Questions Bipolar Version #8

That's a tough choice. The first person that popped into my head was Bernie Sanders. The second Dave Chappelle. I would also love to interview Snoop Dogg. As for female guests, Rachel Maddow or Cate Blanchett. Eclectic mix, huh? They are all extremely smart and interesting.

Do you like poetry? If so, who is your favorite poet?

I'm not big into poetry but am familiar with Maya Angelous - I also loved Amanda Gorman who did the poem at the Presidential inauguration.

What is the one thing you bought where you really got your money's worth? Like you use it more than you ever thought.

My Samsung tablet -- it was only $200. I have online subscriptions to seven different newspapers, & now waste more time than ever reading. Having a tablet makes one far less conscious of time spent online than sitting in front of a computer desk does.

My first pet ever was a hamster...I remember watching in horror as the creature devoured its own babies! What was your first pet, & what memories do you have of it?

My first pet was a mut, half old English sheepdog and half mystery. She looked just like a bearded collie. She was so intelligent and easy to train, she impressed everyone. All her babies were snatched up cause the whole road knew her. She herded all the dogs on the road, up and down though the ditches and into the fields. She was fantastic. Training her was a treat, she spoiled me for other dogs cause she loved to learn and worked for praise.

What breed of dog would you be? And why?

A pug. Small, oversensitive, scared of the big dogs, easily dominated by cats, loves to eat, with a great sense of fun and child-like enthusiasm.

Do you usually have bananas in the house? How about peanut butter?

Yes and yes. Both my Hubby and I like bananas. I am the only one that likes peanut butter, though. Coincidentally, I just ate a half of a peanut butter and preserves sandwich. I don't have a banana left at the moment, but usually do. I made banana nut muffins last week. They do sell peanut butter in the large grocery store near me (in Czech Republic), but it's a little different than some in the US. I actually brought a jar of American pb with me.

If you had to be a bird, what kind would you want to be?

I'd have to be in a very energetic (hypo?) mood, but if I had to be a bird I'd be a robin. They're the first birds up singing in the morning, & the last to sing at night...their song is very melodic, as well. They work all the damned day hunting for their worms & other insects...no lazy hanging around the bird feeders for them! The way they hop & look around (kind of like being on sentry duty) is a real pleasure to watch, too. They don't seem take any crap from other birds, either. They kind of remind me of their ancient cousins, the raptors, in many ways. Robins are definitely pretty cool.

If you could live in any decade of the 20th or 21st centuries (or any other century, I guess), which would you choose? Why?

I guess 2010-2020 except not 2020. I had my dream job for a while in there, I became and aunt twice, I moved to a house by my mom which is much better for me, I did exposure therapy for PTSD and it was very hard but very helpful. There were really bad times in that decade but I think I find the most positive in that one.

Do you think they should cancel the 202(0)1 Olympics because of COVID?

I just looked up the start date and see it's the end of July. That's a tough call. I suppose if all of the athletes are tested, it shouldn't be that bad for them. However, then there's all of the usual spectators. That would be a shame to limit them, but probably would be a good idea until the world has been mostly vaccinated. I can say that it probably won't happen by the end of July, so perhaps a bit of delay would be wise.


What is something you've learned during the course of the pandemic?

Never don't hug someone when you can because you don' tknow when you will have another chance.

Is your April unseasonably warm?

Yes, it is warmer than should be. Beautiful, but we desperately need rain!

Have you been vaccinated? If not, will you be?

I get my 2nd shot Wednesday. I'm so excited because that means I can see my therapist in person the following Monday as he's already fully vaccinated.

Is there a scent you find particularly soothing?

I don't know why, but I always found the scent of patchoulli incense very soothing. While I haven't burned incense in a long time, the smell of patchoulli takes me back to the days when I meditated on a daily basis. I still have my old, brass Buddha in a box somewhere. Given my mood lately, a little meditation practice wouldn't hurt.

Do you have a meditation, prayer, or other practice that centers you? If so, describe it.

“This too shall pass.” It’s something I say to myself often. It helps remind me that all things are temporary. Eastern philosophy is so helpful. I miss candles and incense as mum is too fretful about fire to burn them. But my daughter gave me a salt lamp that has a particularly nice look and the scent warmer has lavender in it.

What is your favorite indoor activity.

Baking/cooking.

Are you particularly afraid of some insect or animal that most people aren't so much?

Butterflies I know they are pretty but they scare the bejesus out of me. Despise moths, daddy long legs too. When I was a kid they never bothered me lol

Question: Have you not had a vaccine for covid out of choice? Or are you waiting on yours (if so do you know when you will get yours?)

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I am extremely pro-vaccine. I think those who avoid them out of fear, or religious reasons, are grossly misguided. I would get the vaccine right at this moment, if I could, but unfortunately the roll out in Czech Republic is painfully slow. Actually, it's slow in many European countries, with just a couple exceptions. I will try to get it as soon as it is available for me. If I was still in the US, I would have signed up for it already. I want the world to get back to some level of normalcy again. Let's get these vaccinations in arms even faster!

Do you remember the most beautiful sunset in your life? Where was it?

That would be up north on the lake. Many beautiful sunsets up there. The water reflecting the colors. An especially colorful sunset occurred when it had been storming and cleared off just before evening and the sun came out.

What’s the. Most memorable vacation you have ever taken?

France 1999.... I was 14 years old and I was going on a French Exchange trip with my high school. I had never been away from home, never holidayed outwith the UK. It was amazing. We went on trips to zoo's, beaches, theme parks, aquarium, the school we were twinned with, a river boat trip, a castle. I loved mostly the theme park as it was a water park, the beaches and the zoo's.

Question: How do you spend your weekends? Does it vary how you spend it?

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Our weekends have been pretty boring since Covid hit. Saturdays are usually spent cleaning. I vaccuum & mop, while my partner does the bathrooms & changes the sheets. We both pitch in on laundry duty. We've got a pretty "Marxist relationship" where distribution of labor is concerned. Sundays are pretty chill most of the time.

What was the first concert or significant musical event you ever attended? Who? What? Where? Describe the experience.

Sarah Maclachan, 1997, senior year of college in Pittsburgh with a good fiend. It was fun but I've not been to another concert because I can't handle the noise. Maybe someday.

Do you find that the 13 months of lockdown makes it hard to start being around people (post vaccines and waiting period of course)?

Yes. I feel much awkward around people. I’m going for my second shot soon and will be safe going places but still the mask is everywhere and I depend on lip reading. It’s so much easier to just stay home and not push myself.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve bought during the pandemic?

My husband and I have spent money on countless numbers of things since we moved abroad and set up house here. That was all done during the pandemic. We had also spent thousands of dollars upgrading our old house to put on the market, also during the pandemic. But to pick one little thing that is a "treat", I'll say the new gas grill we just bought. I always wanted one. Previously we had just a charcoal grill. It's not yet fully assembled, but will be before May.

If you could do one summer activity right now (as if it was summer), what would you do?

Go swimming in Ogunquit. I suppose I could do that now but it would be awfully cold. Would you rather live in a mansion in the worst area of town or 250 square feet in an area you have always dreamt of living.

250 sq feet in a dream area

Did you go to camp as a kid?