Interviewing
 

In Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, Eleanor observes that people love to be asked questions about themselves, and I pondered that a bit – thinking about all the various online memes/quizzes/etc. - and decided that I agree with her.

I don’t want to be famous. I don’t think I’d care to be under such painful scrutiny or to be contemplated by a public that loves to see their heroes raked through the mud almost as much– if not more – than they enjoy seeing them rise. Celebrity culture is to wealthy Victorian social circles is to Regency England social circles is to the violence of gladiators hacking each other to bits during the Roman Empire. I don’t want my privacy invaded. But the idea of being known is kind of nice, the comfort of knowing you won’t completely slip into obscurity after you’re gone. I suppose the fame achieved by authors is the happy medium ground. You’re name is easily recognizable, but your face much less so, if at all.

I recognize the pleasure in answering questions, though. I’ve asked myself questions, mock interview style, so I could hear myself answer them. What face would I want to present to the swarming and hungry masses?

Anytime I’ve signed up at someplace like Nerve, I really only did so because I liked answering their stupid questionnaire. Inevitably, once it came to the dating, I’d answer some e-mails, send some e-mails, panic, send out apology letters before deleting my account. I’ve done this twice. On-line dating. Bah. Why can’t people just meet on their way to church like the good ole days?

Well, I don’t go to church. AND THERE’S NO SUCH FVCKING THING AS THE GOOD OLD DAYS!

My favorite Nerve “question” was:

____________________ is sexy. _______________ is sexier.

My answer was: Webster is sexy. The OED is sexier.

Mmmm, OED.

Anyhoo, I’m proposing an interview game. Pick someone you feel like interviewing and ask them a few questions. Once that person has answered his or her questions, they have to chose someone to interview, as well.

I’d like to interview Ponine.

1. You seem an avid fan of the fantastic. What is it you love the most about fantasy based films, novels, theme parks, etc.?

2. What is, for you, the most trying aspect of parenthood? The most rewarding?

3. Describe your first love experience in one sentence.

4. Describe for us an ideal day.

5. How do you feel about befriending people online?

Bonus: ____________________ is sexy. _______________ is sexier.

Cool game! Might I suggest also PM'ing the person you want to interview to let them know they've been named in the thread. Otherwise they might never see it.

OOoh! I like this game!!

Ponine!! Get yer butt in here!!

Good call...

Heh. I actually did that with Ponine 'cuase it seemed logical. So, yes, if people are so inclined, do that, as well.

Some additional information:

As suggested above, you should probably PM the person you've posted questions to, so they'll see the thread.

Also, you don't have to wait for other people to answer their questions if you want the game to be quick. If you have a few questions you'd like to ask someone, just post them. They should then ask, in kind, but there's no real rules about who asks.

Love this thread already. Carry on....

Oddly, thats not my favorite genre, anymore at least. I love the idea that the average can achieve the seeming impossible. Walt created a wonderful place, and vision that can make millions happy, and it was all in his mind. We are still, to this day, able to see his vision and feel his glee.
Piers Anthony, and Ray Bradbury made me believe for a short time that the average person could achieve the impossible. Montag could memorize books, and shape the world to come. Niobe could handle the strings of fate and change lives.
Me, in my skinny 21 yr old 16 looking persona, could be walking in even myRiver Belle costume, and help someone up, or talk to a child, and they thought I was a goddess.
Rewarding??? Oh wow... the most Trying aspect of MY parenting, is waking up every day to a child that looks just like someone I want to run over with a cement truck. Oh? that wasnt the answer you wanted? So Sorry. :P
Trying to impart to my child the golden rule.
Rewarding.... when he succeeds to show empathy to other people, esp strangers.

Hmm... I've agonized over what this means for an hour, and gotten two second opinions....
So I assume it means "love" or "intimate" experience. One sentance?
An intricately staged production, which blatantly ignored the plot of the play, and seemingly forgot that the supporting players have a role in the production, and are NOT merely, set pieces.
An ideal day... with or without child?
With, no dates, no time restictions.. a huge table to do art, and time to experiment. Maybe a trip to the zoo.
Sans child... sleep in, a nice shower, crawl back into bed nude, and read, dress, then paint, or sew. No idea what would fill the middle of the day. Definately spend the early evening near the ocean.
I never really gave it much thought to the unusual. I made my first online friends on a BBS back in... 92? Then in the cross stitch forum on Prodigy... then... in the rubber stamp groups on aol in 96ish, that was the first group where I ever met anyone face to face. I never truly stopped to think that it wasnt safe. I'm fine with it. I spend more time getting to know the online folk than I think I would someone I ran into in the office.

Eyes are sexy. Nice strong hands, are sexier.

I would like to interview Mickey Lumbo

1. Who was your favorite teacher? And Why?
   
2. Describe for us your perfect evening.
   
3. What facet of your life, other than Disneyland, shapes what you think, or who you are? i.e., for me, many things that happen in my life I can refer back to musical quotes, and tend to express myself better through song lyrics.
   
4. What is one piece of information you would give a young person today in coming to grips with their sexual identity? Whatever that may be.
   
5. What do you most want to be remembered for when you leave someone, or they move, or heaven forbid, when you leave this plane?

Bonus: ____________________ is sexy. _______________ is sexier

My first interview'ie has a lot on his plate right now, and requested I choose another victim.....

I would like to interview LibraryVixen

1. Is there a single moment in your life that you find yourself returning to over and over in your memory? What is it? How old is the memory? Not something you can change, but something you just cant shake.
   
2. You are a great fan of the written word, who's life do you wish you could have experienced? Fictional or not.
   
3. What profession do you wish you could attempt, but know/feel that you are not say tempermentally suited for it?
   
4. What do you feel will be the hardest challenge in parenting when your daughter reaches her teen years, or teen experiences?
   
5. Describe for me, the ideal date.
   

Bonus: ____________________ is sexy. _______________ is sexier

.

I want to play! and I'd like to interview lndyHop:

Questions for LindyHop

1. I know you enjoy swing dancing at Disneyland. When and how did your interest in dance begin? Is it something you like to watch as well as do. Please tell us you most memorable dance experience.
2. What life experience caused you to learn the most about yourself, and what did you learn.
3. What are you curious about? What peaks your interests, and what information or experiences do you seek out?
4. What fictional character(s) do you connect with – either in seeming close to your own sensibilities, or as someone you’d like to be like.
5. 100 years from now, what would you like to be remembered for?
   

I'd like to interview Euromonkey. I can't PM him because I still have no idea how to type his name.

1. What childhood experience has most shaped who you've become as an adult?
2. What is the goofiest thing you do, alone or in public?
3. Boxers, briefs, or commando?
4. What is your worst quality?
5. If you were losing your mind, but could choose one single memory to retain, what
would it be?
6. If you could erase one memory, yet retain all others, what would it be?

Bonus: _________ is sexy. _________ is sexier.

(Alt 0128 - if you're on a PC ;)

My family was never very good with money. Or rather, my father relentless pursued and failed to achieve the American Dream. We went from luxury homes and Lincoln Continentals to garden apartments and a user Chrysler. After that, my Dad got sick with a brain tumor, the treatment of which soaked up any remaining wealth the family had, and the aftereffects left him disabled and at the time marginally employable, so from the age of ten we were living off social security. But, as a child I never picked up on the waning family wealth. Rather I was entertain by my family’s immigrant story, the love of books (especially the banned ones), and appreciation for good food and drink

As a result, I think I’m far less materialistic than I might have been – to be sure I enjoy the finer things, but what I treasure most are experiences, so I have an insatiable curiosity that drives me to travel, read, enjoy art, and just philosophize. So I spend my money on transient things, and seldom think of “investment.”

I’m not sure, but I think it might be dancing to Bollywood music – best direct this question to Not Afraid.

Boxers mostly, but I am a sort of wannabe nudist so sometimes I’ll go commando on a lazy weekend when I have to throw some clothes on to go to a store.

I am much too passive, which on the positive side has made me rather patient and understanding, but I feel I sometimes shy away from things too easily and not take the risks that would make an already enjoyable life, something far more spectacular. The passiveness also makes me rather quiet which can come across as non-communicative, or snobbish – though sometimes, I am those as well.

The night we built LoT was a good one, felt accomplished, surrounded by wonderful talented people all involved in the creative process. A definite high point of recent times. Other than that, I have a number of good travel memories, one of the best being Not Afraid and I lounging in our Montmartre hotel room, sun shining. She sits at the window sill, smoking a cigarette while jazz music from a street combo fills the air. That afternoon was paradise.

The day we lost Robert, our unborn son. The long day in the hospital, the bureaucratic social workers telling what they are required by law to tell you, his tiny lifeless body, Learning that funeral arrangements would be required, though there would be no birth certificate, that at 5-months there would be no cremains. That day was Hell, a Hell that lingered and took its toll on us for quite some time.




Bonus: Wit is sexy. Curioisty is sexier.

Fantastic read, Traci and Meinke! Thank you.

I would like to interview Tramspotting!

1) You know film. Film knows you. You're old friends. What does it do that makes you think "that's why we're still together, film and me" ? What does film do that puzzles you?

2) You know blueerica. blueerica knows you. You're old... friends. What does she do that makes you think "that's why we're still together, blueerica and me" ? What does blueerica do that puzzles you?

3) You've trained as an EMS. Saved anybody's life yet? Come across anything interesting?

4) What, or who, was your biggest influence-- in day-to-day living? Artistically? In taste?

5) You're such a chill, funny guy. Not the kind of fellow I'd assume would have a conservative sensibility, if I was lumping conservatives together. Which I'm not. We're all beautiful snowflakes. What else about you would you suspect people wouldn't suspect?

6) Pretend you are hosting a dinner party. What would the meal be like? What would you prepare? How would you present it? Who'd be there?

Bonus: _____ is funny. ____ is funnier.

1) You know film. Film knows you. You're old friends. What does it do that makes you think "that's why we're still together, film and me" ? What does film do that puzzles you?

Film is elitist yet by its very nature its cost and difficulty almost demand greatness. The necessity for collaboration CAN bring out brilliance but often times falls short regardless of the egos involved. Video on the other hand by its nature is empowering yet its inexpensive nature CAN bring out the worst in uncle Harry's shaky camera work. Both have there place but when you treat them as tools and don't get to full of yourself on a large film budget or go so poor quality as to be un-watchable on a small budget the story and the well composed imagery will be whats seen not the media.
And thats when all your hard work becomes worth it :)

If you went to school for this kind of thing the famous quote "The medium is the message" might get bandied about, about this time. To which I would say sod off you toffy-nosed twit, because you can't argue with python. (unless of course you go to the right room)

As for how Film puzzles me I never did fully understand the photochemical process. I know proper exposures for raw stock and that it uses quite stinky and caustic chemicals for development.

2) You know blueerica. blueerica knows you. You're old... friends. What does she do that makes you think "that's why we're still together, blueerica and me" ? What does blueerica do that puzzles you?

I am sure that she loves me. Unquestionably more than I presently love myself and often times more than I am able to return to her for which I am grateful each day.

As for what puzzles me that she does, she is usually not present. I find a hair tie somewhere truly weird and thinking what the hell. I have a clutter problem but she's in denial about her random droppage problem.

3) You've trained as an EMS. Saved anybody's life yet? Come across anything interesting?

Yes Trained and certified but not presently engaged by any EMS agency at the moment. So not much on the BLS front. I did give the Heimlich Maneuver to my grandfather once bruised a rib but he had full airway blockage. (probably saved his life even though at the time I felt very bad for the bruising it also caused)

4) What, or who, was your biggest influence-- in day-to-day living? Artistically? In taste?

The answer to all three Hugh Hefner's gardner.

5) You're such a chill, funny guy. Not the kind of fellow I'd assume would have a conservative sensibility, if I was lumping conservatives together. Which I'm not. We're all beautiful snowflakes. What else about you would you suspect people wouldn't suspect?

I think that if you understand human nature you can't help but see that true compassion cannot be forced, the innocence of children must be protected and that there are some ideals which are worth fighting for.

Oh and my biggest reason is that I fully understand that socialist policies create and maintain the by far most cowardly and corrupt vial and loathsome bureaucrats. Those who are so noble you supposedly don't have to watch out for them following their own self-interests. You have to watch them far closer than a straight-forward capitalist or watered-down puritan. These charlatans, working on behalf of the masses, and of course, THEY KNOW BEST, what's good for the perpetual victim class du jour, and if you don't like it then they have no qualms about bringing down the full force and power of what ever government they have put their foul succubus mouth on.

Not that I would lump them all together :)

6) Pretend you are hosting a dinner party. What would the meal be like? What would you prepare? How would you present it? Who'd be there?

I would put on a children's sleep-over birthday party (clown-themed, of course.) Food would be a massive short-order style breakfast. (most satisfyingly fun to cook and have enjoy) The guest of honor would be Michael Jackson, only catch is the other guests would be 50 plus hardcore S&M females with a penchant for frail white women. (And consider this dismaying observation my buffet has no windows and no doors which offers you this chilling challenge to hold the video camera still while laughing and keeping the chaffing dish full of bacon as that one biker chick could quite possibly eat her own weight in breakfast goodness at the same time doing fairly disturbing and intrusive acts of battery on the guest of dishonor.)
:eek:


Bonus: A monkey flinging poo at the zoo is funny. This is far funnier.

Is there a single moment in your life that you find yourself returning to over and over in your memory? What is it? How old is the memory? Not something you can change, but something you just cant shake.

When my father in law was on his deathbed, he talked to each family member seperately to say his last goodbyes. It will be 3 years since that day on April 15. The first thing I remember saying to him was "Thank you for welcoming me into your family.". What he said to me in the 15 minutes we were together, alone... I will carry with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life. He talked about his love for me and the wishes that he had for me and Bailey. The funny thing... he never once mentioned my (then) husband.
Maybe my FIL knew something I didn't. Not many people get to say goodbye to their loved ones before they die. I was so blessed to get that opportunity. There wasn't anything that I told him that I would ever regret nor take back. I can't shake the feeling that there was something bigger in that room with us. That feeling put the both of us at peace. My FIL looked so serene and I'm happy that the last time I ever saw him, he was at his most radiant. That evening at about 2 AM, he slipped into a coma.

You are a great fan of the written word, who's life do you wish you could have experienced? Fictional or not.

So many people over my entire literary lifetime and I have to pick one. Having mulled over this for a good couple days, I'd have to say that I'd have loved to live the life of Holden Caufield. Catcher in the Rye was the first book I read that had the word fvck in it. I was amazed. Holden was everything that my parents had warned me about. I wanted to do everything he did... run away from school, go to NYC... and then meet my sibling at the carousel.

What profession do you wish you could attempt, but know/feel that you are not say tempermentally suited for it?

I'd love to be a rock star. I am better with small groups of people and not big crowds, so I know that having people scream and yell my name would only embarass me. Also... I hate singing in front of others. I'd love to know the rush of adrenaline associated with being in front of millions of people... but again.. .it's only a pipe dream.

What do you feel will be the hardest challenge in parenting when your daughter reaches her teen years, or teen experiences?

My challenge will be giving her an environment where she can talk to me. One of the kinks in my parent's parenting style is that they scare the crap out of me about so many teen experiences. They never told me any consequence of the actions.. only that I shouldn't do it. Another challenge is working as a team with her dad. He's (obviously) not a woman.. but really wants to find someone for B to talk to that isn't me because he likes to discount me at every turn (even if he has no idea what he's talking about). But, that's not so much an issue with B as it is an issue with R and myself.

Describe for me, the ideal date.

For me, it would involve a lot of talking in a nice, relaxing setting. I love places with lots of coffee... so I'd like to say a bookstore.. but again, I'm bias like that. Sometimes, what people read says a lot about them.



Bonus: Manners are sexy. Chivalry is sexier

This is good. I'll have to think of some good questions. and the right person for them.

Well, I just walked in after not being around all week and I see this intriguing list of questions. So I wonder what in the world is going on? Now that I've read the rest of the thread and seen all the thoughtful questions and answers...well, I'm going to have to give this some thought to really do it justice.

I'll be back.

Thanks to everyone (interviewers and ees) for participating, so far. I'm having so much fun reading these. They're all so well written.

When I was four or five years old my mother tried to get started with a tap dancing class. I was very shy and very awkward and hated it. Despite that experience I was always attracted to dance (on my own terms) because I love music, especially music that makes you want to move. I alway thought that it was out of reach for me because I didn't know any men who liked to dance and you needed a partner, right?

Then in the summer of 1999 I was at Disneyland and noticed that they were offering a free swing dance lesson at Plaza Gardens. I joined in that night and went back every Friday night for the rest of the summer. I discovered that the people who taught the lessons (and organized the rest of the entertainment during the band breaks that year) taught classes in Pasadena and they advertised that you didn't need a partner so I tried it out. I found 100 people (more men than women!) on a Sunday afternoon all learning to dance. That was more than five years ago and I've never stopped.

I like watching dance sometimes but mostly I just want to be doing it myself. If I am just watching I study to see what styling the woman is doing that I might try myself and I watch the man to decide if this is someone I'd like to dance with.

One of the magical things I've discovered about learning to dance it that it's really learning a whole new language and each dance can be an intense conversation even if you never exchange a word. My most memorable dances have been when I've been totally in synch with someone for those three or four minutes. Sometimes it happens with someone I know but it can also happen with someone I've never met before and I'll never see again.

My divorce. That woke me up out of what I'd accepted that my life was going to be. I was married, I had a husband, a child, and that was the way things were supposed to be. I didn't even think about whether all that made me happy, it was just what was expected. I also learned how strong I could be on my own.

I'm generally curious about the most useless and esoteric information. Like in today's paper there was an article about an archaeological dig on the Donner Party. I guess there was other news today but (yawn) who cares when people are digging up bone fragments to determine whether or not there really was cannibalism. I also like astronomy and reading about scientific discoveries I don't understand. It's still cool.

Kinsey Milhone, Sharone McCone, Skip Langdon, Kate Shugak: These are all characters from my favorite detective fiction series. These woman are independent and strong, they confront problems and solve crimes. I wish I could be just a little bit like them.

Otherwise I think the fictional character that I've connected with since I was a kid is Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I love how she tries to be polite and proper but still manages to argue and disagree with so many characters she meets. She's cranky and bossy and curious and doesn't get punished for being herself.

I want to be remembered as someone who always stayed active even into old age. I want to be remembered as someone positive that people liked to be around, that I made them laugh. And of course, I was a really good dancer...


This was fun. Now the hard part, thinking of questions for someone else!

Okay, I'd like to interview Cadaverous Pallor.

1. You have the opportunity to visit your 6-year old self for five minutes. What do you tell your younger self? Does she listen?
2. I remember you mentioning a journal in another thread. Do you still keep a journal? What purpose does it (or did it) serve for you?
3. You have an unexpected day off work with no other obligations or errands needing your attention. None of your friends or family can take time off and join you. How do you spend the day?
4. If you were a super hero, what super power would you have and why?
5. Choose an animal, a vegetable, and a weather phenomenon that describe you.

A little backstory first: When I was six we moved. I had been, from what I remember, very happy and even somewhat popular in my old school, for Kinder and part of first grade. As soon as we moved, all of that changed, and I was at the bottom of the social ladder. It wasn't until 9th grade that I actually started having fun socially at school again.

I'd say, "Life is going to be challenging. You are going to have some bad times. You may feel like things won't get better, and you'll feel scared and small. But one day, you will learn to be proud of yourself and not be scared of anyone. You have to be strong and even in the saddest times, remember that one day you will be happy. All your best dreams will come true, you just have to be strong."

I think being overly unhappy due to social pressure is the one big mistake of my young life.

I'd also say that my parents would be hard to deal with, but that one day that'll be ok too. And that I should try to be nice to my mom, because she really does love me, and just doesn't know how to show it very well. Same goes for my brother and dad. "One day you'll miss your brother very much, so be with him and enjoy it while you can."

Would six year old me listen? I think so. I believed in magic for a long, long time, and I can see myself completely believing that this is me, all grown up. Plus, I think just seeing me as I am now would be a great confidence booster. I do think younger me would ignore the "be nice to your family" part, but perhaps walk a little taller, and that'd be worth the trip.

I did bits and pieces of journaling in high school. Toward the end of high school it was more poetry and short spurts of journaling done on notebook paper to vent frustrations and work out issues regarding attractions and conflicts with friends. I spent many a night writing out feelings by flashlight when I couldn't sleep.

It's funny because as soon as I moved in with GD and truly became happy and less conflicted I pretty much stopped writing all together. A pen and paper was my sole companion when I felt rejected by others and punished by God. Loneliness was my muse.

I turned my writing to emails, and then I became addicted to message boards. So you guys end up saddled with most of my musings. ;)

These days, I don't journal very much really. I do still have one that I've written in sporadically for years. I only turn to it when I have something to vent that I don't want to bore others with....or if it's something that I don't even want to face, never mind burden anyone else with. I make resolutions and decisions, I clearly state when something really angers me....and it kind of makes the feelings feel permanent, or solid, in some way, and I feel justified. Even if I become a backslider later, which I do often. :rolleyes:

I think mostly it's "how did I get here" musings, trying to see how things tie together, piecing together the path I'm walking. I also dig the idea of saving a moment for posterity. I love revisiting my emotions past.

Reality: Sleep in, read the boards for half the day, take a nap, read my book, realize my husband will be home soon.

The better answer: I think I would sleep in. But perhaps then I'd go to the local park, walk around and breathe fresh air, feed the ducks, read and maybe even try working on writing my great novel/screenplay....but mostly clear my head, daydream, lay on the blanket and snooze in the sun. Yeah, I know, it's not much, but I seriously love being lazy laying in a grassy place.

Damn, that's a good one.

Flight, gotta have flight! And I wouldn't be super strong or anything so it's not like I could save lives, just fly from place to place is all. Errands would be such a breeze. ;)

Geez, I'm always so terrible at this. Um....that describe me? I think others would be better at answering that...

Animal...hmm, that's tough. I find admirable qualities in a lot of different animals. I've always loved giraffes but I'm nothing like them - quiet, tall, stately. How about frogs? Some are colorful and cute and they can be loud if they want. I don't know, I just pulled that out of thin air.

Ok, if by "vegetable" you mean any plant (animal, vegetable, mineral) then I'd pick daisies. I don't really know why, I just like 'em. They're simple, informal, pretty. Smell nice but not overpowering. They can be plain white or come in all kinds of cool colors. And they're decently hardy plants. I had daisies at my wedding.

Weather, wow....a warm rainy day. Where it's raining, but not too hard, just enough to get you wet...and just warm enough to be comfortable (we don't get much of that in SoCal but I've had it elsewhere). The humidity is high and warm and it's almost as if the air is hugging you, but the rain keeps it from being oppressive, and you're happy to get rained on. The sky is dark, almost green, and there's lightning high and far away. I love the rain. I don't know if that describes me but it's what I pick.

I'll come up with an interview tomorrow. Thanks for the great questions, lindyhop! :D

I want to interview Szczerbiak Maniac.

• You're a BIG guy. Have you ever had to use physical force in some out of hand situation? Have you ever had a job where you put your strength to use? Do you use your size to intimidate others, perhaps only subtley?
  
• What's the best thing about being a guy your size? What's the most annoying?
  
• What was the cultural point that got you through your teen years? It can be a band, or a movie, or a religious epiphany, whatever helped you keep sane during puberty.
  
• You can make one law for all of the United States of America, and it will hold forever. What is it?

Hmm, this list seems kind of short, so here's one more:

• Your dreamboat Wally says yes to your advances. But he is very afraid of the consequences of coming out of the closet. He wants your relationship to be a total secret - you can't even tell your closest friends and loved ones. If you do keep it a secret, you can be with him for as long as you want. Do you do it?

yes, yes I am ;)
Perhaps, but I can't actually recall it happening, so I'm gonna have to say no.
Not strength, no. I had a job as a security guard once and I assume my size was a factor in their hiring me.

Oh and when I "auditioned" to be a Klingon, my size was definitely a the main only factor. ;)
I suppose I do on occasion, but mostly just for comic effect. I think I fall into the "gentle giant" class, so while I may be intimidating from a far, as soon as you talk to me you'll realize I'm a pussycat. (At least, that's how I see myself. Would you disagree?)
Since I really am a wimp, it's nice that people don't give me crap. I.e., I don't think I'd be very good at defending myself in an actual fight and fortunately, I've never really had to.

And being able to see/reach things in high places is handy too. ;)
The world simply isn't designed for folks my size. Sure, there are clothing stores for big & tall fellas, but beds, cars, toilets, roller coasters, airline & theater seats, counter tops, etc. are often physically uncomfortable, if not impossible to use.
Musicals. I would sit in my room (or more often, lay down on my bed) and endlessly listen to cast recordings while I sang along reading the libretto (until I memorized it). I'd lose myself in each character that was singing and for that moment, I was that person.

I was especially fond of ALW's Phantom of the Opera. I identified with the title character a bit too much. In fact, I adopted it as my nickname for quite a few years. Most of my old Rocky Horror friends (I was involved in RHPS from when I was 12 to when I "retired" at 25) still know me only as "Phantom".
Being a Libertarian, I'm not especially fond of making laws, but I sure would like to see gays universally recognized as being equivalent to heterosexuals in every way (marriage, military service, hiring, etc.). I'm quite confident that even though the Fundies would still see us as "sinners", they'd soon discover that the world didn't end because of our recognition and they'd learn to live with it, just like the racists learned to live with blacks being recognized as 100% citizens/humans.
Yes. And by "yes", I mean HELL YES, totally, absolutely, no question nor pause.

Did Paris think twice about wanting to be with Helen?

Wally is not only the most beautiful person I've ever seen, by all accounts he's a very nice guy as well. I don't care for his choice in music (his favorite band is Metallica—yuck!), but I could live with it. :rolleyes:

Obviously, a closeted relationship isn't ideal and would be very difficult to manage. However, when one sees oneself as physically repugnant and gets the chance to be with a beautiful person, one makes allowances.