Not only did Jet write this Survey, but I’ve been tagged as many times as a cheap hooker with a birthday special, so I guess I’d better do it.
This was the longest survey ever. You’d better read every damn word! :)
Basic info:
1. What’s your middle name?
James. As in Daniel James.
2. Where were you born?
The beautiful high desert town of Victorville, CA. At least I remember it as beautiful. It’s been at least 18 years or so since I’ve been there.
3. Where have you lived and where do you live now?
With Parents: Colton, CA; San Bernardino, CA; Bloomington, CA; Irving, TX; Keller, TX
With Roommates: Fort Worth, TX (w/Tony); North Richland Hills, TX (w/Dan); Bedford, TX (w/Dan); Hurst, TX (w/Dan, David, and Julie); Euless, TX (two apartments, practically lived with Kim); Carrollton, TX (w/Brad then Jaclyn); Dallas, TX (w/Justin, directly above Joel and Emily)
With Jess: Irving, TX (across the street from Brad and Morgan); Plano, TX; Savannah, TX
Yeah. I move a lot.
4. What do you do for work? Are you in your desired profession or are you working toward something else (what?)?
I am a project manager and staff consultant for one of the largest telecommunications providers in the US. It’s hard to consider this my desired profession, simply because the specifics of the job are general enough to be used in any profession. The work is fulfilling enough on a good day, however it’s certainly not anything I ever desired to grow up to be.
If I could be anything I wanted, I’d be a professional photographer or a teacher. Or both.
5. Do you collect anything? (If so, what?)
I collect stories and feelings and moments as photographs.
6. Do you have a particular affinity for anything?
I have a few vices.
I crave attention. You probably wouldn’t know it, but it’s true. Not attention in that way that means I need 100 people around me at all times, but I like to be thought of. Maybe it’s pathetic but it really makes my day if someone goes out of their way to show me that they care or are thinking of me. Like today when Jess drove all the way to Irving just to help me pick out glasses when I didn’t even ask her to because she knew I’d like some help.
When it comes to food, I love popcorn. Nothing fancy. Just a little salt and, maybe, from time to time, a little butter. I also love milk. When I actually let myself drink milk, I usually drink so much that my belly hurts.
The only other affinity I can think of is a bit dirty, so you’ll have to email me if you want to know. Most of you that have ever seriously flirted with me probably already do, though. And the rest of you probably don’t care. :)
7. What’s your view on religion and/or spirituality?
First of all, I believe that the true atheists — those that believe we actually came from a big spark and just evolved into what we are now — are fooling themselves. Beyond that, I can’t be certain. I tend to find peace, meaning, power, and reverence in that bond that two or more people seem to share the supercedes any physical connection. This is why I take such great interest in the lines we draw.
Growing up (childhood/teenage years):
1. What is your most vivid memory?
I have too many to count. Here’s a short list.
- Punching my best friend, Scott Mills, in the back for no reason at the monkey bars on the playground. (7yrs)
- Watching my first porn that just so happened to involve bananas with my friends Tony and Anthony. (10 yrs)
- My first real kiss. It was with Julie Thompson outside the locker room. (12 yrs)
- Getting caught feeling up my girlfriend by her sister. (13 yrs)
- Crying in the rain at the dumpster in our first Texas apartment complex trying to find the box of stuff I threw away the night before in anger and realizing the garbage man had come. (14 yrs)
2. What is the most random memory you’ve recently remembered?
Most of my memories are random, so, it’s hard to decide which is the MOST random. I do recall, now that I’m trying to think of things, the one time I actually got with the girl I had wanted so bad the last few years of elementary school and all through junior high. 6 years after the fact we actually hooked up once. It was, interesting.
3. What was your favorite toy (one for all of your different ‘phases’ is okay)?
My computer. A first a Timex Sinclair. Then a TRS-80. Then an x386.
4. What was your favorite book? Did you read it again as an adult? How did your perception of the book change, or did it?
I really enjoyed all of Shel Silverstein’s poetry and found myself reading it quite often in earlier years. Towards the end of my teenage years I enjoyed the poetry of William Blake the most.
5. Were you indoors or outdoors more often?
I’ve always been pretty outdoorsy. My dad used to take us hiking all over the deserts and mountains of California. As I got older that lessened a but, until about 7 or 8 years ago when it came back full swing.
6. What music did you listen to (again, by ‘phase’ is okay)?
Prior to High School, I listen to country and oldies like my parents did. Towards the end of Junior High and into my Sophomore year of High School I listened to metal. G-N-F-N-R, Metallica, etc. My favorite bands were Def Leppard and Tesla. Towards the end of High School I was a big punk fan enjoying Tilt, the Queers, Green Day, Propaghandi, Screeching Weasel, Jawbreaker, Face to Face, Operation Ivy, the Vandals, and many, many more.
7. Were you radically different as a teenager than you are now? If so, how?
Externally, I was certainly different. But, inside, I think I had the same desires, the same fears, and the same very general goals. It’s kind of sad to think that I may not have progressed at all in the past 10 years.
8. Given the choice, would you have preferred video games, board games, or the arcade?
Board Games
Random Questions:
1. If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
I don’t really know super heroes, but from Heroes the TV show I would want to be Hiro.
2. What’s your favorite color and why?
Brown. Because I like it.
3. What type of animal is your favorite? Why?
Cats, Turtles and Frogs. Cats because they are honest with what they intend to offer and what they expect from you. Turtles because there’s something majestic about creatures that live for such a great length of time. I don’t know why I like frogs.
4. Not considering anything except looks (ignore gas mileage, cost, etc), what vehicle would be your next purchase?
A Hummer or a Range Rover, purely for the off-road prowess.
5. Name three things you’re good at.
1) photography
2) seeing a situation from all angles
3) counting
4) listening
6. Name three hobbies that you’ve had in the past.
1) photography
2) rock polishing
3) hiking/exploring
4) guitar
7. What hobbies are you currently pursuing?
same as above. well, minus the rock polishing.
8. What kinds of music do you listen to (no cop-outs on this question! I want specifics!)?
specifics? ok… Mike Doughty/Soul Coughing; Regina Spektor; Dave Matthews; Smashing Pumpkins; Ben Harper; Josh Ritter; Old 97s
9. Do you prefer movies or television? Why?
I don’t really prefer one over the other.
10. What TV shows have you watched all episodes of?
Lost, House, Heroes, BSG, Buffy, Saved by the Bell, Friends, CSI all of them, NCIS.
11. What type of movie is your favorite and why? On this question, I’d like a description of the genre or style, not specific movies (but maybe as examples).
Anything that makes me think.
12. How do you recharge when you’re physically and/or mentally worn out?
usually, time alone. maybe I’ll listen to music, read a book, watch TV, or enjoy the finer points of being alone and pantless.
13. Tell me something I don’t know about you.
I don’t think there’s anything I could write here that would be true for everyone who would read it.
14. Tell me a strange habit that you have.
I cannot stand the smell of food on my hands. After most meals I have to use the restroom and wash my hands so I don’t smell them all day.
15. Write a haiku. 5-7-5
Though it’s wrong, I know,
I feel good seeing you now.
You don’t look happy.
16. Describe your favorite article of clothing.
My North Face tech pants are awesome: They are comfortable; They are cool when needed and warm when needed; They don’t look bad in a pinch; I can kneel in mud and, within 20 minutes, they’ll be dry and clean again; they make my ass look great!
17. Describe your favorite used-item purchase (e.g. from a thrift store, resale shop, antique store, etc).
A T-Shirt from Oregon that says “Volunteers Make a Difference”
18. What kinds of food are “comfort food” to you? Do you make it yourself, or do you preferred it prepared by someone or someplace in particular?
Popcorn. Or Popcorn and Milk. Or, if it’s real bad, Popcorn, Milk, and Chocolate.
19. What makes you feel “old”? Does it worry you, or do you laugh about it?
My joints hurt a lot more than they used to. It worries me.
20. Recommend three websites: one blog link, one serious link, and one humorous link.
Blog: Dive Into Mark – All around interesting Geek Guy.
Serious: Strobist – Seriously Cheap flash.
Humorous: HijinksEnsue – Funny webcomic written by a friend of mine.
