A Rich Full Life was tagged to play the question answer game.  A general “tag” was issued at the end of her post that looked like fun.  I though I would give it a try.  Here are the questions she asked:

Do you think that the time of day that you were born has any impact on you being a morning person or a night owl?

I don’t know what time of day I was born, but I don’t think it has any impact on this.  I have a son that was born at 7 a.m. who has always been a night owl.  I think what did have an impact on my attitude about life is that I was born breach.  My first act was to moon the doctor to let him know what I thought about the whole birth thing.  This opinionated and outspoken attitude has been with me ever since along with the tendency to do things backwards.

Do you think that family photos create our memories or that the photos supplement the memories we would have anyway?

I think that family photos do a little bit of both.  When we are small there are many things that we don’t remember and photos with stories give us a sense of memory.  As we get older and our memory is (hopefully) more developed (not mine) the pictures supplement our memories as reminders.  One of my favorite things to do is go through old family pictures and tell the stories to my children about their deceased grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. which gives them a sense of continuity and a deep connection with family history.

One of my favorite stories is about my grandfather when he was young.  He and his brothers found a horse wandering and took it home.  They dressed it in overalls, a tie and a hat and then let it go.  While there is no picture of the horse (I wish there was) I do have pictures of his brothers so I can better know the characters in the story.

Do you sleep walk?

I don’t sleep walk unless you count early morning when I am shuffling around with my eyes closed.  My brother, on the other hand, did often.  One night he got up and walked down the hall to my parent’s room dragging a foot behind him.  He kept saying over and over, “My foot’s stuck in a whole.”  He was taken in hand, his foot was removed from the “hole” and he happily went back to bed.

What are your feelings on Nutella?

I do not know how I feel about Nutella.  I’ve never had it.  Of course I don’t like nuts (I’m not a cannibal after all) so I’m not all that interested in trying it either.  I do like to mix chocolate syrup into my peanut butter though.  I can eat peanuts because they are legumes and not nuts.

Did my Dad look like Ron Paul in any way, or do I just miss him and continue to see him everywhere?

Yes RFL, your dad does resemble Ron Paul.  I am sure though that you miss him and part of you unconsciously looks for him wherever you go.

Describe a day where you think writing FML (F_ck My Life) is actually an appropriate status update. Or why you think it is never appropriate, and pretty ungrateful.

I think that appropriateness can be irrelevant at times like this.  While I would not use those exact words I have had many days where I have felt that way.  These are usually the days when I tell everyone that I need a lot of space.  My family has learned that if they bug me when I am feeling like this I may eat them.

While it may be ungrateful it is still how you feel.  Feelings are never wrong, they are what they are.  Sometimes, however, they may be based on faulty information or misunderstanding.  While I do believe that we all have control over our emotions, I think it is more how we react to them than choosing them.

Did you watch the Final Destination movies? Do you feel uneasy every time you hear John Denver now?

I have never watched these movies.  Though after looking them up they look interesting.  As for John Denver, I always think of the muppet holiday specials that he participated in.  Some of my favorites.

If you had to pick one fast food chain to eat at for the rest of your life, which one would you choose. Does Fancy Ketchup (Whataburger) factor into your decision in any way?

I think I would choose Panda Express.  I love their food and the variety offered.  I don’t like burgers or fries unless I make them myself.  As for the Fancy Ketchup, I usually avoid it if at all possible.

What is your favorite test to sum up a person’s character or personality with as little input as possible. Taste in music, treatment of waiters, number of keys on a key chain? I can spot a janitor from a mile away.

The way a person walks says a lot about them.  Police tend to walk with their arms curved away from their body because they are used to wearing that bulky utility belt.  Janitors often jangle.  A bowed head can mean a couple of things: deep in thought or depression/unworthiness.  Shoulders back, head erect and eye contact show self-confidence.  A smile accompanied with a nod or a “hello” indicates friendliness.

How someone laughs.  Do they laugh with only their mouth?  This often makes me doubt their sincerity because their eyes and body are not laughing.  Those that laugh with their eyes while smiling and nodding are often quiet or shy.  Those that laugh with their whole being indicate someone who is open and maybe even adventurous.

How they treat others.  People who are polite and respectful of waiters, sales people and customer service are often caring, understanding individuals.  Adults who are kind to and respectful of children I have found to be fun-loving, family oriented and unafraid to be a little silly.  Anyone who greets everyone with a smile, has a positive attitude and obviously enjoys life’s small moments is someone I want to hang out with.

If you saw children flying kites with buzzards swarming around, would your first thought be, where is the dead thing, or cool, buzzard/kite fight?

I would think “tail envy”.  Buzzards are not very colorful while kite tales often are.  It is a Gertrude McFuzz thing.  (see Dr. Seuss)

Fun Questions for Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge, Sondra, Vicky, Elvie and Susie.

1. What do you want to be when you grow up?
2. What is your favorite book?  Why?
3. What is your favorite childhood memory?
4. What was your favorite family vacation?
5. What was the most important thing you learned in all your years in school?
6. What was you biggest cooking disaster?
7. Who is your favorite Dr. Seuss character?  Why?
8. Who is your favorite muppet?  Why?
9. If your best friend gave the eulogy at your funeral, what would they say?
10. What is your favorite test to sum up a person’s character or personality with as little input as possible? Taste in music, treatment of waiters, number of keys on a key chain?

Tag!