INFP

Jeremy posted about the Myers-Briggs personality test - a very simplified version that lets you choose what you feel best describes you. I've done a lot of these but take away different things depending on what's going on in my life. Here's a summary of my type.


INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves.

INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.

INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".

When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.

INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.

INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.

INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.

I find this the most accurate assessment of my personality I've come across to date. Of course I don't agree with all of it. I CARE if I'm right or not but will rarely care enough to provoke a confrontation. I'd rather let it go and be content knowing I was right than to wade into the mess and stress of trying to prove that to someone else - touche. It means I get along well with others to an extreme. It's pretty dysfunctional at times when I should really step up and deal with issues. I am relatively easy to walk all over (please don't consider that an open invitation). I always want to believe the best in people and they learn pretty quickly that I'm not too likely to call them out unless my ass is really on the line.

spoof listing

Detached bachelor suite available for sale/rent.

Features:
- sleeping loft with access to lakeview deck
- emergency slide exit
- skylight
- opening windows on all sides for great ventilation
- built in bench & table with small kitchen counter
- living area converts to guest bed if required
- large yard, borders on vegetable garden
- lovingly built by craftsman with decades of experience and pride in work

$400,000 in Vancouver, no?









Unlisted features:
- no running water/electricity
- 64 square feet (ext.), excluding loft & deck
- uninsulated



All this to say that I've been having fun finishing the inside and am approaching "done". And no, it's definitely NOT for sale, that was the spoof part and I was just poking fun at how much time has been put into it. The kids are delighted to have the tools out of there and get the place back from their meddling mom.

oh boy, another meme!

I rarely do meme's, especially unsolicited, but Nicole's was so fun I had to try it myself. Note that I do not have a name brand "ipod" (too rich for my blood) but it worked fine anyway and I had some great laughs.

The rules are simple: Hit shuffle on your iPod then answer each question by hitting next.

1. What does next year have in store for you? Fell on Black Days, Soundgarden
- this is off to a really bad start

2. What does your love life look like next year? Speedy Marie, Frank Black
- that's better. I think.

3. What do you say when life gets hard? Brother Down, Sam Roberts
- I get nasty and then I give up apparently

4. Song that reminds you of good times? Silent All These Years, Tori Amos
-I sure know how to party.

5. What do you think when you get up in the morning? Dreams, Cranberries
- please let me sleep longer so I get to have some dreams

6. What song will you dance to at your wedding? Whatsername, Greenday
- that would be after several bottles of wine? Good thing this one is behind me.

7. Song that reminds you of your first kiss? Shh, Frou Frou
- not a bad match

8. Your favorite saying? Pretend You're Alive, Lovedrug
- I should consider adopting this one

9. Favorite place? Don't Lose Yourself, Laura Veirs
- Good idea. And drink less.

10. Most Missed Memory? Where the Streets Have No Name, U2
- See above.

11. What song describes your best friend? God, Tori Amos
- this one cracked me up more than any of the others. Priceless.

12. What song describes your ex? 38 Years Old, Tragically Hip
- Would he have killed someone who raped his sister and then spent life behind bars? Hard to know.

13. Where would you go on a first date? Razzle Dazzle Rose, Camera Obscura
- back to that drug induced haze but this time it's psychedelic

14. Drug of choice? Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth, Radio Gods
- I'm lost, so so lost

15. What song describes you? Everytime, Sarah Harmer
- on a melancholy day perhaps

16. What is the thing you like doing most? Speed of Sound, Coldplay
- driving fast?

17. The song that best describes the president? Today, Smashing Pumpkins
- I listen to it differently with that in mind.

18. Where will you be in 10 years? Better Man, Pearl Jam
- don't much like this one...

19. Your love life right now? Run, Snow Patrol
- it's not that bad! Even if I do have all those kidlets running amok.

20. What is your state of mind like at the moment? My Name is Jonas, Weezer
- It's my alternate personality. Nicole, is this creeping you out yet? What are the odds of us getting two of the same (old) songs showing up!

21. How will you die? Elevator Love Letters, Stars
- I've never liked elevators much anyway

spring is in the...

...hair, Ella's hair to be exact.

I love all things spring except woodticks. I thought I saw one in Ella's hair this afternoon so I pulled it off and then dropped it before getting a good look. I found a piece of similar sized leaf on the floor and assumed that was what it had actually been. I came back to where the kids were all playing a few minutes later and saw a tick on Ezra's head. *shiver* I hope it was the same one, multiple ticks coming inside at once is not a good sign. Those teeny creatures creep me out a lot more than they should, I'm not generally so squeamish. My head it itching all over just thinking about it. Is yours?

Schleppititus

I drove all damn week to one blessed event or another and it made me mental. The stars (or my awful planning skills) aligned against us with a dentist visit, doctor, shots, kids playing with friends, the usual school and extra skating practices. I'm developing a serious case of Schleppititus. A grounded person would take this opportunity to practice meditation or take advantage of exercise to relieve the busy brain. It just kept buzzing this week. I have one child in one extra-curricular class. How and why do people pull off this stuff off day after day?

Jeremy pointed out to me this week that when I get too busy I react by complicating my life. In an effort to gain control over at least one area I go overboard on it. I happened to be reading that local foods book and got so into it that the next time I went to the grocery store I categorically refused to buy anything that had been processed or had travelled a bazillion miles. This, on a week when I was half starving from diet changes and desperately needed downtime. After 20 minutes of walking around the store cursing under my breath I buckled down and made the best choices I could from what was in front of me. It's the taking the step back and gaining perspective that I miss when I start to feel stress. I could just as easily fixate on the perfect shelf configuration to magically solve my clutter issues, rather than umm, sorting and chucking most of it. The less energy I have, the more likely I am to fall into flawed thinking and the "Paradox of Choice". The book is highly recommended by Jeremy, I've only heard and read excerpts.

On the fun side, because it's not nearly all bad, I had a fantastic time at hockey again this week. It's been a lifesaver this winter - I have scheduled exercise, a challenge, and a non-kid related social outing every weekend. I'm dreaming of replacing it with this or, dreaming big, this this spring. Another thing I'm up to that could fall into the category of complicating my life is that I'm back on the playhouse bandwagon. Now that it's nice out I'm fiddling with finishing the inside a little more and am really enjoying it. The goal is to use wood we have lying around or can beg, borrow or steal (thanks Hildebrands, once again!) to build little benches, shelves and a counter. Ezra loves playing up in the loft for short periods of time, especially with a sister or two around. That joy ride will end when he can crawl though and that's not so far off.