My 5 Questions
dd May 14th, 2007
Recently, Looking2Live challenged me to answer 5 questions and even threw in a Bonus. This one is making the rounds in Blogoville, but it’s a good Meme for sure and one that requires a bit of thought (compared to my usual post which I sort of throw against the wall and see how it splatters). So, here goes:
Q1: Should we have been better disciplinarians with our children? Would it really have made any difference?
A: Yes, I think we probably should have been a tiny bit stricter, but I don’t think it was a major failing. We also could have been more consistent in actually carrying out our threatened “punishments”. But, honestly, we have 2 really good kids and so I don’t think it would have made a real difference.
Q2: If you could change one thing that happened in your life to date, what would it be?
A: This is easy and I bet you would not have ever guessed it. I would not have planted those G-damn asparagus beds in the Spring of 1978. I was told to dig trenches at least a foot deep. Since I didn’t know what the h__ I was doing and our soil is rock solid clay, I really screwed myself. That’s how I injured my plantar fascia which made me stop playing softball and tennis and led to me injuring my back the next winter. I’ve been battling those injuries ever since, although for the past several years, I returned to tennis and took up biking. But, I lost a lot of years of fun, exercise and camaraderie due to my crazy notion of growing my own asparagus.
Q3: If you had become the doctor your mother had envisioned, what type of doctor would you be? Do you think you would be more or less happy than you are today?
A: First, it was not just my mother. My dad was a big Doctor pusher too. I think I would have been a dermatologist for several reasons:
- The only surgery they do is pretty minor and usually done in their offices
- They often get instant gratification. The patient’s problem is often fixed or at least treated during the initial visit.
- They would be among the least likely doc to get late night or weekend emergency calls.
Would I be happier today? That’s a very good and very hard question and almost impossible to really answer. It’s possible that during my working career, I might have been happier. And, certainly, I would have earned a lot more money. But, I’m not sure my retirement years would be happier. I like what I’m doing now and I’m not sure I would have developed the varied interests I currently cultivate.
Q4: If someone gave you $1 million, what would you do with it?
A: This question and the next one are my favorites. Here’s what I’d do with the million:
- Travel, travel, travel
- Set up a small trust fund for both kids
- Donate 10% to Temple Micah and to Save Darfur
Q5: What are the 5 places you want to visit on upcoming trips in order of preference?
A: This is a hard one since there are many more places than 5 in my fantasies. But, here’s my best shot:
- South America - Chile/Argentina
- Greece/Turkey
- Russia
- Costa Rica
- Vieques, P.R.
Bonus Q: If you could be fluent in another language, which one would it be and why?
A: Another hard one in that there are 2 languages that immediately spring to mind - Hebrew and Spanish. But, if I have to pick one, it would have to be Hebrew. Reasons:
- So, I could more easily translate the prayers we do in Hebrew and that we sing in Choir. And, so I could read the Bible easily in its original language
- So, that on our next trip to Israel, I can actually converse in the native/mother tongue.
- Family , Life , Retirement
Well done. A+. No real surprises, other than a trip to RUSSIA!? Just bear in mind that if you had become a doctor, you probably wouldn’t have met me. Some things were just meant to be…
Oh, and couldn’t we use just a little bit of that $1 million for making our house a little more interesting? Maybe some nice artwork?
Ok, I’ll throw in a $1000 for art work. And, you never know - you might have been one of my patients.
Yeah, maybe it’s like that movie, “Sliding Doors”. The universe would have found a way for you to meet either road you chose. I am certain that you two will travel at least to a few of those places you listed. And I can see you taking Hebrew classes.
Your kids seemed to have turned out well, so no real lamenting how you should have this or that.
I got a kick out of the asparagus caper! What a chain of events leading up to present day. I wish I’d never lifted so many sailaboats and canoes when I was 22 which wrecked my back for life too. Well, it gave me a legitimate reason to whine to my husband and he actually helps me with it!
Ruth — I really like the Sliding Doors analogy. I think you’re right. It is amazing how little things like planting asparagus or lifting boats can turn into bigger things. But, again, we’ll never know if our fate would have been better or worse without those things.
I guess I have been lucky with my back and stuff…but tell us, how did the Asparagus do?
Thats a tough set of questions David, and handled well.
After being reminded about the asparagus fiasco, I had the same thought Steve had — did we ever actually eat any asparagus out of that bed? It’s a shame if not, but I have no memory of Hollandaise sauce drizzled over home-grown asparagus.
Steve - the irony of ironies is that the asparagus didn’t even grow worth a damn!
Looking - right, see above.
Barbara, since he wanted to be a dermatologist, you may well have met and fallen in love!
Cool answers, David. I’d love to go to Argentina and Russia, too. Yes!!
Sorry about the asparagus beds. What a shame you got so messed up doing something so noble. It’s not fair!
Reya - yep, I think we were destined to meet somehow. Yes, the asparagus episode sucked on many levels!
Sending you two some asparagus from my garden bed…
These questions are a great way of seeing how others think and live. Not sure I believe things are meant to be but having met, you both seem to have made a good job of making a life together
Pauline can probably tell us more, but I think there is more to growing Asparagus than just putting it in the ground. My granmother and I would cut her asparagus down every year and she would say we’d have some in a few days and I would wait for the Asparagus, checking it every morning until I finally had to return home form vacation, but I never saw any. (rubbing eyes) It was all very disappointing.
Hey David- Move Costa Rica up on your list. It’s a short flight direct from Atlanta and I have a very sweet house with an ocean view I’ll rent to you. You’ll love it!
Pauline - Wow! Can’t wait to get and taste your asparagus!! Thanks in advance and for the nice sentiment about us.
Steve - Yeah, I think asparagus growing is beyond my humble gardening skills. Takes the right kind of soil too I think.
Gewels - Fantastic! We may just take you up on your offer!
Oh and about the asparagus thing. I don’t know ow difficult it really is. But I planted mine back in 1980 and it’s still coming up. I have since turned that vegetable patch into a perennial border. At least the leaves add some nice texture to the garden.
I’ll send photos of the house.
Wel, now that everyone’s hung up on asparagus, we have tons grown locally and we have sandy soil. And did you notice that your urine smells different a few hours after ingesting asparagus? It is genetic to do with body chemistry I think. Both my husband and I have it. Very strange.
Well, now that everyone’s hung up on asparagus, we have tons grown locally and we have sandy soil. And did you notice that your urine smells different a few hours after ingesting asparagus? It is genetic to do with body chemistry I think. Both my husband and I have it. Very strange.