| Happy Birthday Israel!!!! |
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| May 8th, 2008, |
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The British Mandate was set to end on Shabbat, May 15, 1948. George Marshall, the American Secretary of State, warned Israel not to declare independence inasmuch as Israel will be attacked from all sides. Golda Meir returned from a secret meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah who promised that his country would declare war if a proclamation was made. Commanders of the Hagana – the armed forces of Israel – estimated at best a 50% chance of winning in battle. Even under the shadow of these warnings, the Jewish provisional government decided to declare the establishment of the State of Israel one day before the mandate ended so as not to interfere with Shabbat. David Ben Gurion composed the text of the Declaration of Independence, which was read at 4:00 p.m. the following day, May 14. In Tel Aviv, there was dancing in the streets. Ben Gurion knew that after the impending battle, many of those now dancing would not return home. Over the next few days, approximately 21,000 soldiers from five Arab countries invaded Israel.
The scene was quite different in Jerusalem, as the Arab siege virtually isolated the city. Marlin Levin who immigrated to Jerusalem with his bride, Betty, in August, 1947, was an editor on the staff of "The Palestine (later Jerusalem) Post". In 1958 he founded the Israel news bureau of Time-Life in Jerusalem where he worked until 1990.
Marlin and Betty, long-time family friends of Shirley and Kass Abelson, sent us this personal account of that first Shabbat in Jerusalem:
Jerusalem had enough rations left for a few more days and we were famished. A few noodles, two pieces of bread and an occasional sardine kept us alive. That and a spoonful of chocolate syrup before going to bed.
We were exhausted. We were existing on a few quarts of water doled out daily from the back of a truck. There was no electricity, no gas. We could not use our radios so we had little news of what was happening outside of Jerusalem. The 25-pound shells that the British-officered Arabs were bombarding at Jewish Jerusalem from their areas on three sides of the city burst around us day and night, killing us and fraying our nerves. In the city room of our newspaper, “The Palestine Post”, we had piled unsold copies against the windows as a safeguard against shrapnel. During the frequent shellings that targeted our building, we would sit on the floor under a table with typewriters on our laps to write our stories.
This was the Arab siege of Jerusalem as it was on May 14, 1948. The Arabs, who were determined to stillbirth the impending Jewish State, had closed all routes to Jerusalem so that no supplies -- food, oil, gas -- could reach us. And they had cut the water line so that the Jewish part of the city had to depend on its wells that were disastrously low with no rain in sight. Our reserves were near exhausted. Starvation, captivity and worse faced us unless the Palmach, the elite Jewish fighting unit, could break the blockade.
That afternoon, May 14, unbeknown to us, David Ben-Gurion had proclaimed a Jewish State. We went to bed not knowing that the historic event had unfolded in Tel Aviv. Early next morning, Shabbat, I was awakened by someone who was outside knocking on the iron shutters of our bedroom. “Marlin, Marlin wake up! Ben-Gurion has announced the birth of the State." I recognized the voice of Roy, my journalistic colleague.
My mind was a haze. Was I dreaming or was this real? When I did not reply, Roy rapped excitedly again on the shutter. An Arab shell exploded in the distance followed by machine-gun fire. I knew I was not dreaming.
What was I to do? Dance a hora? Sing Hatikva? It was Shabbat and I would not go to work. No coffee to make, no food to eat, no radio to tune into -- nothing but terror. With a silent prayer of thanks to God that for answering our 2,000-year-old prayers, I could do nothing but take my weary body back to bed and to sleep and to dream of a day when we would live at peace with our neighbors.
As Shabbat came to a close, people began filling the streets, singing and dancing, knowing that the shells would continue to explode around them. It was the conviction that Israelis will one day be able to live in their own land as a free people, in peace.
OD LO AVDA TIKVATAYNU, HATIKVA BAT SH'NOT ALPAYIM
LEEH-YOT AM HOFSHEE B'ARTZAYNU,
ERETZ TZEEYON VEE-YRUSHALAYIM
We have not lost our hope, the 2,000-year-old hope
That we will be a free People in our own land,
the land of Zion and Jerusalem.
Amen.
~Rabbi Rick and Elissa Sherwin |
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| December 11th, 2007, |
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If you could take a trip anywhere in the U.S.
Where would you go and why?
The reason I ask this is I have a voucher on an airline and I don't know where to go.... |
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| Dedicated to one who deserves it |
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| December 10th, 2007, |
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Mosquito by SR-71
You like when we go fast
So my foot's on the brake
Used to be my girl
But now you're just my worst mistake
You don't see it, not a subtle change
Makes me laugh you turned into a cliche
Everytime you told me
That we'd never say goodbye... was a lie
You knew what to expect from me
Just like a hit of exctasy
You made me high
You think I still want you
After all you put me through
You think I can't walk away
And find someone better for me
Just take your overactive ego
Shrink it down like a mosquito
Baby lovin you was such a chore
Til I got bored
Now I don't think about you anymore
From the first time I saw you naked
I could see the future
I knew that my world was shaken
Lost my innocence then I lost my mind
Thank god now I see
Cause with you I must have been blind cause
Everytime you told me
That we'd never say goodbye... was a lie
Just like a common criminal
You gave me just the minimal to
Keep me hanging on inside
You think I still want you
After all you put me through
You think I can't walk away
And find someone better for me
Just take your overactive ego
Shrink it down like a mosquito
Baby lovin you was such a chore
Til I got bored
Now I don't think about you anymore
Now that I can breathe
I'm done with therapy
It's your turn to burn
Covered up in lies
And still so full of pride
I hope you choke
Cause its the sex I'll miss the most
You think I still want you
After all you put me through
You think I can't walk away
And find someone better for me
Just take your overactive ego
Shrink it down like a mosquito
Baby lovin you was such a chore
Til I got bored
Now I don't think about you anymore |
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| We remember |
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| November 9th, 2007, |
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Today we remember the events that occurred on November 9, 1938. A date where the silence of night was interrupted by the sound of shattered glass. When the black sky lit up from the flames that engulfed Synagogues and Jewish businesses. We remember that as people looted homes and stores, injured innocent people, and burned the holy places to the ground the police and fire departments did NOTHING. We remember that no one stood up and said "This is wrong". We remember that the government made us pay for the damages, and then fined us for not preventing these atrocities. We also remember that though they tried, they are gone and we are still here.
Today we walk into the synagogue. Today we eat a kosher meal. Today we do SOMETHING to say, "We are still here, you have not defeated us."
The night known as kristallnacht serves as a warning. A warning of what can happen when we do not respect our fellow human beings. What can happen when hate rules our emotions.
Never forget that night, a night where justice and common sense were nowhere to be found. A night where hate reigned supreme.
Never forget. |
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| my little bubble |
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| October 22nd, 2007, |
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I never thought that in grad school I would be cut off from the world like I am, but I just found out that on September 16 Robert Jordan passed away. I am a huge fan of his series The Wheel Of Time, and like many others that I have seen on campus I was awaiting his finishing of the 12th and final novel in the series. He wrote about half of it, and they are unsure if someone will finish it with the notes he dictated before his death. I just can't believe I didn't hear about it till now. |
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| HELL YEAH!! |
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| October 1st, 2007, |
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I have kick ass tickets to the UCF-USF game in Tampa. 8 rows back in the upper deck on the 50 yard line behind the UCF bench!!! |
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| Text Messages |
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| August 19th, 2007, |
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Everybody should know that there are 3 rules if you send a text message after midnight.
It is only ok if
1) You are drunk
2) It is a booty call
3) It is an emergency
I hate it when I have to wake up in the morning and my phone rings late at night with a text message that is unimportant.
That is all |
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| WOW |
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| July 22nd, 2007, |
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This song hits the nail on the head.....
Hey There Delilah By Plain White T's
Hey there Delilah
What's it like in New York City?
I'm a thousand miles away
But girl tonight you look so pretty
Yes you do
Times Square can't shine as bright as you
I swear it's true
Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice it's my disguise
I'm by your side
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me
Hey there Delilah
I know times are getting hard
But just believe me girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good
Hey there Delilah
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
and we'll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame
Hey there Delilah
You be good and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be making history like I do
You'll know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there Delilah here's to you
This ones for you
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me. |
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| Fun Fun Fun |
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| June 24th, 2007, |
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It's been a while since I updated, not much is happening in my "summer off". I have been working lots of baseball games, which has brought in the cash. I have also been having tons of fun. I went to Minneapolis and went to a Twins game, sitting front row and even getting a ball tossed to me by Justin Morneau!! I also saw one of my favorite bands (Zebrahead), the show was AMAZING!
At the start there couldnt have been more than 50 people there (they said they sold only 200 tickets to the show).
The openers were a band called neurosonic. I had downloaded some of their music and it was ok, but live they were damn entertaining. They dedicated a whole song to Ashlee Simpson
(lyrics found here http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/neurosonic_lyrics_14873/drama_queen_lyrics_44007/so_many_people_lyrics_476693.html )
The next band was Bullets & Octane (sounded sort of like an Avenged Sevenfold) and they were good.
The floor filled up for Zebrahead and they came out and played a kick ass show, I got the set list so here it is:
Rescue Me
In My Room
Rated U for Ugly
Jag-Off
Broadcast (Not on Set List)
Into U/Wannabe
Hello Tomorrow
Postcards From Hell
Playmate
The Anthem
The Set-Up
We were going nuts through the whole thing. Matty (the new singer) was awesome and during Jag-Off they had EVERYONE go down on one knee and then start jumping!
Unwritten Law played a killer set too, I ended up with a guitar pick from them.
I have a job interview with the Magic on tuesday, so I will update after that. |
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| concerts!!!!! |
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| May 6th, 2007, |
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i love the summer concert months... but i need buddies for the shows this year..they are:
May 17: Hawk Nelson and MxPx @ Jannus Landing
May 26: UNSUNG ZEROS @ Firestone
June 20: Zebrahead and Unwritten Law @ HOB
July 22: Vans Warped Tour @ Tinker Field
July 25: Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake @ Hard Rock
TBA: Army of Freshmen and Bowling For Soup
come on out and have fun with me!!! |
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| update |
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| February 20th, 2007, |
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Lately my umpire assigner has been working me like a dog. Counting the two games I am doing today this will make 10 games in 7 days. Not that I will be complaining much when i see the paycheck.
Monday was my interview for the DeVos school of sports management at UCF, and it was probably the most intense thing I have ever gone through. Very few things in this world make me nervous, but I couldnt eat all day leading up to the interview. What is the fairness of basing someones future off of one meeting?
I got to the office and was told they were running late, so they stuck me in a room with some visitors from out of state who were in for a conference. We talked about their program, the
"scholar ballers" and then talked sports for a bit before they pulled me out and put me into ANOTHER holding room, where some of the current students were working. I tell you, I had a blast learning what they were doing and just talking sports with them. I met one guy who, in his words, was a "true knight" like me and advised that if I got in I couldnt let anybody talk crap about UCF.
Finally it was my turn for the interview, i was put at a table with five current students (not the ones I met before) and I faced a barrage of their questions. After a few minutes of this they put me into a small room with three of the big wigs. I tell you, if they were going for intimidation they did a hell of a job. One of them kept strumming his fingers on the table, with his big ass Miami Heat championship ring.
The first thing they got to was my undergraduate grades (OK, so i screwed around a little in undergrad), and from there went into what I am leaning towards (sports marketing). They really put me on the spot when they asked me what I would do for an ad campaign featuring Lovie Smith and Tony Dungee (first black coaches in the super bowl) which promoted values. OH, and i also had to include a rap/hip hop/ R&B artist. You want tough bullshitting? try to think of a rap artist that could promote values!!! The final piece of the puzzle is that I left out the religious part (both of those men are EXTREMELY religious) and they asked how I felt about that as an observant Jew. Apparently i bullshat a satisfactory answer.
So after that I returned home, and at 6pm I got a call from the head of the school saying that i had made a great impression and THEY OFFERED ME ADMISSION!!!!!!!
so yeah, me, grad school bound!
Who wants to go out and celebrate????? |
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| Life, The Universe, and Everything |
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| February 8th, 2007, |
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So if you told me a few years ago that I would actually LIKE golfing I wouldve laughed in your face. Now i find myself getting out of the house and heading to the course. It is great excercise (walking the holes with a heavy bag instead of driving a cart), and truly does challenge you. There is a certain calm that comes over you during the game. You can think about anything you want, right up to the point when you get ready to strike the ball. At that point the world just disappears, and nothing matters. The only thing your mind comprehends is the swing, and tracking the balls flight. With everything going on in my life those precious few seconds are like heaven to me. No worrying about jobs, love, or grad school. I can think about all of those things up untill my next shot.
I am just confused right now. Waiting to hear from jobs and schools, and worrying if there really is a girl out there for me.
I need to golf more |
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| update |
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| January 25th, 2007, |
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So i havent updated in a while.
Life is good, Ive been having fun going to shows and playing golf. No jobs yet, Fox Sports said they'll make their decision by Feb. 1, so i still have hope on that one. But just in case that doesnt come through I have officially applied to grad school at both UCF and Tennessee.
Ive been feeling a little old lately though. I went to the New Found Glory/Fall Out Boy show and i figured that getting in the pit doesnt do it for me anymore. I think i am done fighting to get to the front and being in the pit, and i am moving to where i can have a great view of the stage and listen to the music. Im still gonna go to shows, cuz thats all about the music.
My dad wants me to head down to HOB and pick up tickets to the Relient K show. Before anybody says anything, yes the Rabbi and his family listen to a christian rock band. In fact my favorite band (MxPx) is christian as well. I can deal with those songs talking about jesus to get to the other ones. Christian rock is good music, and since they really dont swear they have to come at their fans with a good melody and lyrics you can understand.
Im still looking for someone to go to the Cute Is What We Aim For show on April 11. |
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| Rocky Top |
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| December 29th, 2006, |
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So we needed to use my brothers employee passes to Busch Gardens, a fun day at the park for the family. My dad went in our UT jerseys to show support since UT is playing in Tampa against Penn State. All day long we saw other UT fans, we DOMINATED the park.
As we walked we saw a sea of orange waiting by a gate, when i asked what was going on I was informed that the team was due any minute. As if on cue, the gates opened and cheers went up (as well as a few choruses of Rocky Top) and the TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS entered. It was awesome. Dad and I got our jerseys signed by David Cutcliff and Phil Fulmer, two Tennessee coaching LEGENDS. We told David to pound PSU into submission and he said "We have every intention to"
a great day made even better!!!
It's great to be a Tennessee Vol! |
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| help |
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| December 23rd, 2006, |
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Im writing my grad school essays... one of which i have to identify two problems facing sports leaders. I came up with this as one of the problems, i need everyones thoughts on the topic. This is just a rough draft so forgive the gramatical errors and organization.
A problem that will soon face sports business leaders will be the question of how to keep fans from outside the home city of the franchise loyal to that team. Most major professional sports leagues have implemented their own TV stations or online streaming in order to maximize revenue. Fans can purchase all of the games for their favorite team available on digital cable or streaming audio and video. These are meant to allow fans to follow their favorite team whether or not they can attend the game.
Recently the NFL announced the formation of the NFL network. This network would be broadcast nationwide and would have the exclusive broadcast rights to a set number of games. The problem is that only a small percentage of homes (30 million) have the NFL network. Major cable providers such as Comcast and Time Warner refuse to carry the network claiming that the NFL wants too much money. That leaves the majority of football fans out in the cold when it comes to those games, unless they are in the city or at the game.
Major League Baseball has also come under fire for their new “pass” which allows the subscriber to purchase the games of their favorite team for listening or viewing on their computer. The problem lies in the fact that the system does not allow the subscriber to view games that are in their market. The markets are broadly defined and can cover vast sections of the country. A fan that lives in Orlando and wished to follow the Marlins would not be allowed to watch any of the 81 home games from Dolphin Stadium. The fan would also not be allowed to listen/view the interleague rivalry with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The idea behind not being able to view those games is supposed to encourage fans to attend the game in person. This idea fails however considering that some fans are in the market of a team that it would be a theoretical impossibility to attend a game. Fans that are in Iowa are out of luck if they wish to watch games of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins or the Milwaukee Brewers.
For those who cannot subscribe to these services, they are out of luck. MLB and NFL rules prohibit the local radio station from streaming its coverage online at its own website.
Sports business leaders need to be aware that by limiting the opportunities of fans not in the franchise’s city to view a game they are alienating a majority of the population. That population that can no longer follow their team save from ESPN and newspapers don’t get caught up in the excitement and spend money on jerseys, caps, and other memorabilia. By concentrating on the local fans, owners are overlooking a demographic that could increase their revenue, if only they could watch a game. |
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| December 17th, 2006, |
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Anyone want to go with me to the NFG/ Fall Out Boy show on the 20th? |
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| WOW |
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| December 14th, 2006, |
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mood: excited music: Army of Freshmen - A Wrinkle in Time
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So ive been unemployed for a while, and for all the resumes ive sent out all i get are the crap door to door jobs calling me back. So i made the decision to do grad school. Faster than you can spit i had calls from ESPN, Fox Sports, and ESPN radio wanting to interview me for position. I dont know whats gonna happen, but ill keep everyone apprised.
As for the ESPN interview, it is for a stats guy. So they made me take a test. I'll post it here so others can try if they want. 40 min time limit....
( ESPN test ) |
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| Thanksgiving |
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| November 23rd, 2006, |
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No job, girlfriend breaks up with me....... im a college graduate who cant find a job and i'm living with my parents. someone PLEASE tell me what the hell I have to be thankful for? |
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| this is cool |
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| November 13th, 2006, |
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Go to Wikipedia and look up your birth day (excluding the year). List three neat facts, two births and one death in your journal, including the year.
August 31
Facts:
1) 1895 - John Brallier is paid US$10 plus expenses to play football for the Latrobe, Pennsylvania YMCA, making him the first professional football player.
2) 1943 - The USS Harmon, the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for a black person, is commissioned.
3) 1963 - Walter Cronkite began his stint as anchor of the "CBS Evening News."
Births:
1) 1945 - Itzhak Perlman, Israeli violinist
2) 1977 - Jeff Hardy, professional wrestler
Deaths:
1) 1997 - Diana, Princess of Wales |
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| everyone else is doing it |
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| November 7th, 2006, |
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(2 Points) My name:
(1 Point) My last name:
(5 Points) Take a stab at my middle name:
(3 Points) Who am I in love with:
(2 Points) Where did we meet:
(2 Points) What kind of car do I drive:
(2 Points) where do I work:
(3 Points) what am I afraid of:
(2 Points) Do I smoke:
(3 Points) Do I drink:
(2 Points) Do I have any siblings:
(2 Points) How many:
(1 Point) Do I like 'em:
(4 Points) What's one of my favorite things to do:
(2 Points) How many piercings do I have:
(3 Points) What's my favorite type of music:
(4 Points) Am I shy or outgoing:
(3 Points) Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:
(2 Points) what’s my favorite color:
(3 Points) name something I hate:
(4 Points) name a talent I have:
(4 Points) what kind of sneakers do I wear:
(4 Points) do I have any pets:
(2 Points) Who am I dating right now:
(5 Points) how long have I been dating them:
(5 Points) what is the color of my room:
(5 Points) what is my worst habit:
(5 Points on creativeness) If I were stranded on a desert island, what would I bring:
80-85 Points; Best Friend.
70-79 Points; Great Friend.
40-69 Points; Friend.
20-39 Points; You should hang out with me more! Ask Me when.
00-19 Points; Either you're a crappy friend or you're a new friend!
And being intelligent, moreso than others, I'm screening all of the answers so that noone can cheat... :D |
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sportsmayven's journal