Thanks to Dorothy of Of Books and Bicycles, I was tagged for this meme. I’m to write seven personality traits to describe myself, then pick seven other bloggers to do the same. And I get the chance to put this little emblem on my post:
Now, this is risky business. But, all for the sake of pure summer fun, I’m going to plunge in. So, after some thinking through, here are several bold strokes of Arti’s self-portrait:
1. As my blog name and subheading suggest, I thrive on delayed resonance and hindsight. I’ve written a post on this before: I’m a slow blogger. That means I like to mull things over, chew and digest before I write down anything. And I edit myself, over and over again. Good food takes time to prepare, I take that to heart.
2. Hey, but I’m no dawdler. I’m not slow in say, movement. I’m always punctual, or even early for appointments. I’d rather be waiting than being waited for or on. I know… my husband probably would not agree. But then again, who knows me more than me, right?
3. I’m a thinker more than a doer. Don’t be mistaken that I’m being idle if you see me doing nothing. I’m thinking… and that’s hard work. I admit, that may not be very fruitful. If you don’t actually plant, you won’t get the fruit. Like, I think about exercising a lot, rather than doing it. And what do I reap? Some unwanted results… now that’s ironic. What did I do to earn them?
4. But if I have to engage in physical activities, I’d rather be shoveling snow than vacuuming the floor. Love the outdoors. And, I’d rather be walking than running, running than swimming. Love to plant my feet on solid ground. So, that means I’d rather be hiking on a mountain than sailing in the open sea. That’s what decades of living in the foothills of the Rockies do to you.
5. But, as a thinker, I do that best sitting or lying down. The best thoughts I get usually come when I just wake up in the morning. Alpha state, I think. So, that just leads to a shortcoming of mine: I can’t think on my feet that well. That makes me a planner. I have to plan my moves, what to say, how to say it… etc. But I admit there are times that I do blurt out in the most inappropriate moments, but those are times I act out of character. Oops, I’ve got more than one point here… just shows how organized I am.
6. I’m observant, I’ve been told. And I agree. But I like to be called perceptive more. I like to look beyond the surface and research on things, and people. On a personality and career match survey, they might put me in for the job of ‘Profiling with the FBI’. But maybe this is what all those decades of TV and movie watching do to you.
7. You’ve heard of the phrase ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’. Well, I wish I were like that… that will be the ticket to getting things done for you. I’m afraid I’m just the opposite. I’m more like ‘velvet face behind the iron mask’. I may look stubborn on the surface, but I’m too easily swayed in heart. Alas, that’s Arti’s major flaw.
Now, to pass on this great privilege of honing some self-knowledge and sharing with people who are always supportive, here’s my list of the seven recipients of this Personality Meme. This is purely for mid-summer fun, like chatting around a virtual campfire. No obligations, no pressure. I know some of you are tied up around this time, so… feel free to pass, you won’t be asked to sing.
In alphabetical order:
Molly Mavis of Visual Dialogue
Ripple Effects 
I enjoyed reading your personality meme. I can really relate to #4! I like to keep my feet on the ground, too. Cruises have never appealed to me. I will let you know when my brain returns for long enough for me to do the meme. Blessings…
I thought people living by the coast must love the sea… Arti
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I’m a planner too and not so good at thinking on my feet. And if I should blurt, I spend the rest of the time analyzing what I said and wondering whether or not I sounded stupid.
… I can totally empathize. Arti
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Arti, you did such a beautiful job with this, you must have done a lot of thinking. I really enjoyed flowing from one to the next – superb!
Thank you for the tag, and as I mentioned I would like to do this after the wedding – IF I can get my head around this personality of mine. A lot of the time if I’m just sitting, I’m not even thinking.
LOL, that’s a quotable quote, your last sentence … I just can’t wait to read your take on yourself. But of course, after the Big Day.
Arti
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Arti ~
This is one that appeals, for a couple of reasons. And the timing may be good, for a couple of reasons. Those gears you hear grinding would be my brain….
I chuckled so at Ruth’s last line. I wonder if she knows the saying that was so common in our family ~ “sometimes I just sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits”.
Understandable that you choose mountains over the sea – when I posed the choice on my “about me” page, I chose mountains, too, and many people couldn’t understand it. I don’t understand it myself, except to say that the sea is the journey, but the mountains are home.
Yes, I remember your ‘About Me’ page. And I’m glad this meme started off some grinding. “… the sea is the journey, but the mountains are home”, I’d love to read more.
Arti
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Thanks for doing this! I like reading people’s answers. We have a lot in common, it seems — I’m also a punctual person who likes to think and plan and observe and who likes to be outdoors. I’m not necessarily a slow blogger, but I do like to mull things over a lot.
Dorothy,
I admit I was a bit hesitant at first, but as I started thinking and writing, I was actually enjoying myself. Thanks for giving me the chance to do it!
Arti
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Oh, boy, self-analysis. I am terrible at self-analysis. And you have done such a beautiful job with this, as Ruth pointed out, and you’ve also tagged some of my best bloggy buddies, so I guess (gulp) I’m in…the cogs will no doubt churn slowly, but they will churn. Thank you–I think.
Oh, and I like mountains, too, though it’s nice to watch the sea…
ds,
Once you’ve got it going, I’m sure you’d enjoy the ride! I look forward to reading your post… take your time and have fun!
Arti
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Thank you for sharing so much about yourself with us; I’m honored that you put me on your list. Now you got me thinking….who am I really?
My brain is not functioning well lately, blame it on the heat wave! (I’ve been taking 3 cold showers a day). Once the weather cools off a bit…I’ll work on it. Sounds like a great idea to reflect and get to know myself better. Thanks.
Molly Mavis
It must be sizzling in HK now. Take your time, this is meant to be enjoyable you know, like licking a popsicle in the shade from the scorching sun. I can’t imagine taking 3 cold showers a day… but, I hate to rub it in: I just love Alberta’s summer.
Arti
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Dear Arti – this is a wonderful entry!
geez, you really shared stuff (including a sense of humor) so you get the highest marks ever for being a thinker and for mulling things over before doing them.
I am rather speechless, don’t have a clue what to say following yours. But will give it a try tomorrow evening after a rather grueling day of interviews and document production.
Hope you’re having a lovely “hike-able” summer. IT’s so darn hot here, it forces one to swim even when one would rather maybe just be reading…?
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Hi, Arti,
Believe it or not, I’ve got my post up! There’s a link at the bottom of it for a Team Muse award for you and PenguinLover (who lives in Vancouver) so be sure and check out that page.
If you want to use the tee-shirt image for any reason, feel free.
This turned out to be a lot of fun. Thanks for including me!
Linda,
That’s one great post you’ve got up there at The Task At Hand. And what connections you’ve made. It’s delightful to read, as with all your 98 posts… but this one has that cute pic of the canine writer with the laptop. I’m all excited about the 100th coming up! And hey, thanks for the huge honor of the Team Muse Virtual T-shirt!
Arti
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Hello again Arti! I’ve posted my somewhat kind of about my personality meme here…
http://happywonderer.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/personality-meme-ive-been-tagged/
Hi Ellen, thanks for doing this… I’ve appreciated your sharing of your convictions. Also, generosity in serving people extravagantly reminds me of Babette’s Feast!
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Arti,
Your reveal was so much gentler and more introspective than my own youtuber debut. Wonderfully done and rigorously thoughtful.
eÆsthete,
I must acknowledge the source of my courage: your YouTube clip. Thanks for the inspiration.
Arti
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