40 Questions

[nycfem]

There have been a few reports on Jet's post below. Just wanted to say thanks and we are dealing with it privately.

[lamuymuyfem]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago? Be on the dating scene

2. What's been on your mind most lately?

bringing the different communities I belong to together.

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame? In that order

4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most? To stop having the worst strep throat of my life

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life? Bliss!

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now? Financial security

7. In one sentence, who are you? I am a 60 year old woman with the curiosity of a teenager.

8. What do you want to be known for? My writing. My hips.

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most? My daughter and sisters.

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different? Hoping that the bliss of the last month matures into s solid relationship.

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself? Having people notice my commitment to activism.

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend? good energy, common viewpoint, two-way street

13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing? I am blossoming right now so not an issue at the moment.

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid? To write a book

15. What stands between you and what you want? Time, self-discipline

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy? Look at the sky

17. When did you first realize that life is short? Death of relatives as a child

18. What do you need to spend more time doing? Increasing my client base.

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront? Laundry, straightening up house

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with? Misunderstand trans people

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you? That I'm white, that I'm straight

22.What’s something no one can take away from you? My ability to love

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day? Sunshine

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most? The knees

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most? The first time for me and my gf

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months? More financial security, health insurance

27. If not now, then when? When I finish my master's degree in May

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of? Two amazing children

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself? Yeah, that…..

30. What do you want to remember forever?
my kids as toddlers

31. What could society do without? How about repressive social norms?

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of? I love butch energy…….

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be? Bridging racial gaps requires hard work and intentionality for white people.

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done? Yeah, that……...

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older? Being so alienated from my parents

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while? Being associate director of a kickass Latino org.

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell? You didn't have to spend all those years in depression

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be? It was really worth it….and feed my cat, somebody

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? No!

40. What questions do you often ask yourself? When is RuPaul's Drag Race coming back on?

[C0LLETTE]

I'm not going to quote your post Iamuymuyfem but I loved reading every word of it. I laughed, smiled, agreed, and admired. Sexagenarians rock!

[Hey You]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
So many things. I could write an essay. They're all important in their own way so I can't just pick one.
2. What's been on your mind most lately?
The fact that until about August the possibility of me dating or having a social life is basically nil.
3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?
happiness and health tie for first, they can't be completely separated. Then love, money, fame.
4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most?
I want to be awake and alert enough to do a piano practice but I'm not
5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?
Hectic.
6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now?
Getting through the next few months with my sanity intact and all my bits attached.
7. In one sentence, who are you?
For better or worse, I am me.
8. What do you want to be known for?
For being a good person and going out of my way to help others. It's nice being known for things you're good at, but I find that puts me under pressure (mostly from myself) and I don't like that aspect so I'd rather be known for being nice.
9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most?
Can I take my dog?
10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different?
Fricking goodness knows. I have a fairly good idea of how the next 6 months will run but the second half of the year is still a closed book. Next year doesn't even exist yet.
11. Who makes you feel good about yourself?
My animals. AKA my babies.
12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Someone who makes an effort to keep in contact with me, someone likes hugging, sense of humour. Preferably one similar to my rather whacky one.
13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
Applying for certain jobs. Admittedly my fear of failure wasn't exactly unfounded, being barely qualified and completely inexperienced would have significantly stood against me.
14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
Have kids.
15. What stands between you and what you want?
Ahhh.. sperm?
16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
Piano.
17. When did you first realize that life is short?
Still haven't figured that one out lol life seems pretty long from where I currently stand.
18. What do you need to spend more time doing?
Piano.
19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront?
Questioning a lot of stuff about myself and the world at the moment. Get back to me in a few months and I'll let you know.
20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Vaccinate their kids. (Not intended to start a discussion on the topic!! I disagree based on research not ignorance)
21.What’s a common misconception people have about you?
Two that I've heard a few times are I had a neat room when I was growing up and that I'm a vegetarian. Neither could be further from the truth and I have no idea where people get those ideas. A quite common one is that I'm a guy.
22.What’s something no one can take away from you?
My self-love.
23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
Seeing my dog.
24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
I now kind of regret quitting double bass. Does that count?
25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most?
Being part of an official Guinness world record.
26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
Figure out how to go to bed at a reasonable time. Stuck in a habit of late nights from a combination of being an online student and an evening job I had a few years ago.
27. If not now, then when?
If not what now?
28. What have you done that you are truly proud of?
Lots of stuff. Most recent one is deadlifting 5/6 of my own weight.
29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
I am currently learning how to remain strong in my convictions even when everyone's questioning or attacking them. This has been happening to me recently on several issues. Yes, I'm a slow learner.
30. What do you want to remember forever?
The core essence of who I am. Sounds silly, but it can be very easy to lose yourself in this society.
31. What could society do without?
You want me to pick one? Ummm.. Highly processed foods.
32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of?
That I sure as hell am not ready for the bowls tournament I've been asked to take part in, starting this Saturday.
33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
Health starts on the inside- love yourself, balance your body/mind/spirit/life, and everything else will fall into place.
34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
Motorbike.
35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
Practising scales. As a kid I hated it (as per normal lol) but now I find them therapeutic.
36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while?
Clubbing. Maybe my body didn't thank me for it, but I had a great time for the few months that I was a regular goer. Pretty over it now. lol
37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell?
I would tell myself the reason why I found so much stuff difficult growing up. Won't say it publicly here but damn I wish I'd known younger.
38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be?
I would say goodbye to my animals and tell them I love them.
39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I hope not.
40. What questions do you often ask yourself?
What did I come into this room for? Where's my.. oh there it is.

[EnderD_503]

Reading back its kinda funny how some things have changed drastically in 2 years and other things have stayed the same.

Now:
1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
This year my relationship is at the stage where it has gotten clear we're both definitely in it for the long haul and that we love each other more than anything. I wouldn't trade that for anything. I also have more stable housing than last year. I can sleep at night without being eaten alive by bed bugs or having to run to emerg at 2 am because my eyes are swelling shut.

2. What's been on your mind most lately?
How much I love our current living situation, the people that should still be in this world but aren't, and also money/employment.

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?
1. Happiness. 2. Love. 3. Health. 4. Money 5. Fame.

4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most?
A little financial stability so that I can stop going crazy over certain things.

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?
Stressed lol

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now?
Love and fear

7. In one sentence, who are you?
Human

8. What do you want to be known for?
Still don't know.

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most?
Still my community (I assume I'd be moving away with my partner...)

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different?
With all the things that can happen in a year, who knows.

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself?
My partner and one of my old housemates.

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Honesty. Trustworthiness. Community-oriented.

13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
A lot of the small things.

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
Still top surgery

15. What stands between you and what you want?
I still has it

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
Still just ride it out. When I feel depressed sometimes I just need to sleep it off and wake up the next day feeling less hopeless.

17. When did you first realize that life is short?
Don't know, but after this year death fucking terrifies me.

18. What do you need to spend more time doing?
Hard to say.

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront?
A lot of anxiety, but I'm working through it.

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Not sure.

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you?
Still unsure.

22.What’s something no one can take away from you?
Love.

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
Still pants or shorts

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
My cousin and my grandmother. Some friends that I don't see as often.

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most?
Telling my partner I love her for the first time.

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
Job.

27. If not now, then when?
Still a good question!

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of?
Found someone this damn awesome

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
That's it's never too late. That I shouldn't have to compare where I'm at in life to other people because everyone has their own challenges and their own path.

30. What do you want to remember forever?
How good it feels being with her.

31. What could society do without?
Still don't know where to start...

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of?
Love.

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
N/A

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
Dance some more.

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
Too much to list.

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while?
Community houses...too many shit landlords in this world.

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell?
I'd still probably want to tell myself what a trans guy is to save myself the grief of figuring it out much later.

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be?
I don't know, but I'd sure as hell be shitting myself.

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
Almost certainly.

40. What questions do you often ask yourself?
Will I always be this crazy?

[anaisninja]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
I'm living in a place that allows me to keep my dog with me. I had to give him away in August of 2012 because my living situation was untenable to keeping him. It's a miracle (or a vision board) how I got him back and if you buy me a drink sometime I'll tell you the whole story.

2. What's been on your mind most lately?
How to make my big adventure happen.

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame? 1) Love trumps all. 2) health. 3) happiness. 4. money. Fame is not on my list. I would never want to be famous. I feel sorry for people who are famous. They need the riches in order to cope with not having any privacy.

4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most?
Seriously? You know it starts with s and ends with x. A good snog would suffice.

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?
Recovering from a trauma. Sadly that is true. Also, falling in and out of love again.

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now?
To live a life that is true to who I really am. To seize every opportunity to make the time and space to find peace, love and fulfillment.

7. In one sentence, who are you?
A work in progress.

8. What do you want to be known for?
That I loved well and could bust a move.

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most?
My friends and family.

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different?
I will be in a setting that I chose from a place of love. Doing and being and loving. Collecting experiences instead of things.

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself?
I've got some really good friends who mirror my best self to me.

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Loyalty, humor, and a car.

13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
Too many things. Fear is a killer. Choose love instead.

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
To be loved and accepted, just the way I am.

15. What stands between you and what you want?
Aha! You are a tough one, oh internet questionnaire oracle. My own fears and self-limiting beliefs, of course. Hah!

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
I meditate. Sit with the pain or whatever it is. Embrace it, let it be.

17. When did you first realize that life is short?
When I was 11 and my mother died of pancreatic cancer at age 36.

18. What do you need to spend more time doing?
- sitting in silence - listening to my intuition - loving myself - moving my body - laughing - doing things that bring me joy

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront?
Unhappiness with work.

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Vote against their best interests because they believe the lies told by corporations/the Koch brothers/Fox news/fill-in-the-blank.

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you?
Just because I'm easy-going doesn't mean you can violate my boundaries.

22.What’s something no one can take away from you?
My breath.

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
Music.

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
Missed opportunities.

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most?
Getting my dog back.

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
Number one is get healthy. Number two is quit my toxic job. Or maybe the other way around. Somehow I believe that one will follow from the other.

27. If not now, then when?
Exactly! You read my mind.

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of?
Risking it all to live my truth.

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
I'm attracted to butch women!

30. What do you want to remember forever?
All the good stuff.

31. What could society do without?
Lust for power. Jimi Hendrix said it best: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of?
That in my heart of hearts there is a knowing that I can trust.

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
"Bark less, wag more."

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
Hm that's a tough one. Will think about it and get back to you.

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
Religion, mostly.

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while?
My marriage.

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell?
Kiss more girls! (And stay away from the evangelicals!)

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be?
love love love love...

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I don't like sanctimonious questions like this. But I get the point. I want to be a woman of action.

40. What questions do you often ask yourself?
How can I make XYZ happen?

[Tuff Stuff]

Originally Posted by Tuff Stuff

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
Holding on to the past,silly rabbit

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be? "I'm coming home"

I don't know,just wanted to come back and see my replies.No changes really.Holding on to the past is something i'm learning to leave behind me as i age.I don't know if i'll be around tomorrow and I told myself do you really want to waste your time left on this earth thinking about bad stuff/people,stuff that happen in my life 10,20,30 years ago?
I told myself to just move on.

[Chad]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago? I can walk without a cane.

2. What's been on your mind most lately? Building mother a cottage.

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?
Health
Happiness
Love
Money
Fame


4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most? Peace of mind.

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life? Workaholic.

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now? Work.

7. In one sentence, who are you? I am one of many that help wildlife and protect their habitat.

8. What do you want to be known for? For my contributions to science and my relationships.

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most? Texas food.

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different? I hope to have my mother living in a cottage on my land.

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself? My family and my friends.

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend? Honesty, humor, and kindness.


13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing? Carpentry, I feel as though I can't nail two pieces of wood together so I stopped trying.

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid? A big farm or ranch with lots of animals.

15. What stands between you and what you want? Money.

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy? Talk to my family and friends.

17. When did you first realize that life is short? Losing my grandparents very early.

18. What do you need to spend more time doing? Socializing in person.

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront? Confrontation its self I say nothing instead of confronting people.

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with? They hide their true selves.

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you? Maybe that I am a party guy because most people only see me at parties.

22.What’s something no one can take away from you? My believes and my ideals.

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day? Chapstick, I am addicted to chapstick.

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most? Lost family, friends, and pets.

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most? Treating Mother to a happy Thanksgiving this year. Last year was the worst Thanksgiving in my family's history.

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months? I need to find balance between work and fun.

27. If not now, then when? It must be soon.

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of? I have served the environment well and I have raised two kids with my bestfriend (now gone).

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself? My strength, I am stronger than I think sometimes.

30. What do you want to remember forever? Life with my bestfriend and the kids. It was a magical time.

31. What could society do without? Prejudice against everyone and everything that is different than them.

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of? I am loved, safe, and happy.

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be? Great job friend!

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done? Be a workaholic.

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older? The importance of relationships with friends and family.

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while? Some relationships.

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell? Have patience.

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be? Tell them that I love them.

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? No, I will not.

40. What questions do you often ask yourself? How do I find balance and when can I retire.

__________________

[imperfect_cupcake]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
fix a hip tortion

2. What's been on your mind most lately?
graduating from school on dec 18th and being able to have a life again

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?

happiness is like orgasms. It's something momentary and fun but to expect it to last all the time is like expecting to have a 24/7 orgasm.I'm not concerned with happiness. I think is a false god to chase.
Health - able to work and live a life of active purpose
Love - as in friendship, not romantic. That's not necessary to live
Money - as in enough to have my basic needs met and feel secure I don't have to worry about food or rent

4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most?
brunch.

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?
insanely busy

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now?
school, career

7. In one sentence, who are you?
not your fucking mum

8. What do you want to be known for?
my skills, my abilities, my humour, my brain. And that I have nice tits.

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most?
i did. So I know the answer. The mountains and the cedar trees

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different?
VERY. I'll be registered and making five times the amount of money I am now. Literally. I will have time, money, and saving for my own practice

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself?
me

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
humour, wit, socialist politics

13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
dating

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
a jellyfish tank or a pirateboat

15. What stands between you and what you want?
nothing right now. I am working my fucking arse off as hard as I can to do it

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
not sure what this means. You mean when I am sad and depressed? Sticky rice with fish and a fabulous movie

17. When did you first realize that life is short?
for actual emotional reals, two years ago. Intellectually over a decade ago

18. What do you need to spend more time doing?
jesus. everything? But I'd like to have more time and energy so I can have sex. I would love some sex. A lot.

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront?
that I would put this information on a public board

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
breathe. Many people shouldn't be doing that

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you?
that I'm scary or intimidating

22.What’s something no one can take away from you?
hmn. Tough. If I was kidnapped, tortured and brain washed, that would take away a lot of stuff. My humour?

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
access to a toilet of some kind. No wait. I can pee in the woods. Ok, being in the city and having no access to a toilet

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
my sense of naive adventure, people I knew and really liked

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most?
to much of a blur, nothing stands out

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
losing the weight I gained from going to school

27. If not now, then when?
when I have my first job and can afford to go to the gym and get a trainer for help

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of?
So. Many. Things. Still being alive.

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
That no matter many time I have to pick my self up and start over from scratch, I can do it

30. What do you want to remember forever?
ALL of it

31. What could society do without?
greedy capitalist arseholes and Tories

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of?
my skill

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
come see me if you want to know what massage therapy feels like

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
So. Many. Things.

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
see above

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while?
life

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell?
it will be ok. You are far, far stronger than you know. When it hits as it has in the past, keep going. It will hurt. You'll fall over. But you'll get up.

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be? "that was weird"

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
oh fuck yes. So has everyone. They are kidding themselves if they think differently. But words are always there and people find them important.

40. What questions do you often ask yourself
can I go t bed yet???

[Orema]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago? Fit into the clothes I'm wearing these days.

2. What's been on your mind most lately? Pain

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame? Health, money, love happiness

4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most? For my knee to stop hurting.

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life? Reflective

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now? Good mental health

7. In one sentence, who are you? I am human, too!

8. What do you want to be known for? Perseverance

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most? Mexican food.

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different? Will have mastered a platform at work.

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself? Me

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend? Direct, kind, smart

13. What has fear of failure stopped you from doing? Being a public speaker or actor

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid? A convertible car

15. What stands between you and what you want? Irrational fears

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy? Accept momentary unhappiness, it will pass.

17. When did you first realize that life is short? When I was 9 or 10

18. What do you need to spend more time doing? Being still

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront? Abuse

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with? Don't vote

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you? I'm straight. I'm a bitch.

22.What’s something no one can take away from you? My thoughts and feelings.

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day? Brushing my teeth and cleaning my body.

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most? My sister

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most? A night spent in Hillcrest with some friends.

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months? Master this platform at work.

27. If not now, then when? It's now or never.

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of? Designed five life-size posters based on Carnival in Italy. I used them as a base for my PostSecret post card project.

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself? My level of sensitivity decreases as I conquer fears. Duh.

30. What do you want to remember forever? That first kiss.

31. What could society do without? Assault weapons

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of? Who I am and what I need.

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be? Black lives matter.

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done? Drive on the freeway again.

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older? Traveling alone

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while? D.R.

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell? Own it.

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be? It's pronounced O-RAY-MA, not O-REE-MA

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? Yep.

40. What questions do you often ask yourself? I wonder what time the movie starts?

[Gráinne]

Twelve years on, and I had to come back to this:

. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
Defining myself without relationships or occupations. I may be someone's mother/wife/girlfriend at any one time, but that isn't who I am. The same with my job: Teaching was what I did, it is not who I am.

2. What's been on your mind most lately?
What comes next as I move into my 60's and feel unencumbered by child-raising and facing retirement gladly.

3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?
Health, happiness, love, money, fame

4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most?
Realistically, a shower and a good night's rest. If anything, my "special" friend Sasha to ring my doorbell right now.

5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?
Reflective, with my daughter's wedding and the anniversary of my son's death (which were by coincidence on the same day).

6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now?
What action/thought/self-talk is healthiest and shows the most care and love for myself.

7. In one sentence, who are you?
A strong, passionate, fun-loving, love-loving beautiful woman .

8. What do you want to be known for?
By accomplishment, my writings and research into my family. By who I am, that I was encouraging and loving to all I met.

9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most?
Assuming it was just me, my family.

10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different?
Retirement, with the time for hobbies, volunteering, service, and travel.

11. Who makes you feel good about yourself?
A full day of meaningful work and hopefully service to others.

12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
Honesty, kindness, trustworthiness

13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
Pursuing certification as a professional genealogist. I work on my own research here and t here, but compiling my portfolio and submitting it seems like a recipe for disaster.

14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
To earn my private pilot's license (maybe as a kid it was simply "to fly")

15. What stands between you and what you want?
Lots of money and passing my health exam. Both could be overcome.

16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
Playing my music playlists, then realizing (again) that only I am responsible for my happiness. This feels very liberating, and I usually get back on track. That's actually another big step I learned this year.

17. When did you first realize that life is short?
My cousin died when he was about 24 and I was 10 or so. I had just seen him the week before, happy (so I thought) and healthy.

18. What do you need to spend more time doing?
Anything related to self-care, following my goals, following my peace and happiness. Healthy selfishness.

19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront?
My relationship with food, but yet another way I've changed is that I am totally examining myself and what I should confront next. And I've noticed that this issue is easier approached almost in fun, not punishment and deriding myself.

20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Complaining about things they have no power over. General negativity.

21.What’s a common misconception people have about you?
I'm a unemotional, reserved person hard to get to know. I may be shy but when comfortable, my silliness and yes, passion, come out.

22.What’s something no one can take away from you?
Self-respect

23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
Music, either playlists or my piano.

24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
Faraway childhood friends, probably the greatest gift of Facebook.

25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most?
My daughter's wedding last week! Though this was tempered by her obvious weight loss and fatigue due to her declining health.

26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
It needs to be treating my body, emotions, and surroundings with more care.

27. If not now, then when?
Why not right now?

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of?
My 291 day streak of Duolingo Russian lessons. It's not meant to lead to fluency, and it's a tough language (that's why I chose it), but look at that! I've learned a lot and get closer to a year every day.

29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
It's a gradual realization that I can be assertive and the world won't collapse, people won't get mad, and I actually have a decent chance of getting what I want.

30. What do you want to remember forever?
Visiting Warwick Castle. I could see why the "Kingmaker" and his ancestors loved that land so much.

31. What could society do without?
More staged "reality" shows. If it's staged, how is that real? (I realize I'm a hypocrite, as some of these have been my guilty pleasure)

32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of?
The existence of a Higher Power, Light, Being, Deity that some call "God" but I am sure exists in each of us.

33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Go for your dreams. Don't settle for less in love than you want.

34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
Completed my Pro-Gen genealogy class. It took a year and a half of tough assignments. I had thought (1) I wouldn't be accepted into the program in the first place, and then (2) that I was essentially a fraud in the Super Bowl of genealogy. What joy when I received my certificate.

35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
I had thought I'd never move from my family and my hometown, out of fear or inertia. I have now about five moves down, and each brought fear as well as great memories.

36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while?
My first love relationship with a woman.

37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell?
Don't worry about what "they" think of you, or say about you. You do you. That goes for my older self, too.

38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be?
See you later, be good, I love you, you're on my foot!

39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I hope to be a do-er much more than a talker. Writing is an exception.

40. What questions do you often ask yourself?
What's next?
What if I _____? (insert desired action here)
Why not me? (in response when I fall for "Why me?")

[Soft*Silver]

1. What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
I have more stamina, both physically and mentally, and so there are things that I didn’t get accomplished now that even a year ago, I couldn’t have done them
2. What's been on your mind most lately?
The election. I’m scared to death that Trump is going to win.
3. In order of importance, how would you rank: happiness, money, love, health, fame?
Health, happiness, love, money, fame
4. Right now, at this moment, what do you want most?
Someone else to Put the fresh sheets and pillowcases on the bed. Lol.
5. What word best describes the way you’ve spent the last month of your life?
Off-focused (because of my eye situation)
6. What is the #1 motivator in your life right now?
I’m 67 years old and I feel like I’m running out of time. So I’m trying to get everything in that I’ve ever wanted to do.
7. In one sentence, who are you?
I am a very simple complex woman

8. What do you want to be known for?
That I was And loving Grandmother
9. If you had to move 3000 miles away, what one thing would you miss most?
other than my family, it would have to be my garden
10. In one year from today, how do you think your life will be different?
I’ll be much healthier. Every year for the past decade, my health has improved.
11. Who makes you feel good about yourself?
When I am able to accomplish things. I get a lot of balls up in the air juggling several projects at a time. When I can accomplish them one by one by one I feel good that I can do so much and do it well.
12. What are the top three qualities you look for in a friend?
I have been best friends with my best friend since the first day of first grade so that was 61 years ago. She had the cutest pigtails, she laughed a lot, and she shared her pretty pencils with me.
13.What has fear of failure stopped you from doing?
Writing. I have started and stopped writing several times in my life.
14. What is something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
A pony! I’ve had them on and off in my life and now I’m at a time in my life where I’m just not able to take care of one.
15. What stands between you and what you want?
More money
16. What do you do when nothing else seems to make you happy?
Sleep. If I really am in a spiral of misery and I’m just not going to be happy no matter what I’m gonna do, I will sleep and when I wake up, I can guarantee you I’ll be better
17. When did you first realize that life is short?
There were so many times in my life. I thought I realize that life was short. But when you get in your late 60s and onward, you realize you have far less time than you’ve ever had in your life. You might not have decades anymore to look forward to. Hell, you might not even have A decade…
18. What do you need to spend more time doing?
My crafts. Especially my Watercolors
19. What issues do you continually refuse to confront?
I Don’t think I have any. I mean, there was huge bands of time where I refused to confront my mental health and my Addiction, but I’ve got those doing pretty well now
20. What’s something a lot of people do that you disagree with?
Please don’t hate me… But I cannot stand breast-feeding in public
21.What’s a common misconception people have about you?
I’m always surprised when people tell me when they first met me, that they thought I was aloof.
22.What’s something no one can take away from you?
My love for them.
23. What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
Oh geez, that’s easy. My cell phone.
24. When you look into the past, what do you miss the most?
My horses. There are times I sit and cry quietly, when I look at photos of my horses that I’ve had in the past. I don’t think anybody’s ever understood the connection I have with horses.
25. What memory from this past year makes you smile the most?
Last year I had chickens and my littlest granddaughter got to watch one hatch, and while it was still wet, I put it in her hands
26. What’s the number one change you need to make in your life in the next twelve months?
You take care so much mental and physical health, and I’ve lost weight, but I still have weight to lose and dammit I need to do that.
27. If not now, then when? Maybe never. Sometimes we just have to be kind to ourselves and let our expectations and desires be let go.

28. What have you done that you are truly proud of?
I have five college degrees
29. What’s something new you recently learned about yourself?
Then I can air fry
30. What do you want to remember forever?
Oh my God, all of it
31. What could society do without?
The crazy MAGAS And their leader
32. What is one thing right now, that you are totally sure of?
That my husband loves me
33. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
You don’t have to say anything. Just listen.
34. What’s something you said you’d never do, but have since done?
I would be with a man. I am absolutely a lesbian. But I married a man.
35. What’s something you changed your mind about when you grew older?
Thoughts of my mother
36. What didn’t last forever, but was still worth your while?
Every single relationship I was in. No matter how badly they ended, or what caused the end of the relationship, how it started, and when it was good, was always worth my while.
37. If you could go back in time and tell a younger version of yourself one thing, what would you tell?
Someday, when you grow up, someone’s gonna love you so well, that all of this that you’re going through right now, is not going to matter
38. If you knew you were dying in 60 seconds, what would your last words be?
“ i’m going to miss all of you”
39. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
Absolutely. I have held the hands of the dying. I have wiped blood from the lips of children. I fed Starving addicts. I’ve sat in The dark corners of the nightmares With people complex PTSD. I have housed the homeless. I have made people not once ever had anything going for them or anyone supporting them, feel seen and appreciated. I could go on, but the gist of it is that I have always been service oriented, and that my life work has always been to take care of those who have no one
40. What questions do you often ask yourself?
Really? You’re doing this again?