Sunday, April 15, 2007

Working on the Chain Gang

Rachel, A Comedienne's Sidekick, answered 5 questions posed by Mielikki, of What It's Like to be Me.

After that, I asked Rachel to interview me. Below are her questions and my answers.

Below that are rules --- if you too would like to be interviewed. To be interviewed, you must have a blog where we can all see the answers. For further rules, look at the stuff in italics after the Q&A.

1. You are very well read and informed about a lot of different subjects. What would you say that you are the most passionate about and why?

Repairing the world. In small ways like trying to make sure Monkeyboy in DC's generation is just slightly less screwed up than his parents'. And in bigger ways, like trying to elect folks and agitating for policies that will halt the widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Here and in the rest of the world.

Blackjack, rock-and-roll (especially Springsteen), and baseball are other topics I can get passionate about. So is the decline of decent customer service and the fact that all the baseball players and centerfolds are younger than me these days.

2. You have blogged about your struggles with depression. [Answerer's note: I broke this question into two.]

A)What do you think the most devastating part of depression is?

The most devastating part of depression is the hopelessness. The feelings of sadness are multiplied many times over by the illness-borne sense that there's no getting better, no lighter days ahead.

B)What have you learned about yourself from dealing with it?

That, aided by competent therapy, the right meds, and the support of loved ones, the hopelessness is an artifact of my illness, and not objectively realistic. That I can persevere. But that I cannot do it alone. Alone, my illness will kill me.

3. If you, RFB and Monkeyboy were in a movie together, what movie would it be and why?

The first Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie. Monkeyboy could be Charlie Bucket, RFB could play the Jack Albertson role (as a cool grandma instead of a cool grandpa). As for me, I'd love to be Willie Wonka.

I'm a great fan of both Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, but I've never been able to bring myself to see their adaptation.

4. What is the most embarrassing thing that you ever did when you were single and had a crush on someone?

I spent months mooning over an undergraduate when I was finishing law school and starting my career as a Legal Aid lawyer. I stopped by a reception desk she worked at --- for no good reason other than to see her. I left phone messages, desperate for a call back. I sat home by the phone hoping she'd call.

I continued helping to lead the Reform Friday night minyan at GWU Hillel, after graduating law school, in large measure so I'd keep running into her. (She was Hillel President.)

We shared a couple of kisses early on (on a movie date, at a sleep-in at the Hillel house, and one time when she came back to DC after a school break.)

I was spending my working day beating up on middle-aged slumlords and their mouthpieces. I was spending my nights obsessing over a girl who couldn't figure out how to send me packing. I spent the better part of half-a-year pitching woo before she finally did.

5. If there is one pearl of wisdom that you can pass on to people, what would it be?

It's not original. It's an attitude I try to affect most of the time. It comes from Elvis Costello's (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, on his album My Aim is True.

"I used to be disgusted, but now I try to be amused."

Ok, the rules:
1. If you want to be interviewed by me, (and I encourage perfect strangers to take me up on this, it will be fun) leave me a comment saying "Interview Me".
2. I will respond by asking you five questions of my choice.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to my questions.
4. You will include these rules, and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What the heck....I will play this.

Interview Me.

I will post on my second blog (Son of the noise) because blog number one is already looking at a full week of stuff. Besides, I like having material for the second home. Just click on my avatar.

mielikki said...

Oh, great answers, and I looooove Springsteen. Classic.

Moonbeam said...

Whahooo...Johnny Depp!! David, the rest of your interview was good too :)

I have to agree bout the 2nd Wonka film...its the ONLY Depp movie I have not been able to watch to the end....it sucked real bad. I only hope that any youngins' that watched the remake were also given the opportunity to watch the original Willie Wonka, which was fabulous.

One older movie of Johnny Depp's that was recommeded to me, and I have watched over and over, is Don Juan DeMarco. A must see for JD fans.

There I go Depp-Rambling again.

Again, nice interview and interview idea, I find it interesting to read.

David in DC said...

m&m: Thanks.

e-e: How do I send you your q's. My e-mail is in my profile. Send me a note there and I'll reply with your 5 questions.

Tara said...

Okay, this looks fun. Will you interview me please?

David in DC said...

Sure, but I've got the same problem as with evil-e. What's your e-mail address? It's not on your profile.

Mine's on mine, so just e-mail me and I'll respond tonite with 5 q's

Churlita said...

I loved your answers. It's great that you are so open. I really like that about people.

ANON1 said...

I will BUCK the system. Interview me and post the answers on your blog. Your traffic would increase tenfold. The mind of ANON1 is a terrible thing to waste.

You have my e-mail address Slim Jim. Now accept the challenge.

Anonymous said...

EvilESB@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Mission accomplished....I did give proper credit to the interviewer as well.

AlienCG said...

Alright, interview me.

AlienCG(at)gmail.com

laughing said...

David will get mad if I ask Anon1 the question he's set up for someone to ask.

But, seriously, why don't you just turn your blog back on or get a new one?

ANON1 said...

Because I don't want people who lack a purpose in life to try and get involved in my personal life i.e a blogger posting my work IP address. Some people can dish it out but can't take it. David is so great because he can do both and not throw a fit.

Answered your questions SLIM JIM now post my answers and thank me later for the increase in traffic on your blog.

David in DC said...

Thanks for the increase in traffic on my blog.

It's only one guy, but he seems a nice sort of bloke.

AlienCG said...

I did answer your questions and they are posted. You ask really good questions and on a couple I really had to think about my answers. That was fun.

David in DC said...

alien: Glad you enjoyed it and liked the q's. I had fun too.

Live long, and prosper