A VANITY FAIR INTERVIEW BY ME WITH ME

"Vanity Fair" magazine is one of my long time favorite magazines, outlasting my interest in "Cosmopolitan," which plummeted with that editor Bonnie Whashername, who took over from the essential Helen Gurley Brown, and ruined it. I never met a monthly edition that didn't have at least one really great article. I have a whole personal archive of Vanity Fair articles that I had to rip out and save (the rest of the magazine went to recycling) and it serves my interest in persons of substance better than any People could. I love the interviews at the back, which generally ask various persons about the same questions every month, so you get to compare and contrast and see how the famous wrangle out of the too personal. Now if Vanity Fair called me and asked me to take the quiz, this is how I would answer. (And this is enough information along with my profile for you to ever know about me!) Note that I've made some variations on the questions to better suit this blog.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What is your greatest fear?
That I'll die before I accomplish everything I hope to.
But then I just know I will die with more to do!


Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Benjamin Franklin.



Which historical figure would you most like to interview? Mark Twain.

Which living person do you most admire? Mata Amritanandamayi - AKA Amma - the Hindu saint, who may be the reincarnation of the Blessed Mother. She was given the 2002 Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence: http://www.amma.org/amma/

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I hate to give up on someone I love who doesn't love me.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I hate it when someone goes behind my back, even if they "mean well."

What is your greatest extravagance? The Time to Write, which is also essential.

What is your favorite journey? Point Lobos Seal Reserve near Carmel.http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571


What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Faith.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Great" Like in Chinese it has a dozen or more connotations depending on the tone, from enthusiastic to sarcastic.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Books. They take you outside yourself into other worlds.

Which talent would you most like to have?To speak several languages fluently.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?I'd be a natural comedian.

What is your most treasured possession?My mind.

Where you you like to live?I've had ex-patriot fantacies for several years now, but it has to be somewhere they speak English.

What is your favorite occupation? Fascinating Conversation in Independently Owned coffee houses.

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

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


How would you like to die?
Satisfied.