forced to answer

1. No cop-out answers allowed: which 5 CDs would you least likely give up?
   
1. Meatloaf, Bat out of Hell. It always makes me laugh, and sigh, and sing along.
2. Handel's Watermusic. Peaceful and lovely.
3. A mix that I've made of some favorites from my Sister Hazel CDs (named after coworker T).
4. Fuel, Something Like Human. Their version of "Daniel" is enough to make me choose this.
5. A mix that I made for Ulysses a couple of months ago.
   
2. You've written that you watch both Law & Order and CSI. Which of each series do you like the best, and which is your least favorite? Why?
   
   • Top CSI: the original (Las Vegas). They have a sense of humor and a lack of pretense that all the rest lack.
   • Bottom CSI: New York. I love the cast, but they're just tooooooo New-Yawk-ish. I can't forget that it's "TV drama" that I'm watching.
   • Top L & O: the original, currently starring Jeremy Sisto. He's a character. And I like the primarily action-oriented focus. (Though Criminal Intent is a close second, 'cause I LOVE D'Onofrio!)
   • Bottom L & O: SVU. Too overwrought and depressing, and also surprisingly misogynistic considering the premise. (Have you noticed that the guys are referred to by last name, but "Olivia" is always "Olivia"?)
3. Describe your best college memory.
   I met DB when we were freshmen, both taking Mass Communications classes. I was somewhat distractable (understatement!) and she was, if I had to guess, a little overwhelmed. We spent time together outside of class - not regularly, but just every now and then. We would trade stories about our pathetic social lives, eat (often at the diner), and laugh our asses off. The best was when we'd rent paddles and balls from the student union and play ping pong. We were SO bad; it was SO funny. Ping--oops!--ping--pong--ping--damn!--ping--sorry!--ping--pong--shit!--ping--
4. Are you a feminist?
   No. I am a humanist.
5. You've said that you have no regrets, or at least that it doesn't do any good to think about it. How about this: what one perception (or self-perception) would you like to revise, and why?
   I believed for a long time that my relationship with Nick was more "valid" or had a better chance of survival than that that I had with Johnnie, simply because it was local and not long-distance. But it is obvious in retrospect that the physical immediacy with Nick was a poor substitute for the emotional intensity and connection with Johnnie. I would give anything to be able to go back and know how worthy he was, and I was, and we were.

[this interview was submitted by an anonymous reader via email]