Questions and Answers

Jodi from day2daywear just tagged me with a list of questions.  Actually, unlike a lot of lists, these questions are good ones so I took them seriously.  Perhaps you’ll learn something about me from the answers below.  Feel free to ask any follow-up questions if I perk your interest.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up?

That changed.  At first, when I was very young, I wanted to be a mommy.  I wanted to have a baby and take care of it.  Then, when told I couldn’t be that -- and why -- I learned my universe of possibilities was radically different and limited.  

Feeling eyes constantly upon me, I suggested things to see how they’d fly.  I was often surprised by my parents’ reactions.  For example, around age 10, I said I wanted to grow up to be a college professor.  I anticipated my parents’ approval of that job since I imagined it to be synonymous with “smart.”  My parents hated the idea, however, and strongly condemned it.  They deplored intellectualism even though they had no foundation from which to judge it.  Neither of my parents went to college and neither had any interest in or awareness of intellectual discourse.

The question posed is actually what did *I* want to be so, to answer that, I’d say a writer.  That is still what I want to be when I grow up.  I admire good writing and feel I can contribute to the river of informed commentary.

2. Favorite childhood game?

House.  It’s where everyone gets a domestic role and plays it while interacting with other kids playing other roles.

I knew, from harsh experience, that female roles (e.g., Mommy) weren’t available to me so I always chose the next best thing: to be the baby.  At least that way I could be near Mommy and live vicariously through her.

3. Most favorite birthday?

My 50th.  I decided to make it a big event, so I invited all my best friends (about 100 people) for a huge bash.  We rented a very posh, very expensive place which served extremely high-quality food with exceptionally-attentive service.  And we arranged for an  eight-piece live band to travel up from Philadelphia to play: they were so fabulously good that everyone got up and danced their hearts out.  I was placed at the head of an endless conga-line that grooved to a pounding beat.  The birthday was exactly what I wanted it to be: an intensely memorable night.

4. Something you have always wanted to do and haven't yet?

That list is long...  Practically every female experience is on it, from wearing a prom-dress to nursing a baby.  

Of genderless experiences, the list is topped by publishing a book.  I’ve published many magazine articles and been cited in books, but publishing a book of my own would be special.  It couldn’t be any book, however; I can easily pump out an ordinary tome; it would have to be a book I was proud of, having researched carefully, written with enthusiasm, and released to cause some effect on the world.

5. What was your first love?

Reading.  Still is.  I was the only kid I know whose mother said, “Stop reading that book and go out and play!”  My parents were critical when they complained “you always have your nose in a book.”

6. First musical idol?

A bubblegum-music group called “The 1910 Fruitgum Company” which had the hit-single, “Yummy Yummy Yummy.”  (The lyrics went, “Yummy Yummy Yummy, I’ve got love in my tummy...”.)  I remember dancing to the tune at a family Christmas party when I was 6 years old.  I thought they were fab!

7. Favorite gift?

A yellow Schwinn bicycle when I was around 8 years old.  It had a purple banana-seat and tall ape-hanger handlebars.

8. If a theme song played everywhere I went what would it be?

“Love Me Or Hate Me,” by tiny British singer, Lady Sovereign.

9. Favorite city to visit?

Boston.  I love that city.  I spent three years in law school there: going back now fills me with fond memories from the past and powerful insights into how far I’ve travelled since then.  Also, it’s a fun town with lots of great things to do (especially shopping) and it has more history than anywhere else in this country.

Thanks, Jodi!