Interview!

[primroseburrows]

I asked iridescent_ink to interview me, and here are her (very cool) questions, and my (way too wordy and tangential) answers:

1. You're a New Englander through and through; you joke with Kash about moving down south, but would you ever really move? Anywhere else?

I'm actually not joking, mostly. I love New England, my heart is here. I even love quirky little RI, despite and because of its being slightly off-kilter in the world. There are two reasons I seriously think about leaving: It's damn cold here in the winter, and although I've hated winter for my entire life, every year is getting harder to deal with. The cold is getting right into my bones, and I hate it. Atlanta is much warmer, and it's not as far South as Florida, where I wouldn't dream of moving, because I like a three-season location, not one where there's no appreciable seasonal change. The second reason is cost. If I'm ever going to own my own property again, it won't be in New England, because I simply can't afford it. Metro Atlanta is much, much more affordable.

I also like Atlanta because it's progressive and there's always something going on, and it's got a heck of a lot of history. Having said all that, I'd brave the cold in a heartbeat if I had an opportunity to live in Boston. I'd even live there communally if possible, because I've always thought I'd be comfortable doing something like that.

2. I've eaten meals with you twice; you're very health-conscious and aware of what you're putting into your body. Tell me your favorite fantasy meal, from soup to nuts, including beverages. Calories and nutritional value be damned--what would you indulge in for one splendid meal?

I'm health-conscious to a point--I try to eat organic and low-fat when I can, but I've been known to consume an entire box of Girl Scout cookies in an entire day. Also, I'm something like 25 lbs. overweight, so I'm not doing something right. And stick me at Fenway in front of a ball game and there'll be a hot dog and a beer in my hand, no matter my non-meat-eating tendencies.

My favourite fantasy meal, hmm. I like so many different kinds of food that it's hard to choose. I love fish, and I love Asian food, so I think my favourite meal at the moment is Nime Chow, tuna sashimi, miso soup, and some kind of teryaki seafood. Top it all off with some lovely warm sake, and something deep, dark chocolate, and I'm golden. Oh, and reallyreally good coffee. My comfort food, though, is my mother's mashed potatoes. I also love johnnycakes.

3. Music is SO important to you; do you play an instrument, or sing, and if so, have you ever performed?

I started singing with the Wilmington, Massachusetts All-School Elementary Chorus when I was in third grade, and I really didn't stop singing in school choruses throughout high school. I sang with the Block Island Ecumenical Choir during the years I lived there. I haven't sung much since moving to the RI mainland ten years ago, and I miss it. I don't play an instrument (except a few chords on the guitar), but I own a guitar, a banjo and a fiddle, and I have fantasies about learning all of them. I actually consider listening to music a participatory thing; I can't use music as background, it makes me a little crazy. Turn it up, or turn it off, and fergodssake don't play crap.

4. How did you fall so deeply in love with the Red Sox?

I first started listening to the Sox on the radio when I was six years old, during the 1967 Pennant race. I remember following the games in my six-year old way, not completely understanding, but definitely rooting for the Sox to beat the Cards in the World Series. Of course, they did not, but my fannishness started there and has rolled along nicely since then. Every year I was SURE it was "the year", and every year I muttered "wait 'til next year" with the Faithful. I remember watching game 6 of the 1975 World Series, where Pudge Fisk waved the ball fair and skipped over the bases to win the game. Of course, we lost the Series proper the next day, but woah, what a game. in 2004, after we lost so tragically, I wrote a letter to Babe Ruth, and geh. I was actually teary while I wrote it. I'd been SO sure we'd do it that year. Our win last year was lovely, but didn't make me more of a fan. So I guess I grew gradually, off again, on again. I loved Yaz, Pudge, Fred Lynn, Bill Lee, Nomar, Pedro, Manny, all of 'em. I know it's only a game, but geh. It's so much fun. :)

5. You strike me as being the ultimate Earth Mother (and I mean that as an absolute compliment--you're calm and caring, deeply practical and very holistic in your approach to things). Have you always been that way, or did becoming a mother bring that out?

I wish I could claim to be the ultimate Earth Mother. I'm probably the ultimate Earth Mum wannabe. A little less ADD and I really think I might stand a chance. :/
I think I started really thinking about birth and issues surrounding it when songdog started having her babies. Basically, I started reading about it. When I had my own kids, I guess I just read more. And now, that they're mostly grown, I still read, and what I find out, about organic food, breastfeeding, birth, circumcision, politics, war, kids and television, etc. really freak me out a lot. My mother says I try to be different on purpose, but I don't think I really do. I probably read too much, though. ;) I also blame my patchfire for keeping me posted on what's happening in the birth biz, and also learning and watching mr_t00by grow up with a Waldorf education. I can't recommend this educational style more highly. I've also watched a circumcision (where I wanted to jump in front of the doc and stop him and I hope I never have to hear a baby scream like that again), and watched a woman have a C-section because the doc induced her too early for no medical reason which caused a life-threatening situation, and experienced a high-tech birth personally and hated it, and been part of a wonderful, amazing, gentle homebirth. *cuddles patchfire's ickle J* When you see things firsthand, you form opinions, I guess.




If you want me to interview you, leave a comment and I'll get to it ASAP. Whee!

Comments

[february-sea.livejournal.com]

:) Thanks for answering, sweetie...I loved asking!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'm such a t00b. I added more stuff. Someone stop me.

[moonlight69]

I so want to be interviewed. :)

Burning question...

[peacey.livejournal.com]

Because enquiring minds want to know: Who are you fangirly about at the moment and why? Also, what are your top three books, movies, and CD's? Another: because I'm researching anger and how people process it, how do YOU process anger, both initially and over time? And finally, if you had two questions to ask me, what would they be? *prays for the books, music, cd's one*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Ooh, okay!

1. How did you meet neitherday?

2. Tell me what a typical day in your life is like, then tell me what a dream day would be like for you.

3. You and I share a common and often controversial LJ interest, "consistent life ethic." Tell me about how you discovered this philosophy, and how you defend it to people who might not agree with you?

4. What advice would you give to the person interested in reading some manga but who's never read any? Where to begin?

5. Recommend a book to me and tell me why my life will not be complete unless I read it. Do the same with a song.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

1. What is your favourite fun thing to do in the world, and what is your favourite task--something considered a chore, but that you love to do?

2. What's good and bad about living in Washington, and if you could live anywhere else, where would you live?

3. When you have a baby, what are some of your choices for names? Why?

4. Tell me something about where you are spiritually, right now, and how you came to be on the path you're travelling.

5. Pick a quote from somewhere--a book, a song, a person (known or unknown, living or dead), that most closely reflects your outlook on life.

And the bonus one, 'cause you're special. *G*

6. If you could meet anyone at all, living or dead, who would it be and what would you ask them?

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I have a response half-finished, dearie. I shall finish it after some sleepage. I have been up all night at work. *loves*

[peacey.livejournal.com]

Hey - thought of another question (well, not a question, but whatever): Name three personal heroes and why they are such to you.

My own:

1) Alan Shepard, the greatest astronaut ever. A man simply overflowing with the right stuff. The absolute iconic portrait of a cool-to-the-bone fighter jock. His ability to fly a plane was not innate, but as in so many situations in his life, he bore down and created his talent out of thin air - talent that surpassed all his peers. He had a wicked sense of humor, one I can relate to. An imperfect man of contradictions, complexity, and single-minded drive to be the best that he could be. As alpha as they come. I look at him with awe and wonder and cannot gauge how much influence his example has had in my life.

(Under him, all the other astronauts are heroes as well. I cannot believe they get *paid* to do what they do when I'd give everything I own for just a ride in a fighter plane, let alone go into space!)

2) My Grandfather. A simple man with quiet dignity. He farmed most of his life, working hard from sunup to sundown and was happy doing it. Gentle with a laugh that shook his whole being, he had a fantastic sense of humor. I love him and my God, how I miss him.

3) Our Airmen, Sailors, and Soldiers in all branches of the military. No explanation necessary. They are heroes.

[stormwynd.livejournal.com]

If it's not too late, I'd love to be interviewed by you.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Not too late. I'll have questions tonight or tomorrow!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

I'm getting on this, I swear. Much driving yesterday. Need to chill thoughts out today.