That was a juxtaposition of Blog and Interview in case you were wondering and here’s how it works. Laura kindly offered to interview 3 other bloggers via her site. She posts the questions on her site – and I post the responses on mine. The questions are here and my responses follow:
1. You’ve read Francis Schaeffer’s How Should We Then Live?. To what extent do you think his predictions about postmodern society have proved true?
My gosh – it’s been so long that I’m going to have to revisit this one. Reading this book served the purpose of causing me to realize how greatly intertwined philosophy and art are, but I must admit I don’t remember the underlying thesis of the book nor Schaeffer’s predictions. Bad me, bad me. If I get a chance sometime soon to pull it back out – I will do so and revisit this question. Right after I answer the questions from this comment thread at The Postmodern Clog.
2. What’s the funniest or most bizarre dream you’ve ever had?
Since I don’t remember my dreams ever, I’ll slightly reinterpret this question as asking about dreams or plans for the future. That would definitely go back to when I was sixteen and my best friend had aims of being President of the US. As all future presidents like to do – he was already promising positions on his cabinet and I was aiming for Secretary of the Interior (I had a fascination with National Parks at the time). Ben said that he would only give me the position if I served at least 10 years as a Forest Ranger or an equivalent position. And for probably a good 5 months I was making plans to move to CO after college and be a forest ranger. Sadly – those plans fell through.
3. When and where do you most often listen to music?
Is “everywhere” an option? The question would be more narrow if you asked where I don’t listen to music. But the best answer is probably work – I have my own office and my own computer so I control all music in my domain. As such I took a personal hard drive and installed it in the computer and keep all the music from my iPod backed up on it. The bad part about listening to work is that I can’t always sing as loud as I might.
Because of that – my favorite place to listen to music is in the morning as I take my shower. Living in the basement allows me the chance to sing at the TOP OF MY LUNGS as I wake up to face the day. It’s a beautiful part of my routine that I will miss at college.
4. You’re an aspiring filmmaker, correct? Name a movie or two, recent or not, that have had a profound influence on the way you think about the purpose of filmmaking.
While I have movies that I like better for various reasons (The Patriot or i am sam come to mind), Magnolia is the movie that has influenced my view of the purpose of film making most profoundly. The first 5 minutes told me i would absolutely love the film – and I was not let down. Writer/Director PT Anderson brilliantly weaves together 6 plots involving about 9 main characters to present the viewer with his worldview. It is the closest I’ve come to a philosophical treatise in cinematographic form.
The acting and the plots and the overall storytelling kept me involved with the film – continually trying to understand the directors purpose in each scene. On top of all this it’s biblical overtones and beautiful plot twist at the end help to make this one of the most mentally engaging films I’ve ever seen.
Second place goes to “City of Lost Children”, which I mentioned a few days ago.
5. Tell us something interesting about your demeanour that those who haven’t interacted with you in person wouldn’t know.
First of all – props for the British spelling of “demeanour”.
I’m told that the only thing one must know about me is that I’m always smiling. I prefer it this way – I find that despite all the horrid things we are surrounded with in the world I can always find something to smile about. Mostly what makes me smile are the people I am constantly surrounded by – whether old friends or new aquaintances. Because of my constant smiling I also am laughing as much as possible – and doing my best to help other people do the same.
You might not recognize this on my blog because my sense of humour is more of a physical idiotic type humor. I view myself as the lovable idiot and do everything I can to reinforce that :-P.
So now the offer is open – does anyone else want to be interviewed? If I were to get some offers I’ll limit it to the first 3, but I’m skeptical that space will fill up! Comment with “interview me” and I”ll get to work thinking of some questions for you.
#2 is a genius reinterpretation. Rock that!
Good answers. I must ask, what do you do (job-wise)?
British spelling is always superiour.