Seven Things

Well, now I know what it means to be "tagged" in the blogosphere...on Tuesday Marrie filled out an Internet questionnaire that required her to name seven other people she wanted to complete it, and I was lucky number five. Steven was number six on Marrie's list and he proceeded to complete the questionnarie and tagged me for a second time. Steven also passed the questionnaire onto Carrie and she became the third person to tag me. I suppose I am obligated to finally go through this exercise, especially when I consider that it's been three days since everyone else did.

To be honest, I've never been a fan of questionnaires like this...Lil Sis used to forward them to me all the time and became quite frustrated that I would never respond. Lil Sis eventually stopped sending them to me, and I'm sure she'll be upset to see my blogging buddies were able to get me to do this. I have a hard time revealing too much about myself, so my responses will be full of caveats and commentary, and if that makes me a "spoil sport," so be it.

Seven Things...

Things I Plan to Do Before I Die

1) Find out how it feels to be "in love" with someone

2) Build a building (or should I say "develop" one)

3) Write a book

4) Visit every continent on the planet

5) Become an urban planning "guru"

6) Learn the art of photography

7) Discover "the meaning of life"

I don't want to imply that I've never loved anyone or that no one has ever loved me, but I've never been "in love" and I want to understand what it "means" -- my Colorgenics test results were dead-on when they revealed "You have always been on the move seeking affectionate, satisfying and harmonious relationships. Your ultimate goal has been the realization of an intimate union in which there could be love, self-sacrifice and mutual trust. It has often been said that 'True love is just around the corner' and - if you haven't found it as yet - you possibly soon will." I hate to admit that my hard-headed, uber-logical veneer hides an emotional and somewhat romantic heart.

I'd actually like to build a whole city, but that might be too ambitious. When I was a kid I was convinced I would bring "Mitchell City" to life, but now I'd just be content to point at a building and say "I built that."

I was tempted to put "have children" on this list but the jury's still out on that one. Besides, having a family is not something I can do "on my own" and my success in such an endeavor depends on factors that are beyond my control. Even if I eventually find a good woman to settle down with, she may not want children, and I wouldn't sacrifice a loving relationship by attempting to "force" a family on her.

In general, it's good to have goals, but it can be dangerous to hold yourself to a "timetable"...you know, saying things like "I'm going to do this and be here by age 30, 35, 40, etc." I like that this first question was phrased in terms of "before I die," not "before my next birthday."

Things I Can Do

1) Write

2) Share observations and opinions on any topic

3) Give a tour of all of Los Angeles, not just the touristy parts

4) Make speeches and presentations without stuttering or otherwise freaking out

5) Take criticism from others

6) Surprise myself

7) Surprise people who have known me for years

Things I Can't Do

1) Keep my thoughts to myself when a situation does not call for my "candid opinion"

2) Ride a bicycle

3) Cook

4) Refrain from judging others

5) Tolerate hypocrisy

6) Figure other people out

7) Figure myself out

I'm really not sure what I "can" and "can't" do...it was important for me to note that I continue to surprise myself and others. Two months ago, I could easily say "running a 5K" was something I couldn't do, but when I actually made the effort, it became something I could do. Same with learning how to ride a bike or to cook -- if I really made a genuine effort, would I discover I could do those things, and perhaps even do them well?

It's also important for me to remind myself that I can always "do" the things I "can do" better. I have to continue to develop my writing abilities...I have to continue to develop my public speaking skills...I have to continue to do a better job of taking criticism. By the same token, I have to keep trying to "do" the things I "can't do." If I keep trying, I might someday learn how to keep my mouth shut when the situation calls for it...I might also learn how to refrain from judging others...and I may very well figure myself out someday (though I doubt it -- this blog is called "Paradox Unbound" for a reason, folks).

Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex

1) A beautiful smile

2) Similar values and a similar outlook on life

3) A sense of humor

4) Intelligence

5) A guiding passion in her life

6) Similar interests

7) Dissimilar interests

I'm not sure any guy can answer this question with complete honesty...everyone knows that men are more "visual" than women and that looks are the most important thing to us, at least initially. That being said, if I find a woman attractive but dislike her personality or don't relate to her well, I'm not going to pursue her just so I can "get laid."

When I reflect on the women I've been strongly attracted to over the years, there's no obvious pattern. I've found myself drawn to women of all races, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, so I can't say I'm "looking" for any particular "type" of person. I don't want to limit myself because if I have a soulmate out there, I don't want to pass on her because she doesn't match some "ideal" I carry in my mind. But I do feel comfortable saying the seven things I listed above are very important to me.

The phrasing of this question is discriminatory against our gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual friends in the blogosphere! They're not necessarily attracted to members of the "opposite sex" at all.

Things I Say Most

1) Thank you

2) No problem

3) I would appreciate it if...

4) It's obvious to me that...

5) That guy/girl's an idiot!

6) I love it!

7) I hate it!

Honorary mention: Oh, hell no!

This question's a toughie...I don't really know what I say most, but I think I say these things often. If you posed this question to those people who interact with me on a regular basis, you'd get more accurate results. I'm quite sure I employ a large number of "Mitchisms" in my conversations that my friends and co-workers have picked up on.

I think it's important to say "thank you" whenever possible...I was raised to be polite and I think it's sad that most people can't even summon up a modicum of common courtesy. "Please" is a good word too.

Celebrity Crushes

1) - 7) No comment

Oh, hell no! I have to draw the line here...yes, I will admit I find some female celebrities attractive, but I wouldn't say I've ever had a "crush" on any of them.

I don't want anyone who answered this question to take offense, but I really don't like talking about celebrities and putting them on some sort of pedestal. Pardon my French, but the "Starfucker" mentality that seems to have taken hold in this country -- it's become something of a religion in L.A., of course -- is a poor distraction from "real people" and "real life." I refuse to spend time idolizing people just because they're in the movies, on TV, or in a popular band. I would be lying, though, if I said I avoided the subject completely or didn't enjoy juicy celeb gossip from time to time. OK, time to get off the high horse...

People I Want to Take This Quiz

1) - 7) No comment

Well, pretty much everyone who reads P.U. regularly has already completed this questionnaire...not really interested in "tagging" those who haven't, especially because they number far fewer than seven! It's certainly in my best interest not to tag Lil Sis! :-)

In all honesty, this has been a fun exercise. Don't be afraid to keep "tagging" me, blogosphere buddies...we all know the "bark" displayed above is far worse than the "bite." I'm actually quite flattered that you want to know more about the man behind the wordy posts about malls and transit. Keep challenging me to open up more and encouraging me to explore the depths of the "paradox unbound" named Mitch Glaser!