On rare occasions, it’s good to drop the third person and embrace a more “getting to know you” approach.

While I won’t divulge my actual name, I am Siemelle, and that name derives from my initials, which are CML. You can try to guess my name or make something up. Go ahead, it’ll be fun. Honestly? I’ll probably answer to whatever you decide on! I just realized I probably already told you I’d be going by Siemelle on my first post here. I also sign each post at the end with that moniker. Moniker? Is that the word I’m looking for? Alias? Pen name? Pseudonym? GHOST NAME! Yes, that’s the winner right there. Siemelle is my ghost name. Don’t question it.

I decided to take it easy today with my post. I scoured the internet (and when I say “scoured,” I mean I searched Google and clicked on the first result) for a fun “This or That” I could fill out and share. This is very mid-2000s of me, I know. If I were on MySpace, LiveJournal, or Xanga right now, it would be top-notch nostalgia.

These questions can be found here. I chose to generate twenty of them randomly.

On with the show!

Happy endings or sad endings?

I am a sad-ending type of person through and through. I want a movie, tv show, book, or song to break me. I think depression has a lot to do with that preference. There is also something very, very cathartic about crying for me.

Sweeping or vacuuming?

Vacuuming is easier. Vacuums are so damn expensive, though. Have they always been that expensive?

Company retreat or company holiday party?

Holiday party. I consider those I work with strangers even though I may see them five days a week. These are people I can’t fully be myself around. Keeping up “work me” for an extended period sounds exhausting. So, yeah, a holiday party it is!

Calling or texting?

Texting. And don’t you dare call me in response to a text unless you think my existence is in danger!

Concert or sports game?

Honestly, neither. I’m not a fan of large groups of people. If I had to choose, I would go to a concert. I’m more of a music fan than I am a sports fan. That is to say, I haven’t ever, nor will I willingly, sit and watch any sport. No hate. Just not for me!

Snack stash or stationary stash?

I don’t understand this question. I will assume it means I have to choose between a stash of M&M’s or a stash of pens and paper. In which case, it’s a far more difficult question than you may think when you’re me! You see, I love chocolate-variety snacks. However, I also have an unhealthy obsession with pens. I will buy pens just to buy pens. Glitter pens. Gel pens. Pens that look like they will be perfect for my hand. Ah, the pens! But I choose snacks.

Save 100 strangers or one loved one?

I decline to answer. Either way, it’s a lose-lose choice.

Expensive gift or homemade gift?

I will cheat here and go with a cheap, used gift—preferably a book.

Loud or quiet?

Loud is overwhelming. Quiet all the way.

USB backup or Cloud storage?

Do you mean I can’t save it to a folder on my desktop?

Drive to school or take the bus?

When I was in school, my mom dropped me off on her way to work, and I took the bus home. Look for a story on that later!

Phone in bathroom or no phone in bathroom?

Of course, I’m bringing my phone in. How can I watch TikTok on the toilet if I don’t have my phone?

Laundry or dishes?

I hate doing dishes. I would rather do laundry, scrub the toilets, mop the floor—anything but dishes.

Rekindled friendship or rekindled romance?

Rekindle a friendship!

Pineapple pizza or candy corn?

I hate the texture of candy corn. I have always believed that pineapple belongs on pizza. Fight me!

Patterned or plain?

Plain. Can I get some glitter somewhere, though?

Subtly stained clothes or obviously wrinkled clothes?

Hell, I wear wrinkled clothes all the time. Stains bother me, though. Stains are grounds for a change of clothes. I can handle wrinkles and make them work for me.

Sharks or dolphins?

Am I choosing the one I like better or one to fight? I like sharks better and am secretly hoping the Megaladon still exists. If I’m going to fight one, I guess dolphin. I’m going to lose either way.

Puppies or kittens?

In general, both. Which one would be my fur child? Kittens.

Owe money or owe a favor?

Money. There are only a few people I would help “hide the body.”

Just Breathe

Siemelle