Taking Stock from “Dad Gone Mad
These questions came from a post at blog I read called Dad Gone Mad
1. There’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but you haven’t done it because you think you lack the time, money, or support to do so. What is that something? And what are the REAL roadblocks keeping you from it?
Live in another country (or many different countries). I’ve had the opportunity to do so a couple of times. Once when I was 16, I had a job offer from an uncle of mine in Greece. Another was the opportunity to go on a student exchange in Australia. Both of the ‘roadblocks’ were becasue of family. I use the term roadblocks loosely because I made a concious choice to stay. I’m glad I did, espcially for the latter. I had just started dating Hubby at that time and knew deep down that staying was the right choice.
Now, the roadblocks are the same. I wouldn’t want to leave my mom, or my brother and his family. I may consider staying somewhere for an extended period (6 months or so) but nothing longer. As wonderful and memorable as other places may be, I also see them as being lonely. No one understands me (read: can put up with me) the way my family does.
2. Name something you would eat more of if health, cost, allergy, and caloric intake were of no concern.
Pfft, that’s easy: CHOCOLATE.
3. What is the one singer/band, book/author, painting/painter or author artist/work of art that “speaks to you” most? Why?
Tool, the band. The more I listen to their music, the more I understand it, the more it becomes a part of me. I love how each instrumental piece (including the vocals) is an entity on it’s own, like an orchestra. You couldn’t just play one instrument, the song would sound like garbage. It’s not until each piece comes together that the song is alive. One of my favourite things to do is to listen specifically to one of the instruments (usually it’s the drums) more than the others. You hear all the little nuances that makes that instrument so unique and oten times it almost seems out of beat. The timing of their songs is unlike any other.
The lyrics are absolutely stunning as well. They are dark but truthful and raw and that (to me) makes them beautiful. I admire how vulnerable the lead singer makes himself by being so open. It takes great strength and insight to be like that.
4. If your country’s government handed you a check for $10 billion and empowered you use that money to support a single program, cause, or organization, where would you send it?
Education. People are getting dumb becasue our school systems suck. People who can’t afford good education are missing out. And I’m not just talking about university. There are many types of education and all choices should be available to everyone. Music, art, college, university…whatever shape and form I want it to be accessible. I love school and while I don’t think I learned “stuff”, I did learn HOW to learn. I learned how to be critical and thoughtful and how to communicate and express myself properly (most of the time). I think that with a good education you gain confidence and self-worth, two charactieristics that are dying in our youth.
5. What really, genuinely pisses you off?
People who don’t listen. They say they are listening but actual listening requires the skill of not only hearing the words but processing them as well and THEN forming thoughts and opinions. Most people just wait for their turn to speak. They already have their opinions formed and aren’t looking to share a conversation they just want to tell you want THEY think.
6. Describe your current level of happiness and contentment in your life. Are you living the life you imagined for yourself when you were younger?
My current level of happiness is tainted by the recent illness and death of my father. When something tragic like that happens so close to you, you tend to question every bit of life around you. You become angry at everything and at nothing. You become skeptical and doubtful and lack the confidence you once took for granted. I question my position sometimes because I know I have the elements of an amazing life but I can’t seem to shake this…doubt. I am living the life I imagined for myself when I was younger. I have it exactly as I once wanted it. But since learning of my father’s illness, watching him and my mom suffer and dealing with his death, I have begun to doubt that this is still the life I want.
The ONLY thing that I am certain about is my relationship with my husband, James. I cannot begin to express how amazingly fortunate I am to have him in my life. If it weren’t for him I would probably be…who knows where I’d be. And I’m not going to pretend that our life is all roses, no one is perfect, but we have grown together in a way I never thought possible for me and I couldn’t imagine that part of my life any other way.