from Questions to Get to Know Someone
147. Among your friends or family, what are you famous for? being a reader. So many stories about me involve a book in my hands somehow.
148. What is something that your friends wouldn't believe was true about you? anyone who has met me as an adult would not recognize me as a young teen. Right around my growth spurt I was ridiculously high-energy, a member of various sports teams and pretty much constantly loopy.
153. What stats for your life would you like to see? number of books read, exercise bike miles ridden, and love letters received
154. What did you think you would grow out of, but haven't? calling my brother "big brother"
155. What are three of the most significant numbers in your life? the college telephone number of my best guy friend from high school, an officer's number, and the ZIP code of a place I once lived
156. What are some of your personal "rules" that you never break? never wear white bra under fewer than two layers, no red wine with fish, and 'sandals weather' is 64º and above
157. What's the best and worst piece of advice you've ever received? "you're really bad at kissing, so you just shouldn't do it"--this counts for both
160. What small gesture from a stranger made a big impact on you? when I fled to Norman to sort out my heartbroken soul, I spent most of each day (while Heidi was at work) wandering the city. I took pictures, read, wrote in my journal, and went to the shops. One of those stores was Cookies & Cards—which is now closed, sadly!—a combination bakery and gift shop. I was there several times, buying amazing cookies for snacks and cards and gifts for everyone I could think of. Each time I was there, an employee named Bob would wait on me. He was businesslike, but also kind and attentive. We chatted after I'd been there a couple of times. He asked my story and I gave the brief version of why I was in town. Well, I intended it to be brief, but I probably poured out my heart to him. He didn't lecture in return, didn't give me the offhand, useless "everything's going to be fine" cliché, and didn't blow it off. He just said, Keep being good to yourself. (He also gave me a free cookie.)
That whole trip was mystical. Bob at Cookies & Cards was part of that.
161. What do you regret not doing or starting when you were younger? saving toward retirement
162. What's the dumbest thing you've done that actually turned out pretty well? law school
163. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to? I would revert to the original
164. When people look at you, what do you think they see? at the moment: exhaustion, freckles, and my poker hand (it shows on my face)
165. What can you not get right, no matter how many times you try? spelling the word "accommodate" right without help
166. What question can you ask to find out the most about a person? "how do you feel about your memories of potty training?" is an awesome question to ask
167. As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of? being more afraid as I get older
168. What lifestyle change have you been meaning to make for a while now? I've been thinking about becoming filthy rich
169. In what situation or place would you feel the most out of place? karaoke in a crowded bar
171. What personality traits do you dislike the most, and value the most? dislike: those who are condescending, cruel, or petty; value: someone who is perceptive, capable, and appreciative
[from here; the title quotation is by Haruki Murakami, from Men without Women]
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