Friday, May 20, 2016

Personality Factor Test Results


These are results from a lengthy online personality test I took via Personality Factors (personalityfactors.net). The website takes your answers and estimates the impact each of their 16 personality factors have on your life. They're estimated in percentages (not adding up to 100%, just on average). I've presented them in order of lowest percentages to highest. I also added literal definitions of the personality traits. I can only assume you see those words at the bottom and you automatically think of me. hehe...

Distrust 4
the feeling that someone or something cannot be relied on

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Emotionality 21
the observable behavioral and physiological component of emotion, and is a measure of a person's emotional reactivity to a stimulus

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Anxiety 42
a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome

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Orderliness 50
associated with other qualities such as cleanliness and diligence—and the desire for order and symmetry, and is generally considered to be a desirable quality

Assertiveness 50
the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive

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Reserve 54
refrain from using or disposing of (something); retain for future use

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Emotional Stability 63
refers to a person's ability to remain calm or even keel when faced with pressure or stress

Friendliness 63
the quality of being friendly; affability

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Imagination 67
the ability to form new images and sensations in the mind that are not perceived through senses such as sight, hearing, or other senses

Gregariousness 67
fond of the company of others; sociable 

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Intellect 71
the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract or academic matters

Sensitivity 71
the quality or condition of being sensitive

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Warmth 79
the quality, state, or sensation of being warm; moderate and comfortable heat

Dutifulness 79
Careful to fulfill obligations 

Self-Reliance 79
reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others

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Complexity 83
the state or quality of being intricate or complicated

Sunday, May 1, 2016

My Semester, Explained In A Soundtrack

How did my semester go?
Well, between stage managing my first show, oddball relationship scenarios, foot injuries, a stint with internet dating, and working 4am shifts awhile assistant stage managing a musical... it was easily one of my favorite semesters of my life.
Here's a storied soundtrack.

JANUARY
I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) Jamie xx (ft Young Thug and Popcaan)
This song gets stuck in my head at least once a day. For the last 6 months. I never liked The xx or Young Thug, but together they made the catchiest song of 2015.
NSFW. Very NSFW. Actually, don't listen to it. 'Tis quite vulgar.


Damage Yo La Yengo
"I used to think about you all the time. Now it just feels weird; there you are."
Does anybody else feel this way in a relationship? It's an awkward transition for an underdog. And nobody knows more about social anxiety romance as well Yo La Tengo.




If I Could Cry (It Would Feel Like This) Jens Lekman
Jens Lekman's Night Falls Over Kortedala is a literal list of the most important girls in his life; friends, girlfriends, crushes, sisters, etc. Listening to this album was like an oracular prelude to my breakup experience. When the moment hit me, the song I turned to most was the only one that didn't talk about a girl. These are the entire lyrics: "If I could cry, if I could cry, if I could cry, it would feel like this."
Cue the hand claps!



FEBRUARY
Make You Feel That Way Blackalicious
I've been a stickler against positive hip-hop for years now. In search of new music, I went to Tiny Mixtapes' Favorite 100 Albums of 2000-2009. Stumbled across Blackalicious, a rap duo straight outta Sacramento. Somehow, this psychedelic rap song-- that goes over winning championship games, brand new days, chilling with your family-- won my cold heart.


I Luv The Valley OH! Xiu Xiu
Another find from TMT's 2000's list. Pitchfork's Brian Howe describes this song as "someone vividly describing their pain." Of all the songs on this playlist, I doubt anyone would like this one (namely for the hollow screaming mid-way through). But to me, it's dark, beautiful, mysterious. I love its song structure more than its pain. This will be on my shuffle for a long time.



Iron Galaxy Cannibal Ox
Produced by El-P in 2001, Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein is the perfect underground hip-hop album. Members Vast Aire and Vordul Mega present two depressed black kids from Harlem who are acquainted with the streets but rather enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons. This song tries to make the sonic sounds of the future on a $10 budget.
NSFW



MARCH
Song for the Asking Simon & Grafunkel
Even more so than most Logan winters, this winter was butt-crack cold. Even when there were turds of snow left on the ground, I considered it "spring" enough for me. I had been wearing shorts around the house since Valentine's Day. To me, nothing transitions winter into spring like Simon & Garfunkel. This song surprisingly brought me to tears in a humbling moment this year.



Random Rules Silver Jews
Loved this song for a while now. Love it to death. Finally bought the album via Amazon. It apparently got lost in the mail and I had to cancel the order.
But at least I got my refund.



Little Green Joni Mitchell
I've listened to Blue a million times. Wasn't until this semester that "Little Green" hit me in the soft spot. Much like my life, things were  100% "green, like the color when the spring is born," and there was "sometimes sorrow." But it became one of the greatest semesters of college life.




APRIL
Holes Mercury Rev
I missed Priesthood session of LDS General Conference because I was ASM at a Dogfight rehearsal (as usual). I later attended the music recital for a friend of mine. On this warm night, I had an overarching "in-the-moment" feeling I hadn't felt since I was 18. I recall standing outside, looking to the stars, soaking in the moment.
Long ago, a counselor once warned me, "Don't freak out once you start feeling things again." I forgot that advice this night and got lost in this song. Glad it happened though.


Someday The Strokes
As I started to live in the moment again, I was able to feel the amount of love I have for my friends.
This was one of my favorite songs back in high school; a soundtrack for my yearbook-ready mind. As sad as the lyrics may seem, this song finally has me reminiscing about the good times again, just like it did high school. There are people in my life now who I will miss dearly when they leave. I'm grateful for what I have now; emotionally, socially, literally.

You Get What You Give New Radicals
Like I said before, I usually dislike positive messages in music. But I've always loved this song, and it means more to me now than ever before. I feel like I've found what truly matters to me in this life. I can breathe from my diaphragm and not worry about everything everywhere I go. Maybe I'll write a hit song about it.