Those of you who've been around the e-mail world for a while are well aware of all those "here's all about me, tell me all about you!" e-mails. The whole premise is that you get an e-mail from a friend that asks twenty million, which they've answered for themselves. You forward that email to all your friends, except you answer all those questions as they pertain to you. If you all answer, then you all get to know all about one another. Ain't that sweet and happy and friendly? Naturally, being a writer and curious about people and wanting to pacify other people's curiousity, I answer them. Naturally, being a very private person, I don't always answer them seriously. At any rate, I've compiled as many of the questions as I could find and my answers to them. If I've missed any questions, feel free to send them to me via Western Union. Or e-mail. But do NOT call me at 4:30 in the morning. Odds are more in favor that I've gone to bed already (but not necessarily) and definitely that I've not gotten out of bed yet.
FULL NAME: Beth Ann Miller
NICKNAMES: Betharoni, Ronies, b, TechInept, Sistah Bethieeeeeeeeeee, Bessie, Beff(y), You (as in, "Hey! You!), Hank's sister, Brat, Fun-Girl, Hair, Tree-Killer, Witch, Sarcastic Woman, Sick-Girl
DOB: 5 Sept 1975
WHAT'S YOUR SIGN? "Winter Parking Rules" ;-) You know my birthday...go look it up;) It's the picky perfectionist one that drives everyone nuts. So maybe there is something to astrology...yeah, right.
HEIGHT: 5' 4 3/4" - or something like that. According to a friend, there's no way I'm 5'5", so figure it out for yourself...
EYE COLOR: I'm called the green-eyed monster, and I wouldn't say jealousy is an overly strong trait in me. (It is, but I wouldn't say it.)
PARENTS: Yes, I have them.
SIBLINGS AND THEIR AGES: Henry (26), Sistah Keeeeeeeerstie (22), Jacob (21), Sistah Leeeeeeeeane (20), Brotha John (19), and Rebecca (15)
LOCATION: Wayzata (I defy you to pronounce THAT!), Minnesota, USA
HOME TOWN: I'd say "Middle of Nowhere". It's in Rockford (MN) Township, but the address is Buffalo. I'm a country gal (which differs from a farm gal). I did do most of my "growing up" in New Hope, MN, though (moved just before I turned 11).
SCHOOL: 1998 Graduate of U of MN--Morris (graduated "with distinction") with BA in English (and minor in math. Don't ask), 1994 Graduate of the old Buffalo High School (graduated with honors). Just call me "nerd."
FAVORITE SCHOOL: Oxford! Wish I woulda gone there--I mean to school there. I've been to the city. Harvard...Yale...MIT. Wish I would've gone there, too.
BEST FRIENDS: Robert--my imaginary friend;) and oh, they know who they are.. (Hi, Keeeerstie! Hi, Leanne! Hi, Marfa! Hi, Lynae! oh...nevermind!)
PETS AND THEIR NAMES: I count the pets in my parents' home. Cats: Bootsie and Snowball, Brothers: Hank, Jacob, John ;) I refuse to count my sister's rabbits. If you count my plants, I have "Ivy" (an ivy plant of some kinda), "Etta" (a poinsetta), David (a prayer plant), and I'm working on growing some Thyme, which I'll name "Justin"
JOBS: *ahem* Word Processing Administrator for...Rats. They changed our name again. I work for the health care part of Clarke/Bardes, Inc. Is that good enough? I've worked as an intern at StorageTek Network Systems Group in the Technical Communications department, a tutor at the Univeristy of Minnesota--Morris in math, and at McDonald's.
THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO: Chat on IRC with my friends, read, write, read, play the flute, daydream, be silly, sing in the car, make *BAD* puns, be sarcastic, take pictures, draw, create web pages, surf the 'net, make messes, bake cookies, sew, not stab myself in the eye with pencils, become a nerd, chase fish out of my disk drive, make up stories...
THINGS YOU COLLECT: Books, fun things, quotes, pennies, stickers, knowledge, money (got any to spare? send it on to me!)
BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN: Don't walk in front of me, I probably won't follow; Don't walk behind me, I may not lead; Walk beside me so I can whap you if you start being annoying. Never fight an inanimate object. (1. Life is a roller coaster of ups and downs--enjoy the ride! 2. Life is hard, live right. 3. Everything comes out in the wash.)
WORST ADVICE EVER GIVEN: You might not want to do that.
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: Don't worry about your health, it'll go away. (The most wasted of days is one without laughter)
WORST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED: Of course you can do that! It's easy.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? "True love is the best thing ever; except for cough drops" (from the Princess Bride) (Actually, this could change daily. I also really love: "Every good interpretive dance ends in a nosebleed," which my co-worker Lori told me one day.)
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE QUOTE? Anything overly sappy. Sap belongs in trees, not in words.
COOLEST EXPERIENCE IN LIFE: IRC get togethers :) Trip to England w/ all it's mini-trips--esp to Cyprus/Isreal/Egypt, Going to Toronto to see Mama Mia!, Two week tour of NW w/ looni, working in drive thru at McD's in winter (actually, that was more cold than cool, but *shrug*. I'm easily amused. Almost anything is nifty when you get down to it.
SCARIEST EXPERIENCE: Watching my dad carried out of the house on a stretcher. Getting thrown from a horse. When we rolled the car. Seeing a snake (happened multiple times). Any number of nightmares.
STUPIDEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE: Would probably be the time we rolled the car....I've done LOTS of stupid things, though... Wait...I think wasting time filling this out might be it;)
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO: Whatever's in front of me...I'd hate to run into something and get a bump on my head. That would hurt.
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE SUMMER: Beaches/swimming, etc., Be in the sun, go camping/canoeing, go for looooong walks, swing, blow soap bubbles
LEAST FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE SUMMER: Go to work, get a sunburn
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE FALL: Go on walks, crunch through the leaves
LEAST FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE FALL: Go to work, start wearing a coat regularly
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE WINTER: Complain about the cold;) build snowmen, go ice skating, go sledding, drink cocoa while reading in front of a fire
LEAST FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE WINTER: Drive in snow, slip on ice, go to work, stand outside
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE SPRING: enjoy the sunshine! watch the flowers bloom--specially the lilac bush and my rose bush
LEAST FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THE SPRING: Get muddy, go to work, sneeze
LITTLE KNOWN TALENT YOU POSSESS: I breath.
WELL-KNONW TALENT I POSSESS: I write.
LITTLE KNOWN TALENT I DON'T POSSESS: I can't tie shoes.
IN THE CAR, AC OR OPEN WINDOWS: AC! That was one of my top three requirements when I got my car;) (I got two out of three...) I like the windows down in spring when I'm going somewhere that doesn't require my hair to look decent.
WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY: lungs, intestines, heart, veins, arteries...OH...that kind of question...uh...honesty, caring, intelligent, sense of humor, patience, rich (J/K!!!), same religious beliefs
WHAT YOU DON'T WANT IN A GUY: Snobby, pure immaturity
WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IN A GIRL: friendship, loyalty, kindness, sense of humor (no snobs need apply;) wants to be a nun;)
WHAT YOU DON'T WANT IN A GIRL: Snobby
ARE YOU A GOOD FRIEND? I try to be, and thus hope I am!
FUTURE GOALS: Keep breathing, not kill anyone, learn to play the bagpipes, be a nun, get a life, speak latin, be content, learn all four verses to the Star Spangled Banner, eventually get all my pictures into photo albums, finish all the sewing projects--oh, all the projects in general--that I've started, keep my apartment clean, get rid of this migraine that's forming...
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?: An old witch spinster scaring the little kids of the neighborhood.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OUIJA BOARDS? I don't. Think, that is.
FAVORITE COLORS: blue....some shades of pink...
LEAST FAVORITE COLORS: Orange, ugly greens
FUNNIEST PERSON YOU KNOW: Tony Gauderman when he's in the right mood, Jacob Miller when he's around certain people, John Halsrud (and Ron), Leanne and Keeeeeeeerstie when we get going, Corey when he gets in weird moods on irc, Joe (the computer science tutor at morris) when we worked together, Bob Strootman, except when he plays THAT South Park Sound file. That's really not funny, Bob. Oh, I give up....almost everyone would make this list at some point....
FUNNIEST PERSON YOU DON'T KNOW: (I admit to making this one up!) Dave Barry. Paul Mathers. Miss Manners (I know most of you are thinking right here, "Oh, it's another of Beth's silly answers." You're wrong. I'm serious. Miss Manners has written some VERY funny stuff. Goes to show you never know about people!)
FAVORITE VACATIONING SPOT: Tie between Boundary Waters and Hawaii.
LEAST FAVORITE VACTIONING SPOT: Hostile tribes in the rainforest
FAVORITE SUBJECT: English, math, American History
LEAST FAVORITE SUBJECT: European History, biology
WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? At work: it's maroon. I'm not even sure I HAVE a mouse pad at home. UPDATE: I have a mouse pad. It's for Black Hole Internet services. "Nothing escapes us." Although my brother pointed out that it should say "Nothing of substance escapes us." Sounds pretty accruate for the internet.
FAVOURITE BOARD GAME: Trivial Pursuit.
LEAST FAVORITE BOARD GAME: Monopoly. It takes entirely too long
FAVORITE MAGAZINE: Tie between: Victoria, Games, Newsweek, Martha Stewart Living
LEAST FAVORITE MAGAZINE: US?
FAVORITE SMELL: The gym locker room. mm-mmm. :) (vanilla or flowers that I'm not allergic to, camp fires)
LEAST FAVORITE SMELL: Flocks(?), methane, burning tires, 'bathroom';)
FAVORITE SOUND: waves, laughter, keyboard ;)
LEAST FAVORITE SOUND: I'm easily startled: fingernails on chalkboard, forks on certain types of plates, telephones
BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD: Complete elation. You want examples? I'll try. Love of all kinds. Being helped/helping someone in a time of need. Holding a tiny baby. Laughing at a good joke. Laughing with friends. Hanging out with close friends. Your team winning. Being trusted. Peaceful silence. Truth.
WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD: pain. Especially mental and emotional. I know you want specific examples, but I can't even start to list them. Okay, I will. An infant's funeral. Being in a car accident from which you might not survive. Finding out a friend/relative died. Learning about the moral decay of the world. Helplessness in time of need. Failing someone who was counting on you. Realizing that some mistakes can't be corrected. Being betrayed/lied to. Not knowing.
IN AND AROUND THE CD PLAYER : Probably a lot of dust....do I look like the cleaning lady to you? j/k. DISCO *grin* ('though I am serious!). Eighties! Almost anything, though mostly stuff from musicals,etc, and classical...some "pop" and some "alternative"...some oldies...I guess it depends on my mood. I like music a lot. I listen to nearly everything in some form or another. I really like my 80's music and "musical music"
NEVER NEAR THE CD PLAYER: Not overly fond of heavy acid metal/hard-core alternative and country, but there are songs from those genres that I like, too.
FAVORITE BAND: ABBA!!!!
LEAST FAVORITE BAND: Probably Shania Twain(spell?). The irony is that I like SINGING her songs, but I absolutely HATE the songs.
FAVORITE SONG: Depends, see favorite music. On My Own, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Let's Here it For the Boy, The Winner Takes it All, Knowing me, Knowing You, Beethoven's Fifth, Everything's Alright, Anything but Lonely, Everything You Know is Wrong, I am a Rock, A Most Peculiar Man, Yesterday...is that enough? *grin*
LEAST FAVORITE SONG: Da da da--even though I've never heard it....I don't WANT to hear it...I heard three seconds and almost had to kill myself before I could change the station! Actually, there are more than that, but I'm trying to forget them.
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK: Soundtrack implies "musical/movie"...well, I'd like to hear "Mama Mia" (YES! AN ABBA MUSICAL), but I haven't so it can't be my favorite. I know my favorite. Les Miserables.
LEAST FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK: It would have to Romeo and Juliet. Not that I've ever heard it or have any idea of what's on the soundtrack, but I HATE THE PLAY.
FAVORITE "TOY" : My Mac...except the power surge from the phone lines took care of THAT...I like my new IBM and all, but I'd really like another Mac. I feel like I betrayed myself getting an IBM. Can I ever forgive me? Well, at least I learned my lesson. Mac or nothing!
LEAST FAVORITE "TOY": My vacuum cleaner--does that count? ;)
FAVORITE BOOK: I'm an English major and you're asking me for my favorite book? Do you have an conception of how many books are in my apartment right now? Let's put it this way: the people who live below me would be justified in being worried about this place collapsing! Probably Les Miserables.... Or Pride and Prejudice. Or Persuasion. Or Hitchhikers' Series. Or Dave Barry
LEAST FAVORITE BOOK: ROMEO AND JULIET. I hate the traditional way Romeo and Juliet is known. The other day I realized it was a COMEDY, not a tragedy, and I like it much better.
BOOK YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ: Implying that I currently CANnot...Les Mis in the original French . But of books written in English/American, I have a list approximate two million books I wanna read.
BOOK YOU NEVER WANT TO READ: ULYSSES, by James Joyce. I had to read part of it for class and am convinced it's stupid and insipid (I like that word)
FAVORITE AUTHOR: Jane Austen, Bill Shakespaere ;) <--English major joke.
LEAST FAVORITE AUTHOR: James Joyce. Not overly fond of F. Scott Fitzgerald or Hemmingway, but I can deal with them.
FAVORITE COMIC/CARTOON CHARACTER: Calvin and Hobbes, Dilbert, Far Side & it's clones, Heart of the City
LEAST FAVORITE COMIC/CARTOON CHARACTER: Mark Trail. But I still read him every day out of some weird obsession.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU AWAKE IN THE MORNING? I don't think. If I do, it's probably "What time is it?" And then I curse (in terms of a curse, not swearing) my alarm clock. I should be a witch. I'm an expert at cursing things. Too bad my curses don't work. Sigh.
WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU THINK OF IN THE MORNING: Ohhhh, I can't wait to get out of bed!
DO YOU GET MOTION SICKNESS? On ships in stormy weather, apparently. I have a few problems reading in the car for really long periods, especially if I'm warm.
ROLLER COASTERS -SCARY OR EXCITING? Both. I'm scared of heights, but enjoy the thrill.
PEN OR PENCIL? Does it write? Good. I use a pencil with my check book, but a pen or marker for most writing. I enjoy "writing utensils" and like finding the cool new or different ones. I'm fairly upset that my cartridge pen leaks ink all over my hands. But at least it gives me something to whine about. I got a fountain pen recently. Now that is cool!
HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE? If I could answer the phone BEFORE it rang, that would make me happy. Not that I'm in a hurry to talk on the phone, I just can't stand phones ringing. I'm afraid of my telephone. I think it might be plotting to take over the refridgerator. (And we're not even going to start on cell phones. Yes, I finally got one.)
FUTURE SONS NAME: If I have total control? Matthew. Christopher. Allen. *shrug*
FUTURE DAUGHTER'S NAME: Elaine. Grace. Jane.
FAVORITE FOODS: How much time/space do I have? ;) Chicken Kiev. Peanut and Peanut Butter M&M's. Reese's Pieces. Sloppy Joe's.
LEAST FAVORITE FOOD: cooked spinach... head cheese....raw meat...
DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS: Indeed I do. They're great.
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?: Vanilla!!!
CROUTONS OR BACON BITS: Both. Is that an option? :)
DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE: I love driving on freeways and in the country. I hate driving in the city. I get overwhelmed and panic too easily.
DO YOU SLEEP WITH STUFFED ANIMALS? Yes. (Do you know how much I'm resisting the temptation to write "I don't know. I'll have to check his food dish." But I'm resisting. Oh, wait. I didn't. *sigh*). I have a couple teddy bears on my bed. And a yarn person.
STORMS - COOL OR SCARY? Both. Terrify me to a quivering mass when they're close & severe. Enjoy 'em when they're far away and/or mild.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE POET? ME! Kidding. Dr. Seuss. Shel Silverstein. Don't read a lot of poetry. Shh. Don't tell any of my English professors that! I'm going to be shunned by fellow English majors and they're probably plotting my ultimate demise right now. Such is life. I like WRITING bad poetry. Does that count?
IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE? The alive one. (hahaha!) In no order: Patrick Henry. Abe Lincoln. Calvin Coolidge. Marie Antoinette. Caesar (Julius). My great-grandparents. Jesus. Peter. Paul. James. John.
FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK? NyQuil!
PERSONALITY: By Myers-Briggs: INFJ is my personality type, and it seems to describe me fairly well. At least from my point of view. Others would argue.
WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? That I have not killed anyone to date.
WHAT DO YOU MOST HATE ABOUT YOURSELF? Let's not go there.
WHY DID YOU TAKE THIS SURVEY? Uhm...let's not go there, either.
DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI? Yes, indeed.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm GOING to be the President in 2012, if you all just start my campaign. :)
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OCCUPATION WHEN YOU GET OLDER, WHAT WOULD YOU PICK? I *thought* I was older, and when I was younger I *thought* I'd know. But I don't.
FAVORITE ANIMALS: cats, dolphins, iguanas, elephants, rhinos, cows, penguins, monkeys, brothers
FAVORITE CEREAL: LUCKY CHARMS! Actually, in English class in college, as part of a small group discussion, Rob said, "How long is it going to be before they come out with a cereal that's all marshmellows? You know it's coming." I'd eat that for breakfast. That reminds me of another story. In high school pre-calculus, the teacher (Mr. Urdahl) asked if we were ready to take the test. Jay said, "I am! I had an extra cup of sugar on my cereal this morning!" :)
IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Some sort of Champaign blond/golden blond color. And I'd put some nearly invisible red highlights in it. Oh, wait. That IS my hair color. Cool! :)
IF YOU COULD GET A TATTOO, WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHERE?: Pink flamingo on my forehead. (I'm not sure where it came from. It just came out of my fingers. That scares me!) I would never get a tatoo. End of story.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE? I refuse to answer this question because it would depress me, which I believe is an answer in and of itself. I decided years ago that I'm going to be an old bitter witch spinster who scares little neighborhood kids, and it's going well. Except for the part that kids generally like me. I've gotta learn to be meaner...
DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF? Not a bit.
WHAT IS ON YOUR WALLS IN YOUR ROOM? Paint. (And some pictures. Want me to describe them all? Too bad.)
IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL? Which answer will annoy you more? :) I like my brother's answer: it depends on whether you're filling it or emptying it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNAPPLE? I don't drink it a lot (where did this question come from? Why don't they ask me what my favorite key on the piano is?) Strawberry-Kiwi if I'm going to have it. Except that I don't like Kiwi.
FAVORITE FILM(s): Kodak. :) (I know what the question is asking. I also know that I'm sticking with my answer as perfectly legitimate, too.)
ARE YOU A LEFTY, RIGHTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS? Right.
DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS? Sometimes. When I'm switching between styles of keyboard, I get all confused. (My favorite answer came from my co-worker Deb: "I use both the left and right keys -- it makes for more complete words.")
IF YOU COULD BE ONE GARDENING TOOL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? I would be a new machine that would plant weeds.
WHAT KIND OF SHOE WOULD YOU BE IF YOU HAD THE OPTION TO BE A SHOE? a 6-inch spike heel in some wild color. Just for the fun of it. But I'd probably be a plain old ordinary loafer 'cause I hate being the center of attention.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT DREAM DATE? Walking on the beach...listening to the waves crash...feeling warm sand beneath my toes...having the ocean next to me to push him into if he got too annoying...
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE DEATH PENALTY? I can't answer this. I don't know. I don't think one death equals another, but I don't want murderers having the potential to hurt again.
IF YOU COULD BE A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT FOR 3 MOS WHERE WOULD YOU BE? I did study in England for nine months. I'd like to go back.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Spare time? *grin* I write. I day dream. I work on photo albums. I listen to music. I bake. I read. I sing. I draw. I make messes. I do crossword puzzles. I go insane.
WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED? Monsters. The floor. I have a waterbed = no room under bed.
IF YOU COULD DO ANYTHING TO THE PERSON YOU HATED THE MOST, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? I think first I'd have to find someone to hate. I dislike people and get mad at them briefy...but we all have our faults... C'mon, I feel guilty about most innocent pranks I play. Can't imagnie what I'd do if I did something intentionally malicious.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE NUMBER? 2342i3432985392504854567084123908491
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR? Ford Mustang, convertible optional (I live in Minnesota. I do not want a convertible in winter). A Viper would be great, but impractical. (Because, of course, a Mustang is so practical.)
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH: Football. Baseball. Basketball. And I'm starting to get into Hockey.
FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY: Calvinball :) Tennis.
WHICH DO YOU PREFER, MUD WRESTLING OR JELL-O WRESTLING? Jell-o would be more fun, but mud would be less sticky.
FAVE MONTH: January 'cause of New Year's Day (A REASON TO STAY UP LATE AND SLEEP IN!), February 'cause of Presidents Day (and Valentine's Day, I suppose. By why so many people worship a Catholic saint escapes me), March because it's ALMOST spring, April because it sounds nice, May because the weather is so nice, June because summer officially starts, July 'cause of the Fourth of July, August because it's a nice summer month to be at the beach, September because of my birthday, October Halloween and I get to dress up, November because of Thanksgiving Dinner (and elections, which means campaigning ends for at least another sixteen minutes!), December because of the Christmas Holiday (two days off work! yee-ha!)
FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Definitely "National Chicken Plucking Day " (January 19 or so)
FAVORITE PART OF NEWSPAPER: The words and pictures and graphics
FAVORITE STORE: Wal-Mart and Target and Victoria's Secret...errr....*grin*
FAVORITE THING TO WEAR: CLOTHES!
LEAST FAVORITE THING TO WEAR: Hamburgers
There you go. Beth in a nutshell. Should you ever want to put me in a nutshell. hahah. Yes, not only do I make bad jokes, I repeat them over and over and over. Now you konw why "get a life" and "keep breathing" were on my future goals list. *grin*. And, yes, if you ask nicely about any particular question, I'll tell you the truth. If I know the truth. See, I don't know myself that well. I figure it's safest that way.
E-mail Beth! I have questions, Beth, that need to be answered!
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