In the current Atlantic Monthly (Oct 2008), “The Wars of John McCain” by Jeffrey Goldberg, he asks “the W.H. Auden Question.” The question is:
Name the first memory of a public event, from your childhood, that you remember that everyone else remembers.
I found this to be an interesting question and I have been enjoying asking my family members and their friends this question. My earliest social/world event memory is the inauguration of Carter in Jan. of 1977. My sister’s was the death of Elvis in April of 1977. My mom’s was the signing of the Korean armistace in ‘53. Kind of fascinating really. I’d love anyone who reads this to leave their memory and the year (if they know it).
UPDATE: My niece’s first social memory is the Bush/Gore Supreme Court/Election dispute.
Idealists are enthusiastic, they trust their intuition, yearn for romance, seek their true self, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining wisdom.
Idealists pride themselves on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic.
Idealists tend to be giving, trusting, spiritual, and they are focused on personal journeys and human potentials.
Idealists make intense mates, nurturing parents, and inspirational leaders.
Idealists as a temperament, are passionately concerned with personal growth and development. Idealists strive to discover who they are and how they can become their best possible self–always this quest for self-knowledge and self-improvement drives their imagination. And they want to help others make the journey. Idealists are naturally drawn to working with people, and whether in education or counseling, in social services or personnel work, in journalism or the ministry, they are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.
Idealists are sure that friendly cooperation is the best way for people to achieve their goals. Conflict and confrontation upset them because they seem to put up angry barriers between people. Idealists dream of creating harmonious, even caring personal relations, and they have a unique talent for helping people get along with each other and work together for the good of all. Such interpersonal harmony might be a romantic ideal, but then Idealists are incurable romantics who prefer to focus on what might be, rather than what is. The real, practical world is only a starting place for Idealists; they believe that life is filled with possibilities waiting to be realized, rich with meanings calling out to be understood. This idea of a mystical or spiritual dimension to life, the “not visible” or the “not yet” that can only be known through intuition or by a leap of faith, is far more important to Idealists than the world of material things.
Highly ethical in their actions, Idealists hold themselves to a strict standard of personal integrity. They must be true to themselves and to others, and they can be quite hard on themselves when they are dishonest, or when they are false or insincere. More often, however, Idealists are the very soul of kindness. Particularly in their personal relationships, Idealists are without question filled with love and good will. They believe in giving of themselves to help others; they cherish a few warm, sensitive friendships; they strive for a special rapport with their children; and in marriage they wish to find a “soulmate,” someone with whom they can bond emotionally and spiritually, sharing their deepest feelings and their complex inner worlds.
Idealists are relatively rare, making up no more than 15 to 20 percent of the population. But their ability to inspire people with their enthusiasm and their idealism has given them influence far beyond their numbers.
I have a big project report due at work this week, so of course I took this test instead (plus I cleaned my desk area really well, and updated/tossed some of my files…oh and I renewed my driver’s license…so of course I do feel kinda productive, but the report still isn’t finished).
Your score is 63 out of a possible 100
Above Average Procrastinator
You rank between the top 25% and 10% in terms of procrastination. That is, when it comes to putting things off, you often do so even though you know you shouldn’t. Likely, you are more free-spirited and spontaneous than most. Probably, your work doesn’t engage you as much as you would like or perhaps you are surrounded by easily available and more pleasant temptations. These temptations may initially seem rewarding, but in the longer-term, you see many of them as time-wasters. Though you likely often still get your work done, there is probably a lot of last minute panicking and unwanted stress. You may want to reduce what procrastination you do commit. If so, here are three tips that have been shown to work:
Goal Setting
This is one of the most established ways of moving forward on your plans. Take any project you are presently procrastinating and break it down into individual steps. Each of these steps should have the following three aspects. First, they should be somewhat challenging though achievable for you. It is more satisfying to accomplish a challenge. Second, they should be proximal, that is you can achieve them fairly soon, preferable today or over the next few days. Third, they should be specific, that is you know exactly when you have accomplished them. If you can visualize in your mind what you should do, even better.
Stimulus Control
This method has also been well tested and is very successful. What you need is a single place that you do your work and nothing else. Essentially, you need an office, though many students have a favorite desk at a library. For stimulus control to work best, the office or desk should be free of any signs of temptation or easily available distractions that might pull you away (e.g., no games, no chit-chat, no web-surfing). If you need a break, that is fine, but make sure you have it someplace at least a few minutes distant, preferably outside of the building itself. If you are unwilling to take the time to get there, acknowledge that you likely don’t need the break.
Routines
Routines are difficult to get into but in the end, this is often our aim. Things are much easier to do when we get into a habit of them, whether it is work, exercise, or errands. If you schedule some of those tasks you are presently procrastinating upon so that they occur on a regular schedule, they become easier. Start your routine slowly, something to which you can easily commit. Eventually, like brushing your teeth, it will likely become something you just do, not taking much effort at all. At this point, you might add to your routine, again always keeping your overall level of effort at a moderate to low level. Importantly, when you fall off your routine, inevitable with sickness or the unexpected, get back on it as soon as possible. Your routine gets stronger every time your follow it. It also gets weaker every time you don’t.
I’m not going to fully commit for the NaBloPoMo thing this month. (Count me in for holidailies in Dec. tho.) But I will unofficially try to blog as many days as possible this month, including any opportunitites I have to post from Italy.
Remember when you were a kid and you would play that silly MASH game, where you find out if you’ll live in a mansion, apartment, shack, or house. Well they have an online version and here are my results. If you choose to play, post yours in my comments section.
Your wife’s name is Catherine the Great and you have 18 children. You’re an empress of the universe who drives to work every day in a red Bentley.
It’s truly a wonderful life when you consider the countless romantic nights you have spent with Catherine the Great in your house in Greece.
Reading this made my day. (I do not vouch for the authenticity of the event, nor the author’s name….all I can say is that I wish I wrote it. It’s brilliant!!!)
[Supposedly]This is an actual essay written by a college applicant. The author,
Hugh Gallagher, now attends NYU.
3A. ESSAY: IN ORDER FOR THE ADMISSIONS STAFF OF OUR COLLEGE TO GET TO KNOW YOU, THE APPLICANT, BETTER, WE ASK THAT YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: ARE THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD, OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU HAVE REALIZED, THAT HAVE HELPED TO DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON?
I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I
have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making
them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic
slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time
efficiently. Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.
I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot
bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook
Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a
veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.
Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly
defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious
army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the
subject of numerous documentaries. When I’m bored, I build large
suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On
Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of
charge.
I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie.
Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear.
I don’t perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I
have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last
summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force
demonstration. I bat .400. My deft floral arrangements have earned me
fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.
I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy.
I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day
and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I
know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have
performed several covert operations for the CIA. I sleep once a week;
when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I
successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a
small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me.
I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On
weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami.
Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down.
I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a
toaster oven. I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San
Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the
Kremlin. I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and
I have spoken with Elvis.
Wikipedia/Birthday Game
1. Go to Wikipedia.
2. In the Search box, type your birth month and day (but not year).
3. Choose three events that happened on your birthday.
4. Choose two important birthdays and one interesting death.
5. Post it.
My birthday is on the 3rd of February.
Events:
1815 - The first commercial cheese factory is founded (Switzerland).
1913 - The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ratified, authorizing the Federal government to impose and collect income tax.
1959 - The Day The Music Died: A plane crash kills rock-and-roll performers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.
Births:
1874 - Gertrude Stein, American writer and patron of the arts (d. 1946)
1909 - Simone Weil, French philosopher (d. 1943)
Death:
1468 - Johannes Gutenberg, German publisher
Saw this meme on the Web and I couldn’t resist playing! (Kinda like a Magic 8 Ball, only with more answers…tee hee)
* Put your iTunes/Winamp/Musicmatch on shuffle.
* Use the song title as the answer to the question.
* NO CHEATING
1. How does the world see me? Keep Hope Alive (Crystal Method)
I can live with that.
2. Will I have a happy life? To Legit To Quit (MC Hammer)
Looks like I will be living for a long time if I can’t quit, eh? Kind of embarrassing to admit I have this song in my collection. Musta been part of a gag gift for Blyss. Tee hee.
3. What do my friends really think of me? Le Monastere Dans Les Montagnes (Paco de Lucia)
That means “Monastery in the Mountains” which is a nice thought. I was worried because at first I thought it said “Monster of the Mountains” and I thought that wasn’t very nice of you all.
4. Do people secretly lust after me? Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine (White Stripes)
Not quite sure what to make of this one. Maybe it means when people are on drugs (or drunk) they think I’m attractive?!?! Hmmmm.
5. How can I make myself happy? The Lamb’s Book of Life (Sinead O’Connor)
Sure, I can go along with a Spiritual answer to this one. Or, maybe I would be happy if I had a big plate of mutton? Either way I guess.
6. What should I do with my life? Never Surrender (Triumph)
Wow!! ‘Nuff said.
7. Will I ever have children? How Insensitive (Sun Trust)
LOL! Yah….don’t ask lesbians near the age of 40 if they want kids.
8. What is some good advice for me? Save Yourself (Stabbing Westward)
Wow again!! OK. I’ll have to keep that one in mind.
9. How will I be remembered? Why Can’t I Be You (Cure)
Does that mean that when I’m dead my friends will wonder why they can’t be dead also? Ha Ha
10. What is my signature dancing song? Big Sandy Leather Britches (Doc Watson)
Now the leather part might sound nice, but do you really have to call my britches ‘big’, especially when I’m dancing. Harumph!
11. What do I think my current theme song is? Gloria (Laura Branigan)
Ok, gotta admit that is a rocking good song to seat dance in your car. But, Cheese Factor = 9 out of 10.
12. What does everyone else think my current theme song is? Dumb (Nirvana)
Ouch! Lighten up folks. Maybe “distracted” or even “absent-minded” but “dumb”, that’s a bit harsh.
13. What song will play at my funeral? Yelunga-Spirit Dance (Dead Can Dance)
I must have some pretty good song karma today. I couldn’t have picked a better answer to that question. Wow.
14. What type of women do I like? Are You Ready? (Creed)
Go Kraken!! Yep, I like “ready” women, alrighty! Who doesn’t!?! Tee hee!
15. What is my day going to be like? Mourn [Remix] (Apoptygma Berzerk)
Maybe I should stay in today!
16. Will I ever have love again? Yesterday (En Vogue)
That is so awesome on so many levels. Perfect!!
17. What type of sex life do I have? Dancing In The Dark (Diana Krall)
Heee heee heee. Yah, dirty dancing in the dark. Hee hee heee.
18. What song would be the title of my own porno movie? Dindi (Astrud Gilberto)
Ok, I can live with this one. In case you don’t know, this is a melodic 60’s Brazilian Jazz number with kind of a 70’s European porno feel if I really think about it. And Dindi (pronounced “Jin jee) is a girl’s name. So maybe in my porn movie “Lola Sugarbush/me” plays Dindi, a Brazilian woman of European descent who is wandering South America (in the 60’s) exploring and experimenting with various sexual customs.
Ok…maybe I put too much thought in analyzing that answer. Tee hee.
