“Questions taken from an interview with Mark Morris in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, altered accordingly, idea copped from the ever fabulous Lance Arthur.” …And then copped here from Heather Champ.
Best household chore
Fixing something. Replacing a light bulb, or silencing a squeaky hinge, or anything that requires a screwdriver. Worst household chore is cleaning the bathroom. I love a clean bathroom, but hate actually cleaning it.
Fantasy career
Journalist, photographer, web and graphic designer, all rolled into one.
Favorite place to shop
I don’t know what the proper classification is, but anything like The Paper Skyscraper in Charlotte. A store that has paper goods, stationary, household decorative stuff, a few goofy random toys, greeting cards, some books, some art/office supplies… Random collection of neat and pretty things. Also, Super Target. Love love love Super Target.
Superstitions
Can’t say I really have any. Lots of little traditions, things I do at certain times or on certain days, but I wouldn’t call them superstitions.
Morning routine
Hit snooze for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, brush my teeth, get dressed, pack a lunch, sometimes eat a bowl of cereal while watching either Sportscenter (during baseball season) or the morning news. I take my showers at night so my morning routine is pretty quick, and since I only live 10 minutes from work, I can be at my desk within half an hour of waking up.
Evening routine
Monday nights sometimes means rock climbing, Thursday nights is softball. Friday and Sunday nights are soccer for nine months of the year. If sports get rained out or I just have the evening free, my routine is pretty set. Check the mail on the way in. My shoes come off as soon as I’m inside my apartment and, if I’m exercising, I do that immediately before I get too comfortable on the couch! Once I know I’m in for the rest of the night, I change into anything comfy, usually some variation on a tank top and pajama pants. I check email and mess around on the computer for a little while, then fix dinner. I usually have the TV on between 7 and 10; sometimes I’m watching it, sometimes it’s on the background while I read a magazine, clean, or mess around on the computer some more. Shower. Floss. Brush teeth, take out contacts. Probably read for a bit, then bed.
Favorite memento
God, I have so many. My favorite, though, is the intangible one — my photo collection. Photos from parties, travels, games, and other activities.
Favorite place in the house
Sitting on the living room floor, back against the couch or one of my big fuzzy pillows. I don’t know why, but I like sitting there.
Best thing about being you
Currently? Having the money and independence to travel.
What’s your reputation
Not entirely sure. Sarcastic, athletic, and occasionally moody?
Favorite movie
Changes a lot. Currently, Love Actually.
Book to recommend
The Sex Lives of Cannibals, by Maarten Troost. It’s about the experiences of a guy living on a small atoll in the Pacific for two years, and it’s absolutely hilarious.
Your welcome mat
Outside, a standard knotted rope mat provided by the apartment complex. Inside, a woven blue mat with fringe.
Little big toy
My month-old Canon 10D. I adore it.
Last meal request
Sweet potatoes, a really good steak, bruschetta or tomato mozzarella salad, cherry coke, and a slice of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake.
Technology item you can’t live without
Digital camera. A close second is email.
Idea of the perfect party
Dinner party with close friends. Italian food and garlic bread. Really good wine. Cheesecake and chocolate for dessert. Big table with candles and a fire in the fireplace. Like out of the movies.
Topic you wouldn’t bring up at a party
Religion and politics. I know those are “standard” but hey, there’s a reason. People feel too strongly and get too upset about ’em.
Fictional character you most identify with
Absolutely no idea. Wow. No idea.
Favorite decorating technique
Paint. Color can totally change the feel of a room. After paint, hanging pictures on the wall. Photos, not paintings.
Thing in your house you’re fussiest about
Hmm. I tend to be fussy about all my material things — furniture, electronics, etc — so nothing strikes me as bigger than another. As far as around the apartment, having the blinds open, maybe? (During the daytime, not at night.) I must have them open, or I just feel icky. I even open blinds in other people’s homes.
Procrastination technique
Messing around on the computer or watching stupid TV.
Guilty pleasure
Eating chocolate chips out of the bag. Also, sneaking pictures of people when they’re not suspecting it, i.e. when they’re asleep. It seems creepy to some people, but I like asleep people because they always look so calm.
What’s by your bedside
Alarm clock, chapstick, glass of water, candle holder, TV remote, a pile of books and a couple framed photos.
Pets
A blue beta fish name Vtot. It’s pronounced “vee-tote.” Don’t ask.
Recent purchase
DVDs. 3 for $25 at Blockbuster!
Always in the fridge
Diet Coke, Minute Maid lemonade, yogurt.
Nagging injury
I dislocated my left knee in 2000 and it still aches from time to time. Not enough to cause me major problems, but enough to be annoying when it decides to act up.
Collections
Pins from every baseball stadium I visit, and ticket stubs.
Fitness routine
Prior to January 2002, I didn’t do much at all despite being unsatisfied with my weight. All of a sudden though, I decided on a whim to enter a local 5K and wham — the running thing finally stuck. I managed to keep with it regularly for a couple months, and as my fitness improved I finally felt comfortable taking on all sorts of other athletic pursuits that I hadn’t done since I was much younger. These days, I run, bike, swim, play softball and soccer, and rock climb. Soccer’s probably my favorite of those, but these days I’m also doing a hell of a lot of running as I prepare for my first marathon in January. If I lived somewhere with hills, hiking would definitely be added to the list of regular activities.
Recurring nightmare
Don’t have one these days, but when I was younger, I had a recurring nightmare about being stuck in a haunted bowling alley. Yes, a haunted bowling alley.
Idea of a perfect day
Some grandiose outdoor hiking, mountain climbing extravaganza with stunning vistas, OR: In bed by midnight the night before, and sleep until around 9:00. Have breakfast and a cup of coffee while reading the paper. Go for a run, or a swim, or a bike ride with a friend. Long, lazy lunch at Mediterraneo’s under the rainbow umbrellas outside (the weather would be 75 degrees and sunny). Read or chat with friends on my balcony. Take some photos. Get a pedicure. Do my favorite errand — getting the car washed. Dinner at any of the cool little restaurants in Rice Village or Montrose, followed by a good independent flick at the River Oaks theater. Dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. Bed.
