I first responded to this October 8th, 1998 (September 1998 edition) with my initial delurking post. This then spawned a horrid pun war based on my name, but made me feel very welcome indeed.

If you're paying attention, you'll see this is the super elite version of the questionnaire.

Q: When you are not dreaming, where the hell are you?
A: Somewhere grey, dull and lifeless. Oh, did you mean physically? Melbourne, Australia.

Q: Have you ever seen Neil? Not wearing black? Not wearing shades?
A: Yes, yes and yes. (OK, it was a photo but he was wearing a sky-blue t-shirt!) And now that I've met him, I know why Jessica sings, "I'm a believer."

Q: In twenty words or less, explain why Neil is the chosen one (or why he isn't).
A: His idea of Death gave me an overwhelming sense of peace. I know, it's fiction, but wouldn't it be nice?

Q: What's a word that means red and green at the same time?
A: One of my favourite games is to take a paint colour chart and read out the names to see if people can guess the colour from the name. So, what colour is 'Viking Dawn' and would you paint your walls with it? Now, if you had asked me what colour '5' is...

Q: What's your favorite ice cream (or jello) flavour?
A: Tough question. Depends on the circumstances. On a hot summer's day, there is nothing better than a lemon gelato. Or maybe Charmaine's lemon cheesecake ice-cream. But in winter, the winner is Cafe Grande. Mmm. Coffee ice-cream with a Cointreau swirl studded with whole, chocolate-covered almonds. I've gone all squishy just thinking about it! As for jello--mango made with vodka instead of water, every time.

Q: Other than Neil stuff, what floats your boat?
A: Belly dancing, art, new music, meeting other thingies, movies, Tim Tams (email me if you are curious or suffering withdrawal symptoms), Buffy, X-Files, quiet Sunday mornings in bed sharing the paper, umm, so much stuff I can't list it here.

Q: In what kind of music do you currently delight?
A: I'll start with Frente/Splendid, Tea Party, Vast, Cure and then change my mind completely.

Q: Which of Neil's works (or which part) has moved you most, and why?
A: The scene in The Wake where Death stands on the bridge and he describes her speech. It broke my heart that he never actually included it, even though he wrote it. makes me cry every time I read it.

Q: What do you like to be called?
A: It depends on who you are. Lady is good, Tree is better. Only Ivory gets to call me "li'l wooden gurl". And I call everyone 'sweetie'.

Q: Age (very, very optional)
A: 25 sounds nice. It's a lie, but I like 25.

Q: Where did you first encounter Neil's work?
A: I kept running into references to his work and finally thought, "Dammit, I have to read this guy!" Turned out I already owned 'Good Omens' and several short stories of his in anthologies I had bought.

Q: Things you like to do for money?
A: Graphic design, web design, writing. And I'll dance even if you don't pay me (and if you must, etiquette dictates that you tuck it in my bra strap, NOT my belt ;>).

Q: Describe your favourite pair of shoes
A: I'm a barefoot girl most days (I'm barefoot in the office as I write this), but I'm a girl, so of course I have fave shoes. They look great but are as uncomfortable as hell. They are black-Chinese-silk-embroidered-with-gold-dragons shoes with 5 inch heels. They are GORGEOUS!

Q: Would you describe your personality as:
     a. the hammer
     b. the anvil
     c. I'm so shy and unnoticeable so as not to have any distinguishing personality
     d. I don't want to answer any of your poxy questions, you foul-smelling git!
A: Depends on the day and the mood I'm in. Most days, I'm the fire that tempers things.

Q: What kind of computer are you on?
A: A beige one?

Q: Favourite Sandman artist?
A: It's a toss-up between Bachalo and Hempel.

Q: Favourite non-Sandman Neil story?
A: Am I only allowed to pick one? MissFinchChivalrySnowGlassApplesMurderMysteries. Yeah, that one.

Q: If you're so funny/clever/good looking, why are you on Usenet tonight?
A: Because I'd rather do this than work.

Q: Current relationship status? (yep, we're *that* nosy)
A: Not available.

Q: If you could change one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?
A: Teach people not to fear difference.

Q: Favourite movie(s)?
A: Princess Bride. anything by Tim Burton or Kevin Smith. There's loads more, but I can't think of them all right now.

Q: Favourite book (non-Neil)?
A: Anything by Clive Barker, Michael Marshall Smith, Nicholson Baker, Edward Gorey (rip), Jonathan Carrol and Poppy Z Brite.

Q: Sex?
A: Female. And yes, please.

Q: Do you want fries with that?
A: Only if they are really crispy. I like the little crunchy bits at the bottom. Mmmm, crunchy...

Q: Are you wearing black?
A: Always. Only sometimes, you can't see it. But I know it's there.