The Monkey Interview

[judecorp]

Yeah, so there's that meme where someone interviews you and you answer in your journal. And then if other people want to be interviewed they leave a comment and I write an interview for them. Well, okay, I'll do that (but I'm slow). Also, if YOU want to interview ME, leave some questions and I'll give you your very own journal entry. Yeah.

1. Why smurfs? What do they mean to you that you choose to make them your symbol?
I don't even know why I started liking smurfs in the first place, back when I was a kid. I wasn't really into some of the other "girly" cartoons, and I didn't like a lot of the "boy" cartoons (fighting ones), and the smurfs were probably a good compromise. Somewhere along the way, I think in college, smurfs got associated with me. My friend Luke started calling himself the Ninja.of.Love, and I started calling myself the Smurf.of.Love. I wish I knew why. And then this boy Dylan called me "Meanie Smurf." I dunno. It just happened. Or maybe there was this tragic train accident involving Gargamel...

2. Working the job that you do, how do you find the inner strength to keep going in light of budget cuts, the economy etc?
While the job that I do, on paper, is Case Manager, or Licensed Social Worker, the job in my head is Superhero. Part of the reason my job is important is because I strive to give voice to the voiceless, to act as advocate to the oppressed, to use some of my privilege to influence policy. In light of budget cuts and the economy, this need is more acute rather than less. In the end, it's not really about the job where I draw my paycheck, it's about the inner job. It doesn't require any inner strength that I know of to do what I do. It just involves me doing what I think is right.

3. Where do you see yourself living in 3 years?
Is this the part where I say, "I don't plan that far in advance."? Oh, wait, the vomity side of me is currently saying, "With Jennifer, in the Bay Area, hopefully in our own home."

4. How do you define love and use that definition to make your relationships richer?
Wow. Tough question. I still don't know that I can understand what love is, and I'd be a fool to try to define it. On one level, love is similar (to me) to Unconditional Positive Regard. But I have had enough chaotic relationship experience (friends, family, SOs) to know that it's not that easy. But I try to show love to everyone in at least the sense that they are human beings who deserve my respect, and deserve dignity. When it comes to Capital-L Love, I will say that Love is defined as that night on the balcony of the beach house, when she kissed me and I saw my future. That sort of Need makes the relationship richer in a way I don't have to try to do. And then there's Monkeyluv. But you know all about that.

5. Is there any one thing that could make you feel complete and if so what is it?
Honey, if /I/ am not enough to make myself feel complete, I'm going to be perpetually disappointed.

Comments

[rebasayre.livejournal.com]

oh oh oh! questions for me! i'll get yours to you here in a few hours when i get to work! i need to think of some good ones!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. Which do you think is more important: being positive, or being realistic?

2. Have you ever thought about leaving Central Ohio?

3. What are your core spiritual beliefs?

4. You're trapped on a desert island with only a fig-leaf bikini and a coconut bra. The twine holding the outfit together is starting to fray, and will break soon. Who would you like to arrive and see you?

5. What will you say to Charlie when you enter Heaven?

[rebasayre.livejournal.com]

questions for you.
1. if you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be?
2. who have been the five most influential people in your life and why?
3. what are three events that happened in your life that shaped your belief system in one way or another?
4. what is your favorite song and why?
5. what is your favorite material posession?

Feel free to interview me...

[pantsie.livejournal.com]

...What goes around comes around... ;)

Re: Feel free to interview me...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. What do you want to name your first child?
2. Which would you rather be, Godzilla or King Kong?
3. If Chuck came home and said that he was really a giant tuna fish sandwich, what would you do?
4. Who is your best friend and why?
5. How, exactly, did you feel on your wedding day? (p.s. You looked stunning.)

Here are my answers:

[pantsie.livejournal.com]

1. If we had a girl, I have a number of names I'd love to use: Madeleine Kathleen, Deirdre Claire, Jane Sylvia, Hollis Colleen... If we have a boy, I'd like to name him something like Benjamin George or John Harper.

2. I'd rather be King Kong. King Kong seemed to have more compassion/humanity in him -- as far as horror picture monsters go. Although it might be fun to smash Tokyo with my feet, come to think of it...

3. I'd put bread on my head and say, "I'm now Mrs. Giant Tuna Fish Sandwich." Although this sounds like the sort of thing I'd do to him. I frequently ask him what he'd do if he came home one day and I was two feet tall, or if I had giant columns of flame shooting out of my ass. In the latter case, he says he'd just walk in front of me. He's good like that.

4. Oooooo. Tough to say. I think I'd have to line up my best friends like the awards at an elementary school science fair: Best Friend with Benefits: humanbeatbox, Best Friend from High School: mermil, Best Friend from After College: H., Best Teacher Friend from High School: Gig, Oldest Friends: Amy B. and Sue P., etc. etc. People become "best friends" to me when I find that I can be totally myself in their presence. Best friends make me feel energized instead of drained. Best friends make me laugh. Best friends are loyal to me in the tough times, and vice versa. Best friends don't mind if I go to Tahiti for a bit because I need introspective time; they know that our relationship will be the same on the other end of my hiatus no matter what. Best friends support me in the face of a family crisis without being overwhelming. Best friends ask me how I'm doing as well as telling me the details of their day. Best friends are in my thoughts every day.

5. I felt all sorts of things on my wedding day. I felt exceedingly relieved, touched, and honored that my father (who had gone through an angioplasty three days before the event) had enough energy in him to walk me down the aisle to give me away and to dance with me at the reception. I was so proud of him for being there for me, and I felt like crying when I thought about what might have happened if things had gone wrong at the hospital. Secondly, I felt relaxed and confident, like the wedding would take care of itself no matter what. I spent two and a half years planning the thing, and once the wedding was in motion I didn't have to do anything else to push it along. I was annoyed at the photographer, but it became a funny joke for my mother, my sisters, and me. I was pleased that the event was so smooth and running so efficiently. Lastly, and most importantly, I was ecstatic to be exchanging lifelong vows with Mr. Pants. I was giddy. I was giggling. I was doing a little happy dance on the altar (probably to the chagrin of the priest). I stated my vows with a big voice, and I couldn't stop smiling. Chuck and I laughed and snickered our way through our first dance, and I had a great time connecting with far flung family members and friends. I couldn't kiss Chuck enough; I didn't mind that poeple were clinking their glasses with their forks. I was tired by the end of the night, but exceedingly satisfied with the event. I think it was one of the most joyous and happy nights of my entire life. It was great to see old friends reuniting over their dinners, and I was honored that everyone was there to celebrate our marriage.

[laughingsal.livejournal.com]

I'm curious. If you have time, interview me. I'll try to think of some questions for you.

[laughingsal.livejournal.com]

On second thought, nevermind. I'm not sure I'll have time.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

ooh me me!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. What do you like most about Bill?
2. What's the one habit you most wish Maylie doesn't acquire?
3. What is your favorite book and why?
4. If wishes were fishes, what type of wish would you want to be?
5. If you had a friend with cancer who asked you to shave your head in support, would you?

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

I will come up with five questions for you, if you have time please ask me five questions and I'll post them in my LJ. :)

1. What was your favorite toy when you were little?

2. What are your primary spiritual beliefs?

3. What things matter most to you in your work -- what do you hope to help people accomplish in their lives?

4. What could I cook for you for dinner next time you're in Pittsburgh?

5. When did you "come out to yourself?" for want of a better way of phrasing my question.

Take your time and enjoy!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. When are you coming to Columbus? ;)
2. When you were a little girl, what did you think your life would look like right now?
3. Who is the one person you'd most like to catch up with at your next high school reunion?
4. If Ralph were to lose the use of his mind or his body, which would you prefer?
5. What is your favorite Indigo Girls song and why?

[scottopic.livejournal.com]

Good answers!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Why, thank you.

[kjtoo.livejournal.com]

1. If your brain was composed entirely of Jell-O, what flavor would it be?
2. The aliens come to abduct you forever and ever, and they say you can take one inanimate object with you (plus your toothbrush). What's it going to be?
3. How many licks does it take to get to your Tootsie Roll center?
4. If you had to choose either perfect, everlasting love from a distance or a love with a few nicks and cuts, that you might not be able to maintain, but that you could reach out and touch whenever you liked, which would you take?
5. What would you like to be thinking of when you die?

[juliann.livejournal.com]

Ooh his questions are the best!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I agree!

[kjtoo.livejournal.com]

The Jell-O question is one I came up with during a game of Truth or Dare many, many moons ago. Everyone else was asking variations of the "stranded on a desert island" and "who would you..." questions, and I just felt like breaking out of that.

The alien question is my version of the "stranded on a desert island" question, but I like the element of the complete unknown that alien abduction presents.

The Tootsie Roll question is just cheap.

The love question just came out of the blue as I was typing up the alien question.

The death though question comes from a conversation I was having over lunch a couple of years ago. Nobody gave me anything approaching a serious answer when I asked it then.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I still like your questions. They were different, refreshing, and insightful!

[yarnaddict.livejournal.com]

1. Do you think that it is more beneficial to enact laws guaranteeing equivalent rights for all, hoping that society will change as a result, or to work to change society so that such laws aren't necessary?


2. What is your favourite colour of crayon?


3. Who are the positive male rolemodels in your life?


4. If you could be, for a day, either a child, with a child's energy, curiosity, and innocence, or an elder, with an elder's wisdom, knowledge, and experience, and you could keep the memories of that day with you, which would you choose?


5. You find the proverbial genie in a bottle, and are granted three wishes. What do you wish for (aside from more wishes)?

(If you come up with 5 for me, I'll answer them, too. =) And I hope you feel better soon!)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

1. How did you come to choose your child's name?
2. What is your most annoying habit?
3. Would you prefer to sleep with someone who snores or farts at night?
4. What is your favorite brand of cereal?
5. If you had to choose between the MSU and the FSU, what would you do?

Smurf-a-licious

[spacecadetjen.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed your "interview"! I see lots of people above wanting questions too... so if you find the time.. I'd like to see what questions you come up for me. If not, here are my questions:

1. What is one of your happiest memories?

2. Did you like high school? why/ why not?

3. Do you have an interest that very few people know about? Care to share?

4. If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?

5. Who would you say was your role model/ hero when you were growing up?

Looking forward to the answers!

Questions for you:

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. What was your favorite subject in high school and why?
2. What one key lesson did you learn from each of your big breakups (with Ex1 and Ex2)?
3. Who would you rather be, Godzilla or King Kong?
4. What was your favorite television show as a child?
5. Which is your favorite Disney movie and why?

[smyley.livejournal.com]

Someone told me about your journal because of the last entry in mine...I'm not going to say anything...but I think you would enjoy it lol.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Dude, that's some seriously messed up shit.

HA HA HA HA!

[smyley.livejournal.com]

hehe, mind if I add you?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Go ahead. :)

[smyley.livejournal.com]

consider yourself added...add me back?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I may. Usually I only add people back that I already know. When someone adds me, I check them out and see what's up first.

[shadist.livejournal.com]

If you have time, would you be so kind as to interview me?

Sure!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. What do you feel is your best physical feature and why?
2. How did you decide on your child's name?
3. If you could be any PEZ Dispenser, which would you be? (And what flavor of PEZ?)
4. What's one word you would never want anyone to use to describe yourself?
5. What's your favorite word that begins with E?

Re: Sure!

[shadist.livejournal.com]

Thank you Jude!

To be replied to soon.

And in return.

[shadist.livejournal.com]

1. Whats the worst nightmare you can remember?
2. Your fav flavor of icecream?
3. Name a social activity you can't stand. . . but which you do because your friends (or Jen) enjoy it.
4. What kind of Peep would you be? Would you eat other peeps?
5. Tell me about the one thing you think you did which did the best good for someone.

[siercia]

Would you interview me?

Of course!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

1. What is your favorite Ani DiFranco song?
2. What is your favorite part of Wiley's body?
3. Which scar on your body has the best story?
4. How did you get into stitching?
5. Would you ever leave the Boston area?

My turn!

[rizzo41.livejournal.com]

1. Ever wear those leiderhosen anywhere, or is it too much like wearing a dress?

2. What's that movie with that chick?

3. I know in the past there had been children talk, but now that the times they are a changin' is that still something you see in your future? (Either adopted or home-grown)

4. What was that what we ate? BLT!

5. Was there anything about Maine you liked, or do you think it was more the situation you were in at the time that left you so unhappy there? (yeah, I know, badly formed question, but tough)

Extra Credit: Which Austin Powers character would you be and why?