Once again, Sunday Stealing is purloining “all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. ” First, I should note per Chuck, that today is 4/21/2024. Spelled backwards, it’s 4202/12/4, and this phenomenon works through the 29th. But it’s only true in those weird MM/DD/YYYY places.
1. What was the best toy you ever owned?
Johnny Seven OMA (One-Man Army). It made an appearance on Law and Order: Criminal Intent. “Detective Robert Goren finds one in a toy store, and demonstrates all seven firing modes (Episode: Collective, June 2006.) When my friends and I were at Binghamton (NY) Central High School, probably in the spring of 1970, we made an antiwar video. I no longer recall the plot, as it were, though I remember bringing my toy gun to the proceedings.
2. When in your life have you felt the loneliest?
1977
3. What is your strongest emotion
Melancholy. When I get sad, it devolves to melancholy. And when I get angry, I’m generally mortified and sink into melancholy.
4. When were you the most disappointed in yourself?
Oh, we don’t have time for that. Let’s say it’s difficult to pick just one.
5. Which law would you most like to change?
“In 1994, Congress passed the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, commonly referred to as the Assault Weapons Ban. This law prohibited the manufacture or sale for civilian use of certain semi-automatic weapons and magazines that could accommodate 10 rounds or more.1 Notably, Congress authorized the legislation for 10 years. When Congress did not renew it in 2004, the Act expired.” I want it back.
Hate is such an unpleasant word
6. Who is the person you have hated the most in your lifetime?
It was a coworker who took glee in making other people’s life difficult. They are a cockroach.
7. What has disappointed you the most?
The tremendous potential of access to the Internet has been distorted by lies and fakes.
8. What’s the best possible attitude toward death?
It’s inevitable, so try to make the most out of life. (Easier said than done.)
9. What’s been the longest day in your life?
July 4, 2023.
10. What is the biggest coincidence in your life?
I went to what turned out to be a massive (100,000+ people) antiwar demonstration in New York City on February 15, 2003 against the impending war in Iraq, one of many actions across the globe. As I took a bus from Albany, I was shocked to run into my friend from New Paltz and their child.
11. What’s the oldest you’d like to live?
148. I mean, what the heck. I’d see a new century. Realistically, I have no idea.
12. Who is the most amazing woman you know personally?
A 95-year-old woman in my church who reads scripture during service and is active in a book club. She’s also a very good hugger.
Running for office
13. What was your best experience in school?
When I was in high school, candidates for student government offices had to get someone else to give their nominating speech. I gave one for one of my oldest friends, who I had known since kindergarten. It was, by all accounts, a rip-roaring address. And they were elecred secretary.
After that year, they let the candidates give their own speeches. I ran for student government president, but my speech was not nearly as good as the one I’d given the year before. I still won, though.
14. What’s the most meaningful compliment you’ve ever received?
A friend of mine calls me Mister Music because I know a fair amount about music from the second half of the 20th century.
15. What is the most you’ve spent on something really stupid?
It was a prototype of a different type of air conditioner thst woul be more energy-efficient but much more portable. I backed a Kickstarter in 2016 to the tune of $300. The last update was in 2022 when they were complaining of global supply chain issues.
The Sunday Stealing for this week is nominally about high school. There are a lot more questions about music and recreation, thank goodness.
8. What part has music played in your life? What kind of music was played at your wedding or at parties you have been to?
By request, one of those Facebook memes about high school. “Think about your SENIOR year in High School…if you can remember that long ago!! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be! It only takes 5 minutes, do it!!!” Or don’t. I’m not all that invested.
My family saw two high school musicals the last weekend in March, Beauty and the Beast at Catskill HS and Sweet Charity at Albany HS. They both were excellent, so I’ll be rooting for both schools in a competition.