The Interview Meme (Thanks, Kij!)

[weaselmom]

Long.

1. Why did you fall in love with ferrets, instead of, say, dogs or cats?


The answer to why did we first get ferrets instead of dogs or cats would be that I was desperate to have animal companions in my life again, but we're allergic to cats and it wouldn't have been fair to have a dog in our apartment, alone all day. But what you asked is a much better question. I fell in love with ferrets because they are hilarious to have around and to be around.

I love dogs, and they are more openly affectionate and are slavishly devoted in a way that ferrets will never be, and sometimes they do funny things. Some cats can be affectionate, and they're soft and pretty, and they do funny things as kittens but not so much as they get older. But ferrets do hilarious and unpredictable things in the way very small children do. A friend of mine had a big ferret who would crawl under a kitchen towel and v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y creep all around the house under this towel. Obviously she was engaged in some private game or activity, but what? Bug used to climb on the lowest bookshelf and kick all the paperbacks off the shelf onto the floor. Raphael never did that, so clearly it was one of Bug's personal hobbies. However, Raphael was the one who took great pleasure in jumping up, grabbing the end of the dangling toilet paper, and unrolling it.

I used to think these activities were slightly destructive until I read an article by Richard Bach in which he fancifully asserted that ferrets are actually alchemists. They delight in the transformation of materials from one state to another. The row of books on a shelf becomes a pile on the floor. The roll of flat toilet paper becomes a puffy heap.

I love the fact that a ferret in reasonably good health will play like a kit up until the very end of its life. Other animals outgrow that juvenile behavior stage for the most part. Ferrets also crave and give affection, usually becoming more cuddly over time.


2. Your five desert island CDs.


I get to cheat here, because I had actually posted this from another meme some time ago. But perhaps it could be tweaked a bit, thus and so. I think this means I am getting old.

1. My compilation CD of Death In June, Sixth Comm, and Current93
2. Gary Numan "Scarred" (2-CD set)
3. Vidna Obmana "River of Appearance"
4. Joaquin Rodrigo "Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre" et al
5. Best of Bach (J.S.)


3. If you had to take a month-long trip in Europe or Asia, where would you go and why?


Well, Asia is right out. I am not cut out to travel in Asia. But Europe, I think this could be done. (Obviously somebody would have to be subsidizing the trip, because otherwise I would spend my entire Europe experience in an appliance carton under an overpass somewhere, eating mostly soil.) First choice would be to spend a month in the UK because the language barrier would be easier ::sticks out tongue at stroppy_baggage.:: Instead of gadding all over the UK, it would be nice to stay in one place in order to get a sense of the rhythms of life for the people who lived there. But where? I am drawn to parts of Wales as well as the Yorkshire dales and would love to stay in a picturesque village (if any still exist) and just experience that kind of rural life. Oh! Wait! It would also be cool to rent a car, grab my copy of Haunted Britain, and drive all over the place visiting allegedly haunted and spoo00oo00ooky sites. Then again, there's a lot to be said for spending a month in southern Germany around Oktoberfest, cruising the Rhine, visiting medieval castles, and drinking excellent German beer with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Can I get back to you?


4. What's the kindest thing you've ever had said to you? or alternatively, what's the most helpful thing?


What I remember as one of the kindest things happened when our training department at the Evil Gaming Empire put on a day-long workshop for our local ASTD chapter about using games in training. My boss, the MC, dropped the ball toward the end and I had to go into emergency mode and pick up the ball and run with it for about 45 minutes. At the end, many people came up and told me that it had been a great workshop or that I had done a great job. But one man in particular, whose opinion was important to me, grabbed me and shook my hand and said, "You were TERRIFIC!" When I doubt myself (which only happens if I'm alone or with somebody), I try to remember that at least once upon a time I was competent.


5. What would be The Best Birthday Present Ever?


I check my LJ Friends list that morning and read a post in which you and Chris announce: Welp, Lawrence has been fun, but we've decided to move back to Seattle now. (Hey, you asked.) Second best would be S says he has just gotten a $10,000 windfall and is putting it toward the truck (which would significantly help to allay my financial fears), so get dressed because we're going out to adopt two ferrets today. However, right now I would settle for the Dodge dealership making it right with S's truck. This is a long, tedious story that may yet appear in a separate entry. Not a particularly romantic or interesting BBPE, but it would be nice to be relieved of the ongoing tension and irritation.

RULES:
1 - Leave a comment, saying you want to be interviewed.
2 - I will respond; I'll ask you five questions.
3 - You'll update your journal with my five questions, and your five answers.
4 - You'll include this explanation.
5 - You'll ask other people five questions when they want to be interviewed.

Comments

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Thanks for answering! I've always wondered about the ferret thing, but what you say makes sense to me. And I was wondering about the CDs because I can't imagine you happily sticking to only five.

(We're still staying, at least for now.)

Well, rats!

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

What the hell kind of birthday present is that???

You'd be surprised about the music. I listen to a lot more classical music now, and very little industrial. I just haven't heard anything interesting in years, really. Insert pensive emoticon here.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks!

Interview me! Me!

Chris

I'm new at this.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

This turned out to be much harder than I thought! Many of the questions I might ask have already been answered during the years I've known you. Others I can't ask in public (or rather I can ask them, but you probably shouldn't answer them). Let's give this a whirl.

1. You are magically given the opportunity to go on a space mission (orbital) as a passenger, but it will cost you a year off the end of your life. Would you do it? Why or why not?



2. Design and construct your dream (land) vehicle. Your only limitations are you have to use materials and technologies currently available (so no antigrav), and you can't violate the laws of physics (so no FTL). What do you end up with?



3. Your favorite film director says, "Chris, I'm looking for a book to film, and I promise to do it justice." Any book: what and why?



4. What do you truly believe happens to us after we die?



5. I can't draw or sing or write or play an instrument or cook. What talent do you wish you possessed that you just ain't got?

Re: I'm new at this.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmm... interesting! I'll have to think about these, then I'll post 'em to my journal (that sounded like, "joy-nal" in my head, dunno why). I 'spose that'll mean I'll need to pass on the interviewing-ness.

Hugs,
Chris

Re: I'm new at this.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Done!

http://www.livejournal.com/users/mckitterick/23494.html

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Ask me! I can't say for sure I'll ask another twenty people five questions, but I'll at least answer them. Your questions are so good.

Re:

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm losing track of how this meme works... you're asking me to ask you five interview questions? If so, I will apply my tiny brain to the task. Right now it feels like it's rattling around in my skull like a bean in a boxcar.