[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Maquisard

1. Art thou a cat or a dog person?
2. How do you feel about sideburns?
3. Which genre of music do you wish had never existed?

1. More of a cat person, really.
2. I have them, though mine aren't terribly pronounced.
3. I'm pretty open minded about music. I don't think there's a particular genre I'd like to see gone; just a certain level (or rather lack) of quality to the writing.

Originally Posted by MoriartyL

1. Are you a reasonably open-minded person?
2. Can you give an example demonstrating this?
3. What will you never ever be open-minded about?

1. I have my days.
2. I am almost finished playing the Strong Bad games, despite my initial feeling that they were pretty goofy looking.
3. Beets, lima beans, and Milli Vanilli.

Originally Posted by Lady Kestrel

1. What made you angry recently?
2. What made you smile?
3. Do you keep a regular pen and ink journal?

1. Angry? Not sure that's the right word, but I've gotten pretty fed up with certain people I deal with on a daily basis.
2. Something unusual I saw today while riding home on the bus, which I will not go into detail about, because it might not be considered polite, given the nature of the subject.
3. Not regularly, but I have taken to writing the occasional journal entry in the back of my latest writing notebook, whilst at work.

Originally Posted by tsa

1. Which flowers do you like most? You can name several.
2. What would you like to happen today?
3. When do you feel happy?

1. I am, quite honestly, lousy with flowers. I know a few names, but I have no particular preferences. Yes, this is a serious problem at my age. Most of the women I know enjoy receiving flowers, and I have no capacity for giving them.
2. A nice, long conversation with a close friend of mine, I think.
3. Lately, I don't really feel happy at all. sorry.

Originally Posted by Maquisard

1. How do you think humanity will have evolved a million years from now? Please offer multiple co-existing outcomes.
2. Which pathway would you want your genes to participate in bringing about?
3. Would we get along well with our descendents?

1. A million years from now, if we're not dust, we'll have cross-bred into so many sub-species that we won't even be recognizable as a single species.
2. I don't think I'm interested in contributing to our future gene pool, at least at this time, so my input isn't really valid.
3. I suspect not. We'll have a lot to answer for, after giving the world Will Farrell.

Originally Posted by Intense Degree

1. Would you rather be ruled by round balls of flesh or killer robots?
2. If you could change one thing you did in the last week (i.e. an act and not just something that happened to you) what would it be?
3. If you could have one luxury gadget/item right away that you wouldn't be able to afford or simply wouldn't spend the money on normally what would it be?

1. I already am ruled by round balls of flesh AND killer robots, so really, what's the difference?
2. I would have said hello to the young lady who came to apply/audition for my job at work.
3. Cintiq tablet.
____________________

1) What would you say to someone you find attractive, who is trying to apply for your job?
2) What would you say to your employer about their accepting applications to replace you?
3) Which would you rather do: a) keep working at a job you've come to hate, and that is making you into a complete and utter basketcase, knowing that the money you're making still isn't really enough to solve your financial problems, but also knowing that being employed is about the only thing keeping your wife happy with you at the moment?
or b) stay home and write novels whilst collecting disability insurance (which you are fully entitled to), which you know won't give you enough to afford everything you and your wife have come to require on a monthly basis, but knowing at least that your expenses will come down when you're not buying bus passes and the occasional fast food lunch or dinner because you were too tired to prepare something at home?

(And yes, I am aware that choice c) is use whatever spare time I have to find a new job. Great idea. Too bad I can't seem to find any. Time, that is. Except for right now. Right now, I have time. but I'm about to install a video card that may or may not make my system go 'boink', so we'll see what happens after that.)

[Squinky]

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

I am, quite honestly, lousy with flowers. I know a few names, but I have no particular preferences. Yes, this is a serious problem at my age. Most of the women I know enjoy receiving flowers, and I have no capacity for giving them.

I like carnivorous plants and cacti, but I'm far from a typical woman and you know it.

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

A nice, long conversation with a close friend of mine, I think.

Always happy to oblige.

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

1) What would you say to someone you find attractive, who is trying to apply for your job?
2) What would you say to your employer about their accepting applications to replace you?
3) Which would you rather do: a) keep working at a job you've come to hate, and that is making you into a complete and utter basketcase, knowing that the money you're making still isn't really enough to solve your financial problems, but also knowing that being employed is about the only thing keeping your wife happy with you at the moment?
or b) stay home and write novels whilst collecting disability insurance (which you are fully entitled to), which you know won't give you enough to afford everything you and your wife have come to require on a monthly basis, but knowing at least that your expenses will come down when you're not buying bus passes and the occasional fast food lunch or dinner because you were too tired to prepare something at home?

1. I'd probably try and talk about indie games and other special interests of mine. Or try to be funny. Or both. Of course, the only time anything remotely like that has happened, the person in question was already happily partnered, and likely wouldn't be interested me in that way in a million years.
2. Depending on how comfortable I was with said employer, I'd either ask questions about what was going on or stew alone at my desk and quietly worry. Of course, if I'm about to be replaced, the latter is far, far more likely.
3. Option B sounds way more attractive to me (and is similar to my current situation, except I'm collecting regular employment insurance benefits instead of disability) but as you know, I've never had a spouse. The closest thing I've experienced would be the disapproval/disappointment of my parents, but they aren't directly affected and have been pretty supportive of me regardless.

---

1. Would you ever work for free for a startup company that had no money yet but plenty of potential, if you knew it would be really good for your career?
2. If you're given two job offers at once, what are the most important factors in choosing which one you go for?
3. What do you think about women who show off on musical instruments?

[MoriartyL]

1. If it would be good for me in the long term? Yeah, I'd go for it. I'm still living with my parents, so I have the luxury of not having to worry about money yet.
2. Two? Wowsers. Hard to imagine. Let's see... the one that looks like more fun. That's really the only factor, though "fun" is a complicated thing. I guess in order to be fun there needs to be constant room for growth or else it gets tedious, and it needs to be something that I think I can do well if I try but not too easy. So I'd need to weigh one job against the other to figure out which would end up being more fun.
3. I'm not sure what the significance of asking about "women" rather than "people" is, but I show off on my musical instrument at every possible opportunity so I guess I'd be amused and reassured to see other people with the same compulsion.

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

1. What is your favorite coming-of-age story?
2. What is your favorite time travel story?
3. What is your favorite revenge story?

[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. Would you ever work for free for a startup company that had no money yet but plenty of potential, if you knew it would be really good for your career?
2. If you're given two job offers at once, what are the most important factors in choosing which one you go for?
3. What do you think about women who show off on musical instruments?

1. Have done, would do again, but I'll admit, wouldn't be as easy to do now.
2. Whether I feel 'right' for the position.
3. Teh Hawtniss.

Originally Posted by MoriartyL

1. What is your favorite coming-of-age story?
2. What is your favorite time travel story?
3. What is your favorite revenge story?

1. Stand By Me
2. I'm a Doctor Who fan, so time travel stories come in many flavours for me.
ETA: I finally thought of a time travel story that really does stand out in my head; the Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes TV series on the Beeb.
3. I've enjoyed some revenge-based stories, but I'm not really into revenge, so I can't really name a favourite. Sorry.
____________________

1) What's your favourite romantic story?
2) What's your favorite story featuring death?
3) What's your favourite story featuring sexuality... without being pornographic?

If you don't like certain of my questions, go answer some of Mory's instead.

[Lady Kestrel]

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

1) What's your favourite romantic story?
2) What's your favorite story featuring death?
3) What's your favourite story featuring sexuality... without being pornographic?

1. I have two: Random Harvest by James Hilton and A Town Like Alice (aka The Legacy) by Neville Shute.
2. REAPER MAN by Terry Pratchett
3. Two powerful ones spring to mind: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick SĂĽskind and Kiss of the Spider Woman with Raul Julia and William Hurt.
>>>>>>>>>>
1. What era of history interests you the most?
2. What scientific discovery is most amazing to you?
3. What science fiction event would you like to come true?

[Squinky]

Originally Posted by MoriartyL

1. What is your favorite coming-of-age story?
2. What is your favorite time travel story?
3. What is your favorite revenge story?

1. Now and Then.
2. Life Flashes By.
3. Mean Girls.

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

1) What's your favourite romantic story?
2) What's your favorite story featuring death?
3) What's your favourite story featuring sexuality... without being pornographic?

1. Before Sunrise and its sequel, Before Sunset.
2. Grim Fandango.
3. Judy Blume books?

Originally Posted by Lady Kestrel

1. What era of history interests you the most?
2. What scientific discovery is most amazing to you?
3. What science fiction event would you like to come true?

1. The 1960s.
2. The internet.
3. All people being treated equally.

---

1. What's the one thing (if anything) that you believe you were born to do?
2. When was the last time you really really had to go pee, but the situation wouldn't allow you to?
3. What colour are your socks, if you're wearing any?

[Lady Kestrel]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. The 1960s.

Ah yes, I remember them well.

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. What's the one thing (if anything) that you believe you were born to do?
2. When was the last time you really really had to go pee, but the situation wouldn't allow you to?
3. What colour are your socks, if you're wearing any?

1. To sing (I think I may have some Welsh genes.)
2. Two Wednesdays ago at the intermissionless performance of Everyday Rapture in New York. I would have had to climb over 20 people to get out. By the time the show was over, my eyeballs were floating. Next time I won't have that second glass of wine with lunch.
3. White with little yellow ducks (to match my yellow sweater)
>>>>>>>>>
1. If money wasn't an issue, where would you go on a shopping spree?
2. What magazine(s) do you read and enjoy the most?
3. What's one important lesson you've learned so far in your life?

[Squinky]

1. eBay, particularly for big expensive musical instruments, but probably also for electronics and other kitschy things for my apartment.
2. These days, I read blogs instead of magazines. Some of my current favourites are Shakesville, Tiger Beatdown, and video game-related things that friends of mine write.
3. Being true to oneself yields better results than trying to please everyone, which is a good thing because I don't have a clue as to how to please everyone.

---

1. Tell me about a time when something you thought you wanted wound up not really being what you wanted after all.
2. In what kinds of circumstances do you find it relatively easy to make friends?
3. Why is it okay to use "guys" to refer to people of all genders, but not to use "gals" (or some other feminine equivalent) to do the same?

[Jelena]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. Tell me about a time when something you thought you wanted wound up not really being what you wanted after all.
2. In what kinds of circumstances do you find it relatively easy to make friends?
3. Why is it okay to use "guys" to refer to people of all genders, but not to use "gals" (or some other feminine equivalent) to do the same?

1. Once when I was a kid I nagged at my mother for a pair of pretty shoes. And to my surprise she bought them for me. I felt so ashamed since I never really wanted them, I just felt like nagging.
2. I make friends with people relatively easy since I'm not the least bit shy. So the answer is any kind of circumstance. But making "close" friends is a whole different matter. In that case I have to have the possibility to communicate with this person over time and slowly see if there's that connection I need.
3. I haven't got a clue. In my language we don't use the term "guys" that way.

-----------------------
1. When it comes to making decisions, how do you go about?
2. If you sense there are big changes in your life coming up, how do you feel/react?
3. How do you list (in terms if importance) these three aspects of a job?

• salary
• influence
• atmosphere

[Squinky]

1. I try to imagine myself in either outcome, and choose the scenario that makes me happiest. Then, I come up with all sorts of rational arguments to justify my decision to others.
2. How did you know? Usually, I react by not being able to sleep properly because I'm obsessively thinking about the change and what it will entail.
3. Atmosphere > Influence > Salary. All of the above are important, though. I need enough money to pay the bills, but I can live with not being filthy rich. I need some amount of creativity in the job, but since I do so much creative stuff outside of work anyway, I don't have to have absolute control. However, I refuse to spend 1/3 of my day in an atmosphere that makes me feel like crap.

---

1. Have you ever been successful in negotiating a higher salary/pay? If so, how'd you do it?
2. Have you ever been successful in influencing the creative direction of a project? If so, how'd you do it?
3. Have you ever been successful in improving the atmosphere around you? If so, how'd you do it?

[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Lady Kestrel

1. What era of history interests you the most?
2. What scientific discovery is most amazing to you?
3. What science fiction event would you like to come true?

1. I used to be fascinated with a number of historical periods, but as I have gotten older, I find that my interests have narrowed largely to the 20th Century. That was really my century, and I'm struggling to find my place in this one.
2. The way we've learned to manipulate magnetism to store the work of a lifetime into an object I can hold in my hand.
3. Chip modded brain, so I can 'learn' to do whatever it is I'm being paid to do without the tedium of years of specializing.

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. What's the one thing (if anything) that you believe you were born to do?
2. When was the last time you really really had to go pee, but the situation wouldn't allow you to?
3. What colour are your socks, if you're wearing any?

1. BOOOOOOORNNNN TO BE WIIIIIIIIIIILD!!! No wait, I guess the answer to that has to be writing, novels, graphic novels, songs, video games, whatever, so long as I'm telling stories.
2. There were some rush jobs I had to do a few days ago at work, and had to get it all out of the way before I could sneak upstairs and deal with nature.
3. To be perfectly frank with you, I am wearing a pair of brown walking shorts, and not a stitch otherwise... and the shorts were sort of an afterthought when my wife woke up.

Originally Posted by Lady Kestrel

1. If money wasn't an issue, where would you go on a shopping spree?
2. What magazine(s) do you read and enjoy the most?
3. What's one important lesson you've learned so far in your life?

1) Mac store? Nah, I'd probably just order a laptop and a Cintiq tablet online. Maybe a shiny soundcard and a midi control keyboard and some music composing/editing software for recording digital music, something I've always wanted to try my hand at. And a fricking dummies manual for the software. Man, am I ever tired of buying gear I can't operate easily.
2. Architectural Digest? Heavy Metal? Penthouse? No, to tell the truth, I don't really read magazines very often, and when I do, they're usually rock music magazines, these days. Though I do own copies of the aforementioned titles as well.
3. To be honest, I'm not sure I've learned anything important yet. Everything I thought I knew is sort of in question these days, down to and including who I am and why I'm here. But I think the one maxim I've managed to largely stick by that hasn't been diminished too much over time is, Tell the Truth. Not easy, and I'm not always capable of it, but I find it makes life so much clearer if I stick to the truth. My favourite people are all scrupulously honest, and I want to be loved by these people, so it serves my own selfish purposes to be straight with them as much as possible.

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. Tell me about a time when something you thought you wanted wound up not really being what you wanted after all.
2. In what kinds of circumstances do you find it relatively easy to make friends?
3. Why is it okay to use "guys" to refer to people of all genders, but not to use "gals" (or some other feminine equivalent) to do the same?

1. I would tell you, but it would only complicate things, and perhaps make you cry (and no, I'm not referring to you, darling).
2. On the internet? Hmmn. Well, in my twenties, I was pretty good at making friends in musical settings, but these days, I'm hit and miss with new groups of people.
3. Same reason it's common in English to refer to humanity as mankind or simply man, and I'm sure it's gender politics related, sadly. I've played with that concept a little in my fiction (you'll remember MetFall), but I don't expect it to change any time soon. Sad, really.

Originally Posted by Jelena

1. When it comes to making decisions, how do you go about?
2. If you sense there are big changes in your life coming up, how do you feel/react?
3. How do you list (in terms if importance) these three aspects of a job?

• salary
• influence
• atmosphere

1. Poorly.
2. I usually freak out, go quiet, and hide until the worst of it's over.

Or, you know, jump in and lead the charge. I'm bipolar.
3. Truthfully, I'm not sure how I rank those. the most important thing about any job is whether I feel competent in the role. I know that sounds trite, but it really is an extremely important part of my ability to take a job. if I don't feel I belong there, I get very upset. As you have probably been noticing lately.

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. Have you ever been successful in negotiating a higher salary/pay? If so, how'd you do it?
2. Have you ever been successful in influencing the creative direction of a project? If so, how'd you do it?
3. Have you ever been successful in improving the atmosphere around you? If so, how'd you do it?

1. No, I don't believe I've ever received a non-mandatory raise working for anyone other than myself. the closest I came to that was when Don Ferrigan told me to ask for $25/hr, instead of my usual low-balling. That was an eye-opener. Mind you, if I ever worked for him again, I'd ask for more.
2. I'm kinda pushy when it comes to creative direction, as you well know. I sort of smother my partners in sheer creative output, unless I feel like the project has gotten away from me, in which case, I usually get depressed.
3. I left a job that was crushing my soul, and wrote perhaps the most important novel of my life to date. Then I screwed it all up by getting hired at a job I hate more than I ever did the tool shop.
____________________

1) For the last three Saturdays, around 10PM to 12AM EST, I've been improvising something I call Limbo Radio on Facebook. If I do it again next weekend, what would you like me to play?
2) What's your favourite Beatles song?
3) What musician or musical group have you dreamed of jamming with?

[Hammerite]

1. 'More Like Space' by Seefeel.
2. Don't know much Beatles (sorry everyone) but I'm interested in their tape loop experimenting and things. So... something off of Revolver?
3. Boards of Canada, Cocteau Twins, Atlas Sound, and many others.
__

1. Is there any band that you could talk about for hours on end (if so, what is it)?
2. Would it be weird to go to a club on your own?
3. What are the advantages of shyness?

[Maquisard]

1. I bored someone to tears talking about the Ramones once.
2. Yes.
3. It's a fairly useful protection mechanism that can go horribly wrong, I guess.
____

1. What's your favorite city in the world?
2. How do you know you've eaten enough?
3. Which political figure would you release attack dogs on?

[tsa]

Originally Posted by Maquisard

1. What's your favorite city in the world?
2. How do you know you've eaten enough?
3. Which political figure would you release attack dogs on?

1. Amsterdam!

2. When I feel this filled sensation in my stomach.
3. I can't tell you that.

----

1. What keeps/would keep you awake at night?
2. What can you eat until you drop?
3. Name something that most people like to eat but you find disgusting.

[Intense Degree]

Originally Posted by tsa

1. What keeps/would keep you awake at night?
2. What can you eat until you drop?
3. Name something that most people like to eat but you find disgusting.

1. Work. When I go through particularly stressful periods at work and get behind on stuff I sometimes have trouble sleeping. To be honest I both enjoy and hate the responsibility and sometimes have trouble leaving it at the office, even though I know there is nothing I can do about it by worrying!

2. If you gave me enough meringue I would probably gorge myself to death. I'd like to pretend I'm joking about that but I really think it might be true!

3. Donuts. I absolutely HATE them, the consistency, the texture, the smell ... urggh!

_______________________________________________


1. If you're buying lunch out (but not a sit down restaurant meal) where do you go and what do you order?

2. If you were only ever allowed to order one form of takeaway from this day forth (i.e. Indian/Chinese/Pizza/whatever else) what would it be?

3. If you had to move out of the country and start a new life elsewhere, where would you go?

[Maquisard]

1. Falafel
2. Damn you! Actually it doesn't really matter, 'cause for anything else I can get delivery or sit at the restaurant.
3. I'm living in the 3rd country of my lifetime. So I'd probably go to a previous one I liked better.
______

1. What's your greatest flaw?
2. Are you good at making apologies?
3. How often are you in a situation where apologizing would be the right thing to do?

[Lee in Limbo]

Originally Posted by Hammerite

1. 'More Like Space' by Seefeel.

I'm afraid you've stumped Youtube, and I know I don't have any Seefeel around here, either. sorry, man.

2. Don't know much Beatles (sorry everyone) but I'm interested in their tape loop experimenting and things. So... something off of Revolver?

Tomorrow Never Knows

3. Boards of Canada, Cocteau Twins, Atlas Sound, and many others.

So basically, we need to stage a Lollapalooza event to get them all in one place, right?

Originally Posted by Hammerite

1. Is there any band that you could talk about for hours on end (if so, what is it)?
2. Would it be weird to go to a club on your own?
3. What are the advantages of shyness?

1. Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Beatles... actually, my list could go on a while.
2. I don't really go clubbing, and never on my own.
3. It's curable.

Originally Posted by Maquisard

1. What's your favorite city in the world?
2. How do you know you've eaten enough?
3. Which political figure would you release attack dogs on?

1. NYC.
2. Sometimes, I don't. Other times, my appetite is such, I can hardly eat anything.
3. Stephen Harper.

Originally Posted by tsa

1. What keeps/would keep you awake at night?
2. What can you eat until you drop?
3. Name something that most people like to eat but you find disgusting.

1. When I forget to take my medication.
2. My wife's lasagna
3. Cake.

Originally Posted by Intense Degree

1. If you're buying lunch out (but not a sit down restaurant meal) where do you go and what do you order?
2. If you were only ever allowed to order one form of takeaway from this day forth (i.e. Indian/Chinese/Pizza/whatever else) what would it be?
3. If you had to move out of the country and start a new life elsewhere, where would you go?

1. I'll usually go for a burger, pizza, a sub or a gyro.
2. Indian.
3. The US, or possibly the UK.

Originally Posted by Maquisard

1. What's your greatest flaw?
2. Are you good at making apologies?
3. How often are you in a situation where apologizing would be the right thing to do?

1. Self-confidence. I lack it.
2. I don't know if I'm good at making apologies, but I find myself doing it all of the time.
3. I default to apology whenever anything goes wrong that I feel even tangentially responsible for. No idea if it's the right thing to do, and no idea how to stop myself.
____________________

1) What's your number one favourite summertime drink that doesn't involve carbonation.
2) Have you ever walked away from someone who was lecturing you?
3) If you were at a crossroads in your life where you felt your current career was over, what would you turn to next?

[tsa]

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

1) What's your number one favourite summertime drink that doesn't involve carbonation.
2) Have you ever walked away from someone who was lecturing you?
3) If you were at a crossroads in your life where you felt your current career was over, what would you turn to next?

1. I love fruit juices.
2. I can't imagine that I haven't but I can't remember.
3. I honestly don't know. Science is awesome so I hope I can do science until my pension.

----

1. How do you see the current financial crisis in your own life?
2. Would you switch profession to get a better job?
3. How much would you like to earn in a new job?

[Squinky]

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

For the last three Saturdays, around 10PM to 12AM EST, I've been improvising something I call Limbo Radio on Facebook. If I do it again next weekend, what would you like me to play?

Sadly, I missed last Saturday, but next time, you should play this.

Originally Posted by Lee in Limbo

Self-confidence. I lack it.

Then you need to hang out with people who admire you. Like me.

Originally Posted by tsa

1. How do you see the current financial crisis in your own life?
2. Would you switch profession to get a better job?
3. How much would you like to earn in a new job?

1. It kinda sorta in a way cost me my last job.
2. Nah, my profession's the best I can do for the kind of person I am, I think.
3. More than I make now? (Seriously, though, I'm quite happy with my current job and salary, but then again, I've only been there about a week.)

---

1. If you could automatically become fluent in any language you don't already know, which one would it be?
2. Would you move to a city you hate to be with someone you love?
3. Should "alot" be a dictionary word?

[tsa]

Originally Posted by Squinky

1. If you could automatically become fluent in any language you don't already know, which one would it be?
2. Would you move to a city you hate to be with someone you love?
3. Should "alot" be a dictionary word?

1. German. I live 10 km from the German border and I don't speak a word of German.

2. Yes.

3. Please no

----

1. What are the worst emotions you experienced? Anger, love, fear, etc...

2. Why?

3. When do you feel best?