if you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine

1 How particular are you about the maintenance of your car? 

    I vehemently loathe everything about car maintenance. For a while, when I was newly single, took some pride in taking care of it all on my own and on time if not early. I would spend Saturday mornings getting an oil change, taking it to the car wash, and even vacuuming the interior. Now I can barely be bothered to pay attention when it squawks for new oil or to chisel the bugs off the windshield.  

 

2 What's your strongest sense? 

        indignation 

 

3 How many different conversations can you adequately carry on at the same time? 

    that depends on your definition of "adequately." Most workdays I'm actively involved in at least three different Teams chats, one of which is almost entirely personal. I have text threads going with several family and friends, including the work person referenced above. I communicate by FB Messenger with two friends almost daily and a handful of others quite regularly. 

    And only once, that I can remember, have I sent a message to the wrong recipient. I guess that means I can handle it fine.

 

4 Do you ever double- or triple-check things? 

     sure, in lots of situations—that I've set my alarm, before going to sleep; that there's no traffic coming before moving out of an obscured spot when walking or driving; that an eBay package is properly addressed; and that it's the correct day to take my migraine shot

5 Do you read or study best in silence or in a place with background noise? 

    oh, blessed silence! How I love thee.

    Despite some evidence to the contrary (see, e.g., my answer to #3, above), my brain works best when allowed to focus.

 

6 What's one thing you would rather pay someone to do than do yourself? 

    heck yeah. Painting walls; anything relating to plumbing or electricity; auto maintenance; grocery shopping and delivery; or washing and detailing cars. I'd love to add cooking, cleaning (especially windows and floors ... and bathrooms), laundry, and general errands, but one needs must be realistic. 

 

7 What one word sums up your high school experience? 

    fun.  

    I'm not saying "those were the best years of my life," just that I liked more than I disliked about school, the people I was with, and the way it all turned out. 

 

[from The Complete Book of Questions : 1001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion; the title quotation is from Ernesto 'Che' Guevara]

I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself

1 Do you believe love takes work? 

    of course, it does. 

    I love a friend, who lives in another time zone, works an Important Job, and has an especially complicated life that does not allow frequent interactions. That means making extra allowances for the differences and being extra grateful for the times together. 

    I love my family, which requires me to be available at different times of day than I might prefer, and to be ready to resolve almost innumerable tech issues, or to compare notes and debate plans.

    I love my job, even though it makes me get up early and prioritize it and sometimes work longer hours (even weekends). 

    Love—of people, things, ideas, whatever—isn't easy, but it's always worth it. 

 

2 Share a favorite memory of your current/most recent partner.

    when we were past the first-blush phase and our interactions had grown in real affection but maybe dimmed in excitement, he ramped it back up by striding up to my big wall of windows (at work, the financial place), and then continuing on his way. It wasn't dramatic or noticeable for anyone else, and most people would probably think nothing of it. However, to me it was as momentous as if he'd held up a big sign, sharing the feelings in his heart. 

   

3 What quality of your most recent partner are/were you most attracted to? 

    curiosity, about countless topics and things and scenarios. He was creative and interested and willing to ask questions. 

 

4 Would you rather stay in or go out for a date? 

    I love to stay in, and choose it ahead of almost anything else. However, dates require some extra effort. If a couple can stay in and enjoy something more than the average day, then it's a date. If they do the same ol' stuff as ever, though, then it's not a date. Does this answer the question?  

 

5 Are there any habits you have that are negative for a romantic relationship? 

     I do. 

 

6 Do you feel able to respect a partner's opinion when it's different from yours? 

    that depends whether they are wrong or not. 

    To answer seriously: I can usually respect the partner, if not the opinion. This requires that the expression of the opinion be respectful, too—when it is discourse and not a tennis match using a flaming ball. 

7 Were you nervous during your most recent "first kiss"? 

     very nervous, though I need not have been concerned

 

[taken from here and adapted; the title quotation is by Charlotte Brontë, from Jane Eyre]

I broke my life, to seek relief From the flawed light of love and grief

I burned my life, that I might find 

A passion wholly of the mind, 

Thought divorced from eye and bone, 

Ecstasy come to breath alone. 

I broke my life, to seek relief 

From the flawed light of love and grief. 

 

With mounting beat the utter fire 

Charred existence and desire. 

It died low, ceased its sudden thresh. 

I found unmysterious flesh— 

Not the mind’s avid substance—still 

Passionate beyond the will. 

 

 [Louise Bogan {1897-1970} 'The Alchemist'. This poem is in the public domain.]

you just sit and stay inside yourself. You wait for me to talk. I like that.

Average rating: 7.0

The Beekeeper (2024) - "A retired clandestine operative seeks revenge after his kind-hearten landlady is driven to suicide by a devastating phishing scam that steals millions from her charity. His quest for justice escalates, revealing a web of corruption and deceit as he uncovers the true extent of the scam's impact. The operative, known for his unique skills and unwavering resolve, employs his expertise to dismantle the criminal network and bring those responsible to justice, while also confronting the personal toll of his actions."
length: 1 hour, 45 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: Jason Statham is one of my favorites
IMDB: 6.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 71% Audience: 92%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "'You're a good looking kid. You really are. You know that?'

    'What does that mean?'

    'It means that God doesn't give with both hands.'"

directed by: David Ayer

my notes: I like this. Overall, it's a beautiful film to watch, with great lighting and unique camera work. Statham is getting better as he's aging, settling into a higher level of 'strong, silent and lethal' rather than just the 'violent, obnoxious, and more violent' of his youth. The supporting players—particularly Jemma Redgrave (President Danforth) and Bobby Naderi (Agent Wiley)—raise it to a different sort of dramatic level. The script isn't Oscar-worthy but neither is it the worst I've ever seen. The film is entertaining and engaging.  (If you can't deal with heavy metaphor, though, you might want to skip it.) 

overall:  recommended

 

Out of the Past (1947) - "The quiet life of small-town gas station owner Jeff Bailey (Robert Mitchum) is interrupted when a figure from his shady past, small-time crook Joe Stephanos (Paul Valentine), recognizes him. Stephanos' boss, gambler Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas), had hired Jeff to track down Kathie Moffat (Jane Greer), a girlfriend who shot Whit and made off with $40,000 of his. Jeff and Kathie fell in love, but she left him to go back to Sterling—who now wants Jeff to settle a few old scores."
length: 1 hour, 37 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: it was recommended as a terrific noir film
IMDB: 8.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 93% Audience: 92%
my IMDB: 8/10

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "'Cigarette?'

    'Smoking.'"

directed by: Jacques Tourneur

my notes: I'm surprised by how much I liked this. Mitchum can be a hard sell for me, but this is a nice showpiece for his unique talents and charms. This script is a great match for Mitchum's skill with clever dialog and quiet power. He's a great foil for the ladies in the cast, and also for Kirk Douglas (mustachio-twirling notwithstanding). 

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I agree.  

The movie’s final scene, between the hometown girl Ann and Jimmy, Jeff’s hired kid at the gas station, reflects the moral murkiness of the film with its quiet ambiguity. I won’t reveal the details, but as Jimmy answers Ann’s question, is he telling her what he believes, what he thinks she wants to believe, or what he thinks it will be best for her to believe?

overall: strongly recommended

Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) - "South African smugglers find themselves being hounded and harassed by Riggs and Murtaugh, two mismatched Los Angeles police officers. However, the South Africans are protected by diplomatic immunity, and so the two are assigned to witness-protection duty in an attempt by their captain to keep his job. It is only when this witness reveals to them that he has already dealt with the smugglers that the trouble really starts."
length: 1 hour, 54 minutes

source: I own the DVD (series)
I watched it because: I was working on a terribly dull project that only required half my brain, and I needed to keep the other half awake
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 82% Audience: 78%
my IMDB: 6/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "'What are you doing?'

    'I was just checking to see if I was standing on plastic.'"

directed by: Richard Donner

my notes: the action is top-notch, but there's bad law at the heart of it so I can't accept it unconditionally.

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I disagree in the general premise.

Academy Award nominee: Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing—Robert G. Henderson, Alan Robert Murray
overall: marginally recommended

Kiss of the Dragon (2001) - "Jet Li plays Liu Jian, China's top government agent, who arrives in Paris from Shanghai to carry out a sensitive, top-secret mission. Liu is in Paris to assist Richard (Tcheky Karyo), an unorthodox police official with a small army to back him up. The mission goes horribly wrong, as the man Liu had come to help betrays him."
length: 1 hour, 38 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: I'd seen it only once before, and had not reviewed it
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 53% Audience: 68%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "'No, no, no, no needles.'

    'No needles? No.' [picks the lock on her handcuffs]

    'Ow! How did you do that?' 

    'Chinese magic."

directed by: Chris Nahon

my notes: the film was produced and co-written by Luc Besson, writer and director of some of my favorite films (most notably The Professional, 1994). Jet Li also has writing credit, which I don't recall seeing on his films before. That's pretty cool.

    Li is as awesome as always, quirky and slightly awkward as the brilliant law enforcement agent. He shines in the fight scenes, which are obviously well planned and carefully executed but have the effect of complete mayhem. My new favorite is below.

    The rest of the cast is marvelous. I haven't seen Bridget Fonda (Jessica) since the personally-difficult Singles (1992). She's a great listener, even in an action film—and gorgeous besides. And my new favorite, Tchéky Karyo, makes an outstanding, oily bad guy.  

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I mostly agree.

overall:  recommended

 

[the title quotation is from Out of the Past]

the night is a gracious cloak To hide my soul’s defeat

The night was made for rest and sleep, 

For winds that softly sigh; 

It was not made for grief and tears; 

So then why do I cry? 

 

The wind that blows through leafy trees 

Is soft and warm and sweet; 

For me the night is a gracious cloak 

To hide my soul’s defeat. 

 

Just one dark hour of shaken depths, 

Of bitter black despair— 

Another day will find me brave, 

And not afraid to dare. 

 

[Clarissa Scott Delany {1901-1927} 'Interim', from Caroling Dusk]

the true dwelling of the holy

I've been thinking about the way, when you walk 

down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs 

to let you by. Or how strangers still say "bless you" 

when someone sneezes, a leftover 

from the Bubonic plague. "Don't die," we are saying. 

And sometimes, when you spill lemons 

from your grocery bag, someone else will help you 

pick them up. Mostly, we don't want to harm each other. 

We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot, 

and to say thank you to the person handing it. To smile 

at them and for them to smile back. For the waitress 

to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder, 

and for the driver in the red pick-up truck to let us pass. 

We have so little of each other, now. So far 

from tribe and fire. Only these brief moments of exchange. 

What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these 

fleeting temples we make together when we say, "Here, 

have my seat," "Go ahead—you first," "I like your hat." 

 

 [Danusha Laméris {1971- } 'Small Kindnesses']

is your life so empty that you honestly can't think of a better way to spend these moments?

1 If you had to name the most beautiful bed you have ever occupied, what would it be? 

   the California king in my suite at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, during the adventure described here. I've added a couple of pictures (on this post) of what I'm pretty sure is the exact suite I had. 

 

2 If you could prevent someone you know from overusing one word or phrase, who would it be, and what word would it be?   

    funny, someone who lies more than they ought (and not nearly as believably as they think) often starts difficult or bold or contentious statements with "quite honestly...". It tends to make whatever they say next sound even more abrasive or painful.

 

3 If you could give an Academy Award to the most underappreciated actor in the history of Hollywood, who would you award it to? 

    there are lots of underappreciated folks in film. I think the greater problem is that the breadth or parameters of some categories automatically undercuts certain genres, and the power of the big movie-houses still crushes out the little guy. Martial arts movies don't typically get the nod (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000, being a notable exception). Comedies are often bypassed (Gene Wilder never won an Oscar?!). An outstanding performer whose work has gone un-awarded in the past is sometimes given a lifetime achievement award, but their individual film contributions were still missed (Charles Chaplin, for example). 

    Rather than giving one "hidden gem" award, maybe I would just revamp the process: pitting drama against drama, comedy against comedy, etc., and adding more genres besides; changing the "supporting" criteria to a strict percentage of screen time or even screen-time-ratio-to-leads rather than whatever the heck it is now; and, finally, adding a "in retrospect" award for films, those behind the camera, and actors - which are only coming to be appreciated after the fact. 

4 If you had to name the one thing you did as a child to most torment your sibling(s), what was it that you did? 

    my siblings were born 18 months apart, so they were already functioning as a unit by the time I showed up 4 years later. From what I can piece together from photos, they thought I was an interesting but essentially useless specimen. Other than the natural disruption of sharing a room with my sister for my first 13 or so years, I mostly kept to myself and stayed out of their way. 

    The one exception to that rule was practicing my clarinet. My brother recently mentioned ruefully that I was "always honking that thing," which still makes me laugh and blush. I guess I'm glad I was oblivious to how annoying it was, or I'd have given it up long before I did, and missed out on some great memories.

 

5 If you had to name the subject you took in school that turned out to be least useful or worthwhile, what would it be? 

    some of my English classes were useless. I must've gotten into the "normal kid" track rather than the "reads every waking minute" track, because my recollections of lit classes are of reading [whichever] entire book the day we got the assignment, only to realize the next day that we were discussing paragraphs one and two of the first chapter. Whaaaaaa--??? Who reads that slowly for crissakes? My frustration and obnoxiousness was probably unbearable.

    Those experiences didn't eliminate my love for reading, but they did make me avoid lit courses in college. 

 

6 If you could own one article of clothing from any TV show ever made, what would you take?  

    Watson's asymmetrical long black coat, from Elementary (2012-19). I actually tried to find one for myself, and despite the danged hefty cost I was sorely tempted--until I realized that the sleeves are just slightly puffed (shown well in the left picture, below), which would make me look even more outrageously shoulder-y. Sigh.

7 If you had to choose, from among your current friends, one person to be your partner in a new business venture, who would you choose? 

    ironically, the person with whom I most often actively argue, and with whom I disagree about certain fundamental economic issues, would be my very best business partner. They have a knack for it already, and we have some complementary skills and interests that would serve the business well. We've even talked about that idea, albeit in a "on an alternate planet where it would be possible" way.  

 

[from If2: 500 New Questions for the game of life; the title quotation is by Chuck Palahniuk, from Fight Club]

some doors remain closed not because they are locked, but because we are too afraid to turn the handle

1 Would you like the government to install extensive car and road sensors and automatically ticket anyone speeding, rolling through stop signs, or parking illegally? 

    how about instead of that technology, we focus efforts on creating safer roads, safer cars, better road lighting, more comprehensive driver instruction training requirements, and so forth?

 

2 If you could take a one-month trip anywhere in the world and money were not a consideration, where would you go and what would you do? 

    I'd go look for a house in Canada 

 

3 Do you think people in previous centuries were more adventurous than we are or simply more used to risk? 

    no more or less, just different. I mean, they presumably had different priorities—food, water, shelter—than modern people. Modern folks' need or desire for risk and adventure cannot be focused on those basic necessities, because the payoff is way too easy. We have to make it more complicated, with jealousies and drama and immature greed. 

 

4 Which would you prefer: a wild, turbulent life filled with joy, sorrow, passion, adventure, intoxicating successes, and stunning setbacks; or a happy, secure, predictable life surrounded by friends and family, without wide swings of fortune and mood? 

    I might prefer the former, but more easily live with the latter.

 

5 Have you ever made a big sacrifice for someone and kept it to yourself? 

    yes 

 

6 How much does fame impress you?

     very little. I've always preferred to run beneath the radar, and am suspicious of those who behave differently.

 

7 You're with friends at an icy mountain lake on a warm sunny day. If you knew it'd be a harsh, bracing shock to jump in, but that later you'd be refreshed and glad you'd done it, would you take the leap? 

    God, never. I hate being cold, and shockingly cold is horrendous.  

 

[from The Book of Questions; the title quotation is by Shivanshu K. Srivastava]

people are always giving me guns

Average rating: 7.5

Snatch (2000) - "Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. When Mickey does not throw his first fight as agreed, an infuriated Brick Top demands another match. Meanwhile, gangster Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) comes to place a bet for a friend with Brick Top's bookies, as multiple criminals converge on a stolen diamond that Frankie has come to London to sell."
length: 1 hour, 42 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: I'd seen it before (2016) but never reviewed it, I love Jason Statham, and the late Dennis Farina was always so good!
IMDB: 8.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 74% Audience: 93%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "Look in the dog."

directed by: Guy Ritchie

my notes: it would help to be very drunk while watching this film, because it's possible to spend so much energy trying to figure it out that you can miss the point. In fact, now that I think about it, there is a strong resemblance to Pulp Fiction (1994; reviewed here). 

    My favorites: Statham as the deadpan and woebegone Turkish, Farina as nutty Cousin Avi, Vinnie Jones as surprisingly funny and uplifting Bullet-Tooth Tony, and Rade Serbedzija as the indomitable Boris the Blade.   

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I somewhat agree. "Snatch is fun to watch, even if no reasonable person could hope to understand the plot in one viewing."

overall:  recommended

 

The Big Sleep (1946) - "Private investigator Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by General Sternwood to help resolve the gambling debts of his wild young daughter, Carmen (Martha Vickers). Sternwood's older daughter, Vivian (Lauren Bacall), provides assistance when she implies that the situation is more complex, and also involves casino owner (John Ridgely) and a recently disappeared family friend. As people linked to the Sternwoods start being murdered, Marlowe finds himself getting ever deeper into the case."
length: 1 hour, 54 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: having seen To Have and Have Not, the pairing of Bogart and Bacall is enthralling
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 96% Audience: 91%
my IMDB: 8/10

AFI: 100 Years … 100 Heroes and Villains (2003) Hero #34

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "'You like to play games, don't you?'

    [meaningful pause] 'Mmm hmmmm" 

directed by: Howard Hawks

my notes: there's no doubting the chemistry between these two, sheesh. Some of the looks that pass between them are so intimate, it's almost painful to watch. It's also a wackadoodle story that careens about for a couple of hours with no clear purpose, but is watchable nonetheless. High marks for the palpable, intense heat, as well as the excellent costuming.

    Roger Ebert's review is here, by which I am amused and charmed. "The Big Sleep is a lust story with a plot about a lot of other things."

overall:  enthusiastically recommended

La Femme Nikita (1990) - "Convicted felon Nikita (Anne Parillaud), instead of going to jail, is given a new identity and trained to be a secret police assassin controlled by the government. Her lonely life is warmed when she falls in love with a man who knows nothing of her mysterious life."
length: 1 hour, 57 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library    
I watched it because: I knew I'd seen it before (2006!) but had not reviewed it. Plus, Jean Reno

    previously mentioned here
IMDB: 7.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 89% Audience: 84%
my IMDB: 8/10

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "'I'm scared.'

    'The worst's over.'"

directed by: Luc Besson (also wrote and co-produced)

my notes: when I saw this the first time, it really screwed with my head. I think that was more about who I was dating at the time—Nick brought this to me—than the movie itself. I had tagged it "do not see". However, time heals all wounds and some preferences (or fears), so I tried it again. 

    And I loved it.

    It's an uncomfortable film, with some scenes that are offensive, or scary, or intense and chaotic. There are also some unexpected, touching moments (Jeanne Moreau as Amande, teaching Nikita about grace) and also some real joy. I love, love, love Tchécky Karyo as Bob. It's such a tough role and he's superb. The expression at the end of the clip below ... brilliant. Naturally, Jean Reno (Victor the Cleaner) is terrific. 

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I strongly agree.

overall: highly recommended

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) - "In 1970s England the head of MI6, Control (John Hurt), dispatches an agent (Mark Strong) to meet with a Hungarian general who knows the identity of a Soviet spy in the organization's ranks. However, the mission goes wrong, and the general dies before he can reveal the information. Undersecretary Oliver Lacon (Simon McBurney) calls veteran agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) back from forced retirement to ferret out the mole and stop the flow of vital British secrets to the Russians."
length: 2 hours, 7 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Toby Jones, Ciarán Hinds, Stephen Graham... all favorites
IMDB: 7.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 84% Audience: 65%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: R (probably for the owl scene, which is unforgettable)

notable quote: "After today, Peter, you have to assume they're watching you. If there's anything you need tidied up, now's the time."

directed by: Tomas Alfredson

my notes: I thought that Tchécky Karyo in La Femme Nikita brilliantly conveyed a character of supreme, stoic quiet—and then I saw Gary Oldman in this film, imbuing Smiley with a similar mien, and realize that I'm drawn to such characters. It's an extremely twisty film and I'm sure I didn't catch all the layers. 

    Roger Ebert's review is here, with which I agree, most of all that "the screenplay ... is not a model of clarity. I confess I was confused some of the time and lost at other times; the viewer needs to hold in mind a large number of characters, a larger number of events and an infinite number of possibilities."

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Actor—Oldman

• Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay—Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan

• Best Music, Original Score—Alberto Iglesias
overall:  recommended

 

[the title quotation is from The Big Sleep]

I advance for as long as forever is

Twenty-four years remind the tears of my eyes. 

(Bury the dead for fear that they walk to the grave in labour.) 

In the groin of the natural doorway I crouched like a tailor 

Sewing a shroud for a journey 

By the light of the meat-eating sun. 

Dressed to die, the sensual strut begun, 

With my red veins full of money, 

In the final direction of the elementary town 

I advance for as long as forever is. 

 

[Dylan Thomas {1914-1953}, 'Twenty-Four Years' from Collected Poems]

a personality is stamped on a library just as a shoe is shaped by the foot

1 If you could accomplish only one thing in the rest of your life, what would it be? 

    to be content 

 

2 If you could completely eliminate one of your pet peeves, what would you get rid of? 

    I'm torn between two big ones: 

        - calling or texting just to chat, when I'm known to be working 

        - lawnmowers, chain saws, etc., before 9:AM 

 

3 If you could win any competition in the world, what would it be for? 

    the joy is in the playing. 

 

4 If you had to repeat one alcohol or drug experience you've had, which one would you relive?  

    this night at the biker bar with my friend and her friend, about which I've written a few times

 

5 If you had to name the best purchase you've ever made, which one would you choose? 

    at the moment, it's a tie between my 3 pairs of gorgeous slides (blue suede pictured here, burgundy velvet pictured here and here, and the black velvet that are just like the burgundy) ... and Bob Marley, the cactus

 

6 If you could change one thing about your home, what would you make different? 

    it would be located a little further out of town, in a valley with at least two exits, and surrounded by an acre of prairie flowers on each side, surrounded by a 20-foot brick wall with razor-wire and ground glass embedded in the top

 

7 If you could teach a person any single thing, who and what would you choose? 

    someone I know well is a really good cook - but cooks with way too much salt. Holding back a little (or a lot) on the salt can sometimes (often) make things taste more like themselves, you know? And too much salt can start to taste like a chemical rather than a flavor-enhancer. I still like their food, and still eat it as often as I can, but with the knowledge that I'll need an extra bottle of water to recover from a dry mouth and slightly queasy tummy later.

 

[from If...Questions for the Game of Life; the title quotation is by Alan Bennett, from "Baffled at a Bookcase" (London Review of Books, Vol. 33 No. 15, 28 July 2011)]

History will be kind to me—for I intend to write it

1 Has a chance encounter ever changed the course of your life? What was it? 

    while wandering the administration building on campus during law school, I ran into someone I'd known at the library when I'd been working a temporary job. She asked if I was planning to apply for the job that was open in the department I'd liked the best—technical services—when the manager left. I hadn't known it was open, and said I'd think about it. I applied the next day, got an interview later in the week, and was hired during the interview. I stayed in that role, through its expansion, for the next decade and a half. 

    I don't know if I ever had a chance to thank her for that question, or to let her know that it really did change my life. 

 

2 If a year of your life could be traded for $25,000, how many years would you trade in?  

    a past year, or a generic future year? I would trade 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2022 for a nickel, in a heartbeat.  

 

3 Do you believe that no one is indispensable in the workplace? 

    that is correct. What happens if you get hit by a bus? You get replaced. What happens if you get fired, downsized, move to a new town, win the lottery? You get replaced. It is possible to be valued, but 'indispensable' implies that the [work] world ends when you leave. Unless you're the only employee, that's not gonna happen.

 

4 Do you ever drink iced coffee or tea in the winter? 

    I drink iced tea at least every Saturday morning, throughout the year. And if I'm getting coffee it's going to be a "coffee drink" and thus served cold.

 

5 What smells do you find relaxing? 

    in small quantity, I like lemon, mint, or vanilla. Too much of even a good thing is a bad thing, though—pretty often, my migraine headaches arise from nothing so much as they do from a strong scent.

 

6 Have you toasted marshmallows on an open fire?

    I'm not an "open fire" sort of person, but I do have a couple of marshmallow tidbits:

    • my boss at the educational company made s'mores for a group of us while on a weekend at a cabin ... only he'd never made s'mores before, and was very much A City Kid. He understood them in principle but not in practice. He went outside with the proper ingredients, but came inside with what can only be described as grilled s'mores. As in, he'd assembled them like grilled cheese sandwiches, and then placed them on the grill. The graham crackers had grill marks (delicately turned mid-way so they were "done" on both sides). I laughed through tears at his adorableness, and am doing the same as I write this.

    • my mom is a big marshmallow fan, which is pretty weird because she's not one for sweet things generally. As the youngest child in my family, I enjoyed a "different family" than my siblings had, with a sort of focused attention that was both gratifying and highly annoying at times. One of those gratifying moments came when I walked into our kitchen to see my mom roasting a marshmallow on the (electric) stove. She'd speared it with a regular dinner fork and was gently rotating it above the burner. A quick, slightly guilty glance was followed by a big laugh and the two of us, forks in hand, giggling over our toasted marshmallow treat. That experience was never repeated but remains a funny, happy memory.

 

7 In what general knowledge quiz category is your knowledge generally not that great? 

    history 

 

[from 3000 Unique Questions about Me; the title quotation is Winston S. Churchill]

a spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool Heart

I am in need of music that would flow 

Over my fretful, feeling finger-tips, 

Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips, 

With melody, deep, clear, and liquid-slow. 

Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low, 

Of some song sung to rest the tired dead, 

A song to fall like water on my head, 

And over quivering limbs, dream flushed to glow! 

 

There is a magic made by melody: 

A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool 

Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep 

To the subaqueous stillness of the sea, 

And floats forever in a moon-green pool, 

Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep. 

 

[Elizabeth Bishop {1911-1979} 'Sonnet', from The Complete Poems 1927-1979]