The Question-Answer Game - Page 75  

Karl Marx, Alan Turing, Isaac Newton (you wanted one for each category right?).

Which living person in the public eye do you most detest? Which do you most admire?

Detest: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Currently)
Admire: Bill Gates

Which high school subject was your strong suit?

Mm, English.

SQ?

Geometry.

SQ

Foreign languages

What is your favorite color for an automobile?

White, Black or Silver.....

SQ!!!

Gary

Black or Red.

SQ.

I've to answer some of these questions because they're just too enticing to pass up:
1. My "car." While I do have a car, it stays in the garage of a house I rarely live in, and it has not been washed in at least 5 years.
2. My actual "car," which is not a car at all, but a van, I've never washed, nor have I had it washed: Long story short, it's never been washed, and I bought it brand new: It's a 2010. Nobody could talk me out of it, and I could only "live" with the idea of getting it in black, because there was just something about the look of a modern van in Black: Sort of "Space Age" in a strange neo 60's way, and, just like the van of my dreams which I will never have because the old ones are too much work, It sleeps two comfortably, and four in a kind of ersatz orgy. I've never washed it because I didn't at all like the attention it got when it was brand new and shiny like a mirror: It sort of looked like a shimmering moon-mobile. Everyone would stare at it. Now that I've had it for 2 years, and never washed it, it looks more....like I want it to look. Less noticeable. For me, a car is worthless if you can't sleep in it. It was a special order model: They don't make these much any more as there isn't much demand. People tend to have SUV's and not envision sleeping in their car. Me: I've not only slept in it, but I've had parties in it: It has a bar, and everything that's required for a good old party. I once got 16 people in it to get to a concert. It also transported a genuine miracle working streaming Icon that was "Touring" the country in the company of a Priest, two novice Monks, and two Nuns. The dirtier it gets, the more I like it. Black never looks clean, anyway, so why worry?
Most Embarrassing Moment: In 1993 when "Comme des Garcons" (original) came out, everyone in the industry was talking about it: Never before had a barcode been considered a logo, and then the odd plastic wad it came in was obviously ground breaking: Not to be outdone, Rei Kawakubo was calling it a "medicament." It was meant to cure colds and various malaises, and, actually, it works. The very second it hit the market, I bought it in a shop that was down near Vondelpark called "Reflections." That night, I wore it out on a date: We went to this restaurant called "de Belhamel" which is still there. We had not been seated for 10 minutes that the maitre d'hotel presented himself at our table to indicate that we would not be welcome for dinner that night, on account of my "wearing too much perfume." Anybody who knows "de Belhamel" will imagine just how embarrassing this was. It's almost 20 years later and every time I walk by it or see it from across the canal, I cringe: Obviously, I've never been back.

What would you reckon is the thing single most to blame for the decreasing rate of lasting marriages, and soaring divorce rates in Western Culture?

There is no stigma to getting or being divorced. A generation ago it was scandalous, and couples stayed together because the alternative seemed worse. No longer.


What do you think is the primary reason for the declining birth rates in European countries.

Don't know if it's the primary reason but maybe it's in part because the high cost of living forces couples either to move or to have fewer children.

When you were younger, whose pictures or posters of a famous individual did you have plastered all over the walls of your room?

le mouchoir de monsieur, good to see you posting!

I think many factors:
high cost of living
lack of government support/grants/blessing
demanding work environment
surging interest for material goods

Your most embarrassing moment as a teen? as an adult?

Forgetting my lines in a high school play in front of a large audience.

I'll re-post: When you were younger, whose pictures or posters of a famous individual did you have plastered all over the walls of your room?

ahh sorry I skipped your question hednic.

It is frowned upon, in our household, to hang anything other than art on our walls as children and teens.

Your most embarrassing moment as a teen? as an adult?

As a teen mentioned two posts above. As an adult when at a meeting with both male and female associates years ago, gave a 50 minute presentation with my fly opened, and was only told after.

How many levels or floors does your current home have?

3 levels - ground - first and second
because of our close proximity to the ocean we cannot have basements. We reach water as shallow as 3 meters of digging.

same Q

3.

Sq

Ever so often, there are some juicy ones on here, and I have to answer: Even when, at any rate, as many of you know, I am asleep.

#1: Poster: So many things were "frowned upon" while I was growing up, notably, the very idea of putting up a poster on the wall, even though, in those years, that was very much a "done thing." How I handled this: Many of you may have wondered what my choice of Avatar could possibly represent. Here is the story: When that album came out, I was 7 I think. The blown up image of Mick Fleetwood standing and...is it Lindsey Buckingham, or the other one? as a "pretend" little person throwing the crystal ball knocked me for such a loop, that I never quite grew out of it: First of all, more iconic photography in Rock History, there is not. It is Hall of Fame. Everything about the image captivated me as child, and there was no escaping it: It was everywhere, and I loved every single detail about it. I grew up too tall too fast, and so I think the first thing was that somehow I related to the specificity of it, and how this oddity of height was rendered "cool" in this beautiful photographic study. It also created a fascination with crystal balls that continues to this day, as I collect these, and the seeds of this collection took root at the very epoque of the photo. When, two years later, "Rumours" came out, not only was I then old enough to actually listen to the music and enjoy it, (not the case with the first) but the same phenomenon occurred with the image: Mick Fleetwood dressed as a Neo-Romantic in knee breeches, tights, ballet flats, and a pirate shirt, and Stevie Knicks in the debut of what would become, and remains to this day, her signature black chiffon: I thought to myself, "Wow. I want to be Mick Fleetwood." Somehow, that happened, as much as "being" someone you're not ever does: I may look more like Frank Zappa in the face, or so I am constantly told, but physically, I have become Mick Fleetwood. I have an hand painted bigger than life size mural of this, the "Rumours" image, without the logo, which font I also loved and still do, in my consulting room colour coded just as was the original album cover: Pale lemon background, sepia image. Anyone less than 30 that sees it says "Wow! That's an awesome picture of you! who's the girl?" which comment I find hilarious. How could anyone not know that image, I wonder? So there were those two images: Obviously, I "related" heavily: Someone was way too tall and much too thin and wiry yet was actually cool. It gave me hope. Then, that beautiful image of Kris Kristoferson holding the newly-permed Barbra Streisand in a torrid "Silent Screen Era" tribute montage hit in 1976: I was mesmerized. Again, though I cant say I am today a great fan of any of these people, these images seared themselves into my brain. I still have my "A Star is Born" T-shirt and I wear it often, just as I have a "Rumours" T-shirt, all from the time: Both are reserved for "Special Occasions." {Very recently, I actually saw "A Star is Born." (I was never able to see it back in the day) Though it's nothing like Hollywood's third remake of this famed story, with James Mason and of course the impish Judy Garland, at her vocal prime, Barbra kicks some very serious ass in this flick, and so does Kris, who, as I understand it, was not really an actor at all: Surprisingly, A great movie! I was so surprised. I told the story above related to a colleague who then gave me the DVD + CD "Box Set" of "A Star is Born." I had no idea Babra Streisand could rock out with such gusto. Remarkable movie, an historical study visually: This "is" what 1976 looked like: I remember. I was there. Great albums, all three iconic and history changing in each their own specific ways. (For a close look at what 1978 looked like, re-visit another forgotten Blockbuster: the excellent "EYES of Laura Mars,"--Faye Dunaway is superb in this-- ironically, another, like "A Star is Born," -Hollywood remake #4- product of the novice hairdresser Jon Peters, who's singular, and remarkably deft vision was principally empowered and obviously financed by his then status of being Barbra Streisand's BF, a hot, and clearly rewarding spot to fill in those days.)

I just turned 47. Unlike my 45th birthday, two days before which I began a four day suicide mission style bender that remains legendary in my social circle, as on the second day, my actual birthday, I disappeared entirely, putting everyone in a state of frenetic panic. This birthday, on the other hand, was actually sort of fun: Someone threw me a "Limo Party," including dinner in a sexy Restaurant marocain, and the whole event was a joyful one: I feel elated to be "Frankly Middle Aged," and I love the way I look. Time has proven: As I get older, I don't get more conservative, I just get weirder. At this point, everyone knows I'm going down the Mick Jagger/David Bowie way, and proud. (Hopefully not the Keith Richards way) Making abstraction of the oft repeated and meaningless "You're only as old as you feel" (Obvious nonsense, as I would then be either 12, or 21, according to the day/my mood) do we not all agree that, at this stage in history/culture, we are now all free to make of age what we chose? I know I am. People regularly think I'm in my twenties! I may be "Middle Aged," but my 28" waist jeans are not getting any less aggressively fitted. Sorry.

I live in a flat, so 1. The house itself has 3.

What size jeans did you wear when you were a young adult and what size are you wearing now?

X to XL, in both cases

What's your favorite room/home fragrance?

Don't really use any. Sometimes, when my neighbour's pong is wafting through the house, I use Al Rehab's Aseel, mainly because I find it unwearable as it's massively loud, and I have used Molinard's Vanille a few times.

Same q

There is an oil I found in a perfume shop when I was in Egypt back in February and it's very musky but has a hint of a few other things I'm yet to determine. It's a beautiful home fragrance and I wish I'd bought a bit more of it now!

So, you're at home, hungry for something to eat but you have no "ready meals" available but do have a full pantry. What's your favourite recipe to make at home and how to do make it?

Stir fried tofu and vegetables with garlic seasoned with sumac over rice.

For you, where on the body would be an appropriate location for a tattoo if you decided to get one?

No place, since I decided to go without tattoos, but if I'd do it, it most likely be in a very predictable spot, like upper or lower arm

I know it's anything but healthy in most of the cases, but if you would have to resort to convenience food, what would you most likely choose to purchase/cook/eat?

If you mean by convenience food fast food: hamburgers

What is your favorite oil to cook food in?

Olive.

What size jeans did you wear when you were a young adult and what size are you wearing now?

28in then now 34 in.

Sq

JEANS: 28 then. 28 now. 28's are now a bit big on me as they are not "really" 28's. My "Levi's" Jean size is 28/38. An impossibility to find. The only jeans that fit me now are Dior Homme jeans, which are the only ones that are long enough. As a result, as jeans go, that's all I ever wear, and since I don't ever wear anything but jeans, (except when in black tie) I make a pretty straight diet of them. Last count I had 90+ pairs. Interestingly, I hardly ever wear blue ones, and prefer "buff," "stone," white, cream or pale grey.

Room Fragrance: Rigaud "Bois Precieux"--I LOVE this--these candles are the brown ones in the line. It's a mix of Oud, Santal, and other woods. I also burn quite a bit of Orthodox "Benzoin" natural incense, the type that requires a chracole pastille to burn made by monks in the Near East. In common incense, I love/have always loved "SUPER HIT." (it smells stinky/overly incensey in the box, but when burned, is delightful)

TATTOOS: There is no spot on my body I would not consider tattoos, save for: Above the collar line, below the cuff line.

OIL: Hemp Seed Oil. I *Highly* recommend. Better for the body than any other oil, including olive oil. I "Take" one tablespoon a day as a supplement, and cook with it as well.

FOOD: I'm not an huge fan of food in general. In fact, being 6'7, it is a struggle to keep my weight above 150lbs. Nobody understands why I don't like to eat, and I don't either. I would just prefer not to eat. I'm waiting for the "food pill." At large dinner parties, the type that typically precede galas and fundraisers, my signature move: Don't touch the food at all, and drink my way through dinner. It's impossible for me to dance if I've eaten. I never have ready made food at home, ever. Typically, I can make a meal out of a pot of tea, which I drink with soy milk and one teaspoon of maple sirup in each cup. If I feel I *MUST* eat, (it happens) I usually crave pure meat, and nothing else. As a result, a filet mignon. I will eat these "Rosemary's Baby" style,--as one Girlfriend called it--most often late at night/in the middle of the night, merely seared on the outside. The French call this "mode de cuisson" Bleu. I also can very literally control hunger by inhaling perfumes very deeply, and meditating while doing so. I do this often during the day: Colleagues, ever fascinated by this, call this curious habit "Smelling my lunch."

Does anyone think, at this stage in the game, we can expect to ever witness peace in the world?

MdM, I am so glad to see you posting again. I loved that Fleetwood Mac album cover too, also fascinated by crystal balls, though I only have one, a small clear quartz one with a flaw (an inclusion?) that is an internal plane that refracts light, and that captivated me years ago. There is nothing wrong with eating meat and not much else, but you should probably try to eat some vegetables too. Your description of your body sounds like the "hunter" type (see Peter D'Adamo and his Genotype book), which requires meat and few grains. Try to make sure the meat is grass fed and as pure as possible - wild game like venison is probably good for you, do you like it? I'm very interested in your weeping icon story.

To answer the question: I think world peace is unlikely...at this stage of the game.

sq.

In the current context, I would tend to say: no


What is your favorite physical activity?

Jogging

Have you ever attended an international sporting event?

Yes, 3 times. All soccer.

SQ

Yes the World Cup in Argentina in 1978

What do you have planned in the upcoming week that is of high priority?

Merely work-related tasks


Excepting Basenotes, what other Internet discussion forums do you like to frequent?

No. I have so much disdain for sports that even writing the word "sport" gives me a shiver of disgust. Personally, I think, even though I am of Greek heritage, "Sports" are unhealthy and perpetrate the inbred "Warrior Gene" we, unfortunately, all have. If I ruled the world, sports would be illegal: In their place, exercises of Human Love, Compassion, Equality and Kindness. Thank you, Lillybelle . I already knew I was a "Hunter." I can't eat grains at all. Meat, and vegetables are the only solid foods I am able to comfortably digest. Concerning meat, the rawer the better. Mostly, I would just eat raw meat if left to my own devices: I've to force myself to get the vegetables in: I do this by making soups, using an immersion blender, and "drinking" them. (I don't much care for raw vegetable juices).

Of what precisely do you think the positive elements consist in: Occupying a professional role that allows you to freely use the term "My Employees," or transport yourself in bright shiny automobile? I am fascinated by this as it is so utterly foreign to me: Though there are legions of people to whom I could conceivably refer as "my employees," the very thought of doing so is so remote that it pains me just to imagine it, as this would be degrading to them. It doesn't take much smarts to infer that any gesture that could potentially illicit degradation in the minds of those to whom you so refer encourages lackluster performance and ill-will, thus, at an endpoint, decreased productivity, so I wonder: What, precisely, is your advantage here? Furthermore: What, precisely, is your advantage in the bright shiny clearly expensive car? Again: I ask only for purposes of understanding and most certainly not to make judgements, which are inherently useless in a context such as this, and, if opinions count, in any context.

Not sure what your question is but the people I pay to do a job are in my employ, so they are referred to as my employees. Nothing to read into that and no advantage.

Do you go out of your way to speak the language of the country you are visiting?

Certainly! Bet way to make friends and have a laugh with the locals even if they are fluent in English.

I'm getting married this June and we shall Honeymoon in Japan in the autumn; currently I'm trying to learn basic Japanese to get around. Speaking only though - no chance of reading it!

What are your favourite flavoured crisps (potato chips for you in the US)?

Yes, I do try to learn a little of the language, or as much as I can. That is part of the fun of traveling, learning about new cultures and meeting new people. Also, it is only polite and courteous to at least make the attempt to learn some of the language. I have found when traveling that people are genuinely appreciative of any effort to speak their language. Even when it amuses them, I find they are more often laughing with me than at me.

I can't imagine what advantage there is in having "employees" and driving a shiny car except that in the first case: there are attitudes of being the nail if you're not the hammer, and better to be the hammer for many people. Otherwise, as Hednic says, it just is what it is. And in the second case, if it isn't for the sheer pleasure of owning and operating a bright shiny car, there is also the matter of projecting a certain persona which might be important in some circumstances. I prefer to keep a low profile, but when I drive the brown station wagon I don't get much respect on the road. America is very car status conscious, and people make assumptions about social status based upon appearances. I find it very funny and bourgeois. If I were tremendously rich I would most definitely want the car that attracted the least amount of attention unless I wanted to go around with body guards.

[MdM, you have inspired me to write more than I usually do in this posts]

My favorite crisps/chips are Utz. I am addicted to those nasty things. They are fried in peanut oil, very salty & crispy and very potatoey tasting.

How many languages do you speak?

Seven not including my own.

Do you have any food allergies?

Not an allergy per se but most definitely a sensitivity to wheat, dairy and corn. I cheat with dairy, but I can't afford to cheat with wheat and corn -- they make me ill.

sq.

Thankfully none that I am aware of.

To record your memories, do you prefer photos or movies?

Photos for me.....

SQ!!!

Gary

I prefer movies because I don't want to forget the sounds.

Which in your opinion is your sharpest sense?

Recording memories: Neither. I write them down: This is so much more effective. Alternately, I'll paint them in oils. Some of my fondest memories are captured this way, as an oil painting takes anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete, and has a way like none other of being imbibed with "The Feeling, (or flavour,) of the epoque." (l'Air du Temps) Here are two bits I forgot from several posts up:

Re: "My" employees. Interesting that my question is not clear as it was asked very plainly. To wit, what precisely is the advantage of referring to people whom one pays as "employees"? In the interest of clarity, i will point out that, if i am not mistaken, i also seem to recall the usage of the term "subordinates" on this thread: Perhaps the question would have been more concise had it been posed using this word, rather than the other. I persist to ask because usage of both of these terms seems to indicate to me that on some plane of logic, such people are below he/she who uses them fluently. The question, as it would be posed in French, autrement dit, is: What are the advantages of living fully convinced that one man is superior to another due to Earthly means? Clearly, all of this is subjective. After all I am asleep. Here's my answer to my own question, then, were it to be reversed: The advantages to driving around in a very noticeably dirty vehicle are many: If you are a deft driver, which I am, they far exceed those which may be had while driving a stunning sparkler: My GF has one of these, my father has many, as does my sister: I have driven all of them at one point or another. Driving the noticeably dirty vehicle is so much more effective in that there is scarce non-driving related data to process while driving, and this phenomenon works both ways: By being on the road in the dirty vehicle, people pay less attention to you, though you receive more attention as an object which is mobile and potentially deadly in a collision or accident. As often vehicles are full of people, children and the like, it would seem that the dirty alternative is frankly safer than the spanking one. This is just a very brief smattering of reasons: There are so may, it would take an age to describe them. There are so many, in fact, that the idea of the opposite's sparkling advantage seems remote, almost impossible, and, interestingly plays well back into the idea of "Human Superiority," which, at best, is a chimera.

Comment preparer un Steak a la Rosemary's Baby, autrement dit: La mode de cuisson dite "bleue."

It is important to have a flat, preferably non stick cooking surface of a matter which can support tremendous heat. No grill, or wavy-bottomed surface will do. Very lightly oil this surface with lard, or some kind of oil, taking care to only "wipe" it, per se, with the grease, whatever it is. (Bacon grease is very effective) Heat your surface for well over ten minutes on a fire as large as you can muster on your range. If you have a longer cooking surface, use two burners. This surface must become near "red hot." This is an unusual thing to do for most people, thus the importance of using a kind of grease, and very, very little of it, that will not combust. All will smoke. Make certain to use the freshest, very best meat. If you don't already have a favourite butcher, find a good one, and buy the meat from him. do not attempt this with pre-packaged meat of any kind. Chose your cut according to personal taste. On a plate, sprinkle finely ground sea salt and powder-grade black pepper until the surface of the plate is unified in cover. "Dip" both sides of the meat onto the plate very quickly, holding it with your fingers to have the utmost control. Once both sides of the meat have been "dipped," take a pair of long pincers, and grasp the meat with them. Do not allow your bare hand, or your body, to get remotely near the cooking surface. Standing away from it, "Drop" the meat onto the surface, so that it hits with a slap: A fearsome searing sound will occur, and their could be sparks and flame, so be very aware of this. Let the meat sit for about 8 seconds. 10 seconds is too long. With the pincers, grab it from below and as quickly as you can, flip it. in the air. Experts can do this using the surface itself and throwing it up like a pizza. The important detail is that it hits the cooking surface with a slap. Let it stay for five seconds on this side. It is OK if the meat catches fire at any time during this experiment. Just be weary of this potential and do not allow yourself too close to the cooking surface while the meat is on it. After five seconds, remove the meat quickly from the surface with the pincers, and drop onto a bare plate. Ideally, your plate, off of which you will then eat the meat, will be heated to as high a temperature as it will withstand. Cut a slab of salted butter about 1cm thick, and drop it in the middle of the meat, allowing it to melt and fall as it will. A bit of chopped herbs throw nonchalantly atop. Steeping Beef Tea is the ideal accompaniment to Steak Bleu. Failing that, Worcestershire Sauce. Provided these instructions are followed to the letter, a more delectable steak you will have never tasted: You just must not have an aversion to red meat.

Would you eat this?

Absolutely. Sounds delicious.

I'll re-pose since not answered: Which in your opinion is your sharpest sense?

I don't like blue meat, I like it hot and pink in the middle, not still mooing, but each to his own.

I don't know what the advantage would be to referring to other people as "your" employees or as "subordinates". I would not do that because I would identify with the feelings of the ones being subordinated and it would be painful for me, but I suppose if you are captain of a pirate ship or something it would be necessary to make your dominant position very clear. The pack must have a leader.


I think it is a disadvantage, actually an illusion.

My sharpest sense is my sense of hearing. It isn't as sharp as it used to be, but it is the one I am most oriented toward. I have to close my eyes to listen to the sunday sermon in church, and I think our priest thinks I'm sleeping. But it is so that I can actually envision what he is talking about. Perhaps that means it is NOT my sharpest sense, since I have to close my eyes.

sq. What is your sharpest sense?

You mean like the five senses? Hm. Probably SMELL. Well, I'm nearsighted ... astigmatic, ummm, I hear OK, feel OK, taste pretty well ... hm ... how to judge.

Since I enjoy smelling so much, I will have to go with SMELL.

**
SQ.

I'd also have to go with smell. It's probably my sharpest.

As a child, what did you collect that you no longer do?

Stamps and bugs. And live reptiles. I think I'll stop there.

Same question!

I collected comic books and baseball cards.

What has been the most romantic thing that someone has said to you?

Wants get you freak on...oh yeah that is romantic I.deed in a weird way.

If you was force to do a crime but you could choose any crime you could do what would it be and why?

Las vegas baby!

Las vegas baby!

Cheat on my income tax return, as no one would get hurt, and the government could weather it.

How do you feel about certain groups of individuals who don't bother to learn the language of the country they have adopted as their new home?

These individuals are attaching intangible crutches to themselves.

To answer MdM's question:

Weird question really. But the answer (mine at least) is simple.

Pure enjoyment.

A trip can be taken in any vehicle,from point A to point B whether high end or a beater.
The high end has features and options that allow for a more enjoyable trip.
But the high end has a Burmester system for which to enjoy music better (jazz sounds so much better), individual climate control (I like cold air blasting on my feet, wifey doesnt), the car is stable and sticks to the road like glue... etc etc Pure enjoyment.
It is not to show off or feel secure or conform to society or masquerade as someone you are not.

When was the first time you realized you enjoyed the internet?

CRIME: Theft. I would rob a bank. I'm quite certain I could pull this off flawlessly, as I can walk into any bank looking absolutely elegant, employ the manners of a Gentleman beyond reproach, and have any female teller eating out of my hand within seconds, especially now that they are all forced and constrained to make small talk and be friendly, under penalty of termination. I would conduct this in such a way that I would be able to walk off in a pace fitting of a Man of Means. Of course, I could not do this alone, as that would be folly: If one is to rob a bank, everything must be in order, especially means of lightening speed exit. I animate specifically as I would then distribute this money to vagrants: Probably not myself, as, leaving the bank, I would most likely be en route to extreme hiding. Call me "Robin Hood" if you must. I'm afraid I don't wear green at all well, just so that's clear.

SENSE: I know myself to be an highly "sensual" person. Every one of my senses is overblown. I was 23 when my mother passed away and my sister came to Amsterdam to meet me shortly there after, staying at the Hotel Krasnapolski on the Dam. I remember specifically being appalled when, very nonchalantly, she proceeded to go about the motions of smoking haschisch. I hadn't any idea anyone in my family would ever partake in drugs, especially her. After I staged my scene of outrage, I firmly ordained that, if she was going to blatantly smoke haschisch, and right in front of me, her younger brother, I was to smoke it with her. Now, my sister is four years older than I, so she watched me grow up and knew me well. Very firmly she refused to allow that I share in her indulgence. When cooly I asked why it was that she should have this privilege and I be denied it, she very convincingly and ernestly explained that I was the only person she could think of that "didn't need haschisch," because, as she put it, I am "Already exactly the way it makes you." It is true that I feel, taste, smell, see and hear intensely, and very little escapes me. This is not necessarily a quality. In fact, it is a proven handicap and people with this sense of built in heightened awareness of all things are typically the ones who go mad. I personally would say my sharpest sense is Intuition. People who know me well all confirm this, and I am/have been quite aware that I can read people's minds, and have done since childhood. It is not something one can "try" to do: it just happens, and it is never faulty.

Romantic thing someone said: "You are the most radiant man I have ever known." I was shaken by the choice of the word "radiant."

Collections: As a child, I collected all the things I still collect. Collections have been a lifelong habit of mine. Certain collections have become so vast, I have had to stop collecting, such as preserved insects in glass shadow boxes, and Chinese export porcelain from the Ch'ing Dynasty (mid to late IXXe Century) These two collections are no longer being curated and added to. The strangest collection I have is my collection of complete dinner services of fine English, Danish, German and French porcelain. This is a habit I started as a young boy of 5, when I stole a piece of my Aunt's beautiful Limoges table service at a Christmas dinner, then, as soon as I was old enough, proceeded to haunt antique stores everywhere to secretly add to it. Thus began the habit of "building" complete sets. What makes this strange, even to me, is that I only ever use one set: Coalport "Countryware" (white english bone, entire set looks to made of cabbage leaves) and have done for the last 30 years: I grabbed this set from my mother when I had my first flat, and have used it ever since, adding so copiously to it over the years that I have it everywhere that i live. The rest never gets used, or displayed: Just very carefully wrapped and boxed, with inventory sheets scrupulously kept. I have only one set on display, the set of which I am the most proud, the Spode transferware called "Greek" in black and white: Though STILL not complete: It is much easier to find in the burnt sienna colour. The black on white is extremely rare. The collection I have does "look" like a set, even though it isn't, and it is on display in my home.

What is it about these things, so frivolous, even useless, that drives us to such distraction? (An obvious illustration of this would be perfume)

What drives me to collect is the pleasure and enjoyment it gives me. Many of the things I collect now I wouldn't consider frivolous nor useless.

What was a bad habit you had that you have overcome?

But my van has every luxury imaginable: it even has that thing that talks to you and tells you how to get where you are going, a sound system that would blow a bra off, and is fitted out inside so beautifully that is almost more comfortable than an house, being snug, with every surface designed to pamper the senses. It's just dirty outside. This is why I mention a few posts up that "my dream van" is and will remain a "dream van" because I could never be that uncomfortable, and still enjoy being in a van. I'd rather just not have the van. My motivation for asking such admittedly weird questions has more to do with the fact that I certainly can't ask them of my daffy lot of friends and family, all of whom are mad. My Aunt, for example, just recently, phoned me up in an uproar, telling me in hushed, contrite tones that she "could not possibly be seen driving around in a jaguar," as the economy had become so bad, and there were so many unfortunates roaming the streets, that she had resolved to get rid of her car that very day. I applauded her choice. Three days later, she pulled up in front of my house in a 2012 Bentley, explaining it was "less obvious." How can one begin to compute that? The "My employee" thing: Reminds me of my father. So many times, i've wanted to tell him how crass he sounds when he uses language like this. Naturally, I would never say such a thing to my father, but it has annoyed/embarrassed me my whole life. I am merely trying to illustrate here that i seek not to point fingers nor to create malaise or discomfort: Only to learn. These are things you just can't ask, when everyone you know is running around in the same dun coloured Mercedes Sports Coupe, or the enormous Britsh Racing Green BMW SUV, and they all think you're daft....in fact.....they don't even think you're daft: they've all ceased to even wonder, pulling up as you do at their parties in this enormous, bizarre, other-worldly filthy black thing that is, under years of dust, actually quite a smart machine.

Travel Destination: A "Total Day Of Beauty" in some chi-chi spa, where it's nothing but massages, steam baths, mint tea, more massages, ice showers, more mint tea, foot rubs, mani-pedis, facials, hair-deep conditioning, and whispering people.

(This is a post script, so no question of import. In it's place, something trite: In the US, they have these hard candies that are like short rulers, made of clear sugar, and they come in all kinds of delicious tastes: I love "Watermelon," and "Green Apple." They come in a plethora of other tastes, but i've only ever had the two indicated above. I'm not sure what they're called: they're plastic wrapped in cleat cellophane and you suck on them, leaving half in the wrapper. They make your tongue the colour they are: the question is: What are they called, and what OTHER tastes are good?)

Bad habit that i've overcome: Sex with randoms.

SQ

I think you're describing Jolly Rancher Stix, somewhat less available that its common brick-shaped cousin. It seems the watermelon flavor has been discontinued - only cherry and green apple now. You'd better start scouring the earth for vintage watermelon JR Stix.

Other tastes: My favorite candies are Swedish Fish, which I assume are even less specifically Swedish than French Fries are French. There was another type of gummy candy that I could get when I was a child that I haven't seen in years - they were brown gumdrop shaped things called Gummy Raisins, or something like that. I rediscovered Swedish Fish after many years of not seeing them, but still no sign of the Gummy Raisins.

Habit: acting in a manner that enrages Aphrodite on a regular basis. I wouldn't say I've overcome it - more like I've been trained, like a old dog with bad habits (which is what I was when she took me in), with many relapses along the way.

SQ

No one questioned your van's elegance, luxury and features.
I'm very far from being an audiophile but what makes the Burmester has the technology to reproduce sounds on a much more vast spectrum than normal car sound systems. I guess its good I am not an audiophile otherwise maybe even the Burmester wouldn't suffice. I took a Buddha Bar cd out of my car at the dealership and put it into a Burmester system and a non-Burmester system and was able to hear a difference. Mainly in high pitched sounds, background sounds and a more solid bass.

For you audiophiles:

I understand you were not trying to judge or create malaise which is why I chose to respond to your very question.
I felt the need to respond because sometimes people drive around in expensive cars for the sake of showing off, to fill a void, to prove to society "they made it" and so on. That is the case. This morning I drove to work in a 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser. It was filthy (I'll take a picture, you'd love it lol). I drove this because my car was low on oil and it was raining. Its the first time its rained in Abu Dhabi since January 2011. Yes more than one year. People drive like maniacs. So I had no issue driving the "old dirty Japanese 4x4".
I care not what strangers think of me. I, somewhat, only care what my friends and friends and family think of me and they don't judge me by the car I drive.