100 Things About Me

1. Which of your parents are you more like?

In looks, my father. In personality, most likely a mix of the two, but I have not given it a lot of thought.

2. How many siblings do you have?

One older brother, two adopted younger sisters. They are only 11 months apart in age, but come from very different circumstances and different parts of the world.

3. What is one thing that you’ve never revealed to your parents?

I watched a lot of movies when I was a kid that they would not have approved of and didn’t know about. It’s pretty easy when you live in the basement.

4. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?

Impossible to answer, but everyone in my immediate family’s name starts with N. If I were a different gender I would want to be named Natalie. 

5. What is your biggest fear?

I find it embarrassing, but death. I am scared of the unknown, and I do not want my experiences to end. I want to know what happens in the universe after I am gone.

6. What is your biggest regret?

I used to believe that it was unhealthy and counterproductive to have regrets. I still believe that a little bit, after all, your experiences make you who you are, and I like to think that I have learned from everything that I have done. That being said, the closest I come to regretting something was when I moved to Florida. I was very lucky to have friends that greeted me with open arms when I returned home, and a family and support structure that helped me transition. I’m sure I learned something out of the experience, even if it is what not to do in that situation again, but I truly believe my life would be better now if I had never gone.

7. What inspires you?

The potential of humanity. It is endless if we can all crack down and try to figure ourselves out.

8. What is the most important thing in your life?

Myself, but then my friends and relationships with others. I think it is healthy to be the most important thing in your life, but like all things that should be reasonably tempered.

9. What is your favorite childhood memory?

There is a day that I regarded for a time as my favorite day ever. I think I was nine years old. My dad took me to the MN state fair, then took me to see Jurassic Park 3, then afterwards went to a bookstore. I don’t remember a lot of details of the day, and I have of course had better days since then, but it stands out in my mind as a truly good day.

10. What is your favorite color?

I’ve never had a set answer. I think it used to be red, but that was not a strongly held opinion. For a while it was blue, my rationale was that not many things in nature are blue. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize how moronic that was. Like I said, the topic has never held a strong place in my mind. Currently I don’t think I have one. Maybe grey?

11. What is your favorite drink?

My immediate answer would be coffee, but if I had to be honest probably water.

12. What is your favorite food?

Burgers

13. What is your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Vanilla. Wow I really thought I was a more interesting person, but this questionnaire is strong evidence to the contrary.

14. What is your favorite music genre?

I would still say Metal, but I listen to a lot of epic instrumental and chillstep lately.

15. What is your favorite physical activity?

Climbing.

16. What is your favorite snack?

Goldfish crackers, hands down. They are better than Cheez-Its and I will fight you about that.

17. What is your favorite sport?

Putting it broadly, E-Sports. I do not watch it anymore, but for a long time I watched competitive League of Legends.

18. What is your favorite type of clothing?

I wear jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt every day and I feel fine. My Shoe choice for the day is situational.

19. What is your all-time favorite town or city? Why?

I love the Twin Cities. They are my home, I know them, I feel alive here. Everything being equal I would not choose to live anywhere else.

20. Where’s your favorite place to take an out-of-town guest?

Flameburger in Columbia Heights.

21. What was your favorite subject in High School?

History

22. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child?

I do not remember exactly, but I tell people it was Arthur.

23. What is your favorite TV show now?

Community. If you have ever met me that is not a secret.

24. Are you scared of heights?

Not more than the average person. I understand the danger of course, but I do not have a fear of it. Some of my favorite memories have involved heights: mountains, cliffs, etc.

25. Are you high maintenance?

I am probably not the right person to ask but I do not think that I am. It is not always easy to analyze yourselves in those terms because our experiences are all that we have to go off of.

26. Are you a dog person or cat person?

I have always been a cat person. For the longest time I had a subconscious fear of dogs, but I love dogs now too.

27. Are you a good cook?

Not good at it, do not enjoy it. I have tried.

28. If you had more courage what would you do differently in your life now?

Try to explore my gender and sexuality more. I am doing okay with how I am right now, but I have a strong suspicion that there is more to me than I have ever been able to discover.

29. What is good about how you are living your life right now?

Everything is currently stable and working out. Danielle and I both have solid support structures and friends and family that love us. At the end of the day, we do not have a lot that we need to worry about, certainly less than most people.

30. If you could eliminate one weakness or limitation in your life, what would it be?

There is some sort of mental block that stops me from being able to achieve my full potential whenever I am learning a skill. I gain a passable competence and then I stop. I am hoping writing will prove to be different, but time will tell.

31. Who is the best teacher you’ve ever had?

Mr. Oberg, 9th and 10th grade History at Mounds View High School.

32. Do you remember your dreams?

Generally no, a couple of them manage to stick around here and there.

33. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?

I think I usually spell it “grey” but I am not bothered by the alternative.

34. Do you take any pills or medication daily?

I do not, and I only ever have once for a few months.

35. Do you prefer that people shoot straight with you or temper their words? Why?

I tell people to be straight with me but then when they do I remember that I am actually a pretty sensitive person. I do not think that changes how I want people to talk to me, I think I just need to be able to handle it better. I am uncertain which is better for my mental health to be honest.

36. Do you have a catchphrase?

Do no harm, take no shit.

37. Do you have a tattoo?

I do not, nor any piercings. Unlike most people I have met, I do not really have a desire for any. More power to you if you do, I somewhat understand the appeal, but I do not feel the need.

38. Do you have a whole lot of acquaintances or just a few very close friends? Why?

I do not think the two are mutually exclusive, I would say I have both.

39. Do you have any allergies?

None that I know of. I used to be allergic to mint as a child, but that has worn off with age. I still don’t like it, though.

40. Do you hold any convictions that you would be willing to die for?

None that I can think of. If there is one it would be something concerning human rights, but I feel like it would be something I discover as the situation strikes.

41. Do you carry a donor card?

Yes, and I have yet to hear any solid argument why anyone who is in an appropriate state of health should not want to be a donor. It is a small check box at the DMV, it costs you nothing, and it could save a life. You’re not doing anything with your body when you’re dead.

42. Do you believe ignorance is bliss? Why or why not?

I think yes, but if so, it is a bliss that I would rather choose to not have.

43. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes, absolutely I do.

44. What is something that amazes you?

The scope and beauty of the natural world.

45. What is at the top of your bucket list?

Spending two or three weeks in the Alaskan/Canadian wilderness.

46. What scares you about aging?

The realization that I will die someday.

47. How difficult is it for you to be honest, even when your words may be hurtful or unpopular?

Not very, however, I do not do it as a habit.

48. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?

I do not put a lot of stock into apologies, so not very.

49. How has your birth order/characteristics of siblings affected you?

I was very much the younger sibling growing up. Most of my clothes were hand-me-downs from my brother, he was appropriately rough with me like big brothers are, he was always first to do and choose most things, and he had to take care of me when my parents were not home. 

50. How many countries have you been to?

Six or seven, depending on if Scotland and England count as one country or two. USA, Canada, Ecuador, Iceland, Ireland, England, Scotland.

51. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?

I think six. Boots, work shoes, flip-flops, close-toed sandals, two pairs of snow boots, and I have a pair of dress shoes tucked away somewhere.

52. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn’t real?

My parents never actually pretended he was real. We still did the tradition, but it was always known that it was my parents. Whenever I tell people that they feel sorry for me, but I feel none the worse. If anything, I think I prefer it this way.

53. Would you ever consider living abroad?

If you had asked me before 2016 I would have said no, but now I think that I would consider it given certain factors.

54. Have you forgiven yourself for past personal failures? Why or why not?

Yes, when it comes down to it I cannot go back and change them, and they have made me who I am. All you can do from your mistakes is fix them if able and learn from them.

55. Have you ever dated two people at a time?

I guess technically I did once, but I’m more inclined to say I haven’t. I certainly would, though.

56. Have you ever won a trophy or an award? What was it for?

The two I can remember are perfect attendance in 4th or 5th grade, and Cub Scout Pinewood Derby one year.

57. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

Daisy Ridley

58. What is one thing you’d rather pay someone to do than do yourself? Why?

Vacuuming, I really do not know why I hate it so much. I don’t mind cleaning, even sweeping and mopping, but I hate vacuuming.

59. What is your reaction towards people who are outspoken about their beliefs? What conditions cause you to dislike or, conversely, enjoy talking with them?

I have no problem with someone being outspoken about their beliefs, I would even say I am at times, but if you are going to be outspoken about them you need to be able to defend them. If you are completely unwilling to change your mind, either through dogmatic adherence or poor epistemology, I have no desire to talk to you about any topic, because I would feel that nothing we talk about could be discussed reasonably.

60. Where do you buy your jeans?

Levi’s. I don’t skimp out on jeans or socks when I buy clothes.

61. What is something you wish you were gifted at doing?

Well, writing. I feel a strong sense of fulfillment when I know people have read words I’ve written.

62. What is the furthest you’ve ever been from home?

The Borough Market under Tower Bridge in London.

63. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Night owl, always have been and I hope to always be.

64. What are books on your shelf that are begging to be read?

A Wise Man’s Fear. I think I’m waiting for the release of book 3 to be officially announced otherwise I don’t see the point. I should probably just read it anyways, though.

65. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?

Well, probably Young Earth Creationism.

66. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in?

Norwegian

67. What religion will you raise your children to practice?

I will not raise my children in any particular religion. When they are old enough, I will encourage them to explore religions for themselves if that is what they want to do, but be very clear about the problems associated with religious belief. I will, however, teach them the system and philosophy of secular humanism and how to apply it to as many situations as possible.

68. What drains your energy?

When others have no concept of, or disregard for, punctuality.

69. How do you replenish your energy?

Sitting alone by myself or doing an activity I enjoy with my close friends.

70. What artistic endeavors have you tried & decided you were bad at?

Again, writing, but I want to do it and am going to keep trying.

71. What is one of the worst things that could happen to you?

The worst thing that could ever happen to me is everyone I know intentionally abandoning me.

72. What is something that scares you that you would never ever try?

Skydiving or bungee jumping.

73. When making an entrance into a party, do you make your presence known? Do you slip in and look for someone you know? Do you sneak in quietly and find a safe spot to roost?

Ideally, I would slip in and look for someone I know. Fortunately, most parties I go to everyone there is actively expecting me, so being noticed as I come in is a positive thing.

74. What did you want to be when you grew up?

Interestingly, a movie reviewer. I disregarded that as a fanciful childhood amusement for a long time, but somehow the interest has returned to me. 

75. What do you call carbonated drinks?

Soda. I know Minnesota is a pop state, but that has never sounded right to me. Usually I will just call it by its name, though.

76. What messages or myths about sex did you believe growing up?

I legitimately believed until I was in college that women did not enjoy sex and gave it to men as a reward. I am fully aware how messed up that is, and believe me when I say I am still recovering from that.

77. How does music matter to you?

Music kept me sane during my teenage years. I give a lot of credit to music for keeping me from self harm and helping me emotionally cope with a lot of problems.

78. If you had 1 year left to live, what would you do?

Get in my car and drive around the country, listening to as many people’s stories as possible.

79. If you inherited $100,000 right now, how would you spend it?

I would pay off all of my debts and then pretty much live how I am right now, content that I have a sizable emergency fund.

80. If you could give your younger self any advice what would it be?

You have time. Calm down. You do not need everything right now.

81. If you could save just one, would you rather save Humanity or the Earth?

Wow, I am surprised this question has never been presented to be before. I can see why it could be a tough choice, but I would choose humanity. Earth would always be in our memory.

82. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Why?

By my understanding of evolution, the egg.

83. Pick one, free health care or free education?

Education, reason being that with enough education eventually everyone would want to adopt social policies like free healthcare as well.

84. Would you rather always be overdressed or always be under-dressed?

Underdressed, fuck societal notions of formalism.

85. What songs have you completely memorized?

In The End by Linkin Park, All Star, Arthur theme song, Magic School Bus theme song.

86. What would you do if you never had to worry about money ever again?

I would adopt really old cats from shelters and give them love in their last days.

87. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

League of Legends, world geography, basic astronomy.

88. If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?

I like to think I would read and write more. I would absorb stories one way or another.

89. What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with, but you just don’t get the point of?

Pokémon.

90. What piece of entertainment do you wish you could erase from your mind so that you could experience it for the first time again?

Lord of the Rings, hands down.

91. What gets you fired up?

Unfairness

92. What is the meaning or purpose to life?

There is no inherent meaning or purpose to our lives. We assign personal meaning for ourselves, but that does not make it any less important just because others may not share it. That idea scares a lot of people, but I find it completely freeing.

93. In your group of friends, what role do you play?

The quiet but unexpectedly hilarious one.

94. What were some of the turning points in your life?

There is a moment in time I can go back to as catapulting the rest of my life into what it is now. If my friend Luke had never invited me to play Dungeons and Dragons in the summer after sophomore year, I would not know anyone I currently do and would not be the same person with the same interests. I am fully convinced of this.

95. As the only human left on Earth, what would you do?

Find shelter, find some pets, find some books, settle in. If I got bored I would relocate and repeat.

96. Dungeons and Dragons alignment?

Neutral Good

97. What question can you ask to find out the most about a person?

What is your epistemology?

98. If you had a clock that would countdown to any one event of your choosing, what event would you want it to countdown to?

First contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life.

99. What lie do you tell most often?

I’m fine, nothing is wrong.

100. What fictional character are you most like?

Age difference notwithstanding, Toby Ziegler and I were probably separated at birth.