Personality ... For Fun

Results from a personality test ...
You have a tender heart, but you know how to establish and keep personal boundaries. You are empathetic and compassionate, but you also believe that it's best if people solve their own problems and learn to take care of themselves, if they are able.You are deeply moved by the needs of others, but you know that if you don't take good care of yourself, you'll wind up being of no use to anyone. So yours is a thoughtful compassion. You strive to be fair and sensible, taking care of others while also taking care of yourself.When someone really is in trouble, you like to collaborate with them toward a solution; they do their part, you do yours. You consider carefully, and respond in a sensible way; they do their part, and together you move through the difficulty. You seldom act impulsively; rather, when a problem arises, you take your time to think through the situation. This contemplative quality usually means that you'll arrive at a diplomatic solution, one that's fair for the other person and also fair to you. It's frequently a win/win situation.

Everybody knows they can count on you to do what you promise to do, be where you say you'll be "on time" and finish what you start. If you say you'll chair the committee, you'll come with an agenda and a clear outline of the tasks to be accomplished, give everyone a chance to speak their minds, and then call for a vote on each issue, schedule the next meeting, hand out assignments and adjourn at the appointed time. You like order and discipline, and use these to methodically accomplish whatever goals you have set for yourself and for others. And you have a strong sense of obligation if you accept responsibility, you are proactive; you take it on with a single-minded commitment, as if you've pledged your allegiance to the assigned task. People know that they can depend on you. Your personal life is also one of order and discipline. You are likely to have a pretty firm schedule, and to stick to it. You make time for your friends, but not at the expense of your work duties. You can be talkative and funny in social situations, but seldom out of control. In fact, you are pretty careful; you seldom, if ever, cross the line into impulsive behavior, and you are even careful to control how much of your inner world you disclose, even to your close friends. You keep yourself in check because you don't want whatever mess might be inside you to leak out into conversation or make a mess of a relationship. There are things to accomplish in life, both at work and in your social world, and you don't want to let unnecessary clutter hamper your drive to get all of it done, and done well.

You think like an artist. Or better, you SEE like an artist. While most people look at life's straight lines, its height and depth and width, you're bending the lines with your imagination and turning black and white into shades of blue and yellow. You can, if you must, think in conventional ways. But left on your own, you'll usually opt for the eccentric or avant-garde; in fact you're usually bored with what everyone else is comfortable with. You learn from reading, talking, watching people and other fauna and flora, and simply sitting in the soft chair of your mind. You are out in front of conventional ideas, bravely originally defining true and false, right and wrong, the good, the bad and the ugly.

You are an emotional person. Your emotions are closer to the surface, and your feelings more obvious to you than is the case with most people. You've got your life in a good place, your dominant mood is upbeat, and unless life has been particularly trying for you, you greatly enjoy the richness and intensity of life that being so open with your emotions brings you. Sure there are times when your feelings come very close to the surface, and life becomes more complicated. At these times you may grow self-conscious, or feel a bit anxious. But all in all, you much prefer being open with your emotions, breathing in all that life offers, than shutting down any part of your emotional experience. Granted, there may be times when these emotions are hard but you realize that is part of life. And more often than not you feel enriched by your emotions, by your ability to be open to all that life brings you. You know that even when you have those times that get you down, there will be even more times when you see life in ways that others just can't.

Lucky you! You enjoy your own company as much as you enjoy the company of others. You are a great conversationalist and thrive in the wonderful kinds of connections you know how to have with your family and friends. You also equally enjoy your own company, whether sitting in a favorite chair with your book and soft music playing or meandering in the woods by yourself. You like coming home to your family or your roommate; but if no one is home, you find quiet, solitary time to be just as pleasurable. Because you are so amiable and relaxed, you are comfortable with almost any group of family or friends. Whether they are pumped up and lively or calm and subdued, you remain at ease. If someone needs to take over the conversation, you are comfortable taking the lead; you can also lay back and let someone else be in charge. If the conversation gets rowdy, your moderate demeanor will often draw it down to a more temperate level. If someone in the group loses their cool, you will most likely maintain your poise, and if they get nasty you know how to keep a civil tongue. You may find yourself out of balance on occasion. If you're alone too much, you may need to get in touch with someone. If you spend too much time with your family and friends, you may need to sneak off for a day by yourself, to putter and read and clear your head of the noise of too much conversation. When you're at your best, you live with a rhythm of time with others, time alone, time with others, time alone It's a satisfying, comfortable balance.

Oscar the Nursing Home Cat

* And then sometimes it's the other way around. I just picked up "Tiger," an adorable gray and white boy cat with the most beautiful, clear green eyes, off of the street in front of my house. I laid him down in the grass in a sleeping pose for his owners to hopefully find him.
I really could have done without that tonight.

Did you guys see this story on Oscar, the cat? It's an interesting little aside.

Texas Family Magazine - July/August 2007

The July/August issue of Texas Family Magazine is on newsstands. This is the first issue in which I've taken over and revamped the "Talking Points" section. It's designed to be smaller blocks of information that answer parents' potential questions. In this issue, experts talk about same sex schooling, kids and sleep, how to handle parents' closed-door private time, and dealing with the inevitable, "But my friend gets to do it!"
I also write an extensive article on back to school and offer suggestions for prepping for this busy time of year.

Maine Story - Western New York Family

My "Exploring Coastal Maine" story is out in Western New York Family. I have a lot of posts from my trip there so for a reminder, it's probably easiest to check October 2006 and November 2006.

Birthday Party

My birthday party was lovely! And so much fun! I was very happy that so many of my friends were able to attend. They surprised me with a cake Ellen had brought by earlier in the day, and the band that was playing wished me a happy birthday as it came out! It was just a great, great time. I really appreciate every one of my friends!
Thirty one is an awful lot of candles to blow out, though!!

Turning 31derful

Today is my birthday. I'll be 31derful for the whole next year, and I plan to make it a good one! ... And a lucky one! And a happy one! And a fruitful one!

Dan Crump - Best in Texas

A new story I wrote for Best in Texas Music Magazine is out - this one featuring singer and songwriter Dan Crump. Through the end of July, the story can be read here.

In addition to our interview, I was lucky enough to see Dan perform, along with band member Stacy Bridges, at Austin's Hill's Cafe.

Not surprisingly, we found our way to some shenanigans. Why are we standing behind a Radio Cow, you ask? Because what else would you do with a Radio Cow, silly!

Touring Albuquerque on a Segway

Albuquerque was the main destination I visited recently, doing research for future articles. And, while I take my work very seriously, I guess it also could be said that I like to have a good time, in the theme of "whistle while you work" and all that. I definitely had a good time when I rode a Segway around downtown Albuquerque. It was a great way to get to know the area and to check out the famed Route 66.

If you've never ridden a Segway, chances are you would find it to be a lot of fun, although riding one is a little more physically involved than it looks. You use your core to balance back and forth, and you bend at the knees a lot to take on bumps. That being said, it's not hard to get the hang of it and feel confident. Before we knew it, we were feeling (over) confident enough to perform our version of Swan Lake for a set of onlookers. In retrospect, however, it perhaps was a little more like The Ugly Duckling ... ;)

I'd Love to Be a Horrible Warning

I updated my "Hot Time in Acoma Pueblo - New Mexico" and "Up Bright and Early! My Hot Air Balloon Ride" posts within themselves to keep everything in one place. Please read more at each one.

And to leave you with an additional thought, I came across an awesome quote. It's another one of those I wish I had thought of first. I believe it belongs to writer Catherine Aird, whose work I don't know ... yet. "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning."

Of course, I'd shorten it to "If you can't be a good example, be a horrible warning." Gives it more punch. Regardless, this definitely falls in line with my "When I grow up, I want to be ornery" theme. ; ) ... I'm thinking exasperating would be good, too.