because a Reverend can't be wrong.
I did this.
I ain’t did this.
Kinda dun it.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo
(more…)
Meme: Take a picture of yourself right now. Don’t change your clothes. Don’t fix your hair. Just take a picture. Post that picture with no editing. Post these instructions with your picture.
Up early, unshowered, started work too soon, messy desk filled with computer crap behind me on one side. Messy shelving filled with camera gear behind me on the other side. This is me.
Here’s the deal: below are my answers to 30 questions. The questions are secret. If you want to know them, you have to agree to do this meme and post it in your own journal/blog/website/email list/whatever. If you’re down for that, drop me a comment and I’ll email you the questions. Wee!
1. Nic
2. Of all the people I talk to regularly today but not counting family, Amanda.
3. For a day? almost anyone. Forever? no one.
4. Cheryl
5. Above all else, myself.
6. Ryan. Jonathan.
7. Laurel.
8. Elizabeth.
9. Emily. Melanie. Melissa.
10. So many of them. So many role models.
11. Myself. Morgan.
12. Jess.
13. Kara.
14. Jet. Joel. (not much, but the closest I can come in my group of friends)
15. Mike. Admit it. He’d look good.
16. Sean.
17. Almost everyone I know, to some extent.
18. No one that I know of.
19. My Dad. Erica.
20. Ryan. Josh.
21. Johnny.
22. Lauren.
23. Um. My actual boss.
24. Mr “Excuse me”.
25. Lots of my friends, actually. Listing them all seems silly.
26. No one.
27. Myself. Gloria. Morgan (I think).
28. Melissa. Melanie.
29. Jess.
30. Hi.
(I really need to start using LJ, MySpace Blog, Facebook Notes, something else for this stuff)
I believe this is a beautiful idea during this gimme-gimme holiday season.
1) Make a post in your blog/journal containing your 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from something cheap and simple, to a your very own country. Include a method of contacting you if it isn’t already well know.
2) Look around amongst your friends and the blogs and journals that you read and see if there are any wishes you can afford to grant. If there is, and it’s in your heart to do so, then give. If you have the ability to “tag” in whatever you use to blog, you may considering using the tag “makeyourwish” so others can find your list more easily.
There are no rules, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you’ll have the joy of knowing you made someone’s holiday special.
My list:
1. original art by YOU and other LIVING art
2. photographs and drawings of animals for the baby’s room
3. human subjects for photography projects
4. A Nikon D300
5. a hiking/camping partner
6. peace within and without
7. large, empty-ish, enclosed spaces for photography projects (warehouses, barns, garages, photo studios, etc)
8. mostly natural land to use for photography projects (fields, pastures, woods, etc)
9. secrets
10. a device to allow for nearly instantaneous transportation (see any number of sci-fi series for reference design, i.e. Star Trek, Star Gate, etc)
email: jim at revjim dot net
A to Z meme. Stolen from Emily and Jet.
accent: I sound like a Californian who grew up with parents who had an upstate New York accent who has lived in Texas for the last half of his life. Most people say I have the pace and inflection of Quentin Tarantino. This, by the way, is not a compliment.
booze: If I choose it’ll be Martinis (gin please) or Manhattans (extra cherries please). But, usually, I’ll drink whatever you’re drinking.
chore I hate: calling people just to make sure they are doing what they told me they would do. I actually got laughed at — laughed at — by someone yesterday for actually scheduling time each day to follow up and check with people that owe me information. I found myself rather confused that she didn’t.
dogs/cats: I have two cats but would love a dog. Really, I love all animals. Except Raccoons. They are evil and they attack in numbers in the middle of the night. I nearly escaped death by Raccoons last August in Canada. Don’t bother asking Jess. She’s one of them.
essential electronics: if I could only pick one thing, it would be just a plain ole telephone. Of course, the full arsenal includes a mobile phone with data and email capabilities, an iPod, and some form of full screen computing device like a laptop or desktop computer.
flower: Texas Indian Paintbrush
gold/silver: I like the look of both in certain circumstances. For instance, if your an African tribesman and happen to have your ears and armpits pierced with 1/2″ thick hoops, silver just looks tacky — go with gold. But, if I’m going to wear it on a regular basis, I think something silver in color looks best. Platinum works for me.
hometown: Give me a few like minded folks and a small harem and I’ll call it home.
insomnia: Yes please. I miss the old days when I could count on any number of people to be around after midnight. Now, I rarely manage to find even one.
job title: Senior Staff Consultant. Kinda funny, huh?
kids: the bun is in the oven. I repeat, the bun is in the oven.
living arrangements: Currently residing in a cozy 3 bedroom on the South Side of the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area. I reside there with my hot, loving, wife and two insane felines. We’re expecting the first of an army of open-minded, geeky programmer spawn to arrive in December. Harem and Residential applications are always being accepted. Please email your application, a list of credentials, and several photos of yourself to me for consideration. Thank you.
most admired trait: I personally admire my persistence and tenacity mixed with my great analytical skills. I find that these three things are responsible for the majority of my life’s successes. Then again, they seem to be responsible for some of my greatest losses as well. I would say most other people admire my kindness, caring, open mindedness, or a combination there in. A select few admire me for various physical features.
number of sexual partners: My thoughts and philosophy on sex, love, and intimacy are different enough from what I sense from the majority of people that I feel answering this from my interpretation would lead to some miscommunication. So instead I will say that regardless of how I count this number, most of you will consider my answer to be either average or slightly high. I might also add that I consider myself to be very reserved when it comes to who I share these aspects of my life with and am certain that my number is a lot lower than it would have been had I accepted the same type of opportunities that I’ve seen the majority of people accept.
overnight hospital stays: never
phobia: I don’t care for flying or jumping bugs of any variety though bees, wasps, hornets, and cicada are certainly at the top of that list.
quote: “Floor … burning — must find … pork chops” — Jim Reverend
religion: I most often identify myself as NeoPagaTrancenDanielIstic. I’ve learned that, along with political discussion and discussions involving sexuality, religious topics should be reserved for a select few. Pick the word apart if you’d like to know a little more. If you’d like to know a lot more, let’s meet for coffee some time. Your place or mine. Wear something… nice.
siblings: I have one brother, one step brother, one half sister, and about 5 or 10 other people that I am close enough with to consider to be adopted brothers or sisters.
time I usually wake up: somewhere between 4:30 and 6:30am, depending on when I went to bed the night before.
unusual talent: really, I don’t consider any of my talents unusual. If you’d like to examine my full range of skills and let me know which of them are unusual I’ll submit to such scrutiny. Your place or mine. Wear something… nice.
worst habit: I have a tendency to push most open ended questions or situations to an end in the interests of clarity. Most of the time this works out well but, in the past, it has destroyed a few
x-rays: from my eyes, usually. sometimes from my finger tips.
yummy foods: popcorn. peanut m&ms. cherry garcia ice cream.
zodiac: cancer. I don’t know much more than that but I’d be happy to have a full work up. Just say when. Wear something… nice.
1. What is your best friend’s Dad’s name?
Robert
2. What body part do you hate?
My gut, my legs, and my third penis.
3. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?
Mrs. Mercado. Oh my god! I had a big crush on her from 2nd to at least 6th grade.
4. Have you ever made out in a garage?
Um…. I don’t think so. But maybe.
5. What’s your reason for doing this survey?
For every internet survey you take, Bill Gates will mail you $0.10. It’s part of a new internet program to test new Microsoft tracking software. Try it.
6. Do you have any piercings?
One: in between my big toe and first toe on my right foot. It’s stretched enough that I usually keep a master lock there. It’s symbolic, ya know?
7. Do you have any tattoos?
Yeah. But I’ll only show you if you show me.
8. Is your driveway steep?
In Texas, No. In New York… not really. So, I guess the answer is just no. Well, not “just no”. Just no. Errr. I mean, the answer is no, and nothing else. Not counting the “and nothing else” part, of course. You know?
9. What’s your favorite flavored Pringles?
Plain. That way I can imagine my own seasonings.
10. Have you ever been tied up?
Oh hell yeah! Back in the 80s, we had this phone in our kitchen with a 50+ foot cord (because cordless wasn’t really a thing yet) and I’d walk all around the house talking on it and several times I got very tied up because my girlfriend would call me up and tell me to spin around in circles really fast, so I would. I’d tell her to stop, but she wouldn’t. I’d even use the safe word, but she wouldn’t listen. … I wish they made mobile phones with really long cords like that. I miss them.
11. What was the worst thing you ever got grounded for?
When the cops called my parents to report my car as abandoned because it was found on the side of a road in the middle of nowhere when, in actuality we were up in the top of a nearby barn drinking and such.
12. Have you ever had two dates in one night?
Every night has two dates, the one before midnight and the one after. And the one after can be much uglier since, by then, I’ve already had a lot to drink.
13. Which shoe do you put on first?
Whichever I pick up first.
14. How old are you?
I lost track after 500; somewhere around 1500. Oh wait, you mean in this life… 29.
15. Have you ever been in a gay bar?
Oh yes. Spent my 21st birthday in one. Didn’t even realize it was a gay bar for at least 45 minutes because I was too focused on the hot thing playing the piano. Turns out he was gay too. Damn it.
16. Have you ever had any Friends with Benefits?
If a friend doesn’t come with benefits, what’s the point of having them?
17. Is there one thing all of the times you have been in love have in common?
The Police have been involved.
18. Have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?
No, and No.
19. Who is the last person you usually think about before you fall asleep?
Jess. Or your mom. Especially last night. Damn.
20. Have you ever had a song written about you?
Jess writes me songs all the time.
21. If you had to choose to not ever wash your bed sheets or your towel ever which would it be?
Eh. It wouldn’t matter. If I couldn’t wash my sheets, I’d just shower before and after bed each day and air them out once a week. And if I couldn’t wash my towel, I’d either drip dry, or just roll around in my sheets and then replace them.
22. Have you ever found anything in your parents’ bedroom that was questionable?
Yes. It wasn’t questionable at the time, though. I just figured everyone’s parents must keep spices under the bathroom sink.
23. What was your childhood nickname?
Little Man! No really. It was.
24. When is the last time you played the air guitar?
When was the last time the radio was on?
25. Have you ever peeked in the opposite sex’s locker room?
I’ve TRIED, but only from spots that I was allowed to be in. It wasn’t ever very successful.
26. What’s the weirdest thing you have done while driving?
Weird? I don’t understand. If I do anything weird, then I’m sure I’ve done it while driving too.
27. Have you ever bitten your toenails?
Even if I could, I wouldn’t. But I’m pretty sure I can’t.
28. How do you normally eat your Oreo cookies?
I don’t really eat Oreos.
29. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?
Depends on who’s serving them and what their intent is.
30. Why are you doing this survey?
Again, it’s for the $0.10. I need it. Bad. I have a house to buy.
31. What was the best year of your life?
Seriously, every year seems better than the last. I’ve had some darker years in the past where that wouldn’t be true, but, since Jess and I got together, things have only gotten better and better.
32. Any strange phobias?
I fear holes. No really. If there’s a hole that I can’t see the bottom/top of, I don’t like it: holes in the ground, changing air conditioning filters, sticking my hand in the garbage disposal, etc.
33. Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?
Nope. Only American objects.
34. whens the last time you threw up?
I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you a throw up.
35. Have you ever called your love interest by another girl/guys name?
Only on purpose.
36. Have you ever gotten caught sleeping while on a date?
I usually wait for her to fall asleep first. Easier to undress her without her knowing.
37. Have you ever played naked Twister?
Naked games are fun. But, of them all, I’m sure Twister is the worst.
38. Have you ever been drunk at work/school?
No and no.
39. How many Ellie’s do you know?
I’m with Tanya on this one: what’s an Ellie?
40. how old do you want to die?
I used to say 35. Sounded like a good number to go out with a bang on. With a wife and a kid on the way, I’ll extend that a bit. Take me out when I’m 40. I’ll do my best to populate the Earth before then. Just form one line to the left please.
… JET-Lagged! Get it!? JET-Lagged! Cause Jet writes the surveys but LAGS behind in completing them herself. JET-Lagged! Hahahaha. Sorry. Yeah. It’s that kind of day.
Ok, here goes.
1) Name two factors that majorly influenced your childhood.
Living in Inland California and moving to Texas in the middle of my Sophomore year
2) What is the most recent thing that has surprised or shocked you?
The realization that I am living almost entirely for others and very little for myself.
3) What makes you feel like a kid again?
Snow Cones and The Ice Cream Man. “Ice Cream Man! Mom! Give me a MONEY!“
4) If you could design something of your own creation with complete access to everything you need at no cost, what would you create?
A photography book exploring various people (famous and not-so-famous) as they progress through regular aspects of daily life (i.e. getting ready in the morning, making dinner, showering, getting ready for bed, working, etc) in extraordinary or interesting ways.
5) Do you have brand loyalty (otherwise known as a Lovemark)? If so, to whom are you loyal?
Only in situations where I’ve been locked in by a brand for compatibilities sake.
6) Name an unusual pet peeve you have.
People eating even remotely messy food while driving a car.
7) What was the last thoughtful thing that you did for someone else?
I called my mom on the way to work this morning, does that count? I drove to Denton and back on Saturday to pick up a friend for a photo session that we’d both been wanting to do.
8) Growing up, you were known as the kid who ___ .
Early On: knew everything. Later: always had a girlfriend. Later Still: was screwed up thanks to his girlfriend.
9) What is your most notable trait?
Perseverance.
10) Do you enjoy getting dressed up? Why or why not?
Yes! Aside from when I go hiking or do something that going to cause me to get dirty and sweaty, I prefer to look nice. I really don’t know why, I just like looking nice. Of course a lack of time and funds doesn’t always let that happen. But I do as often as I can. And, from time to time, I think it’s really fun to get really dressed up and go out, even though I don’t really have anyone who wants to get dressed up and go out with me. :)
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.
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.
Yesterday was T^4 (Three Terrific Things Thursday). I missed it. Again. I’ll just blame it on Erica since she missed it too and I tend to use her as my metronome for this.
But I still think it’s important. So, a day late, here it is.
Three of the Five weeks will be spent in Syracuse. The remaining two weeks will be spent in Canada. I’m even going to get to go visit my mom, my aunt, and my grandma one weekend. And, aside from the days I must spend working, our time will be spent doing things we enjoy, because we enjoy them, with no one else getting in the way. I intend to spend a lot of time taking photographs. And, while in Canada, I may even get to go on an overnight canoeing or camping trip with Mel. Wooo!
Special thanks to Stacey and Alan and Kristy and Kal for making sure that our kitties stay safe and cared for while we’re away.
Tonight we’re going out to Dinner with Mike. Saturday afternoon, if we don’t get rained out, we’ll be spending time with friends at a park in Mansfield. Sunday I get to spend time with my family. More than likely I’ll spend one or both mornings photographing something somewhere (let me know if you’re interested in coming along). Mixed in there somewhere, I’m sure I’ll see more of the people I love and care about.