3/24/2013

flash mob

The past few months I have been really engaging life and all it has to offer. Part of this is seeking out new experiences and things that I can be passionate about.  To these ends, last month I decided, with three other friends, to participate in a flash mob. It was totally invigorating to participate, and I'd highly recommend it to others.
Here's a video link to the flash mob that I was part of with my friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtJvloirAlo

3/21/2013

Proust Questionnaire

While I was doing my radiation treatments (a good year and a half ago) I responded to the questions of "The Proust Questionnaire" to pass time in the waiting room day after day.  This activity was inspired by an interview of my niece, poet Adebe D.A.
What I found most interesting is not my answers but the fact that over a year and a half later my answers are basically the same... which perhaps there is truth that one's answers to these questions are a reflection of personality.
As an aside, Proust's answers may be found via Wikipedia.
Here are the questions with my answers.

What is your dream of happiness?
My dream of happiness is to have positive, loving family and friend relationships, good health, no more major life-shaking difficulties, work that I love doing in an environment of my choosing, a home of tranquility, opportunity to do art making every day; having time to cook for friends and family. Of course, happiness is a choice to make the best of whatever situation I find myself in.
What is your idea of misery?
My idea of misery is to lack the imagination and to perceive myself as stuck without options.
Where would you like to live?
I would like to live exactly where I am.
What qualities do you most admire in a man?
I admire integrity and compassion.
What qualities do you most admire in a woman?
In women I admire the same qualities (integrity and compassion) along with having the chutzpah to stand up for herself in a graceful and dignified way.
What is you chief characteristic?
Creativity.
What is your principle fault?
Inattention.
What is your greatest extravagance?
buying clothes from local designers
What faults in others are you most tolerant of?
I am most tolerant of tardiness and absentmindedness.
What do you value most about your friends?
I most value my friend's emotional support, care and vibrant conversations.
What characteristic do you most dislike in others?
I most dislike prejudice and close-mindedness (rigidity)
What characteristic do you dislike most in yourself?
My tendency to get sucked into time-wasting activities (perhaps this is one of them :) )
What is your favourite virtue?
Gratitude
What is your favourite occupation?
is creating (art-making)
What would you like to be?
I would like to be without limitations; to have the "freedom" to pursue whatever interests  me in the moment.
What is your favourite colour?
Chartreuse green
What is your favourite bird?
Dove (peace)
What is your favourite flower?
Cymbidium (green) orchids or purple & yellow irises
What historical figure do you most admire?
I most admire historical figures who continue on with their passion despite obstacles and adversity (there are so many it is too hard to name one)
What character in history do you most dislike?
I most dislike the ones who have wielded power unethically and have caused mass atrocities (i.e. Idi Amin, Hilter, Kihlmer Rouge, etc.)
Who are are your favourite prose authors?
Oh so many: Margaret  Atwood, Amy Tan, Michael Ondaatje, Nick Bantok, Carol Shields, Ann Michaels, Robertson Davies
Who are your favourite poets?
Adebe D.A. (yep, I'm biased), e.e. cummings, Lorna Crozier, Dennis Lee, Rumi 
Who are are your favourite heroes in fiction?
Hagar from Stone Angel
Who are your heroes in real life?
Al, my brother, my dad
Who is your favourite painter?
Picasso, Pollock,  Frida Kahlu, Lauren Harris, Emily Carr
Who is your favourite musician?
Yo-yo Ma, Radiohead, Ella Fitzgerald, Lang Lang, Glenn Gould, Moby
What is your favourite food?
sushi, classic cannoli (the kind stuffed with mascarpone and bits of citrus peel), dark chocolate
What is your favourite drink?
water
What are your favourite names?
Isaiah and Isabella
What is it you most dislike?
I dislike prejudice/racism. (pet peeve, trimming nails in public spaces)
What natural talent would you most like to possess?
I would like to be more athletic
How do you want to die?
I would like to die peacefully when at rest with no pain after a very long life.
What is the current state of mind?
pragmatically patient is what I wrote a year and a half ago; today it is optimistic
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
To have not gone insane.
What is your motto?
After one in- and one out- breath we have already become a different person. Thich Nhat Hahn, No Death, No Fear

Reader, if you got this far, I hope you enjoyed.