How Well-Rounded Are You?

I came upon this list of forty questions from a fellow blogger, who got it from another fellow blogger, who may have gotten it from yet another fellow blogger. I truly don’t know how far back this perverse derivative of Chinese Whispers goes, but I’m hoping the private detective I hired will provide me some answers soon. Meanwhile, I took the time to answer them to determine how well-rounded I am:

1. Been to a play: Yes, several.

2. Bungee jumped or something similar: Not yet, but it’s on my list of Ten Things To Do Before I Die. It may very well be the cause of my death, though. Shiver.

3. Been a mentor/big brother/big sister: Similar. I taught a 5th grade class Introduction to Economics as part of Junior Achievement.

4. Read at least one of the classics (War and Peace, The Great Gatsby, The Red Badge of Courage, Beowulf, Crime and Punishment, etc): I don’t know if they’re considered “the classics” but I’ve read “Catcher in the Rye,” “The Dubliners,” and “Travels with Charley.”

5. Stood up for someone publicly: Yes, mostly in work situations.

6. Been on a major roller coaster: Only one at Disneyland. I’m terrified of roller coasters and generally avoid them like the plague. And, this is why.

7. Been to a drive-in movie: Nope. Too ethnic for it, I guess.

8. Done something at a drive-in movie other than watch the movie: See question #7.

9. Done volunteer work: Yes, through Rotary Club. Presently, I also volunteer my time at an historical independent movie theatre.

10. Given a toast at a wedding, a eulogy at a funeral, or some similar, meaningful speech: Yes, at a buddy’s wedding, where I was the Best Man.

11. Been to a major sports playoff game: Not any playoff games, unfortunately, but I’ve had the pleasure of watching live NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games.

12. Thrown a costume or theme party: Yes, through work.

13. Been on or near the set of a major motion picture: Yes, in P-Town, while they were filming The Hunted.

14. Taken a compliment well: I think I generally do with a simple “Thank you.”

15. Planted a tree: I kill plants.

16. Been stung by a jellyfish or something similar in/near the ocean: Yes, by a jellyfish when I was about 8 or 9.

17. Quit a crappy job: Yes, walked away from the hotel industry after many, many years.

18. Been on a blind date: Yes, she’s still undergoing therapy.

19. Done something kind and unexpected for a stranger: Yes, if you consider volunteer work.

20. Had a major surgery: Only one. It as a rite of passage. Blush.

21. Taken a car/truck road trip that covered at least 6 states: Took a train from Vancouver, B.C. to Montreal (Quebec) when I was 11; took Amtrak from Oregon to Illinois in my teens.

22. Been in 4 or more countries: Yes, including my homeland and the U.S., I’ve also been to China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

23. Spent New Year’s Eve somewhere special: Everywhere I’ve spent NYE have been special and have been with people with special needs.

24. Visited an ancient landmark: I’m not sure if it’s classified as “ancient landmark,” but I visited the Daibutsu in Kamakura (Japan). That was surreal.

25. Been face to face with a celebrity by chance: Yes, I bumped into Fran Healy, lead singer of the band Travis, while working at a hotel. Totally unexpected encounter. I didn’t even realize who he was until he began to speak. Saw their concert in P-Town that night. But, I’ve had plenty of celebrity encounters during my hotel life that were not by chance. My most favorite people: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze, Jr. — very, very grounded despite their celebrity.

26. Given to charity in the past two years: Yes.

27. Helped a stray animal: Not yet, but I totally break for squirrels.

28. Dated someone you met online: No, but I’m open to it.

29. Won money on a long shot: Not yet. Sigh.

30. Won your office/family/friends NCAA tournament pool: I don’t bet on sports teams anymore. Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

31. Won an award/medal (even if something “small”): I was honored as Employee of the Year for one of the companies I worked for. I had disdainful looks from some of the contenders for a few months after that.

33. Been in the front row for a concert: Nearly front row at a Tool concert once.

34. Attended a symphony orchestra performance: Not yet, but I would welcome the opportunity.

35. Caught a criminal in the act and did something about it (reported it, smacked them in the head, etc): I normally don’t hang around my relatives, so, no.

36. Sung solo on a stage: Yes, at a mini concert for a charity. I was one of the performers.

37. Witnessed something supernatural: I think so, see previous post.

38. Covered for someone (who deserved it) at work: Yes.

39. Overcome a major fear: Yes, public speaking. I was thrust into a role in high school that necessitated public speaking, and, through that experience, I was able to slowly overcome that fear. I still get some stage fright these days, but I’m able to shake the jitters off very quickly.

40. Mailed a surprise care package to a loved one: Does lingerie count as a care package?

Well, there you have it. I’m not really sure what the answers to these questions say about me or how it proves/disproves my neurosis, but it sure was fun!