The Unbearable Banishment: Scarlet's meme via Leah. [Ha. See what I did there?]

Monday, June 7, 2010

Scarlet's meme via Leah. [Ha. See what I did there?]

I was tagged by Leah, who was tagged by Scarlet. The mission, which I gladly accepted, was to answer the 10 questions Leah wrote. In turn, I am to write 10 questions of my own and tag six people. We’ll see about the tagging part when I get there.

1. What is your least favorite piece of clothing that you own? (from Hedgehog)
These. My living nightmare.

They’re from Kenneth Cole. They’re like clamping two steel bear traps to my feet. After walking 10 blocks, I can feel the blood pounding in my ankles.

2. Gravity or magnetism? (Sarge)
Gravity. I feel it pressing down. Don’t you?

3. Would you rather fantasize, or act it out in real life?
If I act it out, I'll hurt a lot of people who I care about. It wouldn't be worth it. It's best to keep it as a fantasy.

4. What is a name, other than your own, that you think suits you?
Call me Ishmael. I have an Ahab or two in my life and few great white whales that could use slaying, as well.

Fun fact #1: I took Mrs. Wife’s name when we got married. I think my new name suites me better than my old name ever did.

5. Tell us about a nice thing a stranger did for you.
Many years ago, I was on the subway platform at 42nd Street waiting for the downtown #1 train. I was reading the passage in Ian Fleming's CASINO ROYAL where Bond was being tortured. He was tied to a cane chair with the caning cut out of the seat and was repeatedly hit in the testicles.

I wasn't feeling well that day and the scene hit a raw nerve. I PASSED OUT! Right there in the middle of the subway platform! I hit the cement like a sack of potatoes. When I came to a few moments later, I was surrounded by caring New Yorkers. (Not gawkers!) Someone gave me a peppermint candy thinking I was diabetic. The train came. It was packed, but the crowd bullied a guy out of his seat so I could sit down. Absolutely true story.

Fun fact #2: On the flip side of receiving a stranger's kindness: Occasionally, I will anonymously pick up the lunch/dinner tab for tourists when I’m in a diner. If I see a couple with backpacks pouring over a street or subway map, on my way out, I'll pay their bill and instruct the waitress to tell them, “Welcome to New York!” It gives them a New York story to tell when they get home.

6. What was your favorite childhood toy?
Silly putty. To this very day I still keep a large wad to work.

7. Do you hold a grudge, or let things go easily?
Holding a grudge seems to be a natural part of the human condition, but a few years of meditation have taught me what a useless waste of time it is. I know someone who likes to say, “I forgive, but I don’t forget,” which is such a dark, evil thing to do. Forgetting lies at the very core of forgiving. They want to feel good about themselves by believing they have a forgiving nature without doing any of the heavy lifting. For shame.

I’m sorry, what was the question?

8. Favorite children's book?
As I pointed out in an earlier post, I was not read to as a child and didn’t read for pleasure until I was 21. To Kill a Mockingbird did it for me and we don’t need to re-hash that story. I remember reading A Wrinkle in Time. The fact that I actually remember reading it is significant. Also, I remember using my mom’s lipstick to color Dr. Seuss's Put Me In The Zoo. So that was an early influence.

9. Something you're proud of?
I’m a much [much] better father than my dad ever was. But the bar wasn’t set very high so I don’t want to pat myself on the back too hard. My goal is to never have my daughters look back and say, “My father was a little man and a fool” (as I do). So far, so good, but it’s early. I have plenty of time to blow it.

10. Which of the following four artworks do you relate to most, on first glance, and why?
I'm particularly fond of Picasso's blue period but even more than that, I am such a sucker for R. Crumb. I made a point of seeing the original drawings from his Book of Genesis Illustrated when they went on display and it was a big thrill for me. The other three works, obviously, have more artistic merit, but Mr. Natural always puts a smile on my face.

I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but your choices have a distinct female bent to them.

* * *

Here are my ten questions. As always with these things, feel free to jump on board or take a pass.

1. George Bush. Lindsay Lohan. Dick Cheney. You have to sleep with one, marry one and kill one.

2. Would you prefer a comfortable relationship that was passionless or a torrid affair that’s riddled with angst and uncertainty?


3. What is your drink of choice?


4. Would you rather work an interesting job that was low-paying and be under constant financial duress, or have a comfortable lifestyle with a job that wasn’t very satisfying (but not a nightmare)?


5. You are boarding a plane tomorrow morning. Where are you going?


6. What was the last piece of music you purchased?


7. If a book isn't working for you, do you hang on hoping for redemption or bail out?


8. Is it easy for you to admit when you're wrong? Let's be honest here.


9. Do you think fame is a useful tool or more trouble than it's worth? If it came knocking on your door, would you open it?


10. Fill in the blank. I wish my parents had not __________.


I'll tap

Here in Franklin

Daisyfae

Nimpipi

Annie

Savannah


And I would love to hear Jo's answers, but she is in transit and is not likely to read this post for a few weeks.

Again, feel free to answer all, a few, swap out these for some of Leah's questions or take a mulligan.

21 Comments:

Anonymous Sid said...

10) Of those paintings, B relates to me most. I'm not sure why.
4) My grandfather's name was Ishmael. Never met him. Passed away years ago ...

June 7, 2010 at 7:59 AM  
Blogger Pueblo girl said...

Fun Fact 2? What a truly lovely thing to do. It never even occurred to me, but really, it's the kind of act that can absolutely make someone's trip. You've encouraged me to do it myself.

June 7, 2010 at 9:18 AM  
Blogger Here In Franklin said...

Ok--I'll play along. Give me a couple of days.

June 7, 2010 at 10:06 AM  
Blogger kyknoord said...

I like your answer to #7. Probably because I have such a bad memory.

June 7, 2010 at 12:08 PM  
Blogger Leah said...

You did the BEST job with this! I'm strangely elated!!

Like Pueblo Girl, I'm definitely going to pay the bill for tourists next time I get a chance. That is one of the coolest things I've ever heard.

I agree--those paintings had a female bent, now that I look. And you know what? I have to go with Mr. Natural too. I love Mr. Natural.

Ishmael is awesome.

I love your questions and wish I too could answer them. Instead I'll limit myself to the first which is brilliantly horrible:

I'd marry George Bush, sleep with Dick Cheney, and off Lindsay Lohan. Hey, I don't think sex with Dick would be so bad. He's probably pretty experienced!

Fabulous job.

June 7, 2010 at 12:11 PM  
Blogger savannah said...

DUDE! i just answered 10 questions for roses. but i seriously think i'm going to answer y'alls, too! xoxoxo

June 7, 2010 at 12:32 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Sid: B is the most feminine painting. To me, anyway.

PG: I always wish I was there to see their reaction but by the time they know, I'm long gone.

HIF: Take your time. No pressure.

Kykn: Probably because it's true.

Leah: I had fun with it. Thanks for throwing me into the heap.

Savannah: Play along. I'd love to hear your views.

June 7, 2010 at 2:10 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Ellie: I will not answer my own questions, as that is not part of the game, but you should ABSOLUTELY feel free to jump in if you are so inclined.

June 7, 2010 at 2:58 PM  
Blogger Jason Quinones said...

1. doing lindsay and then murdering all three afterwards.

2. i've participated in the latter. it's not worth it...color me comfortable.

3.alcohol. but if had to choose...pint of gunniess.

4.going with the latter again. it's pretty much what i'm doing now...

5. sydney, australia! without hesitation!

6. i confess to pirating most of my music nowadays so i'd have to think back...

7.bail...but i'll hop on again later. if it still blows then i bail for good.

8. nope.

9.more trouble than it's worth but i'd open the door anyway probably.

10. raised such an idiot!

June 7, 2010 at 5:52 PM  
Blogger Pat said...

I really feel for you and those painful shoes and hope you don't HAVE to wear them.
Maybe you could be a little more selfish for once and spend the money you give away on some custom made shoes that will fill all requirements and feel like walking on air.

June 7, 2010 at 6:22 PM  
Blogger Ponita in Real Life said...

1. Kill Bush (suurprised no one has done that yet), sleep with Lohan (wouldn't last long as she'd probably pass out right away), marry Cheney (he's old... he'll be dead soon and then I'd be free).

2. Just divorced the former a couple years ago but am not sure that the latter wouldn't kill me... at least it would be more exciting!

3. Vodka paralyzer... yum!

4. Comfy... done the cool job for not so much $$$... don't like that kind of stress, thanks.

5. To England, Scotland and Ireland to visit some of my favourite bloggers! :-) Oh, and to see castles too... things that are truly old, cuz here in Canada we don't have too much of that.

6. "A Millions Miles Away" - Jann Arden on iTunes... for my iPod.

7. Bail

8. Not always easy but I do it anyways... cuz it's the right thing to do. That's how I was raised.

9. Don't want fame. It seems to create a lot of trouble for a lot of people.

10. ...died. They've both been gone for years, way too young, and I miss them a lot, all the time.

Great questions, UB! And I love the answers you gave up there! Especially about paying for travellers' meals. What a good egg you are! xoxo

June 7, 2010 at 9:34 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Jason: That was GREAT! Especially #1. That sound like the most logical choice. Regarding a safe relationship and a safe job; not that you're "old" but the older you get, the more you value peace of mind.

Pat: I only ever wear them for interviews, weddings and funerals. Why haven't I replaced them with a pair that fits properly? Heaven only knows...

June 7, 2010 at 9:38 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Ponita: You'd be free and rich, don't forget. He has all that Haliburton blood money. And that's EXACTLY where I'd be heading, too. I'll buy you a vodka paralyzer, although I'm not sure what that is. Yup. Fame is a sucker's game. Look at poor Lindsay.

June 7, 2010 at 9:42 PM  
Anonymous daisyfae said...

i love this concept - Q & A & Q! kind of like a bonus, or a set of ginsu knives, when you order now you get an extra batch of clever questions! for free!

your answers, and questions, cracked me up - will likely play along, but i'm in pretty rotten shape for creative thinking at the moment... will take a run at this later in the week, when i am perhaps in a safer state of mind!

June 7, 2010 at 10:05 PM  
Blogger Nimpipi said...

I love Ishmael. I love the pay-for-tourist story. Nicest. I'm all warm and fuzzy now. Thank you, kindly, Sir. Off to answer the tag now. Yaay!

June 8, 2010 at 3:40 AM  
Blogger Ms Scarlet said...

I am worried about the shoes. I am also worried that I'm thinking about sleeping with Lindsay Lohan.
Sx

June 8, 2010 at 3:42 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Daisy: No pressure, dear. If it gets in the way of your packing, put it on the ash heap of good intentions.

Nimpipi: Glad you're playing along. I was hoping...

Scarlet: I'd sleep with Lindsay, too. But I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have me. No private plane, after all!

June 8, 2010 at 7:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1. Hara-kiri. Just can't go there on this one.

2. My last relationship of significance was extremely unstable, so yeah, comfortable, even if passionless, w/b preferable.

3. Rusty nail. I give it about five minutes to wilt/blend with the ice. A great old man's drink.

4. I'm kinda in the latter category now. Dull yet steady work. Did the exciting/low pay job, and all it gave me was a couple of trips to the ER.

5. Probably Edinburgh to look up distant relatives.

6. TV on the Radio's last album. Really dig that song "Halfway Home".

7. I always hang on. If a book is 300 p., and I am miffed on p. 5, I assume the author has 295 p. to redeem him/herself.

8. Man, so hard to do.

9. Not really. It seems like a lot of work for such a short span of time.

10. ...spent so much time not talking to each other. Lots of latent stress there.

SA

June 8, 2010 at 5:33 PM  
Blogger secret agent woman said...

1. Then why do you wear them?

3. I suspect we don't want to know what's in that fantasy.

5. I can't bear to read or especially see torture scenes.

8. I love every book you mentioned.

June 8, 2010 at 8:55 PM  
Anonymous nursemyra said...

I love the stories you told in #5. And I pick the torrid affair over the passionless relationship.

Given that I'm getting on a plane bound for France in three hours, that's my pick. But tell Jason to look me up in Sydney when he gets here

June 8, 2010 at 9:08 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Sonny: Sorry to have tripped you up with that first question. I threw in a few softballs but some were designed to be tough to answer. I like the old man drinks, as well. Nothing like a Tom Collins after a day at the office.

SAW: I only wear them when I am forced into it. And my fantasies aren't that strange! Pretty typical stuff, I suppose.

Nurse: You're probably in France as I type this. Oh, what a lucky girl you are.

June 9, 2010 at 8:28 PM  

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