Adam's Question of the Day

Some infomercials... dance movies... the movie "Showgirls". - Yolanda

The movie "Airborne." Wylie-man! - Chris Reed

comics - RAPatton

And the movie "Volcano" and "The Core" and... - Yolanda

old movies - Patricia Hanrahan

USA Network TV shows (Psyche, Monk, Burn Notice, Dead Zone, etc), Cherry wine. - Michael W. May

An ice cold Smithwick's and garlic stuffed olives - Shellee

I was about to post it, then had second thoughts... - Ontario Emperor

Interesting... much of the items here seem to involve screens (movie, TV, computer) and food. I especially relate with the latter! It's amazing what I'll sacrifice for food! I remember one time when I lived in a Germany, a colleague asked me, "Would you like to go to France for dinner tonight?" With just a moment's hesitation, I said, "Hell yeah!" :-) - Adam Lasnik

I think since a some have joined Facebook for High School friend purposes, and my Friendfeed and Twitter streaming into FB, some of my family are beginning to much more that they did before. Those with computers at work have 'gotten it' a little for a little longer. - Michael W. May

not really. and their involvement is pretty minimal... - edythe

doodles - RAPatton

I use paper for temporary notes or to-do lists to later transfer to my computer... when on a plane, at a conference, or in a walking meeting with my boss, for instance. In the past, I've also used paper to sketch out "vision plans" for my site (this goes under that category, etc.), but now I'm more apt to use OneNote for that. - Adam Lasnik

The first thought that came into my mind was "my intelligence." (Perhaps because I am online right now, and people online can't necessarily admire my stunning good looks or my wonderful personality. :) ) To expand upon the idea a bit, I guess I have this naive hope that my thoughts will live on into the far future. Yet, in the end, all is disposable. - Ontario Emperor

Dad. - John Honeck

My artistic talents. It's my own fault that I haven't showcased them very much / very well, but once upon a time I was a fine musician. And I have the potential to be a fine dancer. But both will take work, dedication, and discipline. I think I'd like to be known as a talented (performing/composing) artist because the recognition would be nice in itself, but getting there... the journey... I'd really benefit from the buckling down and non-work focus parts :) - Adam Lasnik

btw, John, love the contrast of your smartly concise item with my more wordy contribution :P. - Adam Lasnik

You're much more eloquent then me. I'm an engineer by nature always trying to avoid the 10-piece hammer. - John Honeck

Yes. When my family is gone I go out to dinner all the time. I will only go to a movie alone when they are gone if it is something they will not see. I travel alone for speeches occasionally, but for the most part I take them with me. IF I were without a family, I am pretty sure I would because, I like to be unencumbered and prefer to be alone. - RAPatton

I have traveled alone extensively, but not always by choice. I love the freedom, especially to meet people and change plans on a whim, but I have missed the happy feeling of shared experiences and the help and support one gets from friends in trying circumstances. As for dining/theatre... I don't mind eating by myself, but I have felt like something's missing if I don't share performance stuff (movies, theatre) with a friend or friends. - Adam Lasnik

I'm with Adam on this one. I have no problem with travelling, dining whatever on my own (do so quite often) but there are some things which would just be well, nicer, more special, if you can share the experiences with someone. Talk and laugh about it in later years. I like to go to museums and so forth on my own but prefer to share opera, theatre and concerts with someone else. - Patricia Hanrahan

Although having said that if I really want to see something I won't let a lack of partner in crime stop me from going. Recently went to see Springsteen on my own and had a great time - ended up having some really nice people take me under their wing and we bounced around and lost our voices from singing as though we'd known each longer than it took waiting to get in. - Patricia Hanrahan

Loner, people watcher, enjoy privacy, yet also find great comfort in being alone together with someone. Best relationships are those that allow communication, space, and the oft disregarded alone together. Now days, circumstances dictate I be solitary more than in the past, but I do not mind so much. I enjoy my own company, for the most part. Oh, and I traveled solo much more often that not. - Michael W. May

Cinema,sure, as that's an anti-social experience anyway. Hate dining alone, but like my coffee with just me and a paper. Travel… depends on the destination, but it's usually nicer in a group. - Vincent van Wylick

Traveled solo to Scandinavia for that one time, was trying to see if I can manage on my own. I have no problem with watching a movie or dining alone, but would prefer to dine with family and friends - BeeLing

A friend of mine travelled to Thailand on his own, and called it a time of great personal growth. So, that's the way I choose to look at it too. - Vincent van Wylick

There's more diversity of opinion here than I expected. I narcissistically assumed others would be like me on this: okay on dining alone, but not up for movies. I wonder how much of our choices on this are dictated by general introversion/extroversion. All that aside, I do think it's a question worth personally pondering: why and when are we afraid to be alone? why and when do we WANT to be alone? And what does this say about our relationships? - Adam Lasnik

That first snow with hard freeze morning has its own smell and it was the first smell I can remember associating with a good memory. Vanilla, coconut, lilacs and sandalwood because the are soft fragrances that I associate with the soft skin of a woman - Michael W. May

Coffee brewing. A new day dawns. - Hutch Carpenter

Maybe its a man thing or just odd, but the smell of spilled gas at the gas station. - Chris Reed

Chai on a crisp morning, with a whiff of cranberry scone. - Kevin Fox

Chris, I totally don't relate, but it reminds me of an excerpt from "Generation X" where one of the characters says how much nostalgia is carried in the smell of spilled gas. "It smells like the FUTURE." - Kevin Fox

Library book smell. I used to spend lots of time at the library when I was small. Always felt safe there. - Yolanda

@Kevin LOL Didn't think of that great quote, but it sure does fit... - Chris Reed

Smell from the soil that comes from first rain after a long hot dry summer. Apparently there is a word for it: "petrichor" (http://wordsmith.org/words/pet...) - Niranjan Tulpule

niranjan: wow. i love finding out words for things like that. thank you for the link! - edythe

Fresh coffee, my old blanket, and napalm in the morning. ok, maybe just the first two. - Nathan Johns

Freshly toasted bagels. It's amazing how much smells can transport us back in time, produce vivid visual/aural memories. It's like I'm right back at my Auntie's huge and cool wood/woodsy house in North Carolina, sitting on a tall stool having a late breakfast, listening to Auntie's big laugh. And on a different note, I gotta say it's pretty neat seeing (once again) the diversity of... unexpected answers. (and Kevin, mmm... that sounds splendiforous. Maybe add some clotted cream? :) - Adam Lasnik

Is there a word for the dusty concrete smell of a city's first light rain of the fall? - Kevin Fox

Having trouble with this one. There are a few that come to mind in categories: flowers (lilies & gardenias), scent (Coco Mademoiselle and D&G Pour Homme), food (toast), drink (ginger tea) but if I had to pick one it would be the smell of summer. The salty tang of the ocean, cleaner mossier scent of the river, malaleuca & eucalypt trees, sunscreen, salt chlorine of pools, the air before a storm, sugar cane burning. More a confusion of scents that mean 'summer' rather than one clear smell. - Patricia Hanrahan

the streets of manhattan right after it rains :) - Mona N.

Raspberries - They remind me of my childhood. We had the vines in the back yard. - Russellreno

Vanilla. V Ice cream is the closest taste to mothers milk, and men are aroused by the smell of vanilla, so I am told. - Russellreno

both iPods. :) - edythe

My 20 dollar coffee grinder, 30 dollar toaster oven, and 40 dollar rice cooker, take your pick (though the coffee grinder has the personal edge) - Michael W. May via twhirl

My purchase from ebay of a 100-pack of pocket Tempo Tissues (example: http://www.amazon.com/Tempo-Ti...). It stuns me that at least in the States these are no longer sold. Amazingly strong, absorbent, and just dang awesome for -- forgive my indelicateness here -- allowing one to sneeze without getting a handful of sopped tissue and snot. - Adam Lasnik

My old dog. - Patricia Hanrahan

I wouldn't have thought of my dog if not for the comment above - but for sure that is one. Got him from a local rescue center and he's brought tons of joy to the whole family ... - Patrick Jordan

Wii! - Chris Reed

A tie between my ipods or my camera. - Yolanda

My first TiVo a long time ago, and my Cocomotion - RAPatton

Any toy I buy for my children - Capn' "One-Eye" Longman ☠

Thanks to reading the comments before answering, I'm going to have to go with Indiana, our cat. - Kevin Fox

My original air bake cookie trays too. - RAPatton

A Canon lens. - Russellreno

Would consider doing physical harm for a pack of Tempo tissues right now. *achoo-snuffle-snuffle* - Patricia Hanrahan

bless you - Michael W. May via twhirl

£100 of rocks and £100 liner to build a garden pond - Andy Roberts

As I was toweling off earlier, I realized the little washclothe shaped, exfoliating, scrubber rag thingy I bought 2 years ago at the dollar store is one of my most cherished items on earth. How did I ever feel clean before that? - Michael W. May

Have you met anyone interesting yet? - Shellee

heh, Michael! And Shellee... that's neat for a variety of reasons -- including the fact that it provides an opening for "Yes, you!" :-) Another option: "What are you looking forward to this [season]?" Or "Hey, that's a nice/interesting/pretty [necklace, shirt]; what's the story on that?" - Adam Lasnik

"So, what's your Jewish name?" well...at certain parties. :) - edythe

"Can I borrow a dollar?" You learn a lot in 10 seconds with a snear. - John Honeck

Faking extroversion is the hallmark ability of the introvert (or those who do not want to become the creepy guy who lives up the road). I would rate myself about 70/30 under normal circumstances with the same small group leanings. However, my health situation makes it about a 95/5. One thing I will give to those big bashes, though: excellent people watching opportunities. - Michael W. May

And WB ;) - Michael W. May

very much an introvert in any room with more than 1 other person - RAPatton

85% introvert, 15% extrovert. @Adam, you fake it really really well. I've never suspected it. :P - BeeLing

Most ppl perceive me as being an extrovert, very outgoing, gregaious & life & soul of a party.To an extent this is true. I do like ppl & enjoy talking & listening & finding out about them & new things. On the other side of this - those handful of people who really *know* me, know that I am in fact very much an introvert & very shy (to the point of hiding in a cupboard once - my father has never let me forget that!) & will quite often look like a deer-in-the-headlights when in large unknown groups... - Patricia Hanrahan

Can smile & make with the flippant witty quips but v, very rarely will let anyone get to know me beyond that or open up. Think that is a big part of being an introvert. That fear of becoming as Michael so elqouently put it 'the creepy guy who lives up the road' or in my case 'the crazy lady with all the cats'. I enjoy time alone & am happiest curled up with a pot of tea & a book, either by myself or with someone whom am very comfortable & can sit in companiable silence or engage in sporadic, random chatter. - Patricia Hanrahan

Oh and Adam, I'd agree that you do a good job of playing the extrovert but can see that at heart you are an introvert kinda soul :) - Patricia Hanrahan

the weekend - Roshan Vyas

Hugs or receiving a call/text/IM/email from a friend saying the nicest words in the English language - 'I miss you'. *edited - oh dear, I was in a dismal mood this morning wasn't I? How Eeyorish of me. Honestly what does cheer me up is - a cup of tea, a biccie and a foot and/or back rub :) - Patricia Hanrahan

Claude Bolling, an amazingly talented and melodic jazz pianist. Here's an Amazon page with a series of 30 second snippets from his "Greatest Hits" album [autoplays] - http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsr... - Adam Lasnik

When I get a compliment. - Yolanda

"a biccie." :) - edythe

Hugs - BeeLing

Music - Michael W. May

Oh, music and lindy too! - BeeLing

Fine, Mona, I'll have to crush on someone else then :P - Adam Lasnik

HA! ;) - Mona N.

Oh dear gods no. Perish the thought. Then again, crushes on people you don't actually know (ie: Italian swimmers, Norwegian ski jumpers, Hugh Jackmans, Cary Grants) don't count because you know they are not real. Real life people who you know and interact with - no, no, no. Thrice nay! - Patricia Hanrahan

yes, there is a lot to be learned from them. - Clare Dibble

That's the only kind of crush I can have these days. - Russell Holliman

And there people around here are already getting to know me better than my RL friends :P - Michael W. May

To what extent can you know someone offline? Being offline allows some people to behave in one way, whereas being online they may behave in another. Some people may feel more at peace on the other side of the electronic ether, and as such are more relaxed, and qualities of theirs that are hidden in the day to day world emerge. Others get emboldened by the "privacy" of being online and do things they would never do in the real world (see all those nice flame posting people). My point is, the offline and online views are both valid views of people and are different because they the subjects are in different environments. A lion in the zoo does not behave exactly the same as one on the savanah, but they are both lions and we can learn about lions by observing either. Should I tell Normy to scoot over, so I can ask Sammy to get me another round? - RAPatton

We dream because we can do things which is not possible in reality. I still remembered a dream as a teenager, I was on the 2nd floor of school and got down to the ground floor of my house. And I think I've had recurring dreams many years before. - BeeLing

I believe we dream because it gives our minds a chance to process (sort, filter, evaluate) concerns and questions at a level free from judgment and preconceptions. And while I've had many, many strange dreams, the one recurring one that comes to mind is of being repeatedly chased by a wooden column (featured in real life in my living room). What does this mean? What did it solve? I have no idea! :) - Adam Lasnik

All of the above and below for reasons why: they are numerous. As for themes, I have overlapping dreamscapes in my, for the most part, single dreamworld. Sort of like characters in TV shows crossing over from one show to another meets while crossing a state line, the change is gradual but noticable, yet they all happen in the same world. I used to be very active dreaming; not so much anymore. I only sense it when entering REM or when slumbering in that "I should get up, just a few minutes more" wakeup time - Michael W. May

About 6 years ago i was with my son at an evaluation and was told by a child psychologist, with decades I experience, that I was the best father she had ever met; I was taken aback and wondered for a moment if she was being sarcastic. - RAPatton

You are better than digg, Mona - Mona N.

Friendfeeders have suddenly gotten modest... I think my favorite complement was when someone in college told me that I would be a good person to be independently wealthy (I'm not) because they thought that I would not get bored even if not bound by the obligation that takes up so many people's time. Or when people liked my wedding. - Clare Dibble

Most recently, I was tickled to be included in a list of females that Louis Gary recommends on friendfeed. - Clare Dibble

Michael, for what it's worth, I think you've been quite humble and giving in conversations I've seen with you :). RAPatton, I think all of us wonder sometimes whether a particular comment is meant sincerely or sarcastically. Glad it was the former in your case. And Clare, your first-listed compliment is a flattering contrast from some people I've met who are always "bored, so bored!" (unbelievable!). - Adam Lasnik

Oh, and Mona, I have to admit, that could either be a compliment or not depending on the giver and/or the particular day in Digg-life :P. As for me, I think the biggest compliment I've gotten is that I'm a good listener... largely because I used to be such a crappy one and I had to work at it, but also because I know that active listening means a lot to people. - Adam Lasnik

San Francisco... and the vibe is incredible - Mona N.

A little town in Mich that I lovingly refer to as Sticksville, and love it here for two reasons: my family is close and it has broadband. - Michael W. May via twhirl

Austin - special because of the lakes, parks, greenbelt areas, live music scene, friendliest people ... - Patrick Jordan

Currently London. Its London! I love that there is always something to do. Walking down along South Bank, the British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, West End, shopping, hanging out with friends in cafes and even meeting strange people in strange pubs with circular bars in my stomping ground of Islington :-) - Patricia Hanrahan

Beijing. And I want to watch the Olympics but I have no time cos I am busy with my work. :( - kenandalda

Los Angeles. ... - edythe

Dublin, Ohio. Above all else, all who come here remark that it is a fantastic place to raise children. Beyond that, it has a large vibrant city with museums, restaurants and boutiques, but it is alos close to the countryside with farms, rivers and forests. We have all four seasons, and get the best of each. Summer's filled with thunder, fireflies, and jaunts to the pool. Winter's has just enough snow to go sledding and build a snowman, and is just enough cold to appreciate sitting with your back to the fire, and dark clear nights where you can look at awe at the celestial canopy. Spring is an explosion of green (we are Dublin after all) that is almost surreal, and with the longer days and warmer air trigger that spring fever that makes you feel reborn once more. Finally, autumn, my favorite of all times. Leaves, countryside, the spirit and pageantry of college football, pumpkins, hay rides, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Candy Apples and the wonderful scents that permeate the warm days and crisp nights. If none of - RAPatton

Robert, and its the home of the metadata schema of Dublin Core :-) - Patricia Hanrahan

That is right, Patricia. OCLC baby! For the one day you were out of a job, I peeked at their listing for you. - RAPatton

Patricia, as a librarian, I would expect your flickr pages to be tagged and described! Metadata is your life! - RAPatton

Robert, spend most of my day looking at and developing metadata - cannot be arsed to actually organise my own stuff. Plus I find the tagging options on flickr etc frustrating in their lack of adherence to any form of schema or standard :-) 'Happy' is not a sensible descriptor people!! :-) - Patricia Hanrahan

Patricia, you can create your own schema and standard, applying your mad skills. The tags are for your own use more than anything else. Your archive will grow and grow. I have over 14,000 up on Flickr right now spanning 10 years. Nag, Lecture, Nag. - RAPatton

I'd bid Andy goodbye, but he's already left :(. Mona, didn't realize you were a local! Michael, broadband is all ya need ;).Tricia, it's all great until you're shoved in the Tube. Kenandalda, I'm going to Beijing, but *after* the olympics :P. Edythe, I didn't like LA much either. Robert, I didn't even know there was a Dublin in Ohio! Sounds nice, though :) - Adam Lasnik

Adam, I like you how you come back to each question and post your own wrap-up, so to speak :) And btw, "special," which must have been the word of distress here, can mean simply unique or even just specific to where you live. I cannot see that being an incorrect assumption ;) - Michael W. May

I live in Fort Worth, TX... born and raised. What makes it special? Well... it isn't Dallas. ;) - Yolanda

Is *everyone* I know going to China after the Olympics! Was meant to go with a good friend from home (the one I just caught up with in Berlin) but due to various reasons cannot. She then asked my mother to take my place! Mum and dad had already booked their trip so now my friend is going with another good friend of mine and meeting up with my brother and sister-in-law in Shanghai! - Patricia Hanrahan

I live in Mound, MN, and what makes it special for me is that it is a sleepy little lakeside town just far enough away from the Twin Cities to say it is NOT in the Cities but close enough that I can enjoy them. I can see stars at night, too. Last night I even heard a loon. - Amy

Restraining orders always get my attention. Obligatory :) - John Honeck

They could Block me, and I'd gradually forget they exist. Wait, 'Block' is implemented in the real world, right? Right? - Kevin Fox

Was just talking about this with my flatmate. Best we could come up with was treat it like ripping a band-aid off. Be honest and straight forward. It initially hurts a bit but has to be done (before infection and gangrene set in and it goes all runny and falls off). - Patricia Hanrahan

Yes, like Patricia said. No gangrene. - Yolanda

One of my favorite examples of good communication in this context: "Adam, I like you... you're really fun! But you're too short for me to date." I was initially angry (albeit not surprised) at the blunt revelation, but realized that hey, now there's no ambiguity in this friendship, and it's clear that this friend is the honest sort; I know exactly where (and, heh, how tall) I stood :D Oh, and restraining orders and gangrene, um, interesting images :P. And pity there IS no real-life block function! - Adam Lasnik

Yeah straight to the point! - BeeLing

too short to date? wow, that is honest... - edythe

But what if the person is stupid? Or selfish? Height is something one has no control over, but, "I'm sorry, but you're just not smart enough for me" would be kinda devastating no matter how you put it, eh? So perhaps there's a different approach required with can-change vs. can't-change stuff? - Adam Lasnik

It'll be devastating if you let it bother you. Has it ever occurred to you that if you keep on dwelling on it and think "how could she say I'm not smart enough/stupid...." you're actually letting the person to insult you again and again. - BeeLing

Journalism.... and it relates very much to what I'm doing now, except I sold out and went to PR (I've got two kids to feed, Quaid! Bonus points if you get the movie I'm referencing) - Chris Reed

Total Recall! - RAPatton

@RAP: Get your ass to Mars. - Chris Reed

@Chris "All right, let's say you're telling the truth and this is all a dream, I could pull this trigger and it won't matter." - RAPatton

english, reading, vocabulary, and grammar... and loving grammar and being a pretty good writer did help me get my current and last job, definitely. unfortunately, what i actually do now has nothing to do with writing and grammar. - edythe

@RAP: I'm on the side of the thought that the whole movie was Quaid's dream.... - Chris Reed

By favorite I default to the easiest which was calculus, being a mechanical engineer I use math all the time, though with computers not as much is done without an application. - John Honeck

Music was my 'nothing' subject. By that I mean it was my down time subject, my release. I could just have fun with it and not have to study in the strict academic sense. So that way it was the class I looked forward to most. The subject that I held a passion for (and still do) would had to have been history, both ancient and modern (I'm a Romantic at heart). Neither history, music or any of my subjects from high school have anything to do with what I do now. - Patricia Hanrahan

@Chris So am I - RAPatton

My fav subject was probably jazz band. I loved the science and art involved in analyzing and improv'ing playful, soulful, subtle chords and riffs on the piano. I also enjoyed my Junior English class a lot, too, due to a fabulous teacher ("Mrs. Mays"). I think I still use a lot of what I learned in these classes (collaboration, communication) in my current job involving webmaster outreach. - Adam Lasnik

TOK, aka Theory of Knowledge. Required IB course. http://www.anagnosis.gr/index.... Relates loosely to current career. I get bored quickly when I figure something out. TOK forced my brain to connect the dots between a variety of fields. I still hold onto my course papers with pride and will dig them up occasionally to see if I have a new understanding of the subject. - Rhea Drysdale

Physics was my favorite topic, but it's not remotely relevant to my job. - Jonathon

At the time, buy Oracle, and then take the profits and buy Microsoft, then take the profits and buy Amazon and then finally Google. - RAPatton

Skip the wedding. - Shellee

Other than the usual stock tips and who wins the next few super bowls, I'd probably remind myself that I will never be surrounded by so many friends as you are in your last year of college. I'm sure some old guy told me that back then, but I didn't listen, perhaps I'd believe myself. Then we'd discuss the grandfather paradox... - John Honeck

Leave the Army. Now. Don't stay for silly reasons of misguided loyalty - get out. Right now. - Patricia Hanrahan

I wouldn't, couldn't change anything until after my second born was conceived in the second weekend of March 1999. They are everything and just the slightest change would give me other people, and I don't want other people. I like them. After that point, I would tell myself not to take the job in January 2000 that I did. I knew at the time it was a bad idea, but I did it out of loyalty, but I really should not have taken it. I would have told myself to get my oldest ear tubes immediately. I would have told myself about my wife and son's food allergies, and my wife's Crohn's diagnosis. Finally, I would have prodded myself to get into contact with an old friend at least 2 years sooner. - RAPatton

Robert, your response here has made me smile. As I've said before, your boys made a great choice when selecting their dad :) - Patricia Hanrahan

Buy your dad a beer, talk to him like a person and not a figurhead, treat him like a respected friend. Other than that, odd as it might seem, I wouldn't say another thing. - Michael W. May

thanks patricia! - RAPatton

when you meet someone named Andrew, don't marry him. Please. - edythe

quit college for a job at a small startup Google and 8 years later found a company called friendfeed :) - Krishna Gade

It is a good way to discuss things that reveal ourselves and generally avoid the topics the spawn vitriol. - RAPatton

because I'm a nosey cow and am interested in finding out about people. Its only fair that if they reveal something of themselves, then I should do likewise. - Patricia Hanrahan

I enjoy the personal comments so I participate. - Russellreno

In large part because I don't like sharing things about myself unless asked and you are asking, so it's all good. - Michael W. May via twhirl

I like the extra cash. - John Honeck

Edythe and Patricia and Russellreno... I hadn't thought of that angle (you like reading what others write, so in turn you contribute). RAPatton, I am indeed trying to avoid questions that may create tension (e.g., "What do you think of [political candidate]?") :) Michael, I hadn't thought about that issue, and I'm glad I play a role in getting to learn interesting ideas/thoughts/feelings from you. And John, you consistently crack me up! :D - Adam Lasnik

What Patricia said. :) - Yolanda

because It's easier than writing another blog post from scratch - Andy Roberts

I hope, Andy, that some of these may *inspire* you to write another blog post from scratch, though ;) - Adam Lasnik