What makes you nervous?
I am in a public space and the speaker is eliciting a comment from me. From what I have heard so far of the speaker’s speech I have precious little to say that is complementary. This has happened more times than I care to count, and it represents nervous¹⁰.
How do you unwind after a demanding day?
I used to “jump in” my flight simulator and take a long flight without a copilot, so I’m handling the radio, monitoring all the gauges, enjoying the scenic landscapes, playing with various views such as how the nearest airport sees my aircraft, planes taking off and landing nearby, and, yes, flying the aircraft. Now I just talk with an imaginary white feline with one eye green and the other blue, who neither purrs nor meows.
I also used to fall asleep rather quickly.
Describe something you learned in high school.
My high school education is as strange as it comes. I was not aware of any impression from the teachers that contributed to my learning or character. The functional and essential lessons for life did not come from the context of math, science and the humanities in the classroom, but rather from a single figure demonstrating that young people needed to be true to themselves and the community to which they belonged.
The power and diversity of languages and the combination of music with sober reflection touched me more deeply than anything else. It seems now that I took with me the idea that the best use of anything I learned was going to need friends and teamwork. As a result, my greatest joys come from the lasting friendships, the music, and the courage to protest anything, anything at all.
What book could you read over and over again?
Some books I have read do thrill me from cover to cover, but they are mostly fantasy and fiction. I do not see myself returning to read them. I can only picture myself returning portions of certain books to see what other deep mysteries of life or what mix of emotions I may discover. I owe you a book, by name, since I am responding to the prompt. Esther, Jewish story, explaining the Feast of Purim and a whole lot more.
When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I had the medical kit, bought at Christmas time, and a vivid imagination, performing surgical procedures on dolls and imitating the MDs whose mannerisms I copied as I played with imaginary patients. I remember listening to my heart and the rushing of blood with a particularly realistic stethoscope.
Do you believe in fate/destiny?
I have retained my confidence, my belief, in God who regulates all processes in the universe with foresight and wisdom. It is obvious that fate is a sibling to the ballot box, enabling divided houses that have long ago fallen to appear as standing and functional for the common good.
One person’s chaos is another person’s utopia. Fate looks a lot like a mother giving birth, nurturing a child, and providing the resources and assistance to that child towards success as a person and a useful member of any community. Conversely, fate is not a host of fallen empires clinging to corrupt practices to maintain influence and international prestige. The humble mother of Yeshua of Nazareth said that fate would have the mighty pulled off their seats and the meek exalted. Destiny for those bound is freedom, and destiny is wearing my neighbour’s shoes and letting him have my coat.
Write about your approach to budgeting.
My income grows in tiny steps. My debts roll in, I pay them. As need arises I buy and never sell. If the colonial sages had half a brain they would have put my feet on a piece of land to call my own. Until then a pox on leftist, rightist budgeting theories. I pay for what I need with tenuous pieces of paper and metal, sometimes with credit just like the vast majority of moguls and their miniscule minions.
What’s your favorite candy?
Will someone invent liquor-ice for an adult variation?
Life is Fun, But Not a Joke 