The Cliffs of Insanity

Consolidation

2009-06-18T21:18:34Z

I've been consolidating my ranting and raving along with commentary here — For What It's Worth

Writer's Block: There Can Be Only One

2009-05-22T11:05:10Z

Do you believe in monogamy?

Yes, absolutely. I also believe in polygamy but how does one keep several women happy? It's tough enough keeping one happy.

Writer's Block: Same Name

2009-05-18T13:02:44Z

Have you ever met or known someone who has the same name as you (first and last) but is not a relative?

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No. But there is a well-known set designer in Hollywood with the same first and last name as me. He's done lots of major movies. Oh, to have his annual income.

Writer's Block: Look at Me/Don't Look at Me

2009-05-17T13:43:19Z

Do you seek attention or hide from it?

Submitted By novarr

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I certainly don't seek attentions. I prefer to work quietly in the backbground. A-type personalities have trouble understanding that.

Writer's Block: Meant to Be?

2009-05-05T12:31:57Z

Do you believe in fate? Why or why not?

Submitted By and2c_hersmile

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No because resigning oneself to fate leaves no hope and releives one of any personal responisbility for one's life.

Writer's Block: Looking Back

2009-04-14T12:08:27Z

LiveJournal is turning 10 and we're feeling nostalgic. What was your first LJ post about?

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First post, 2 Sep 2004:

My daughter-in-law sent me a link to her online journal, which I read (comments and all). Then I said, to myself, "Self, this could be fun. Let's give it a try." And so, here I am.

Right now I'm watching the Graham Norton Effect on Comedy Central. It's such an outrageous show! After the show, it will be time to pay some bills -- so depressing! But it has to be done.

Why is it that disasters/crises at work always happened just before 5:00? "My computer just crashed and it's critical that I have it up and running in the morning!" Sorry about your luck, dude. When you get a BSOD in the Recovery Console, it's bad, really bad. I'm thinking it's most likely a case of demonic possession.

Sorry if I seem to be rambling but it's my first time.

Writer's Block: Confidences

2009-04-12T13:35:56Z

Who do you think it is easier to talk about your problems with: your friends, your family, or strangers?

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You mean you can talk about your problems with other people? Without having to pay them for an hour of their time? I'll have to look into this.

Writer's Block: Get Real

2009-04-10T11:31:42Z

What reality show would you most want to be a contestant on? What would your strategy for winning be?

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First of all, what do "reality shows" have to do with reality? They are an artificial reality contrived by the producers to bring out the worst in people and to heighten drama, thereby increasing audience share and advertising revenue.

I don't watch these shows and have no interest in them. You want reality? Film people in the real world with no scripts, no made up rules, no interference. It will most likely be boring and extremely unprofitable. People don't want to see reality, they watch reality shows to escape their own reality for a while.

Writer's Block: Seven Days

2009-04-07T10:45:38Z

Which day of the week do you least look forward to? And which one do you most anticipate?

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Tough question as nearly every day is pretty much the same as the day before. Mondays were dreaded becuase it meant reinserting myself into a stressful and frustrating environment. I looked forward to Saturdays becasue I removed myself from that environment and, even if I did go in, it was more relaxed that during the week.

Writer's Block: Controversial Interrogation Techniques

2009-04-05T13:27:46Z

Do you think controversial interrogation techniques should be used to get key intelligence from alleged terrorists? When, if at all, could it go too far?

Sponsored by "Inside Guantanamo" on National Geographic Channel. Premieres Tonight at 9P et/pt.

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Absolutely not. controversial interrogation techniques (aka torture) are barbaric, unnecessary, and ineffective. Using these methods of interrogation generally only result in the confession the interrogator wants to hear. At some point the victim will confess to anything just to put an end to it.

We should be setting the standard for human rights and humane treatment, not giving the rest of the world even more valid raasons to hate us. Who will we use these methods on next? First it's suspected terrorists, next criminals in our own justice system. If torture is allowed under "any" circumstances, what's to stop the government (ie, the police and the military) from using these methods on ordinary citizens whose only crime is holding different beliefs.

Writer's Block: Change for the Better over a Decade

2009-03-20T11:55:47Z

How are you a better person today than you were ten years ago?

Writer's Block: What a Way to Make a Living

2009-03-14T12:43:59Z

What's the worst job you've ever had?

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I guess it would be my short stint testing software for Lexis-Nexis. It was the same thing day after day, the same software, the same bugs. It got boring very quickly. I'm not at liberty to discuss the other job in the running.

The best job I ever had, the one with the most job satisfaction involved shoveling cow manure.

Writer's Block: Timely Departures

2009-03-13T12:06:59Z

If you could jump in a time machine and travel back to any point in history, where would you go?

Submitted By shadowofcastiel

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There are so many times and places I'd like to travel to. To be able to travel back in time to meet and talk to, or at least observe, my ancestors would be a genealogiest's dream come true. Plymouth in 1620-21, Watertown in 1630, Pomfret, VT in the late 18th and early 19th century, Sweden, NY in the 1850s. The Dakota Territory in the 1880s, Geauga County, OH any time between 1830 and 1910. Connecticut and Western Massachusetts between 1790 and 1830. 19th century Prussia and Slovakia. Oh, just countless times and places. I could be the genealogical Dr. Who.

Writer's Block: Really, Truly

2009-03-13T11:57:52Z

Do you believe in true love? What about love at first sight?

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I absolutely believe in true love. My parents had it. They were together for 60 years through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, until death did they part. But true love remains.

I also believe in love at first sight. It happened to me although it took me about 10 months to realize it. But she knew from the beginning. We'll celebrate our 33rd anniversary in a couple of weeks. And they said it couldn't be done.

Writer's Block: Miss Manners

2009-03-06T10:51:15Z

What recently developed technology—cell phones, wi-fi, laptops, handheld gaming devices, etc.—do you think has had the worst influence on how people behave in public?

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From what I've observed, I'd have to say cell phones. People talk on them everywhere and often very loudly. Do I really want to hear about your personal life? And they think I'm rude for listening in on their conversation, as if I wanted to. But when you're chatting away at 140 decibels, it's pretty damned hard not to. And they'll talk on their cell phone ANYWHERE, often in places where it's inappropriate or potentially dangerous (while driving or pumping gas). When they're on the phone they don't give a damn about anyone else. They're slaves to the phone, if it rings they gotta answer it. It's a Pavlovian response. Most of the time they don't have anything to say, they just have to be saying something.

Guess I'll stop my rant now, my cell phone is ringing. Why am I salivating?

Writer's Block: Chatty

2009-03-04T12:29:59Z

Do you prefer texting or talking on the phone?

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I totally suck at texting. It takes me 10 minutes to text a short message so I find it's a lot more trouble than it's worth. I don't care for talking on the phone either. I'm not anti-social (well, maybe a little); I don't talk, text, or chat just to be in contact with another human being. I communicate because I have something to say not just to say something. I've said too much already. caio.

Writer's Block: If Animals Could Talk

2009-03-01T14:27:33Z

If you could ask your pet any question (and they could answer you), what would it be?

Submitted By frisinator

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I'd be asking Hooze why she does things the things she does the things she does. I believe it's just to piss me off but I'd like to get her side of the story.

Writer's Block: Dressed to Impress

2009-02-23T13:52:07Z

Who had the best outfit at the Oscars this year? Who had the worst?

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Didn't watch the Oscars. Don't know, don't care.

Writer's Block: Words to Live By

2009-02-21T11:36:21Z

What is your personal motto or favorite quotation?

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"Things are never so bad they can't possibly get worse." -- Calvin

Writer's Block: Jackpot

2009-02-19T12:41:48Z

If you won the lottery, what would you do with your newfound riches?

Submitted By kimbereli09

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First, I'd pay off my debts, buy some land, and build my dream house. Then I'd invest most of what's left so that I could live comfortably on the interest and pursue my interests.

Writer's Block: Dream Trip

2009-02-17T13:12:18Z

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

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I've always wanted to visit Australia and New Zealand. I'd also like to visit the places where my ancestors lived so I can try to learn more about them through local records, to walk where they walked, and see where they are buried.

Writer's Block: In a Former Life

2009-02-16T13:43:49Z

Do you believe in reincarnation? If your answer is "yes," describe some of your past lives.

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I accept the idea of reincarnation and believe in the concept of the soul. I find it hard to believe we only get one chance to get it right, that the soul's existence is linear -- conception, gestation, birth, life, death, Heaven or Hell. That's it? There has to be more to it.

I have no recollection of past lives although I'd be willing to investigate the possibility. I think I could learn from past lives and use the lessons to make this existence better.

Writer's Block: Heart to Heart

2009-02-14T11:11:26Z

Valentine's Day: love it or hate it?

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It was fun when I was a kid but since it got co-opted by Hallmark, the jewelers, et al, it has become too commericial. It's the original "Hallmark holiday." I still observe it but minimally.

The three saints named Valentine have nothing in their biographies to associate them with the notion of romantic love. The holiday originally observed the annual mating of certain birds in France which happened to fall around St. Valentine's feast day (Feb 14).

Happy Avian Mating Day!

Writer's Block: Half a Glass

2009-02-09T12:39:58Z

Do you consider yourself an optimist, a pessimist, or a realist?

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I hope for the best (optimist) and expect the worst (pessimist), knowing that things will probably fall somewhere in between. Am I a realist? A pragmatist?

Writer's Block: Seven

2009-02-05T11:20:27Z

Which of the seven deadly sins—sloth, greed, lust, gluttony, anger, envy, and pride—are you most likely to commit?

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Out of the seven, probably sloth. I'm not ambitious enough for greed, my lustful days are behind me, and I've become too health concious for gluttony. Anger subsides quickly. I don't have time for envy and my self-esteem is too low for pride. If sadness were still a deadly sin, I'd really be in trouble.