IQ and Personality Tests

How Well Do You Know Yourself?

I have never run across an IQ (intelligence quotient) or personality test I couldn't resist taking. I am not sure how much merit I stock in the results, but most are fun to take.  I, like many, indulge out of curiosity and entertainment.  The same cannot be said for academia, many employers, and of course psychologists.  These groups and organizations have come to rely on IQ and personality tests to measure the intelligence and primary personality traits of an individual.  At times, IQ tests, and personality tests, such as the Big Five, are used to help determine if a person is suitable for placement at a college or university; or if a candidate is a viable consideration for a singular company or job.  And let us not forget the psychologists, who, after developing these models, are always eager to then use the tests to delve into our psyches.

Earlier I mentioned the Big Five. This personality test was originally created by Ernest Tupes and Raymond Christal in 1961 but the model was "tweaked" and redefined by four other groups of researchers over the years. The Big Five personality test used today is credited to Lewis R. Goldberg, Paul T. Costa Jr. and Robert R. McCrae (1992).

Psychologist assert the test measures the five fundamental dimensions of a person’s personality. They are called OCEAN or CANOE, for short. The acronyms stands for Openness to experience and intellect, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism.  For a more indepth explanation of the Big Five personality traits click here.

Recently, I took the Big Five Personality Test.  Below I have provided my OCEAN or CANOE scores:

Openness to Experience/Intellect

High scorers tend to be original, creative, curious, complex; Low scorers tend to be conventional, down to earth, narrow interests, uncreative.  You are relatively open to new experiences. (Your percentile: 80)

Conscientiousness

High scorers tend to be reliable, well-organized, self-disciplined, careful; Low scorers tend to be disorganized, undependable, negligent.  You are very well-organized, and can be relied upon. (Your percentile: 92)

Extraversion

High scorers tend to be sociable, friendly, fun-loving, talkative; Low scorers tend to be introverted, reserved, inhibited, quiet.  You are relatively social and enjoy the company of others. (Your percentile: 64)

Agreeableness

High scorers tend to be good-natured, sympathetic, forgiving, courteous; Low scorers tend to be critical, rude, harsh, callous.  You tend to consider the feelings of others. (Your percentile: 93)

Neuroticism

High scorers tend to be nervous, high-strung, insecure, worrying; Low scorers tend to be calm, relaxed, secure, hardy.  You probably remain calm, even in tense situations. (Your percentile: 2)

Now that we have tossed around a few items in my closet, let's look into yours.  Test yourself to see your scores!  The Big Five Personality Test

Other IQ and Personality test.

Two other well known, and frequently used, personality tests are the Myers Briggs developed by Isabel Myers Briggs and her mother, Katharine Cook Briggs, (Click this link for more details about the Myers Briggs personality types) and Jung Personality Test developed by Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Carl Gustav Jung.

IQ Test - Take this fast IQ test to get a taste of what a real IQ test is like.

In the results of this free IQ test you will see how many questions you answered correctly, and for each question the right answer and an explanation. This IQ test has practically all components that are standard in most IQ tests. It includes questions related to spatial intelligence, logical reasoning, verbal intelligence and math.

Other Tests offered at 123.com:

Classical Intelligence Test

Culture Fair Intelligence Text

Personality Test

DISC (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance) Personality Test

Tired of clicking on dots and check boxes?  With interactive tests created by psychologist professor Richard Weisman founder of Quirkology, your test on youtube.com are visual and interactive videos.

How predicable are you?

Take the YouTube Interactive Personality Test

If you like taking tests for fun here are a few links to some other tests you might enjoy.

The Do-Re-Mi’s of Personality

Find out what your taste in music says about your personality with this free on-line personality psychology test.

The Morality Test

Assesses your moral attitudes, particularly as they relate to your religious and cultural background. By moral we mean those aspects of thought and behavior that relate to commonly accepted notions of right and wrong, and to selfish and unselfish.

BLIRT Test

This test measures a personality characteristic that determines who you relate to most effectively. Who is right for you? How does the way you deal with your emotions influence your relationship satisfaction? This psychology test will give you information about yourself and act as a guide to you. 

Twins! Introduction

This site lets any two people, regardless if you’re actually twins, compare your personality and behaviors on a number of criteria.

An Angel Flew Home

JoGeo Keah 1974 - 2015

I Only Met JoGeo Keah Once

It's that way with some people.  They don't have to say or do a lot, yet they leave an impression which lasts a life time.  I have been fortunate enough to meet three such people while traversing the winding, challenging and sometimes tragic highways of my life.  The only way I can describe them is special.  Yes, I know we are all special; but there is no denying the rare people placed sporadically about this big blue marble who seem to have a extra ingredient or two.  That extra "special recipe" which surrounds them with the gift of warmth, serenity and love.

I'm probably not doing a very good job of explaining this phenomena.  I'm a writer, not a philosopher, indulge me while I try again.  Have you ever met a person and you don't know why you feel really good when you are around them?  They promote feelings in you that say, "everything is going to be okay", even when they haven't uttered a word.  Their mere presence wraps you in an invisible blanket of peace and comfort.  Their lives, though far from perfect, encourage those around them to do better, give more of yourself, blaze your own path and love with all you have.  Think of a super positive, no side-effects, walking, talking version of vicodin, or oxycontin.  Are you getting this yet?  

JoGeo Keah

JoGeo Keah was such a person.  I met him once at a birthday party.  Our interaction probably lasted no more than an hour, but it wasn't difficult to see JoGeo was a guy blessed with the "special recipe".  After that night, our roads never intersected again, but I never forgot him.  JoGeo's brilliant glow may not be lucent where we can bask in it anymore; but I believe a light, which burned so pure and so bright, can never be extinguished.  

JoGeo, though you have flown away, you will forever be nestled within our hearts.  You are greatly missed.  Many tears are still shed at the empty space you now leave.  We understand...or try to.  It was time for you, an earth-bound angel to return home.  You go with much love from those left in the shadow of your wings.

What To Do In The Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Event Calendars In The Dallas-Fort Worth Area

The holiday season and the summer months seem to be when most people search for activities to do or to indulge themselves in a hobby whether old or new. No matter your interest, where you choose to live should have something to offer you.  Don't know where to start or not sure what you like?  For starters, you can read the entertainment, arts or sports sections of your local newspaper to find out what is going on in your community.  Whether you are a sports enthusiast, art lover, dedicated gardener, bicyclist or everything and anything in between, the area the surrounds you ought to be able to indulge your passion(s) in some way. Still can't find anything that interests you?

Check out your town or city online.  You could visit or contact the chamber of commerce, look up your address on an online map and type in an interest to see what is offered around you.  Or, if you're like me, and not that industrious, you can always take the easy road and use Yelp.com for answers.

The links below are event calendars for the various counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas Metroplex area.

Dallas Events Calendar
Dallas Events Calendar 2
Colin County Events Calendar
Delta County Events Calendar
Denton County Events Calendar
Ellis County Events Calendar
Hunt County Events Calendar
Johnson County Events Calendar
Kaufman County Events Calendar
Parker County Events Calendar
Rockwall County Events Calendar
Tarrant County Events Calendar
Wise County Events Calendar

The Bachelor, Part One

To know him isn't everything

Several of us may be ashamed to acknowledge such a creature, even if he is your brother, uncle, neighbor, or boyfriend.  Heck, I’ll even jump out on a limb and throw in a couple of husbands and fathers.  For this post, and to keep it clean…which is more than a few deserve…we will call this breed of man the bachelor. No one is perfect, but the bachelor is a man so far from perfect a scale has not been invented yet that can measure his shortcomings.

This form of bachelor, the bachelor, is not to be confused with the quintessential bachelor.  What is the quintessential bachelor, you ask?  According to the NWTW Encyclopedia (me), the quintessential bachelor is the man, which through stupidity or tenacity (depending on your point of few) has managed to elude the ever-tightening noose of a permanent/long term commitment or marriage.

What separates the quintessential bachelor from the bachelor?  I have a list.  Do you have a month or three to read it?  If not, I’ll throw out a few quickies here.  I'll skim the surface with greediness, laziness, uncaring, unfeeling, cunning, lying, selfishness, all wrapped up in a big ball of disregard.  While the quintessential bachelor will touch upon these traits, certain characteristics more than others, the bachelor happily immerses himself in these off-putting characteristics.  The amusing and yet confusing factor about the bachelor is that despite all of his negative qualities, he still manages to be charming, loved by many, and in a lot of cases, prosperous.

Am I coming across as a bitter sexist?  Probably.  Am I?  No.  In fact, you’ll more than likely wind up shaking your head or laughing out loud at some of my friend's and my sightings or interactions with some of the bachelors.  And don’t worry; there will be a post…actually closer to a book…to describe the bachelorette.  If you know one of those, you might want to invest in good health coverage, life insurance, and an ironclad will.

So let’s start with a person, near and dear to my heart.  A very close relative we will call Ducky in this post.  I recently moved half way across the country.  Ducky only lives several hours from my new home.  I stopped there for a week to hang out and catch up on family news.  I am embarrassed to admit, the names have been changed, but this is a true story.

My first night at Ducky’s house

Ducky:  “I hope you have a towel in your bags.”

Me:  “I do.  Why?”

Ducky:  “'Cause I only have two and one of them is wrapped around the ironing board.”  

Me:  It takes me a while to digest this bit of information.  “Wait, didn't I just meet your girlfriend?  Becky or something like that?  What does she use when she stays overnight?”

Ducky:  “We either share the one towel or she sits out on the deck and air dries.”  

Me:  I could feel a headache rolling in at the absurdity of it all.  Ick factor not included...yet.  “Why doesn’t she bring towels with her or why don’t you buy more towels?”  An easy solution, right?

Ducky:  “What for?  One is good enough for me.  Plus, Becca is not allowed to bring anything over except the clothes she has on and a good bottle of wine or vodka.  Keeps her from getting ideas about us.”  Incredible!

Me:  “And she’s okay with this arrangement?”

Ducky:  “She just made us dinner, tonight.  What do you think?”  I think I’ll be eating take-out for the duration of my visit.  With a boyfriend like Ducky, I can see a whole lot of foreign objects making their way into his food.

Me:  Okay…so when your one towel is dirty, then what do you do?”  What can I say?  I’m a glutton for punishment.

Ducky:  “I take the towel off the ironing board and use it until the laundry is done.”  

Me:  Dare I ask?  “And the ironing board?”

Ducky:  “I use a sheet on the ironing board.”

Me:  “Why can’t you leave the sheet on the board and use two towels?”

Ducky:  “I only have one set of sheets.”  Goodness gravy!  I can’t believe we belong to the same family, much less the same species.  

A couple days later, still at Ducky's house

I stroll into the kitchen while Ducky is feeding his pet cat, Patches.  He is filling a bowl with dry cat food when few pieces spill out onto the table.  Instead of putting the stray pieces of cat food back into the bowl, Ducky tosses them into his mouth.

Me:  “Dude!  Did you just eat cat food?”

Ducky:  “Yep.  You might want to start eating some too.  The days are drawing near when cat food will be all you can afford.

Me:  I have a cat too, remember.  Their food isn’t exactly cheap.

Ducky:  “I can see I need to school you on the Ducky University of Logic.”  He lifts the bowl of cat food and waves it under my nose.  My throat closes up as the fishy-meaty smell attacks my nostrils.  I push the bowl away.  “This one bowl has all the vitamins and nutrients Patches needs to be a healthy and thriving animal.  She only requires a cup’s worth three times a day.”

Me:  “Yes, Patches…a cat.  Not a human.”

Ducky:  “Please!  Do you think everyone you meet in the pet aisle at the supermarket is buying dog and cat chow for a pet?  You’d be surprised how many tuna casseroles start with a can of Friskies or beef stew with a can of Gravy Train.”  

Me:  Now I’m truly glad I decided to eat anywhere but at Ducky’s house.  “Uhm…Ducky, do you ever do that?  You make a very good salary.  It’s sad, but I can understand someone who resorts to eating pet food because they don’t have money…”

Ducky:  “Here's lesson number one:  I travel all over the world.  I have a beautiful home, nice car, and a healthy bank account.  Know how?  'Cause I’m smart.  I leave that six dollar package of beef in the meat section of the grocery store and pick up a ninety cents can of beef in the pet aisle.  Never ignore a good bargain.”

Hmm, that’s enough of Ducky right now.  We have just grazed a few issues that make Ducky one of the bachelors.  We'll get back to him later.

My stomach is starting to roil as I speculate on what exactly I ate the first couple of nights at Ducky’s house.  Needless to say, I left quick and in a hurry.  Ducky occasionally calls to see when I will visit again now that I live relatively close.  I tell him soon.  The honest answer is never.  He has to come visit me.  I have a plethora of towels, sheets and food fit for human consumption.

Do you know a man who exemplifies the bachelor?  Do tell!  I’m sure we’d all love to read about him.

Stay tuned for part two of The Bachelor.

Me In One Word - FANTABULOUS!

Don't Be Jealous

Yes, I'm cute, pretty, gorgeous, beautiful. I hear that, and more, so often my ears twitch. What is a girl to do when she comes by it naturally? Flaunt it.

When I walk into a room, heads turn.  When I speak, conversations stop.  I may not have a job but I still manage to bring home the bacon.  I can't help it if no one else in the house can eat it.

Yeah, I've got one of those.  A roommate that is a pain in my wagging tail.  Can I help it if she invites a guy over and he spends the time feeding me treats and whispering sweet nothings?  

To be honest, I think I'm doing my roommate a favor.  Most of the men she brings home are out of her league.  Even if the world were not blessed with my lovely presence, she couldn't snag a boyfriend.  Talk about hopeless!

SO STOP HATING ON A KITTY, ROOMIE!

And about that job, I don't need to know how to cook, clean or find employment.  That's why I have you.  Quit moaning and groaning and find a job that pays better. We could both use a few new things. Me, a new condo.  You, a personality  Me, the cutest collar at popsugar.com.  You, a head to toe make over.  Oh wait...better get two jobs that pay well.

I could lay a few more home-truths on you but it's past my nap time.  Wake me when dinner is ready. 

Toodles!

Meet Kitty's roommate.

My Roommate Has Got To Go!

What am I to do?

I can’t bring a man home. No sooner do I, than she comes switching her big tail down the hall. All eyes immediately follow her. I might as well be plaster on the wall. Her blue eyes stare directly into my guest’s eyes as she brushes past. Game over, he’s in the bag. Is she aware of her allure, her power? You better believe it! Her eyes flash at me in satisfaction as she parks herself in what should have been my man’s lap.

My no cooking, no cleaning, man stealing roommate has got to go!

My days are long. Clients and a demanding boss crowd the hours from sunup to sundown. I arrive home to find her spread out on the couch. Lounging like a queen at court. Does she ask me about my day? No. She demands dinner right away. Uncaring if I’m sick or tired.

My no cooking, no cleaning, man stealing roommate has got to go!

She had nowhere to go, no one to love so I opened my home to her. Now she seems to be under the impression I am her slave. How about contributing toward the rent sweetie? Since you think you’re so “fly”, let’s see if you can get your big tail on camera.

My no cooking, no cleaning, man stealing roommate has got to go!

Don’t get me wrong, she has some good qualities and right now I’m trying to remember what they are. I love her or she wouldn’t be here. I should have my head examined, I know, but she’s my best friend.

My no cooking, no cleaning, man stealing roommate has got to go!

She doesn’t have a resume but maybe you could find it in your heart to give her a job anyway? I’ve posted her picture.

Oh man! I can feel it! 

My no cooking, no cleaning, man stealing roommate just stole your heart too!

     

Related articles:

Behavior We Accept from Our Pets (That We’d Never Let a Roommate Get Away With)

(apartmenttherapy.com/authors/adrienne)
Old Roommates (spreadinformation.wordpress.com)

Ask Me - Question 1 (staceyarcher.wordpress.com)
Roommates, chores and groceries galore! (brandylovestomatoes.com)
Dropbox Etiquette - Stu Maschwitz (stoweboyd.com)
The Wet Jet (kellieckdahl.wordpress.com)

Eviction From My Heart

This Is Your Notice To Vacate

The room I treasured most was yours.  

Warm and comfortable, you wanted for nothing.

To have your love, was enough to pay the rent.

Lately, your kisses are few and words of love fewer.

You’re a squatter, taking up space where you no longer belong.

You have broken your lease.

It’s time for you to go.

I’m giving you notice.

Make sure to clean up.

Be gone by the next beat.

You’ve been evicted from my heart.