[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Squinky

While I'm not one for slut-shaming, I'm also wary of overly idyllic views of ancient Greek society. Things weren't necessarily all perfect and wonderful "until those stupid prudish Christians came along and ruined everything". Particularly not for women...

Oh, believe me, I have no illusions about how free and democratic things were in pre-Christian times, particularly for the rights of women. I just think there was more room to move around back then, so cultures weren't as homogenized as they became following the arrival of the Holy Roman Empire. Any historical evidence of matriarchal tribes and cultures in western civilization are hard to come by, though legends persist, and it's largely due to the efforts of the Holy C.

Originally Posted by Squinky

But doesn't that make the bass players more impressive, rather than less? Scarcity equals value and all that? I don't know, maybe it's just me and my obsession with uniqueness.

In truth, I class bass as a guitar instrument. I merely make the distinction between great and average bass players because there are some small few who are so tasteful but so good that their work soars, even in the context of perfectly conventional pop music. That said, bass isn't my only rock instrument, and I find that I compose songs from guitar or keys more often than I do bass (although I have composed songs around bass lines on a number of occasions; Here It Comes Again and The Dream Falls being two strong examples).

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. How do you calm yourself down when you're under a lot of stress?
2. How do you cheer yourself up when you're sad?
3. How do you entertain yourself when you're bored?

1. Music... or masturbation, when it's convenient.
2. Music, or hugs, when they're available.
3. Music, or browsing the internet.

Originally Posted by MoriartyL

1. If you were living in a different country, which one would it be?
2. If you were living on a different planet, which one would it be?
3. If you were living in a different kind of existence, which one would it be?

1. Probably the States.
2. Probably that planet where Marvin the Paranoid Android waited for millennia to be recovered.
3. Probably one of the ones I've written about, even though they're not much better.

Originally Posted by geggis

1. Do you like horror films/games/books?
2. What is the scariest you've witnessed? As in scary-creepy, not scary-jumpy.
3. Why do you think that was?

1. Not strictly speaking, no, though I have written some, and really good horror authors seem to transcend the genre magnificently.
2. Hmmn. I think I appreciated Jacob's Ladder and 12 Monkeys the most, but neither are strictly speaking horror.
3. Because they were both intelligently done and weren't trying to make me crap my pants so much as make my mind go WTF!?, which I have more appreciation for.
____________________

1) When was the last time someone you feel really close to made you feel uncomfortable?
2) Do you ever wish you were more comfortable with the people you know?
3) Do you ever wish people you know were more comfortable with you?

[Squinky]

1. Sometimes, someone I care about will say something about a group of marginalised people to which I belong that strikes me as hurtful and ignorant enough that it takes me by surprise, and leads me to question what that person really thinks of me, since I, as everyone can plainly see, am part of that group. No matter how much they protest "I didn't mean you, specifically!", it's still cause for me to feel upset and confused; logically speaking, wouldn't my being an exception to the stereotype disprove its validity?
2. I wish that people I knew understood me better, and I think I'd be a lot more comfortable with them if they did.
3. I try my best to ensure that they are. I've found that this usually means staying out of their way. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

***

1. What kinds of people do you meet most frequently these days?
2. Do you like the majority of people you meet? Why/why not?
3. Do you have a firm handshake?

[tsa]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. What kinds of people do you meet most frequently these days?
2. Do you like the majority of people you meet? Why/why not?
3. Do you have a firm handshake?

1. Scientists. At work.
2. I get along with most of the people I meet. That doesn't mean I like them all. I think I'm an easy person to be with and people usually feel comfortable around me.
3. I never thought about that. I honestly don't know.

---

1. Do you get attached to things you use a lot?
2. What are you saving money for at the moment?
3. Whose or what's passing away has gripped you the most?

[Lucien21]

Originally Posted by tsa

1. Do you get attached to things you use a lot?
2. What are you saving money for at the moment?
3. Whose or what's passing away has gripped you the most?

1. I don't get attached to things as they are usually easily replaced unlike Friends and Family.

2. I have a big birthday in June so i'm treating myself to a holiday (Fly drive in New England I think).

3. My Gran who used to look after me as a child and at this time of year the whole family used to visit on Christmas morning (this no longer happens)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Are you a Bah-Humbug or a Santa Hat wearing Xmas groupie?
2. Finished your Xmas shopping yet?
3. Whats your favourite Xmas song?

Ho-Ho-HO

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

1. Are you a Bah-Humbug or a Santa Hat wearing Xmas groupie?
2. Finished your Xmas shopping yet?
3. Whats your favourite Xmas song?

Ho-Ho-HO

1. This year we're escaping Christmas and I'm very much at ease with that decision. I just want to be with my family and avoid all the commercial fuss. I don't know if it qualifies me for Bah-Humbug, but I'm not a Santa Hat wearing groupie either.
2. I've bought some presents for the small children in our extended family, that's it.
3. There are a lot of beautiful Christmas songs. The one that comes first to my mind is Little Drummer Boy with David Bowie and Bing Crosby

-------------------------------------------
I'm passing these questions on:

Originally Posted by Lucien21

1. Are you a Bah-Humbug or a Santa Hat wearing Xmas groupie?
2. Finished your Xmas shopping yet?
3. Whats your favourite Xmas song?

Ho-Ho-HO

[Squinky]

1. I like Christmas except for the commercialism, so somewhere in between.
2. Not even close. Fortunately, my family's doing a secret Santa-like gift exchange, so I pretty much only need to buy one thing.
3. The one about women's underwear.

***

1. Do you wish game developers talked more about the processes behind their creations, or do you simply not care either way?
2. Would you consider yourself more of a team player or a rogue?
3. How do you get yourself out of a rut when you feel like you're stuck in one?

[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. Sometimes, someone I care about will say something about a group of marginalised people to which I belong that strikes me as hurtful and ignorant enough that it takes me by surprise, and leads me to question what that person really thinks of me, since I, as everyone can plainly see, am part of that group. No matter how much they protest "I didn't mean you, specifically!", it's still cause for me to feel upset and confused; logically speaking, wouldn't my being an exception to the stereotype disprove its validity?

It's easy for folks to fall to stereotypes, even though they're by and large grossly unfair and untrue. The human mind just works that way, breaking people up into groups or types, and then expends a lot of energy validating those categorizations, even when they're clearly inaccurate. It's the problem that some people actually do subconsciously mold themselves to fit at least some of their classic stereotypes that makes it harder for lazy people (which is most of us) to get past the idea that 'stereotypes exist because there is a kernel of truth in them'. It's nonsense, but it's so prevalent, even when it isn't meant to be hurtful (hurtful as in calling Germans Nazis, Jews chiselers and Romani thieves, etc...), that we (almost?) all fall victim to it to some degree. Even something as simple and innocuous as thinking all men are animals and all women teases is so hard to get around that we react to the idea even when we don't agree with it. Your friend is probably one of those people who is occasionally given to making gross generalizations to make a point, and then winds up eating their words when they realize (or have it pointed out to them) that they've slandered any number of people who don't identify themselves thus or demonstrate those sorts of behaviours. It's not to be tolerated, but it is, sadly, common enough that it puts you in the position of having to forgive their stupidity a lot. For this I am sorry.

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. What kinds of people do you meet most frequently these days?
2. Do you like the majority of people you meet? Why/why not?
3. Do you have a firm handshake?

1. The virtual kind.
2. Yes, because I rarely meet people, and when I do, they're usually people I've gotten to know online, and thus have some idea of who they are and what they're like before testing the waters in real life. And online, I tend only to cross paths of people who float in the same sorts of circles (i.e. geeks).
3. Yes, though not a bone-crushing one, unless confronted with a very big man who tends to crush hands himself.

Originally Posted by tsa

1. Do you get attached to things you use a lot?
2. What are you saving money for at the moment?
3. Whose or what's passing away has gripped you the most?

1. Yes. My computer has a name (Zoe).
2. The usual.
3. My cat Charlie.

Originally Posted by Lucien21

1. Are you a Bah-Humbug or a Santa Hat wearing Xmas groupie?
2. Finished your Xmas shopping yet?
3. Whats your favourite Xmas song?

1. I'm somewhere in the middle. I like Christmas, and I celebrate it without fail, but I'm not particularly silly about it, although a few pictures of me wearing a 'Santa' hat do exist.
2. Almost. Need to find something for the not-quite-brother-in-law, and a plan to buy my Uncle Garry some stuff for his guitar has been hatched since the original list was formulated.
3. Happy Xmas (War Is Over).

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. Do you wish game developers talked more about the processes behind their creations, or do you simply not care either way?
2. Would you consider yourself more of a team player or a rogue?
3. How do you get yourself out of a rut when you feel like you're stuck in one?

1. I'm the sort of geek who likes developers to talk about the more creative and thematic aspects of game development, but can only really appreciate nuts-and-bolts discussions if they're explained fairly simply, which usually isn't something game devs are good at.
2. I'm pretty independent, though I do try to behave in team situations.
3. Change the music, go for a walk, dick around on the internet, masturbate (not necessarily all at once or in that order).
____________________

1) Do you suffer any particular physical symptoms of stress?
2) What do you do to relieve stress?
3) How soon/often do you find yourself needing to do so?

[Squinky]

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

For this I am sorry.

Thank you, sweetheart. *hugs*

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

1) Do you suffer any particular physical symptoms of stress?
2) What do you do to relieve stress?
3) How soon/often do you find yourself needing to do so?

1. I tend to get sick more easily and frequently when I'm under a lot of stress.
2. Take myself for a good, long walk, or spill my guts to a dear friend.
3. Pretty much on a daily basis, these days.

***

1. If you came with a warning label, what would it be?
2. Hand drawn, stop motion, or computer animation? (if you had to pick just one)
3. When was the last time someone assumed you were less qualified and/or talented at your job than you actually are?

[MoriartyL]

1. "Not compatible with normal people."
2. Hand drawn, no thought necessary.
3. Never, really. I'm not qualified to do any of the things I do, so I've never had the experience of having someone underestimate my qualifications.

================================================

1. How late is too late for you to go to sleep?
2. How early is too early for you to go to sleep?
3. How many hours of sleep do you usually get?

[Maquisard]

1. waiting for my pizza to be ready.
2. snowboarding.
3. I'm between cars. Last was black.
___

1. How much effort, and what kind, do you put into staying healthy?
2. Favorite musicians who died before their time: go.
3. If you had to give up your favorite hobby, how much would you miss it?

[geggis]

Eh? Who's questions were you answering there Maq? They're very abstract answers if they're for Mori's....

[Hammerite]

There was a spammer.
Oddly, it answered the questions and asked its own.

[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. If you came with a warning label, what would it be?
2. Hand drawn, stop motion, or computer animation? (if you had to pick just one)
3. When was the last time someone assumed you were less qualified and/or talented at your job than you actually are?

1. Contents Under Pressure.
2. Computer animation, but using cel shading to look like hand drawn feature animation, with 3D modelled backgrounds that look like classic watercolour or ink illustrations.
3.I feel like I've always had that reaction to my work. I guess the first logo I did for Active Tool Repair, back in September. I got over it.

Originally Posted by MoriartyL

1. How late is too late for you to go to sleep?
2. How early is too early for you to go to sleep?
3. How many hours of sleep do you usually get?

1. Too late as in 'Drat, I should be in bed right now', or too late as in 'Bugger! Might as well not bother going to bed'? To the former, I say 12am these days, though it used to be more like 4am. To the latter I say there is no such creature, though it used to be around 9am, if I'd been working all night.
2. I can't really sleep if there's daylight outside. I used to be able to take cat naps, but I lost the ability.
3. Around eight. It used to be four, but my medication makes me sleep heavier than I used to.

Originally Posted by Maquisard

1. How much effort, and what kind, do you put into staying healthy?
2. Favorite musicians who died before their time: go.
3. If you had to give up your favorite hobby, how much would you miss it?

1. Not a lot. I don't deliberately run myself down or do things to endanger my health, but I'm not athletic and I'm not a vegetarian or a dieter.
2. I'm struggling to answer this question, but the fact is, I don't believe anyone dies before their time. When you die is when you die, and that's all the time you get. If you were going to cure cancer, then it's tragic. If you never got that novel written or published, then it's pathetic. But you have to work with what you've got, and what you gave is all we get. I can't think of a single musician that I think died too soon. If they gave us anything at all, then their lives were entirely validated, regardless of its critical value or what it achieved.

That said, I wouldn't have minded another album by George Harrison.
3. What? Give up masturbation? How cruel can you get? (all of my other 'hobbies' are more like career pursuits).
____________________

1. What's for dinner?
2. What music are you listening to right now?
3. When are you going to change that shirt?

[Denaron]

1. What's for dinner?
2. What music are you listening to right now?
3. When are you going to change that shirt?

1. French fries, steak, rice and beans.
2. Ten years after - I'm going home (live at woodstock!!). One of my favorite woodstock songs. Alvin lee is a great guitarrist!
3. Actually i'm wearing no shirt, hehe. Too hot around here these days, 35Âș!!

1. Have you ever experienced any kind of illegal drugs?
2. Do you have any pet?
3. Do you believe in paranormal activities?

[Squinky]

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

1. What's for dinner?
2. What music are you listening to right now?
3. When are you going to change that shirt?

1. We're ordering sushi tonight at work, by the looks of things.
2. The atonal baritone murmurs of various coworkers.
3. Before I have a shower tonight.

Originally Posted by Denaron

1. Have you ever experienced any kind of illegal drugs?
2. Do you have any pet?
3. Do you believe in paranormal activities?

1. Nope.
2. Nope.
3. I'm open to the possibility.

***

1. *sigh*?
2. *shrug*?
3. *hug*?

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

Originally Posted by Denaron

1. Have you ever experienced any kind of illegal drugs?
2. Do you have any pet?
3. Do you believe in paranormal activities?

1. Yes.
2. Not at the moment (15 years ended this year).
3. Absolutely. I can't prove it, but I can believe!

_______________

1. Have you ever experienced a paranormal event? (Can you remember seeing something that nobody else has seen and nobody can explain with imperical evidence?)
2. Have you ever had a long distance relationship?
3. Do you own a significant object, meant to be used, but you do not?

[tsa]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. *sigh*?
2. *shrug*?
3. *hug*?

1. You're so boring
2. but I don't care
3. because I love you.

Originally Posted by Not A Speck Of Cereal

1. Have you ever experienced a paranormal event? (Can you remember seeing something that nobody else has seen and nobody can explain with imperical evidence?)
2. Have you ever had a long distance relationship?
3. Do you own a significant object, meant to be used, but you do not?

1. My mother always knows how I feel. When I'm not good she calls me. Maruca and I have the same. Radar love!
2. I have a long distance very good friendship with Maruca. Does that count?
3. I have a DVD player that I hardly ever use. I have DVDs that I bought two years ago and I still haven't watched.

-----

1. How do you feel about the upcoming Christmas day(s)?
2. Does Christmas have a religious aspect for you?
3. Do you drink a lot of Coca Cola around Christmas?

[Squinky]

1. It's a good excuse to go on vacation and hang out with my wacky family.
2. Christmas by definition has religious implications, which I accept, though in more of a symbolic form. (For instance, I know Jesus wasn't actually born this time of year.) I'd say I care more about the cultural aspect, but culture and religion are so tied together in history that it hardly matters.
3. No more than usual... which means hardly ever, these days.

***

1. If you could obliterate one (and only one) annoying Christmas song from existence forever, which one would it be?
2. Why are department store Santas so scary?
3. Why are middle-aged women so awesome?

[tsa]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. If you could obliterate one (and only one) annoying Christmas song from existence forever, which one would it be?
2. Why are department store Santas so scary?
3. Why are middle-aged women so awesome?

1. 'On the first night of Christmas, my true love gave to me...' It's a materialistic song, sang by a selfish woman. It must have been conjured up by some company, just like the current Santa Claus.

2. The same reason why those Japanese humanoid robots are scary: they are meant to look human, but our brains can't handle the fact that they are not.

3. Because they have experience in living life. But what about middle-aged men?

----

1. Do you go to church on Christmas?
2. Do you go to church on 'normal' sundays?
3. Why did you answer what you answered on questions one and two?

[Hammerite]

I can forgive the existence of that song purely due to a part of 'South Park'.