Because I can’t really think of anything to write about at this very moment, I’ve been going through some old Friday Five archives. So here are some selected questions and answers, i.e. each set doesn’t necessarily include all five questions:
31 Oct 2003
What was your first Halloween costume?
I think it was Big Bird. It was pretty cute, I have to say. Imagine me, a little kindergartener, as Big Bird.
What was your best costume and why?
When I got a little bit older, I was a vampire for a few years running. Got a lot of mileage out of that. I had my mom make me a cape of black satin. Ah, those fun trips to the fabric store with my mom, paging through pattern books and poring over bolts of fabrics. (She should’ve seen the signs, eh? Oh, I’m suddenly reminded of a Post article a while back about a teenager who’s fashioned a following—their pun, not mine—by designing homecoming dresses for girls at his school.) Anyway, yeah, by this point, I was like, none of those ready-made plastic costumes for me.
Share your favorite scary story… real or legend!
I remember having Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death read to our camp group in the fifth grade. Totally scared me.
10 Oct 2003
Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?
I’ve found that most of the sports I enjoy watching are judged subjectively: diving, figure skating, etc. As much as I like figure skating, I’ll admit that I don’t know whether to think of it really as a sport, rather than exclusively as an art, like ballet, say. It’s physically challenging, no doubt about that, but I watch it for its performing arts sake than for the competition aspect of it. Other than that, I do watch football and tennis from time to time.
What/who are your favorite sports teams and/or favorite athletes?
Since I don’t follow teams or individual athletes at all, it’s hard to say. But my default homecity team, the 49ers, always get my support.
Are there any sports you hate?
Umm, no, there aren’t any sports I hate. There might be some that I’m not inclined to watch (basketball is too frenetic, and baseball too slow), but hate, no.
Do/did you play any sports (in school or other)? How long did you play?
As a kid I played tennis, just very leisurely, and not very well.
12 Sept 2003
Is the name you have now the same name that’s on your birth certificate? If not, what’s changed?
Yes, exactly the same.
If you could change your name (first, middle, and/or last), what would it be?
Well, my only quibble is that my middle name is Steve, not Stephen. It doesn’t bug me enough to actually change it legally. I used to wish a little that my first and middle names were Spanish, to flow more with my last name, but in the end, I do like Jeff. I’m not completely fond of my last name, but I’ve grown to be okay with it. I used to get teased—not just by kids, but also by otherwise sane adults who thought they were being funny and good-natured—and only until I got to college did a few people say it was kind of a cool name.
Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why?
Lately I’m into classically evocative names: Leander, Tristan, Sebastian, and the like. There’s something unique and timeless about them.
Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com / triggur.org / astroexpert accurate? How or how isn’t it?
Kabalarians.com says
Jeffrey as a first name gives you a very independent nature, yet you are friendly, approachable, and generous. You can be a spontaneous, expressive, and talkative person. Generally you are good-natured, though at times you can be rather blunt and sarcastic. This name incorporates creative, artistic, and musical abilities, and there would be an element of originality in all that you do. You like to do things on the spur of the moment without planning or prior arrangements. Your spirits are buoyed up greatly by encouragement and appreciation.
Eh, I don’t know. I suppose it’s mostly right, but to me it’s like reading a horoscope. Grain of salt and all that.
5 Sept 2003
What housekeeping chore(s) do you hate doing the most?
Anything requiring a bucket of water. Then again, washing the car, provided there’s nice weather, is all right.
Are there any that you like or don’t mind doing?
I actually find doing the dishes or laundry kind of therapeutic. And with the advent of disposable dust cloths—those things are great—I don’t mind dusting either.
Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it’s needed?
When I lived with my parents, I’d do laundry usually on Saturday mornings. In college, I’d clean as needed, and the only routine I abided by was taking out recyclables on Friday afternoons. And now, it’s anybody’s guess. Thom can vouch for my habits when I’m at his place. As for my own place, bring a mining helmet with a light.