Creativity

What is the most significant or large creative work — for example a book, a symphony, a song, a film — you've ever finished? What's the most significant or large creative work that you didn't finish?

This week's theme is creativity.

Tell us a story: and the band played on

What's the most memorable concert or show you ever attended?

May I help you?

In your wildest fantasies, if you could own any kind of a store, what kind of a store would it be?

My first lesson in ethics

What was an experience at an early age that helped you formulate your understanding of ethics?

This week's theme is ethics.

A whopper

When is the last time you told a significant lie — something more meaty than, for example, "Yes, your new haircut looks great!"? What were the consequences (or benefits)?

This week's theme is ethics.

Five-fingered discount

Have you ever stolen anything? If so, was it something you needed, or something you wanted?

This week's theme is ethics.

Thicker than thieves

Have you ever seen (or heard about) a friend crossing a serious ethical line? Were you asked to keep the transgression to yourself, and if so, did you? Or did you rat out your friend to the appropriate authority?

This week's theme is ethics.

Ethics

How firmly defined are your personal ethics? Do you have specific lines that you won't cross? Have you ever had to assert those boundaries in the face of a challenge?

This week's theme is ethics.

Tell us a story: Come as you aren't

What was one time when you had to wear something that was completely out of character for you, something at odds with your normal style?

Those kids know everything

What is one thing that you learned from someone much younger than you?

Did you have to swallow your pride to accept the lesson, or are you happy to gain knowledge from any source?

Around the dinner table

When you were growing up, were meals the center of family life?

This week's theme is food.

Home cooking

Is there a food that you eat proudly, or with fond nostalgia, because it reminds you of your hometown, or your family or cultural traditions?

This week's theme is food.

Comfort on a plate

When you've had a really bad day, or are unhappy or sad or mad, what foods do you look to for comfort?

This week's theme is food.

A meal to remember

When it's time for a special occasion meal, what kind of cuisine do you usually choose?

This week's theme is food.

Food

Are there any foods that you flat-out will not eat? Why don't you eat them? Is it because of allergies, religious restrictions, medical issues, or just because you don't like them? How has your life been affected by these "do not eat" foods?

This week's theme is food.

Tell us a story: romance gone wrong

What's the most colorful story you have about a date, or a romantic evening, that turned out badly?

Three more minutes

What is one simple thing you would be able to do if you had three extra minutes per day?

The cover of your life

If you were going to publish your life story as a memoir, what would be a good title for the book?

This week's theme is your life story.

Off camera

To reduce your life to a story — even if it's a lengthy book — you'd have to simplify things and leave out most of the details. What period of your life might you skip over quickly when telling your life story? What years were like a detour, outside the main narrative of your life?

This week's theme is your life story.

Your nemesis

In most stories, the hero struggles against someone (for example, a villain or rival) or something (for example, a handicap, an addiction, or a shameful secret). The hero's struggle provides shape and drama to the story. Who is the villain in your life story? Or what lifelong struggle provides the drama in your story?

This week's theme is your life story.

Turning points

Thinking over the entire narrative of your life, what are the one or two biggest turning points that sent your story onto a different path?

This week's theme is your life story.

Your life story

If you were going to tell the story of your life, which of these three themes would be closest to the center of the story: the events you experienced and witnessed; the people you knew; or the goals you pursued and achieved?

This week's theme is your life story.

Tell us a story: team spirit

Not counting your family, friends and employer, are you fiercely loyal to anyone or anything (for example, a sports team, a tv show, or a musician)? What's the craziest thing your loyalty inspired you to do?

@

How many different e-mail addresses do you use to receive e-mail?

Do you have separate e-mail addresses for work, home, online shopping, and that book club you belong to? Or do you use the same inbox for everything?

Going postal

What kind of stress does your work cause for you? Are you stressed out by the things you have to do there, or by the people you work with? Or unexpected crises that cause extra work? Is your work stress the kind of stress you can leave at the office, or do you bring it home with you?

This week's theme is stressful situations.

Dude, where's the rest of the band?

What was one occasion when something you counted on suddenly wasn't there? What happened? Were you able to improvise and get through it, or did your plans fall apart in the face of the unexpected challenge?

This week's theme is stressful situations.

It's all up to you now

In today's Groundhog Day ritual, the groundhog is prompted to emerge from its hole, supposedly to determine the fate of the weather for everyone in the region. When do you feel as though you have too much riding on your shoulders, when for something this important you really should have more preparation, training and backup?

This week's theme is stressful situations.

Whoever invented this...

Technology is meant to make our lives easier, but it also introduces new kinds of stress. Which piece of equipment or machinery causes the most unpredictable trouble in your life?

This week's theme is stressful situations.