Email Survey Answers

Welp, I gotten a few similiar emails before and I have resisted the temptation to respond. However, this time Carolyn put me down as Most Likely To Respond! I can't let her down, so I am going to fill this out and draft someone else to reply.

NICKNAME:
Vicky (given by parents)
The Great and Wonderful (self-given)

BIRTHPLACE:
Potomac Hospital, Woodbridge

HOMETOWN:
Occoquan, Virginia

DRESSING:
Honey Mustard with Bacon Sauce (the house dressing at Texas Steakhouse which homes my ideal salad)

Regular OR DECAF:
Regular Denny's coffee with two equals and one packet of creamer

HAVE HAD YOUR APPENDIX AND/OR TONSILS REMOVED?
No, thank god. My brother Jay explains that I don't have a drug mentality, which could explain the fear I have of anethesia.

SHAMPOO OR CONDITIONER:
Michelob

HAVE YOU EVER GONE SKINNY-DIPPING:
Yes! With Stacy McMahon and I think Ogre (Jeff Comtois) at Rushford's Grandfather's pool. However, it was "Wussy Skinny Dipping"- it was completely dark and there was segration in effect when entering and exiting the pool.

DO YOU MAKE FUN OF PEOPLE:
Yes.. but 90% is me just recounting stupid things people have done. So in a way, they make fun of themselves.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME:
No! I got a summation for Trespassing last year, but the charges against me, Chris White, Stacy McMahon and Ryan Schutt were dropped. The other seven people in our party were not as lucky. Come to think of it, all of the people who got off are frequently recipients of Clint's mailing lists whereas only one of the people who didn't get off is. I wonder if there is some kind of correlation here.

BEST ON-LINE FRIEND:
If people I've met are disqualified, then I can't think of one. Otherwise, I would say Jason Pitt from Australia.

ONE PILLOW OR TWO:
Just recently I reacquired a pillow! Before that, my pillow was in a different room because my cat peed on it. During that time, I folded up a wool blanket and put it in a pillowcase and I used that. It wasn't too comfortable and I sure it didn't help my snoring.

PETS:
One dog, Jimmie, named after the band Jimmie's Chicken Shack One healthy ferret, Simone, named after Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue One sickly ferret, Rugrat, named after the popular children's cartoon and One cat, Stench, named after the potent odor that filled our apartment when he utilized his litter box.

FAVORITE TYPES OF MUSIC:
Familiar music. I have observed that I will pretty much like anything after I hear it enough to learn the tune and/or the words. What I really want to get out of music is something to sing/whistle/smack my steering wheel to.

TYPES OF MUSIC I ABSOLUTELY DISLIKE:
Music that I turn down in my car, but then passengers with little or no authority, turn back up.

DREAM CAR:
Something that will be guaranteed to keep me alive on 81.

TYPE OF CAR YOU DRIVE NOW:
Green Isuzu Rodeo

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR:
First car that I drove- Grey Dodge Minivan
First car that was mine- White Cutlass Sierra

FAVORITE TOOTHPASTE:
Mentadent

FAVORITE FOOD:
Tortilenni with Rosemary Tomato Sauce (it's quick, low fat and in my opinion delicious)

DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS:
Yes! My parents rock!

FAVORITE TOWN TO CHILL IN:
Occoquan, VA

FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:
Toronto, Canada

FAVORITE ICE CREAM:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!

FAVORITE SOFT DRINK:
PEPSI!

FAVORITE GAME TO PLAY:
Upwords

ADIDAS, NIKE, OR REEBOK:
I tend to buy whatevers cheap at Walmart. But I do have Nike running shoes.

FAVORITE PERFUME OR COLOGNE:
White Musk

FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL:
Greek Humanities

LEAST FAVORITE SUBJECT:
I had some low level accounting course which *tried* to teach the class how to use Windows.

FAVORITE MOVIE YOU HAVE SEEN RECENTLY:
Recent Recent, I would have to say the 6th Sense. However, pseudo-recent, Saving Private Ryan blows all movies away.

FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME:
Saving Private Ryan

FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK:
I don't drink much anymore. If Carolyn was around - Marguerita. Otherwise, Chuncky Monkey (1/3 milk, 1/3 Bananna Liquor, 1/3 Kahlua)

FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH:
NBA Basketball (a.k.a. Bald men with nice arm muscles in sleeveless shirts)

ANYTHING "DIFFERENT" ABOUT YOU:
I am missing a tooth. It's one of the teeth right next to my front two teeth. My other teeth migrated in to hide its abscence, so even my current dentist didn't realize it at first. My father and his siblings are missing the same tooth.

SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU:
Carolyn always knows what to say to make me feel better when I'm down. Plus she is very liberal with hugs!

PERSON(S) YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND:
Justin Girton because he recently completed the mother of all email surveys.

PERSON(S) YOU SENT THIS TO WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND:
Stacy McMahon- Muahaha!

FAVORITE BOOK:
A 1st edition copy of Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. My old roommate, Ryan Schutt, got it for me off eBay

CAKE OR PIE?:
CheeseCAKE

PET PEEVE:
People using my sink solely as a repository of dirty dishes.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS?
Townhouse with boyfriend, two roommates, two dogs, two ferrets and a cat.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
All The Best, George Bush (a compilation of letters he wrote-- starting with letters he wrote home when he was in WWII. It is really fascinating)

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A few years ago we were thinking of making those square sticker things that act as a mousepad. A potential vendor sent us a bunch of samples with logo and ads for fake companies. That's what's by my workstation. Though most of the time my mouse isn't even over that (optical mouse).

WHAT IS YOUR SCREEN SAVER?
D-DAY Screen Saver. Contains past and present day photos of Normandy and veterans. I think it can be obtained from www.military.com

FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Upwords. Scattergories. I also really like Taboo, but there is no board with that.

FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
Discover magazine is by far my favorite periodical. What can I say? It's da bomb.

FAVORITE SMELLS?
Wintergreen Lifesavers, Hyacinths, puppies and Musk.

FAVORITE SOUNDS?
The solo hum of an airconditioner or fan after a long hot day. It's such a pleasant aura to fall asleep to. Ocean waves. Crickets under very specific circumstances-- for example crickets combined with the faint scent of honeysuckle makes me think of childhood summers. Laughter.

WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Feeling overwhelmed by the fear of fear. It's a downward spiral, Overwhelming and tough to escape.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU FIRST WAKE UP?
"Ugh Get Off Me!" Whenever Henry and Jimmie (dogs) see me stirring, they get all up in my face wagging their tails and licking me. If I'm disoriented and rushing to turn off the alarm, their enthusiasm is very disruptive.

ROLLER COASTER... SCARY OR EXCITING?
Both. Exciting because its scary.

HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
Removing outliers of times when I can't find the phone - 2

FUTURE DAUGHTERS NAME?
Vonne (pronounced Von-nah) Erin

FUTURE SONS NAME?
Still working on that. Was originally Vonnegut Aaron (Von) for short, but then someone pointed out that I used to know a slightly annoying individual by the name of Vaughn, so back to the drawing board.

FAVORITE FOODS?
Chicken Caccitore*, Tortillini with Rosemary Tomato Sauce*, Ultimate Feast at Red Lobster, Tatertot Casserole* for the sentiment.

*Recipes available upon request.

YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No

STORMS...COOL OR SCARY?
Really Cool. Inspiring.

WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
First car that was mine- Cutlass Sierra
First car I bought myself- 1998 Isuzu Rodeo

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE?
My grandfather who passed away when I was five?

FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
Don't drink anymore. Have enjoyed margueritas and chunky monkeys (bananna liquor, kahlua and milk)

ZODIAC SIGN?
pisces

DO YOU EAT BROCCOLI STEMS?
Yes. Side note: vegetables rule.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB...WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love to make a living documenting thoughts, words and antics.

IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Darker-- I feel more thoughtful with dark hair.

IS YOUR GLASS HALF EMPTY OR FULL?
My mind's a blank on this one. Pass.

FAVORITE MOVIE?
Saving Private Ryan--- really made me think and put little problems into perspective. I have to waste time in a pointless meeting? Well gee, at least I'm not running over the corpses of my colleages after a day of sea sickness, all wet and sandy carrying 60 pounds of equipment and getting shot at. Incidentally, "D-Day: The Climatic Battle of WWII" is an awesome book.

DO YOU TYPE WITH THE RIGHT FINGERS ON THE KEYS?
Not really. My pointer fingers are very aggressive and often steal the work load from other fingers.

WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
Torn up paper towels, various socks and other stuff Henry conviscates to his "cave"

FAVORITE NUMBER
3 and 11

FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
NBA Basketball-- I think other sports would be more enticing if the players wore sleeveless uniforms that revealed stunning arm muscles.

CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Ice cream- Vanilla. Every thing else- Chocolate

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE?
There are other things that are more important, but I want to stress documentation as something important in life. My grandfather wrote down a lot (short stories, accounts of his B-29 missions, etc). I never really go to know him that well since the union of our lifespans was only 5 years, but through his recorded words I've gotten a glimpse of who he was. It's been an invaluable gift. Priceless.

On a similiar note, I'm unnerved the mortality of memories. At my 5 year high school reunion, this really came to light...Either I recognized someone's face and not their name or their name and not their face. Since then, I'll review journals I wrote just a month before and think "Oh yeah. I forgot about that."

SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Multiple people sent this to me:

• Karen Hill: Getting to work with and meet people like Karen makes my job a pleasure.
• Carolyn: Her words, her voice, her presence puts me at peace.
• Clint: His unique views and statements stretch my own mind and encourages me to explore different trains of thoughts.
• Sarah Veith: She has a nice laugh that seems to be infectious.
• Kipp Elsbernd: Great coordination skills. The most successful outdoor ventures I've had have all been organized by him.
• Ana Sanchez: In an age where thoughtfulness is a dying art, Ana is an oasis.

PERSON YOU SENT THIS TO MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
I'm not going to waste another guess on Stacy like I did last time. :) Umm.. Alex?

PERSON YOU SENT THIS TO LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Umm... Larry Bowman?

1. What time is it? 9:57 AM

2. Name as it appears on your birth certificate: Victoria Marie Sawyer

3. Nick names: Vicky (given by parents), TGAW (self-given)

4. Parents' names: Anne Turnock Sawyer and Lowell Nichol Sawyer

5. Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday cake: I don't recall a birthday cake. There would have been 26 candles

6. Date that you regularly blow them out: March 18th.

7. Pets: Dogs - Jimmie and Henry; Cat- Stench; Ferrets - Rugrat and Simone; One unauthorized mouse - No name as of yet.

8. Eye color: blue-grey

9. Hair color: brown with more and more grey hairs.

10. Piercing: None

11. How much do you love your job? Enough to work there five years! Five year anniversary will be in May 19, 2002!

12. Best gift you've received: Traceability of affection. I've been very lucky to be close to a number of family and friends. However, one thing I'm really lucky to have is letters and notes and other tangible souvenirs of those relationships. In this day in age where it's easy to send (and delete) electronic messages, those handwritten communications are even more cherished.

13. Hometown: Occoquan, Virginia

14. Current residence: Blacksburg, VA

15. Ever been in love? Yes

16. Been to Africa? No

17. Been toilet papering? Not that I recall. Though I do recall watching someone throw a toilet paper roll during a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (right after the "Great Scott" line).

18. Loved somebody so much it made you cry? Yes

19. Been in a car accident? Once I was in a car with Rich Parrish and he got rear-ended. Also once, I let off the breaks in I-95 rush hour and tapped into the car of a VERY pregnant women. Then on the way to high school, my father backed out of the driveway into a car that was coming up a one-way street the wrong way. I had a bowl of cereal to eat in transit, the impact made it spill all over me. None of these accidents resulted in any injuries. Though I did have to go back in the house and change my clothes after the cereal spillage.

20. Croutons or bacon bits? Good croutons (like Outback Steakhouse croutons).

21. Sprite or 7-Up? Bah. It's a Coca-Cola product, but I'd probably go with Sprite. However, the 7-Up commercials with Orlando Jones really rock.

22. Favorite movie(s): Saving Private Ryan, Steel Magnolias (which I still don't have on DVD, Christmas Shoppers!)

23. Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving

24. Favorite day of the week: Sunday (the only day I consistently get a lot of writing and personal stuff done)

25. Favorite word or phrase: "Love may fail, but common courtesy will prevail" - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. from "Jailbird"

26. Favorite toothpaste: Mentadent (but I don't use it currently)

27. Favorite restaurant: Mike's Burgers in Blacksburg, VA

28. Favorite flower: Hyacinths (they smell really good and finally the scented candle market is catching on)

29. Favorite drink: Softdrink would be Pepsi. However lately I ingest Sweet Tea and Fierce Berry Gatorade quite frequently.

30. Favorite sport to watch: NBA Basketball (the sleeveless shirts and the shaved heads is what really sold me)

31. Preferred type of ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie dough has long been a favorite. I also like Cookies and Cream even though Clint declared it to be one of the most "Overrated Flavours"

32. Favorite Sesame Street character: Don't have many Sesame Street memories. I guess Big Bird?

33. Favorite fast food restaurant: Wendy's

34. When was your last hospital stay: N/A (Knock on wood)

35. What color is your bedroom carpet? Fuzzy beige-ish

36. How many times did you fail your driver's license test? 0

37. Who is the last person you got email from before this? Spam from dd_r34redicom@hotmail.com about Post-It Notes for my monitor. Before that, Juan Sanchez about a service pack install on Friday night.

38. At which store would you max out your credit card? A combination between OfficeMax and Books-A-Million could do it.

39. What do you do most often when you are bored? Bah-- fall asleep.

40. Name a friend that lives far away: Jason Pitt (currently in England I believe)

41. Most annoying thing: Inequity

42. Bedtime: my goal is for 11 PM. It's usually a little bit later than that.

43. Who will respond the quickest? I've never guessed this correctly. I abstain from further embarassment.

44. Who is the person that is least likely to respond? Lowell Sawyer

45. Favorite all-time TV show: I don't want to say this, but realistically I should answer "Beverly Hills, 90210". I can't think of another TV I watched with such dedication for so long. "The Kids in the Hall" will always be a favorite of mine. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" will be up there for comfort value and I would also like to take this opportunity to plug "The King of Queens". It is an excellent show and if you haven't yet, give it a chance.

46. Last person you went out to dinner with: Sean Herrala and his brother, Bret at the 10th Floor Grille in Philadephia, PA.

47. Favorite music: Harmonizing punk music

48. Favorite music artist: NOFX

49. What is in your CD player right now? NOFX Heavy Petting Zoo at home; Goldfinger (which mentions NOFX in "The City With Two Faces") at work.

50. What is your deepest fear? Not what you think! The fear of fear hindering my life. I also fear passing away and having people I really care about not know how much they mean to me.

51. Time you finished: 11:19 a.m (Interdispersed with answering some support emails and doing some bug testing)

1. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
I typically wake up briefly at 7:14, 7:23, 7:32, 7:41 to hit the snooze button and get up for good around 7:50

2. IF YOU COULD EAT LUNCH WITH ONE FAMOUS PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

3. GOLD OR SILVER?
I'm thinking Gold, but no strong preference.

4. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA?
Panic Room. I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Most of the movies I favour the most, I go in indifferent or with low expectations. Young Guns and Saving Private Ryan were two such movies that greatly overshot my expectations.

5. FAVORITE TV SHOW?
King of Queens
West Wing

6. WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
A 8 ounce cup of orange juice en route to work and some oatmeal when I arrive. However, when free stuff (donuts, candy, cupcakes, etc) is available at work, I'll pounce on that and then usually regret it later.

7. WHO WOULD YOU HATE TO BE LEFT IN A ROOM WITH?
I guess someone suffering from projectile vomiting?

8. CAN YOU TOUCH YOUR NOSE WITH YOUR TONGUE?
If I push my nose down, I can, but that hurts.

9. WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Other people in creative moments really inspire me. This is quite an eccletic collection. I remember a story Christina Geyer wrote in high school inspiring me. Aaron Evan's cartoons, tapes and videos; Clint's off-beat statements and declarations; Ryan Somma's philosophy; Brian Nenninger's witty way of phrasing things; Melanie's house decor, her take on such things like flower delivery; Justin Girton's LONG emails; Sean's web sites, flash presentations and jokes; Jay and Dad's late night story telling; Jay's unique gift-wrapping (2000 he used tin foil to make a giant penis and vaginia that surrounded my **parent's** Christmas gift); Mom's crochet and handmade crafts; Singing along to songs with or dancing with Carolyn; Pottery painting with Mandy Wilson; Stacy's school papers (most notably the History paper he wrote while wasted and his economics paper he wrote about girls kissing) and Civil War "What if" speculations; Ryan Schutt's music and seeing him play in bands and *sharing* that music; receiving Letters and Christmas Cards; Jason Pitt's accounts of his many travels (my favorites include a tale of picking up dog poop and a mystery of strange stains on a toilet at a Youth Hostel); Eve Gravely's art show at XYZ Gallery; Tony Airaghi's animated way of communicating; Grandpa Turnock's stories; Grandpa Sawyer's family history; and on and on.

10. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
Marie (By the way, both Vicky and Marie are potential names for hurricanes this year)

11. BEACH OR CITY?
Beach

12. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer

13. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I'm quite fond of the Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie sandwiches.

14. BUTTERED, PLAIN OR SALTED POPCORN?
Ick... This is a bad time to ask as about popcorn. This past week I've gorged myself on "Caramel Covered popcorn with Almonds and Pecans" and "Chocolate Caramel Crunch Popcorn" I purchased from a fund raiser. Oh... those apply to the #6 breakfast question as well! But if I have to answer, I like buttered and salted. Sean makes great microwave popcorn. He only cooks plain, unflavoured packets. Then he melts butter on the stove and flavours the popcorn himself.

15. FAVORITE COLOR?
Green. I seem to recall the origin of this fancy many years ago when I still wore a long nightgown that read "Daddy's Little Girl". I used to tell people, "Green-- it's the color of my Daddy's eyes"

16. FAVORITE CAR?
Suburbans from the early 90s make me very nostalgic. For a long time, my father's company car was a suburban. Since then my family has driven a number of different suburbans. My father used to pick me up from high school in a white suburban with tinted windows and a fleet of antennaes on top. One day a group of classmates asked what my Dad did for a living.

"He's a director at the Washington Gas and Light company" I proclaimed proudly even though I had little idea what that actually entailed.

"Yeah right, Vicky," one guy snorted, "We all know he works for the secret service!"

I couldn't convince them otherwise.

If my father arrived at school early, he'd sometimes go to sleep in the backseat (he's a reluctant waker and slept with the car locked, so sometimes that was troublesome). Actually-- it wasn't unusual for him to sleep in the suburban. At some bridge tournaments, he'd stay there instead of paying for a hotel. However, when other bridge players asked where he was staying, he'd replace the lowly sounding "my car" with the declaration, "The White Flamingo Hotel".

A few suburbans later, he'll stills refer to the white one as "The White Flamingo".

Dad wasn't the only one who'd sleep in suburbans. In college, Clint and Carolyn put a mattress in the back. Clint would use it to sleep while we carpooled from Blacksburg to Woodbridge.

17. FAVORITE SANDWICH FILLING'S?
Sub Station - Ham and Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, Salt, Pepper, Oregano
Subway - Tuna Salad, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Onions, Three pickles, Salt, Pepper and Oregano
Quiznos - Albacore Tuna, default condiments
Sycamore Deli - American Wrap (ham, turkey, cheddar cheese, lettuce, jalepeano peppers)

Note: I have weaned myself from the fluid condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, etc)!

18. DO YOU BELIEVE IN TRUE LOVE:
I believe in acceptance, tolerance, dedication and hardwork not just towards one's partner, but one's self as well. I believe those are characteristics necessary for the implementation of true love.

19. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU DESPISE?
Despise isn't the exact verb I'd use... but lately I've found myself irritated and appalled by people who can't remember things they've been told on numerous occassions. I guess this irritation only applies on a business level. On a personal level, I'd revel in the chance to retell stories.

20. FAVORITE FLOWER?
Hyacinths - Bloom around Easter with a great smell. Like surbubans, have a lot of nostalgia. My mother grew them in the front yard.

21. IF YOU HAD A BIG WIN ON THE LOTTERY, HOW LONG WOULD YOU WAIT BEFORE YOU TOLD PEOPLE?
I have difficulty containing excitement as well as keeping secrets. People would know pretty close to real-time.

22. FIZZY OR STILL WATER AS A DRINK?
With phasing out soda and phasing in Gatorade and bottled water, I'm in transition towards still.

23. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM?
Master Bathroom- light blue sinks, light blue shower (sometimes featuring patches of orange and black fungi) and a light blue non-functioning toilet (my parent's master bathroom has a non-functioning green toilet...coincidence?). The carpet is beige and the wall paper is beige, white and blue.

24. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR KEY RING?
14 (5 or which are to file cabinents and a fire safe, 1 is my parent's house, 1 is my grandmother's house, I believe 2 are obsolete keys to CCS' front door, one to my car, 2 little tiny ones that may be for a 5th grade diary and luggage, I guess the rest are for various doors of my house)

My key chain also hosts a gutted beanie duck from Christmas 1997, a Books-A-Million discount card and a Souvenir Key Chain from Washington D.C. (a gift from a co-worker)

25. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO?
I'm thinking a lake somewhere.... with dogs to cuddle with, journals to write on and ducks to feed in the evenings.

26. CAN YOU JUGGLE, IF YES HOW MANY?
I can pass two balls from one hand to the next repeatedly, but it isn't in true juggling form.

27. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?
Sunday - Most likely the day I catch up on journal entries, reading, letters and other projects.

28. RED OR WHITE WINE?
My exposure to wine is mostly through church. I typically try to avoid the wine portion of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Not because I rarely drink alcohol. I'm usually detered by watching the people ahead of me (also children of the Good Lord and neighbors I should love as I love myself) drink from the same cup. HOWEVER, I had some *great* red wine at a Episcopalian church on Amelia Island, FL.

29. Do you put your ketchup on the side or on your fries?
Side.

30. WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY?
I was under the weather. I stayed at home that night.

31. DO YOU HOLD A DONORS CARD?
Yes

32. SAY ONE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU
Here's one directly from a journal entry written on 1/6/2001 (Not that I have to dig in the past to think of something nice to say!):

"Last night Melanie White was my savior. I described briefly some of my anxieties and with just a few words she lifted a week's worth of worry. ... Basically she said 'Me too.'. ... I felt less alone and suddenly Blacksburg felt like home again"

33. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Sean!

34. WHO IS THE PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU FIRST?
Aaron?

1. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME?
Victoria Sawyer Herrala (nee Victoria Marie Sawyer)

2. WHAT COLOR PANTS ARE YOU WEARING?
Navy Blue

3. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Mitsubishi Car Commercial (waiting for Law & Order: Criminal Intent to return)

4.WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A Pizzeria Uno pizza from Charleston, WV.

5. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
Shooting stars, yeah. First visible star of the night, very rarely.

6. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Forest Green

7. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW?
Crisp fall weather with a breeze-- perfect weather for writing and creating.

8. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Larry Bowman (friend and business colleague)

9. HOW OLD ARE YOU TODAY?
30

10.FAVORITE DRINK?
Sweet tea (reminds me of my Grandma). Aquafina and Orange Gatorade are runners up.

11. FAVORITE SPORT?
Tough one. I would say hiking on the Appalachian Trail with my dogs. Honorable mentions: Rollerblading (I've rollerbladed in 10 states and 3 countries), volleyball and lap swimming.

12. HAIR COLOR?
Dyed light brown with a formidable collection of greys when it grows out.

13. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Only on very special occasions.

14. SIBLINGS?
One sister, Carolyn, eleven months younger. One brother, Jay, four years younger. With both, their counsel has served me so well, I would maintain they seem older than I.

15. FAVORITE MONTH?
October

16. FAVORITE FOOD?
Chicken Cacciatore from the crock pot. Meatball subs from Sub Station II are up there as well.

17. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (with Ann Bowman and Meredith Webber, under the recommendation of Carolyn Lipinski)

18. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Thanksgiving

19. WHAT DO YOU DO TO VENT ANGER?
Complain (Poor Mom, Sean and Larry Bowman usually receive most of that effort)

20. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
I think it might have been these things called Wonder Zoo Animals. There were really cheap, felt-covered figurines from Ames or Zayres. Each figurine was a combination of two animals (like "Lion Bug", "Monkey Butterfly", "Unicorn Frog" or the amazingly diverse "Horse Zebra"). There were six of them and each of the Sawyer children got two. We had an old bookshelf that served as the animals' homes. A chess board was the dance floor. Anyway, that simple bookshelf and inexpensive plastic toys entertained us for hours and hours.

21. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I like both. Summer is prime hiking season. Winter is skiing season!

22. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs

23. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
Vanilla (by the way the Vanilla from Ice Cream Crank was the best ever).

24. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL BACK?
No preference

25. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Carolyn

26. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Sean

27. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS?
I live in a house with one husband (Sean), two dogs (Jimmie and Henry) and one cat (Stench)

28. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I think July 18th of this year. My grandmother donated her body to science and we got her ashes back, so we had a memorial service at the gravesite. At the end of the service, the officiant asked if anyone wanted to speak. I thought I would share a simple sentiment, but lo and behold I started crying! Completely unexpected--- especially since it had been some time since my grandmother died.

29. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
Ripped pages of old magazines, bits and pieces of paper towels, occasionally a cowering beagle.

30. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST?
In the category of non-relatives I still keep in touch with, my answer would be a Mrs. Christina Geyer-Spang of Germany and a Mr. Brian Nenninger of Houston, Texas

31. WHERE DID YOU GO LAST NIGHT?
No where. I worked late, came home and walked the dogs.

32. FAVORITE SMELL?
Hyacinths

33. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
Heh. Right now-- that my free time will never return!

34. PLAIN, BUTTERED OR SALTED POPCORN?
Buttered and Salted. My mother-in-law makes the best popcorn.

35. FAVORITE CAR?
I guess I have to say X-Terra since I just bought one. :)

36. FAVORITE FLOWER?
Hyacinths

37. NUMBER OF KEYS ON YOUR KEY CHAIN?
Two. House key and XTerra Key.

38. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
No, not real juggling anyway.

39.FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?
This is pathetic. I would say Sunday or Wednesday--- but because of TV shows. On Sunday evenings Sean and I watch a series of shows together (West Wing, Criminal Intent, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Extras). I'm fond of how we wind the weekend down with a low key evening. And then Wednesday-- solely because the anticipation of "Lost" is finally fulfilled.

40. WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY?
My husband dropped me off and I went for a 12 mile section hike with my two dogs on the Appalachian Trail! When I returned home, grilled Cajun catfish and steamed broccoli were waiting for me for dinner! It was a wonderful day! http://www.tgaw.com/Album/SearchPictures_Process.asp?Mode=Event&Event=111&ButtonVal=Search+Events

41. HOW MANY STATES HAVE YOU LIVED IN?
1 (Virginia)

42. HOW MANY CITIES HAVE YOU LIVED IN?
0, Just towns (Town of Occoquan and then the Town of Blacksburg)

43. HOW MANY COUNTRIES HAVE YOU LIVED IN?
1 (U.S. Only)

44. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
I have some old Pepsi cans I collected as a kid. I keep and file all letters and postcards people send. I keep ticket stubs, travel brochures and souvenirs in a "Special Box".

45. NIGHT OWL OR MORNING PERSON?
Definitely not morning.

46. FAVORITE MOVIE?
I'll still going to go with "Saving Private Ryan"