Inez's Questionnaire

Since Vanity Fair probably owns the copyright to "Proust Questionnaire" I'll just call my version "Inez's Questionnaire," alter the questions slightly, and hope that keeps me out of some sort of intellectual property dispute...like they are sooo worried about this blog...whatever...just saying...

In any case, here goes:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
...and justice for all.

What is your current state of mind?
Bemused.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Berlin.

Which living person do you most admire?
Aid workers around the world.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
Courage, closely followed by a sense of humor.

What s the quality you most like in a woman?
Same.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Travel.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Cowardice.

What is your greatest fear?
The Ausländerbehörde in Berlin.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
"Virtue itself is offensive." --Nietzsche

Which living person do you most despise?
I don't have the energy to truly despise anyone.

When and where were you happiest?
2000-2001 in Berlin.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Fuck!"
"What the fuck?!"
"Shut the fuck up!"
"That's hysterical!"
"My brain is melting."

Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to play the guitar I own.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be brave enough to fall in love again.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A handsome and well-endowed man.

What is your most treasured possession?
My grandmother's pearls.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Hopelessness.

What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty, intelligence, and humor.

Who are your favorite writers?
DH Lawrence, William Trevor, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Keri Hulme, and John Le Carré among others.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
George Smiley.

Who are your heroes in real life?
Aid workers around the world, like Doctors Without Borders.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Nina Simone.

How would you like to die?
In my sleep, like most people.

What is your greatest regret?
Because we didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up, I had to choose between ballet and piano, and I chose ballet. Years later after surgery on both ankles, it was too late for the piano.

What is your motto?
"You get what you settle for."