Question Time Over Coffee — 11/19 Edition

Fandango

Rory, over at Earthly Comforts, has once again posed a number of intriguing questions this morning. Let’s see if I can come up with some equally intriguing answers.

Have you ever been on an extended vacation/holiday road trip? If so, when and where and for how long?

So many. Before my wife and I were married we took a cross-country motorcycle camping trip. And after we married, we used to take camping road trips with our kids to visit most of the national parks.

After our kids were grown and out of the house, my wife and I bought a condo in San Francisco, but didn’t sell our home in Massachusetts for three years after we bought the condo. So twice a year we would take a leisurely drive across the country following different routes each time until we finally sold our Massachusetts house in 2013.

When was the last time you visited an actual bookshop, and what, if any, new/old/secondhand titles did you buy?

When we lived in San Francisco there was a great bookstore, Green Apple Books, only a few blocks from where we lived. But we moved from the city in January 2020 and haven’t been to a brick and mortar book store since then.

How do you feel about the new WP Dashboard 7-day highlights Statistics?

I use the WordPress iOS app on my iPhone and it doesn’t have that dashboard feature you’re referring to on the iOS app. So I have no feelings one way or the other since I’ve never seen it.

How do you feel about all the Russian nuclear sabre rattling?

I hope that’s all it is: sabre rattling.

If you could go back or travel to an age of your choice and live or relive a previous era for a day, what age would you pick and why?

It’s hard to pick any single day, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be the day I lost my virginity in the back of my mother’s station wagon. Why? Why do you think?

Do you have a favorite coat? [Outdoor/Indoor/Business/Social] What makes it unique to you, OR is a coat just a coat?

After more than 10 years, I finally had to get a new winter jacket this year. I got the same brand, Patagonia, that my old jacket was. What I like about it is that it’s quilted, hooded, very lightweight, and it keeps me warm.

Do you enjoy learning something new every day or week?

Yes, I enjoy learning something new at any time.

Are you more comfortable in your skin today than you were in the youth of your yesterdays?
Why and how so?

I’ve always felt comfortable in my skin, but at my age, it’s a little more wrinkly and less pliant than it used to be.

Have you ever kept a hardback diary or a journal as opposed to an online digital one? When did you first start to journal your life?

Nope. I suppose my first effort at “journaling” was when I started my first blog in 2005.

How do you feel about Eggplant/Aubergine/Guinea Squash as a vegetable? Is it something you enjoy having in your meals?

I do like eggplant. My wife makes a mean eggplant parmesan and I’ve had eggplant in various dishes, including one of my go-to Indian dishes, Baingan Bharta.

What film could you watch over and over again and why?

“Young Frankenstein.” I’ve probably seen it more than a dozen times and have much of the dialogue committed to memory. In my opinion, it’s one of the best comedy films ever. Another movie I’ve watched a number of times that I really enjoy is “The Man Who Would Be King” with Sean Connery and Michael Caine. It’s a rollicking good time and a fun adventure.

What concert, show, or event would you love tickets for if you could get them?

I’ve been to tons of rock concerts in my life, but I’ve never been to a Rolling Stones concert.

Would your teenage self be impressed with who you are today and what you have achieved so far in your/their life?

He’d probably be happy that I’m still alive. Given some of the stunts I pulled in my youth, still being alive is quite an accomplishment.

Which online behaviors do you find the most annoying in blogging?

Hypocrisy. For example, when someone posts how they encourage a diversity of opinions in their comments, but then deletes respectfully written comments that don’t echo her own opinions.

21 thoughts on “Question Time Over Coffee — 11/19 Edition”

  1. JT Twissel November 19, 2022 / 12:23 pm

    I’ve driven across country about five times and the last one …. ugh. Nevermore. The Stones are a bit much for me – I would have loved to have seen Queen. Best singer I’ve ever seen in person was Gordon Lightfoot.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Marleen November 19, 2022 / 1:23 pm

    I was on many road trips with parents, as a kid; they had summers off… until they were divorced and my dad found additional work besides his teaching of art [started teaching in history with middle school aged children, switched to traveling from elementary school to elementary school in the area of art (his specialty) then went to high school most of my life (but had taken a top job where children from all over the city scheduled art field trips to see him years before he retired]. He got into real estate and more and was busy in the summer. My most awed memories, besides of beaches (my all time favorites) are from Glacier National Park and the Petrified and Redwood Forests. Actually, we took at least one trip like that while my parents were divorced. I hadn’t really thought of going across the country as being an extended vacation, but my husband and I did that when we moved to California. I’d been through it many times before and decided I’d had enough and didn’t want to do it again. Yet, we took a few longish trips (never to the west coast in a car and always [except the once we went with my husband’s brother and his family] with another reason like a funeral or a wedding, family reunion, or celebrating a birthday) with our children (far from as many as I had, for no particular reason, tagging along). When we moved back to the Midwest from California, bringing our first son at the age of almost two, we flew.

    Only one day in a former era? Awww… oh, well; Hawaii, somewhere in the fifties (or late forties)* through seventies. Or, as a mix with question about tickets for a concert or show, a few years back, when Radiohead was in town — or some other town where Radiohead played on that tour… yes, that’s the choice. Did they go to Hawaii or anyplace like that? Even Florida or a Carolina or Georgia close to the coast. No. I’m splitting these back apart (while they’ll be similar): Hawaii for an era day and Radiohead for tickets if I could get them outdoors near a beach. My favorite coat is one I bought for my fourth son a couple years back. It’s an Eddie Bauer. It has a classic but up-to-date style and has a lot of specifications for great warmth and was on sale (he had chosen it and I did some shopper comparisons then bought it).

    I like learning all the time, too. Comfortable in my own skin? Sometimes or in some ways more now and some more then. I’ve always been generally comfortable in my skin (except when I got my second mRNA shot). Yes, I have journaled in hardback notebooks. There are two (or more) reasons I did. Someone gave me a diary with a key when I was maybe ten. I had an affinity for English/writing classes, and the teachers recommended journaling. I love eggplant (in many dishes), and I have fond memories of my dad frying it. The film I have watched over again the most is The Matrix.

    I will tie in the “why” from the previous question with the last two questions. I was living in a dream world where I thought I could trust some people. I think most teenagers of my time would be impressed with my current life, but my teenage self would not. I hate hypocrisy and liars, but have found probably half the population are largely that.

    * I could do this in, say, the thirteen hundreds instead. My wish to see another era is mostly about experiencing a difference.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marleen November 19, 2022 / 3:22 pm

      I used to enjoy buying nearly five sets of ski coats and pants and hats and gloves or mittens and long underwear every year; at times, a set or subset could be handed down.

      As for my own favorite coat? It’s J.crew
      in a soft pink, classic upscale style;
      has a gold-chain hanging loop.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Marleen November 19, 2022 / 3:32 pm

        What I wear more often than that, though, is a fake rabbit fur vest in pink fading up to white. It has a pink satin lining (rather than the gold satin lining of the coat).

        Liked by 1 person

  3. donmatthewspoetry November 19, 2022 / 2:49 pm

    ‘Yes, I enjoy learning something new at any time’

    I’m told you jump on the latest tidbit from ‘The FCS Book of Little-Known Facts’ each morning over coffee. Fascinating you say. You must direct me to its source. I also would like to learn new things. I learnt that Spike was bipolar. Thought up his crazy ideas when in a manic state. Now isn’t that interesting?….

    Liked by 2 people

    • Fandango November 19, 2022 / 10:26 pm

      Thanks, Carol Anne.

      Like

  6. jilldennison November 19, 2022 / 11:01 pm

    Hmmm … I hope that hypocrite wasn’t me, for I have said I welcome diversity, but I have also deleted some comments … not so much for the difference in opinion as the way it was stated or the language directed toward myself or my readers. I try to be fair, but I’m sure sometimes I miss the boat.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango November 19, 2022 / 11:17 pm

      Not to worry, Jill. It wasn’t you. My comment was respectful and did not use offensive language. But it did call into question some of the statements made by the blogger and I expressed a different perspective on the subject matter. She deleted my comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      • jilldennison November 19, 2022 / 11:25 pm

        I’m relieved … I have never had a reason to delete any of yours. I have two readers who like to call me a b*tch and tell me, and sometimes readers, how very stupid we are, and it is those sort of comments I do delete. I wrestle with my conscience, though, for I really do try to engage in civil discourse and listen to other opinions, but when they are rude and offensive, they lose value in my book. Thanks for clarifying, Fandango!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. The Autistic Composter November 20, 2022 / 2:04 am

    Why, well why not! Yes, l think that’s a sweet Groundhog Day moment to keep returning to, l could think of a few of those myself that l would easily have on repeat.

    I also agree on the Connery/Caine adventure, it was a jolly good romper.

    The coat looks super warm too! I could use that warmth when l am out and about instead of wearing several layers as l find l must. But it would get mucky way too quickly sadly.

    Good answers Fandango. So were you a regular Chevy Chaser with your family on your vacations then? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Eugenia November 20, 2022 / 9:20 am

    Cool coat! I’ve never deleted comments unless it’s a link requesting I follow their blog but then I’ve never had a reason to, fortunately.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango November 20, 2022 / 10:13 am

      I don’t delete comments or block bloggers, but I will threaten to do so if they continue to be abusive in their comments.

      Liked by 1 person

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