T Time with Kim
T Time with Kim
My interview with Kim had me laughing so hard I actually had to stop what I was doing and regain my composure. See if you can figure out the answer that did me in.
Questions
Q: How would you categorize the many different types of QnA users?
A: I think we have quite variety of people here at QnA and my opinion is that they range from ...
- First and only timers "I just have a specific question or two," then disappear type.
- Then you have the "experts" in specific subject-matter types who can frequently be a wealth of info but tend to stay within their area of expertise (both asking and answering) without much venturing "out."
- I think there are a significant number of fairly young folks who venture here looking for more of a social-chat type site many of whom get disillusioned and then move on.
- I think there are many (and I count myself among them) who may have been initially attracted "looking for a very specific answer to a very specific question" who have a broad range of knowledge, tend to a little more social, are naturally inquisitive and know that this site '"can" provide them with knowledge about many subjects, from people around the world, and as many different cultures, and that it and of itself is a major attraction.
- Finally, there are just those who either come (or stay) here to primarily try to cause trouble and actually add very little to QNA. They however, are quite easily dealt with by NOT dealing with them.
Q: Do you have a favorite type of user?
A: Yes! I tend to get along with most people but particularly enjoy those people on the site who will take into account my weaknesses (the Internet for instance-LOL), are aware that most of the time all "we" really have to share are our own "opinions," do not mind doing so and are open to mature, informational exchanges, without resorting to name calling and sheer nastiness. I have learned much from some of the people on this site who disagree with my opinions more than they agree with them and I consider that--awesome! Additionally (I am a social creature), I tend to gravitate to those who can be counted on to give comments to answers and take the time to answer any of my questions not emotionally, but rather in a well thought out manner, even with a link or two and are open to discussion. I love discussion!
Q: Have you ever met anyone from QnA?
A: Yes, I have been quite fortunate just this month to have met both Dick (Western Washington) and Shenandoah (who was on her way to NY from LA). Both were GREAT. Dick is everything one might gather from QnA and more: he's quite intelligent, has a great sense of humor, very gentle, kind, compassionate and interested in about a gazillion different subjects! Shanendoah looked just as I imagined her to be. She is also very smart and creative (she's writing a novel--which I had no idea!), has met five (!!) QnAers herself, very easy to talk to and loves computers. I being computer disabled as I am actually spent two hours in the local Best Buy with her (the bulk of our visit) and my husband can't even get me to do that! LOL. Meeting these two individuals has really been the highlight of my month!
Q: I notice you have a brace on your hand. What happened?
A: I have arthritis thus the contraption on my left hand (my husband was sure it was caused by QNA).
Q: Any advice for others who may want to meet each other?
A: I have known both the QnAers for 2 years and would never go for a spur of the moment meeting with anyone. I also checked both of them out with members of the QnA-team and other friends that I know we have in common (and hope they did likewise with me). With my meeting with Dick my husband was there (another "body" is never a bad thing). Both times we agreed ahead of time on a mutually acceptable well lit public place and that I think was comfortable for all.
Above all I think (way more important than intuition) would be ... (1) to be practical, (2) to have known the person awhile (via QnA, emails, and telephone calls before ever considering a person-to-person meeting) and finally (3) check out who you're going to meet with several people you trust. It is much better to err on the side of "over-kill" when doing something like this than to err on the side of naïveté.
Q: Being raised in a military family I'm guessing you moved a lot which leads me to ask how many different places have you lived?
A: I've actually lived in eight places
- West Virginia
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Warner Robbins, Georgia
- Paris, France
- Del Valle, Texas
- Detroit, Michigan
- Scotch Plains, NJ
- and finally, Colorado
Being the "wander-lust" person I am and given my love of travel I have also visited or vacationed some 30 other countries on the globe---hitting all continents (so far) except South America, Antarctica, Australia, and Africa. There's always time. LOL.
Q: What is your favorite place?
A: My all-time favorite place (a dream vacation that I'd never thought would come true but did]) is without a doubt French Polynesia (some uncommercialized islands off the coast of Tahiti). The absolute kindest and nicest people I've ever met anywhere not to mention the natural awesome beauty!
Lightening round
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Corny movies (Robin Williams, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin,etc), and quite a few QnAers!!! I love a great "belly laugh" and will take 'em anyway I can get them! Also the sound of small children playing (I can't pass a playground with bursting into laughter), my -oh-so-very-stupid dog, Mook, and sometimes just something as simple as a natural occurrence that "hits" my soul: I just feel a lot of "total joy" at life that surrounds me (sounds corny, but so true!).
Q: What have you learned on QnA?
A: First and foremost, that we are a planet full of different people who aren't all that different. We know many different things, but (almost) everyone I've "met" wants to be liked, respected, and appreciated for who they are and their unique contributions not only to QNA, but their family, friends, countrymen, and those in other countries. We all respond to kindness (except the occasional sociopath one runs across and they are I'm sorry to say "out there" and among us). Secondly (and probably the biggest surprise to me) is that even via the Internet there are people out there who really (!) do care about you, your problems, your health, your life and that of your loved one. There's so much kindness and compassion to go around that we'll never really run out of it ... unless, we choose to do so!
Q: What is your favorite word?
A: It's a tie between "Love you" and "I'm sorry". (OK that's more than 1 word, but gimme a break here T.) I don't think "Love You" can be said enough as long as it's sincere, be it someone you've just realized you love, or those people would 'expect" you to love. 50 times a day is still not enough in my book.
As for "I'm sorry" I don't think one can ever free themselves from the things we do that forgo our conscience without honestly being and expressing our sorrow at having hurt someone or somehow added something "negative' to their lives. This includes the BIG things one might expect or the everyday little things that in my mind are every bit as important. It's such a simple concept really ... so meaningful to the person you may have hurt and so freeing to oneself.
Q: What about you would surprise the QnA community?
A: Mook & I scare away coyotes. Just this week Mook chased after a huge coyote hell-bent on eating one of our horses this morning. As I was chasing Mook with and old broken BB gun in hand, while he was chasing said giant coyote (obviously cross bred with a domestic dog ... sheppard/malamute of some kind), I was reminded of "Yosemite Sam." However, "Sam" only had her tee and underpants on. LOL. You would have had to have been here to fully appreciate it. It did have a good-news ending though ... all the horses we saved. Such is life "on the prairie!" [Editor's note: Both Kim and I are ROFL at this point.]
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: My favorite food is Greek (though I can't get it around here). 2nd to that would have to be a big rib-eye steak.
Q: What keeps you coming back to QnA?
A: Without a doubt - the people!
Have a sweet day.
T
p.s. To be considered for an interview you must have a Spaces account and allow people to send email to it. Refer to the How to use Windows Live Spaces to connect with other QnA members blog to learn more about setting up your Spaces account.
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