In a radical, if short-lived, change of species from duck to sheep, I present the huge survey thing that others have already filled out…

[::] Basic Info [::]

Your full name: Karel Peter Kerezman.

Age: About the RPM of a normal LP record.

Age you act: I like to say I’m “(my age) going on seventeen.” Sometimes it’s even true.

Height: 5’8”

Natural hair colour: Er, light brown?

Hair colour: See above.

Eye colour: Blue, or something.

Number of siblings: 1, though there were a few years there when I had stepsiblings… *shudder*

Glasses/contacts?: Neither, though arguably I should.

Piercings: Nope

Tattoos: Nope

Braces?: Nope, though arguably… yadda yadda.

Right, lefty or ambidextrous?: Right, unless I’m typing or… typing. Yeah. *cough*

[::] Favorites [::]

Colour: Depends on my mood. Could be grey, blue, green or black.

Band: Genesis (and Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks), Pet Shop Boys, Midnight Oil, Vast, Jethro Tull, Toy Matinee (and the late-great Kevin Gilbert), and… well, I could go on and on.

Song: Here’s an “of-the-moment” question, since the answer is likely to change by the day if not by the hour… but right now? ELO’s “Twilight,” because it’s stuck in my head after watching the Daicon IV opening video animation. Last hour it was Jethro Tull’s “Broadsword,” and before that I think it was Daft Punk’s “Da Funk”. And so on…

Stuffed animal: My Ryo-ohki, of course! Followed by the pair of tigers that guard my computer monitors at home.

Video game: (as the lovely Kyla said,) *cough* City of Heroes *cough*

TV show: American TV? CSI, Daily Show, and the occasional Mythbusters. Japanese? Bleach, Suzuka, Okusama wa Mahou Shoujo and Futakoi Alternative. I’m looking forward to Mai Otome and a few others from the upcoming season, though.

Movie: Princess Bride, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, and… well, so on and so on.

Book: Raymond Feist’s “Riftwar” series and most of what comes after in that same world. Anne McCaffrey’s pern books… well, most of them. And Julian May’s “Intervention,” which in its way transcends the four-book series that preceeded it and the trilogy which it was designed mainly just to lead into.

Food: Pizza, pasta, baby back ribs (why hast thou deserted us, Tony Roma?), steaks, omelettes, english muffins… okay, I like a lot of foods.

Flower: I don’t have a favorite, sorry.

Scent: Good food, or… well, that would be a bit personal.

Animal: Avians mostly, from raptors to waterfowl. I like cats even though a lot of them make my lungs crud up and my nose itch.

Cereal: Malt-o-meal. Go ahead and laugh.

Website: Drop me a note and I’ll send you my bookmarks list, okay? Really, we do not have all day.

[::] Do You [::]

Play an instrument?: No, though I played alto sax in band, back in middle school. Scary, huh?

Have a job?: Yes.

Have a cell phone?: Yes, thanks to my job. Heh.

Like to play sports?: You mean, the ones you play out-of-doors? Nope.

Have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: “A”? *chuckle*

Have a crush on someone?: I’ve never understood that terminology. I mean, doesn’t being crushed sort of, you know, hurt quite a bit?

Have any special talents/skills?: Making a pronouncement, fully secure in the knowledge that I’m absolutely right, only to have it proven wrong almost immediately.

Excercise daily?: No, though I walk quite a bit in my daily commute.

Like school?: Nope. Good thing I’m not in it, huh?

Smoke: Not since the last time I was set on fire. Oh wait, that would be never…

Cuss: Fluently and delightedly.

Drink: Tea, root beer and juice, yes.

Like to sing?: I love the sound of my own voice. Yes, I’m sure that amazes everyone who knows me. But… (see next question)

Sing well: …I know that I sing poorly and it would be hypocritical of me to sing along with songs when I get on other people’s cases for doing it, ‘cause it annoys me. (It doesn’t matter if they’re a good singer, it still grates like nails on a chalkboard. I have no idea why.)

Sing in the shower: No. Admittedly this is generally because I’m too groggy in the morning to remember more than a word or two of any given song. That, and (see above).

Believe in yourself: Of course I exist. The question is, do I believe in you? Maybe you’re a figment of my fevered imagination. Have you ever considered that?

Want to go to college?: I think about it from time to time, and then I remember that… oh yeah, I hated school.

Want to get married?: Been there, done that, got the child support payments. (For the record, that’s humor. Relax. Wendi knows I’m kidding. *grin*)

Want to have children?: I already do, so I guess that’s a fait accompli. (Look it up. Learning stuff is good for you.)

Get along with your parents: It’s easy to get along with people you have almost no contact with.

Get along with your siblings?: It’s easy to… oh wait, Sis is in contact again. Yay!

Think you’re popular: Not as such, no.

[::] Can you [::]

Sing the alphabet backwards?: Er, why?

Speak any other languages?: Perhaps this question should read “Converse in any other languages?” instead. To which my answer would be, “Nein.”

Go a day without food?: I could stand to lose a few pounds, but if I miss two meals my body gives me hell for it.

Stay up for more than 24 hours?: Barely, and rarely. Man, I’m getting old.

Roll your tongue?: You mean, curl it into a tube-like shape? Sure. I can’t roll my R’s, though, and that annoys me to no end ‘cause you know, the chicks dig that stuff.

[::] Have you ever [::]

Snuck out of the house?: Whatever for?

Stolen something important to someone else?: Hell no. Unless you count my best friend’s girlfriend. I ended up marrying the poor girl, even…

Cried over a girl/boy?: Of course.

Kissed a random stranger?: No.

Hugged a random stranger?: No.

Been in a fist fight?: Not since high school, which was long enough ago not to count anymore, I think.

Been arrested?: Nope.

Done drugs?: No, but I have a great story about the time I was offered drugs in an attempt to prevent carsickness…

Had alcohol?: Yes, but only because my best friend Mitch’s little brother spiked the juice. We beat the crap out of him for it, once we were coherent again.

Pushed all the buttons on an elevator?: Only the ones with numbers. Not, you know, the emergency button or anything like that.

Kicked a guy where it hurts?: I don’t think I’ve hurt anyone in a fight, ever. Yes, I’m a loser.

Been in love?: Yes!

Broken a bone?: No, and if I knew what gods to sacrifice small animals to in order to remain unbroken, I’d do so.

Gotten stitches?: I honestly don’t remember, so probably not.

Bitten someone?: Yes, under varying circumstances…

Been to Niagara Falls?: No, though I’d love to.

Burped in someones face?: Ye gods, I hope not.

Gotten the chicken pox?: I don’t think so…

[::] When was the last time you [::]

Last time you cried: Sunday morning.

Last movie seen: That final Star Wars thing, I think. Well, in the theater. At home it was the Final Fantasy 7 movie on my living room computer. Man, that was cool. Guess which one had better fights?

Last curse word said: The “F word.”

Last time you laughed: A few minutes ago.

Last phone call: “Would you like to take a survey?” Seriously, half the time my office phone rings it’s from The Gartner Group or some variant thereof.

Last song you listened to: Something off of the Tsubasa Chronicle soundtrack, I think. Yuki Kajiura’s “A Song of Storm and Fire,” if I’m not mistaken. I think I’ll listen to it right now, just to make sure…

Last annoyance: Needy salespeople.

Last IM: A few minutes ago, as I write this portion of the survey-thing. I’m sure there’ll be more before I’m through…

Last weird encounter: Having one of our geek-inclined salesfolks and one of our front desk gals in my office at the same time, two of us trying to explain Neopets to the other.

Last person you hugged: One of my kids, preceeded by the other.

Last person you yelled at: You know, I don’t remember? It must’ve been a while.

Last time you’ve been evil: I’m the network administrator at my office. Evil is in the job description, baby.

Last time you were sarcastic?: What do you mean? I’m never sarcastic. Ever.

Last time you fought with your parents: Wow, there’s something that’s never happened. That requires having both parents present, doesn’t it?

Last time you wished upon a star: I think it was late last week. I got my wish, too, oddly enough.

[::] This or that [::]

Pepsi/Coke: Root beer, preferably Henry’s or Thomas Kemper.

Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate!

Adidas or Nike: No?

Black or white: I haven’t played chess in years…

Rock or rap: Rock. (Ewww, rap.)

TV or Movie: Yes. And then I’ll watch some anime, too.

Cash or Check: I only use checks to pay rent and bills.

Chinese food or Mexican food: Chinese, no doubt about it.

Summer or Winter: Winter. You can always put on more clothes or get inside out of the cold, but beating the heat can be nigh-impossible. Gah.

Snow or Rain: Rain.

Fog or Mist: Now there’s a fine distinction… but yes to both, thanks.

Hugs or Kisses: What’s this “or” nonsense?!?

Cats or dogs: Cats.

Winter Break or Spring Break: I’d rather nothing broke, thanks.

Spring or Autumn: Autumn. Cooler days after the blistering heat, and the lovely colors of turning leaves.

Clouds or Clear Sky: Some of each, preferably.

[::] Friendship and Friends [::]

How many friends do you have?: There’s a “quality over quantity” remark in there somewhere…

Have you ever lost a friend?: Define “lost.” Lost like one’s keys? Lost like split up? Lost like dead? Throw me a bone, here… as it were.

What’s an inside joke between you and a friend?: A joke that’s only funny to myself and said friend. Oh wait, you weren’t looking for the dictionary definition?

Do you miss any of your old friends?: Yes. Often.

Has a friend of yours ever died?: Ah, so that’s one variant of “lost” accounted for. And, yes. It was when I was barely a teenager, but still.

What do you think your friends think of you?: That I’m worth having as a friend, I can only assume.

Who is the Craziest: Wow, that’s a tough one. We’re all nutty in our own ways. Geoffrey’s the most macabre, but that doesn’t make him the craziest.

Who is the Loudest: Mari wishes she could be, but it’s probably me.

Who is the Most Shy: If it’s not the Twinlet, it’s probably me. I imagine Lilith used to be more shy than any of the rest of us, but she’s long since cured herself of that particular problem.

Who is the Blondest: Great. Now I can’t think of any friends who are blondes. Figures.

Who is the Smartest: Oh, wow. So you want me to pick one and possibly piss off all of the others? What kind of friend would that make me? (Besides, everyone knows I’m the smartest. Heh.)

Who is the Kindest: Mari. She is absolutely the coolest person to have around when you really need help.

Who has the Best Personality: Nuh uh. That’s an impossible question to answer. Go fish.

Who is the Most Talented: And this question could get me into all kinds of trouble! I don’t think so!

Who is the Best Singer: Wendi. (Finally, an easy question.)

Drama Queen (or King XP): Everyone but Mari and Doug? *chuckle* (And what’s the “King XP” thing? I don’t get it…)

Funniest: We’re all pretty damned funny. Geoffrey’s possessed of the quickest wit, especially if there are puns involved. Lyse and Lil’ both tell great funny stories. Mari does zany randomness better than anybody. The Twinlet wields snark for great justice. And me? I’m moderately clever with the wordplay and the stuff and such, donchaknow.

Best person for advice: My advice for seeking advice (heh) is to get advice from more than one person. So there.

Dependable: That’s a tough one. I haven’t had to “depend” on my friends for anything other than being my friend… and they’re all dependable for that or they wouldn’t be my friend anymore.

Person you’ve known the longest: Out of the current immediate circle, not counting The Ex? That’d be Mari.

[::] Ahh love, and all that [nonsense] [::]

Have you ever been in love?: You’ve got an awfully short attention span, haven’t you?

Are you single?: No, I’m siamese twins. (That’s a joke, kid. Laugh.)

Do you believe there is someone for everyone?: Not as such, no. Not the way you mean it, anyway.

What is your idea of the best date?: March 8, 1972. Oh, wait…

How old were you when you got your first kiss?: I was 18, and we were standing in front of Dad’s apartment in St. Johns. I wonder what Megan’s up to these days…

Do you think love is a load of [nonsense]?: Heck no. And what’s with the expletives all of a sudden?

What’s the best experience you’ve ever had with the opposite sex?: Wuv. Twuu wuv. Sex is pretty good, too.

[::] I [::]

am: at work, waiting for the day to end so I can go out on a dinner date.

want: enough money to provide for myself and my loved ones forever.

need: food, clothing, shelter, gainful employment, love and affection.

crave: tasty foodstuffs and good company.

love: my children and a few other very special people.

hate: as little as possible, ‘cause it’s not terribly healthy… though the current state of political affairs in this country is a contender for What I Hate Most.

did: it, and I’m proud of it, so whatcha gonna do about it, huh?

feel: a bit melancholy because of a certain circumstance but generally hopeful that things will work out, somehow.

miss: the Twinlet.

am annoyed by: a society dominated by sales-and-marketing.

would rather: be hanging out with my friends.

will always: remain true to myself and honest about my beliefs and values.

am tired of: being forgotten on those rare occasions when manna falls from the Corporate heaven.

[::] Do you think you are [::]

funny?: Yes.

pretty?: No.

sarcastic?: No, never!

lazy?: Yes, but laziness is the father of invention.

hyper?: Rarely.

friendly?: Yes.

evil?: Sometimes.

smart?: Sometimes.

strong?: -willed, yes. Otherwise, maybe not so much. Certainly not physically.

talented?: Depends…

dorky?: Very much so.

[::] Finally, What is/are? [::]

Words you overuse: I try not to do that, though I’m sure it still happens. Bah.

Phrases you overuse: See above.

Your first thought when you wake up: Do I have to?

Your greatest accomplishment: My children, though I’m still not sure what I actually did for them to turn out the way they have so far.

Something you want to do: Travel.