That meme that's going around...

[dalekboy]

Well, I can't sleep, so figured I'd do that meme thingy.

Part 1: The Birth of You:

Were you a planned baby?: Nope!
Who was present at your birth?: My mum obviously, beyond that, no idea. I was something of a secret. Still am, actually.
Were your parents married when you were born?: Nope. Biological dad claimed I wasn't even his! Biological mum eventually put me up for adoption.
What is your birth date?: 22nd September 1967



Part 2: The Family

How would you describe your family?: Pretty dysfunctional on the surface, but still very loving and pretty supportive.
Are your parents married?: Dad died in 1996. Mum's still single and lives with us.
Siblings or an only child?: Only child. However, my bio-mum did have another child with my bio-dad two years before me, he died just after being born. And bio-dad has left a few half-siblings around that I've not met.
Which parent do you get along with best?: Got on with dad the best. Get on okay with mum, but she tends to annoy me.
What do you fight about?: Mum not looking after herself, or over-spending on her shopping money and then wanting more.



Part 3: The Friends

Do you have more than one best friend?: Well no, since the nature of the term implies only one. I tend to think I have a number of people I'm close to and can share different things with in different ways. That's not to say that those people think the same of me.
Who are your best friends?: Look on my friend's list and take a guess or seven, then allow for the people not on LJ. If I start naming people, someone who means the world to me may feel left out. The one obvious one to mention is Sharon, naturally.
Do you share the same interests?: With some, yes, with others no. It's about personalities as much as interests.
Which friend can you tell anything to?: If we're talking absolutely anything, without fear of rejection, feelings of inadequacy, or embarrassment, then it would have to be Kali.



Part 4: Your Personality

How high/low is your self esteem?: Variable to low. There are things I know I'm good at, or things about myself I know are positive traits, but overall I tend to see only the bad in me.
Are you an extrovert or an introvert?: Depends on the situation. I'm still very shy at heart, so I'll say introvert.
Are you happy?: Mostly.
Do you live life to the fullest?: Mostly. Since the stroke I have more limitations, so I have to work within those, but regularly push outside them rather than simply accepting them.



Part 5: Appearance

Are you comfortable with the way you look?: Slowly getting there, but default is still to only see myself as quite ugly. Logically I know I'm not bad, hence being willing to use myself for photos, emotionally is a whole other story.
Do you have any piercings besides your ears?: No piercings
Describe your hair: Long, brown, lightly curled, fine and messy.
What make-up do you wear? Unless it's for a costume or character, I don't.
How do you dress?: I aim for a mix of comfort and practicality. Lots of pockets!



Part 6: The Past

Were you a strange child?: I suspect I'm a much stranger adult, actually.
What did you use to love that you no longer do?: Droving (I was doing that from a young age), play games,
Do you have the same friends?: No. Picked up a lot of friends in my teenage years through Doctor Who and science fiction fandom. A number of those people are still in my life.
Was there anything in your past that was traumatising?: Mum in a schizophrenic rage trying to kick in my bedroom door, having my possessions thrown out or given away when I went out, getting into a fistfight with my drunken dad when he was attacking mum and knocking him out, seeing two different people I cared about run over in front of me... how long a list do you want?



Part 7: The Future

What is your ambition?: To continue enjoying life, to see the Aurora Borealis, to try my best to be a good dad.
Are you scared of growing old?: Nope. I'm constantly surprised by my age as it is, I look forward to being surprised for many years to come.



Part 8: The Outdoors

Do you prefer indoors or outdoors?: Outdoors, though I get distracted and forget to go out.
Do you like walking in the rain?: There are different sorts of rain. Light spring showers, big heavy storms on a hot summers day, yes. Winter rain, generally not.



Part 9: Food

Are you a vegetarian?: No, though my diet isn't that far from it.
What is your favourite fruit?: Banana
What food makes you want to gag?: Anything I'm not used to, texture-wise. And I don't like the smell of sea-food.
What is your favourite dessert?: Chocolate Mousse
What is your favourite restaurant?: Don't really have one. Default is Pancake Parlour because I know I can eat there.
Are you a fussy eater?: Some people may think of me that way, but I mainly have a problem with food textures - strange textures really freak me out. I'm gradually adding more to the collection of things I can eat, and am probably going to see if I can use hypno-therapy to get me over the last hurdles.



Part 10: Relationships and Love

Are you single or taken?: Taken, but allowed freedoms to cuddle, snuggle, etc.
Do you believe in love at first sight?: Yep. It happens to me from time to time. But just because you love someone, it doesn't mean you have to like them.



Part 11: Experiences

What was one of your greatest experiences?: I've had a lot, though I have to say, crossing the Nullarbor with hespa is right up there with the best ever.
What was one of your worst?: The death of my daughter. Much better now, but still gutted by it. Her ashes are less than ten feet from where I'm sitting. Next worst was death of my father.
Have you ever done drugs?: No, can't really be bothered. Had marijuana once, big deal. Same with drinking, though I do drink every couple of years. I've seen people drunk, I've seen people high, I've found most of them to be far more boring people to be around in that state than they were sober/straight.
Have you ever thought you were going to die?: A few times. Most recently being the first year or so before it was realised I'd had a stroke and we didn't know if I had a degenerative disease or not. It's kind of cool. If you think you're going to die, you start re-prioritising things in your life. It's a great eye-opener, and a really positive experience, if you let it be.
Have you ever suffered from depression?: Yep. Do think I have more issues with it post-stroke than I used to. But even depressed I usually seem happier than many people I know who are meant to be ok.