The Merrily Perpetuating Meme
Feb. 22nd, 2012 03:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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bonorattle. Comment to this post with "When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade", and I will list 7 things I want you to talk about. Some might make sense or some may be random. Then post your answers to that list to your own journal. Others will get lists from you, and thus the meme will keep perpetuating itself.
Right. These are my answers tobonorattle's questions:
1. Which is worse? A good friend moves away or you lose touch with a good friend who lives near?
People are moving all the time, it's a part of life, so I would have to say the second one. That would be very sad. It hasn't happened to me since I was best friends with a neighbour in the last year of elementary school. We were friends since Grade One, but something happened in between Grade Eight and high school to separate us, and it always felt weird to walk past her house but have no more connection with her. I think of her often.
2. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I'd do/say/write/post exactly what I want, without worrying about what someone else might do or think about it. I realize I am too much of a people pleaser, but don't really want to make too drastic a change in the way I am, because then it wouldn't really be me. I hate wasting energy on stupid things, and for me there is nothing more life-sucking than trying to change myself if I don't feel I should.
3. What tries your patience most these days? Why?
I've made a list:
1) Drivers who pass on the right. It's too scary having someone come lunging up on the right-hand side of the car where I am least expecting it. You're supposed to pass on the left, ffs!
2) People who continue to hold loud, personal conversations in public on their cellphones. Have these idiots not heard of texting? Also, FYI, it has been published in medical journals that more than a half-hour a day with a cellphone stuck to your ear will cause, in 10-20 years' time, tumours to grow in your ear, eye, neck, brain, etc.
3) People who do not pay attention to things they should, i.e. their JOB, what someone is saying to them, their driving, to name three of the most important things.
4. Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why?
Lots have books have done that over the years. But probably the most poignant one was The Diary of Anne Frank, which I read when I was twelve. It helped put everything into perspective. I think I stopped being a selfish, whiny spoiled brat on the exact day I finished the last page. I always wondered if I could ever have been as brave as that little girl was. May she rest forever in peace.
5. Who influences me the most?
My husband. Even though I don't want him to have the most influence on me. He is such an intense Type A at times and has much more emotional strength than I do, placing a lot of importance on things that I find tedious, that I usually let him get his way before he exhausts me. For instance, if he tells me that the house is dirty then I'll usually, against my better wishes, feel guilty and may actually pick up the vaccuum or start dusting. Shame on me.
6. What is your favourite way to waste time?
There are three: reading, watching movies, or spending time on the internet. I'm currently reading a book called 1491, about life in the Americas before Christopher Columbus arrived. It's fascinating and shoots down a lot of false beliefs. I've been watching some non-English language films as well as the Sherlock TV series. I haven't been on the internet as much as usual lately, but I'm sure that will change soon. And as soon as I finish the book, I'll review that as well as the movies.
7. Do I have a secret for maintaining patience in the face of autism?
I don't think I have a secret. In fact, I do think that Sean's autism has at times caused me to lose some of the patience I had before. For me, the best way to calm both of us down when Sean gets himself into a state, is to calm myself first by breathing deeply and remembering why he is acting like that; i.e. I will do a cognitive exercise. I will then grasp him firmly but gently by both shoulders and look into his eyes, trying to engage him. Then I'll plead with him to calm himself. Because noboby else can do it for him, he has to find that place by himself. But I can help him to realize it. After that, some hugging and speaking to him in a quiet voice will help. Also, I'll think of something to comfort him, like suggesting we have a movie night, when I'll make the popcorn while he chooses the movie (usually one of the Ice Age flicks, and making him some 'tea'. (This is mostly milk with a teabag dragged through it.) This usually works, relaxing both of us.
bonorattle. Comment to this post with "When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade", and I will list 7 things I want you to talk about. Some might make sense or some may be random. Then post your answers to that list to your own journal. Others will get lists from you, and thus the meme will keep perpetuating itself.Right. These are my answers to
bonorattle's questions:1. Which is worse? A good friend moves away or you lose touch with a good friend who lives near?
People are moving all the time, it's a part of life, so I would have to say the second one. That would be very sad. It hasn't happened to me since I was best friends with a neighbour in the last year of elementary school. We were friends since Grade One, but something happened in between Grade Eight and high school to separate us, and it always felt weird to walk past her house but have no more connection with her. I think of her often.
2. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I'd do/say/write/post exactly what I want, without worrying about what someone else might do or think about it. I realize I am too much of a people pleaser, but don't really want to make too drastic a change in the way I am, because then it wouldn't really be me. I hate wasting energy on stupid things, and for me there is nothing more life-sucking than trying to change myself if I don't feel I should.
3. What tries your patience most these days? Why?
I've made a list:
1) Drivers who pass on the right. It's too scary having someone come lunging up on the right-hand side of the car where I am least expecting it. You're supposed to pass on the left, ffs!
2) People who continue to hold loud, personal conversations in public on their cellphones. Have these idiots not heard of texting? Also, FYI, it has been published in medical journals that more than a half-hour a day with a cellphone stuck to your ear will cause, in 10-20 years' time, tumours to grow in your ear, eye, neck, brain, etc.
3) People who do not pay attention to things they should, i.e. their JOB, what someone is saying to them, their driving, to name three of the most important things.
4. Has reading a book ever changed your life? Which one and why?
Lots have books have done that over the years. But probably the most poignant one was The Diary of Anne Frank, which I read when I was twelve. It helped put everything into perspective. I think I stopped being a selfish, whiny spoiled brat on the exact day I finished the last page. I always wondered if I could ever have been as brave as that little girl was. May she rest forever in peace.
5. Who influences me the most?
My husband. Even though I don't want him to have the most influence on me. He is such an intense Type A at times and has much more emotional strength than I do, placing a lot of importance on things that I find tedious, that I usually let him get his way before he exhausts me. For instance, if he tells me that the house is dirty then I'll usually, against my better wishes, feel guilty and may actually pick up the vaccuum or start dusting. Shame on me.
6. What is your favourite way to waste time?
There are three: reading, watching movies, or spending time on the internet. I'm currently reading a book called 1491, about life in the Americas before Christopher Columbus arrived. It's fascinating and shoots down a lot of false beliefs. I've been watching some non-English language films as well as the Sherlock TV series. I haven't been on the internet as much as usual lately, but I'm sure that will change soon. And as soon as I finish the book, I'll review that as well as the movies.
7. Do I have a secret for maintaining patience in the face of autism?
I don't think I have a secret. In fact, I do think that Sean's autism has at times caused me to lose some of the patience I had before. For me, the best way to calm both of us down when Sean gets himself into a state, is to calm myself first by breathing deeply and remembering why he is acting like that; i.e. I will do a cognitive exercise. I will then grasp him firmly but gently by both shoulders and look into his eyes, trying to engage him. Then I'll plead with him to calm himself. Because noboby else can do it for him, he has to find that place by himself. But I can help him to realize it. After that, some hugging and speaking to him in a quiet voice will help. Also, I'll think of something to comfort him, like suggesting we have a movie night, when I'll make the popcorn while he chooses the movie (usually one of the Ice Age flicks, and making him some 'tea'. (This is mostly milk with a teabag dragged through it.) This usually works, relaxing both of us.
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no subject
Date: 2012-02-22 08:39 pm (UTC)(Proper comment later)
no subject
Date: 2012-02-22 09:28 pm (UTC)2. As a writer, how do you personally deal with writer's block? Have you tried any successful remedies?
3. What is your favourite way to relax and relieve the usual daily stress?
4. Do you cook? What is your favourite meal to make? (Answer this even if you don't cook.)
5. Do you ever get depressed? How do you relieve it? If you don't get depressed, then how do you deal with disappointment?
6. Are most of your friendships deep and involved, or do you prefer to keep relationships on the surface only? Tell why.
7. What is your favourite fandom and why?
no subject
Date: 2012-02-22 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-22 11:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 01:08 pm (UTC)2. When did you begin to form a love for your main OTP? Describe how it happened.
3. Who do you love best? Roma or Luka? Explain.
4. If you had a choice, where would you live in the world and why?
5. When you finish your studies, what do you want to do? Explain.
6. How many different social networks do you belong to? List them in order of preference, with #1 being your favourite.
7. List all of your current favourite football teams, in descending order.
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 02:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 08:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-04 04:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 12:34 am (UTC)such a great meme!
I see your answers and we seem so similar, personality wise =)
Everything I read about you and Sean makes me realize how hard it must be for you, but how great you are with him. He's lucky to have a parent like you
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 11:08 am (UTC)We do seem to be similar, personality-wise. It's nice to meet similar people online. ;)
It is a challenge to be looking after a kid with autism, but at the same time, there are lots of rewards. He's a remarkable child, and very loveable. Everyone who meets him, loves him. So I actually consider myself lucky to have him. Lots of parents dealing with autism have it much worse than me. My heart goes out to them. :(
And thanks for your lovely words! Questions coming up as soon as I can think of some good ones. XD
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 01:11 pm (UTC)2. How long did you study art history? Was it a favourite subject and why did it appeal to you?
3. Do you have a favourite era in history? What attracted you?
4. Do you watch much TV recreationally? What are your favourite shows and why?
5. What is your favourite type of music? List your favourite artists.
6. Do you think friendship is a naturally fleeting thing, or should it last forever? Explain your views.
7. If given the choice, would you stay where you are, or would you move away in order to get a better job? What would be your preference and why?
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 12:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 01:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-25 02:09 pm (UTC)1. Have you always lived in the same place all your life? Describe it.
2. What school subject do you like the best and why?
3. What do you want to do for a career and why?
4. What's your favourite type of music and artists?
5. List your favourite players at Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. There can be as many as you like.
6. When did you first fall in love and with whom? How did it happen?
7. Are you involved in any fandoms other than football?
no subject
Date: 2012-02-23 01:24 pm (UTC)(great answers to the questions, btw, and 7 reminds me of when the boys, especially the oldest one, were small kids and young teenagers)
no subject
Date: 2012-02-25 02:13 pm (UTC)1. Do you remember the first critique or review you ever received for a piece of your writing? How did you feel about it at the time?
2. Have you written in any fandoms other than football? If so, what were they?
3. What was the first thing you ever wrote and shared? (Posted or published.)
4. What is the first piece of advice you'd give to a new writer?
5. What are your favourite things to read?
6. Besides writing, do you have another hobby or pastime you like to spend time on?
7. Can you describe your typical day? You can write this any way you want to. (List, paragraph, poem, whatever you like.) :)
no subject
Date: 2012-02-25 08:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-04 04:22 pm (UTC)People who continue to hold loud, personal conversations in public on their cellphones.
Oh yes. Here, there are signs on the busses and trains that you aren't allowed to listen to music in a volume that bothers other people. That rule is really nice but I wonder why it doesn't exist for talking on the phone as well. I do not want to know all the details about whatever is going on.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-04 08:52 pm (UTC)OMG, one night on the way home on the bus I heard one woman telling her son exactly what she was going to make for dinner, down to the last detail. I had to put down the book I was reading. From that time on, I bring earplugs with me. :(
Do you want me to make up seven questions for you? :)
no subject
Date: 2012-03-04 09:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-04 09:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-06 11:16 am (UTC)1. What is your favourite type of guy? Explain in terms of personality, age, looks, dress sense, the way he smells and anything else you can think of.
2. What is your favourite thing to do for relaxation?
3. Do you prefer to be alone or are you more comfortable being with others? Why?
4. When out with a guy on a date, or even just hanging out with him, what are your favourite things to do?
5. Do you cook? What is your favourite, or the best dish that you make? If you don't cook, what is your favourite meal?
6. Do you take baths or showers? Explain your preference.
7. Do you believe honesty in a relationship is more important between you and your girlfriends or between you and your boyfriend? Can you name any examples in your own life experiences that would illustrate how you feel about this?
no subject
Date: 2012-03-06 03:29 pm (UTC)I'll reply to the questions asap, they sound quite interesting. :D
no subject
Date: 2012-03-07 10:25 am (UTC)