[ frequently asked questions ] @ eclectic

Frequently Asked Questions

Inquiring minds want to know?

General Questions

Is that you in the picture at the left?
No. (And no, I don't know who she is.) For other layout details, click here.

Why do you have a "personal" site?
It's quite therapeutic. Even if no one reads every word, knowing that they could makes me feel as if I've been heard. For a brief history of this site, click here.

Why not just have a myspace/facebook/whatever?
When I started this site in 2001, those weren't around, nor was blogging commonplace.

Where would I find ______ at this site?
For a detailed list of our content, check out the directory.

Why don't you update your sites more often?
The short answer? I have a life. I enjoy website work, but I don't spend all of my spare time doing it. Sometimes I read, talk to my family, watch a DVD, go for a walk, etc.

Did you say that you review TV shows? Why do you do that?
I began reading some reviews of TV shows on a site that I stumbled upon. At first, I thought, "Does this guy have nothing better to do?" Then I found myself critically questioning the plots of other shows, and I wondered, "Why *shouldn't* we think about what we're watching?" Why shouldn't we question whether the plot makes sense or if the writers are being consistent with their writing?

Are you going to write any more reviews?
Not on a regular basis. After reviewing TV shows from 2001 through 2006, it started to feel like quite a chore. If I do feel compelled to share my thoughts about a show or a movie, I'll post them at my forums.

What is your last name?
My real last name is classified. ;) On the 'Net - since there are so many people named Anne - I use the last name Bristow.

Do you have any identifying marks?
I have a scar on my right index finger and a scar on the back of my upper right arm.

Scars? How did that happen?
The one on my hand is from when I was in fifth grade. I was hammering a metal pole into the ground with a sledgehammer (i.e. "building a club house") and my hand slipped. The one on the back of my arm is from a sturdy piece of wire that protruded from our old couch.

What year were you born?
1972. I'm not ashamed of my age, but I don't post it everywhere because I don't want people to judge me - for lack of a better word - because of it.

Aren't you a little old to be doing websites? (No one's asked, but I'm sure someone's thought it.)
First, I'm not that old. Second, it's always good to develop a wide variety of skills/interests. Third, designing websites is no less appropriate than collecting things or playing video games. Fourth, why should the younger people have all the fun? *g*

Are you married, or do you have a boyfriend?
I do have a boyfriend.

Vegetarian faq

These are answers to the questions people always ask when they find out that I'm a vegetarian.

What made you become a vegetarian?
I never liked the idea of eating animals. One day in 1995 (I think) I considered how I hadn't eaten red meat for two weeks. I thought, "I'm going to give it up." So I did. A couple of years later, I gave up chicken. A couple of more years later, I gave up fish.

Are you one of those annoying, super-militant vegetarians who tries to convert everyone?
No.

Has your health been better since you've stopped eating meat?
My health is overall pretty good, although I can't say for sure if it's due to vegetarianism. I also exercise regularly and try to get enough sleep. There are many factors that contribute to good health, but do I believe good nutrition helps significantly.

Do you eat chicken or fish? Do you eat eggs?
No chicken. I haven't stopped eating bread and cake which contain eggs, but I've never been a fan of the taste of eggs by themselves. But in late 2007, I decided that I needed more protein, so I started eating eggs in the form of egg salad. (At least I can disguise the egg taste with bread, lettuce, etc.) However, in late 2008, I had grown really tired of eggs in general and started eating fish once or twice a week.

Do you eat dairy products?
Yes.

Do you like tofu?
In Knoxville, Tennessee, I had the best tofu sandwich at a little restaurant called Sunspots. I thought that I could buy tofu at the store and make a sandwich and it would taste just like that. It didn't. I do make a vegetarian chili with tofu. I like it, but my family unenthusiastically calls it "interesting."

Have you ever eaten meat? Does your family eat meat?
Yes. Yes.

Do you go out to eat? How do you find something that you will eat on the menu?
I do eat out when I'm away from home and can't or don't bring my lunch. As for finding something to eat, I haven't been to a restaurant yet where I can't find something. If nothing else, I'll politely ask them to leave the carnage off of a sandwich. :)

Do you eat sweets?
As my dentist will affirm, I do eat sweets, although I try to limit consumption to a minimum.

Message Board/Profile Questions

These are some of the questions that I've answered on various sites. Most of them are the "getting to know you" type, so I thought I'd post them here, as well. Then if I need them again, I can copy and paste.

What is your favorite Winter Sport?
To watch, Ice Hockey. To play ... none really. I'm from the South, where our favorite winter pasttime is complaining about the cold. :)

Of yourself, what is your favorite physical trait?
My eyes.

Do you own a tool kit?
I do! If you need a picture hung or a shelf installed, I'm your girl.

What was your last Art/Artistic Project?
The redesign of my personal website.

Describe your dream home.
I *love* to talk houses! I'd want my dream home to be a good size that I could maintain and fill with nice stuff. A cottage-style design would be good; I'd sponge paint or maybe rag-roll the walls in a beige tone, and most of the furniture would be dark wood. The floors would be wood - or laminate - with oriental rugs, and tile in the kitchen and bath. The one thing it would have to have would be an extra-nice bathroom, with a whirlpool tub, generous counter space and storage, plus a shower and a skylight.

Describe a little of your personality and character traits. (Are you funny, laid back, more serious, open, shy, etc.?)
Check the about me for entirely too much of this information.

What are your favorite activities? (Including sports, leisure, artistic/musical, etc.)
I like to read, work on my web sites, do sudoku puzzles, exercise and watch tapes or DVDs of my favorite old TV shows. (I don't watch current television shows. I'm waiting for the so-called "reality" trend to pass. :) I also enjoy digital photography. When I have the time, I love to go hiking on nature trails or just walk outside when the weather's nice. I *love* to sing; I am a member of the choir in our local church, and I'm always singing along with the radio while I drive. I like just about all types of music: classical, country, opera, rock, pop, contemporary Christian.

As far as television shows go, what are your guilty pleasures?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff Angel - they're great shows, but I get some weird looks when I tell people that I like them.

What's your least favorite Household Chore?
Putting stuff away. (What's the point? I'm just going to have to get it back out again.)

What's your favorite film with Will Smith?
Tough one: I love that guy! I'll say Men In Black.

What's your favorite Pie?
Mmmm... pie. Again, it's tough to pick, but I'll say Peach Pie a la mode.

Do you look like anyone famous?
On rare occasions, I've been told that I look like Jewel (but I'm not blonde) and Celine Dion (but I don't think so). Also, one of my more learned friends told me that I remind him of the characters from Raphael's paintings. (My friend assured me that was a compliment.)

Who's your favorite from the Justice League?
I had a JL comic book when I was little - or was it the Super Friends? - and Aquaman was always my favorite. (He used to ride around on a giant seahorse: how cool is that?)

If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Without a doubt: the ability to fly. Up, Up, and Awayyyyy!

Can you juggle?
I can, but no more than two objects.

Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
Forgive me for being vague, but it depends on the guy. (Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!) Sometimes I notice that a guy has a nice physique, or another has a great smile, or nice eyes.

Ever been in a car accident?
Yes, but it wasn't too severe.

Croutons or bacon bits?
Fresh sourdough croutons that they serve at Cracker Barrel. Otherwise, nothing.

Favorite Fast Food Restaurant?
Taco Bell, all the way!

Favorite Restaurant?
Olive Garden

Favorite Cold Drink?
Sweet iced tea

Favorite Hot Drink?
Coffee

Preferred type of ice cream?
Chocolate

Milk or Dark Chocolate?
Dark Chocolate

Which would you try: skydiving, rappelling, or scuba diving?
Scuba diving, because it would be *fascinating*.

Elementary school: bully or bullied?
When I was in first grade, I had really short hair (my mom's choice, not mine), and once a Mean Girl wouldn't let me in the girls' restroom. She sneered, "Only boys have short hair."

What scared you as a kid?
For a while, I was quite the hypochondriac.

Bands you've seen in concert?
Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Jackyl, Joan Jett, Kansas, New Kids on the Block, Ronnie Milsap, Skid Row

How many times did you fail your permit or driver's test?
Once and the car failed once: during the vehicle inspection, the horn wouldn't blow, so I couldn't test.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
One speeding ticket - does that count?

Which single store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Best Buy to support my computer hobbies.

Things that annoy you?
Internet spammers. Being interrupted (or ignored) while speaking. People that ask a question and then challenge your answer. People who think they know it all.

Expressions (incl. from TV or movie) that you overuse?
"it wasn't me; it was the one armed *man*" from The Mask (mocking The Fugitive)
"get way extracurricular with it" from BtVS
"have none of it" from Frasier
"it could happen" from Angels in the Outfield