Five questions meme

[spudtater]

Questions from batswing:

1. To what extent do you identify with your nickname (spud), and how do you think this and your other nicknames help to form your identity?

   Ooh... good question. I really started to use spud as a nickname when I needed a handle for IRC/USENET. More than a nickname, it became an entire persona I used to socialise online. Hiding my face allowed me to come out of my shell a lot more than I did in real life. (To mix a metaphor slightly.) What can I say? I was a shy child.

   On coming to university I realised that there were entire groups of people who seemed keen on being friends with me. (Somewhat of a rarity up 'til then.) But practically all my social skills revolved around acting the root vegetable, and so at times it just felt natural to give my name as 'spud' or 'potato'. I used it as an affectation, basically, that I put on when I felt 'on display' and didn't know what else to do.

   Nowadays I hardly ever use the whole potato act as a 'front'; I tend rather to just flick it on whenever potato products are being consumed. Because I am, at heart, incredibly silly.   8^)

   So, to what extent do I identify with it? More than is healthy, I'd warrant! And what has it contributed to my identity? Well, it helped form my social identity, so it'll always be important to me.

2. Chips - Ketchup or bbq sauce?

   Fiend!
   You shall never see me canabilise my fellow vegetables! Never I say!
   (And if I did, it would certainly not be in Edinburgh's inimitable fashion: with salt & brown chippy sauce.)

3. In what ways do you think you'd be a different person if you'd grown up in just one country/county?

   Oh, goodness knows. I'd like to think that I'd still have rebelled against the culture and belief-systems of the place in which I was raised, and have ended up much as I am today. However, it is a possibility that I am just the product of my upbringing, and I would be totally different had I grown up in different circumstances. It perturbs me, to be honest.

4. What do you regret?

   Acquiring a taste for Hong-Kong-style noodles after I'd already left that country...

5. Describe the happiest moment in your life to date.

   I would, but it would be cloyingly cutesy.

Questions from kisin:

1. What's with the potato fetish?

   In addition to what's written above, I reckon I should add: my sister once compared my appearance to that of Mr. Potato Head. I needed an IRC handle, and so I used that...

2. Which is your prefered programing language and why?

   Python, because it's concise, natural and flexible. There are a few flaws, but I can't see much better out there.

3. Fight or flight, which would you take?

   On my own? Flight. In protection of another? Fight.
   Luckily this is all theoretical; I've never been in a truly dangerous situation in my life. (Although I've walked into one or two that could have been.)

4. Where do you see your self in 5 years?

   Not a clue. Next question?

5. Beer, ale, Bier or cider or spirit?

   Ale please! Thanks for the offer!   8^>
   I also like a good whisky from time to time.

Woohoo! I love this meme!
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