Questions courtesy of LittlePea

1. Who were your role models growing up? Are they the same now that you’re older or have they changed?

Y’know, I don’t remember ever having any role models. It’s possible that I did have a role model, but I can’t think of who it would have been. I would also say that I don’t really have any now. No one has ever impressed me so much that I would strive to be like them.

2. What was the best advice ever given to you? What was the best advice you ever gave?

I was once told that when you lie about your age, you should lie UP. If you’re 30 and say you’re 35, then you’re a 35 year old that looks younger. But if you’re 30 and say you’re 25, then you’re a 25 year old that’s looking a little older.

As far as giving advice, it would be: Negative reinforcement does not work with birds. I told quite a few clients that while working at an independent pet shop.

3. Do you believe in, or have you ever had any encounters with ghosts?

Okay, I don’t REALLY believe in ghosts or anything metaphysical or spiritual (or whatever you want to call it), but I’ll go to my grave believing I’ve seen one. At Allerton Park in Monticello, IL, there is a lady in white who is said to walk the grounds. I’d been hiking with my friend, Worley, and it was hot and we had no water when I saw her walking in the woods and then disappear. I must have been hallucinating. It wasn’t until we later spoke with a ranger that we learned that this particular ghost had been seen many times.

4. Okay, hypothetical scenario: An asteroid is heading straight for Earth and will destroy everything. The good news is, every human will be evacuated to a twin planet. There is only enough room to bring one sentimental item, what are you bringing?

Actually, and this is a little odd, I’d bring a stick with me. But not just any stick, this stick:

I found this at Girl Scout Camp when I was little, and painstakingly whittled away most of the bark and then coated it with Polyurethane. I’ve had it for roughly 20 years. A former roommate was quite surprised when I ripped him a new one for using it to beat a rug.

5. Surely you must be sick of my bragging about my secret special beach. You always have beautiful pictures on your blog and have mentioned geocaching a couple times. Do you have a special place of your own that you visit for peace of mind and solitude?

I could never get sick of hearing about your secret beach. Only madly jealous of your shark teeth finds. Madly.

Peace of mind and solitude? Not gonna happen. Not ever. I have no desire to change that since I don’t see my lack of calm as negative.

Interview rules:

1. If you would like to participate, leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. Update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.

4. Include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you ask them five questions.

If you request questions from me, please give me a few days so that I can personalize them.