IC Self Perception Survey

[hamlet]

*Note: This survey was created by Sasha (Dido). Here's a note she has provided:
Try to be as detailed as possible. The more you write, the more you can understand your character through their own eyes. This is all I have for now. When I have more ideas, I'll make a new survey so you don't have to edit your posts x 100000. Have fun!



How you feel about yourself?:
One word you would use to describe yourself:
One paragraph description of how you would describe yourself:
What do you consider to be your personality trait?:
What do you consider to be your worst personality trait?:
What do you consider to be your best physical characteristic?:
What do you consider to be your worst physical characteristic?:
How do you think others perceive you?:
What would you most like to change about yourself?:
What is your greatest regret?:
What is your greatest fear?:
When and where were you the happiest?:
What is your most treasured possession and why?:
What is your greatest achievement?:
What is your motto?:

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

How you feel about yourself?:

Strangely enough, I feel relatively at ease with myself, all things considered. I tend to delve into self pity on an admittedly regular basis, but then it's perfectly acceptable for me to do so I think, expected even.

One word you would use to describe yourself:

Must I restrict myself to a word? I fear one word may not suffice to describe me. Well, now I come to think about it, one word does come to mind, quite a definitive word as it were, and not in the eyes of many a favourable one. But if I am to achieve my aims and revenge upon those who have caused me pain over the years then it would seem that this particular word is most sensible to use.

In a word; I, Richard Plantagenet, am a villain.

One paragraph description of how you would describe yourself:

Despite having already described myself as a villain, I feel that I have many admirable qualities as well; my courage, my pride, my ambition and determination. Many people in my position doubtless would have given up on themselves by this stage but not I. I still persevere and aim for my goal. However my pride and my driving ambition to achieve said goal may become a setback over time; we'll have to see. I'd regard myself as quite a polite individual (if only to keep up appearances) although I can come across as very nasty if I don't like you or vice versa.

What do you consider to be your best personality trait?:

My best personality trait...I would have to say I would regard my determination as such, my drive for success, to achieve and see through all that I set out to do. I won't start something then give it up; I'll see that it's done, and done well. This trait applies to all aspects of my life, whether it be my work or my...other plans.

What do you consider to be your worst personality trait?:

I would definitley have to go with pride on this one. I am one to hold a grudge; if you displease me in some way, no matter how trivial, I will most likely remember it. I tend to shy away from certain activities and events for fear of causing myself unintentional embarrasment or humiliation. If I get knocked off my high horse, as the saying goes, I'll tend to be in a very bad way until I get over it.


What do you consider to be your best physical characteristic?:

Now there's a difficult question, seeing as it's so painfully obvious that I'm not exactly the best looking man about town. But aside from my obvious deformities I surely must have something to redeem myself with, appearance wise? Hmmm... Having thought about it, I'd say that my eyes are probably my best physical characteristic...not that they're particullarly pleasant to look at, you understand, but more due to the fact that when I look most people in the eye, it tends to scare them a little. That amuses me.

What do you consider to be your worst physical characteristic?:

This inquiry is meant to mock me, surely. My worst physical characteristic? So mighty and so many are my defects that I couldn't possibly choose between them. My left arm is withered up as though it's been doused in acid, almost completely useless. My leg on the same side of my body still suffers from that d**** bullet wound in the Gulf War...I've haven't walked normally since then and never will again. My appearance is often used against me, to ridicule me, insult me or is simply described as a physical embodiment of all my inner villainy, particullarly in the papers. You wouldn't believe the ridiculous cartoons I've had to endure over the years.

How do you think others perceive you?:

To make a sweeping generalization; not entirely well. As to my knowledge I'm looked up to as one of the men who has the most power in the city but at the same time I'm mocked and ridiculed behind my back, whether its due to a new policy I want Edward to implement or simply, as is most often the case, my appearance. Society these days is so concerned with outward show; if they gave it up perhaps the two of us would get along better. But, as it is, that is not the case. If other think ill of me then so be it; I am how I am and I'm not about to change my ways.

What would you most like to change about yourself?:

Now there's a question. Well, obviously I'd prefer it if I had the use of both my arms and legs. I also think it might be useful if I was a bit more...open to people. But, as I say, that's not really possibly considering my general dislike of society at large.

What is your greatest regret?:

Everyone has regrets in their life, even I. Many claim I have no consciene and therefore cannot feel remorse or regret, but I won't go further into all that psychological nonsense. If I could pick one regret (which I do have) from what's occured in my life so far it would have to be agreeing to head that scouting mission back in 1991. One of the biggest mistakes of my life and yes, even I have made mistakes.

What is your greatest fear?:

The most difficult question yet. What do I fear? It may seem, even when one gets to know quite well, that I fear very little, if anything. That's because, I think, no-one really knows who I truly am, not even my own family. As to my knowledge I have no irrational fears or phobias. I'm not scared of war. Pain. Death. None of these frighten me.

Thinking about it now, and reflecting on how I plan to achieve my aims, and what I've already done to get there...what do I fear?

Myself.

When and where were you the happiest?:

The happiest time of my life, I can recall, was at Middleham, the Yorkist stronghold back in England. Many years ago now, when the York/Lancaster battles were much stronger than they are today. I wasn't aware of the power struggle, and I was happy then. Just Francis and I, blissfully unaware, playing at war or other such foolish, childish games. They say ignorance is bliss. They're right.

What is your most treasured possession and why?:

My most treasured possession? I'm not generally a man out for material gain in terms of items money can buy. My most treasured possession, therefore, is probably my position and standing in life...and what this rank will lead me to achieve. However, if you wish to know a material possession I value, it would have to be, silly as it may sound, my Allegri: Miserere and Other Choral Favourites compact disc. Never fails to brighten my mood a little.

What is your greatest achievement?:

If I'm being self indulgent I'd say that my being here to answer this question is an achievement in itself, considering all I've had to go through to be where I am now, especially when you consider I signed myself up for a war. My greatest achievement, in all seriousness, I think is yet to come. We'll have to wait and see...

What is your motto?:

The family motto is 'Loyaltie me lie' - 'Loyalty binds me'. I agree with it, at least to a certain extent. If I had to shun certain loyalties to reach my ultimate goal then I most likely would. My own personal motto...I'm still undecided. There are many ways and means by which I live my life. But the definitive one would probably be 'I am myself alone'. Yes, I may be surrounded by people, whether that be the media or fellow politicians, yet none of them have to to bear such crippling physical and emotional burdens as I. I am different to others around me, even those in my own family. I can relate to no-one, just as I assume no-one can relate to me.

'I am myself alone'. It fits.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

How you feel about yourself?:

That's a difficult question to answer. (rubs his chin and forehead, drums his fingers on the table.) I suppose I like myself. Yes, I do. I like myself.

One word you would use to describe yourself:

Splendid.

One paragraph description of how you would describe yourself:

I am splendidly brilliant. I know I can do anything I set my mind to. Sometimes it goes a bit awry, but that's not my fault. I can make a computer sing. (laughs) I sing too. And play a lot of instruments. And I do so love to paint. Are you going to ask me anything difficult?

What do you consider to be your personality trait?:

My personality trait. My best one? I am very close to perfect.

What do you consider to be your worst personality trait?:

Probably I come on too strong when looking for a date. I like sweeping them off their feet, but usually they just tell me to put them down. That makes me upset.

What do you consider to be your best physical characteristic?:

Luckily you didn't ask me this 25 years ago. (laughs) No I didn't say that. Well, it's definitely my face. It's perfectly normal! And ladies have told me I have pretty eyes. But you only asked for one, so scratch that last.

What do you consider to be your worst physical characteristic?:

I don't talk about that. Do you have to know? I really don't want to tell you. It's none of your business, you know. (starts getting a bit nervous.)

How do you think others perceive you?:

Oh they obviously think I'm brilliant. They all love me, I'm sure. Although I have heard it said that some people think I'm a bit odd. I don't know why they would say that...

What would you most like to change about yourself?:

Oh. You really do want to see it don't you? Well, it's not going to work. I will never take off my prosthetic skin and show you my face. Okay. I didn't say that. I was just joking. (gets red in the face, with embarrassment, but only on one side)

What is your greatest regret?:

I don't have any. Well, maybe I do. Probably that I frightened that pretty little Kris and scared her away. I must have come on too strong. That's my biggest weakness, you know. Or did I say that?

What is your greatest fear?:


I cover my tracks very well. No one could find out about the millions I have stashed in a Swiss Bank Account. (blushes) Oh you didn't ask millions of what? Millions of ....well, lots of things. Not money, though. Oh no. You see it's in a safety deposit box. Do you know something, you're too bloody inquisitive!

When and where were you the happiest?:

Probably the night I stayed up till morning talking to Kris. I fell in love with her that night... It was on the internet...Cyberspace and Love...ahhh...

What is your most treasured possession and why?:

Probably my Strad. It makes amazing music for me...

What is your greatest achievement?:

Coming to New York City and leaving everything behind. It was difficult, but I had to do it. I miss my parents, but not really anyone else. I go back to London to visit them. But coming here and building a new life for myself, yes, that is my best and greatest achievement.

What is your motto?:

"Hide your face so the world will never find you..."

[SUNNY CRUSOE]

How you feel about yourself?:

I don’t even know. I don’t trust myself, even to come up with a straight answer. People tell me I’m crazy, and I probably am, but I don’t like the label. We’re all crazy in one way or another. I know there’s something wrong because I don’t even know if the people I meet are real or not and the pills they give me just make my head feel muzzy. But I dunno, it’s not like I hate being what I am, and I’m not terribly thrilled to be a problem for so many, but at least I have fun.

One word you would use to describe yourself:

Sane, thank you very much. I know that’s not what it says on the wrist band, but are you going to believe what you see or what I tell you? Eh, either way, I’m not changing my answer.

One paragraph description of how you would describe yourself:

Ask the author to describe himself in one paragraph? Alright, I’ll be as concise as possible then...

Standing at 6’2, I’m tall, but not touching the rafters tall. I’ve got brown hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile. My jaw is strong – something I inherited from my grandfather – and my skin has a healthy tan. I was in the military, so I’m fit, if on the thin side. I don’t sleep as much as I should, so I look a bit tired and drawn, but I don’t mind. I was born on the Island of Molokai, so when I wear outrageously bright Hawaiian shirts, it’s part of my culture. I’m a bit of a trouble maker, mostly because I’m bored. I also don’t know when I’m speaking or thinking because I spent too many years on my own. I’m not lonely, seeing as how my brain invents people, but I prefer to be alone with the stories in my head and the people I’ve invented. I’m not a fan of the cold, I’m fearless when it comes to heights, and I love to enact the situations I’ve imagined for a novel before it gets written up as one. In short, I’m Sunny Crusoe, and I’m awesome! Nuff said.

What do you consider to be your personality trait?:

My Joie de Vivre. Seriously, I love life. Nothing gets me down when I’m up, and I’ve lived every day to the fullest. I find something to do in any situation and never settle for the mundane. In short, I’m awesome.

What do you consider to be your worst personality trait?:

I don’t. I know I get on people’s nerves in my pursuit of Joie de Vivre, but I don’t even know where to begin classifying that as a personality trait.

What do you consider to be your best physical characteristic?:

My smile. It’s bright and Sunny, which you would think is where my name came from, but nope – Grandma wanted to shorten Robinson to Sonny and I couldn’t spell, so Sunny it was. I don’t see why it matters how you spell it, but Grandma wasn’t happy when I started writing it that way on everything. I personally like it, it’s a neat name. Not like Bob or Greg or Hector or Peter or...yes, I’m still answering the question. Geesh, impatient much? I like my smile because it’s expressive and it takes up room on my face that would look too severe otherwise.

What do you consider to be your worst physical characteristic?:

I’m too thin. Sometimes I look like I’m sunken in because of it and its not healthy. I know it, Tuesday knows it, and the doc loves telling me that. Well, you try eating between the medication that kills your appetite and the crazy energy that uses up all the calories you eat! I was fine in the military, but on my own, it’s almost impossible to keep muscle mass on, let alone fat.

How do you think others perceive you?:

As Insane. I don’t mind, the wrist band says it all. They’re wrong, but what they don’t know makes the doctor happy, so I suppose someone gets something out of it. It’s like in my last James Harrow novel where James and Leif are perceived as an out gay ex-military couple. It doesn’t hurt the pair, well, until they get to Texas, but it seems to make everyone else amused, so it works out in the end.

What would you most like to change about yourself?:

How easily I get cold. New York sucks six months of the year. I swear to all that’s holy, there’s a door open somewhere. There needs to be more nice weather. That or I need to put on a beer belly so I can keep warm.

What is your greatest regret?:

Not forcing my grandmother onto chemo therapy. She said she didn’t want to feel like crap until she was dead, but I don’t know. It feels like I just let her go and I regret that every time I think on it too long.

What is your greatest fear?:

Escalators. They’re going to swallow me whole one day...that is a serious fear! Have you ever seen someone get chewed up by a machine? Exactly. I’m also pretty terrified that everything I see is in my head and I’m a vegetable somewhere, but seeing as how I can’t avoid that, I’ll avoid escalators, thanks.

When and where were you the happiest?:

As a sixteen year old in Hawaii. I loved it there. The beach, the sun, the sand, fixing boat motors between surf lessons and chasing tanned skinned girls...Yeah, send me back to being sixteen any day. Back then I had the looks and the stamina to have a lot of fun *waggles eyebrows*

What is your most treasured possession and why?:

My coffee cup. It’s the only one I own and I love coffee, so I have to take care of it and it’s the only thing I’ve never been tempted to smash when the voices get too loud. It’s the only thing that really makes me happy, no matter what.

What is your greatest achievement?:

Hmm, being the only person alive who’s been sentenced by the Navy to live on a dessert island? Seriously, how many guys can say that? I mean, yeah, anyone can sell books and be famous, but it takes someone really special to piss an Admiral off that badly.

What is your motto?:

“Carpe Diem, Baby” that or “I’m only crazy if I believe I’m crazy, which I do not, so take that DSM-IV”