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Five(ish) Things I Don't Know About You
Imagine you want to get to know someone and you can ask only five questions. What would you ask? What would you most want to know? Obviously it depends on the context--you'd ask different questions of someone you're dating vs. a job interviewee vs. a customer vs. someone your daughter is dating. But I wonder, should the questions we ask our users be that different from the ones we'd ask our dates?
Think of all those surveys you've taken. If you're signing up for a conference, magazine, or online news site, you usually get things like:
1) What do you do for a living? [Choose an industry and job title]
2) How big is your budget?
4) What are your purchasing plans for [whatever the domain is, with timeframes]
3) Are you "the decider"?
In other words, "How useful are you to our advertisers and sponsors?" Those surveys say to me, "The only thing we care about is how much you can buy."
If it's a customer survey, you often get things like:
1) How old are you?
2) What gender are you?
3) How old are your kids?
4) What's your total household income?
5) Do you own or rent your home?
In other words, "The only thing we care about is selling more things to you and other people who fit your demographics."
Those questions tell you little about me as a person. If we want passionate users, shouldn't we care about what they care about? Obviously there are personal questions that might not be appropriate for customers, but most of us here are trying to have a more personal connection with users, and that means doing more to get to know them as individual people.
By now, you've probably seen the "Five Things You Probably Don't Know About Me" meme floating around, which I've enjoyed reading. And several wonderful bloggers have tagged me for this including:
passionate analyst Dylan Lewis
Cool Cat Teacher (aka Vicki Davis)
Passionate Communicator Lee Hopkins
and the must-must-must read creativity guy Roger von Oech
Well, I'm much more interested in knowing something about you--our wonderful readers we learn so much from. So, I'm asking you for a huge favor--to answer some or all of the following five questions here in comments--or on your own blog (please let us know). Which brings me back to the start of this post, which five questions should I ask? Normally my first question would be, "Which books do you wish others would read?", but fortunately I've already asked y'all that and got a fantastic reading list. But, here are the other five(ish) things I'd love to know:
0) What's your name and website URL? (optional, of course)
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why? (two sentences max)
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max)
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
B. Now list two more words you wish described you...
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes-- three sentences max)
6) (sue me) Write--and answer--one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max)
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]
Thanks! And best wishes to y'all for a wonderful 2007. I know 2006 sucked for many of us, but the new year is a powerful metaphor for 'starting new.' At the very least, you get to start a new calendar and crack open a crisp, fresh, Moleskine ; )
[Photo of Daniel knitting at Foo Camp by Brian Sawyer]
[Photo of me is so old I can't remember who took it. And would you get a look at the size of those trucks? Not to mention the 80's hairstyle...]
Posted by Kathy on December 30, 2006 | Permalink
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Comments
1. What was the last remodeling project you've done?
Posted by: john | Dec 30, 2006 11:40:37 PM
0) Personal: http://www.jacobandmarcia.com Professional: http://www.jacobthurman.com
1) The most fun work I've ever done is teaching drummers in the high school marching band. Nothing beats showing young people just how much they can achieve when they really work at it.
2)A. I used to seek out every possible opportunity to practice my Russian, but I haven't had a conversation or read a book in Russian in over a year now. B. I've always wanted to learn to fly - get a pilots license - but just haven't done it yet.
3)A. I would like to learn to memorize - to remember quotes and poems and scripture and names and dates and other things that are always sort of there but not quite. B. I would want to learn from Jesus Christ, and I would want to learn whatever he wanted to tell me.
4) My family would probably describe me as "talented," "smart," and "tall." I WISH I could be described as "friendly," and "generous."
5) My top three passions are - in no particular order, Church, Music, and Family. I kind of surprised myself that computers, programming, technology, or money didn't make that list.
6) "When was the last time you let nature, art, or some other beautiful thing move you to tears?" For me, it was watching a play - Peter Schaffer's Amadeus. I had been involved as the "music expert" in putting on the play, and so had seen many rehearsals, but the final dress rehearsal, with lights and costumes and everything, was magical. When Mozart died and Costanze's cries coincided with the height of the Lacrymosa from Mozart's mass, I cried. And it was good.
Posted by: Jacob Thurman | Dec 30, 2006 11:48:07 PM
0) Ron Davison http://rwrld.blogspot.com/
1) The most fun? Probably teaching Covey's 7 Habit seminars those weeks when everything clicked. What's better than a three-day conversation about how you became you and how you'd change that?
2)What do I wish I still did? Regularly jog through the redwoods on campus at UC Santa Cruz, coming out of the grove to see the ocean below.
3A) I'd like to write like Csikszentmihalyi or Anne LaMott - or a cross between them. I'd also like to play a musical instrument.
3B) I'd like to take a course from Thomas Jefferson or Martin Luther or Henry VIII or Wilhelm Humboldt on social transformation and creating new institutions.
4) Tall, goofy, talkative.
5) My top three passions are humor, decoding the mystery of how people fell in love or found a calling, and social evolution.
6)Question I'd ask: What shape would you make earth if not a globe?
My answer: I think that a cube might allow more interesting experiments in separation - keeping otherwise feuding folks from contact. It might work.
6) Do you think the ultimate state of humanity is a state of sustainable joy or extinction? How does that change your sense of responsibility towards the future?
P.S. Regardless of whether you rode a skateboard or blog, it looks like you'd attract a following.
Posted by: Ron | Dec 30, 2006 11:59:53 PM
Thanks for asking. Here's my answers...
0) What's your name and website URL? (optional, of course)
Kathryn Greenhill from Librarians Matter http://librariansmatter.com
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why? (two sentences max)
* Community Information Librarian - Using all the useless trivia I knew to answer little questions that made a huge difference to people's lives
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max
* Swim daily
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)
* Learn piano
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)
* Walking up to a circle of people at a social funtion and joining in
* Singing
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)
* Compassion with Buddha
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
*Talkative, energetic, colourful
B. Now list two more words you wish described you...
* Kind, open
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes-- three sentences max)
* Helping people to connect
* Grassroots community theatre/circus
* Finding balance for me and those around me
6) (sue me) Write--and answer--one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max)
* Q. Why do you live where you live?
* A. The people are off beat and involved with each other, near the beach, relaxed and easy going.
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]
* Is what I'm doing fair and going to make the world better?
Posted by: Kathryn Greehnill | Dec 31, 2006 12:20:50 AM
Delurking to join in the Old Year's Day fun:
0. John Skinner, www.skinnerconsulting.com
1. teaching CAD macro-language programming courses.
2. playing the violin.
3a. being at ease in social settings, and recognizing an opportunity when it arises.
3b. I would like Bill Gates to teach me how to write and sell software profitably.
4a. intelligent, curious, eccentric
4b. outgoing, generous
5. music, reading, looking at the world
6a. "Have you ever actually thought about your beliefs, or did you just inherit them?"
6b. Well, the balance is getting better every day. The unexamined life is indeed not worth living, or at least should be lived with one's mouth firmly closed.
Happy New Year, Kathy. I hope it's a better one for you (and all of us) than 2006 was.
Posted by: John Skinner | Dec 31, 2006 2:54:08 AM
0) What's your name and website URL?
Ryan Fox, http://www.eng.uwaterloo.ca/~rcfox/
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why?
I opened an internet café with my friends. I was in control of how things were run, and I got to spend long hours playing games on my computer.
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did?
Do well in school. :(
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off?
Put that soldering iron to more use.
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why?
How to talk to girls. Haha.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?
I'd like to be Edison's apprentice, to learn to be more creative and use the creativity practically.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
Witty, quiet, nocturnal
B. Now list two more words you wish described you...
Disciplined, charming
5) What are your top three passions?
Programming, engineering, humour.
6) What have you regretted saying the most?
"You're joking, right?" - I don't want to provide context, but it ended badly...
Posted by: Ryan Fox | Dec 31, 2006 3:55:00 AM
Here's my answers:
0) What's your name and website URL? (optional, of course)
David Carlson - http://davidreport.com/blog
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why? (two sentences max)
Travelling to Paris and London for Level Vodka on a research of luxury consumer goods. It did not hurt at all to eat at three star restaurants and stay at luxury hotels...
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max)
Play guitar in a band - or being a DJ.
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)
Learning to sail.
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)
I would like to play tennis more often. And to have more time with my four children.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)
It would have been nice to meet Andy Warhol in his factory.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
curious, absent-minded...,
B. Now list two more words you wish described you...
Kind, brave, funny
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes-- three sentences max)
Old roses, travelling with my family, music
6) (sue me) Write--and answer--one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max)
What will you do during 2007 to make life better for as many people on earth as possible?
Some possible answers: Work for a non-profit organisation, take the bike instead of the car every now and then, support your local dealer
Happy New Year!
Posted by: David Carlson | Dec 31, 2006 5:19:05 AM
Well usually I never answer such things but since I'm so addicted to your blog (passionate user? :P) I can't refuse :)
0) Yonatan Ben-Nes http://www.epoch.co.il (it's in Hebrew so...)
1) can't really answer cause I always do what I want to do.... living the moment I guess (If you don't like what you do then quit it! you won't be good at it anyway...)
2)
a. Playing D&D... sadly no more time can be allocated to it :)
b. Flying for a year or so at India
3)
a. I want to learn body language in a more serious way, it's important for understanding others and even yourself.
Though this question doesn't really fit me... I think I just like to learn almost everything.
4) hmmm... their world is theirs, I can't really answer this question... too subjective.
5) 1. living! (amazing how people forget to do it most of the times...) 2. achieving goals (currently my "work") 3. hmmm... let's say motorcycles
6) I used to take hitch hikers and ask from them a "payment" for the ride... I used to ask from them to tell me something that THEY found interesting/amusing (even if it's the egg that they ate at the morning).
Bonus! people should always ask themself when they feel down... "does it help me that I feel down?" if the answer is NO! then why you keep doing it? :)
Thanks for this gr8 blog!
Yonatan Ben-Nes (Israel)
Posted by: Yonatan Ben-Nes | Dec 31, 2006 5:34:47 AM
Posting mine on my site: http://scotchneat.ca/?p=332
Posted by: scotchneat | Dec 31, 2006 5:49:44 AM
0) Karen (aka Cab Sav) from Infinite Diversty (and Tech Writer) over at http://www.infinitediversity.com.au.
1) Actually, I'm really enjoying the job I have now. Technical and writing combined.
2) A. I wish I still exercised.
B. Cycle through Vietnam.
3) A. Singing, because I love music, and can't sing. Ditto, drawing.
B. Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio--a screenwriting apprentice.
4) A. Patient, fun, trustworthy (I asked, and got that answer. I'm happy)
B. Happy, compassionate.
5) Top three passions -- writing, environment, travel.
6) If you could give up your job and do whatever you wanted to, what would you do? Answer: Travel the world.
[Bonus question] If you could choose to live your life again, would you?
Posted by: Cab Sav | Dec 31, 2006 5:52:39 AM
I dunno.. If I asked the questions, they'd be:
1. If you could have dinner/conversation with any one person, who would it be?
2. What's the biggest mistake you've ever made?
3. What are you most passionate about?
4. What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why? (okay, that's a good one)
5. How did you end up where you are?
Posted by: Steve Mitchell | Dec 31, 2006 7:09:18 AM
Some of the most fun I've ever had was spending time with you guys at the first "Head First" bootcamp. That's also where I knit my first pair of socks (which Brian captured in the inset). I've been getting email this morning from people who said they didn't know I knit. I had no idea why this had suddenly come up until I read my morning blogs including yours.
(1) teaching mathematics is the most fun I've ever had and that's saying something. I've had a lot of magic jobs but being in a room with students is an excitement I will return to before I'm done.
(2) a) I miss radio and am working on getting back to it.
b) I've always wanted to see if I can write fiction but it scares me. I can reach and move people writing non-fiction - could I with fiction?
(3) a) I want to learn to draw to express myself there and want to improve telling short audio stories.
b) Ward Cunningham - where to start and how to proceed
(4) a) busy, messy (probably first on Kim's list), diverse
b) healthy, creative
(5) conversation, education, cooking
(6) If you knew your time was short, how would you spend it. Suppose you knew you had (a) a day, (b) a month, (c) a year, (d) a decade
Answer - I don't know but I've been thinking a lot about this this year.
Posted by: Daniel H Steinberg | Dec 31, 2006 7:15:00 AM
0) What's your name and website URL? (optional, of course)
Haitao Liu. http://liuguo09.spaces.live.com/
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why? (two sentences max)
Blog in English with some unknown friends for a time. But since the website finally crashed, I quit.
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max)
Reading "the 21st Century" English newspaper every week.
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max)
Preparation for the final exam.
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max)
Be better at programming.
Communicate more with my father since we haven't talked with each other for a long time.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max)
I wish to learn from W. Richard Stevens for his elegant programming and writing.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
reticent, honest, innocent
B. Now list two more words you wish described you...
passionate, bold
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes-- three sentences max)
Reading classic books.
Programming more and better.
Help my friends more.
6) Would you pursue a unrealistic dream?
For me, I would (miss a gril yy1984).
I really like reading your blog. Thank you!
Haitao from China
Posted by: haitao | Dec 31, 2006 7:19:17 AM
My name is Virginia and my answers are at my Web Teacher site.
Posted by: Virginia | Dec 31, 2006 8:03:00 AM
Oh, you throw the BEST parties, Kathy! (at least online)(actually, this is better than most of the holiday parties I attended this year...)
Here's my collection:
0) Name/site: John Windsor, http://youblog.typepad.com
1) Most fun work: Anything intensely creative -- acting/singing on Broadway, writing novels, the Flash course on presentations I created last year.
2) A. Wish I did again? Running marathons.
B. Keep putting off? Learning to play the piano.
3) A. Two things to learn/be better at? 1) Keep improving as a dad, because my kids deserve as good a start in life as I can give them. 2) Learn piano, or get back to a tap class, or both, because I LOVE music.
B. A class/workshop/apprentice with: Charlie Chaplin or Stan Freberg, because both were BRILLIANT, multifaceted, and had such a compelling way of skewering wrong-doers. (Freberg is still alive, but I don't think he's actively working.)
4) A. Three words: happy, outgoing, involved.
B. Two wish-list words: can't think of any...
5) Top three passions: my sons; creative endeavors; trying to make a difference.
6) One question YOU would ask: "What was the best day of your life (excluding epics like your wedding or the birth of a child), and why?"
My answer: My first trip to Paris, with my then-girlfriend (now wife). That first night was pure magic, roaming the damp, darkened streets; seeing sites that tourists rarely see; absorbing the amazing energy of such a fascinating city, with someone who opened up new worlds to me. (Ahh, I think I have to leave now...)
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?] (What a killer question! Hmm... How about: "If I could only do one thing in life, what would it be?")
Posted by: John Windsor | Dec 31, 2006 8:30:05 AM
For now, I'm skipping the ones that take more than a couple of minutes to think of anything for ... why waste the space and/or your time?
0) Keith Handy - http://www.keithhandy.com
1) Shooting a tongue-in-cheek video with some friends, because we all were on the same wavelength that day, and made the best use of what little we had to get it done.
2) A. I'm still an active musician, but since I've been out of school I never get a chance to play a real acoustic piano anymore.
B. Make my rock opera into a (mostly animated or "animated looking") film.
3) A. I'd like to learn to make GUIs for my C++ programs; I'd like to learn more about how to write code that uses other code and/or interacts with other software, as opposed to only writing stand-alone terminal apps from scratch.
B. ... *skip*
4) A. Creative, funny, moody.
B. Self-employed, well-known. (Maybe sexually active too!)
5) Music composition & recording/producing, generative art, the creative process in general.
6) ... *skip*
Bonus: ... *skip*
Posted by: Keith Handy | Dec 31, 2006 8:39:39 AM
0) What's your name and website URL? (optional, of course): Michel Parisien, http://www.kriggs.ca/
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why? (two sentences max): I learned to draw Japanese-style and made a manga in my last year of high school.
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? (one sentence max): ...draw anime :)
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off? (one sentence max): Go to the library, where I know there's just so much knowledge.
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why? (two sentences max): Public speaking, because I love to inspire people.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn? (two more sentences, max): Any humanitarian president (or presidential candidate), because they have been to so many places and have heard from so many people.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?: Driven, idealistic, philanthropist.
B. Now list two more words you wish described you...: Outgoing, courageous.
5) What are your top three passions? (can be current or past, work, hobbies, or causes-- three sentences max): Software, anime, CUSEC (Shameless plug: http://2007.cusec.net/ Jan 18-20 2007 baby!).
6) (sue me) Write--and answer--one more question that YOU would ask someone (with answer in three sentences max): What would you do with 20 copies of yourself who all thought exactly as you do? I would change the world based on the principle of philanthropy.
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]: "What am I thinking?"
Jacob) When was the last time you let nature, art, or some other beautiful thing move you to tears? http://narcissu.insani.org/
Ron) Do you think the ultimate state of humanity is a state of sustainable joy or extinction? How does that change your sense of responsibility towards the future?: The ultimate state of humanity is responsible thoughtful teamwork in the pursuit of Gross National Happiness. I live this philosophy every day.
Kathryn) Why do you live where you live?: Because I grew up here. :)
John S) Have you ever actually thought about your beliefs, or did you just inherit them?: I've thought of them, and now believe differently than my parents.
Ryan) What have you regretted saying the most?: "No." Avoid saying anything that could rob you a chance to change your life for the better.
David) What will you do during 2007 to make life better for as many people on earth as possible?: I will question my previous beliefs.
Yonatan) What would you ask a hitchhiker?: "What is your story?"
Cab) If you could give up your job and do whatever you wanted to, what would you do?: If I had a lot of money, I would volunteer and give presentations. Otherwise, I would probably continue working in software.
Daniel) If you knew your time was short, how would you spend it?: While with most people, this question is inspiring, with me it is absolutely depressing. Even if I knew I was going to die, I would probably continue living my life as I am now.
Haitao) Would you pursue a unrealistic dream?: My logical mind says no, but my heart says yes.
John W) What was the best day of your life (excluding epics like your wedding or the birth of a child), and why?: Ignoring moments of being overwhelmed with love, the greatest day of my life was the first time I brought 30000 lines of untested code to life with a game GUI. It was my first real game, and it was absolutely addictive. I played it all day online with my friends.
Posted by: Michel Parisien | Dec 31, 2006 9:15:16 AM
I’m Patti Digh and my site is www.37days.typepad.com. My most fun work ever was working in the Morganton Burke Public Library when I was a teenager because I was surrounded by books and people asking me odd research questions. I used to make Polaroid image transfers and want to create a studio space in my house so I can do it again. I’ve always wanted to learn to fly, but I’m scared of birds, so I’m going to learn how to create stitched threadscapes and textile maps instead. I’d like to be a more natural cook, able to throw together dinner for a crowd without sweating and a complete reliance on recipes, and I’d like to learn to make daguerreotypes. I’d like to apprentice with Billy Collins just so I could listen to him read his poetry real slow. My friends would call me wise, funny, and generous; I wish I were athletic and well-rested. My passions are my two daughters and the man who made them possible, eliminating racism and other “isms”, and writing. The question I would ask others is “what would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?” My answer? I wouldn’t be on the computer, but outside with my family, exploring, talking, laughing, eating too much bread pudding. The auxiliary question is “why aren’t you doing that?” I wish people would ask themselves what they want to create and what they want to let go of…thanks for asking!
Posted by: patti digh | Dec 31, 2006 10:00:17 AM
I love how you've opened up this meme!
I'm Terrie Miller and my site is Critter Geek - http://crittergeek.com/. I posted the rest of the answers there. The question I'd like to ask of people? "If you could pick three animals to observe in their natural wild habitat for an extended period of time, what would they be?"
Posted by: Terrie Miller | Dec 31, 2006 11:13:43 AM
0) As above.
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why?
Living History Project; creating battle re-enactments for public performance and entertainment. Being paid to take weapons training, run around in costume and educate people on historical events just can't be beaten in my book.
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did?
Horse Riding and Showjumping. I miss it because it was a passion and I don't do it because I haven't the time.
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off?
Travel more and live overseas.
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why?
Languages and linguistics because the possibilities and mysteries of human language excite me. Aikido - because I always enjoyed it and there is so much to it beyond the physical.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?
Robert M. Pirsig - I believe that a lot can be learned from the philosophers of our time, the least part of which is how to write engagingly and beautifully.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
Fun, focused, contrary
B. Now list two more words you wish described you?
Easygoing, quiet
5) What are your top three passions?
Reading, Travel and Food (in that order)
6) Write--and answer--one more question that YOU would ask someone?
I would ask, "If you could know any one thing for certain: What would you want to know - and why?" My own answer would be, "I want to know for certain if no two snowflakes ever will be (or ever have been) the same. That level of infinite possibility is just so amazing."
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]
Each person should regularly ask themselves "What makes me happy?" (or "What would make me happy?") because just consciously acknowledging that there are things that make us happy and what those things are - leads toward a better path.
Posted by: Salubri | Dec 31, 2006 11:18:45 AM
Check out my post here. Great post, Kathy, and Happy New Year!!!!
Posted by: Carolyn | Dec 31, 2006 11:37:09 AM
0) Name and Website URL Joel J. http://tcepsa.livejournal.com
1) Most fun work I've ever done would probably have to be my current job as a web application designer because I am getting to interact with all sorts of incredibly fun and challenging aspects of the project from Javascript/DHTML to Database Design. It is especially great that I'm given enough freedom to fully engage my creativity and enough direction that I don't lose focus in the process.
2) A. One thing I did in the past that I no longer do but wish I did is pretend more; I used to make up these fantastic adventures with my friends, but I seem to have lost the knack for it (can't get my suspension of disbelief going as well as I used to be able to...)
2) B. One thing I've always wanted to do but keep putting off is write a book; it seems like it is one of those things that's reserved for Experts on Subjects of Great Importance, and Book Writers (plus the ever-popular "I don't have enough time" ;)
3) A. Two things I would most like to learn or be better at are music reading and playing on my instruments, and computer science/IT. Music because it is such a beautiful thing and I want to be able to create it and share it with others that they might experience some of the same feelings that it evokes in me, and computer science/IT because it has so many challenges and the better I get at it the more engaging the problems seem to become.
3) B. If I could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would I hope to learn? (I promise that I'm not just kissing up here...) I would want to take a class, workshop, or better yet, an apprenticeship with the Head First authors and team. I'd hope to learn more about all of the technologies that they are involved with, and about communicating not just the information of those technologies but the passion that they have for them.
4) A. Three words my best friends or family might use to describe me are enthusiastic, brilliant, and patient.
4) B. Two more words that I wish described me are socially confident.
5) My top three passions are creating, learning, and teaching
6) One additional question that I would ask someone is, "What is one more thing that you could be doing currently to move your life in the direction that you would like it to go?" My answer is that I could start taking some music lessons (which is currently a little bit terrifying because of how bad I think I am) and getting involved in some local technology groups.
Posted by: Joel J. | Dec 31, 2006 12:07:14 PM
0) Lynn Siprelle, TheNewHomemaker.com and OregonMediaInsiders.com
1) Best job ever was a year I did as news writer at KGW-TV in Portland, OR. All of the lovely writing news on deadline that I love, with none of the icky ratings responsibility, plus regular M-F 9-5 hours and a fabulous cafeteria.
2) A. I used to be able to sing beautifully; heart medication ruined my voice (ACE inhibitors) and I'm still trying to get it back.
B. I keep meaning to learn how to use a real live loom and haven't done it yet.
3) A. I want to learn more about herbal medicine and homeopathy, and I would love to learn real knife skills--cooking-wise, that is.
B. If I were physically stronger/younger, I'd love to apprentice to Ianto Evans, who's a cob house builder here in Oregon. Being me with my current age/strength, I'd take an apprenticeship with Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, the master knitter/spinner.
4) A. Funny, smart, loving.
B. Brave and strong.
5) Writing, fiber arts and mothering.
6) What do you hope to teach others? I hope to teach people that they are the authorities for their own lives. They can, and must, learn from others but ultimately they have to listen for the still small voice inside themselves, and depend on that.
Bonus: What can I do to make things easier for the next guy--from the next person in line to the next person in my job, all the way to the children who come after me? (Full confession: It's my husband's question, and now you know why I married him.)
Posted by: Lynn S. | Dec 31, 2006 1:10:51 PM
My answers:
http://managetochange.typepad.com/main/2006/12/creating_passio.html
Happy New Year, Kathy!
Posted by: ann michael | Dec 31, 2006 1:11:32 PM
0) Currently no website or blog to point to.
1) What's the most fun work you've ever done, and why?
Work as in employment? My current job as a Content Manager.
Work as in building something? Theatre performances I put on and/or coached.
2) A. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did?
Writing in my spare time.
B. Name one thing you've always wanted to do but keep putting it off?
Write a book, travel, be fit (probably all at the same time)
3) A. What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why?
Writing and directing because the endorphine buzz of creation is just incredible - and I hope to have to offer something to the world.
B. If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?
A Creativity/Writing/Teaching workshop with Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Robin Williams, Keith Johnstonen, and the Head First team.
4) A. What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
friendly, intelligent, creative
B. Now list two more words you wish described you?
disciplined, fit
5) What are your top three passions?
Creating, Learning, People
6) Write--and answer--one more question that YOU would ask someone?
It would be more of a discussion, a mutual exploration based on the question: Please describe honestly what is going on in your mind.
I'm constantly talking to myself, hearing sound bites of music or TV shows in my head, seeing all kinds of pictures in my head. Is this normal? Do you work the same way?
[Bonus: What is one question you wish people would ask themselves?]
Am I seriously wanting to do this?
Posted by: Jens | Dec 31, 2006 3:56:18 PM
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