> > Hello and welcome to our THEN and NOW survey, in which we reflect upon where we were when the Parodyverse was born in September 1998. We therefore require answers to the following questions:
>
> Hello and thank you!
>
> > 1a. Where were you in September 1998? What were you doing at the time?
>
> I was still overseas, just about to come home to Australia. Or travelling on the way home. I think it was Aug/Sept when I returned so it was close.
>
> > 1b. Where are you now and what are you doing?
>
> Funnily enough I am overseas. But just for a work trip. Currently in Boston, just across the road from MIT.
>
> > 2a. What was your favourite media character, book, song, and/or comic in 1998?
>
> Hmm...media character would probably have been some Japanese character/identity, as that was where I had been living for the last two years. Can't recall who exactly.
>
> Book/comic...the Avengers was big to me back then. I devoured anything about them. Not sure I read a lot of anything else at the time (oh how the times change).
>
> Again, song was probably some J-pop thing. But I also had a liking for anything by No Doubt, in particular "Don't Speak" which I used in one of my classes. I also enjoyed Whale's "hobo humpin' slobo babe" and would play it endlessly. Which says a lot about my musical tastes back then... 
>
> I think these both came out before 1998 though. If I was back home I'd check the "Triple J Hottest 100" album of back then, I think it was about version three or four, as a lot of those songs would have been ones I enjoyed.
>
> > 2b. What is it now? And how do you feel about the things you liked in 1998?
>
> Strangely I've become interested in classical music. Mainly to help ease the stress in driving through Brisbane's traffic each morning and afternoon on my way to and from work. I would never have thought so back then. I still like most stuff that is "alternative" rather than "pop" though. I still like most of the music I enjoyed back then too as a result.
>
> As for books I read a lot more widely now. And haven't read a comic in years. (Although I did find a comic shop here in Boston yesterday and Byrne-stole the Avengers and the Eternals latest issues). I'm currently reading The Six Sacred Stones by Mathew Reilly. It's not his best work if you ask me. But I strongly encourage all of you to read Ice Station by him. It's action driven without much fleshing out of characters, mainly because they die before they have time to be fleshed out, but a good enjoyable action book that you can read quickly. Should appeal to many here.
>
> And as for media character...I finally saw the Iron Man movie on the flight over and enjoyed that take on Tony Stark a real lot.
>
> But Ian, as I've said before, I really strongly think Mumph would translate across to mainstream media - either in novel or BBC production form...and strongly encourage you to do so for him and his associated cast one day.
>
>
> > 3a. If we’d have asked you in 1998 to predict what would happen to you and the world in the next ten years what would you have said?
>
> I would have said I would have returned home from Japan and found a "career" where I could travel, as that was very much my goal back then and the reason I returned was to start a career...hopefully one that involved travel.
>
> > 3b. How right would you have been?
>
> 100% correct.  Didn't happen straight away though. And now 10 years on...I'm not 100% sure it is what I still want to be doing 10 years from now.
>
> > 4a. If you could go back to 1998 and give yourself a piece of advice what would it be?
>
> Keep your Japanese language skills up by joining a conversation group or something, otherwise you'll forget it all! And go to the gym - now!
>
> > 4b. If future you came back from 2018 what one question would you ask him or her?
>
> Do I ever end up going to the gym?
>
> Who wins the Melbourne Cup this year?
>
> > 5a. What were your Parodyverse characters doing in 1998?
>
> Al B. was working for the man. I don't think he had yet got caught in the time-bubble thing. I think that came a year later. (ie: he hadn't appeared yet).
>
> The Bonsai Kittens were not yet born.
>
> Cody Harper was in the orphanage in the mid-west.
>
> Kara Harper was with her mother in an alternate dimension (right?)
>
> I need to create some more characters to talk about in the next quiz...
>
>
> > 5b. Where are they now, and what’s going to happen to them next?
>
> Cody and Kara are currently in comic book limbo.
>
> Al B. is with the LL searching for answers.
>
> Only HH and the others involved in the roundrobin can say what happens next.
>
> The Bonsai Kittens are at Uncle what'shisname's Dojo.
>
> > Keep tuned for more anniversary events this week, and don’t forget you’re allowed – nay, encouraged - to comment on other people’s replies.
>
> Yay!!
>
> Al B.
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