine.

3487. Are you the only person who really exists? Sadly--at least for most people--no.

3488. Is everyone else a figment of your imagination? I can't even with this BS.

3489. Or are YOU a figment of my imagination? Honey, you don't even know I exist, but we both do despite that.

3490. Can you prove you exist? Nope. Nor am I inclined to travel any further down this philosophical rabbit hole.

How?

3491. What do you HAVE to get off your chest? I'm pretty cool right now. Not feeling any strong urgency in any particular area.

3492. If you cheated on someone would you confess to them?  Moot point now, no?

3493. Is it true that at least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you?

Who? I don't think this is true anymore. I will say, though, that there are less than five that I would die for.

3494. Are you in therapy? Yes. And so should everyone be!

3495. Do you go shopping on Black Friday?  No, and not only because I work on Black Friday.

3496. What is the bane of your existence? My klutziness.

3497. Better movie: Weird Science or Caddy Shack? I hate with a burning, smoking, stenchy hate Chevy Chase. I haven't seen Weird Science. My husband loved Caddyshack, but I only watch the Bill Murray parts and try to ignore all the horrible non-PC parts.

3498. Who's the big winner? Whoever it is, they've been successful at keeping it very quiet.

3499. What are the 3 funniest: I can't do this right now, especially videos...

music videos?

Movies?

songs?

3500. Guess what?  Chicken butt!

finished 7:54 p.m.

Books and Cleverness or Friendship and Bravery

(found here)

started 4:28 pm

3301. When someone is 'crazy' why do we call them 'nuts' or 'fruitcakes'?

Because they make our boring lives more fun? I mean, back in the day, nuts and fruits were the only fun things available for fun.

3302. What's the dillio?

Don't ask questions you don't want to spend 4 hours listening to me answering.

3303. Where did the slang term 'dillio' come from?

I believe it's spelled "dealio" which is how I probably would spell it if I were going to use it. So, "what's the deal?", a common expression used often by my father who would be 105 at this point.

3304. How many even whole numbers are there between -5 and 5?

Four? I don't know if zero counts as an even whole number.

3305. What words can you make using only these letters: E N O?

Ironically, these letters spell a family name. I can make three other words out of them.

3306. What's the difference between foods that are low fat and foods that are lite?

Sugar content, probably. 

3307. White or brown rice?

Depends on what we're having with it. Generally, if I'm making it I lean toward brown rice.

3308. Can you be content if you are physically uncomfortable?

Sure. I'm physically uncomfortable fairly often and still enjoying myself.

3309. What is the difference between discomfort and pain?

On the 1-10 pain scale, I would say pain starts at about 6. Below that is discomfort. Note that this has changed; I used to me way more of a wimp.

3310. What is the most uncomfortable thing you can think of?

Unable to sleep due to too much caffeine or too much anxiety, cramped muscles, cold with no blankets, a tension headache, bright fluorescent lights, and music that is either too loud or too soft. With Fox News playing in the background loud enough to hear. Oh, and nothing to read, no phone to play with.

I just described a very specific hospital waiting room.

3311. What do these names make you think of:

Britney Spears? Can we just please PLEASE leave her alone?!

Walt Whitman? My nephew Jesse's favorite poet.

Buddha? Seems like he would be a good guy for me to hang with right now.

William Shakespeare? I would love to find out for sure who the hell wrote his stuff, and meet them!

Pablo Picasso? Weirdo.

Adam Ant? This reminds me of my freshman year of college and my roommate. I have the album with "Goody Two Shoes" on it, and she adopted that song as her theme. 😃

Franz Kafka? Depressing weirdo that was fully on the right track as the definition of the 20th century. Maybe the 21st too.

Nietzsche? Meh. Incels. Thankfully I think Sparky is over her Nietzsche phase.

Madonna? Ok, she just needs to go crawl under a rock forever. I'm tired of her.

Orson Scott Card? Can he crawl under Madonna's rock with her? Or is he dead?

Frida Kahlo? Eyebrows. Intense. Kinda scary.

God? Indefinable.

Salvador Dali? MAJOR weirdo, but I love the lobster gig.

David Bowie? As a young person, extremely problematic. As an older guy, I think he got his shit in a pile.

Jesus? Loaded question there....

Lars Ulrich? Don't care. Barely know what band he's in; only because of Sparky, and Beast (to a lesser degree).

Jim Henson? A good man I wish I'd've met.

3312. What are your favorite games to play?

I appreciate crosswords and sudoku.

3313. Are you quick to judge something as stupid just because you don't understand it?

I generally call things stupid BECAUSE I understand them, and they are dumb. Otherwise, I just look blank and ask for further information.

3314. Are you obnoxious to others?

Undoubtedly. And I hope it's the people I most want to irritate, but I don't really care either way, unless the 'others' are people I love.

3315. Do you feel superior to anyone?

<gestures at the world> Yes. With plenty of good reasons.

3316. Shouldn't people take a good look at themselves before they criticize others?

Yes. Yes, they should.

3317. Which is better and why:

writing or saying obnoxious things about someone who isn't around to defend themselves or saying it straight to them?

Which do YOU do more often?
Objectively, I try to do both, but it's more common to talk about the jerks because I'm doing my best to avoid them in fact. Just ask my boss: I am extremely straightforward with him for two reasons: 1) I don't care anymore and he needs someone to be honest and 'not-nice' to him, because 2) he doesn't get anything subtle. At all. No hints, no 'suggestions' or the absence of response after a loaded question in a meeting (just a lot of darting eyes). People I work with don't know how to do the direct communication thing and it's all he understands.

3318. Do you apologize too often?

NOT anymore! I mean, I do apologize often, but I try to always say what I'm actually apologizing for.

3319. Does your mind play tricks on you?

Whose doesn't?? 

3320. Have you read (any of):

the Bible? Heh, yeah, a good deal of it.

the Koran? It's on my very short list (see previous post).

the Torah? Seeing as how the Torah is strictly PART of the Christian Bible, yes.

the Kama Sutra? I've looked through it. 

the Satanic Bible? Nah. Don't care.

Are these mystical texts or historical ones? Yep, both and neither. 

3321. Do you own any possessions that you hide from parents, friends, visitors?

What? 
Well, I've never emptied the sex toy collection onto the dining room table at Thanksgiving if that's what we're talking about. Otherwise, I don't know if there's anything else I actively would hide from people.

3322. Why does the cheese stand alone?

I have no idea. Maybe it's very stinky cheese.

3323. Do you watch any soaps?

I don't watch TV of any kind these days. Sparky comes home and turns on football and Beast used to have the History Channel on 24/7 (before that it was whatever channel the car-repair shows are on) in his room, but there's literally nothing I'm willing to sit through ads for. Among other reasons. 
I did watch General Hospital when I was in high school, and my college roommate--who keeps showing up in this meme!--watching Days of Our Lives so I kinda was aware of the goings on there. And then a coworker always had DOOL on at lunchtime when I was in my 20s.

3324. Have you learned something new today?

Not that can come up with in the moment.

3325. Do you believe in an 'oversoul' of all humanity?

It's not something I'm familiar with, so I guess by definition no.

3326. Have you invented your own style, just for you?

It's called "comfort." I don't wear anything that doesn't fit or feel good.

3327. Have you invented your own religion, just for you?

Kind of? I mean if I had to list my current religious beliefs in front of my church, I'd bet there'd be a few raised eyebrows. However, my church is super-cool and they'd mostly just accept the fact that I'm a weirdo and move on. Not exactly news.

3328. What files have you recently downloaded?

The last thing in my download file here is Beast's death certificate. I've emailed a couple of photos on my phone. God alone knows what bullshit is in the folder at work.

3329. Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard but I think:

...that people who say that should have their mouths duct-taped shut.

3330. Do you dance around a lot?

Not a lot, certainly not these days. I'm not exactly steady on my feet (tripped going upstairs night before last) so making walking harder is contraindicated.

3331. Is the unexamined life worth living or not?

As a chronic examiner, I have to say there are times when I'd like to just Do The Stuff and not think so hard about everything. 

3332. What are you like when you're at your most beautiful?

Unaware of that concept.

3333. What are you like when you are at your worst?

Angry.

3334. Why do you hide things about yourself?/

Do I?
I'm a pretty open book.

3335. Why is anything 'too personal' to talk to others about?

For their well-being, others do not need to be exposed to my insanity as a steady diet. "This hurts, that aches, my heart, my pancreas, etc. etc." And that's just the physical stuff.

3336. Why should we be embarrassed, afraid, or apologetic for ANYTHING we think, say or do?

In case you haven't met me, I'm not, but I am considerate of others having to hear or handle some of my problems.

3337. Can true freedom exist in this world of doubt and guilt?

Define all your terms, please. 

3338. What do you have no control over?

The future. The weather. Other people's opinions.

3339. Do you own a vibrating pillow?

How about a vibrating back massager?

OK, so yeah, I just rediscovered one of Beast's old back massagers/heaters. So that's nice. I also have a bed that vibrates now. It's not the one I sleep in, but Sparky seems to enjoy it.

3340. Can you dance away your emotional pain?

ha ha ha ha ha

3341. When you dance is it a celebration of life?

It mostly looks like a rhino trying not to step on a mouse, I expect.

3342. When do you feel the most immortal?

I ... do not EVER feel immortal anymore.

3343. Are you more of a painting, a poem or a song?

If I'm a painting, I'm a Pollack. If I'm a poem, it's slam poetry. If I'm a song, I'm Stravinsky.

3344. Is loneliness a crowded room full of open hearts turned to stone?

TF are you on about?!

3345. Is YOUR heart ever stone?

For sure. In fact, I'm beginning to think that's why I have such a headache today. Playing a long game of distracting myself so I don't fall apart.

3346. Are we altogether all alone?

I really do not enjoy song lyrics as questions... Not that I know this song, but come on, man!

3347. Does life end in a happily ever after way?

Absolutely not. This is not a fairy tale, or a fire drill. This is just life.

3348. What's the warmest part of your body?

Right now I'm fairly certain it's my butt. My feet are cold, my hands are slightly chilly, my torso is meh.

3349. Are you more verbal or visual?

Visual verbiage.

3350. What do you long for?

Again I remind you not to ask questions that would require me to take four hours to answer.

3351. True or false: When someone hates you it is because:

they're jealous of you? Sometimes.

the things you say are frightening to them because what you say makes them think about things they would rather avoid thinking about? Sometimes.

they don't understand you? Usually.

3352. True or false: When you hate someone it is because:

you're jealous of them? On a deep level, perhaps sometimes.

the things they say are frightening to you because what they say makes them me think about things you would rather avoid thinking about? I never hate someone for making me think. What a putz that would make me!

you don't understand them? Probably.

3353. Have you ever been fascinated by someone who hated you? 

Rather in the same way I'm fascinated by disgusting and gross things, yes. The mind wants to figure out HOW this works!

3354. Since the human brain has defense mechanisms against feeling bad (meaning the brain lies to itself to avoid feeling bad about something it said or did) how can we ever know if we are truly being honest?

How do we know our brains are not tricking us into believing we are good people when we aren't all good?

We don't. We are lying to ourselves most of the time. Otherwise we'd lose our minds.

stopped 5:14 because headache

restarted 6:41 bath + food = maybe headache will go away

3355. How highly do you value innovation?

I'm a big fan.

3356. Is there a name where all the people you've ever met having that name had something in common with each other (ex. all the Jens you've ever met had blue eyes)?

First of all, the Jen I know best DOES have blue eyes! The other 7 or so I know? I have no idea, I cannot figure out how people notice this at first glance. I had to really think when my eye doctor asked me last week what color my eyes were (just after he spent several minutes staring at them, mind you).  
To answer the question, I've met too many people in my life with same/similar names. They are all different. PyschoBoss shares a name with someone at my workplace now who could not be any LESS PsychoBoss-like.

3357. Are you focused more outward or inward?

Inward. Belly-button-gazer here.

3358. What is the most affectionate nickname you ever came up with for someone?

Beast and I used to call each other Sweetie-Wheatie (insert long dumb story). I guess that's done now.

3359. Are the questions STILL still interesting this deep into the survey?

Every once in awhile there's a ringer. That last question got me.

3360. If someone else makes their decisions based on their intuition instead of on facts and proofs what do you think of that person?

It depends entirely on how those decisions work out for them. If it all turns out ok, then hey who am I to argue?

3361. Do you trust your own intuition?

More and more every day.

3362. Finish the phrase...

danger is the: name of the game these days

just keep: doing the next right thing

never trust: a wyt man

the way I live my life: is my own business

don't change: for anyone except yourself

maybe someday: Sparky will actually have a new workplace, that she doesn't hate

3363. Would you rather live in Frodo's world or Harry Potter's?

I'd 100% rather not live in either one. There's not enough women in one of them, and the creator of the other one has turned out to be hateful.

3364. Do you believe that the dead are with us?

If yes in what form?

Yup. They're hanging around whenever we remember them. Right now I'm in a room very crowded with dead people.

3365. Do you believe that those who haven't been born are with us?

If yes, in what form?

Hmm. Never considered this. I will need to think about this. Thanks for something new to noodle around!

3366. Are you made of timid stuff?

Hah! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....

3367. Is there anyone in this world who is not CRAZY?

Not in my experience.

3368. What word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

S H O R T

3369. Can you mashed potato?

Can you do the twist?

I can.
Thanks for that earworm, by the way.

3370. What does your family do for Thanksgiving...or if you don't celebrate it what do you picture when you think of Thanksgiving?

I picture food. Lots of food. Mostly mashed potatoes, but other food too. The last several years we've gone to Katherine and Alan's for most holidays. It's easier for them to stay home and have us go there at this point.

3371. What is your earliest memory?

It's either the sorta nightmare I had where the living room furniture had turned into monsters, or me sitting on the (new) couch scribbling in my mom's address book.

3372. Have you ever taken an IQ test?

What'd you get?

What do you think of those things?

Yup. I'm brilliant. Which makes me question the validity of the tests, of course.

3373. How do you make 'fishcakes'?

Put the potato in the fish...

I have zero idea wtf is going on here. I don't make fishcakes: I order them at reputable seafood restaurants.

3374. Which is the better band...the Offspring or the Damned?

I would rather my head be sent through a chipper than listen to either.

3375. Do you ever think about world destruction?

Every time I open the news app on my phone....

3376. Do you think humans are becoming more robotic?

I think humans seem to be getting less intelligent with every passing day. Does this make me a Crabby Old Person?

3377. Do you think we'll ever be replaced by robots?

One can but hope...

3378. What do you feel a part of?

The Resistance.

3379. Does it freak you out to know that yogurt is ALiVe??

I try very hard not to think too hard about what my food is made up of. I'd have to stop eating.

3380. What current band do you think is doing something particularly interesting or innovative?

I'm not sure I can name any current band. My musical taste has finally hit the wall and I can't anymore with new stuff.

3381. Golf course, do you remember?

You, my dear friend, are weird. Weirder than me, perhaps, even.

3382. Which is more important, books and cleverness or friendship and bravery?

Can I have all four? I guess I'll go with the latter pair, but I really REALLY like books!

3383. If I promise to miss you, will you go away?

I love this! I need to remember to use this with a few people at work.

3384. stool, ball, powder...Can you think of a 4th word that connects these three?

Foot

3385. Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?

I just recently heard the Streisand version of this song, which was one of my sister Ellen's favorite songs when I was little. Haven't listened to it in a decade but I remember the whole thing.

3386. Why are blondes considered 'dumb'?

Because men are horrible. /s

3387. What's more important...intuitiveness/creativity or factual knowledge and practicality?

I think if you go too far down either end of the continuum, you're in trouble, but I lean toward practicality in most circumstances.

3388. Who are the two worst terrorists you can think of?

I am not doing this. I will say that, of my top 5, only a couple aren't white men who are currently alive.

3389. What is Jello made of?

According to my brother when I was a kid, horses' hooves. See what I mean about not thinking about what's in the food I eat?!

3390. Pick a country: Spain

What do you believe is wrong with that country? The usual: people live there.

3391. Do you have strong opinions?

Nope. Fresh out. (of course I do--in fact, I don't think I have anything except strong opinions)

3392. Do you do what it takes to stand up for those opinions?

More and more often; however, I've also discovered that sometimes (often) my opinions are not requested or appreciated or needed so I just STFU.

3393. Have you ever been to a rally, protest or demonstration? Not as such.

If yes was it effective and in what ways? It was good for me to do it, but in the big picture? Not sure.

3394. When people say, 'yeah it sucks but there's nothing I can do' do you believe them?

My knee-jerk reaction is to disagree, but then again I've been saying something like that for several years now, so I guess there are things even I can't do anything about!

3395. Do you know what you can do to make this world a better place? I do.

Do you care? Too much, quite often. 

3396. Why is peace so important anyway? It's quieter. Less bloody.

Why is freedom important? Because we aren't all the same.

3397. As long as you have your house and your family and you can go to the movies and the mall who cares about peace and freedom. Right?

Fuck right off, beeyotch

3398. Do you try to avoid anything involving work?

It do seem that way some days.

3399. If you are not actively working to stop the horrors and injustices of the world (war, hunger, poverty) than aren't you partially responsible for them?

There is indeed an argument to made for this position. I'm not sure I fully agree with that argument anymore however.

3400. Are you in denial?

As often as possible. The weather is delightful here.

finished 7:11 p.m.

Mood barometer

(Found here)

I have changed some questions because they are repetitive, dumb, or otherwise ones I didn't want to bother with. Those will show up in {brackets}.

#1: Using one word, what’s your state of mind right now? 

I had a small breakdown earlier this evening. Not unexpected, but also not directed at someone who deserved to be here for it.

#2: Where are you joining us from?

I'm in my recliner in my living room in my house which the wind has finally stopped pounding today!

#3: What are you most grateful for?

Friends and family and my generally healthy constitution.

#4: Wh[o] inspires you?

People who stand up and speak their minds passionately without losing focus on the goal.

#5: Who is your role model? 

Today, I'm wishing I had found the maturity Sparky has achieved (in some areas) 30 years ago. Amazing how our kids turn out to be so damn smart.

#6: What one thing [can you not live without]?

Literally: meds in general. Air.
Figuratively: purpose.

#7: If you could go for a coffee with a figure from history, who would it be?

My grandmother on my dad's side but I'd really like to chat with BOTH grandmas.

#8: What’s the best [...] invention of the 21st Century?

This was limited to tech, but I'm more excited about all the medical advancements that have been coming out in the past few years. 'Course, that's going to stop now... 😠

#9: What’s your dream holiday destination?

I still want to go to somewhere for a safari. And add in a swing through Valley of the Kings and the Cairo museums. But my stipulations make this trip exceedingly unlikely to happen for me: safety, no other people, and instant transport from place to place. It's a 19-hour flight day from here to Kenya alone.

#10: If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, which one would it be?

I would rather die than have this kind of instruction running my life. Quality of life is far superior to quantity.

#11. Would you rather live for the rest of your life in the Arctic or in the Sahara desert?

a) The Arctic

b) The Sahara desert

I would happily live on Antarctica. Very damn few people, lots of stinky penguins, lots of blankets for snuggling inside and QUIET!

#12: Would you rather have a time machine that can only go back in time or one that can only go forward in time?

a) Back in time

b) Forward in time

I would never want to go back in time to stay. Never. I could visit, but not live there. So, looks like the future for me. I may not be able to live there either, but at least I won't be burdened by knowing how things turn out in every freakin' case.

#13: Hand on heart – are you wearing pajamas right now? (Multiple choice)

a) Nooo -- though I am in stretchy yoga-ish pants and an elderly long-sleeved T-shirt, so I could sleep in this.

b) 100% Yes

c) Business on top, PJs on the bottom

d) I literally took them off a minute ago

#14: Are you an early bird or a night owl? (Multiple choice)

a) Early bird

b) Night owl

Honestly, I'm both. I need a long break in the middle of the day and then I can easily be up till the early hours, but I also like getting up with the sun if I've had enough rest.

#15: If age is only a state of mind, which category best describes your state of mind right now? (Multiple choice)

a) Cheeky child

b) Tormented teenager

c) Mad mid-lifer

d) Groovy grandparent

I have to pick two, again. My state of mind is fully spacey teen, but I'm forcing myself to get on with things like a grown-up. I don't know if I'll ever hit the grandma state of mind. I'm way too flaky.

#16: If *your city* were a breed of dog, which breed would it be? (Multiple choice)

a) Jack Russell – small, tough, opinionated

b) Tibetan Mastiff – or some other very rare breed

c) German Shepherd – poised and elegant, but rather hardy

d) Poodle – beautifully presented, but a bit of a poser

e) Golden Retriever – warm, cuddly and great with children

f) Pit Bull Terrier – scary, but kind deep down

g) Labradoodle – or some other cute hybrid

If we're talking about where I work, then it's fully a Poodle based on this description.
The town where I live is fully a Pit Bull-Labradoodle mix.

#17: Which superpower would you like to have? (Multiple choice)

a) Mind reading

b) Invisibility -- my eternal go-to. I like being sneaky.

c) Teleportation

d) Flying

e) I already have a superpower

But I do have a few superpowers, too. My ability to give no fucks is at it's highest level ever.

#18: If you could time-travel, which period would you go to? (Multiple choice)

a) The past

b) The future

c) I’m good where I am -- yeah, let's not borrow trouble right now.

#19: What’s the strangest thing you did while attending a meeting online? (Multiple choice)

a) Ate breakfast

b) Wore pajamas

c) Cooked lunch/dinner

d) Brushed my teeth

e) Watched Netflix

f) Other, but my lips are sealed

I have not cooked or brushed my teeth, but I have done most of the others. Not Netflix per se but definitely other work has been fully done in the background while listening to the nattering of the meeting. And as for the last option, of course. The mute button is my best friend on Zoom.

#20: What type of Zoomer are you? (Multiple choice)

a) The one walking around the house

b) The one who just woke up

c) The one without the camera on

d) The one who always talks

e) The one doing funny faces

I vary between c and d. I am not coordinated enough to walk and talk. I'm often just wakened up, but I function ok that way, and if the camera's off then I'm making faces for SURE! If whatever is being discussed is something I need to actually know, I'm asking questions.

#21: Do you multitask when attending a meeting online? (Multiple choice)

a) Yes, I’m guilty -- I fully have work going on all the time. This has made in-person meetings much more difficult. I've taken to creating word puzzles to keep myself from hyper-participating or snoring.

b) My mind tends to wander

c) No, I’m 100% focused

d) Sometimes

#22: How many hours a day do you spend online/on a Zoom call? (Multiple choice)

a) 1-2 hours

b) 2-5 hours

c) 5-8 hours

d) I lost count

Probably only 2-5 hours per month, thank God! My workplace has gotten more meeting-intensive of late, so I'm also probably spending 4-8 hours per month at in-person meetings, some scheduled but many not.

#23: Quiz: How many kids do [your coworkers] have altogether? (Multiple choice)

a) [Up to 10]

b) [11 to 25] ... is my guess, assuming we're counting adult children, not only little ones. We have a LOT of childless, younger people.

c) [26 to 40] 

d) [41 or more]

#24: Rank [which movie series you'd prefer to watch (or rewatch)] from the best to your least favorite. 

a) Fellowship of the Rings
b) Indiana Jones

c) Harry Potter
d) Marvel

In order, b, c, d, a. The last two are more or less interchangeable.

#25: Which of these Christmas songs do you love the most? Please rank.

[a) Silent Night

b) O Come All Ye Faithful

c) The 12 Days of Christmas

d) Santa Baby]

I really loathe Santa Baby! My rank is a, b, c, d.

#26. From 1-10, what is your energy level today?

5, trying for 8.

#27. What was your personal highlight of the past month? 

Probably not the best month to ask me this. Surviving is probably the best I can hope to achieve.

#28. What [kind of class would you like to attend]?

Not science. Not business. Something history. Something political. Something interesting with a good teacher.

#29. In one word, how would you describe last week/month?

Intense.

#30. Who [...] would you like to thank?  
Lots and lots of people. I have a lengthy list of cards I need to send.

#31. Should we [assume spring has actually arrived at this point]?

I expect at least one more snow, but nothing major.

#32. Which projects are you planning for this summer?

Cleaning out the house. Planning a trip to Maine.

#33. What gift [is never unwelcome]?

Assuming you know the other person's preferences, food is usually good.

#34. Which [book would you prefer to read]? Rank these according to your level of excitement. 

a) A techy, nerdy science fiction. Lots of starships and diagrams of machines and planets.

b) A hard-core biography of one of the Tudor kings.

c) A newly-discovered novel by Jane Austen.

d) Hegel's complete works.

For me, it's b, d, a, c. I do not love Jane Austen.

#35. How [do you measure success]?

Have you done what you planned to do and done it acceptably so that others were able to use/participate in it fully? 

#36. How do we decide what things in our lives are the most important?

No really, I'm actually ASKING THIS! I'm currently in a Keep/Donate/Trash phase in my life and I'm developing decision fatigue already.

#37. What new books/movies/games/etc. are you looking forward to diving into this year?

I don't really have anything specific because I see all of these as they arrive at the library and time is kind of immaterial. I'll be glad to see a new Louise Penny if she has one in the works. I haven't seen a movie by choice in years, and games (of that sort) are not my gig either.

#38. What is the next really boring chore you have to deal with?

I was told at my last car oil-change that I should probably look at getting new tires before my next road trip of any length. So. I'm doing that tomorrow. 

#39. On a scale of 1-7, how would you rate [your overall health including mental, physical, emotional]?  

I'm probably running at about 4. I'd like to say 5, but I think I'd better not kid myself.

#40. What’s the most important area [in your life for you to focus on right now]?  

I honestly don't think I know.

#41. Which [social media platforms do you use regularly]?

I actively use BlueSky, Reddit, Facebook and Instagram (but only as a lurker, not a poster on Insta). I also have accounts on X (ugh), Mastodon, and probably several others that I don't actually use at all.

#42. On a scale of 1-10, how clear is [your next year's worth of plans]?

Giving myself a 2 on this just because I can think of literally three things hanging over my head that need doing in the next 6 months. 

{{pause for sleep}

#43. [Who is someone in your local community that you wish would just stop with their craziness]? (no names!)

Oh, Lord, there are a couple of folks who have been pounding their (individual) (different) drums for years around here for literal decades and it's just so tiresome. One is about the way the state divides up control of rural areas. The other is the tired old shtick about abortion being evil. Then there's the guy who came into my workplace Saturday just before closing, prepped his phone camera, stripped down, jerked off, and was noticed only when he was putting his pants back on. 

#44. From 1-10, [how worried are you about your personal future]?

I've really worked hard to channel the "lilies of the field/birds of the air" part of the gospels and trained myself to distance myself from worries about my personal long-term future. What happens, happens. So 2, I guess.

#45. [Do you have a hard deadline coming up for something]?

Not really, or rather nothing that needs doing TODAY!! but yeah I have some stuff that needs to get done this summer for sure.

#46. What’s blocking [you] from meeting the deadline?  

All of it involves scheduling issues. And I need to scan all my stuff for my income tax filing at some point, too.

#47. [Do you live in a noisy neighborhood, or a quiet country area]? 

I'm in an exurb in a former summer-cottage village around a lake. It's pretty quiet, especially as I'm in the back of the subdivision, but there is a gun-range about 2 miles away, and we used to have a lot of neighbors who were heavily into fireworks. It's cooled off substantially in the past 5-6 years, so now it's mostly dogs barking--we are a very doggy neighborhood--or kids playing, basketballs thumping, that sort of thing.

#48. What one thing [have you accomplished so far this year]?

I've had to work on some minor projects at work that were satisfying to get done. Wrote up a scathing review of my boss for his review this year. Said 'so long' to my best Beast after a very long and trying decline. Didn't slit my wrists over the winter--January was rough this year.

#49. [What are your strongest and weakest points]?

Strongest is probably my unwillingness to write off people despite how difficult the going gets. Maybe my empathy and loyalty to friends/family. Weakest is very likely my forgivingness (?is that a word)--I do let people take advantage at times. And also the very weakest thing is that I'm unforgivably lazy.

#50. What’s the most valuable thing [that you own]? You decide the definition of "value."

Financially it's definitely the house and maybe Beast's remaining 401(k). In terms of what I actually value, however, it's my relationships with people who love me (unaccountably).

#51. What [animal have you been channeling lately]?
I have recently discovered all the varied animals on Insta. Beast and I used to watch Poppy the Prairie Dog every morning, and I love watching otters and wombats. But my favorite are the sloths and the pandas. They are both so totally zen.

#52. [What is one thing that never fails to bring a smile to your face]? 

Gotta be kids and animals. Kids are just so brutally honest, and if you find a dog that thinks you're awesome, that is a real emotional boost.

#53. Mood barometer: On a scale of 1-7, how are you feeling today? 

I'm looking at 6. It's been a pretty good day.

#54. If you could describe last month in one word, what would it be? 

Chaotic.

#55. What was your personal or professional highlight of the past month? 

I was reminded today that I buckled down immediately after a meeting last month and started creating a document for the group to compile some statistical information. It was the day before Beast died, so if I hadn't done the work the day of the meeting it would emphatically NOT have gotten done. My brain has been elsewhere since then.

#56. On a scale of 1-10, [how would you rate the latest TV show/movie you watched]?  
Sparky had on Spring Football over the weekend, which I don't understand all the rules of, don't know the teams (except DC and their cup-snake), and really don't care about this new league, so that puts it at a 3 for me. I don't watch TV or movies anymore.

#57. Who was your unsung hero last month? 
Cheryl. She came through with a big assist with writing Beast's obituary.

#58. How well do you understand [technology these days]?

I think I'm mostly keeping up, but my eyesight has gotten worse, so seeing screens is getting increasingly difficult. Unless it gets defunded, I'm ready to sign up for the Federal Books for the Blind program.
  

#59. In which of [your personal] goals did [you] make the biggest progress last year? 
I have been coasting along mindlessly for the past 7+ years, waiting for the next crisis so I could deal with it and get it out of the way. I would like to have a brief reprieve from crises, please.

#60. From 1-7, how excited are you about [the prospect of a new Pope]? 

I'm not Catholic, but I'm really really hoping that Francis set up the Cardinals to picks someone with some familiarity with the needs of the modern Christian church.

#61. What would be your ideal work setup? WFH, office, or combo? 

If I could work at home 2-3 days a week, I'd love that, but I need too much access to physical items at work to make it practical. 

#62. From 1-10, how would you rate your [last medical appointment]?  

I'd give it a 9. Walked out feeling listened to, didn't have to wait on the staff too much, got some passably decent news--and a new script to take as needed--and don't need to come back for 6 months. Considering this is the cardiologist, it was a pretty damn good visit.

#63. [Does your employer have a five-year plan or something along those lines? If so, how focused are they on accomplishing those stated goals]?

We just recently (2023) wrote up our 5-10 year plan (I'm management at work so I was supposedly involved in creating them, but I really hate developing these, so I mostly played the part of Encourager). We have gone over it as a staff twice to see how we're coming along. THAT is the most surprising thing I've seen, and make me actually more interested in its existence.

#64. What are you most proud of about [American] culture? 

I think, as a rule, most Americans strive to be helpful to others as a point of pride. Of course this is painting with a very broad brush as there are sure a lot of asshats and jerkwads around, but in general people will usually step in to help if they see something they can do something about.

 

#65. Which of these topics would you like to learn the most about? Please rank.  

a) Genetic engineering.

b) Agricultural science.

c) How the brain/mind works.

d) Stage makeup.

Let's assume I'm smart and capable enough to do any of these things. I'd rank them this way: c, a, d, b.

#66. What do you expect [the weather to be like this weekend]?

PLEASE let the sun come out and the wind stop blowing for one day while I'm at home!!

#67. [What was the last kind of cheese you ate]?

Smoked gouda spreadable cheese. Dinner!

#68. On a scale of 1-7, how skilled are you at Excel? 

I'm about a 5 or 6 on general use, but I have no understanding of tables or charts.

#69. How well do you understand [the stock market]?

I do not at all understand anything to do with money in the macro sense.

#70. How are you going to [spend the next $100 you'll spend]?

Probably some breakfast tomorrow, and then paying the cleaning crew Thursday. That's more than $100, but.....

#71. Can you summarize [the political situation in the U.S. in the past six months] in one or two sentences?  

I can do it in a few words: Absolute insane nightmare.

#72. How would you rate [your next-door neighbor on neighborliness]?

We've been neighbors for 20 years. I have never had a single complaint about them. Most of my neighbors are lovely. With the exception of the occasional late party, especially in summer, I never have issues. And if they are having a blowout and I'm trying to sleep, I put in earplugs which takes care of the problem for me. 

#73. What are [the most important lessons you learned from your parents]?  

Speak up for yourself, don't suffer fools, be nice (or be quiet), see the world or as much as I can, use your head for more than a hat-rack.

#74. Is there anything you wish [you'd asked your grandparents]?  

I have dozens of questions for my mom's mom and I'd've liked to have know that grandpa. I have an equal number of questions for my dad's parents about their experiences homesteading and how they didn't just quit when they had so very many setbacks.

#75. From where are [you planning to watch 4th of July fireworks this year]?

Bold of you to think I'll be watching them at all. My wedding anniversary is the next day; I'm not sure this year I'll be very interested in holiday stuff

#76. Which topics/trends [worry you the most about today's world]?  

Climate change, the increase in hatred, Ukraine, Gaza, the worship of stupidity.

#77. What is your current role within your company?  

I supervise the Technical Services Department at a medium-sized library in the middle of the U.S. I also do all the original cataloging that needs doing, along with a lot of acquisitions tasks. And 'other duties as assigned.'

#78. In one or two words, what do you think is the major challenge with raising children today? Bullying, technology.

#79. How would you [change your life if money were no object]?
I would absolutely travel more. But I would make sure I could do it as comfortably as possible, so no airlines or waiting around. Charter me a plane, please, or get me an RV and a driver I don't have to be overly social with.

#80. In one or two words, describe what ‘diversity and inclusion’ mean to you.  

Everyone gets treated fairly and we try to have lots of different kinds of people in our lives. Not everyone you know needs to be in perfect agreement with everything you think, but there absolutely should be respect and care.

#81. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear [the term "mashup"]? 

Sparky loves these things! She has a couple of artists that do nothing but mashups that take multiple songs across multiple genres and squash them together into one song that is often clever and/or hilarious. I can't think of any specific ones, but go out and check some out on YouTube or elsewhere.

Jung or Freud

(Found here)

3201. What if this is as good as it gets?

Then I guess that's fine. All the complaints I have are a factor of age or laziness at this point.

3202. Have you ever dated someone mostly or completely because of their looks?

Yes. Of course. That's usually how things start.

3203. What does the word 'of' mean?

There's this thing we use these days to answer questions like this....

3204. What should you never forget?

Based on my experiences in the past few years, there is literally nothing that can't be forgotten. Alzheimer's is a helluva thing.

3205. How many of the 7 Dwarves can you name for us?

Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful, Grouchy, Hangry, Silly, and Grumpy.

3206. What animal does your mom resemble?

She had some sheepy tendencies toward the later years. She is also quite furious with me rn for comparing her to a sheep. She hated sheep.

3207. Have you ever had a palm reading?

Only one done by me. I've figured out the weird time-line I've always wondered about at this point.

3208. What's a crazy thing you did that you got in trouble for as a kid?

I didn't do crazy things as a kid. Too scared of getting caught and/or looking stupid.

3209. What do you battle against?

Of late, it's a constant battle with inertia. And giving a single shit about things other people are up in arms about. 

3210. Do piercings really make the pierced area dramatically more sensitive?

Not in my very limited experience.

3211. If you had put aside some money for a trip and the travel agent said he had 2 trips available in your price range during the week you want to go, which would you choose:

a. a week in Hawaii in a luxury beach resort

b. a week in Africa helping the Red Cross distribute food and medicine

Can I do the Hawaii trip but the distribution part?
Or, the Africa trip with the safari-resort?

3212. Have you ever played with a dreidel?

I have. As an adult, however.

3213. Did you know that Kraft is owned by a cigarette company? Does that bother you?

If these sorts of things bothered me, my life would be significantly more bothered: every company is problematic some way or other. Pick your poison, or make all your own goods.

3214. With all the information constantly rushing at you, how do you know what's important?

Most of it isn't. It's ok to miss some of it.

3215. How is your life unlike a movie?

People are less physically attractive, there are a million plot-holes, and the soundtrack kind of sucks sometimes.

3216. Where is the most beautiful place you have visited?

Hoo-boy, that's hard. Moosehead Lake, Ouray, various beaches, a couple of delivery rooms in hospitals, the Aegean, Scotland....

3217. What is never going in your mouth?

Heh. hee hee Uhm, sushi is definitely not something I'd choose to put in my facehole.

3218. Are there really 5,000 different facts about you?

And more! I'm multifaceted, doncha know.

3219. Do you like banana bread?

I like my mom's banana bread. I don't know why it was always so moist and yummy, but it was better than almost any I've had since.

3220. Who are you the most gentle and tender around?

Babies. Injured people.  I don't know, though; "gentle and tender" is not my strongest suit.  

3221. If electrodes were inserted into your brain and a button was put into your arm so that you could push the button and stimulate an immediate orgasm would you forget about life and sit at home pushing the button until you died?

Meh. I'd rather have a big bowl of pasta.

3222. Is there a difference between being scared and afraid?

I feel like "scared" is more immediate, like someone jumping out at you in a haunted house, while "afraid" is more long-term, like politics these days.

3223. Are you scared and/or afraid of death?

Not death, no. Seems very peaceful. The time preceding death is a little less friendly-sounding. I do not like pain, and I don't like being helpless.

If yes, what is it about death?

The pain?

The separation?

the unknown?

the fear of nothing?

3224. What is existentialism?

Again, I refer you here. But if you need a poster child, I'm kind of it.

3225. SUCCESS is counted sweetest

By those who ne’er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar

Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host

Who took the flag to-day

Can tell the definition,

So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying,

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Break, agonized and clear.

by Emily Dickinson

What is Emily Dickenson trying to say here?

It's much easier to count others as winners and successful when you feel like you're a loser in every way. It's quite easy to see how good life, health, basic daily routine is when you don't have any of those things.

3226. A college girl (maybe you?) blows a tire and pulls off the road in an unfamiliar residential neighborhood. She is having trouble changing the tire when a man in his late thirties-ish comes over and asks if she needs some help. He changes her tire and offers to let her go into his house to wash her hands. She is dirty from trying to change the tire. Should she accept?

No of course not. I would've called AAA while all this was happening anyway, not trying to hork around with the jack and the spare. I'm far too lazy and old for that kind of thing.

She does accept and he gives her a tour of the house including the upstairs. The staircase in the living room leads directly into the master bedroom. The view out the window is beautiful. What are you thinking about this situation?

"What the fuck, sweet summer child! GTFO of that house! You are an idiot!

3227. Are you too trusting of others?

Up to a point, yes. I live in the Midwestern US in a relatively small town, so basic niceties are usually observed. But, I am careful around men, more and more every day, especially white men. They are devious and clueless at the same time.

3228. What's the difference between a den and a living room?

They're essentially the same room in my house, but in my brain a den is more cozy and relaxing (shoes off, fireplace, people draped all over floor and furniture doing their own things) while a living room is where Company sits and drinks tea.

3229.Write a stream of consciousness sentence:

Listen, climb inside my head this month and you'll be lucky to find an actual coherent English sentence of any kind. I don't have much besides stream of consciousness, just rabbit trails and squirrels everywhere.

3230. Who is the hero of all kids?

In the best circumstances, their parents. In the worst of circumstances ANYONE else.

3231. Who do you tend to show more of your best side to, your family or strangers?

People I love, who love me, get to see all sides of me. Strangers only see Midwest-Nice Cat. And extremely occasionally, the Madwoman living in my attic.

3232. How do you think the Harry Potter series will end?

Wow, this is oooold!! Here's an updated question: will anyone watch the new reboot? (no one in my immediate family)

3233. Name three things that would make really bad ice cream flavors:

Liver. Beer. Marmite.

3234. Would you try a jelly bean if it's flavor was:

toasted marshmallow? Sure

fried chicken? Nope

black pepper? Nope

vomit? Nope

grass? Nope

dirt? Nope

boogers? Nope

ear wax? Nope

sardines? Nope

Did you know that you can get these flavors of jellybeans at harrypotter.com? Yes I do, but I do not ever do so. The bloom is off that rose, to say the least.

3235. What's at the center of the earth?

Either aliens or molten lava. Maybe both.

3236. Have you ever wondered where holidays come from?

I'm blessed with having the entire history of the world LIT-ER-AL-LY in the palm of my hand, so while I have wondered what holidays are about, I've never had to wait long to find out about them. 

3237. Do you think there should be more movies shown in 3D?

Nope, although to be honest I don't really care. The last time I was in a theater was over 5 years ago and 3D movies give me motion-sickness so it's not really a concern of mine.

3238. Are you just another brick in the wall?

Some days, I am, and some of those days I'm ok with that. Some days I try not to be, other days I'm not sure what wall I actually belong to.

3239. Write a haiku (a poem with 3 lines, 1st line is 5 syllables, second line is 7 syllables, 3rd line is five syllables):

How does one do all

The work there is to do in
the world, and still rest?

3240. Are you cautious and tame?

This is hilarious. And reminds me of Aslan: he's not a tame lion! I am often cautious and fairly tame, with unpredictable mood swings.

3241. Do you like to eat at Subway?

I have eaten there once in the past 5 years, and that was last fall because it was on the way home from Beast's and I didn't want to have to wait for a pizza to bake next door.

3242. Is 42 the meaning of life?

Sure, why not. At least D. Adams had a sense of humor.

3243. Would you agree that a blade of grass is nothing less than the journeywork of stars?

Yep, I can get on board with that.

3244. Do you want to die?

I don't want to die, but I'll be ok with it if/when it comes up. Most of the people I want to see most are over on the other side, except Sparky.

3245. If someone was studying 'the humanities' what the hell are they studying?

What makes people human? Our culture, history, philosophy, etc.

3246. Is this question REALLY question 3246?

Why would I question that?

3247. Do you want to diet?

Nope. I like food. Sue me.

3248. What is colder, your feet, or the floor?

Probably the floor, but my feet are up on the recliner's footrest and inside socks under a blanket so I'm not checking to see if I'm right.

3249. What is older, your mouth, or the door?

What a weird question! My mouth is decades older than any door in this house.

3250. Are you more beauty or more beast?

Given that I was married to a Beast, I guess that makes me Beauty, eh? {insert eyeroll and guffaw}

3251. Are we there yet?

Today's version from my great-nephew was "Can we leave yet?"

3252. Scantron or handwritten tests?

I always preferred handwritten tests, but I'm glad I don't have to grade those!

3253. What's that sound?

It's a ghost. No worries, he's a nice one.

3254. True/false: To the maggots on the cheese, the cheese is the universe.

True.

(I'm currently eating cheese curds and crackers for supper. That is, I was eating cheese....)

3255. What's the best treat to bring with you to elementary school for your birthday? Cupcakes?

From the teacher's perspective, probably plain sugar cookies: no icing, very few crumbs. 
From my perspective as a dessert connoisseur: white cake with lots of buttercream frosting.

3256. What would you expect to learn from self interrogation?

More than I probably would want to know.

3257. When you feel cold does eating warm food help you feel warm?

If I'm very very cold, a cup of tea and some soup is helpful to get the warm-up started. But I'll be needing several layers of blankets and other clothing too.

3258. Does being true to yourself mean saying 'screw everybody else, my shit is more important'?

Sometimes. But it doesn't mean being a total jackass, ever.

3259. Have you reckoned a thousand acres much?

Nope. Big. It's big, though.

3260. Have you reckoned the earth much?

Nope. It's also big, bigger than a thousand acres.

3261. Have you ever had a vision?

Not in a religious or visual occurrence, but I have seen the future in a child's face more than once.

3262. If you have a vision or belief and someone else has a conflicting vision or belief, how do you tell which one is valid?

Are they both valid?

Listen: we can all believe whatever the fuck we want as long as our individual beliefs don't mess up other people's lives. Like, sure believe the world is flat, whatever--you'd be wrong--it doesn't impact me. However, when you start believing that other people are of less worth than you, you can take that viewpoint and fuck right off and die.

3263. Why is everything based around proof and facts instead of intuition?

Because intuition can be wrong. The whole point of proof and facts is that they are reproducible and true as far as we've learned so far.

3264. What is the grass?

It's either the stuff in the pipe of the guy next door or the stuff growing in his yard. They are not the same thing, however.

3265. Have you ever supposed it is lucky to be born?

Is it just as lucky to die?

Each person's existence is an amazing event in the universe. 
I can name several people who would have been far luckier had they died far sooner than they did.

3266. What is it that you express in your eyes?

These days, I express wrinkles with my eyes. 

3267. What is man anyhow?

What am I?

and what are you?

You should probably ask yourself these things. One thing I will tell you for free though: People universally have a habit of sucking balls on a regular basis.

3268. You understand enough. Why don't you let it out?

No one cares to listen.

3269. What is less or more than a touch?

I feel like I'm missing song lyrics or something with these last few questions. 
Touch is critical to human survival.

3270. Why should anyone wish to see God more than they wish to see this day?

Because some days are just that bad.

3271. Have you guessed that after death you yourself would not continue?

I have no solid proof of what happens after death. I definitely will not continue as I currently am today.

3272. Have you dreaded the earth beetles?

I don't fear beetles. I don't like 'em much, but I don't fear them.

3273. Have you feared the future would be nothing to you?

Another thing I don't fear is the future. It is what it will be and we'll deal with it then.

3274. Is today nothing?

Nah. Today was a good day, all things considered.

3275. Is the beginning less past nothing?

Again, I feel like I'm missing something, and I have no idea what this means. Guess what: I'm ok with not knowing.

3276. Do you believe in a collective unconscious?

I think it's an interesting theory that explains some human behavior over time.

3277. Jung or Freud?

I'll taken please-God-neither for $200, Ken. If I were forced to choose, Jung.

3278. What is a 'fate worse than death'?

Being alive in an untenable situation. If you'd like details and/or suggestions DM me.

3279. What are the 5 main things you think about?

All the financial stuff I need to do.
All the legal stuff I need to do.
"How long should I stay in this house?"
"What is there to eat?"
How tired I am.

3280. Name someone you know.  Eric

What is the biggest thing you have in common with them? Political and spiritual point of view.

3281. Do you think that laws should be passed to regulate human breeding?

It's such a tempting concept, but every single time we've tried this, it's gone badly awry. The law of unintentional consequences is a BIG ol' bitch.

3282. Do you think they already exist in a subtle way?

Not the way they used to exist, but sure I'm sure there are still some socio-cultural influence on childbearing.

3283. Why is it that so many people are demanding the death penalty as punishment for a wider and wider range of crimes?

Because we're all really lazy thinkers and it's easier to just make the problem than deal with what caused/created it in the first place.

3284. Is it partially to weed the nonconformists out of the gene pool?

I doubt it. People generally don't think that deeply.

3285. What does it mean to be free?

Ability to think for oneself, to change one's mind and life because one wants to do so, to be happy in the life one has created. 

3286. What does it mean to be tamed or domesticated?

I'm super-tired of referring you to the dictionary. Fucking look it up!

3287. Is the human animal becoming more and more tame and domestic? Sure

If yes, what is causing this? Hormones in the water, and probably aliens

are we becoming more or less free? I figure it's a wash.

3288. Are you embarrassed about your naked body? Not really, but I don't think I need to inflict it on anyone else who doesn't want to see it.

If yes, is that freedom? If I were it would be understanding consequences more than lack of freedom. 

3289. Are you the result of all of evolution up to this point? 

We all are. Look at us. Aren't we awesome?!

3290. The murderous person...how does he sleep?

Probably at least as well as I do. If there's a mental health component, then maybe not as well as I do.

3291. Your mother...is she living? Nope

Have you been much with her? Not in the last 15 years or so, except in spirit.

and has she been much with you? Based on my belief system, I'm pretty sure she's keeping tabs on things around here.

3292. Are these questions disturbing you? Nah. At least you aren't asking me for definitions of easily-researched words!

If yes, why?

3293. What are you focused on?

Not much these days, not much. In the vaguest sense, employee reviews at work, planning how I'm going to survive a full 40-hour week at work coming up, getting all the lists crossed off (unlikely to happen anytime soon)... to be honest, I'm kind of directionless long-term. Oh! I need to plan my trip to Maine for some semi-illegal activities with Beast's ashes. 

3294. Have you ever admired wickedness?

I can admire it in operation and be amazed that anyone could be so duplicitous and awful. 

3295. Is the accomplishment of one person the accomplishment of all humanity? It can work out that way if it is a shared accomplishment, like the theory of evolution or the creation of machines.

Why or why not?

3296. Is the imprisonment of one person the imprisonment of all humanity? Well, that is indeed a fraught question, is it not? 

Why or why not? I think there is something to this, especially if this imprisonment is unjust.

3297. We're just following ancient history. If I strip for you, will you strip for me?

No thanks, and please don't.

3298. Have you ever wished you had not so many clothes?

I regularly wish this, and then eventually fill a box to take to Savers or Goodwill. I currently have a surfeit of men's clothing.

3299. What is the balance between conformity and individual freedom?

When my freedom interferes with your safety, I need to conform to social rules. Now, let's define our terms: "interfere", "safety", "conform"....nah, it's too late in the day to have this discussion.

3300. What do these things have in common: nakedness, sex, killing, fighting, shitting, death?
They are all perfectly natural.

Quality of Humanity

(found here)

[started 8:50 p.m. 1/30/21]

2801. The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. But what was the question? That one you can't put into words but that keeps you from being 100% content.

2802. Suggest three new diary circles that you would find interesting: I have no idea what this question means.

2803. Buttons or Knobs? I'm old-skool: I like knobs. [trying to keep completely deadpan]

2804. What is a juggalo? These days, apparently, it's equivalent to an incel. I'm not at all interested in the anthropology of the situation.

2805. Are you a fan of Crass? Probably not, as I don't know what/who that is. Was?

2806. If you were going to write a short note to yourself and then put it away and read it in ten years, what would it say? I do this periodically. I almost always find myself really puerile when I find it later. I never expect what the future has in store, except that it's not going to be great.

2807. When someone does something that is wrong do you believe that they know in their hearts that they are wrong but they push it down into their subconscious and rationalize away their guilt? When have you done this (if you say never then you are doing it right now)? In my case, yes. I think anyone with a conscience does this, or rethinks decisions and knows the 'rightness' of them afterwards. If you don't do this, I would suggest therapy and anticipate a diagnosis of narcissism and/or sociopathy.

2808. How can a person have sex with someone they don't love? Have YOU ever? I have not, but I can see how it can happen. Ever heard of rape? Coercive control?

2809. What are the paradoxes in your head (that is when you believe two conflicting things to be true)? That I'm a decent person/That I suck donkey balls is probably the biggest one.

2810. What does each set of two words suggest to you? 

 pale gravity: sounds vaguely light a SF book title

 little mornings: this makes me feel like vacation for some reason

 spiritual machines: aren't these Republicans? (mostly kidding)

 eccentric being: Most humans

 pray attention: Sounds like something a megachurch would make into a thing that means Something

 yellow lectures: hot, sweaty, humid, boring college classes

2811. What movie would be AWESOME in 3D? I can't think of anything that's not seriously obvious.

2812. Why is it important to write and think clearly? So you can make decisions on your own without having some cult leader telling you what to do every minute of the day. It's the payoff for freedom.

2813. A girl and her boyfriend are hanging out. It is obvious they are together. Another guy schmoozes between them and starts hitting on the girl. The boyfriend tells this guy to back off. The guy just keeps bothering the girl. Do you think the boyfriend would be justified in hitting this intrusive guy? This is literally the worst time for me to be answering this as I'm dealing with a mental husband who won't stop hitting people in his nursing home. It's not ok to hit people. Period.
A girl and her boyfriend are hanging out. It is obvious they are together. Another GIRL (lesbian) schmoozes between them and starts hitting on the first girl. The boyfriend tells this girl to back off. The girl just keeps bothering the first girl. Do you think the boyfriend would be justified in hitting this intrusive girl? If you answered yes to one situation and no to the other one why the double standard? Still not ok to hit anyone. Period.
Especially, little old crazed ladies in nursing homes.

2814. What do you think of the name Prue? Not a fan at all.

2815. What would you spend your last dollar on? Food, and probably (to be noble) food for someone else.

2816. Have you ever won an ebay auction? If yes for what? Nope. Never played on eBay; seems like I could hurt myself badly there.

2817. Would you like it if Blockbuster had a drive-through?? Show me a Blockbuster that is still functional and we'll discuss the drive-thru option, k?

2819. When was the last time you taught someone something and what was it? I'm currently training another staff member. I have literally trained my entire department at work in the last 5 months. Also, I explain how to do computer things for tech-illiterate people almost every day, because that's my job.

2820. Why do adults and teens not understand each other? Because teens don't understand that adults have been there/done that, and adults don't want to admit they were ever that stupid.

2821. Are you afraid? I mean...yes? But it seems like the right thing to be. I try to keep the anxiety under control, because there's literally not one thing I can do about any of the things I'm afraid of.

2822. Do you trust large drug corporations? Do you trust the Food and Drug Administration? I do NOT trust pharmaceutical companies at all! I don't trust companies trying to Make More Money on much of anything. FDA, I trust more today than I did last month for sure.

2823. If a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound? Do you define sound as sound waves or as the reaction between the soundwaves and your ears? Ooo, this is far too scientific for me at one big Moscow Mule into my evening. Yes, things make sounds whether we're there or not. We do not control the universe, strikingly amazing as that seems.

 2824. Who is full of shit? Who is NOT? 

 2825. Four of the five senses are routed through a special area to the brain. One sense goes right to the brain and so is a powerful sense involved with memory and emotion. Which sense do you feel this is? Smell? I don't know. That's the one that sends me into hyperspace most easily.

 2826. Are you on a ship of fools or a carousel? I'm on a carousel with a bunch of fools. It's ok.

 2827. What is your bathing suit like? This presumes I have one. ... Oddly, I was actually thinking about the last suit I bought earlier today and wondering if it still fits. It's green, one-piece.

 2828. Whose line is it, anyway? It's always Colin M.'s line.

 2829. Are you more likely to answer a signed in note or a nsi note? I don't know what this is, but I suspect it depends more on what is said than who said it.

 2830. To be or not to be. That is the question. What is the answer? Most of the time, most of us answer it "to be." If you're leaning toward "not to be" please call the suicide hotline: 800-273-8255.

 2831. Does beauty exist as a definable standard or is beauty in the eyes of the beholder? Why do you think it is that so many people have the same idea of who and what is beautiful? Where do your standards for judging beauty come from? Oh boy, I could probably write a novel about this. I think beauty is culturally decided and not innate.

 2832. Would a war with Iraq help or harm American economy? War is good for the economy. It's pretty bad for humans, though.

 2833. What is the first thing you would do if you saw a nuclear explosion in the distance? Eat everything I'm not allowed to anymore. I mean, I'm dead. Might as well die happily gorged.

 2834. Would you like to be cryogenically frozen? Nah.

2835. Think of the person you love the most. Would you be willing to murder a stranger in order to save that person's life? Why or why not? Yup.

 2836. Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can? I can. Thanks, John.

 2837. How messed up is: 

 your hair? It's pretty bad.

 your room? The cleaning lady was here yesterday, so it's still ok.

 your car? A disaster, but better than many I've seen.

 your life? On the outside, it looks like Suicide City. Inside, it's not that bad.

 2838. What are you running out of? Money.

 2839. What do you live for? Work, which leads to a paycheck that helps pay for Beast's room & board.

 2840. How did you decide it was worth living for? What are my options.

 2841. Do you consider some people to be too: traditional? conformist? avant-garde? smart? stuck up? modern? beautiful? ugly? obsessed? emotional? petty? sneaky? fat? thin? Yes, though the last two don't really bother me that much, nor their relative beauty. Most people are a delightful mixture of all of the above in varying levels.

 2842. By what criteria do you judge others? How kind they are.

 2843. Do you look at people's words and actions or the underlying reasons for those words and actions? I have to; otherwise, I'd've smacked some people into next year over my life.

 2844. Which would you rather collect: Simpsons action figures? KISS gear? anything with a smiley? horror movies? None of these. Dust works.

 2845. Do you fight for your rights? Only for my right to partay. I fight for other people's rights, though.

 2846. Would you rather be a construction worker or a crossing guard? Crossing guard.

 2847. What is enough to satisfy you in life? A roof over my head and food and interesting things in life. And indoor plumbing.

 2848. Do you think you have more, less, or average life experience for your age? I don't think I can judge that. In some areas I'm pretty broken-in, in other areas I'm totally clueless.

 2849. Why go to college? Have you considered joining a cult instead? I have a Master's degree and I would never join a cult, even at my most gullible and naive. There were a lot of cults in my immediate zeitgeist as a child, so I knew how to ask questions in the most annoying way.

 2850. What's the last lie you told? That I'm fine.

 2851. What celebrity has the sexiest voice of females? males? Kathleen Turner has the best speaking voice of all time. Period.

 2852. You are having a party and can invite three celebrities of your choice. The WILL come. Who do you invite? Lin-Manuel Miranda, Donald Glover, Megan Thee Stallion.

 2853. Where did you come from? Where are you now? Where are you going? I came from my parents, I am here now, and I'm going to bed shortly.

 2854. What would you imagine the Playboy Mansion is like? I've been to a former Playboy Club and it's  just basically a hotel. NBD. I expect the same of the Mansion, but with a lot of weird decor.

 2855. Do you blow your nose loudly in public? Only when I need to.

 2856. Do you help others every day? Yes.

 2857. Bono or Chris Tucker? WTF? Who is Chris Tucker? So I guess Bono. I'd kind of like to meet him.

 2858. Is it lonely being alone in your head? I'd rather be lonely in my head than have any company whatsoever!

 2859. What is the worst poverty you have ever seen? Donald Trump's soul.

 2860. Has anyone ever told you that more than 2 billion people live on less than two dollars a day? What do you think of that? I think economics of scale are fascinating and worth understanding in this situation.

 2861. Add a sentence to the story: Once upon a time there was a man named Arthur and he was brushing his teeth when all of a sudden he saw a bright rainbow outside. So he goes out the back door to take a look and he finds an elf who says that he has froth around his mouth and needs to get away from him (the elf) and runs away.

 2862. Be honest.. do you generally listen or wait for your turn to talk? Yeah, this is a problem sometimes. I'm trying, actively, to work on this and become a better listener.

 2863. How many fingers do you type with? Nine. My left thumb doesn't do a lot.

 2864. What does 'you think you know but you have no idea' mean? Where did it come from as a common phrase?  It's a common phrase? It means what it says: you don't know what you think you know about this situation.

 2865. Do you think it's important to give up liberties in order to protect freedom? It does NOT work like that, no.

 2866. Do you think George Bush was elected in a legal way? No, but jeez this survey is old!!

 2867. Imagine you were dying of a disease...you only had a certain amount of time left with your mate, parents or children. What would you leave behind for them to remember you by?  How would you feel if there were drugs to help you live, only you couldn't afford them? How would you feel if people were trying to sell you the drugs at a lower cost but the drug companies made sure they couldn't because that would cut their profits? This scenario is going on Right Now. The country is Africa. The disease is AIDS. The drug is AZP (and others). The people are Africans who are very poor and have AIDS. The large drug corporations won't sell the drugs at a price they can afford or allow smaller companies to either. Is this acceptable? What are you going to do about it?   This is unacceptable, and I think it needs to stop and I've helped fund organizations that do good work. 

2868. Would you ever BUY a new ring for your cell phone that plays a couple of notes of your favorite song? Buy it, no.

 2869. What has completely moved you? Mayflower.

 2870. If for your next birthday you had a novelty kids birthday party what games would you play at it? Uhm, my next birthday is number 58. I think I'm past game-playing on birthdays, unless someone's up for a Cards Against Humanity round.

 2871. How can you keep open toed sandals from rubbing against your toes and making them blistered and raw? If you don't the answer to this by this point, I can't help you.

 2872. What happens to socks when they disappear in the drier? If I knew this, I'd have a lot less rags in the bin.

[faded out at 9:27 p.m.]

[restarted 6:54 p.m. 1/31]

 2873. What is the quality of humanity all about? Starting the questions with a big one. I think, in some ways, it's a big lie we tell ourselves, but also at best "humanity" is the ability remember that other people are people and should be judged as such, not as Something Other.

 2874. True or false - All homophobes are inherently evil: False, but if they are presented with facts and refuse to rethink their point of view, they aren't doing themselves any favors.

 2875. Is there anything, besides love, that money can't buy? A good reputation.

 2876. How is your soul? It is well.

 2877. What are you committed to? Getting through each day.

 2879. Are you photogenic? I am very much not.

 2880. Can you define these words off the top of your head as if you were talking to someone who didn't know what they were?

 rain: water falling from the sky

 cold: lower than comfortable temperatures in the area your body is

 green: I don't think I can do this without pointing to something

 sand: Tiny pulverized rocks, small like salt.

 2881. Why aren't you naked (or are you)? It's fookin' cold outside and being naked would be foolish.

 2882. Do you think anyone is all good or all evil? Nope. I think we're all on a continuum.

 2883. Go outside a sec. How many animals are in your yard? Did you count yourself? why or why not? Nobody's outside right now including me. Even the neighborhood dogs are all inside.

 2884. What household appliance drags you down? Hmm, I don't ever use the toaster-oven, which is sitting on the counter. I should probably put it away.

 2885. try this..write a list of six possibilities of things you could do after you are off the computer. Make sure that at lease ONE thing is something you would be unlikely to ever do. 

 1. Run screaming down the street in bare feet.

 2. Take a bath.

 3. Make something hot to eat.

 4. Read a book.

 5. Sort laundry for tomorrow.

 6. Start packing for my trip to Sparky's to be his post-surgical caregiver.

 Now grab a dice (if you have none ask someone to pick a number between 1 and 6) and decide what you will do by flipping it. Then do it! I live alone and don't have a die handy. So I'll probably just go with the plan that I'll take a bath, do some desultory planning about what I need to pack, and maybe sort laundry and get it ready to take downstairs in the morning.

 2886. Which of the following doesn't belong with the others and why? 

 a. garden 

 b. love 

 c. magazine 

 d. death I would be willing to bet a decent amount of money that there are no magazines about this topic, only, and I know there are magazines that are basically all about gardens and variations of love.

 2887. How old are you? What age do you feel mentally? emotionally? spiritually? I am 57. I feel about that age, sometimes considerably older.

 2888. Who do you think is more wise: your mailman or a person who has been living on the streets for 12 years? Depends on what kind of wisdom I'm searching for. The person on the streets has the kind of information I will (hopefully) never have.

 2889. Do you kiss on the first date? Depends on the guy. I haven't dated for over 35 years, so who knows.

 2890. Would you ever want to be on: 

 a dating show (which)?  Yeah, no. I canNOT dance in any coordinated way.

 a game show (which)? Oh, I could handle Wheel of Fortune. In my sleep.

 the news (why)? My strongest desire is never to be on the news.

 2891. How much money would it take to get you to: 

 strip to nothing but a bright orange thong (for guys, orange thongs and string bikini top for girls) and wrestle another person of the same sex in a thong in a pool of Jello? 2 billion, minimum

 participate in a contest where you drink alcohol as fast as you can until you puke? ditto

 sit absolutely still for 2 hours, in nothing but a towel, covered in plaster of Paris? I'd do this for minimal payment, it kind of sounds lovely providing the room is warm

 walk around at your school in bondage gear asking people to spank you on the ass with a huge dead octopus tentacle? I don't go to school anymore, but if I did it would be back in the 2 billion range

 pick your nose and eat it? Why would I ever want to do this? Back to 2 billion

 smash potatoes with your head? Nope, sorry: 2 billion

 2892. Who deserves an apology? The American people who believed anything DJT ever has said.

 2893. What wins the award as stupidest lyric you can think of? SmashMouth lyrics are not exactly Mensa-worthy. I still like them.

 2894. Where do you most like to be massaged? My back needs endless attention. I could probably get two massages a day just on my back and still be sore.

 2895. Is your face clear? Mostly.

 2896. Finish this phrase in a humorous way.. Friends don't let friends... suffer alone. Sorry, not funny, but true nevertheless.

 2897. What present would you bring to the birthday party of an acquaintance? Depends entirely on the person.

 2898. Is your game on? Only when I'm out in public, or on the phone with GrownUps, or otherwise faking my way through adulthood. Right now, I'm listening to conspiracy theory podcasts and drinking vodka. Game decidedly NOT on.

 2899. What would a song for the deaf be like? How about a painting for the blind? Feh. Deaf people 'get' music, blind people understand art. 

 2900. What is a sure-fire way to get noticed? Act like a moron, but do it confidently and L O U D L Y.

[finished at 7:15 p.m.]