Good Survey
last edited 09/02/04
YOUR NAME
(1) The singular boring question: What is your name? Jennifer
(2) If you had been born a member of the opposite sex, what would your name have been? Benjamin, and my nickname would have been "Benji" (you know, like that scruffy dog in the movies)
(3) Would you name a child of yours after you? No
(4) If you had to switch first names with a friend of yours, who would you switch with? Lalkha, because that is one of the prettiest names I have ever heard/seen... and hey, you never know, I could be part Polish!
(5) What's the way people most often mispronounce any part of your name? It usually doesn’t happen (my name’s pretty simple/common—-Jen Holmes), but one sub called me “Jean Hole-mez”
(6) If you were to become famous, would you drop your last name (like Madonna, Cher, Roseanne)? No, but I might rename myself "Rasputin" instead.
DEEP THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS
(7) Do you believe in the traditional view of Heaven and Hell? Yes and no—I think it could be possible (as could just about anything like that, as far as I’m concerned), but I’m not convinced.
(8) Do you think God has a gender? I have a bit of a hard time believing that, if there is One Almighty God, he/she is in such a form that can be distinguished male or female, with a specific animal or human appearance. It seems to me that it would be some kind of masterful, marvelous presence that cannot be described by the spoken word.
(9) Do you think science counteracts religion? In many instances, yes--the Evolution vs. Creation debates come to mind... The two can work together, sometimes... for example, if one believes in strictly science, they may see religion as a natural phenomenon that has its roots in the human psyche; and if one believes strictly in creationism, they may believe that their god created the curiosity and technology that leads to scientific theories and knowledge, for the purpose of entertainment, fulfillment, improvement, etc. Anywho, the two are involved but there is a line there where they cannot fully merge.
(10) Do you believe in organized religion? Personally, I am skeptical of the validity of any one religion over the others, so I choose to be agnostic and steer clear of organized religion. As a whole, organized religion has its pros and cons—religion may help people feel secure, loved, guided, etc., but religion is often also the cause of wars, intolerance (homosexuality comes to mind), and close-mindedness. Sometimes people get so caught up in their own beliefs that they don’t even consider the possible points of others.
(11) Where do you think we go when we die? This, I do not even really have a theory. Who knows if one religion is right, or if they all are (in some crazy-complicated sorting system of the divine), or if none are. If there is an afterlife... I hope there are winged horses and holodecks.
(12) Do you feel a little funny thinking about the questions in this section? Nah... prompted by certain books and movies and whatnot, I find myself toying with the idea of reality and fantasy and otherworlds, and religion/theology fits into that. I've
HUMOR
(13) How easy is it to make you laugh? I pretty much laugh non-stop. So the better question would be how hard is it to keep me from laughing? ...or something.
(14) What person you know makes you laugh the most? My family kills me--they are so wacky (I don't need to wonder where I get it from)... but I think the hardest I've laughed in my whole life is with Cyn in particular, oh my good lord it gets dangerous with her.
(15) Do you laugh at jokes you know you shouldn't? I think blonde jokes are hilarious.
(16) Do you tell jokes you know you shouldn't? I am horrible at telling jokes, because I stutter and giggle and mess up the punch line... so, in a word, no.
(17) What words instantly make you laugh or at least smile? Jenny's "adorkable." Hee hee. Oh oh and "AWEsome!"
(18) What do you think is the funniest thing you've ever said or written? Hm, I don't really keep track... but a lot of my most bizarre and insane (and thus "funny") moments are stupidly recorded in my livejournal archives until the end of time.
MUSIC
(19) Do you ever dance to music when nobody's watching? Sometimes, if I'm feeling goofy enough.
(20) What is/are the worst song(s) you have ever heard? "Make a Little Magic" by some dudes with a stupid band name, because it disturbs me and makes me want to break things. *snort*
(21) What song(s) do you wish you could understand a little better? Hm, well I would say some of the lyrics to Ryan Adams songs, but at the same time I like not always knowing what he (or anyone else) is talking about. It's like being let into someone's consciousness...
(22) What song(s) are constantly in your head? Whichever one I last recorded, because I have to play it/sing it/listen to it over and over during the recording/editing process... all the more reason to write a new one, haha.
(23) What song(s) do you think describe your personality best? In general, the mood of jazz (especially in the style of, for example, Norah Jones) seems to really connect with me... for a specific song, I find abstract personal meaning in "I See Monsters" by Ryan Adams.
(24) If you were to serenade the object of your affections, which song(s) would you use? Most likely something I had written myself, that was written specifically for him...
(25) If the object of your affections were to serenade you, what song(s) would you hope he or she used? The best would be an original composition, but anything that really is his style and says what he means… just the act would be enough for me.
MOVIES
(26) What movie(s) do you love that nobody else seems to? I adore the movie Waking Life, but whereas many people seem to find it interesting... I don't think I know of anyone (that I know personally) that is all in love with it like I am.
(27) Do you agree with the idea that sequels are always worse than the original? Yeah, usually... a first movie has the advantage of surprising you with a unique setting and characters, so the second has to overcome familiar elements to become enlightening in itself...
(28) Who's your favorite Star Wars character? I’m not well-versed in Star Wars… but I remember watching part of one of the (older) movies when I was little and that big ugly blob thing that had Princess Lei (sp?) in chains fascinated me to no end… Jabba the Hut? Is that it?
(29) What kind of movie do you think there should be more of? Ones with some kind of unique format, like Memento... those are refreshing.
(30) What movie(s) do you simply not understand the appeal of? Horror, especially “slasher” flicks like Scream. I just don’t understand how watching people get murdered, with little or no twisted plot to justify it, is entertaining.
FOOD
(31) When eating, are you more concerned with taste or healthiness? Taste, usually. Oh who am I kidding--taste all the way.
(32) What's your favorite kind of cheese? Sharp cheddar. Hm, or Camembert… depends on the mood, I suppose.
(33) What do you think your answer to the previous question reveals about your personality? I am fickle.
(34) If you knew exactly what went into Chinese food, hamburger meat, etc., would you still eat it? Yes, because there is very little escape from the stuff without making a big effort to avoid processed foods and the like... especially when one's main food input is from a place called "Dining Hall."
(35) Do you ever feel guilty eating meat? Yes... I don't think that our eating meat is entirely wrong, but the fact that we have cultivated a methodical way to raise and butcher animals at an alarming mass rate is pretty disturbing. I think the "food chain" argument is unfounded, because we are intelligent enough beings to know exactly what we're doing--and could eventually figure out a way to live off non-meat completely (I'm just waiting for my replicator to arrive). I think it's sad how animals are raised just to die... but I’m not about to go campaign to save the chickens or anything.
COMPUTERS
(36) Mac or PC? PC
(37) How much do you actually care about the inner workings of your computer, as long as it works? not a bit. I’d rather know how to work it than how it works.
(38) Do you ever begin preferring IMs to other forms of conversation? Yes, because it offers more time and leeway for responses—-also, you can talk to many people at once, or while you're doing other things, so it’s good for multitasking...
(39) Do you find you're different talking through IMs than face-to-face or on the telephone? It depends on who I'm talking with... with some people, I am just myself in whatever venue... with others that I might not know so well, I end up holding back in person (or on the phone), since I don't feel I have as much time to think things through before I say them. I prefer slower-paced conversations (unless I'm hypergiddy, in which case I cannot rein in my babble-tastic tendencies) for that reason.
(40) Have you ever ended bid on something on eBay and regretted it later? nope, not yet anyways.
THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES
(41) Have you ever wished you could experience being the other gender? yes, oddly enough, just out of curiosity, but I have a feeling I’d prefer my own gender anyways.
(42) What do you love most about the other gender? I think men are generally funnier than women, but maybe that's because I learned from my three older brothers what "humor" is (I was also taught that video games are awesome). ...and I like how they tend to be structured--it's the whole somewhat stereotypical "protector" scenario, I suppose. When I'm around a guy I trust, I like that "safe" feeling.
(43) What do you dislike most about the other gender? Ironically, the "protector" thing is both best and worst... Because in someone I don't know or don't like, it becomes threatening and uncomfortable, in a way I wouldn't be intimidated by most females.
(44) What do you understand least about the other gender? Whyyyyy must they leave their whiskers all over the sink? It would take a mere 15 seconds to clean it up! Gahhhh.
CELEBRITIES
(45) Do you sometimes see a movie or watch a show just because a good-looking celebrity is in it? not JUST because, but I won't lie and say I in any way object to seeing certain pretty (or handsomely scarred, in Ryan O'Reily's case) faces on the screen.
(46) What celebrity's autograph do you want most? Dude, I have Brett Gillen's signature. What more could I ask for? OK, maybe the scrawl of Ryan Adams--I wouldn't mind that.
(47) Have people ever said you looked like a celebrity, and if so, who? not that I recall…
(48) If there was to be a movie about you, who do you think should play you (in personality, looks or both)? If Julia Stiles was musical instead of a dancer, I’d say her.
(49) Does it ever annoy you when you know someone is a celebrity but you can't remember why? Yeah, that or if they're famous just because they are So-and-So's daughter/husband/etc. (especially if I don't know why So-and-So is so great).
(50) If you could enter any celebrity's mind like in "Being John Malkovich", whose would you enter? Ryan Adams, mostly for musical talent/motivation. He seems like a curious figure.
(51) Do you want to be John Malkovich? Nah, he kinda creeped me out a bit. Or maybe that was just because of the scene where there were like 100 of him--that was creepy.
NUMBERS
(52) Do you laugh when you hear or read the number 69? Oh goodness, that stupid high-schoolers-made-it-obnoxious number.
(53) Were you lying about your answer to the previous question? nope
(54) Do you actually know your Social Security Number? yes, I do
(55) Do you actually know your IP address? Um, I know how to find out! *nerdface*
(56) Do you know what an IP address is? I don't know what IP stands for, but I know the number represents where someone is logging on from...
(57) Do you know the four-character extension on your ZIP code? nope. This is small-town NH, you know.
(58) Ever thought there were too many numbers floating around in our lives? No, I like to memorize multiple account numbers and passwords and dates and stastistics! *grumples*
(59) Does your head begin to hurt when you think of infinity, imaginary numbers, irrational numbers, etc.? yes, and it makes me wonder just how batty all those famous mathematicians must have been to come up with such obscure formulas.
(60) What do you think of pi? I think it’s odd how significant it is--the actual measure seems pretty obscure. [edit: When I first wrote this answer, I remembered what Pi was from Calculus... needless to say, I haven't the foggiest what it is anymore.]
LOVE, SEX AND ALL THAT
(61) Did you get a little frightened or uncomfortable seeing this as a section title? As long as you don't ask me about my wild sex life, I'm chill.
(62) If someone you had no interest in dating expressed interest in dating you, how would you feel? flattered, but probably a bit uncomfortable in that I wasn't returning the feelings.
(63) Do you prefer getting to know someone first before dating them or going in "blind"? Haven't you watched Blind Date and seen the horrors that can ensue? I'd just rather not go there. I definitely have to get to know someone at least a little before dating them, so that I'll feel comfortable and more importantly, safe.
(64) Could you carry on a relationship with someone with the same first name as a family member? Yes, but if it was a name in my immediate family, I would probably have to improvise... "No, your name has to be Jeffrey, because Jeff is my brother and that's just weird, ok?"
(65) Have you ever wished it was more "socially acceptable" for a girl to ask a guy out? Not really, because I personally prefer to be the askee anyways.
(66) What's your opinion on sex without emotional commitment? I don’t agree with it, as I see sex as a personal matter that has its bases on trust and love, not amusement and lust. It's something so intimate that I would only want to ever share it with someone I’m very close to mentally and emotionally.
(67) Have you ever been romantically attracted to someone physically unattractive? Hmmm, I don't believe so, but I'm not saying it wouldn't ever happen.
(68) Do you think the opposite sex finds you good-looking? From what they've told me, I guess so... though I probably wouldn't have come to that conclusion on my own.
(69) Would you be willing to give up sex in exchange for an emotional commitment you knew would last? yes, definitely.
(70) Do you think the number of the last question was a coincidence? I guess I'll never know if it was, dear anonymous survey-writer.
POSSESSIONS
(71) What is your favorite possession? my laptop! haha.
(72) What physical, tangible possession do you want most? A high-quality grand (or baby-grand) piano. *drooooooooool*
(73) How badly do you want it? I can wait, but I really hope I have one someday... I will put it in a room with a wood floor and good acoustics... *sigh*
(74) Have you ever seen 'The Exorcist'? I saw clips of it on one of those "I Love the..." shows on VH1! Freaky.
(75) How long did it take you to understand why the last question is in this section? I didn't really question it until number 75 was asked of me. Weird things in surveys don't seem to phase me anymore, because I'm an addict and fill these things out waaaaaay too often.
HOLIDAYS
(76) Does Christmas music too far away from Christmas annoy you? Not if it's that song that goes "I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad," because that is totally classic and always reminds me of traveling to family-get-togethers during the holiday season. Plus, all that cheesy Christmas music is still better than the regular junk radio stations like to play.
(77) How old do you think you will be before you stop liking getting older? Whatever age that I have to take an Advil a day to keep my back pain away...
(78) What was the best Halloween costume you ever had? The most FUN one was the Thanatos costume, but the most interesting/stunning was the glitter/ice robe paired with Icefire contacts... I looked otherwordly.
(79) What was the worst Halloween costume you ever had? Oh come on, they all rocked. Well, one year (when I was little) I was a ballerina, but had to wear winter clothing under it, since it's cold here in late October... at least I never succumbed to that "This IS my costume!" t-shirt.
(80) What holiday do you think has still managed to retain its original meaning? Hm… I think New Year’s Eve/Day—to celebrate the old and bring in the new… Hehe, that was lame. But yes, the basic concept can’t change much... All the other holidays, Hallmark and her cronies have managed to materialize and mascot-ify. And Christmas? Let’s not even go there—-culture is strange.
(81) There are currently no federal holidays during August- what should be put there? Hm, something fun and summery, where there could be lots of outdoor festivals. In the game Harvest Moon 64, they have a “Spirit Festival” in the summer, where they float firefly lights into the ocean and supposedly honor spirits of loved ones who’ve passed on. I think that’s neat.
MEMORIES
(82) How good is your short-term memory? What was the question again?
(83) How good is your long-term memory? With academic type things, not so great... with person-to-person relations, I'd say it's decent--I can usually picture actually being with people, and remember mostly-accurate words said... Of course, part of this is due to my current tendency to journal and record--and of course writing is like an external memory to draw upon.
(84) What is your earliest memory? I have a vision of being on a staircase, looking through the support poles to the next floor (in my old house, I lived there until I was 2 and a half)… I also remember watching a fly buzz around in my old room... I have no idea if those are REAL memories or not, but what the hey--I have had them long enough for them to be nostalgic, regardless of truth.
(85) What is your happiest memory (other than recieving this survey)? I think spending the evening at Jillian's in Vegas must have been one of the happiest days of my life... I got to see Matthew Banks play, which meant so much because I completely adore him and look up to him... But possibly even more mind-blowingly, I got to spend such fun times with so many good friends I've made in the past few years. It was so easy to just be myself and have a fabulous time, and enjoy the foreign yet familiar surroundings. It was beautiful.
(86) What is your strangest memory? I remember a dream I had when I was younger—a two-headed dragon was about to eat me in a peanut-butter sandwich… Of course, that is probably not the strangest of dreams I’ve had, but it sure was random.
(87) What song, movie, etc. do you wish you could memorize? The Lord of the Rings, especially the elvish lines and verses (spoken or sung)
TEARS
(88) What movie makes/made you cry? The Lion King makes me cry every time (when Mufasa dies and Simba is all distressed)... It’s funny, because animations and/or animal movies are by far the most likely to make me tear up (even though they aren't the only ones).
(89) What book makes/made you cry? One that sticks out in my mind is Broken Chords—it’s about a wonderfully talented girl who plays piano (at a very high/elite level) and decides to give it up. It just hits close to home, because I have had bouts of not knowing whether I wanted to continue piano or not (btw, I don't mean to say I'm anywhere near elite level). But I really do love it (which sets me apart from the girl in the story), I've come to realize.
(90) What song makes/made you cry? "Dear Chicago," by Ryan Adams, with its final words of "I think, I've fallen out of love... think, I've fallen out of love, with you." ...they hit home, at a point in time. Depending on my mood, a wide variety of stuff can bring me to, or close to, tears, because to me music is pure emotion.
(91) What makes/made you laugh so hard you cried? My ridiculous chats with Cyn, which actually translate into real-life, too. Tonight my brother made me laugh so hard that I honestly sounding like I was sobbing, and I couldn't breathe. ...that is the best way to laugh.
THREE TRULY RANDOM QUESTIONS
(92) Would you like to be cloned? no, definitely not. That’d be creepy.
(93) Do you wish you could be alive when the world was ending, just to experience it? it’d be interesting to know how it will happen (if/when it does), but I don’t think it’d be too amusing to watch the world in total panic and despair, hehe… haven’t you seen those “disaster” flicks?
(94) Scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the fandango? if only I knew how…
THIS SURVEY
(95) Do you think that one hundred and one questions is too long? Are you kidding? I love that number. 101 Dalmations (the original animation) kicks so much ass.
(96) Do you think the one hundred interesting questions actually were interesting? ...they were until now! Haha.
(97) Are you sorry you began filling it out? Frankly I don't know why I'm bothering to answer these, since they are like those you'd find on a Customer Satisfaction card... only there is not locked reply box.
(98) What question do you wish it had asked? It's just not an internet survey without the "Coke or Pepsi?" question.
(99) How would you have answered it? Oh shoot, I didn't REALLY want that question in here... I can't even answer it properly, because I don't like either. Damn, I wasted my special question.
THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
(100) When was the last time you let the people you love know you love them? I don't often say the words, in a sit-down serious way, but... I'm all about big I-love-you hugs, so hopefully the meaning rings clear through those.
(101) What do you want the people who are reading this survey to know? ummmm... that they are cool for reading all the way down here in the depths of my insomnia. haha.