Q and A

It was like any typical Friday morning I turned on my computer and clicked on my e-mail. As I waited for it to work its magic. I took a sip from my caramel moco latte. It was taking longer than normal, so I thought, "Boy I got a lot of spam e-mails. But when it was finished, I had 33 e-mails and all of them had in the subject: “A question” or "A comment about your column." What did I do to bring this on?

It's truly amazing how some columns get no e-mails, but then others almost max out my e-mail. And many times, it's just someone wanting to ask me a question.

I have never been afraid of feedback good or bad. Feedback helps you improve or give you a different point of view that you might not have thought about. If I can take the feedback that my college professors dished out I can take almost anything. Most of the feedback that I get is very positive. Yes, there have been a few negative ones, too. I thought I would share some of the questions that I have been asked over the years, along with my answers.

Question #1: I know you don't like birds, but what else don't you like?

Answer: I don't really like mice, rats, centipedes, snakes and lizards. If any of above cross my path, I've been know to jump up on the nearest item and scream like a little girl. That’s right like a little girl.

Question #2: Do people recognize you when you are out and about?

Answer: I do get recognized, but it happens more as a double-take like they are trying to think where they know me from. My parent's dog, Odie, get's recognized the most. Everybody knows Odie.

Question #3: What column(s) have you gotten the most feedback from your readers?

Answer: The one that prompted the 33 people to e-mail and 6 people to write letters would be when I wrote about Poynette High School changing there school mascot. The next two would be a tie between Jason and I moving in together and one of my first columns that I wrote. It was about Relay For Life. And the most recent one was my wii obsession. I got 10 emails, a phone call and comment on my facebook profile.

Question #4: Why did you name your column "A Black Sheep?"

Answer: It's many little things that can make anybody a black sheep, but I think the biggest is I was more a tomboy than my sisters. I learned early on that it's OK to be different, to embrace what makes you special. and to be proud of it Someone told me a few years ago, "If you have to be a sheep, at least be a black sheep."

Question #5: I know that you wrote that you like to read. What are some of the great books that you have read?

Answer: Out of the 126 books that I read last year and the some 50 books that I've read so far, I really enjoyed the "Twilight Series" by Stephenie Meyer. I was very surprised with it. My sisters kept on me to read them and I'm glad they did. Another book that I think everybody should read young or old is "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. I also read “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen and “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck every year.

Question #6: How do you come up with ideas for a column? I think it would be really hard.

Answer: Sometimes, it is hard to come up with something, but it always seems that something happens that I can write about. I mostly write about what's going on in my life. Sometimes, I have to do a bit of research; but that’s not that hard. It’s not like I’m writing a term paper.

Question #7: Are you superstitious?

Answer: I would say that I am not superstitious. My birthday is on the 13th and sometimes it lands on a Friday and nothing bad happens. But I also don't go out looking for ladders to walk under or break mirrors for fun.

Question #8: What three things would you take with you to a desert island?

Answer: First and I think the most important thing would be Bear Grylls from the Discovery Channel's "Man vs. Wild." He will be able to do all the hunting and forging that will need to be done. And an added bouns is he’s easy on the eyes. Second, a huge case a sunblock. I burn some what easy. Lobster red isn't a good color for me to wear. Third, a good book. So I can just sit on the beach and read when Bear is doing his thing.

Question #9: If you could have dinner with anyone that is famous, who would it be?

Answer: I assume that you want me to pick someone that is alive. So in that case I would have dinner with Sir Paul McCartney. I would love to hear about all the stories behind the music. I've been a Beatles fan from the start. There’s a picture of me no more that one year old. with headphones on and listening to a Beatles record.

Question #10: Do you have any tattoo or piercing? If yes, how many and what and where are they.

Answer: You mean besides the huge eagle that I have across my back, I only have my ears pierced. I know, how boring. I just never really want something inked on my body that is going to last forever. If I had to get a tatt, I would get a monarch butterfly on my right shoulder in memory of my stepmom, Cheryl who passed away in 1998. If it makes you feel any better, I do enjoy the TV show Miami ink.

I admit it. Sometimes when I'm writing, I wonder, "Does anybody read it?" Well, that Friday morning, I got my answer. I would just like to thank everybody for reading my column and for giving me feedback. If you have a question or a comment feel free post it here!