P. Herdian Cahya Khrisna @ Con Artist Trickster tagged me on his blog to do the following survey, some sort of self-interview with 19 questions. Hey, why not? This can turn out to be a very amusing exercise, I suppose. Moreover, it will give me the longed-for opportunity to finally talk about myself. You are allowed to LOL at that one. What is this blog novel, anyway, beside a longish self-exposure, I ask you?
Whatever. The survey is an excellent pretext to present you four other blogs, albeit briefly, which are amongst the best I have stumbled upon so far. As a matter of fact, upon answering the questions, I am supposed to tag 4 other blogamis in return and ask them to answer the same questions.
So let's start with the list of my 4 survey victims. I invite you to be curious and have a look at their work! Their blogs are rich, each is unique in its style and content, each of them worth a visit. You'll see: once you go there, you'll return, like I do.
Wil @ Gay Arab Guy: He's one of my oldest and dearest blogamis. Under the headline of his blog 'Queer Thinking. Straight talking', he has lately asked the pertinent question 'Love a dick for his dick?'. He has exposed his 'Blog Post Partum Depression' and shared his childhood memories (about teachers sexually abusing children for instance).
TB @ Thought Bubble Ten: Marvellously entertaining and thought-provoking post-modern blogphilosopher with a very personal touch. I had the difficult task to choose one of her numerous blogs, and this one really is my favourite. We've discussed so many profound questions already that I can't make a list of all of them. The latest issue was discipline, I clearly remember.
Chrissy @ I Shoulda Been A Stripper: Hilarious and awesome online muser (and what a pretty one with that!) and official spokesperson of one helluva cute dog. Her posts always make my day, however moody I feel.
Heddi @ Confessions of a Wannabe Writer: Yep, we share the same blog title – a funny conincidence that led to us meeting on the web, in the first place. Two other things we share: she's an expat, like me. An American woman living on the opposite side of the globe, in New Zealand. The second thing we have in common: she wants to be published. You can read her entire novel on her blog or discover the fantastic photo-shoot she's done recently, or try to improve your Italian skills with her latest post.
Now, for the questions. Here they are.
1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
Well, define 'family' first! My only family, stricto sensu, consists of my mom, my sister and my uncles, aunts, cousins. Then, there's my self-created, modern family here in Paris: me, my boyfriend, and my dog. In that second sense of 'family', yes, Nina is an important member. The princess daughter I'll never have otherwise. Precious, always a bit smelly (even after a shower, I don't know how she does that) and demanding but easy to please: a caress or a dog cookie will do it anytime for her.
2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
I would love to be published, then famous, then rich, and finally owner of a house in Greece, one in Ireland or Scotland, and a flat in Paris, Vienna, London and San Francisco. The ultimate dream: to wake up every morning asking myself, 'Where the hell am I?' Okay, I hear you: I just have to down a bottle of Tequila (caramba!) and smoke a huge joint to achieve THAT goal. Anyway, I'm just joking. To be rich is absolutely not my final dream. To be published, on the other hand; to hold my first printed book in my hands; to have my proud agent call me yelling, 'Hey, dude, know what? Your novel is #1 on the Bestseller List and the New York Times has just elected you IT-Writer of the year!' – that would definitely be one of my dearest dreams.
3. What is the one thing most hated by you?
Intolerance and stupidity. Stop snickering, I can count. It's just that in my eyes, these two are perfect synonyms.
4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
First, you give them to me; then, I'll tell you. Deal?
5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
A good joke. Like: Two whores in an elevator. The first one says, 'Jeez, it smells of sperm in here!' The second one shrugs, 'So what? You never burp?' No, I am not tasteless, lol.
6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Loving someone, no doubt. This answer looks better, anyway.
7. What is your bedtime routine?
Switch off the lights. I've noticed sleep comes faster once you've done that.
8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?
I can't answer that one here. Otherwise, I'd be spoiling the surprise of my blog novel conclusion. Let me tell you that it will be worth the wait (it was quite a dramatic and exotic way to meet someone). And let me tell you, too: it's been exactly four years ago. Today (Feb. 4th) is our 4-year anniversary!
9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
I haven't got the foggiest. Agatha Christie, perhaps; or JK Rowling.
10. What kinds of books do you read?
At the moment, I'm very keen on reading Austrian detective novels, international fantasy novels and historical non-fiction (currently, a Habsburg biography). Then, there's the French version of Tolstoi's 'War and Peace' waiting for me. As soon as Seb has finished reading the first book (he still has got a good 500 pages to go). It's a long-term project, see?
11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
Hopefully still with my boyfriend, hopefully a successful writer, hopefully not a graphic designer anymore.
12. What’s your fear?
That my hopes never come true.
13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?
I don't do junk food. On the other hand, what the heck would I do in outer space?
14. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
I am married (as good as) and poor. I would not give up my boyfriend in order to be rich. But hey, married and rich – I'd love to have a try. Anyone out there to help me and my boyfriend to achieve that?
15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I try to destroy my alarm-clock. Is there anything more annoying than to have the sweetest dream, and then the darn thing goes 'rrrrRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIINNGG!'?
16. If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?
He's rather perfect the way he is. Thus, I'd only change something really superficial. Make him a rich guy, for instance.
17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Damien.
18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
Forgive, in time, probably; forget, hardly. Try to understand, certainly.
19. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Greek sea-food served by a cute, black-haired, muscular, tanned Greek waiter wearing nothing but swimming trunks. The sole idea makes my mouth water...
Finally, here's the list of questions for you, my four dear friends, to copy...
1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
3. What is the one thing most hated by you?
4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
7. What is your bedtime routine?
8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?
9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
10. What kinds of books do you read?
11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
12. What’s your fear?
13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?
14. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
16. If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?
17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
19. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
© Dieter Moitzi 2010-2011. All rights reserved.
Photos found on Internet. In case of copyright problems, or for any publishing propositions, please contact the author.