July 30, 2004
FOUR FOR FRIDAY
Q1: What, if anything, never fails to give you the shivers?
Q2: Earlier this week, mega test-prep company Peterson's announced that it is starting what it calls a 'testing laboratory' to see whether students gain any edge on exams from their choice of pre-test meal, the hue of their clothes, boxers or briefs, certain test day rituals, etc. When it comes to taking tests, interviewing for jobs, or other monumental situations, do you have a routine or superstition related to your chances for success?
Q3: A fixture of American politics for over a century, the Democrats and Republicans, along with other nationally-focused political parties, have held conventions to nominate their party's candidates for president and vice president, as well as to gather together the varying viewpoints and disparate regions of the party to debate and then select a platform that outlines the party's positions on the relevant issues of the campaign. That having been said, do you feel like political conventions in the US have lost their appeal? Do you think we'll ever see a convention where the presidential and vice presidential candidates are not known going into the convention? Did you watch any of the Democratic Convention? Will you make a point of watching the Republican event August 31 thru September 2?
Q4: What's you favorite board game of all time?
Posted by Mikal at July 30, 2004 1:08 AM
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1. Gory stuff, whether it's a picture or just words.
2. No routines or superstitions. The only thing I get is nervous.
3. I don't pay very much attention to any of the conventions--most of it is for show anyway. If they want to interest someone like me, they should have debates, but I think they're too afraid now to do that--they don't want their party to appear "divided".
4. Chinese checkers.
1. Big creepy spiders. Even in the movies!
2. If it's a place I've never been before, I need to drive by the place ahead of time so I know where it is located. I hate the feeling of being "LOST". If possible, I'll figure out the "parking" situation, where the office is, best route, etc.
3. I'll watch a little of each, however are these conventions even needed anymore? I'm certainly for televising debates, but the conventions seem redundant. All they are is a onsided event where people scream "VOTE FOR OUR SIDE".
4. Monopoly
1. Bugs. I get creeped out when I see one, especially if it's close to me or on me!
2. When it comes to an interview, I usually have a light breakfast, breathe deeply, and say a little prayer.
3. I did watch some of the DNC this week, but I couldn't stay awake long enough to hear all of the speeches by Clinton, Edwards and Kerry. I could only stay awake for about 30 minutes of each speech. After a while, their voices began to drone on and that incessant clapping after every sentence really annoyed me...it just makes the speech longer. I will not be watching the RNC.
4. Pictionary.
Just found you today through the Memes List! Good meme! My answers are up here
A1: Jumping into cold water in a cool day? Oh wait...was that what you were looking for? If not, try some of the crazy movies of past - especially _Hannibal_ (truly shivers to the spine).
A2: I drink a good shot of espresso to elevate the caffiene levels...don't know if it works, but I like to think so.
A3: Didn't watch either. I'm not apathetic or complacent, just don't see the point when it revolves around too much pomp and circumstance. I'd rather get my candidate and platform information elsewhere...say, maybe Al Franken or Bill O'Reiley?
A4: Trivial Pursuit...I've never lost a single game. I also enjoy a rip-roaring good game of Scrabble (although, I lost to a journalist-friend numerous times living in Alaska...seems it's one of the few forms of entertainment during the long, windy, dark, cold winters). BTW...what's the best word someone has used in a game of scrabble?
Q1: What, if anything, never fails to give you the shivers? Driving really close to a Semi on the interstate. If they get to close to me guaranteed to give me the shivers. Strange...I know.
Q2: Earlier this week, mega test-prep company Peterson's announced that it is starting what it calls a 'testing laboratory' to see whether students gain any edge on exams from their choice of pre-test meal, the hue of their clothes, boxers or briefs, certain test day rituals, etc. When it comes to taking tests, interviewing for jobs, or other monumental situations, do you have a routine or superstition related to your chances for success? I don't really have a ritual or superstition when it comes to taking tests or interviews. I usually try to not let me nerves get the best of me.
Q3: A fixture of American politics for over a century, the Democrats and Republicans, along with other nationally-focused political parties, have held conventions to nominate their party's candidates for president and vice president, as well as to gather together the varying viewpoints and disparate regions of the party to debate and then select a platform that outlines the party's positions on the relevant issues of the campaign. That having been said, do you feel like political conventions in the US have lost their appeal? Do you think we'll ever see a convention where the presidential and vice presidential candidates are not known going into the convention? Did you watch any of the Democratic Convention? Will you make a point of watching the Republican event August 31 thru September 2? That is a lot of questions to only count as one question....so I am going with short answers: Yes. Now. A little. Maybe.
Q4: What's you favorite board game of all time? I like Taboo quite a bit. I enjoy the buzzer!
Q3: I think the conventions have lost their appeal with voters but not necessarily with the parties. With the explosion of the internet, talk radio, and more television channels to choose from, the public has become more informed both in terms of content and the speed at which it is disseminated.
By the time candidates reach the convention stage so much has been learned about the candidates that the public is bored with anything new that the candidates may say.
I did watch as much as I could the recent Deomcrat Convention and was disappointed in the lack mention of some of the most prominent issues like gay marriage, partial-birth abortion and freedom of speech. Although they spoke briefly of the Patriot Act and how the GOP is taking away our free speech, at the risk of cameras cutting to a shot of the caged protestors, most of which were Democrats. The DNC did its best to put a lid on all of its most prominent liberals in order to put on a moderate face. Which makes me wonder; if Republicans are proud to be conservative, why are Democrats so ashamed to be thought as liberal?
I do plan to watch the GOP convention.
Q1: Spiders and snakes.
Q2: Come prepared.
Q3: We must take advantage of every opportunity to witness those who would lead this country, regardless of how contrived or orchestrated. Necessary evil.
Q4: Easy Money
Q1: Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech; Whitney Houston singing the national anthem; and Anthony Hopkins in Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal.
Q2: The only thing that I can think of is that I need to be comfortable in my clothes. If I'm dressed well, if I feel like I look good, I feel like I can accomplish almost anything in an interview. As for taking tests, no amount of dressing can out prepare plain old studying.
Q3: Yes, I feel political conventions have lost their appeal. No longer is there a debate to be drawn into or a drama to watch unfold. Rather, we're forced to watch a coronation. I propose that we do away with the conventions altogether, and in their place put on one unifying convention where all candidates for the highest office in the land speak and debate one another right up until election day/night. The event therefore would be held the week before the election, ending on November 7 with an announcement of who won, toped off by an acceptance speech and a ball on the floor of the convention hall, attended by both parties as a sign of unification and a willing ness to work together over the next four years.
Q4: My favorite board game of all time is Othello.
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