Tagging games

I feel like this is suitably lighthearted to balance out my previous post, so I'm pretty excited to do it. (I usually feel a little bad after writing more than one negative post in a row, and so try to at least throw in some lighthearted stuff between.)

Apparently the big number in this game is 11.
Rules:
The five rules of the game are:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions the nominator asked.
3. Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
4. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
5. No tag backs

[EDIT] looking back, 11 is a huge number to do 3 times... Sorry

In homage to Mary counting in a foreign language in her post, I believe I shall follow suit, so bear with me (for those who even care, it's the kunrei-shiki romaji of Japanese)

Ichi - I am working at a dog kennel that is for breeding doberman pinschers. It is an easy job (that I love) and I am starting to form relationships with the dogs (some are REALLY sweet)
Ni - Once I left for college, I discovered the freedom of independence and, as a result, hang onto it with the tenacity of a drowning person
San - There's a pretty good chance that the relationship I am currently in will blow away all my records for length of dating
Shi -  Because of my exes, I know more about what warning signs look like for me and also and especially, what I need to do better this time around
Go - Comments on my pictures and blogs especially make me so happy. It is an effort to stay connected with the people who I don't see on a day-to-day basis, and comments affirm me and encourage me to continue to do so
Roku - I am still not over my childhood. I thought that I wasn't bitter anymore, but as I make plans to head to SC for a weekend around Christmas, I am reminded of how there are some things that I still fantasize about doing in the most hurtful way possible. There are also some people I don't talk to as often as I used to because I feel attacked and hurt that they don't seem to understand anymore.
Shichi - I love sleep. When people rail against the need to sleep, I feel sad for them. Sleep is glorious! Without sleep, you would be a threat to humanity--it makes you irritable, irrational, insane, and all kinds of bad things. It is a necessary part of life. To me, sleep is part of taking care of yourself, and you know that saying, "If you can't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone" or something like that...
Hachi - I am so incredibly sad and miss people who have said goodbye to me in final tones, figuratively speaking. There was a reason I became friends with them and that's because I thought they were awesome. I foster a hope in my heart that those people can come around again. Maybe we won't be fantastic friends anymore, but at least it won't be "I hate you forever" still.
Kyuu - Reading relaxes me like nothing else. Unfortunately, I am rather a picky reader, and sometimes become very disappointed in the books I have read that were recommended to me (not unlike food recommendations), so I have become extremely careful
Zyuu - I'm thinking about going to see a therapist again--just short term to talk about how my triggers have morphed and changed. How I can improve.
Zyuuichi - I love being awake when everyone else is sleeping. When I was little, waking up in the middle of the night to do what -I- wanted to do was amazing... because I could. There was nobody to stop me from doing anything I wanted or witness that I actually wanted to do something constructive, at times. It has held, and so when I wake up in the morning before anyone else, I am bouncy and happy. When I stay up longer than anyone else and have no witnesses to me cleaning my room or anything like that, it's wonderful. Totally innocent stuff, just no witnesses, that make me so happy and brings me peace.

1. What are your feelings on Harry Potter? Complicated.
When the first book came out, I was told that I was not allowed to read it because of the witchcraft. I read the first one 3 times in a row before lunch. My favorite was the third book, where he forms a relationship with Sirius Black, also, hippogriffs (who are suspiciously like griffons, to me). Book 5 completely turned me off to the whole series. I also really hate it when authors try to FORCE you to believe in magic.
2. What is your love language? (If you don't know, what is of largest significance to you-- a) a gift, b) act of service, c) quality time, d) kind words, or e) physical touch)?  Physical touch with the secondary of kind words. Some people don't understand that physical touch is not sexual touch, which is necessary for all marriages (my opinion), but that physical touch is that if you're with someone you know, you high-five, fist-bump, hug, anything like that. Even becoming a tickle monster expresses the need for physical touch
3. What country would you visit if you could? If not, why? I've always wanted to visit Ireland because of my heritage and also, because of the Irish heritage in general--it is so amazing to me. Also, Italy, if only for the food.
4. How do you like to relax? Reading, mostly. Sometimes by watching inane tv shows. Sometimes just getting lost in the internet and mostly getting nothing accomplished. Conversely, deep cleaning relaxes me
5. Do you believe ignorance is bliss? In some circumstances, yes. Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to know something. On the most part, though, no. I -LOVE- information and pieces of trivia, especially about how the mind works
6. As an American, do you feel any responsibility to vote? Or even be in politics? I know this might get me branded as a heretic in certain circles, but only somewhat. In politics, I am easily swayed by arguments, but I tend towards the republican side; however, even saying that worries me because if someone opposes you in politics, you are almost guaranteed an argument, which is my biggest demotivator
7. What are your top 3 favorite colors? Green, Blue and... yellow?
8. Do you or would you like to speak another foreign language? Speaking Japanese fluently would be SO cool. I took two semesters of Japanese in college and MAN is it difficult to learn. I also took two semesters of Spanish in high school. I regret not paying closer attention or working harder
9. Are there any books you would suggest I read? Well, my favorite book is The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes Lackey, and I recommend it to everyone, in part, to see if their literary inclinations are similar to mine, but for Mary--you, personally, I want to read Deerskin by Robin McKinley and tell me what you think
10. What are your feelings on nicknames? I've always thought that nicknames were cool. I've never truly run across one that I felt fit me perfectly, though, and most nicknames tend not to stick
11. What does music mean to you? I've not devoted a ton of time to figuring it out, but it can improve even the worst of my moods. Music is powerful. One thing unique to me (mostly) is that I am a huge marching band nerd and get amped up to the point of ridiculousness when I go to marching shows, ESPECIALLY the ones put on my DrumCorps

Now for my questions to you! (Why you feel a certain way is always a desired part of your answer)
1. How did you come to blog?
2. What is/are your favorite book/books?
3. Who do you miss being around?
4. What is your favorite food?
5. What is/was your favorite job (or the one you hated least)?
6. What is your favorite hanging out activity?
7. What motivates you to get out of the bed in the morning?
8. Where is your favorite vacation?
9. Do you like pictures being taken of you?
10. How do you keep track of important things?
11. Why did you end up participating?

Well, there are actually very few blogs that I follow regularly nowadays. Based on frequency of updates, I tend to check more often or stop checking altogether. I will not be offended if you don't do this, but I will also be excited if you do

no tag-backs, but I will acknowledge the person who tagged me:
Mary - For what We Can not Understand
if you want to, I certainly don't mind if you just do a post answering my questions ;D

1. Katie - Boggledy Blog
2. Mary Ann - Clouds. Dandelions. Life. and whatever (she doesn't update often, but I think she'd be interested in this)
3. Alyssa - (a)
4. Adele - merrily karolys
5. Jen - Only a little Sugar-Coated
6. Karen (and Buzz) - The Buzz at the Bowler's