(no subject)

[mahogany]

It's ask-me-any-question-you-feel-like-asking day. You can ask anonymously if you want...or not, if you want. I promise to try and be honest in my answers.

Comments

[aloudallowed.livejournal.com]

What's your most embarassing moment of your life?

[mahogany.livejournal.com]

I don't tend to get embarrassed over the little funny things that happen in life. Well, mildly embarrassed, maybe, but I usually find them more amusing than anything.

For me, embarrassment comes from being made to face my own appalling behaviour. I like to think of myself as a nice, decent, ethical person. So when I realize that in fact, I've behaved very badly toward another person, and I've been anything but decent and nice, and ethical. I find it very embarrassing - not to mention, humbling.

An excellent example of this happened in university. I had a roommate that really bugged me. Not because he had done anything to deserve it, but because I just thought he was strange (talk about the pot calling the kettle black). So what did I do? I ostracized him in the worst possible way. I'd stop talking and glare at him if he tried to join in a conversation, I'd often leave the room when he entered, I mocked him mercilessly behind his back. My behaviour was truly monstrous. One day when I arrived home from classes, I found a heart wrenching note under my door. He totally poured his heart out saying that he had always had troubles relating to people - women in particular - and that he had specifically requested a co-ed townhouse so that he could learn how to interact with women. He lamented how he had failed in this last ditch attempt to learn how to be around people. He let me know how much my coldness hurt him, but he didn't really blame me since he knew he was annoying and strange...etc. etc. etc.

The letter totally broke me heart. I was profoundly, embarrassed and ashamed of myself - especially considering that I knew only too well how he felt, and that I had been on the receiving end of the behaviour I was now dishing out, and I knew how much it hurt.

[spellboy.livejournal.com]

what's the point of an anonymous question when you've got the ip tracking on? :p

Oops

[mahogany.livejournal.com]

I had completely forgotten about that. It's off now.

[toesontheground.livejournal.com]

What's the question you most hope no-one will ask? :,)

[mahogany.livejournal.com]

That's a tough one! I don't think I have a question that I'm hoping no-one will ask. I thought this would be fun, since I often have random questions that pop into my head while I'm reading a post, that are really none of my business, and that barely even relate to the post, so I don't ask. I thought the same might be true of people on my friends list - I thought there might be stuff that you've wondered about, but have never asked because the opportunity hasn't presented itself.

The desert island question

[toesontheground.livejournal.com]

If an angel or a genie appeared in front of you and said:

"You are going to a desert island for a year. You may only take what you can carry in your backpack. Rest assured that when you get back, it will be as if only a minute has passed in this life. *continues with determined gravity* Also, you are exempt from periods and associated symptoms for the duration of your stay. You have ten minutes to pack."

The backpack he hands you is the modest sort you might take on a day trip, or when you go shopping. What do you pack, and why?

Re: The desert island question

[mahogany.livejournal.com]

Well, I wouldn't go anywhere without my family. No if's and's or but's. So, this question, would only be valid assuming I didn't have a family.

If I didn't have a family, I would pack.

My bible.
My rosary - I don't really need it, since I could just count the prayers, but it would be nice to have.
A comb (without one, I'd look like Don King after the first day), and conditioner
Catnip essential oil (to repel insects)
Spices
A blanket (I like to be wrapped in a blanket no matter what the temperature)
Sun screen

Paper, and pencils. Watercolour paint, paintbrushes.

I'd take some books that I've always wanted to read, but have never gotten around to reading including:
Ulysses
The Sound and The Fury
War and Peace
Anna Karenina

An iPod. I don't actually own one, but I'm hoping the genie would be nice enough to give me one, and fill it with my favorite music.

Re: The desert island question

[toesontheground.livejournal.com]

Pleeeease post a "Don King" picture of yourself! Yeah, you're right, I don't really expect you to :)

Spices - now that's a damn good idea.

Here's my list:

A moderately large hunting knife
A medium knife
A small knife
A tommohawk/small axe
A whetstone
A spoon
A fork
A billy tin/medium pot
A drinking mug
A drinking canteen
A flint and an iron striker
A packet of salt
two bars of soap
Two packets of paracetomol (to get me through my coffee withdrawl)
Sunglasses
a broad brimmed hat
a rainsheet/groundsheet
A hand held fishing line, and some hooks and other tackle
nail clippers
my glasses
In addition to what I am wearing:
1 pair of durable full-length army pants
1 pair of durable long-sleeved army shirts
2 pair nato socks
2 pair durable boxer shorts
A bible (entertainment - OT midrash - and spiritual comfort/guidance)
Ballpoint pens (5?)
An large unlined journal.

What strikes me about this list, as I look around my room, is how unprepared I am for survival outside of civilisation - even in a fairly benign physical environment.

Re: The desert island question

[mahogany.livejournal.com]

LMAO - Looking at your answer, and then looking at mine, it looks as though I'd last about half an hour.