What new law is needed to make the world a better place to live?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
No undesirables allowed in specified parts of each city.

Joanne's answer:
I always thought it would be a good idea to make donating your TIME a tax-deductible donation. A lot of non-profit or charitable organizations need people to help them do stuff - be it unskilled tasks (e.g., filing) or highly skilled advice (e.g., lawyer stuff) - and I feel like a lot of people may be more willing to donate their time than their money (especially people who have very little money)....so if we could somehow figure out a "price per hour" that a particular volunteer job was worth and then allow that amount of money to be a tax-deduction, it would be an insentive for people to donate their time (just like s tax-deduction on money donations is an insentive for people to donate their money). May not make a huge difference but it seems like it might help a little.

And the other answers:

1. Before we can think about new laws, we need to enforce the ones we already have. I'll reassess the situation after that happens.

2. Accept gay marriage amendments. It hurts NO ONE, is based on love and commitment, and any law against it - which is the result of fear and ignorance - is bad news. (ok, climbing off soapbox now).

3. While I don't necessarily think the world needs MORE laws than we already have, if I got the power to put one law on the books, believe it or not, it would be a tax law... I'm totally okay with paying taxes (any politician's promises to lower my taxes means nothingto me and is not a good reason for me to vote for them...) HOWEVER, I HATE not being able to control what my tax money is spent on. I personally think it is beyond ridiculous that the United States spends roughly $400 BILLION per year on the military (not counting the current costs of the Iraq War which is goingat a rate of $8 billion per MONTH...) while only finding about $13 billion per year to spend on education... To me that is just a colossal misordering of priorities... SO, my new law would keep the tax rate the same, but allow each individual taxpayer to decide what aspect of the government/infrastructure of the country they wish their money to go towards... so if you love the military, by all means have your money go to them,while those who value education can put more there, or spread your taxmoney out equally among health care, police, fire, and roads... whatever you want! Then we will truly see what the American taxpayer values and wants out of their society. Government of the people, by the people, and for the people! [Last name] for President in 2008!Vote For Me and I'll Set You Free!

4. Free porn!!!! hahhaa

5. Mandatory health care for all children.

6. Term limits for all politicians.

7. There can be such a law?????

8. Wouldn't it be grand if it was a new law that was going to fix the world? I think it's a new attitude we need to have. We are so very disconnected from our lives we need to reconnect with things that make the world better instead of putting so much energy towards things that rip it apart.

9. Alcohol should be permitted on every beach! Pittsburgh specificly, alcohol should be permitted at grocery stores!

10. 25% of all sports or entertainment contracts for more than 10 million dollars should be taken off the top and poured directly into education - for toddlers, school kids, college kids, and adults who need to learn a trade.

If you had the opportunity to travel into space, would you go? Why or why not?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
I've always dreamed of it, ever since I was a kid. And then I think of looking back at the Earth behind me and realizing that everything I know - my brother and sister, my friends, McDonald's, the beach, EVERYTHING - is on that little distant sphere. And THEN I realize that I'm terrified of flying in an airplane, let alone a SPACE SHUTTLE. AND THEN I curl up into a ball and take a handful of Xanax. So no. Probably not. But I'd definitely take the video tour.

Joanne's answer:
It definitely seems like an opportunity that shouldn't be passed up, if only because it is so extreme and so few people have done it...BUT I get major motion sickness, it sounds terrifying, and honestly, its not really something I've ever had an interest in doing. However, I feel like I would have a really hard time saying no, mostly because I wouldn't be able to get Brian King's voice out of my head, yelling at me about how I absolutely must do it and that I might get hit by a bus tomorrow...so maybe I would TRY, but ultimately once it got to the training part where your motion sickness is tested, I'm pretty sure I would not be able to go on.

And the other answers!

1. I would not go into space, it is just not my thing.

2. No I would not want to travel in space, I barely leave New England never mind the planet!

3. I wouldn't go but [my husband] sure would. It is his dream to spend the last days of his life in space. If that meant he could go now he would.

4. I think I will leave going into space for the younger people. My days of needing that much adventure are behind me. You go and tell me all about it when you get back. okay?

5. I'm there. My head has always been in the clouds anyway.

6. Space. I like Space. If I could go anywhere at all I would go to space.

7. Sure – nice adventure – see the world from the “other side”.

8. Ohmigod. No. NO WAY. You couldn't pay me enough. I don't like enclosed spaces. I like fresh air that I can inhale. And I doubt I'd be able to check my email or myspace in space, and that is unacceptable to me.

9. I would not go. Because I would be terrified. Or, some other word that means more than terrified, as I am already terrified when traveling on a standard issue domestic non-space commercial aircraft.

10. I absolutely would go! I love to travel, as you know, and how cool would it be to brag about having gone into space? How many other people can say that? Think of the amazing pictures that trip would yield!

11. How could anyone say no?!

When was the last time you played hookey? Explain the situation.

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
The last time I played hookey was this past summer, when I was teaching summer session. I had been up partying all night the night before, and was a total waste of space, so I emailed my class and told them I was sick and class was cancelled. I tried to nap but just couldn't, so when my friends called and invited me to a movie, I went. And who is the first person I see as I walk into the theatre? One of my students! Oh, and may I add that the movie was showing during my scheduled class time! I was mortified.

Joanne's answer:
The last time I played hookey was over the summer, it was in the middle of August. I had been spending a lot of time talking on the phone with a new guy from the internet ("sweatpants boy", as he would later be called) and we were up really, really late talking one night - so the next morning, I was just waaaay to tired to go to work and called in sick. Brian had a job interview that day, so I drove into the city, met him for lunch, dropped him off at his interview, and went to Mission Dolores and then Dolores park while waiting for his interview to be over. While at Mission Dolores, I called sweatpants boy and we ended up meeting in person that night (and ended up having a *really* nice little make-out session!). Definitely a good day of hookey....and nookie, as the case may be. =)

And the other answers!

1. Strange as it may sound, I NEVER played hookey from school - not once!!! Now, played hookey from work? Like called in sick when I wasn't? I guess it was so long ago - more than 10 years ago now - that I really can't remember what the circumstances were. I had so many personal, sick and vacation days where I was for so many years that I didn't have to pretend. I just took a person/sick/vacation day whenever I wanted to. But since I was the only one who did what I did, I didn't call out too often. All that did was make my work load heavier.

2. I don't remember the last time I played hookie... how sad is that... I guess I'm way to conscientious for that...

3. I am playing hookie next Monday....I'll be in Vegas!!!

4. I've been playing hookey for almost 3 months now.

5. This morning. I didn't make it into work until after noon. I'm driving 7 hours today to get to Detorit for work ( I should have left an hour ago- it's now 3:30 pm ), so I figured I'd take some time this morning before I leave the wife and child for the week. The only reason I consider it "hooke" is because I didn't tell anyone.

6. Ha...I am playing hookey today. Actually, I play hookey every Monday. It is the only day where I don't have anything school-related. Sure, there are the weekends, but Monday is much better than weekends because my hubby is out of the house (no distractions) and the stores are empty. I use Mondays as my "catch-up, run errands, clean the house, return phone calls, and relax" day.

7. I can't exactly remember the last time I played hookey. It was probably before [my daughter] was born, because now-a-days I tend to save my vacation and sick time in case she gets something contagious and the daycare won't take her! Of course, when she gets older, I will deny that I ever did such a thing as play hookey!!

8. Hooky – hmmmm…True hooky is in school – I don’t really think you can play hooky from a job where you are paid 100% commission. You only play hooky on yourself in that case. And with work you only short yourself. So 1988. The year I graduated. Eiks that is a long time ago!

9. I used to play hookey all the time, random Tuesdays and such. But now I am too darn busy and I actually have consequences when I am not in because no one else does what I do so there is no back up. I could use a day though!

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

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
I prefer the carefully chosen words because I am a weak-spined little nancyboy who get's all sensitive when people are too aggressive in their style ofcriticism... my panties get all bunched up... especially the lacy ones. they go up my ass...

Joanne's answer:
As emotionally stable as I am, I do think I'm pretty sensitive to criticism...so ya, for the most part, I'm gonna need people to temper their words. Even better, if someone has something to say that is going to spoil one of my well-constructed positive illusions, I'd really prefer they just don't say anything at all - especially because most likely, I did not even ask for their opinion! That being said - in the rare case that I *do* actually ask for someone's opinion, or someone has something to say that directly affects our friendship/relationship, I don't want to hear bullshit. I want you to shoot straight...with maybe only a *little* sugar coating. =)

And the other answers!

1. I'd much rather people shoot straight with me because no matter how awful the news is, I rather know the truth than be led to know and believe something else. Welcome, by the way, to some of my relationships. If someone doesn't like me and fakes it just because they don't want to hurt my feelings - then that pisses me off even more. It makes me feel that they weren't truthful with me about ANYTHING. Hell, if you can't be honest about that, what can you be honest about? Ok, I answered too much. Sorry.

2. As much as shooting straight can hurt at times, I would much rather deal with what is rather than what isn't real. Shoot straight w/me or not at all. Feelings be damned.

3. I like to be talked to straight! When one gets that you can believe that it is the truth. At least most of the time. When softening it up sometimes its borderline truth and I cannot deal with prefabrications and exaggerations.

4. I prefer that people shoot straight with me. I prefer this because of the fact that I will shoot straight with people. Sometimes even to the point of being called "aggressive". Those of you that have seen that side of me need no further comment. I am the type of person, at times, that if you don't want to hear my opinion, because you know that you won't like it, then just don't ask me. I will make your worries come true, you won't like my answer. Also, if I think that you knew how I would respond before you even asked me, then I will give my answer in an even more aggressive way. Once again, those of you who know me....enough said. In all fairness though, I give what I expect in return. If I ask you a dumb question, then I expect a dumb answer. If I ask you a smart remark question, then I expect a smart remark answer. It is only fair.

5. I'm a straight shooter (with tact), and prefer folks to be the same with me.

6. Definitely straight shooter - no room for interpretation and I much prefer to KNOW the truth rather than THINK I do.

7. I like people to shoot straight with me. Of course, I would rather not have someone be unnecessarily harsh with me - but, I don't like it if I can sense that someone is "managing" me, or if people are condescending to me. I'm an intelligent adult. Let's not waste a lot of time beating about the bush.

8. Most of my friends would probably say that they feel the need to temper a little bit with me because I have a slightly thin skin. I get ego-bruised and when I do i think I'm very transparent about it. But really I'd prefer people to shoot straight and I'll just deal with my reaction myself. I don't know why other people feel so responsible for what other people's totally subjective/unpredictable reaction will be to what they say. As long as your intent is not malicious, just give it to me straight.

9. Shoot straight. If I ask for a straight answer that is what I expect. Easier to deal with it head on.

Are you more of a rule breaker or a rule keeper? Why?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
I LOVE breaking rules...my college days as you well remember where chock full of breaking rules: drinking during class, asking our men in the middle of the quad, getting fired from my library workstudy for bowling with microfiche, the list goes on and on...

Joanne's answer:
In the grand scheme of things, I'm sure I would be considered mostly a rule-keeper...BUT I do feel like I break more than my share of rules...what with the speeding, rarely wearing a seat-belt, coming in about 10 minutes late to work every day (and then working on the QOTD for about an hour once I get here!!), having unauthorized pets in my apartment, jumping fenses to get into concerts...once, when I worked at an afterschool daycare (as a daycare teacher), I let the kids have a snowball fight (even though it was not allowed) and actually stood on "teacher duty" to warn them if any other teachers were coming so we wouldn't get in trouble! Ya, I'm a rebel alright!!! =)

And the other answers!

1. I am a rule breaker. I can't help it. It makes my life better.

2. I'm a rule breaker, but in a pretty uncontroversial way. I do slightly unsensible things like auditioning for musicals when I really need to focus on making a career, or constantly falling for men who are close to 20 years older than me. I find my way around silly rules like needing to buy a parking permit to park at school. I also have been known to forget to pay (or refuse to pay) certain bills and fines.

3. I'm definitely a rule keeper (except when it suits my purpose to be a rule breaker)

4. I'm definitely a rule breaker. I have a strong internal derision for authority which has led me to do a number of stupid things. Consider the following: a) at a mall after hours, a mall security guard yelled at me for lying on a bed that people had been lying on all day as a model. Instead of getting off like he asked, I purposely lay there for about 15 minutes, despite threats to call the rest of security to escort me out. I hate rent-a-cops. b) at a DUI CHECK FOR GOD'S SAKE, I got out of the car and moved aside one of the cones so my girlfriend and I could turn around and go home (neither of us had had so much as a sip that evening, and didn't want to waste an hour in the line). When the officer harangued me, I told him I was intoxicated just to irritate him (I wasn't the one driving) and when he asked me if I was carrying any illicit drugs, I asked him snarkily if Ricola counted (I was recovering from a cold).... It's a wonder I've never told my academic advisor to go suck an egg for no good reason. This doesn't even count all the fences I've hopped, notepads I've stolen, and rules I've let slide when I worked in the "real" world. I think I'm a danger to society and should be stopped.

5. For the most part, I'm a rule keeper. I guess it's partly because I more-or-less feel that most rules make sense and are good - and, partly because I'm a "Pleaser". But, if I feel strongly that a rule is stupid, immoral, or easy to break without getting caught...

6. More of a rule keeper. It just so happens that I agree with most ofthe rules. And I find that rules I disagree with can often be changedif one is willing to set one's mind to it.

7. Even better. I'm a rule maker!

8. Rule keeper, but I will push it when I feel I can. Much easier to find the guidelines and know where you are supposed to be so you can know where to push it when you have to.

9. I am a RULE KEEPER!!!! I don't know what it is I like to follow the rules, always have always will. I like things in an expected order. I would stop at a stop sign if the world ended and I was the last person on earth!

10. Rule keeper, it is much easier that way.

11. I break some and keep some. but mostly I'm a keeperor the rules. Why? I can't answer that in 25 words orless. :-)

Who is the closest friend you've ever had? Describe that relationship.

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
My closest friend is my current closest friend who hasalso been my closest friend for roughly 30 years (andI'm 35, so that is saying quite a bit...) What makeshim my closest friend is most likely simply our sharedexperiences and our enjoyment of each other's company. Like most men, neither of us are big disclosers ofour feelings (although he does listen to me bitchabout things a lot) but we've done so many thingstogether over the years that we have nearly livedparallel lives... in the end we were each other'sbest man at each of our weddings, and continue totalk/see each other several times each week. The bondthat forms between two boys who got kicked out ofChuck-E-Cheeses for pulling on the tail of the poorsod in the Chuck-E suit is indeed quite a strongbond...

Joanne's answer:
The closest friend I ever had was my best friend in college, Jen. We hung out every day at school (or emailed all day long if we were on co-op/working), talked on the phone every night (sometimes even in between TV shows, to discuss what we liked and disliked about them), and went out every weekend (often using fake names and personas when meeting guys at bars, just for the fun of it). We knew every detail of each other's lives, and constantly laughed about the stupidest things. We composed epic tales of dating extravaganzas/fantasies, wrote poems and top ten lists, participanted in a kissing bet, and even made up a song or two. We thought of each other as the smartest, most beautiful girls in the world. Unfortunately, ur friendship went sour after college, when we moved in L.A. together....we actually were not friends for a really long time, 6 years or so...but I'm happy to report that we have made up and even though she lives in Boston now and I in San Francisco, we see each other when I come home for holidays and its always as if no time has passed.

And the other answers!

My sister but I couldn't possibly describe it as I'm not that good with words. It just has about every emotion you can think of. I just know that no matter what she's there.

So sad – never had a close friend before.

What in this world breaks your heart?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
Shoot, I'm a bleeding heart liberal. It might be quicker to tell you what doesn't.

Joanne's answer:
Unrequited affection.

And the other answers!

To have my daughters live so far away that I can't bepart of their daily lives.

That at 61 I haven't become a millionaire yet.

Innocent children being mistreated or neglected. Cruelty to animals. My hubby makes fun of me because when we watch movies like Braveheart, I could care less when the people are brutally killed, but it breaks my heart when the horses are harmed.

It breaks my heart to see and know that [my daughter] smokes!! Really!!

Seeing people cry..it kills me. im a very empathetic person,so i see this stuff more than i'd like to...

Disappointing my family

That boys are stupid and we have to play games with them to get them to like us. =( Ok, so maybe I'm just feeling a TAD bit jaded...

One must have a heart in order to break it.

Love

My weight.

What insults your intelligence?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
What kind of QOTD is this? You're supposed to be a scientist.

Joanne's answer:
It definitely insults my intelligence when students try to turn in blatently plagarized work. I have had cases where two (or more!) students will turn in the EXACT SAME paper/homework assignment/sections of a paper and think I will not notice. Do I not have a Ph.D., people? How am I *not* going to notice that? WTF!?

And the other answers!

1. The QOTD.

2. Stupid sensasionalistic phrases used to try evoke a false emotional reaction rather than a logical reponse delivered by idiots who think you are as stupid as they are (AKA anyone in marketing). And a little off topic: I just generally get anoyed at the ads for the news.If there is really a horrible danger to (Pick one: a. Child b. Myself c. Furry woodland creatures d. Oprah)
lurking in the (Pick one: a.drinking water b.car c.popular tv show d.Oprah). Why the fuck are they making me wait until 10 pm to tell me what it is???

3. This is more of a pet peeve, but when i say something that someone may disagree with or something, i HATE, HATE, HATE IT when they pat me on the head. it totally insults my intelligence, as if they're patting a dog, or a little stupid child that doesn't know anything. The other thing that completely insults my intelligence is when I give my opinion about something serious, and a person laughs out loud or snickers.

4. When I was young I could have it...then I couldn't...now I can what dairy...no chocolate...

5. The way my husband talks down to me, or makes believe he doesn't hear me. Like I'm not worth listening too or talked with. Everybody has a different degree of intelligence as everyone has a different degree of common sense. Some have more of one than the other. Each person however should always respect the other person no matter what his or her case may be. Some people however really do feel they are better than others or smarter than others and the problem is sad since others can always tell when that is happening! One should NEVER degrade someone else ( or wife), NEVER!!!! Lying is also an insult to the other person. Lying is SO unecessary! Yet chronic liars never stop do they?

6. Men in the military who assume I have what I have because I'm female and don't really know anything. I probably have forgotten more about my chosen field then they will ever know because they are soooooo chauvanistic.

7. Other people.

8. A degrading tone.

9. Deception and the act of it toward me.

10. People assuming that because I'm Christian that I'm a Republican. Puh-lease!! Have you read the Bible???

11. When they put a disclaimer on the side of a child'spool that states "This is not a life saving device".

Why do you think people live in denial?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:
Because they mistook it for a river in Egypt?

Joanne's answer:
Good ole' Freud and his defense mechanisms. Of course, people live in denial when they are presented with information that is too threatening for them to handle. By the way, I prefer the term "positive illusions" to "denial"!!

And the other answers!

1. The truth is sometimes very hard to digest. To have to accept things that are not happy or complimentary is hard to digest. And those who live in denial have a very sensitive digestive system. So, rather than to get emotional heart burn, they would rather not look at it. If you don't look at it, it's not there. Just as if no one sees you eat it, you didn't take in those extra calories.

2. Denial is much more fun than nial...nial has some good bars...but mostly is a terrible place to live...

3. It is better than facing reality for some people.

4. Mainly because we want to be more like Joanne (only kidding). Really I think that people live in denial because it is just easier to accept than reality sometimes.

5. To stay sane.

6. Low property tax. Good school systems. And no laws against womengoing topless in town.

7. Because there are things that they don't want to know. Because knowing those things would mean some kind of change - either a change in their perception of the world as they now know it, or that they would be required to make some kind of personal or behavioral change - that they are not willing to make. Did I get it right, Doc?

8. It's a great place to live - no responsibiltiy or taxes.

9. In my opinion we are all subjective observers of an objective environment, one whose harsh realities are often wisely avoided through the use of vital defense mechanisms. One of the most adaptive and important defenses, denial allows us to live on happily (despite the fact that the mortality rate remains firmly at 100%), allows some gay men to marry women and have children (securing their spot in heaven, no doubt), and most importantly: denial gives us hope that our freedoms and successes are not being slowly stripped away by neoconservatives who are running our country into the ground. Frighteningly, denial can sometimes reach delusional, even flagrantly psychotic proportions, and can also be fatal. The American Heart Association cites denial as a primary factor in the delay of treatment in the event of a heart attack. (Joanne, just because you're going back to teaching, you can't make me cite that. Look it up yourself.) Finally, denial allows me to relish in my unshakeable conviction that I am the smartest person I know.

10. Are you kidding! It is so much more self serving to live without flaw than to actually face that you may have a part in your own misery. If we didn't have denial we would have to take emotional stock in everything we did, how exhausting would that be!

11. Just a simple coping mechanism.

12. I don't believe that people live in denial.

13. The tasteful drapery??

If you could spend one hour doing absolutely anything, what would you do?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:

I am going to assume this is a "free" hour...and I will live in a fantasy world where I might actually do what I would want to do with my "free" hour (and not what I would likely do which is either sleep, read the sports page, or try for an entire hour to come up with such a freaking awesome answer to QOTD that JoJo might select mine answer as her "favorite" - which would not only bring me enormously high levels of PA, but would also give me bragging rights among my friends)...where was I...oh...I would paint.

[By the way, "PA" stands for "positive affect", which is a fancy term for "good mood"...for all you non-psychologist-nerds out there]

Joanne's answer:

I'd love to spend an hour snorkling in the ocean off the coast of Hawaii!! Ahhh, beautiful Hawaii.

And the other answers!

1. I'd like to go on a shopping spree with no price limit for an hour atNordstrom!!

2. Read a good book

3. If I had an hour, I would definitely go running with my new iPOD shuffle!!

4. A full, one hour, video-rental-like, hardcore sex.

5. Hmmm. That's a tough one. I'll give you my top five: Eating something delicious; Getting a massage; Writing (fiction or journal - not to be confused with work); Dancing (in a class - not to be confused with excersize); Doing something fun with my kid. Wait... I feel like sleeping should be in there somewhere...

6. Sexin up the wife... they don't call me the 60-minuteman for nothin... ;)

7. My hour would involve me onstage in a fabulous gown, giving a concert of my favorite Broadway songs. These would include "Tell Me on a Sunday," "Til There Was You," "My Ship," a medley from Ragtime, and some various Sondheim. And maybe some jazz standards. It would go off without a hitch. Then, we would have a giant reception with lots of desserts and wine, and all of my friends would be there. Oh, and so would the guy who plays Dr. McSteamy. And he would be very taken with me due to the concert and the fabulous gown, so at some point I would sneak off to the coatroom to make out with him.

8. Sleep

9. Is Pamela Anderson Busy?

10. I'd count backwards from 10 million, see how far I could get.

11. Just laying down next to my son resting with him. =)

12. That would depend on the day, today I would like to soak in a hot tub!

What one word sums up your high school experience?

Most POPULAR answer:
"Entertaining"

Joanne's answer:
I think I would have to say, "Nerdy". I was kind of a nerd in high school - you know, in two choruses, on the speech/debate team, did the morning annoucements over the intercom (which I sooo totally loved!!), in all honors classes...but hey, it paid off, I got a full scholarship to Northeastern! I did actually have a pretty good time in high school - good friends (Hannah, Peri, my sis), interesting boy drama (out-of-towners, Bill, Mike, Scott, Paul), fun part-time job (Brighams)...had a little adolscence-induced depression freshman year, but for the most part, very little teenage angst...although I'm sure it seems less stressful looking back on it than it actually felt at the time.

And the other answers:

1. I would say "blur." it feels so long ago, and HS wasn't all that exciting for me. it definitely went by too fast.
2. ego-shattering
3. inconspicuous
4. My high school experience was not too interesting. Sad to say my Mother was very very strict and I had to be home everyday to help with the younger siblings. I would LOVE to be able to say I had a great high school life but most of my life then took place in the house teaching and cleaning. I was 16 when the last two siblings were born so as you can see I was an artificial MOMMY. It did help me to bring up my children in a mature fashion. So I guess it was not all bad. As a matter of fact I designed a cat statue there then and I drew most of the pictures by the sides of the faces in our year book. ( This I was very proud of) I was asked to join the "PEP SQUAD" which would have allowed me to be a cheerleader in the next year but my mother said I'd have to say no. Boy did I cry! However, I did graduate and went on to Boston to school and there met my husband!
5. No pun intended, but the word would have to be educational. So much happened in my high school years that no other word really fits quite as well.
6. Boyfriendless
7. Phantasmagorical
8. Fun-long-scary-informative-etc
9. "Duh" is the word that summarizes my high school experience quite nicely. After a year in girly preppy private school in Tokyo, I got quite fed up of not having boys around (and the commute was an hour and 45 minutes - including running fast from my house to the bus stop - a bit too long for a 15-year-old). Then I studied abroad for 2 years instead of continuing with the boyless school - went to a high school in castle (http://www.atlanticcollege.org/) which was established based on a truly idealistic goal - to promote international understanding, to promote peace globally, and yeah, I totally thought that was cool, but unlike what the school advocates, I realized that I didn't go through that much of a transformation at all after those turbulent two years of not understanding what the hell people are saying in English (with varying accents), getting stuck in a sleepy welsh villege, having to put up with a nasty roommate for two years who borrows stuff from me and either forget to return them or sh*t 'em up, and gaining almost 20 pounds for eating dorm food that tasted like crap (mostly fish and chips). People, why didn't you tell me that personality does not change and that happiness is a trait (not changeable)?? Certainly I learned that changing your environment does not make you happier, smarter, or prettier.Therefore, it's a "duh." Oh, and one more point - adolescence is life's suckiest time for a large majority of people according to the life-course perspective (remember, I'm a pseudo-developmental psychologist). People get happier/the happiest during young adulthood (18-30ish) and that turned out to be quite true for me as well:)
10. shazam
11. doubleplusungood
12. It was an easy fun ride.
13. Hmmm. An interesting question to ponder as I approach the 15 year mark...
A few words come to mind: 1.) Better (as in, better than the elementary school or middle school experience); 2.) Boys (as in, started to go on real dates, have real boyfriends); 3.) Dyer (as in, Mr. Dyer, the fearless leader of school dramatics and speech tournaments, who made my life difficult and who cultivated the first environment outside of my house that I considered "home")
14. "Over"
15. The suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked. Well, except for [my best friend]. Ok, so that was like 3 words.
16. Graduated
17. Let's see, my high school experience in one word; emotional. I had my first love, my first (and last) out of school suspension, my first hang over, my first porn film and lots and lots of diary pages about the angst of being a teenager!
18. Necessary
19. OUTRAGEOUS!!
20. In a word, I remember high school = perfectionism. I wanted to be awesome at everything - school, sports, singing. I wanted to also be super-skinny and everyone's best friend. To achieve this awesomeness, the days had to start at 5 am and end around 11 pm. Good lord...if only I could find that energy and drive now!