Taken from here. Not a blog I read on a regular basis, but she seems like fun, no?
Are you young at heart, or an old soul?
I am definitely young at heart. Foolishly young at heart. Do with that information what you will.
What makes someone a best friend?
They stick around.
What Christmas (or Hanukkah) present do you remember the most?
My blue and white bike. I think I was 8 or 9. It had a white banana seat with blue flowers on it, a white basket, tassles on the handlebars, and was just all kinds of awesome.
Tell me about a movie/song/tv show/play/book that has changed your life.
The World According to Garp, by John Irving. I read it way too young - I was maybe 12 or 13? Awesome book. Thank you John Irving! Now, I'm not enjoying his most recent book all that much, but I'm thinking one of us needs to try harder.
Name one physical feature that you like about yourself, and one you dislike.
My stomach. Obviously this is one that I dislike. Have you seen my stomach lately? No, and you won't see it, either. On top of having a baby, I just never had a great tummy; baby didn't help anything.
I like my mouth. And my beauty mark.
Would you like to reconnect with any friends you’ve lost contact with?
Some of them. Thanks to Facebook, I have a relationship with some people I'd like to know again, in a closer way, but time and distance keep that from happening. And there are some people who I've reconnected with in just the absolute perfect way. There are others who I think are better as fond (or not-so-fond) memories.
Name a movie that you knew would be terrible just from reading the title.
"What to Expect When You're Expecting;" any Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell movie; any movie with the word "Medea" in the title.
What holiday do you most look forward to?
Thanksgiving. Food paradise.
How is the relationship between you and your parents.
Fine. They are great grandparents.
You’ve got the TV on, but you’re not really watching.
This so rarely happens anymore. I love TV! If it's on, it means the baby is asleep and I'm into it!
What channel is the TV on?
Usually a cooking show, or Patrick is watching Pawn Stars. Occasionally we watch music concerts. And then we watch a lot of Sprouts. I suspect that Patrick has a crush on one of the cute young women who host those shows. Those chicks are hot; I suspect that's why they hire them. I'm sure the kids don't really notice but the daddies sure do!
Name a song that never fails to make you happy.
Just one? Silly you.
Mr. Blue Sky, by Electric Light Orchestra
My Sweet Lord, by George Harrison
New Toy, by Lene Lovich
Love is the Drug, by Roxy Music
Another Time, by Adrian Belew
Big Eyed Beans from Venus, by Captain Beefheart
Science Fiction, by Divinyls
Away, by Meat Puppets
Naive Melody by Talking Heads
Breathless, by X
Into Your Arms, by the Lemonheads
Almost any fIREHOSE song
Lots and lots of Radiohead songs
You know at least one person named Michael. Tell me about him.
He's a comedian, and a newly published author. We met at Rizzoli Bookstore in Santa Monica; he was a clerk, I was one of the managers. He's way smart, super funny, and he thinks I'm funny too. Thinks I can write! What can I say? Someone who is a comedian and who laughs at my lame jokes is a prince.
Have you ever read the “missed connections” on Craigslist? Have you ever posted one, or wanted to?
I read it once, a long time ago. It actually made me a little sad.
If you could pick anywhere to live the rest of your life, where would it be?
I like where I am, but it is a dream of mine to move back to Culver City. On the other hand, on a trip to Portland with Patrick, we kind of fell in love with one of the residential neighborhoods we explored (I can't remember what the area was called but it was near the Kennedy School). There might be better neighborhoods in Portland, but that one grabbed our imagination. I don't know if moving that far away would ever happen, though, or if I would really want to.
Can money buy happiness?
Probably not, but wouldn't it be fun to try to find out?
(everyone answers this one this way!)
Do you drink? Smoke? Do drugs? Why, or why not?
I drink a beer or two now and then. I like beer.
I quit smoking about 8 years ago. It was gross, and it will kill you. And as a flutist, what a dumb thing to do. Once in a great while I miss it. I liked having something to do with my hands, and I liked the way the paper smelled.
The only drugs I do are allergy medicine, Advil, and caffeine. I'm a new coffee drinker, and I'm in love with it. Milk and honey: perfection. I also love my Diet Cokes.
Is there anyone close to you that you know you can’t trust? You don’t have to give names.
Not anymore.
Where was your favorite place to go when you were a little kid?
My uncle Alfredo's house. He lived in a huge house that had all these interesting places to hide and play. Also, he was very creative and had lots of cool stuff (like found art that he would put together, or his girlfriend Helen's artwork). And my cousins were super cool and fun to visit, too. His girlfriend Helen's house in Santa Monica was awesome too: she was an artist, and her home was a converted church. Really neat, loving, exciting people.
Have you ever spent a night in the hospital?
When I had my baby, we spent two nights in the hospital. I didn't want to go home! The nurses were super sweet, and I loved being pampered. Then a couple of months later, I had to have surgery on my breast when I got a pretty bad infection/mastitis. I didn't technically spend the night there but I was there for what felt like a very long time.
Do you enjoy being with only one or two friends, or with a large group of people?
I am much better with one or two friends. I get a little overwhelmed in large groups of people.
Do you like the type of music your parents listen to? Do your parents like the type of music you listen to?
Not really! My mom listens mainly to Christian music, and Country. My dad likes Country too, but he also likes his "oldies", which I do enjoy. My mom always worried that the music I listened to would invite "satan" into my brain. Yes. That is a true statement.
Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever bullied anyone else?
Yeah, I've been bullied, but it's not worth talking about. I don't know if I was really a "bully." I was probably not very nice to some kids at certain points in my life.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I don't think I could do that or would want to.
If your partner wanted to wait until marriage before having sex, would you stay in that relationship?
I'm going to not answer this one. I guess that sounds like my answer would be "no" but who knows? It's not an issue now.
Do you believe in a god?
I don't know. I think so. Here's what I do know, and I'm going to quote Bono: "The god I believe in isn't short of cash, mister." I don't believe in a god that requires funding, or would exclude anyone. I don't believe in the rules that people always get all caught up in. I'm still kind of working this one out. I don't believe that what I believe or what you believe is necessarily what everyone else should believe.
Of all the social networks in the world, why use twitter.
It's fun, once in awhile.
What’s your favorite hashtag to track?
Stewart Copeland, of course. Actually, I don't really track any hashtags. I don't have that kind of time.
Would you call yourself/your family “middle class?”
Now, sure. When I was growing up, no.
Name a TV series you didn’t enjoy until after it ended.
The West Wing. Beverly Hills, 90210.
Have you ever bought a product from an infomercial?
Not ordered from the TV, but I have bought stuff at the "as seen on TV" store. I like that citrus stuff for the laundry. Mostly, though, that stuff is crap.
If you could give up your car and never have to drive again, would you?
YES. If only the places I needed to go were bike-able, or if public transportation was easier to use!
If you go back to one point in time to give advice to yourself, when would you go and what would you say?
Probably my early 20s. Here's what I would say: There are things you want to do but you are afraid: go for it anyway. You have nothing to lose. Literally. You are braver and stronger and more capable than you think.
What’s your “quirkiest” habit?
I write letters in a public place (on a blog) to Stewart Copeland, and I address him as if he and I were actually friends. I like to pretend that I am friends with him! He has never responded. Poor me! I'll keep doing it anyway. Maybe one day he will!
What is “normal?” Are you normal?
I don't know what normal is. Yes. No.
Someone close to you is dying. You have the choice to let this person live for 10 more years, but if you do, you cause the death of 10 strangers. You don’t have to see them die. Do you take the offer?
I don't want to think about this. Sorry.
What is one thing you could never forgive?
I don't know. I tend to forgive everything. If I love you, I love you. And I have a terrible memory.
Forget I said that.
Would you rather be in a relationship after the honeymoon period ends, or be single?
Relationship. There are always things to work on.
Is it possible for guys and girls to be just friends?
Absolutely.
Where do you and your friends go to hang out?
We don't really hang out anymore. Life is not "Friends," or "Cheers."
Write the first sentence of your obituary.
Irene Palma, the youngest, prettiest, third wife of Stewart Copeland, was found dead today. She had a big smile on her face.
This is a joke. Because Fiona Copeland is gorgeous and could probably kick my ass? Yes.
What is the best TV theme song ever?
Ummmm... Alice? What was the name of the show that Valerie Bertinelli was on? I liked that one.
When you were young, what would you dream you would be when you grew up?
A mail carrier. True story.
When you’re alone in your own home, do you walk around naked?
Sure. Alone? I do it when Patrick is around too. What do I care? Nobody can see, and anyway, who else wants to look at me? My house has lots of windows but they mostly face the backyard. It's easy enough to do and we have plenty of privacy. I guess when JP gets older I'll have to cool it, though.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
The alarm. The baby. The knowledge that I have to go out and earn a living.
Do you want to have more friends than you have right now?
I'd like more time to spend with the friends I have.
What part of the past year sticks out in your mind?
March 31, 2012. Private memory.
You win a scratch-off lottery game that gives you $2000 a week (after taxes) for the rest of your life. Do you keep your job?
Hell no. But wait, can I get another job, later? I would probably need to work again at some point, right? Part-time mail carrier sounds like the perfect job.
Could you be in a long-distance relationship? If you’re in one, what makes yours work?
I don't think so, but it's not really an issue, nor is it likely to ever be an issue.
What’s the best route to your heart?
A sense of humor. A willingness to share everything. Love.
Have you ever met someone through the internet, then met them in real life?
Nope.
What is your favorite sport?
I don't really have a favorite sport. I'm not all that interested in sports. I like to ride bikes but I'm not very knowledgeable about it or interested in it as "sport."
What has been troubling you lately?
Distance. Time travel. My right hip.
Did you enjoy your high school prom? If you haven’t gotten there yet, do you look forward to it? If you didn’t go, why not?
Not really. My prom was populated by the popular people, of which I was not one. Being around those people made me very uncomfortable. It would've been better if I'd felt my own value a little more as a teenager. It was fun to get all dressed up and to go with Adam, because being with Adam was almost always fun, but I was pretty miserable when forced to look beyond his face. We should've gone out somewhere else, instead.
What do you use more often: your intuition or logical reasoning?
Probably intuition. I'm not super logical. I'm totally ruled by my heart, actually. Well, maybe not totally, but enough.
Do you know what makes you happy?
Yes. No, I'm not going to tell you. Well, I will tell you one thing: my adorable, sweet, beautiful boy makes me very happy. There are other things but he's the best.
Tell me about the last book you read.
I finally finished "The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao," by Junot Diaz. I liked it a lot but it was very sad.
What is the nicest compliment you’ve ever been given?
Recently, a high school kid told me the other day that he really loved my flute playing. I liked what I had played, and I had tried to make it beautiful, so I was glad that he was moved to tell me that. Someone else once told me that they thought that I "don't take any shit." I liked that though I'm not sure it's true. Another person once told me that I had beautiful eyes, and while I also find that one hard to believe (because my eyes are crossed and weird), it was said in a totally believable way, in a totally romantic situation. I want to believe!
Who was your first crush?
I have had lots of crushes! I think the first one was Jeremy. Kindergarten.
Do you believe that there is life on other planets?
I don't know. It's fun to think about but I have no idea. I guess that's a no. Or maybe it's a yes.
Predict what your life will look like a year from now.
JP will hopefully be potty trained. Other than that, I have no idea. Chances are it will look a lot like it does right now. That's mostly OK.
Often, people will ask how your last relationship ended. I want to know how it began.
We met when I was a 16 or 17 year old page at the library. He was probably 21 or 22, way too old for me, a library assistant. He had a crush on me, which was intriguing, because that rarely happened, but he was toooooooo old, and I had a boyfriend. We were friends for a long time, and he was patient.
Where is your favorite place to go out and eat?
Fatburger. La Casita Mexicana. Enrique's.
What is something you want to change about your current situation?
I'd like to get more than 3, 4 hours of sleep at a time. I'd like more opportunites to play my flute, ride my bike, read, cook.
Early bird or night owl?
Unfortunately right now I am both. The kid keeps us up, and then wakes up bright and early, Mr. Happy.
Are there any childhood possessions you still hold on to?
I have my first Yamaha flute, which was actually my sister's. Hopefully one day JP would like to play it but it will require a bit of an overhaul before that's possible. I'm pretty good at giving up crap, though, so I don't have a lot of stuff.
Give me an unpopular opinion you have.
A lot of "alpha mom"-types are advising me that it's time to let JP "cry it out" so that he will sleep on his own. I totally do not believe in this. Neither does Patrick. Not going to happen.
What was the last song that was stuck in your head?
New Toy, by Lene Lovich! Oh ay oh! It's still in there!!!
Where do you live? Be as general or specific as you want.
In the smallest house on the nicest street we could afford. It's green, with a pretty Chinese magnolia tree in front.
Do you believe in giving kids medals and trophies for participation?
I don't know. I'll let you know as JP gets older and this starts happening. I think we got certificates and stuff for getting involved, but depending on the age of the kid, it seems like a medal or a trophy just for showing up is sending the wrong message.
What was the longest car ride you’ve ever taken?
Drew and I drove to Oregon once, in the snow. It was fun. A long, long time ago.
Have you ever taken part in a protest?
No.
Would you ever use an online dating service?
No.
What is your ethnic heritage?
Mexican-American. More American!
Describe a person that inspires you.
Excited by life. Open. Relaxed.
If you earn minimum wage doing what you love, would you?
If I only had myself to worry about, I might consider it. But as this is not the case, nor can it ever be again, no.
Do you believe in luck?
Sure.
Describe the last time you were very angry at someone.
I don't know if I can describe it. It's personal. It got worked out. I think I wasn't so much angry, as disappointed and sad.
Do you want to live until you’re 100?
I don't really want to consider that one day I will die. But...
Do people change? If so, how do you keep a relationship together when both of you start to change?
Yes, people change. You have to want it, and work on it.
Have you ever risked a friendship by telling someone you liked them?
Yes. Multiple times. It usually worked out one way or another.
Would you rather be alone doing something you enjoy, or doing something you don’t like with your best friends?
What a sad question. Right this second I'd rather be with my friends. I guess it depends on what the thing is.
Do you practice what you preach?
I try really hard. I suspect that as JP gets older this will be more important.
If you take precautions to stay safe, do you ultimately act more recklessly?
I can be reckless. Dude, reckless is fun. On the other hand, I absolutely refuse to jaywalk. Jaywalking is stupid.
What do you value more in a significant other: Attractiveness or intelligence?
If I love you, I love you. I think you're attractive based on that.
Are you hard-headed?
I don't think so. Maybe you should ask Patrick.
Have you ever laughed uncontrollably when it was socially inappropriate?
Yes. Uncontrollable laughing is so much fun. Except when it ends in pee.
When have you felt most alive?
I don't know... Maybe during the last solo I performed, which was in December 2010. I was 8-1/2 months pregnant. It wasn't the greatest performance (I made a big mistake; my breathing was wacky; and I was not as in tune as I thought it was); but, all that said: it was the most exciting, most emotional performance I've ever given. I may have been hormonal, but I really felt like I was giving it everything I could give. I can't listen to that solo without tearing up. I felt like I was really doing my best.
Would you prefer to live? A city? The suburbs? The countryside? The mountains?
I would love to find out if I prefer the city to the suburbs. I think I would but I don't know, as I've never lived in a city.
Do you often skip breakfast?
Breakfast lately has been a big cup of coffee and a cookie. Does that count as not skipping breakfast?
How do you know what true love is?
You know.
Would you want to know the exact date and time you were going to die?
It's enough to know that that day is going to come eventually. I'd rather not think about it.
Where is “home” for you?
My little green house.
What song best describes your life right now?
Another Time, by Adrian Belew. Just a gorgeous song.
Do you want to be perfect?
I realize that it's impossible. Doesn't stop me from thinking about it.
What have you never tried, but would really like to someday? What’s holding you back?
Oh, lots and lots of things. What holds me back is easy: fear.
How do you express your creativity?
Musically, writing. I'm not as good at those things as I wish I was, but I could never give either one of them up.
Describe your neighborhood.
Quiet. Safe.
Name something you only liked because it was popular.
This is a funny question. Um... fluorescent colored clothes. When was that? 6th grade?
Give me the story of your life in six words.
Who would have ever thought I could be a mom? Wait, is that ten words? Are you still there?
No comments:
Post a Comment