I read this questionnaire, given to Dustin Hoffman in Vanity Fair. I ripped it out and have been carrying it around with me since November. Some of the questions are pretty basic but others I've revisited several times and thought quite a bit about.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?Sitting down to a home cooked meal with friends or family and a really good bottle of wine (or two). A night when you enjoy the laughter and the silence equally. Watching people eat food I've prepared (and enjoy it) is one of the most satisfying things to see.
What is your greatest fear?Making a mistake at work that harms someone in a way that is irreversible. Feeling responsible for a poor outcome.
Which living person do you most admire?Tough to answer because I admire so many people for so many things...of living people that I know I think the answer is a toss up between my brother Russ and my mother. Of people that I don't know it is a tie between
James Orbinski and
Ishmael Beah. What is your greatest extravagance?Hahahah! Of where do I start??? Greatest of all? I suppose really good Champagne. All my other extravagances are a little more long lasting (but not much...).
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?Toss up between restraint and tactfulness.
On what occasion do you lie?When my mother asks me what my visa balance is.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?For the first time in my life I actually feel pretty good about my appearance! I appreciate my body and the things it does for me now more than ever before. But if I had to pick one thing I suppose it is the backs of my arms...wish they were more ripped.
Workin' on it.
Which living person do you most despise?
The instructor I had for third year clinical med/
surg rotation. He not only was a bully but he had the most profound personality disorder I've ever come across. I could start listing politicians that I don't know personally but I think that would be boring. Oprah is also on my shit list right now for putting our population at risk by trotting out uninformed
bimbettes like Suzanne
Sommers and Jenny McCarthy to tell the world that vaccines are causing autism.
Oprah you and the playboy bunnies don't know what you are talking about. Shut up.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Wit. And humility.
What is the quality that you most like in a woman?Intelligent enthusiasm.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?"Obviously". And "..." in emails.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?The mountains of BC.
When and where were you happiest?Travelling throughout India and Nepal with Ashley, Erin, and Jana in 1999. Closely followed by living in
Revelstoke 2 years ago. Must say, right now I feel very happy and fortunate as well.
Which talent would you most like to have?Wish I could paint.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?I would like to be able to go through life without comparing myself to others.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?The show we put on for our CD release party at The Sidetrack. That and the actual CD. I am super proud of it.
What is your most treasured possession?The little blobs of metal my
granddad and I
soldered together when I was 7. That, and his stethoscope.
What do you value most in your friends?How down to earth they are. And how hilarious, loving, and genuinely supportive they are.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?Any memory of high school.
What is your favorite occupation?Making food for people. And I also like making them feel better.
What is your most marked characteristic?Let's ask our audience members?? Any comments?
Hmmm...would be interesting to know that.
Indecisiveness?
Hahahaah.
Who are your favorite writers?Well, to qualify as a favorite writer I suppose I'd have to had read more than one of their books...so that discounts a lot of authors I respect greatly. So writers that have given me more than one great read include Oliver Sacks, Margaret Atwood, Shel
Silverstein, Timothy Findlay, Kevin Patterson, Micheal
Ondaatje, Douglas Adams...
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?"P.K" from Bryce Courtenay's 'Power of One'.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?Um...I don't identify with any known historical figure. For them to be a known historical figure they would have had to accomplish something outstanding. I have yet to pull off anything outstanding.
Who are your heroes in real life?People who believe in meaningful work...people who make the best of their circumstances...people who are good parents.
What is your greatest regret?Not believing in myself sooner.
What is your motto?Eat (non-processed healthy food), drink (good wine or beer), and be merry (while you exercise) for tomorrow you may die.
