The Proust Questionnaire (what’s this?)
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
On a boat in the middle of a lake, no waves, 85 degrees
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
FDR – hard truths in tough times
Which living person do you most admire?
Barack – vision among the blind
What is your most marked characteristic?
Sarcasm. Sorry, not sorry.
What do you most value in your friends?
Patience. I’ve been meaning to call.
Who are your favorite writers?
John Updike, Tom Wolfe, Hunter Thompson, Jonathan Franzen, Thomas Frank, Francine Prose, Eldridge Cleaver
Who is your hero of fiction?
Rabbit Angstrom
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“From a design perspective” and “essentially” as introductory clauses that don’t mean much but help me get through those occasional tongue-tied moments
What is your greatest regret?
Burning all my bridges at the newspaper I worked at in my 20’s.
When and where were you happiest?
The numerous awakenings experienced in college and seeing my kids grow up (of course)
Which talent would you most like to have?
It pains me to admit how much more musical talent my children have than I do. I wish I could sing and sight-read music and then produce an album.
What is your current state of mind?
Optimistic about the future (hard to believe, I know). But slightly apprehensive about all the new technology I will be expected to learn as I get older. DVD-ROM installers, anyone?
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Bring my mom back. She died in 2018 at age 70 from ovarian cancer. She was healthy one month, dead the next. As an actual saint, she deserved better.
What is your most treasured possession?
My crazy uncle got me a signed Ted Williams poster. Is it real? Maybe.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Moments of indecision
Where would you like to live?
Where it’s sunny but there is no skin cancer
What are your favorite names?
Alexandrew, Elliot and Oliver – my three boys. We like vowels in our family.
How would you like to die?
Melting in the sun, like a snowman
