Most look nothing like me and they’re mostly guys. I’m especially fond of the Ted Bundy and Brad Richards matches - those are special.

However, I can concede (and be pleased with!) a resemblance to Liv Ullman and Carl Sagan. Now if only I had a brain like Sagan…

The Seattle PI today played around with a concept featured in the book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser.

Since I am always game for a writing challenge, I thought I’d try it.

         Dreamed wildly, cherished family, chose conformity.

What would yours be?

Several people I know and admire have circulated an internet meme that challenges the writer to answer thirty-five personal questions. Since my life is boring and mundane, I’m not going to take this seriously. My youngest son helped. ☺

1. Ever been in a relationship lasting over 5 years?
My oldest child is nearly 19 and I haven’t disowned him yet.

2. What was one of your dreams growing up?
That my mom had been turned into a ham sandwich. (seriously)

3. What talent do you wish you had?
Fabricating explosives.

4. If I bought you a drink what would it be?
Liquid.

5. Favorite books?
Yes.

6. What was the last book you read?
“Homicide for Dummies.” Oh, wait, I wrote that.

7. Astrology: Menace to science, education, or entertainment?
Neurosis.

8. Any tattoos and/or piercings? Explain where.
The heart is usually the best target, otherwise your opponent may not be disabled.

9. Worst habit?
Forgetting to pillage first, then burn.

10. Best attribute?
Projectile vomiting.

11. What are your favorite hobbies?
Needlepoint and baking.

12. Do you have a negative or optimistic attitude?
If I say yes, do I get another cookie?

13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Put on my gas mask.

14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Ben, 18.

15. Best thing to ever happen to you?
Zach, 15. (Guess who is helping me write this?)

16. Tell me one weird fact about you.
My pinkie toenail looks kind of like George Washington.

17. What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
I don’t think you could make it through the outer 13 layers of automated defense and past the gelatinous cube.

18. What was your first impression of me?
About five feet deep in my back yard.

19. What scares you?
Fuzzy bunnies.

20. If you could change one thing about how you are, what would it be?
Better aim; it’d save ammunition.

21. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
What’s my potential share?

22. What color eyes do you have?
Red.

23. Ever been arrested? If so, what for?
No, nothing’s a crime if you make the laws.

24. Favorite dessert?
Brainssssss. With crème Anglaise.

25. If you won $1000 $1,000,000,000 today, what would you do with it?
My own private satellite-mounted laser platform.

26. Tell me something you want me to know about you.
The voices do not like you.

27. What’s your favorite place to hang out?
Wherever my victims congregate.

28. Do you believe in ghosts? Aliens?
Since I first arrived on this planet, everything has seemed alien to me.

29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Applied sociology.

30. Do you swear a lot?
A limited vocabulary is a sign of a weak mind.

31. Biggest pet peeve?
Hang up and drive or I will trigger the remote detonation device hidden in your cell phone.

32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Megalomaniac.

33. Do you believe in/appreciate romance?
I insulated my summer cabin with the shredded complete works of Danielle Steele mixed with the blood of chickens.

34. Most unusual place you’ve had sex?
I prefer mitosis.

35. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Do you feel lucky? Do you?

Many of us are book-lovers… shoot, that’s why we like Scalzi & his site!

What is the most striking book you’ve read in the last year or so, and why? And for extra bonus points, if you’re a writer wannabe like me, which writer’s style do you most admire?

I read so fast and so voraciously, it’s hard to remember very far back — but I think the most striking recent book I’ve read was Dust, by Elizabeth Bear. While I’d love to be able to write like Connie Willis, my style doesn’t really go that direction; I’d say that a better target for me is Kristine Smith.

I am all about eliminating duplicated effort and creating economies of scale.

So, in that spirit, I’m declaring Nathan’s International Hijack Day^TM to also be Nathan Appreciation Day. We can show our appreciation not only by spreading chaos, but also by changing the subject to talking about Nathan.

So, tell Nathan why you appreciate him, in fact, fiction, or blank verse. In addition, maybe you could let him know what gift you’d send him for Nathan Appreciation Day, if, of course, you actually were into sending random gifts.

PS - I borrowed the appreciation day idea from Janiece - I promise I’ll return it undamaged, washed, and with the gas tank full.