Questions!
1. Is activity/activation paramount to your daily life? (By "activity", I don't necessarily mean base-jumping, folks. I mean anything that engages you, brain and body, even on minor levels.)
During the week I engage enough in activity at work, physical and mental...and I'm a programmer. Part of it is the fact that I'm with people all day, but by the weekend all I want to do is veg out and get things done around my apartment that I've put off during the week.
I like learning things for the most part, and if I learn a new skill I find it much more satisfying than learning random facts. After I've got the skill, I like to relax by watching brainless TV or chatting on Aim.
Meaningful activity followed by plenty of relaxing... That's my balance.
2. What connection do you feel between physical activity and your mental well-being?
I don't find a connection. When I used to jog (about 10 years ago), I liked to think while I jogged. Now I'm too lazy to jog and I save thinking for long distance driving or a slow day at home.
3. If you were born into and stuck in a very small dead-end town/city, how would you handle the inactivity? How important is variety? How important is it to avoid routine? What lengths would you go to get variety or avoid routine?
Variety is essential, but routine makes me accomplish things. I like routine during the week and save the variety for the weekends or vacation time.
If I were stuck in a small place, I go on a lot of trips on the weekends. Or I'd find another job, or transfer to another school.... Depending on what might be a viable option, of course.
4. What happens
mentally when you're placed under protracted or inescapable stress?
I freak out. I become a bit emotional and can't get anything done. Very unusual.
5. What happens
mentally when you're confronted with protracted monotony?
I become the most impatient person ever. I try thinking of something exciting to do. Worst case, I pick up Harry Potter and reread it....again
6. Does mental stress translate quickly or slowly into physical signs? (This includes reckless behavior or outbursts...) What signs do you exhibit?
Very slowly. Or rather, it takes a LOT of stress to show in me physically. I outburst... I get all loud and irrational.
7. Do you have 'internal dialogues'? What does the internal voice say to you?
Ha! I have those all of the time. It's usually a mental debate about what to say in present company. I always think I'm too quiet and that I should say something, but I mostly stay quiet and let other people talk. Other times it's conversations I could have had with people, or conversations I'd like to have, ooooor conversations with myself about myself.
8. How would you respond to your parent who was behaving irresponsibly? (Alcoholism, drugs, dead-beat behavior,etc.)
Not sure. They've always been straight up good people :-/
9. If you were unable to actualize yourself, what steps would you take to gain satisfaction from your life? For example: Do you talk yourself into liking "second-best"? Do you go set a silo on fire? Do you start wearing eyeliner around your nostrils?
I never settle - which is a problem sometimes. I just wait until whatever I want comes around. If it's something I can buy, then I save for it or at least keep it in mind when I get paid.
I shaved my head once to "liberate" myself from a crappy relationship. He like loooong flowy hair and I hated that it reminded him of his wonderful ex, so I shaved my head after it was over. *barf*
10. How long do you stay in a dead-end relationship? What prompts you to stay in it? What finally prompts you to leave?
I haven't been in a relationship long enough to call it dead-end... Although, I also don't really date guys whom I'd consider dead-ends.
11. What sort of advanced mental pursuits do you find powerfully attractive or intriguing? Are you drawn to existentialism? Abstraction? Why?
I like to learn about things I can use on a daily basis, or at least something I can find a practical application for. Existentialism and abstraction make me die inside.
12. How important is control? Self-control? Control over your person/environment? Control over your ultimate fate? Would you rather die on your terms than live on someone else's?
Self control...er, I like I be in control of things going on around me and in control of my situation. If I'm not in control, I have to have no expectations or plans beforehand. Say, if friends plan to come in town and want to do *something*, that's cool, but they have to plan stuff and I'll just go along. But if they randomly show up and I've got something else in mind... That bothers me a bit.
Having to depend on others makes me uncomfortable.
13. How important is justice? What happens to you mentally when you see unjust things occurring? How do you physically react?
Very. It depends on whether or not I think doing something will help. If it's injustice to me, then I stand up for myself, tell someone I think they're wrong and tell them why I think I'm right. If they don't see my point and insist upon theirs, I end up hating them for a long time. Most of the time when I speak up, it's because I've thought things out and the person should fucking listen to me. Odds are I'm right, too. If they bring up a valid point or at least some rule or regulation that prevents me from doing what I want to do, then ok, fine, I'll deal with it. Otherwise...I hates 'em.
14. How important is stability? Is there such a thing as "too much" stability?
Very. I can't handle emotional flakes. Too much stability doesn't exist! Unless it means not having wild and crazy fun. I'd die without that!
15. How do you feel -- first
mentally, then
physically -- when you make a strong bond with someone? How important is loyalty? What is your personal definition of loyalty and why would you give that loyalty to another person?
Mentally, I think of them with higher regard. I keep them in mind... When I see or hear things that remind me of them I think of them fondly. I hardly mention it to them. Physically...eh. I don't do the physical thing unless they do it first. Hugs are great, but I never give them first.
16. What excites your contempt? When filled with irritation or contempt, how do you (or do you NOT) express it?
I become steaming inside. If I say anything, it's mean and bitter. If I don't say anything, I stay steaming and bitch to someone else later (or on a blog) and get mean and bitter.