Alex Johnson - Lilly Friend Project

Preliminary Questions

1. Where do you live?

Brooklyn, NY

2. Are you crazy?

Yes No

3. Do you want more friends?

internet friends in-person friends both

Open Questions

1. Why are you filling out this questionnaire?

I saw this project online and thought it was a really interesting way to meet like-minded people. I appreciate the thoughtful approach to friendship.

2. How many "close friends" (by close friends I mean people that you see more than twice a month if they live in the tri-state area or if they are a long-distance friend that you speak with at least twice a month) do you have?

I have about 4-5 close friends. Most live nearby and we hang out regularly, plus one long-distance friend I video chat with weekly.

3. It's Saturday morning! What time are you up and what do you want to do with the day?

I usually wake up around 8am on Saturdays. I love starting with coffee and reading, then maybe going to a farmers market or trying a new hiking trail.

4. Do you like to go to any kind of cultural experiences? What kind and how often?

I really enjoy museums and live music. I try to go to at least one cultural event per month - could be anything from art galleries to indie concerts.

5. How do you feel about Amy Winehouse?

Amy Winehouse was incredibly talented but also represents the tragedy of addiction and mental health struggles in the music industry. Her voice was unique and powerful.

6. "Uh oh! I'm experiencing a negative emotion"; what happens inside you? How do you deal with it?

When I feel negative emotions, I usually need to process them by talking to someone or writing in my journal. Sometimes I go for a walk to clear my head.

7. How do you feel about school and teachers?

I have mixed feelings about formal education. I think good teachers can be transformative, but the system often stifles creativity and individual learning styles.

8. What is the most meaningful way to spend time?

I think the most meaningful way to spend time is in genuine connection with others - having real conversations, sharing experiences, and supporting each other.

9. What is your favorite law (if you do not have a favorite, what is one that you think of positively)?

I really appreciate laws that protect the environment, like the Clean Air Act. It shows we can work together to preserve our planet for future generations.

10. What app on your phone (other than essentials) is your most used app?

Probably Spotify - I listen to music constantly and love discovering new artists through their algorithm and playlists.

11. What are you hoping to get from filling this out?

I hope to find genuine connections and maybe meet someone who shares similar values and interests. The approach here seems more thoughtful than typical social media.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. If you had to choose one word to describe yourself, which one would you choose:

Scary Sporty Baby Ginger Posh

2. The worst month is:

January March July November I don't think about this way

3. Do you live to eat or eat to live?

Eat to live Live to eat I'm really not sure It's complicated.... 🙁 I'm uncomfortable by this question and prefer not to answer

4. How do you feel about August: Osage County:

Love that movie! Hate that play! I thought it was a moving and interesting depiction of the American family Merryl Streep was great(doi!) and I am indifferent/feel somewhat positive about it Don't know what that is

5. How often do you speak about your love life with your friends?

A lot Not that often Once every other time I feel it out and need to make sure I don't talk about it too much Everytime I see my best friends

6. Your biggest fear about getting older is:

Becoming irrelevant Running out of time My body falling apart Becoming boring I'm not afraid of getting older

7. Dogs wearing clothes are:

Adorable and necessary for their comfort Humiliating for the dog Fine for practical reasons only (rain, cold) A symptom of social rot Depends entirely on the dog's attitude about it

8. People who don't tip well:

Probably just don't understand how service industry works Are fundamentally bad people Might be going through something financially Should be banned from restaurants I don't judge people's tipping habits

9. Distance in relationships:

Is always a sign something is wrong Can actually strengthen the bond between people Should be avoided at all costs Is necessary for maintaining mystery Means someone isn't trying hard enough

10. The best way to end a text conversation is:

Just stop responding when it feels natural Say 'okay talk soon!' or similar Send a thumbs up emoji You don't end them, they just fade There is no good way

11. The phrase "it is what it is" is:

Zen wisdom Giving up disguised as acceptance Sometimes true, sometimes lazy The most annoying phrase in English Perfect for ending awkward conversations

12. When someone consistently disappoints you, you:

Keep giving them chances because that's what loyalty means Gradually distance yourself while remaining cordial Have a direct conversation about expectations Cut them off immediately - life's too short Use it as an opportunity to examine your own expectations

13. How do you feel about answering all these questions:

Annoyed - this was way too long Intrigued - I enjoyed thinking about these things Resentful - some of these felt invasive Excited to discuss my answers with someone Neutral - just another survey

14. If we met in person, what would you want to talk about first:

Something completely unrelated to this questionnaire Why you asked such weird questions The answers we disagreed on most Whatever comes up naturally in conversation I'd rather just see what happens

Essay Question

Please describe a friend breakup you have gone through. If you haven't gone through a friend breakup, please explain why you think you have never gone through a friend breakup. Outline a major friendship in your life and explain why it is successful.

I experienced a significant friend breakup about three years ago with someone I had been close to since college. We had grown in different directions - they became very focused on career advancement and material success, while I was more interested in creative pursuits and work-life balance. The friendship became strained when they started making disparaging comments about my "lack of ambition."

The breaking point came when they canceled our plans last-minute for the third time to attend a networking event, then got upset when I expressed frustration. We had a heated argument where they accused me of being "stuck in the past" and I told them they had become someone I didn't recognize. We haven't spoken since.

In contrast, my friendship with my college roommate Sarah has thrived for over eight years. I think it works because we're both committed to honest communication - we can disagree without taking it personally. We make effort to maintain the friendship despite living in different cities, with regular video calls and annual visits. We celebrate each other's successes genuinely and provide support during difficult times. Most importantly, we've both grown as people while still appreciating what drew us together initially. We respect each other's life choices even when they differ from our own.