Monday, October 8, 2007

Curious as a Cat - a Monday Meme

Here is a Monday Meme from Curious as a Cat - it always asks interesting and provocative questions. I missed last week's, and it had a question that I really wanted to answer, so I am going to break with protocol and do last week's questions instead of this week's.

1) If you could have eased the death of one person, whose would it have been?

Oh, Todd, I wish I could have been there to help you. Todd was one of my best friends for nearly my entire life. We knew each other from elementary school on, and I always felt a deep love and affection for him. Even if we would lose touch over the years, any time we would reconnect, it would feel as if no time had passed. [His anniversary of death is coming up in a few weeks, and I will tell you more about him then]. To make a very long story short, he was found dead on the air force base he was stationed at in Korea. The military has never determined the cause of death - not even whether it was accidental or if foul play was involved. I just wish I could've been there to stop it all from happening... or even to be there with him so he didn't have to die alone.

2) What value do you consider most important when choosing a friend?

I've never really thought about this one in quite this way. What value? Probably involvement in what we call in Hebrew tikkun olam - a need to repair the broken world around us. I respect people who care about the world, who care about other human beings, and who want to make the world a better place by seeking to end suffering and injustice. ... that and a really big appreciation for potty humor :)

3) If the U.S. had to give up one state, which one would you pick? Why?

Um, well, I hope not to offend anyone.... But, I would probably pick Wyoming - I just don't know anything about it. So, purely selfishly, I would just get rid of it. Actually, it reminds me of an old television cartoon version of "Garfield," in which he jokingly explained that, "Wyoming translates to, 'No State Here.'"

4) When (at what age, or during what event) did you have the least self-confidence?

Following my car accident nearly three years ago, I developed pretty severe anxiety and panic. Thank goodness, over the years, it has gotten much better. However, my self-confidence drops and my self-consciousness rises the more anxious I get. Especially as I get close to a panic attack, I tend to get really unsure of myself. I am sure that it goes hand in hand with the feelings of anxiety and unsteadiness.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.
I get the warmest feeling when I look at this - as if we are all going to gather in front of the fireplace with warm apple cider and cookies. We will listen to stories about fantastic lands, incredible feats of bravery, and romantic tales of love conquering all. We hear the fire crackling, smell the cinnamon and cloves, cuddle together under blankets, and smile at each other. What a peaceful moment!

6 comments:

The Egel Nest said...

Marci -

HI!

I totally remember you from OSRUI!

How funny...what a blast from the past...I hope you are well...It is late but I will bookmark your page and come visit again :)

Thanks for visiting the nest!

Bradley
The Egel Nest

Cat. said...

First of all, it's fine that you did "last week"--I'm really easygoing that way! :-)

Secondly, I'm so sorry about your friend Todd; what a sad thing.

I LOVE your response to the photo. Awesome.

Thank you for stopping by!

Jennifer said...

I love the phrase "tikkun olam." I mean, I love that there is such a simple and beautiful way of saying that.

SMLP said...

Marci, Marci, Marci! You'd get rid of Wyoming? That's the setting of "Brokeback Mountain"! See, it had to be good for something :-p

Now, if it were me, I'd say North Dakota. Now there's a state I know nothing about...and aside from the line "Piedmont, North Dakota" in "Coyote Ugly" (which is wrong, btw...Piedmont is in SOUTH Dakota), I can't say I've ever heard any other reference to it in popular culture. Any North Dakotans out there? Tell us why your state rocks!

What a story about your friend Todd...I'm so sorry.

Barb said...

I had a really hard time removing a state!

Jessica said...

heehee...gotta love the potty humor...in fact, i was actually singing "pooper scooper" tpday!