The Interview

I've never done a meme* before but if it's good enough for Maria, it's good enough for me.

Here's how it works:

1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions -- each person's will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Here's Maria's "interview" with me!


How did you meet Steve? Where did you go on your first date?
I met Steve when I was in the 7th grade so that would be 1969! Wow, I never put a year on it before. His family lived a street over from my family so we rode the same bus to school. We were acquaintances I guess you’d say though he tells me he had a crush on me in high school. Yeah, well who didn’t, pal? No, no, I believe him – it’s just weird that I never knew that. Of course he was a wild man back then. And I was a goody-two-shoes. Still am. :-)

Fast forward to 1993. We became reacquainted through a mutual friend. This woman told me I should call her boss, told me about him and when she told me his name, I said, “I think I know him!” But I wouldn’t call him because it was just too weird. What would we talk about? It turns out this woman and I share the same birthday so a bunch of us decided to go to the bar I hung out at and she invited him. He showed up! He even sang karaoke! Knowing him as well as I do now, I can’t believe he came – he’s very shy.

We hung out in the parking lot talking afterwards and then talked on the phone a few times. Then he came over to my house to watch a movie and the relationship grew from there. I was freshly separated from my ex-husband and I told Steve I wasn’t going to get involved with him because he would just leave and what’s the point, really. He declared he wouldn’t leave and he’d prove me wrong. Here we are 12 years later. Here’s Steve’s favorite phrase that I sometimes feel compelled to say: “You were right and I was wrong.” Usually I feign choking while saying it.


What is the scariest thing you've ever done?
I flew to Sweden by myself to meet up with Gretchen who had been living there as an exchange student for a year. This was 1978. It was time for her to come home so we traveled together around Europe by train for a month, sleeping in youth hostels. It was a blast – and only some parts were scary. It was mostly very fun. Gretchen has always been the more adventuresome of the two of us and had an ear for language besides, so she was the “leader” of our pack. The family joke has become that I always make Gretchen do everything first. (And really, why wouldn't I? I'm the oldest, I can boss her around, right?) So anytime I do something first, I’m sure to point it out. Gallbladder problems? Me! Divorced? Me!

Why do you think I dragged her to New York City last month? The truth is, try and stop her. She loves to travel and explore new places, so I knew she’d totally be up for it. She loves paper (and pens!), so it was a win-win proposition for both of us.


When you were a child, did you have a favorite toy or blanket? Tell about it.
You mean Fujjo, short for Fujjobear? (That’s pronounced Fudge-Oh and Fudge-Oh-Bear. It never had a spelling before! But I didn't want to type Fujo because then you'd pronounce it like that scary dog, Cujo.)

He’s a teddy bear I had as a child and still have. Mom restuffed him a few years ago because he’d been loved to a limp shell of his former self. His fur is worn but he’s in pretty good shape for being damn close to 50 years old.

Oh, the name. Comes from Fuzzy Joe Bear. I couldn’t pronounce shit as a child so our family language became: Dar for jelly. Deedees for cookies. Coffee was something like coggee-cog. Pretty sky was pitty ky. Or was that Gretchen’s? She couldn’t pronounce Stefani so I became Tetti.


What 3 things could you not live without?
I assume you don’t mean people because that’s so obvious.

A computer with Internet connection. I’m completely serious, it’s like my best friend. There, I said it. I'm an Internet junkie. Steve and I must say to each other at least once a week, “What did we do before computers?” We’re usually referring to imdb.com – we’re always looking stuff up, like if we see an actor on a TV show we can’t remember where we saw him previously. Or whether an actor is dead or alive. Or what other movies has so-and-so been in? We both shop online. We check the weather forecast online. And we all know I’m the Queen of All Things Email. I’m a very fast typist and believe why use 100 words when 1000 words will do?

Pets. I don’t think I can live without pets again. Ask me this question again after Reggi, Venus or Verona dies and I’m so grief-stricken, I can’t see straight. I’ll be saying, “Never again! It’s not worth the pain!” For at least a week.

Color. I love color so much! I abhor standard white walls in a home. I love wearing color, seeing color, talking about color.


If you could trade places with anyone for a week, who would it be and why?
Oprah. I want to have her ways and means to help people reach their best potential. And to provide fun and happiness for people, just because. I would do Random Acts of Kindness by the fistful. I don’t just mean her money, but that’s part of it, for sure. She “came from nothing”, yet became so successful, personally, professionally. She’s done her own thing, the right thing – and people have followed. She’s changed lives. She’s been with the same man for 18 years and never married. It all just fascinates me.

Wow. That wasn't all that painful. Thanks, Maria!

*A meme is defined as: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. (Mom and Dad, I know you were going to ask me, weren't you?)