When Fred sent me The Survey, I intended to sit down, think and fill it out.

And then when Jules did... I totally intended to.

And then when Cyn did .. i figured it was time.

But, instead of spamming everyone with this, I think its better to just blog it....

I'll make it an "About Me" page later.
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LIVING ARRANGEMENT

right now... an efficiency 1 bedroom apartment above a mob-owned hair-parlor in Bayonne NJ. Efficiency because the kitchen and living room are all one.

Just me. No room-mates. Dont want them, dont need 'em. And that includes girlfriends.

Out of town friends are always welcome, but begone when its time. :-)

I like my solitude.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

I used to work in a bookstore. After discovering a stupendous amount of good books, and choking on the horrid output of other 90% of writers, I cant bear to read a work of fiction anymore.

No, really. I can barely remember the name of the last work of fiction I read, which was certainly not even this year.

So my reading tends to be in the category of: other. Since I read many other books concurrently.. looking around...

- The Illustrated Perfumed Garden. A lavishly photographed australian heterosexual intercourse book that I picked up @Pegasus Books in Berkeley. Based on the 16th Century Arabic work of the same name, but not as racist (gross allusions to 'Mandingo'. Ive read the translated original 'Perfumed Garden'.).

- Chicken Soup for a Writers Soul. Part of the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' franchise, it is occasional corny, but its still a great work for anyone who likes to and wants to write. Lot of encouragement for the benefits of following your dreams and persevering.

But I particularly like what most of the writers say: They started writing for their own need, but continued writing for the connections to people's dreams and souls.


WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

No mousepad, using a laptop. And as far as mousepads, I tend to just grab any. Doesnt matter to me.

Thats what happens after years of being a computer tech/nomad and hardly ever using your own machine.

FAVORITE MAGAZINE

Car buff: Still Car and Driver. Been reading it for over 25 years. I used to eagerly wait for the latest issues, and rush to the 'library' (*flush*) to leisurely peruse them from cover to cover. I really think I got my love of good writing from this magazine, as even the letters to the editors used to be an INTERESTING forum, with people sending in lovingly crafted and HIGHLY opinionated letters so that they could be wittily slammed by the C&D editors.

To this day, I remember two items from issues almost 20 years ago:

- 'The Ten Best Modes of Transportation: #5 - The New York Subway System aka "The Electric Sewer" '.
- '.. there is no better ride than being strapped into an F4 Phantom, flying upside down and fifty feet off the ground. I HIGHLY recommend it.'

I also read what used to be the best written AND photographed car magazine (probably my photographical inspiration).. the british CAR magazine, although I feel the magazine companion to the BBC program "Top Gear" has got it beat nowadays, probably because many of the editors are CAR alums.

Special Mention:

- Communication Arts. I save every copy. I want to frame almost everything in them.

- B&W magazine. The beauty of black and white photography.

FAVORITE SMELLS

The almond/vanilla smell of the nightime breeze off the sea in Runaway Bay, Jamaica.

FAVORITE PART OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?

On the visceral tip:

Hips. The curvier the better.

But on sheer beauty, as I get older, Ive gotten to appreciate a graceful waist.

FAVORITE SOUND

The smooth metallic snarl of a VW four-cylinder going HARD up the scale, and snarl/burble of the original Rabbit Gti coming off power on part-throttle...

BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD

- Flying and driving quickly, smoothly while being beyond awareness when in the Flow.

- The closeness, warmth and intimacy of being with the one you CARE about, going past the point of *straining* for closeness, and then being one together, with no need to strain.

- Genuine heartfelt laughter with the people you care about.

WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD

no hope/despair

WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU GET UP IN THE MORNING?

"What time is it? What day is it?" As I try to reorient myself to awakened reality.

ROLLER COASTERS?

Im a chicken with a vivid imagination.

FUTURE DAUGHTER'S NAME?

Anything that fits.

Always been fond of 'Gabrielle' for some reason tho...

FAVORITE FOODS

Jamaican Rice and Peas and jerked/Stewed chicken. Comfort food: Stewed oxtail & peas and hot white rice - with spiced ground beef over white rice a close second.

Ice cream: Butter Pecan, using sweet pecans.

DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE?

Yes. But unless Im wandering or being lostonpurpose, its no fun commuting.

DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?

Duh. :-)

DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?

Nope.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST TYPE OF CAR?

- First car as a licensed driver: 1979 Audi Fox. (Brown)

- First American car: 1972 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (Light metallic gold)

- First car bought with own funds: 1973 Opel Manta Rallye Coupe (Yellow)

- First non-beater/almost new: 1984 Rabbit Gti (Metallic Silver)

- First new: 1991 VW Gti 16v. (Cobalt Blue)

Notice the teutonic emphasis?

There is just something *special* about the supple, all-world COMPETENCE of good german cars.

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE,

Apart from Einstein, Cary Grant or Alexander the Great?

I wouldve loved to have a long talk with Mike Royko.

STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?

By the edge of the water... always very cool.

FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK

Im not really a drinker. I had my first beer on my 21st birthday (my best friend took pity on my depressed, morose ass and took me out bar hopping. Sagittarians are good for SOME things.)

I might drink 10 actual beers in a YEAR.

But...

St Stan's Red Ale. Beyond beer. Wish I could find it around here. :-(

WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?

Heheh. Using the IRC channel #astrology form of identification:

Sun/Merc/Uranus/Pluto in Virgo

Rising/Mars/Venus in Cancer

Moon and Jupiter in Taurus

Saturn in Pisces

DO YOU EAT THE STEM OF THE BROCCOLI?

Nope. I dont eat broccoli unless its well steamed under cheddar cheese or part of Barry's broccoli pan pizza (Chicago)

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE?

race car driver or fighter pilot instructor. yes. Im dead serious. I would accept dying doing either.

IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR?

black. cursed with premature grey hair.

EVER BEEN IN LOVE?

yes

WAS SHE THE ONE?

No.

IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?

Not usually a problem (fuzzy zen answer)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?

good, clean water. Followed closely by a double Venti Mocha Breve from Starbux. :-)

FAVORITE MOVIES?

- Father Goose (Cary Grant in his most relaxed, anarchic role, making it look easy as usual.)
- Stalag 17 .. based on real POW accounts, a dark yet moving comedy/drama. The inspiration for 'Hogan's Heroes'. I still get teary-eyed hearing "When Johnny comes marching home again" as many of these POW's didnt.
- M*A*S*H. The TV series pales in intelligence.
- Pillow Talk. The best B-movie ever. Now that Rock Hudson's secret is out, catch the in jokes.
- Ferris Beuhler's Day Off. Chicago has never looked so good.
- Risky Business. Its STILL teaching me something every time I see and think of it.
- Disney's Alladin. Fast paced dialogue and humor, unreal animation. Me and my niece would sing "Friend Like Me" constantly. I still sing it to break bad moods, even tho I dont remember all the words... :-)
- Silverado. The best modern western. And yes, Kevin Costner is IN it. :-)
- Bull Durham. Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins were sublime.
- Blues Brothers. No plot, but dammit... just about everything and everybody is in it.
- The Matrix.
- Fear of a Black Hat. Homage to 'Spinal Tap' while being WORLDS better.
- The Usual Suspects . Who IS Kaiser Soze?
- Das Boot in the original german. From beginning to end, youre WITH that little U-Boat.
- Top Gun. The story sux. But it has no peers in the air. Best seen wide screened and surrounded by the best sound system money can buy.
- My Cousin Vinny. By far, Joe Pesci's most under-rated leading role. He made everybody in the movie look good.
- The Sure Thing. I went to school with Cusack and Piven so it was a treat watching them in their first major film, plus I loved the story - 'Say Anything' running a close second.
- Gross Pointe Blank. Laconic irony and meaty writing. Almost TOO literary and fast-spoken for the screen.

These WILL form the core of my DVD library.

ARE YOU A LEFTY, RIGHTY OR AMBIDEXTROUS?

Technically ambidextrous, if the test is which hand can you write with. In practice, Lefty oriented (write, type, bat), but I do everything else as a righty (throw, punch, shoot, move...) as Im right eye dominant.

DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?

No. I do know how, but it only increases my speed marginally and reduces my accuracy substantially.. Even though i dont have to - I still look at the keys...

WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?

Nothing. I sleep close to the ground or ON the ground. Im weird like that. :-)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?

7 and 48

FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?

All have their appeal, but basketball for its display of human athleticism and creativity.

DEEPEST DESIRE?

That changes.. but basically to live long enough to truly enjoy this lifetime in all its moments.

FAVORITE COLOR?

Blue. I physically respond to it.

BIGGEST FEAR?

Being on the edge, high up. I will NOT stand on the edge of a tall building or height.

I will get violent if forced to.

WHAT CD (OR TAPE) DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR STEREO RIGHT NOW?

US 3. (1992)

HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?

I try to catch it by the 3rd ring.

FAVORITE TV SHOWS?

Too many to mention. But for idle relaxation, Friends. And must watch.. Law and Order on A&E.

There needs to be a "Law and Order" channel.

FAVORITE BOARD GAME?

Chess. EVERYONE should know or learn how to play chess.

As a board game, it is a total mind fuck. In every sense of the term.

EARLIEST MEMORY?

My earliest CLEAR memory is drooling, on purpose - because I remember trying to make the decision to close my mouth or just let it go - on my Uncle Uren's (my mom's youngest brother) blue striped oxford shirt collar, as he held me on his shoulder in the then main bedroom of my childhood home, when he came to visit us before he left Jamaica for good.

He was PISSED, as he swore and handed me back to somebody. :-)

I include the details because no one believes me when I tell them, because I wouldve had to be under a year old.

Your babbling child is more than a drooling little person.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE?

Time.

I couldve said Love, Acceptance, Peace... but most IMPORTANT? Time.

Not to frantically try fit and experience everything there is with dread, desperation and frustration.. but to appreciate that your time is finite, so it needs to be savored and appreciated.

And remember the important things during your time: Love,Acceptance, connections etc....

SAY ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.

Fred: my sprite muse.
Cyn: a deeply warm-hearted soul.
Julie: My favorite daily penpal
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Ok, my obligation is done. :-)