The Proust Questionnaire

I like this. When I do it, it makes me really think about some big things. It's also credited (well, the popularisation of it is) to Marcel Proust, so it smacks of psuedo-intellectualism, which I'm so all about. Vanity Fair uses it at the back of every issue - they interview a famous/relevant person. I guess it's a sort of highbrow parlour game. For posers.

But I like it.

Anyway, here it is. I don't think you're bound to answer every question. Lord knows I'm not answering every one of them on this blog. Feel free to re-post this. Or just sit there thinking about the stuff - some of it may even open your eyes to yourself.

The Proust Questionnaire

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Not being alone; never having to worry about people not getting me; never having to worry at all because I have nothing to worry about; plus not being alone.

2. What is your greatest fear?

Death.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Not knowing when to just shut up. Seriously. Like sometimes I want to smack myself and say "enough, you idiot".

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

Apathy; especially when it comes to your fellow man.

5. Which living person do you most admire?

I honestly don't know. I want to say my parents though.

6. What is your greatest extravagance?

Books.

7. What is your current state of mind?

Unsettled & possibly slightly paranoid (but not so sure about the latter).

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Chastity.

9. On what occasion do you lie?

a. To soften the blow;
b. If the truth is immaterial to the current reality.

10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Big belly coupled with skinny limbs, bald head and no butt. Yes, I have serious body image issues.

11. Which living person do you most despise?

Not answering this one here. Suffice it to say that it's a type as much as it is at least 2 people.

12. What is the quality you most like in a man?

Loyalty.

13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Same as # 12.

14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

a. "No way!"
b. "Holy cow/crap/shit/fuck!"

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

Secret.

16. When and where were you happiest?

2001/2003; London, UK.

17. Which talent would you most like to have?

Words.

18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

The overwhelming desire to be liked/accepted.

19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My academic stuff. Which hopefully isn't complete yet.

20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I don't want to die, but if I did, I'd like to come back as someone indescribably wealthy and powerful. But not necessarily famous. Fuck my Marxist principles. I want money.

21. Where would you most like to live?

St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Most of the time.

22. What is your most treasured possession?

I honestly don't know. I think I could lose any of the things that I possess and still live a happy, content life. Perhaps my laptop?

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

Being alone.

24. What is your favorite occupation?

Acting (theatre).

25. What is your most marked characteristic?

My ability to be so unassuming, non-threatening and open that you can't help but like me. Until, perhaps, you get to know me and I start to irritate the fuck out of you.

26. What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty.

27. Who are your favorite writers?

There isn't enough room. Plus I find it difficult to have a favourite anything. Polarities and I don't do well together.

28. Who is your hero of fiction?

Oddly enough, this one is a secret.

29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I don't.

30. Who are your heroes in real life?

People who stand up for what they believe (as long as what they believe is also what I believe - hah. If, for example, someone stands up for the belief that a certain religion is better than any other, then they're not really a hero to me. This is all highly subjective).

31. What are your favorite names?

The names of my godchildren. And my name too. :-P

32. What is it that you most dislike?

Disrespect.

33. What is your greatest regret?

Not being man enough to see it through, even though it would've meant never making my home in St. Vincent.

34. How would you like to die?

I don't. But if I must, painlessly and in close proximity to people who love me.

35. What is your motto?

Don't shoot 'till you see the whi... erm... wait... that's not it! Who the hell has a motto anymore? Actually, I do subscribe to the "live and let live" school of human relations.