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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 3:50:16 GMT
I thought long and hard about this one as I was on the bus going to work this morning.
1. a very large bar of soap 2. a very, very sharp knife 3. all twenty volumes of the Oxford English Dictionary (which I hope counts as one item; if not, I'm cheating ;D)
Of course, this presumes there is fresh water and a food source on the island.
When was the last time you experienced pure joy?
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Post by htmb on Nov 19, 2013 4:26:03 GMT
It happens a lot, but almost always evolves from the simplest of things: time with family, sharing a quiet moment with someone I love, hearing a perfectly executed piece of music, floating down a quiet river, or perhaps becoming so engrossed in a yoga practice the rest of the world falls away. Just sitting on a dock and gazing out over the water can be pure bliss.
What is one childhood event that stands out in your mind (for any particular reason)?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 18:47:13 GMT
Countless things come to mind, and of course childhood stretches over many years. I would like to mention a happy event, but there are plenty of those, so I will mention the biggest shock of my "childhood" (although I was already 14). After hours of arguing at the other end of the house, my father walked into the room where I suppose that my brother and I were watching television and said "Your mother wants a divorce." I felt that the world had just ended, even though I understood over time that it was the best decision she ever made.
Were you ever betrayed by your best friend? (or some other person that you trusted 100%)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 19:54:34 GMT
Unfortunately,yes. And it leaves you bewildered, hurt and feeling kind of stupid (for having trusted them). This particular woman I knew, was someone I once trusted a great deal. Her weakness was/is MEN. She is 'dating' a married man. The creep tried to make a pass at me and I told her what happened. And guess what? She dumped me instead of him! Not only that but she blocked me from her Facebook and is still carrying on with him, like it's all normal. This man really is a low-life, but she does all she can to hang on to him. Going as far as burning all bridges that might give them away. Sneaking here and there on little trips, so far they have got away it. I'm happy to distance myself from her. This is not the first married man she has screwed played around with. I don't need friends like that. And I've had my trust betrayed by another person too. Someone else I once trusted and 'knew' well for 2 years, we communicated every single day, via PM's, emails and phone calls. He decided to betray me in order to fit in with a group of people whom he knew did not accept me due to their own issues and jealousies. I must say he fits in there very well How do I feel about these people now? Nothing at all. Zilch. I've mulled it over in my own mind, and have come to the conclusion that people will do what they want to do and much of it is based on their own insecurities and weaknesses. I personally would never stab a good friend in the back just in order to win the approval of others. But that me. (Another long reply..ahh!) Seeing as over half of all marriages end in divorce eventually, do you think men and woman are really made to stay with one partner for ever more?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 19:56:30 GMT
Kerouac, that must have been quite a traumatic time for you as a kid. Sorry to hear you had to go through that. My own parents never divorced, they just went their separate ways for years. And yeah, it was a relief that they did, for me anyway.
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Post by htmb on Nov 19, 2013 20:38:22 GMT
While I've been divorced for a long time, I was married for well over 30 years. Many of those years were good ones; some were pretty horrible. I still believe marriage between the right people can be wonderful, but I know it also takes hard work, trust, and commitment to make, and keep, a marriage successful. It also requires the willingness of both parties to do whatever it takes to keep the marriage viable.
On a lighter note, if you found a very large bug in your home, would you be more likely to kill it, or set it free into the outdoors? Would you possibly find someone else to deal with the issue?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 20:54:36 GMT
I pick up bugs and throw them out of the window alive, except for bathtub spiders who tend to get washed down the drain, just because it is so much easier.
Have you ever stolen anything?
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Post by mossie on Nov 20, 2013 11:49:33 GMT
When I were a lad a local farmer had the silly idea of having an apple orchard bordering a large wood. It was easy for us boys to scale the fence, pick our fill of apples, and hop back into the wood to enjoy them.
What is your unfulfilled ambition?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2013 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by htmb on Nov 21, 2013 3:07:52 GMT
Deyana, you might want to start perfecting your Spanish and Portuguese, before leaving on your trip.
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Post by htmb on Nov 22, 2013 0:30:04 GMT
I had forgotten about this until now, but I was pretty proud I passed a real estate licensing exam on my first attempt when I was 22. My friend, for whom everything always seemed to come so easy, did not pass, though he was sure it would be simple. I had taken a course in college as an elective, and then took an additional prep course during the weeks leading up to the state exam. My friend thought he was going to finesse the day-long exam and get by on his brains, and probably his good looks, too. He failed, and I passed. While I wasn't too happy that he had failed, it did show me that if I set my mind on a goal, and work towards it via channels most appropriate for my learning style, I can often find success. He ended up having to take a ten-day, expensive crash course, before passing the exam on his third try. (Keeping within the guidelines of a G-rated forum post What would be your idea of a romantic date with a special person.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2013 16:27:25 GMT
Deyana, I read this book as a child and was utterly fascinated by it, even though it was not at all a book for children. Of course, road conditions may have improved over the past 55 years. www.amazon.com/20-000-Miles-South-Adventure/dp/B0006AV026My idea of a romantic date probably does not correspond to that of most people. It would be to trek though the night to be at a special place to see the sunrise. In a simplified version of this, I went to the top of the hill facing Angkor Wat to see the day break over the temples and the jungle. It was a fantastic romantic moment but unfortunately had to be shared with about 50 other people who had also scrambled up there in total darkness. Do you practice what you preach?
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Post by htmb on Nov 23, 2013 20:26:30 GMT
I would venture to guess that several other members of anyport would also think that a romantic date, if you got rid of the 50 other people.
I try to practice what I have preached to my children. I wear my seatbelt. Don't drink and drive. Never developed a habit for cigarettes, though I did smoke briefly in college. Etc, etc.
Actually, I try not to preach, but rather work to set a positive example. I am also a human with many faults and frailties, and I do not pretend to be perfect.
Do you have musical talent? Sing? Play an instrument?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 4:45:40 GMT
Deyana, you might want to start perfecting your Spanish and Portuguese, before leaving on your trip. ha. Another language I will have to learn. You make a good point there, htmb.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 4:47:44 GMT
This would be such an interesting read. Even if just to see the difference between the now and then. I'm sure I could learn a lot from this book. Thanks for the suggestion, Kerouac. I will see if I can find a copy.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2013 4:49:08 GMT
Do you have musical talent? Sing? Play an instrument?
I love to sing and I play the guitar. But singing is what I like to do the best.
How do you slow yourself down when life seems to be getting too fast?
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 5:36:56 GMT
As an introvert, I find I need to escape from heavy-duty interacting with people on a regular basis, particularly since I work in a profession where I must constantly communicate, on many different topics, at the drop of a hat. It's kinda like customer service. Grabbing my camera and heading off somewhere to take photographs is very restorative. So is visiting a city such as Washington, DC or Paris, where I can relax, wander, and observe. Getting out into nature is also a great escape.
If you could have a painting to hang on the wall of your home, something by a world-renowned artist, living or dead, what piece would you choose and why?
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Post by mossie on Nov 25, 2013 15:04:38 GMT
‘Battle of Britain' by Frank Wootton OBE
What is your favourite place, and why?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 2:16:20 GMT
I have two favorite places. One is deep in the woods, much like htmb described, it's where I go to find myself again when life gets too fast for me. Nothing out there but wild life, trees, clouds and sunsets.
The other is closer to home. Well it is in my house. A room that I have set up just for me. It has large glass doors, so the sun always seems to be shinning in and it makes it naturally warm. Here I have framed photographs of the things I love - my family. Plus I have a cabinet with ornaments and bits and pieces that I have collected over the years from places that I have been to. also here I have my paint and canvas and brushes for when I am in the mood for painting. The best part of the room is a large cozy armchair with soft cushions and a table next to it with a books that I like to read. Here my cats (and my dog) like to laze around, especially it seems, when I am in there. I love this room, it always has an immediate effect of being totally relaxing. The only thing I would like to add to this room would be a fire-place. But I do have that elsewhere in the house.
Would you consider sailing around the world in a well equipped boat? How would you deal with the many challenges that may come along?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 22:11:13 GMT
I would readily take a cargo ship around the world, but I would absolutely never want to organise an independent trip myself. One thing I would not want to do would be to take a round the world cruise with rich people.
Which dead person do you miss the most?
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Post by htmb on Nov 26, 2013 23:13:44 GMT
Completely leaving out family members, too many to single out just one, I miss my best friend of 25 years who died of cancer about 8 years ago when she was just shy of age 50. We were great support for each other and talked several times a week, even during the years we lived many hundred miles apart.
What was your favorite subject to study in school? Why?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 23:20:51 GMT
It's a toss up between English Lit. and French. The homework for Lit was a little less onerous than French because it was more subjective and less technical. I'm a reader, I love language and the telling of tales. And the historical context of all I read is most important. I suppose story telling encompasses the whole of human experience.
Given sufficient resources, what would you most like to do to celebrate your next "milestone" birthday? (Be as outlandish or conservative as you want. )
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Post by mossie on Nov 27, 2013 17:57:15 GMT
A one orbit trip round the world in a spacecraft, if that is outlandish enough
Do you still carry a torch for your first love?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2013 18:40:14 GMT
No, but there are soft spots in my heart for each person I loved or imagined temporarily that I loved. I suppose that is pretty good, because it means that no relationship ever ended in acrimony. However, the list is quite short.
If pushing a button could make one person die, either a personal acquaintance or perhaps even a world leader, would you push the button?
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Post by htmb on Nov 27, 2013 19:10:04 GMT
At first, in my head, I declared "No" for my answer, but I suppose I can, and have, pushed the button. By signing a paper authorizing removal of all life support for my father, per his written wishes, I essentially pushed the button.
What do you consider to be one of your best attributes?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2013 19:21:05 GMT
My ability to see all sides of an argument. The drawback being, I rarely land unequivocally on any side of an issue.
Which song would best sum up your life if it were to be played at a memorial ceremony?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2013 13:10:48 GMT
I'd say this one:
Whitesnake - Here I Go Again:
One thing you'd like to change about the town or city you live in?
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Post by tod2 on Nov 28, 2013 16:25:26 GMT
O heck! Only ONE thing? That's hard because it's such a mess...... I think I would like to change the state of cleanliness and have every scrap of garbage removed with a magic wand- Just by doing that the city would look sooooo much better!
If you could have someone take care of your most hated/maybe disliked? chore at home, what would it be?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2013 18:05:19 GMT
I would almost say housecleaning, but that is not the real problem. I need someone to organise all of my papers... and keep them in order!
If you were obliged to marry a famous historical person, who would it be?
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Post by htmb on Nov 28, 2013 18:24:03 GMT
Maybe I will come back and answer this question, but right now no one comes to mind because many of the men I admire either lived during times when women had minimal rights; or the men where really creative when it came to accomplishing notable things, but had some unappealing personal behaviors. I think my problem is that I'd want it all: intelligence, creativity, reasonably high moral standards, ethical behavior, a sense of humor, kindness, equitable treatment, etc.
Anyone else, have at it...
There was no way I could think of an answer to Lizzy's funeral song question either.
I do think some of these questions are quite good and are thought provoking. In my opinion, many deserve to be repeated for others to answer.
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