Archive for April, 2005

The interview madness lives on …

1. When you were in college, what did you study? What did you think you were going to do when you graduated, and how does that differ from what you do now?

Well, let’s just get right to the heart of it, shall we? I graduated from Purdue University in 1995 and I think I’m still trying to figure out what my major is. Perpetually undeclared. However, my diploma and accompanying official transcripts will tell you that my major was Biology. Of course along with biology, I studied basic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, calculus and statistics. Which is, as they say, the way to party. I went into biology because it’s been something I’ve always been interested in. In high school I had a great teacher who inspired me to explore the topic further. When I started the coursework in college, I think I had the intention of being a research scientist or microbiologist. Of course when I actually had to spend most of my day doing these things, I realized that maybe that wasn’t the best fit. Anyway, I went through a few different phases of “what I was going to turn my biology courseload into” and had settled on scientific sales and marketing when I graduated. Fast forward 10 years later. Now the bulk of my work centers around online communities and new media, development and maintenance of. Additionally I spend a lot of my time thinking about art, literature and modern culture. Well maybe not so much about it, but around it. You could say I definitely mull it. I think this is where Alanis would say, “Isn’t it ironic?”

2. Think of a time when you felt really good, content, peaceful (maybe it was a fleeting moment or maybe it was a longer period of time). What were the circumstances that brought it about?

Despite how stressed and irritable I usually am, I have a large collection of content and peaceful moments. Some are sustained, running under the surface of everything; others are more specific pinpoints on my mental timeline. One pinpoint I’m thinking of right now happened during the summer of what sometimes seems like a lifetime ago. It was one of those days where the warmth of the air could be too hot, but somehow it’s not. Instead it’s a sultry envelope, making things a little more dreamlike than they already are. The midafternoon sky was a bit hazy, but clear enough to remember it as being perfect. And the breeze is slight and just as warm as the air — creating an illusion that you’re floating or flying, although you remain perfectly still. I remember the exact spot, the exact time; though the details that would pass for measurement fail me now. This is how I distinctly recall walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with someone who can precisely recreate that moment for me now just by grabbing my hand. We stopped halfway across and just sat, without saying anything … or anything I can recall. Just feeling the sun and watching people pass … watching the world seem to radiate from that focus. With his arms around me, I felt simultaneously dizzy and safe … and perhaps this is why the moment is so perfect in my mind — so peaceful, as it seemed to resist and defy the chaos happening all around us.

3. What is the single greatest edible item in the world? (You knew I’d have to ask about food at some point.)

This is a tough one … I’ve turned over about 10 answers in my mind in the last minute alone. But I’m going to have to resist saying Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Frosting and answer: Pringles.

4. How did you get into photography? Do you have a favorite picture that you’ve taken? Why is it your favorite?

I’m not sure how I really got into photography. I remember as a kid I hated getting my picture taken, as many family albums will attest to. However, I think when we started taking family vacations around the United States, I began taking my own snapshots. Mostly taking pictures of my Cabbage Patch dolls in historic settings. Williamsburg. Monticello. Gettysburg. I then got involved in the 4-H photography club and one of my best friends was an excellent photographer, and was also an apprentice to a professional portrait photographer. So that really introduced me to the whole concept of photography as art, composition, color, unusual subject matter, etc.

This is likely to change, but I think, of the ones I’ve taken, my favorite photo is probably this one:

Why? I don’t know. (The original copy of this is much more stunning than the resized web version I have here, btw.)

5. You’ve lived in a few different places. Which one is your favorite and why?

Good question. I’m not sure I know the answer. I was born and raised in the Midwest, and I’ve been to California, back to the Midwest and now on the east coast living in Virginia and part-time in New York. There have been really great things about each of these places — whether it’s been the people, weather, scenery or experiences I’ve encountered. I think my heart will always be true to the small-town Midwestern sensibilities, personalities and scenery that I grew up with. I don’t think I will ever be back there permanently, so maybe this allows me to romanticize a bit.

Bonus: Bobby Brown vs. Helen Gurley Brown.

Well it may be his prerogative, but Bobby Brown doesn’t really stand a chance against Helen Gurley Brown’s Cosmo fuelled media revolution machine. This chick is tough and doesn’t take “no” for an answer, which is bad news for the former New Edition star … because he’s crying “uncle”, and Helen is totally not trying to hear that. There’s no way that Whitney can get back from rehab to come to his aid, and I predict Helen Gurley Brown will crush Bobby Brown with every little step she takes.

Since this is a meme, you (yes you!) can spread the bloggerview love by throwing your hat into the ring. This is how we do it:

If you’re interested in being interviewed by me:

1. Leave me a comment saying “interview me.”
2. I will respond by asking you five questions here. They will be different questions than the ones above.
3. You will update YOUR blog/website with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Ok, so I slept in this morning. While I think sleeping in is a great thing, it never seems to work out for me, because after a certain point in the day, I’ve slept too much and the entire balance of the universe is all out of whack. At least for the rest of the day. Anyway. I’m awake now and mainly just sitting here, even though I actually have a lot to do. Not only all of those things I keep saying I’m going to do, but like — real things that need to get done. Such as laundry. And paperwork. And taking pictures of Doritos. Luckily, my partner in Just Sitting Here crime is in the same predicament. So we’re creating our own meme-tastic challenge throwing down of the gauntlet kick in the ass just do something already so you won’t find yourself hating the lazy good for nothing you’ve become.

Flashback

J: i have a lot of things i need to do
J: but yeah
J: not doing them!
J: maybe we should have a contest
C: ok
J: yeah
C: hahahah
J: whoever gets their stuff done first gets a dollar, or something
C: the contest for sitting here?
J: mmmhmm
C: hahahah
C: but i don’t even know what i need to do
C:i think we should blog lists
C: and then come back and report our progress in a funny way
J: ok
J: yes
J: blog the lists

I actually have the need to get a lot of stuff done today because the love of my life is coming to visit me tonight and I want to be all set.

So … the list.

• Clean out closet to clear some space for boyfriend to put his stuff. — done!
• Vacuum — done!
• File and complete various paperwork, including but not limited to School Transfer form, DMV information and lease renewal — (mostly) done!
• Laundry — done
• Take pictures of stale Doritos for secret Dorito project — done!
• Restyle blog — ummm… maybe not
• Really consider actually writing the books I keep coming up with titles for — ok, fine I’ll write one
• Write my song about leaving someone for dead — pending
• Cut some glass and possibly make a dangerous shard filled ceiling sculpture
• Deal with the kalanchoe –dealt with!
• Pluck eyebrows (lord have mercy!) — ouch – done!
• Plot revenge — ongoing
• Pack some packages for all those people I keep telling that I am going to send them something but never actually get around to it. — done
• Plan secret excursion for Sunday — done

Yeah, I think that’s enough for now. Why do I just push myself so? At least I’m not doing as much laundry as she is. So there’s that.

Annnnnnd — GO!

Oh… the online quiz/personality test! Where would we be without thee? How would I learn more about myself if not for your pinpoint accuracy?

what warning label are you?

Ok — I’m not sure I really needed a quiz to confirm that, but whatever! It’s Friday, give me a break.