Lacking energy and inspiration, I took this meme from Jennifer. Thanks for the boost! By the way, go see her answers. They rock.

1. My uncle once: took me for a ride in the hills of Los Angeles in his Porsche 911. I was maybe 12. It was hot.

2. Never in my life: have I been sorry I met, dated, and married my wife.

3. When I was five: I used to have a Great Dane named Claudius. He was my refuge when I was sad. He was so big, I could lie on top of him and cry.

4. High School was: a long time ago, but I can't seem to let it go. In some ways, it was a better educational experience than anything that followed. It was that good. Really.

5. I will never forget: what I was doing when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Rest in peace, Mary Joe.

6. I once met: Peter Graves. He lived across the street from my aunt and uncle and I went and knocked on his door. He was pretty nice to me, but then, I was just a little kid. I also once met Danny Glover and his wife in Paris. They were lost and I stopped and gave them directions and some recommendations about where to go, all without ever letting them know I knew who they were. I figured that they were on vacation and the last thing they needed was my telling him how much I admired his work in Lethal Weapon.

7. There's this girl I know who: used to piss us all off as a control freak, but then she had kids and, believe it or not, totally relaxed and became very easy to be around. Odd, huh?

8. Once, at a bar: what do you mean, once? Ok, how about my friend almost got beat up by the bartender when he asked said bartender what his background was that facilitated his writing a book on Irish mythology. The bartender took exception. Tips may have been lower than usual that night.

9. By noon, I'm usually: wondering where the day went.

10. Last night: I came up to go to bed and found that the Girl Child was still awake. She came in to keep us company while we brushed our teeth and then she got into my bed with her two stuffed animals. I joined her and we cuddled. It was delicious.

11. If I only had: taken that stupid Chinese language course pass/fail Freshman year, I would have graduated Summa from college. Grrr.

12. Next time I go to church: it will most likely be for a funeral.

13. Terry Shiavo: should be left in peace and not used as a poster woman for anything.

14. What worries me most: is the very real possibility that I may fail to equip my kids with everything they need to get the most out of this great big life. And that the people I love won't know it always, which could be why I'm relentless and obtuse in making the point. [This was Jenn's answer and I have left it pretty much the way she put it -- how can you improve on perfection?]

15. When I turn my head left, I see: File cabinets overflowing with papers and files, representing years or work and tens of thousands of dollars worth of time.

16. When I turn my head right, I see: a wall with some old French legal prints and a print of a clipper ship under full sail. I like maritime art.

17. You know I'm lying when: beats me. Ask my wife. She always seems to know and she won't tell me how.

18. What I miss most about the eighties: the music. And my youth. Lacrosse. That big old Oldsmobile I drove. My buddy, Jeff and the people he and I used to be.

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I'd be: wearing a cod-piece and waving a bodkin.

20. By this time next year: I will have hopefully settled into a new house, new community, new life, and be totally and utterly consumed by a piece of litigation so large that it makes everything else I've ever done look like a rounding error.

21. A better name for me would be: something that shortens better.

22. I have a hard time understanding: ketchup on a hot dog (or catsup, for that matter). Also, why people reflexively blame America for everything that is wrong in the world. May be related to the ketchup thing.

23. If I ever go back to school, I'll: take a Ph.D in something I really want to know more about -- like Classical Studies, or Architectural History, or Economics, or Renaissance Studies.

24. You know I like you if: I give you shit. In a nice way. Not in that this is an invitation to step outside kind of way.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: my grandfather. Unless my wife was right there. Then I would have to thank her. I love my grandfather like nobody's business, but I have to go home with my wife.

26. Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: Marlin Perkins, Schubert, Johnny Cash & Maggie Thatcher.

27. Take my advice, never: if you want me to get so pissed off after I take the time to give it to you that I will write you off completely as not worth the time. I am only partially kidding.

28. My ideal breakfast is: brunch. I love brunch. And bloody mary's. Seriously, everything about a yummy brunch -- the eggs benedict, the roasted beasts, the salmon, the shrimp, the dessert tables, the sausage. Love brunch.

29. A song I love, but do not have is: nothing really comes to mind, actually.

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest: brunch. There really isn't much to do in my hometown *cue Paul Simon -- my hometown. . . * but there is a hotel that does a nice brunch. See #28 above.

31. Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars: Honeysuckle, idiosyncracies, chocolate chips & shooting stars.

32. Why won't people: drive better?

33. If you spend the night at my house: you will stay up too late chatting and drinking wine and will fall asleep in our guest room, amidst many, many books.

34. I'd stop my wedding for: a Menthos.

35. The world could do without: cruelty to children. It lacerates my heart.

36. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Really? There's an answer to this?

37. My favorite blonde is: my wife, followed by my children.

38. Paper clips are more useful than: most other Norwegian inventions. Did you know that? Yup, a Norwegian invented the darn thing.

39. If I do anything well, it's: listen.

40. And by the way: did you really read everything or did you just skip to the end?

Posted by: Random Penseur at 11:21 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 1156 words, total size 6 kb.

1 Yes, yes I did.

Posted by: Oorgo at May 31, 2005 12:59 PM (lM0qs)

2 You wrote: ...papers and files, representing...tens of thousands of dollars worth of time. In real life, I almost never think about time as having a dollar value. As an economist I do not object, but I never think "I just spent $50 weeding the garden".

Posted by: tex at May 31, 2005 01:02 PM (YtqTh)

3 Yup, sure did read it all. I hope you enjoy pickles in your bloody marys...and a woman always knows when a man is lying. Must be part of the x chromosome.

Posted by: C at May 31, 2005 01:05 PM (0yCni)

4 I read every single word and thought about the thoughts behind them at the same time. Your wife and kids are very lucky to have you in their lives.

Posted by: Azalea at May 31, 2005 02:00 PM (hRxUm)

5 I'm so glad you carried through on your threat of caving to the meme. It's a great one. As are your responses. Very enlightening, on the whole. Except for the Menthos thing. :-) I had a Great Dane named Duke when I was five. Smallish world, isn't it?

Posted by: Jennifer at May 31, 2005 04:32 PM (jl9h0)

6 I read it all too RP. Pretty cool. You sound like you aspire to the same type of Fatherliness that I do. Gotta love the cuddling. And don't forget the cheese cutter. That'sa Norwegian too. I may take this meme up as well. Maybe I'll make a new one.

Posted by: Dr pants at June 01, 2005 03:05 AM (PHXL1)

7 oh.. and ... Didn't they teach your friend in school not to bring up Irish Mythology in a bar? I mean... Isn't it obvious why?! (gets blank look and stares at wall) I had a similar exprience in a bar too, except my friend brought up the bartender's possible small penis size.

Posted by: Dr pants at June 01, 2005 03:15 AM (PHXL1)

8 That was great - When i have time this weekend I think I'll do this one (I don't get to waste work time at a computer like some of you!!! LOL) I am a little concerned, however, that if we hook up in NY, you'll take me out to brunch and make me eat "roasted beasts". P

Posted by: Mark at June 01, 2005 07:45 AM (JQvok)

9 I'm glad you all enjoyed it. It was a fun one to do. Feel free to appropriate it for yourselves. Mark, the nice thing about brunch is that there are so many different things to eat, the roast beasts can be entirely optional. Doc, I think I'd like to hit a bar with you one day, so long as we leave your friend at home! Azalea, thank you for your very kind words. Jen, I heart Great Danes. I still miss mine. C, they always know? That would explain a lot. Interesting observation, Tex. May be a post in it later for me.

Posted by: RP at June 01, 2005 08:54 AM (LlPKh)

10 Seriously, your response to number 36 still has me giggling.

Posted by: Helen at June 01, 2005 09:27 AM (8wm0s)

11 I skipped a bit, but I read the really important stuff. I don't get 'ketchup on a hot-dog' either. Best answer - the description of your Great Dane and I'm guessing if you laid on top of him and cried, he comforted you when no one else could.

Posted by: Roberta S at June 01, 2005 03:57 PM (PB9Ja)

12 funny. i just recieved these same questions in an email. i guess it's going around.

Posted by: SeaKitty at June 04, 2005 03:51 AM (4htW2)

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