Nosy Questions 2009

[Cmdr_King]

They return!  I've actually been bouncing these around in my head for a while (I choose to blame Metroid), hence being so, well, extremely nosy.

If you feel compelled to not answer a question, simply erase it from your copy-paste.  Not everyone can share such information so freely with creepy internet stalkers, afterall.

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married? 
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

10. And the worst?

[BaconForTheSoul]

Coming off my hiatus with this post!

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.
Yes I do and just depends on when I meet someone worth marrying

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Outdoor ceremony, but nothing too gigantic

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

She can take my name or keep her own... I'm not taking hers

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

I don't date people with kids soo... not gonna happen

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

Yes I do, it would be a giant problem if she couldn't have kids, and she will want them!

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

I like the "cities" with 50-100k people.  Not too big, but still plenty to do.  Figuring I'll just end up in some neighborhood in Portland Metro area, but not in Portland.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Meh, not sure

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Empathy

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Umm this is tough...  Harry Potter's parents seemed pretty badass until dying.

10. And the worst?

The mom from Ender in Exile... I forget her name.  She was a bitch.

[AAA]

1. Do you plan to get married? 
No, yes

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

A simple one, with family and a few friends. No need to spend too much.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

First I'd ask why. Assuming they had a good enough reason I'd do it.

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Sure, why not.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Considering I'm marrying her, we should have already worked this out a long time ago.

5. Do you intend to have children?
No, give her five across the face.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

Best neighborhood I could afford to live in, close (say, within a 30 mile radius if possible) but not so close that we get on each others nerves. Good schools would be important.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Okay, why not.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Empahy sounds good.

I can't think of a satisfactory answer to the last two questions.

[Shale]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?
I'd like to, kinda doubt it'll happen, though.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.
Small (but not courthouse-small), secular ceremony.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
I'd rather not. I like my name.
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?
It'd be entirely up to her. If she wants to, fine by me. If not, well, see above. Glass houses, stones, etc.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?
Possibly. See below.

5. Do you intend to have children?
Undecided leaning toward no. I don't really trust myself to be a decent father.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?
A 10-minute listing of my parenthood issues, followed by "and you're sure about this?"

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.
School system is key because private schools are hellishly expensive, and at least suburban population density because growing up in farmland sucks. Within 150 miles or so of family would be good.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?
I will eat broken glass before naming a child after my father. I wouldn't mind naming them after my uncles, though.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?
That of a human spleen on the black market.
Alternately, Zaigataka has the right idea. Empathy's a good thing to have.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.
9&10: I don't have a clue.

[Taishyr]

1. Do you plan to get married? 
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.
Not really, all things considered. And sure.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Courthouse-style, maybe a skitch bigger.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

It would depend on the name being changed to, for the first part. For the second, uh, sure, if you really want to be Brown.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

If they're above four years, meh, not really.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?
No, "we adopt, then?"

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.
For all that I have nothing but vitriol for Kalamazoo normally, it's not a bad idea to raise a kid here. Just... no potential for those who want to stay, mostly.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?
Sure, works, though I'd also suggest other names from my family and names from hers, if she felt them viable.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?
Tie between empathy and determination.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction. 10. And the worst?
Ummm... Tequila from The Diamond Age wins arguable worst just due to putting her kids through all that. Best... uh, Iunno. Ron Weasley/Harry Potter's parents work until I can think of a better answer.

[Hunter Sopko]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?  Yes
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be. Probably by the time I'm 30.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall. Standard money sucking wedding. Nothing crazy, but something memorable. No use getting married without at least an open bar.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond? Uh, Nope! Not happening!
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name? I'd be cool with it. See above.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue? Not really, depends on how I get along with them.

5. Do you intend to have children? Yes
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be. Still not entirely sure how I'd react. Adoption might still be on the table.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on. Suburban. Probably close to family.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why? I'd wonder why they'd want to do that... it's sort of an odd request for them to ask for MY parents names unless there was a specific situation. Wouldn't be keen to it. Love my parents but their names aren't my top choices.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be? Loyalty

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction? I can't really think of ones that qualify as BEST! I can barely think of GOOD ones. The Weasleys are awesome. Battletech has a bunch of good ones. Hanse and Melissa Davion, Justin and Candace Allard and Kai and Deirde Allard-Liao are also good.

10. And the worst?

Easy. Gendo and Yui Ikari from Evangelion.

[Luther Lansfeld]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

I want to get married! I dunno how long it will be. Probably longer than I'd prefer. GRAD SCHOOL SMASH!

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

I would like a medium-sized money sucking extravaganza.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

I'd think that was pretty strange because it is my decision, not theirs. Not to say that I wouldn't take it, but I don't think I'd be happy with someone pressuring me into that decision.

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?
I'd identify them as a XG fanboy and eliminate them. No, I'd be fine with that of course!

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?
Yep. Kid drama/baby momma drama is the worst.


5. Do you intend to have children?
I'd like children in my life, whether they be adopted children or biological children.

a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
I'd just adopt! <3


As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

I'd like to live in a medium sized town with a decent school system.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

I'd think my spouse liked crappy names. Hell no to dad's name- my brother is already named after him as well as him being named after my grandpa.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?
<-- will come back to this later

[metroid composite]

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.
Theoretically yes, and theoretically within the next five years if I'm sticking to an old roadmap >_>.  (Yeah, not going to happen).

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.
Something fairly nice.  I think I'd want to get the budget in under $5000 if possible, which might be tight.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?
"If that's what you want, sure."

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?
I'd be pretty happy with this, actually; I love kids.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?
Yes, and...obviously it's complicated in my case, so I can't say I'll hold it as a problem if the potential spouse can't.  I'd like to at least try a relationship with someone who could, though.

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.
Are we talking ideally or practical reality?  Ideally a safe neighborhood with a house within walking distance of several relatives, within walking distance of a playground, and within walking distance of schools up through high school.  Practical reality...I don't even know what city I'll be living in.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?
"No dear, that would be confusing."

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?
Umm...hard work is a value I never fully learned and always coveted; I'll go with that.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?
Mrs. Coulter (we're talking about "good" in a literary sense of good, as-in interesting character, right? >_>)

10. And the worst?
I always thought Cinderella's Stepfamily was just eyeroll worthy, even by fairytale standards.

[superaielman]

1. Yes. Hell if I know. I'd be shocked if I was married before I hit 30.
2. Simple. I am too cheap to pay for an expensive wedding. That could be a down payment on a house or a car. Something simple, probably outside.
3. What Shale said.
4. Yes, in the sense that dealing with another person would be an issue. It's not a problem in of itself, but you have to take the welfare of the child into consideration. I wouldn't mind.
5. Undecided on kids.  A: Wouldn't bother me. Could adopt or the like. B: That is a hard question to give a short response. It depends on how strongly we both feel and if a reasonable compromise could be made. Trying to get pregnant and not telling me I would consider to be (One of the very few) instant grounds for divorce, as it is horrible to bring a child into the world when one parent is unwilling/doesn't know.
6. Enviroment? Somewhere safe enough. Past that, not picky. Proximity to at least one set of grandparents is a good idea for babysitting purposes.
7. I'm already a Jr, so it'd be bloody confusing to have a third generation with my name around. Rather change things up a little.
8. Self respect. Empathy's nice, but if you don't have the former life is going to have it's way with you.
9. No clue.
10. I'll second Shinji's parents in spite of not seeing EVA.

[Yoshiken]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

Eventually, yeah. Probably... mid-late 20s, so in about 10 years time, I'd guess.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Ahh, I'm actually quite bad when it comes to this. I'd want it to be a big deal and all, but I'm not for the whole religious ceremony thing, being pretty firm in my atheistic stance. Hrm. Other than wanting it to be a big, extravagant thing, I'm not too sure here. 'Least I've got lots of time to think about that one~

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Well, I hate pretty much every part of my name as it is, so I'd be fine with changing it. As for them taking my name... Ehh, I'd be discinclined to go with it, unless it either sounded really good, or I've already changed my name by then.
If I'd changed my name already and they wanted me to change it from that, then I've found the wrong person. (Yes, I'm very selective, but only with certain things.)

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Don't see why it should be. Unless they're a hellspawn child, in which case I'll just try to make them tolerable.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

Ehh. I.. would prefer children, but I'm also not averse to adoption, so an inability to have children (or me ending up with a male partner) wouldn't be a problem.

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

Proximity to family... Hmm, that depends on how close I can tolerate being to them. My sister, sure, they'd see her a lot, but as for the kids' grandparents... >_>  Neighbourhood, ehh, no preference at this point. Otherwise, I'd try to make sure they don't end up fucking up their lives, but just let 'em enjoy it past that. And I'd probably buy them games consoles from a young age so that they end up as gamers. <3

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Yeah, my parents have boring names. I don't particularly like either, so I'd say no. (I have a feeling several DLers would hit me for this upon discovering my mum's name, but meh.)

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

HONESTY. I'm always honest, to the point that I have insulted people a lot by just telling the damn truth (although I try not to be too harsh about it if I can avoid it). I'd like my kids to be able to tell me, if there's something wrong, what it actually is and not have to worry about how I'd respond. If they do something they think is wrong, I'd like to have them actually tell me.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Uh. Wait, these are the easy questions? o_O Gah. Best parents in fiction... I'm not sure I know much fiction where parents are alive. >.>  Inclined to say Greil, from FE9, just because he seems good by that world's standards, methinks. :/  Teaches his kids some valuable lessons for surviving where they are and tries to set them up for a good career? Uhh, sure, I'll go with that. >.>
Edit: Atticus Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird. I think anyone who knows this can see why I'm saying him.

10. And the worst?

The mother from Pokemon. What kind of responsible parent lets her kid go travelling around the world at the age of 11?! (I'm sure there's worse, but hell if I'm gonna think of more parents who-- oh wait Gendo Ikari lolz.)

[Anthony Edward Stark]

Hell, why not.

1. Do you plan to get married?  
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

No. If I find someone who I plan to spend the rest of my life with, I'll fill out a document for the tax credit, I guess, but marriage is, to me, a religious ceremony and there's no way I'm getting involved in another one of those.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Get a license, skip to reception, get FUCKED UP.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Can't see it happening. She wants to change her name, that's fine, but again, I think marriage is an outdated custom and we're only doing this for the tax reason.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Not really. I've already got plenty of other relatives by marriage, this isn't anything new to me.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

Well, I do kind of worry about dysgenics. I know it's only a theory, but it's a scary one. So I suppose I would feel obligated to do so. Should I not be able to discharge this social obligation, I suppose I would be equally disappointed and relieved.

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

I grew up in Portland, decent place, and the kids absorb some actual culture instead of having their lives scheduled by their parents. As an added bonus, most of my family already lives in the area.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

"Okay." It's just as good a solution as anything else, because naming is a bitch in general. If your parents have two different last names and you only use one, there's discontinuity. Then under this idea, your kids have different last names, so discontinuity. And if you have a hyphenated last name? That's pretentious.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Commitment. Follow shit through.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Fuck, that's a hard question. Almost all parents in fiction are terrible, not present or dead. I would say... Caesar Steiner. He didn't cover up anything he did when he was younger. He owned up to it and tried to teach his sons to be better than him (which he probably did). It's unusual since 90% of the time parents have some deep dark secret their kids find out.

10. And the worst?

Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner-Davion. Taught their five kids everything they didn't need to know, and nothing they did.

[Jo'ou Ranbu]

1. Do you plan to get married? 

God no.

If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

I certainly can, even if I don't like picturing the prospect. The human mind is rather fickle and I certainly could grow desperate in loneliness. But I figure it'd be a bit late when it did, so I doubt it'd matter.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Courthouse license, a simple, quiet ceremony and no people involved until past the fact. I can understand the symbolic meaning of marriage, but not the impulse to make it a waste of money and time.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

I have to ask "why?". Past that, it could be discussed. I do not like the idea of changing names, however, I'm a bit too tied to namesakes as an aspect of identity.

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Same thing as above. I'd have to ask "why?". And my mild discomfort regarding changing my own name applies to others wanting to take part of my name.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

How could it not be? It'd be one more person I'd have to develop empathy towards, and that's a taxing thing for me. Not to mention those kids would have to develop empathy towards me as well, get used to someone who isn't their mommy and...

Heck, this doesn't even get into the fact I hate kids.

5. Do you intend to have children?

I intend to have a vasectomy in the forseeable future even though I'm not straight. This answers your question well enough?

b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

At this point, I'd probably lose my hypothetical spouse.

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

I'd want to keep them away from my family, honestly. I'd try to raise them in this city, mainly, it's a urban, yet relatively peaceful place. Running back to the country wouldn't make sense.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Once again, I have to ask "why". And, depending on how esoteric those naming patterns got, I'd simply shoot it down. Children will have plenty of reasons to be embarassed of their parents, their very name doesn't have to be one of them.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

While empathy sounds good? I don't think it's one thing you can properly teach them like you can teach the ABC. They learn it through their experiences or they don't. That and empathy can be an incredibly painful trait, and you may have to learn to shut it down - then you get into a horrible loop of being both sensitive and oblivious towards people and you become estranged to the very beings you're trying to be sympathetic towards. What I'd find absolute to teach them, though, if that's even possible? To be lucid. To think about things, to try to understand them before judging and to avoid the traps of self-righteous judgments of any relevant nature. That's all I'd want them to learn, honestly. Although, honestly, this is probably a nice highlight of why I shouldn't ever be a father. EDIT: Gratitude also sounds good, but I can't honestly demand my spawn to learn values I never began to learn nor tried to myself.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Good parents in fiction? Those exist?

10. And the worst?

I honestly don't care.

[Yoshiken]

Changed my answer to Q9. Makes sense that the best fictional parent is from a book (partially) about learning lessons in life.

[Dark Holy Elf]

1. Do you plan to get married?  
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.

Yes, probably in about half a decade or so.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

I'd like something fairly modest, with a decent circle of important people but nothing over-the-top.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

I'm not too attached to names, so if it was a big deal to her, I'd probably go along with it.

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Entirely her call, I don't really mind.

Related to #3, anyone who tells OTHER couples how they should choose their names can go fuck off.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Would I leave a wonderful partner over that? No. It's not exactly in the description of my dream match, but if I truly loved her I'd accept her family as my own.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.

Yes, but I can see advantages to not having them or to adopting, so infertility wouldn't be crushing.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

Hardest question for me. I think like most parents, I'd like somewhere reasonably clean and safe where I feel they'd get a good education. Beyond that, I can see the value to a variety of different settings.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

I assume this means last names. Anyway, the big problem I see with it is what if all your kids have the same gender? Then only one name is being passed down. If your goal is fairness (which I presume it is), then fission mailed. Solution is to name the second kid the opposite of the first. Anyway, my best friend from high school had this situation, only reversed - he had his mother's name and his sister had their father's. Pretty cool I think, actually, if both parents keep their names. (Also, reversed appeals to be more than same sex, because it helps break down rather than reinforce gender lines. Always important!)

If both parents adopt the same name then obviously their kids take said name.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Gratitude. I almost changed this to self-respect on seeing Super's vote, because self-respect is super important too. I'll stick with gratitude because I can't think of anything else that simultaneously makes you a better person (one who truly appreciates the things others do for them and expresses this will really make those in his or her life happy), but it also makes you a happier one. Studies show pretty conclusively that appreciation for what you have is essential to your own happiness.

If you don't buy that, then it keeps them from being an entitled brat. <_<

Don't care about 9 or 10.

[Ultradude]

1. Do you plan to get married?

I hope so.

a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.

No damn clue. Could be three years, could be thirteen or more.

b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Smallish, outdoors, family and friends wedding. If it happens any time soon, I'd be married by my old youth pastor.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

...what do they want me to be named? I'm not sure Megatron would fly.

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

As one of those crazy misogynist Conservative Christians, this is probably what I'd expect.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

It's... workable, though the baby daddy would have to be cooperative.

5. Do you intend to have children?

Yes.

a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.

Might cause a little stress, but I'm all for adoption.

b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

I'd like to live on the outside edge of a metropolitan area with the nearby city fairly accessible, not too large or small; Pittsburgh is closest. I'd like to have my aunt and sisters nearby as well, since my dad wants to move near ocean when he retires and I probably won't.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Oh wait I totally understand the question now and whatever, I'll probably end up marrying someone traditional and the whole family will have the same last name.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Um... don't procrastinate? The age old 'teach the kids not to make my mistakes' thing I guess >_<

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Yoshiken! Atticus Finch is totally alright for this one.

10. And the worst?

I want to say someone other than the Ikaris, and I'm sure there's worse, but they're the worst that immediately come to mind.

[Fudozukushi]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married? 
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

I will never get married.  The reasons are too many, and too sad for me to get into.  Mostly my sheer fear of everything.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2.What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Shotgun.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

Sure, I have no special attachments.

EDIT: Wait?  Does this mean last too?  I'd be glad to rid my last name.

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Damn, my line continues.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

No.

5. Do you intend to have children?

No.  Children hate me.

a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.

Not very.

b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

As long as you understand that they'd hate me with unrivaled passion and come to you and bug you for everything.


As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

One better then the near crapfest mine has become.  There's a lot of nice houses out near the highway...

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

What?  Why?  I mean sure, that's how it is for my family anyway, I'm just curious...

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Your parents are bums and will never, ever help you.  I mean, it won't be true.  It'll just give them drive!

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

There are GOOD parents!?!?!?!?

10. And the worst?

Joukyuu's parents from AIKI.  Read and agree.

[Captain K.]

1. Do you plan to get married?  

Already have been, for 13 years.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

We had a small church wedding, immediate family only.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

I told her I didn't care if she took my name or kept her own, but she sure as hell wasn't doing that hyphenation nonsense.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Yes she does, and yes it is.  90% of the conflict in our marriage is due to her (adult) children.

5. Do you intend to have children?

Nope, my wife is fixed.  

[DomaDragoon]

1. No, and I don't see this ever changing. I'm too self-centered to have a relationship, let alone one as huge as marriage.

2. Whatever she wants that has less than 500 people and $15,000.

3. I'd ask why. If they have a decent reason, then sure.

4. Depends on how horrible the kids are. I don't see myself having much of a problem with it.

5. I might have one or two children, but it wouldn't be a dealbreaker. If I'm serious enough with someone that I'm considering marriage, then I wouldn't care if we couldn't have kids.

6. Would have to be a middle-sized town. Preferably less than four hours from the nearest relatives.

7. I'd ask why. If they have a decent reason, then sure.

8. Self-reliance. Yet another person with the whole "kids learn what you didn't" answer.

9. Johnathan and Martha Kent.

10. Hmmm... can't say the Ikaris because I never watched Eva, can't go with Norman Osborne because he's crazy and I bet Harry's mom wasn't all that bad, can't go with most western animation missing parents... oh, what the heck. Genma and Nodoka Saotome.

[InfinityDragon]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

Not right now. Sure, if the circumstances change.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Medium sized would be fine. Anything more would be a headache to plan and a waste of time.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Nope, not giving my name up...it is far too awesome to trade in for something lame like Smith or Williams. Now if they want my awesome name, that's fine by me.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Yes. I don't deal with kids.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

a. Not in the foreseeable future.
b. No idea, it would depend on the circumstances at the time.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

Proximity to family will probably be out, though I'd spring for at least a couple of visits to relatives every year.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

I'd tell her to be more creative. Stuff like that is better for middle names.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Honor. All good traits flow from being honorable.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Okay, this isn't that hard, people. Jean Valjean...easily. There are also characters like Bob Cratchit to choose from. You all need to read better fiction.

10. And the worst?

The Thenardiers; also easy. The Ikaris come in a distant second.

[Idun]

Act 1: Married with Children   [ stealing format from Yoshi!]

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

Yes. Hopefully within the next 5 years.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Something moderate in money-sucking, though I don't know the price ranges for average weddings. Immediate family and family members whose name and relation I can instantly remember are invited. No need to invite those not in my life.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?

I'd firmly tell them to fuck off. I'd assume they approached me because they already had preconceptions of whether I'd take it or not. Gotta have faith, amirite?

a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Absolutely not. Though I still think I'm the man in the relationship ^_~

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Yes. Yes it would be. To be honest, they probably wouldn't be a potential spouse anymore as we'd be around 25 and they'll probably have unfinished business knowing the people I know.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

Yes. Hopefully, as long as I'm capable. It would be a significant problem to my emotions not being able to create a blood relative, but it wouldn't hinder me from choosing other options out there to parent.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

A place where people pay their taxes consistently; a crime rate that isn't consistently buoyant. It'll range from country to suburban. Also. A place where I can keep a job to afford them.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

I'd wonder why he's suggesting that since we already picked names, and I would show him my black mamba rage. Though they ARE family names. No Shaniquabonquishajuanita stuff.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Responsibility. I firmly believe that if you teach a child responsibility, they learn a whole array of other characteristics, such as ownership, acceptance, disappointment, etc. And yes, I would be a parent who would kick out my 30 year old child if I knew they were using me. I already raised their asses, and they need to learn how to be capable.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

I'll change that to parent, and go with Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks. He may be comically dimwitted, but he's open, loving, acceptance (hello? furries anyone?), etc. I'd say that nanny from Muppet Babies but I don't remember her face.

Parents though? That family in Big Fish.

10. And the worst?

Those people off of Family Guy.

Hmmm.

[Sierra]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

See Rob's answer, basically. I have no use for ceremony of any sort in my life. I wouldn't rule out deciding to be in a relationship with one particular person for the rest of my life, no, but I don't need to go through a lot of hoopla to announce to everyone else what my mate and I would already know.

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Option B. Marriage is a formality, as far as I'm concerned.

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

If me not doing it would be a deal-breaker, well, what's in a name, anyway? If they want to change theirs, well, knock yourself out. It's not my place to stop them. As much as someone being forced to change their name bugs me, spouses sharing a surname does minimize a lot of bureaucratic confusion.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

As long as there's not like six of them or something, no.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

I wouldn't rule it out, but nor is it a priority. Thus, point A would not be a problem. No more than two of 'em if we decide to go through with it, though. World's overcrowded enough as it is, anyone having more kids than you can count on one hand needs to have some sense smacked into them.

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

Low crime rate and access to decent schools would be priority.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

EDIT: I totally read this as meaning the kids would have different surnames for some reason. So uh. I guess there are worse ways to do it, as neither of my parents' names are anything heinous. Personally, I'd prefer to go for something more unusual (though not the batshit celebrity, "what the hell were you thinking Frank Zappa," kind of unusual).

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

I am torn between empathy and skepticism. Eh...the former is probably harder to install if it's not there early, so yeah, that. There are enough douchebags in the world already, damned if I'm going to contribute to making more of them.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

I am failing to come up with amusing answers for these questions. I'm trying to think of some situation where the parent(s) went to hell and back for the sake of their kid(s), and I know there've been a couple that were actually well done, but my memory is not cooperating right now.

10. And the worst?

Obligatory "Gendo fucking Ikari" answer, I guess. Yeah, I got nothin'.

[VySaika]

Act 1: Married with Children

1. Do you plan to get married?  
a.If so, how far down the line do you think it'll be.
b. If no, can you imagine yourself changing your mind.

Already am~

For the next few questions, suppose you intended to get married.  No fun if you just say "not at all lol" y'know.

2. What sort of wedding would you want?  That is, where on the scale of "gigantic money sucking extravaganza" to "simple courthouse marriage license get" to "Vegas, baby" would you fall.

Common law. What? <_<

3. Your spouse-to-be approaches you and requests that you change your name.  How do you respond?
a. How would you respond if they wanted to take your name?

Already hashed all this out. Neither of us desire to change names.

4. Your potential spouse has children from a previous relationship.  Is this an issue?

Only when he forgets to take his medicine. Or I've had to deal with him for extended periods of time.

5. Do you intend to have children?
a. If so, how large a problem would a potential spouse being unable to have them be.
b. If no, suppose your hypothetical spouse change their mind and wanted them.  How do you respond?

Of my own? Hell fucking no.

Jenna does want another one, and if it happens then it happens, but at this point we're thinking it's not likely to. Which is a great relief for me.

As before, assume you are going to have children for the following questions.

6. What sort of environment do you raise your children in?  That is, in terms of neighboorhood, proximity to family, and so on.

Where we're at now is a pretty good place for it, actually. Quiet but still with easy access to civilization. Elementary school right down the road, grandparents about an hour's drive away. Kinda wish we'd gotten here earlier, but eh.

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

I prefer children to be named things quite distinct and different from the parents. And eachother. Families where everyone's name begins with the same letter make me facepalm.

8. If you could guarantee that your children would learn one value, what would it be?

Only one? Accepting responsibility for thier own actions, bad or good, would likely top my list.

Okay, some easy questions to finish things off.

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

Uh, no idea. The Weaslys from Harry Potter might qualify on grounds of being the only real positive parenting example I can think of off the top of my head.  

10. And the worst?

A few come to mind, but it's usually either a case of "it's just the culture they're part of", "it's not really the parents" or even just "well, they get better" in the end of it all. Just using examples from the Valdemar series, I can fit all three of those qualifiers with "Talia's parents from Sensholding", "Skif's uncler Londer Galko" or "Lord Withen Ashkevron". Examples where it's the actual parents and they fail miserably are really just esaping me right now(except for ones with qualifier A).

[Sierra]

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Yeah, my parents have boring names. I don't particularly like either, so I'd say no. (I have a feeling several DLers would hit me for this upon discovering my mum's name, but meh.)

You do realize that you now have to tell us what that name is, right?

[Sierra]

9. Who are the best parents in fiction?

I'll change that to parent, and go with Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks. He may be comically dimwitted, but he's open, loving, acceptance (hello? furries anyone?), etc. I'd say that nanny from Muppet Babies but I don't remember her face.

She didn't have a face. Apologies if that was the joke.

[Yoshiken]

7. Your spouse suggest that your children take their names from each of your, girls for the mother and boys for the father (apologies if this doesn't apply to you).  How do you respond?  Why?

Yeah, my parents have boring names. I don't particularly like either, so I'd say no. (I have a feeling several DLers would hit me for this upon discovering my mum's name, but meh.)

You do realize that you now have to tell us what that name is, right?

Ehh, it's a pretty standard name, just, from what I can tell, a pretty well-liked character. (It's Rita)