Elise tagged me with this questionnaire and since I’m not feeling so hot, I hope it will satisfy some sort of bodily discomfort I’ve been feeling lately.
1. What were three of the stupidest things you have done in your life?
This could be a very long list. On the record, I cite a) getting arrested on a city bus for indecent exposure for wearing beltless baggy pants that fell down when I reached up to grab the steady bar. The bus driver thought I mooned her. Two police cars came to arrest my moritified fourteen-year-old self for being a menace 2 society. b) As a kid, I made it a habit of swallowing coins for fun. Quarters don’t feel too hot going in or out. c) The only serious car accident I have ever been in involved driving to a Village Pantry across the street from my apartment complex and a retaining wall. I ran over the retaining wall, took out a good chunk of concrete, my front axle, one wheel, and two tires. The police couldn’t believe that I had absolutely nothing to drink, and I was honestly sober as a funeral. Other than that, I have a good driving record.
2. At the current moment, who has the most influence in your life?
I am not so easily influenced, but Ethan definitely has the most power over my decision-making, as he should. He is always in the back of my mind when I decide to do this or that, when it comes to my personal life to career choices to what’s for dinner.
3. If you were given a time machine that functioned, and you were allowed to only pick up to five people to dine with, who would you pick?
My four grandparents as young people. I was born so late to the family that I only knew them in their elderly years after their health and minds were failing. I hear my maternal grandmother was a lady before her time, and I think I may have inherited some of her wit and stubbornness. Also, from pictures I gather that I look a lot like my paternal grandfather when he was young. He was a very good-looking man, if I do say so myself. The fifth person would be Flannery O’Connor, just because she seemed to be a cultural and personal anomaly from all the personal letters of hers that I have read. If I could pick a sixth, it would be Malcolm X during his final days. It might be an uncomfortable dinner but I so admire his life evolution.
4. If you had three wishes that were not supernatural, what would they be?
a) To never feel alone.
b) To have lifelong health for myself and my family.
c) To live in a world with universal health care and fundamental respect for human rights. (swiped from Elise)
5. Someone is visiting your hometown/place where you live at the moment. Name two things you regret your city not having, and two things people should avoid.
I wish my city had a decent live music venue with a more active art scene for young people. I also wish for more for young people to do than choosing between bars and bowling.
Things people should avoid include campus bars, unless you’re hedonisitic alumni or in the Greek system, and the smelly-ass Wabash river after a rainfall.
6. Name one event that has changed your life.
Moving from the obvious, I’ll pick something a little less expected. The last long-term relationship I was in was incredibly helpful in healing some of my old wounds regarding relationships and ridding myself of the last vestiges of sexism I held towards men in individual relationships. We weren’t right for one another in the long run, but our three year relationship is something I look back on fondly. I learned a lot about myself and couplings when we were together and I hope he did too.
7. Tag 5 people.
Can’t do it! You like it, you steal it.