Who, me, ellipsis?

[fajrdrako]

From tudorpot I got, "The Which Punctuation Mark Are You Test". I hoped to be a semi-colon, maybe an exclamation point - a question mark would be fine, too. But nooo, I got a piece of punctuation that is to my mind questionable at best, beloved of teeny-boppers and the undecided. The ellipsis.

It isn't even elegant.

And if I'm 82% sophisticated, why should I be insecure?

Your Score: ellipsis

You scored 46% Sociability and 82% Sophistication!

Your life can be difficult because of your insecurities, but you should know that it isn't your fault. YOU didn't ask to be thrown in around thirty times per page in every bodice-ripper on the shelf! Those who overuse you can kiss your . . . you know. You need to learn to hold your head high and glory in your solitude. You really do have excellent, scholarly tastes. You must never forget that your friend, the period, will be there to support you at the end of every sentence where you truly belong, and, if what is left out is as important as what is said, why, then you are as vital as the alphabet!

Link: The Which Punctuation Mark Are You Test written by Gazda on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Comments

[sparkly-oats.livejournal.com]

ellipsis is mysterious though =) that has to count for something, man I love these little tests you have. Apparently I'm the quotation marks:

You scored 53% Sociability and 64% Sophistication!

There is a lot more to you than meets the eye. You certainly get plenty of "action," but you'd be happier if those who lusted after you were more selective. You hate being used as a general intensifier; haven't these people ever heard of underlining? Italics? And yes, you remember the cruel words Mr. Joyce directed at you. But you let none of this get you down; those who abuse you are destined for a "special" reward, sooner or later. You feel particularly warm toward periods, commas, exclamation points, and question marks, and usually wish to have them next to you. Parenthesis can sometimes trouble you.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Being mysterious is good.

What did Mr. Joyce - James, I assume - say about quotation marks?

That "special" reward sounds exceptionally snide. I think whoever wrote this has an interesting sense of humour.

[sparkly-oats.livejournal.com]

James probably thought quotation marks were useless, but then again Mr Joyce has issues with punctuation as a whole. This explains my trouble getting through Ulysses or that damn Portrait one. *sigh* this coming from an English major =)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, I see no reason why any given English major should tolerate all the idiosyncrasies and strangenesses of all English-speaking writers!

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

well, nothing wrong with having your ... kissed by the right person.

I ended up being "

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Boots. I only ask that people kiss my boots. Or my hand, if I like them. ;-D

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

ah, but you are not fajdrako, I've always got the impression that your and her tastes are different in this. (Though I have no detailed knowledge of her personal tastes - I guess she might well like her boots kissed as well)

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Well, I did get a slightly higher score for "sophistication". ;-D

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

yes, only 6% away from perfect sophistication, you must be frightening :)

In fact, I find 82% (like fajdrako and me (or is it and I?)) scored rather high. And I am apparently more sociable as well (compared to the two of you). A dizzying business all together, how much self knowledge we gain on livejournal!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

yes, only 6% away from perfect sophistication, you must be frightening

I am. ;-D

I've beenintimidating people for years. Apparently even one of my primary school teachers told my parents one open-night that she felt intellectually intimidated by me. I was about 6 or 7 at the time.

I can chat happily about everything from 12C troubadour poetry, the politics of Outremer, 18C military history, 19C left-wing politics, existentialism, Russian art, the 1890s, the relationship between history and the arts (fiction, painting, film), opera, & c & c.

But I will switch off and look completely bored at what passes for small talk, especially if it involves children or so-called 'celebrities'.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

I guess actually, if we interpret the outcome that way (high sophistication is ease with wide range of intellectual topics (with a preference for the Geisteswissenschaften perhaps?)) while sociability covers the area of small talk than it is most likely accurate that I score a tad less sophisticated and significantly more sociable. I used to very low on that point but somehow I feel I am growing into it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'd guess we all rate fairly high on the 'sophistication' metre compared to the average people I see - and probably on the socially comfortable scale as well. This is not to say my friends are perfect, but that we are all fairly intelligent, educated, thinking and social people.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm not good at small talk either. Especially if sports are involved. Weather is all right - I can handle talk about the weather.

I can talk about all the things you mention except Russian Art, though I did see that exhibition of art from the collection of Catherine the Great - not art by Russians, but art that normally resides in Russia. Does that count?

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Sort of, though I'm not really interested in the Western art that just happened to be collected in Russia.

Other pet subjects: Pre-Raphaelitism, poetry of all kinds, Early Music, folk music, François Villon, various aspects of Scottish history and literature, Thomas Hardy, flamenco, Jung, the German Resistance, old films…

Sport is a total turn-off. I just don't get the appeal of it at all.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Pre-Raphaelits, absolutely. Poetry, yes, but I wouldn't say 'all kinds'. I'm rather picky about poetry. And (as we've discussed) I haven't read Hardy - yet. I'm ignorant about flamenco and the German Resistance and old films (you're helping me there!). Sports - well, I can work up a bit of interest in horseracing, fencing, and European football, but that's about it. And I usually don't pay attention.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm still just trying to figure out how you can measure sophistication by percentages.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, sophistication is the key!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever had my boots kissed. I do like having my hand kissed, but it doesn't happen often. It's best when it's done by people with style.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do like that kissing business.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Your Score: ellipsis

You scored 38% Sociability and 94% Sophistication!

Your life can be difficult because of your insecurities, but you should know that it isn't your fault. YOU didn't ask to be thrown in around thirty times per page in every bodice-ripper on the shelf! Those who overuse you can kiss your . . . you know. You need to learn to hold your head high and glory in your solitude. You really do have excellent, scholarly tastes. You must never forget that your friend, the period, will be there to support you at the end of every sentence where you truly belong, and, if what is left out is as important as what is said, why, then you are as vital as the alphabet!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm picture the absurd notion of you being thrown around in a bodice-ripper. I don't think so. bad enough that they throw around Templars with such wanton abandon!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Knowing me, I would have invaded it and be setting things to rights, like Flora in Cold Comfort Farm.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, setting things to rights is much more your style!