The Interview

Have you ever wondered a few things about some of the bloggers you visit regularly? Well, if you have, you'll be happy to know that there's an interview meme floating around!

I volunteered to be interviewed by Velvet at Secret Suburban Misfit.
She sent five questions for me to answer about myself and voila, here are my answers.

1. What inspired you to start blogging?

This blog will celebrate it's fourth birthday this coming August. Yeah, it's been a long time. I'm really trying to remember why I started blogging without projecting my current thoughts/perspective onto who I was then or what I was feeling four years ago. When I go back and read my first few posts, they annoy me immensely. I suppose years from now I'll come back and read this post and probably feel the same way.

Anyway, I digress. I believe there are two main reasons I started blogging:

First, I needed a creative outlet. I hadn't been writing much at all when I began blogging and I felt frustrated and blocked. Just stuck. I wanted to write but I wasn't writing, and you aren't a writer unless you're actually writing. (duh!) Essentially, I really missed having some form of creative expression and I needed a low stakes way for me to once again feel the magic of putting words together.

Second, (I feel a little "confessional" writing this, but I'll go ahead and fess up) I was also a little lonely. I didn't have much of a life at the time, and
didn't have many people I could really talk to. I was a mom to two small boys and all I did was go to work and come home and change diapers. There's nothing wrong with changing diapers and certainly, the most important thing I will ever do is be a mother, but...you know what I mean. I needed somewhere to put my thoughts, opinions and observations and those can't always be told to a three year-old or the people around you. Sometimes because they don't want to hear it, sometimes because they are too busy themselves to be able to listen, even if they wanted to. And so, the blog was born.

2. You're granted the superpower of your choice. What do you choose and why?
This is the easiest question of the bunch. I'm so jealous of Hiro Nakamura from the show Heroes. I want his ability to teleport himself to and fro and bypass that pesky time/space continuum.

When I was little, I used to fantasize that I could travel back to the late 1700s or to the Regency period. My mom had to remind me that I might not want to do that because then I'd most likely be a slave, or else I might catch cholera, smallpox, tuberculosis...wow, the good old days weren't all that good, were they?


3. If you could share one thing or time from your childhood with your own children, what or when would it be and why?

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of working in the yard with my mom. We'd plant flowers and pull the weeds out of the flower beds. It was so nice to be outside in the dirt, the hot summer sun beating down, worms slithering against my hand, black ants scurrying to and fro and grey roly poly bugs balling themselves up if I poked them. I'd help dig deep holes for peonies and rose bushes. Once, we planted a crab apple tree, which was quite an accomplishment. That tree is huge now.

There's something grounding about planting things and watching them grow and I want to pass that on to my boys. I really think the reason we have so many environmental problems now is that there are too many people who've never had the experience of working the earth so there's less of a connection.

4. If you had to leave LA, where would you move if you could choose anywhere in the world to live? Why?

Ok, the fantasy is that I'm moving to Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. It's on the Riviera between Monaco and Nice. Look at that picture. Doesn't that look amazing? I mean, who wouldn't want to live there?

If not there, well, it's no secret that I absolutely love Santa Barbara, California.

Both places, it's all about the ocean, mountains, and that special hint of mystery and romance.


5. You can invite five living people to meet for dinner. Who would you choose?

Living people. Only five. Hmm... Out of the people I know, how do I only pick five? I just don't think I can do it, so I"m going to only pick famous people.

1) Martin Gore of Depeche Mode: Martin is the heart and soul of Depeche Mode and since they are my absolute favorite band in the world, it's a no brainer that Mart is gonna be sitting down for dinner with me.

I think he's the best songwriter of our time. Plus, he sings, plays keyboards and guitar. I'd ask him how it felt to discover well into adulthood that his biological father is black. I ask him about the process he uses to write songs. I'd probably make singing a song optional, but I definitely wouldn't mind hearing a tune or two.



2) Orlando Bloom: A/K/A "Will Turner" from POTC but B/K/A "Legolas" from LOTR. Is that enough acronyms for you?

If you're a reader of this blog, you knew this one was coming. Why Orlando? Well, I want to hear about his spiritual quest and how his life has changed since becoming a Buddhist, and is he doing real Buddhism or the Hollywood version. I want to hear about his environmental activism, how he feels about his acting abilities, and, cough, I want a picture with him so I can stop posing with the full-size Legolas poster.

3) Barack Obama: I have been a Barack fan since he ran for Senate. He's got heart, he's got spark, and I sort of wish he wasn't running for president because he's so great. I want to know how it feels to have to have the Secret Service stalking you. I want to hear what he plans to do about education in America. He can bring his wife Michelle with him too because I really like her.

4) Chuck D: I remember the first time I heard It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy. Chuck D's voice was so powerful, so distinctive. It was a voice of social consciousness, a voice asking tough questions about racism in our society. I got the opportunity to interview him in 1994 and it was a profound experience. Now that Chuck's a few years shy of fifty, he's focusing more on his political and social activism, which isn't a huge surprise since that's what he's always been about. I also always like that not trying to promote himself more than the cause he's talking about.

And in case you think I'm just trying to sit at a table full of men, last but not least...

5) My sister: OK, I know I said famous people but it's either my sister or Angelina Jolie and so I pick my sister to come to dinner with me. My sister Cyndee is one of coolest people I know. She's seven years older than me and about five inches shorter than I am. She's seriously the most type-A, OCD/neat-freak person I've ever known. And she's a police officer/polygraph examiner (so she knows when you're lying). She'd be great at this dinner party because she can talk to anyone about anything and she's not going to be annoying and fawn all over some folks just because they're famous.

If you wish to do this meme:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions. (They probably won't be the same ones you see above!)
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Comments

Dena said…
ok, i'm in. for the interview that is. :-) at least i know where my next post is coming from!
Anonymous said…
Sure, I 'd love to...I'll even TRY not offend anyone with my answers lol!!

I kid, I kid U! Sure I'd like to be interviewed though :-)
Liz Dwyer said…
Glad to have some willing participants!

Dena,,
Can't wait to read your responses! Here are your five questions:

1. When did you first know you wanted to be a dancer?
2. What's the best vacation you've ever been on?
3. What is the biggest sacrifice you've ever had to make?
4. What's your favorite Broadway show?
5. What's your favorite restaurant in Chicagoland?

DJBA,
LOL! Someone will always be offended...it's how we "hug it out" afterwards that counts! Ok, here are your five questions:
1) Cubs or White Sox?
2) How did you propose to Mrs. Black Adam?
3) If someone asks you to cook, what are you making?
4) What's your worst high school memory?
5) What do you think your greatest strength is?
velvet said…
I loved your answers, Liz! That's a great table you put together and I think that it's fabulous that you want to invite your sister. :)

It's also really great that you would like to share gardening with your children. I think you're right that people would be more concerned about the well being of the environment if they actually worked with the earth. I suppose it's much like the way that people are more interested in eating a food dish that they've had a hand in preparing.

Speaking of dishes, having Orlando Bloom over for dinner? Who needs food? (Oops, did I say that aloud?) ;)
Jameil said…
orlando bloom is so fantastic looking. i saw your fave flowers on a bush in CT and thought of you. i guess you can interview me. i think everyone needs a break from the heavy stuff over there.
Liz Dwyer said…
Velvet,
I had such a good time answering these questions. Thanks for thinking up such good ones. I'm having fun coming up with questions for other people, as you can see. And, yeah, if Orlando comes to dinner...everyone else might just have to get disinvited.

Jameil,
"orlando bloom is so fantastic looking."

Girl, isn't he though? But, let me just put my fangirl tendencies away right now before I get too carried away.

Here are your five questions:

1) When you were a kid playing hide and seek, where was the one place you could hide where no one would find you?
2) You get an invitation to a costume ball. Who/What do you dress up as?
3) What made you decide to pledge? Do you ever wish you hadn't?
4) Luda and T.I. both ask you out on the same night. Which one are you going to go out with?
5) What five songs are on the soundtrack to your life?

Can't wait to see your answers.
Anonymous said…
Just the other day I was thinking that if Obama knocked on my door (hey, you never know), I'd love to see his wife there, too, so I could give myself permission to let him in. Otherwise...well....

No, I am growing more in awe of her as time goes on, for all sorts of reasons-her list of professional accomplishments topping it all off for me.
Martin said…
Ok! I'm on board! A bit late I know... but I'm willing. You see the answers to your questions on my blog very soon!

Thanks Liz
Liz Dwyer said…
Kim,
Sometimes I think SHE should be the one running, not him, because she's just so awesome.

Martin,
It's never to late to get on board...SO, let me know if you want new questions!
Sundry said…
Pick me! Pick me! [Raises hand, sits on edge of chair, trembling ever so slightly.]

I very much enjoyed your answers and I'd love to play.

You continue to rock.
Liz Dwyer said…
Sundry,
Yeah! I'm so glad you volunteered! I want to just ask you questions about your trip, but I'll refrain. (I did tell my sister we're going to France next year though.) Anyway, here are your five questions:

1) Do you have any tattoos? If yes, what are they and why did you get them? If no tattoos, why not?
2) What's the best hike you've ever been on?
3) What musical artist have you never seen in concert but you wish you had?
4) What's your scariest memory from childhood?
5) It's 2017. Where are you living and what are you doing?

Can't wait to see your answers! (This is so much fun!)
Anonymous said…
No interviews (I'm holding my hand in front of my face with the palm pointing outward) - I'm way too diva for all that.

Chuck D and Orlando Bloom sitting around a table with you (in France) listening to that guy from Depeche Mode sing a ditty as Barack Obama is hooked up to a polygraph operated by your sister? Can I come?
Sundry said…
Okay, I did it! It was fun for me, too. Hope I get some nibbles on my blog, too.

http://anygivensundry.blogspot.com/2007/06/and-now-for-something-completely.html

You really do need to go to France. And you know what? I've been wanting to give my unused copy of Rick Steves' France 2007 to someone worthy. (Yeah, I couldn't find it right before I left!)

If you feel comfortable emailing me your work or home address, I'll mail it to you! I just added an email link to my blog.
Great answers, Liz. I would like to be a fly on the wall at that dinner (if I positively can't sit in Orlando's or Obama's laps.)

I didn't know you'd been blogging for so long. My one year anniversary is this Wednesday, and the time has gone so fast. I also cringe at some of my earlier posts -- like last week.

Thank you for sharing a bit more about yourself. I already knew that you were somebody I would enjoy knowing in person.
Anonymous said…
Hi Liz,
I'm not a blogger so I guess I can't be asked any questions...
However, if you do get Mr. Obama at your dinner table, can you ask him why as a Senator for Chicago he hasn't been able to push for reform in the Chicago school system, and if major items like education in Chicago hasn't been reformed, how really does he plan on reform the country?

Thanks Liz

Velvet Girl...3 words when we talk about Orlando Bloom: FUN WITH FOOD!!
Liz Dwyer said…
Oh man, I just responded to all your comments and then lost them for some reason! I hate when that happens! Let me remember what I just wrote...

Keith
We'll call you El Divo from now on. And I might just let you come to the dinner if only because you thought of that amazing scene. I definitely like the idea of Obama being polygraphed by my sister. Now all I need is Annie Leibowitz to photograph it for the cover of Vanity Fair.

Sundry
I've found that writing questions for other folks is so entertaining. I'm glad you had fun writing your answers --loved the story about the Icelandic hike. I hope you get some willing victims for your questions! ;) And I'll absolutely send you my address. That is seriously so kind of you and that just made my day.

HISF,
Maybe I can arrange the dinner in time for Wednesday's blogging anniversary. That way I can give you five minutes of lap sitting time per person as a present.

I sometimes can't believe I've been blogging so long either. The passage of time just creeps up on you.

Gyamfua,
Yes, I'd spend some time asking Barack Obama about education reform. Although, I know that part of the problem is that states don't have a ton of power to influence individual school districts. A local school board has more power in many instances than the government.

And how can we get you to start your own blog? Surely you want to start one!
Liz Dwyer said…
Kate,
Fantastic! Here are your questions!

1) What made you decide to become a vegetarian?
2) If you were invisible for one whole day, what would you do?
3) What is your favorite memory from your wedding day?
4) A distant relative leaves you a sizable inheritance. What are you going to splurge on?
5) If someone made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you?

Can't wait to read your answers.
Liz Dwyer said…
IANSJ,
YEAH!! So glad you want to do this! Here are your questions:

1) If you could be one sister from Little Women, which one would you be?
2) Someone tells you that they'll appoint you as editor of any magazine in the world, your choice. Which one do you pick?
3) Who's your favorite actor?
4) Did you ever get into a fight when you were a kid (under 18)? If so, what happened? If not, did anyone ever threaten to beat you up?
5) What beauty product can you absolutely not live without?

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