Sugarmag's Survey

1. One of your scars, how did you get it?

Gall bladder surgery during the dark ages before lasers got into the act.

2. What is on the walls in your room?

A Degas ballet print – two dancers dressing, A Degas poster, “The Rehearsal,” from the Met, a World War I British recruiting poster (shows a lion) and says “The Empire Needs You,” (I keep wanting to join up), and a Mozart poster from Salzburg.

3. Do you snore, grind your teeth, or talk in your sleep?

All of the above, but I am told my snoring is very “ladylike”. I have nightmares and call out to Ed to say goodbye because I think he’d want to know I’m dying. He finds this annoying.

4. What type of music do you listen to? I listen to whatever CDs Ed loads into the hi fi, mostly early Italian opera singers. He overdoes it. If I want music, I play my piano or load piano tapes into the CD but it's easier just to sit an play for myself.

6. What do you want more than anything right now?
For life to keep being as good as it is.

7. What do you miss? New York City.

8. What is/are your most prized possessions?

My Mason-Hamlin golden age piano and my engagement ring.

9. How tall are you?
4’ 11” – I lost the inch I gained when I started serious ballet. It has something to do with being sat on.

10. Do you get claustrophobic?

For 10 minutes in the late 90s, I had some free-form panic attacks. I think they were a reaction to Jay's illness. One of them on a crowded subway train where I was hemmed in on all sides by humanity and the train was stopped in the tunnel. I breathed my way out of them.

11. Do you get scared in the dark? No, unless I hear something while walking in a bad neighborhood (I used to do a reasonable amount of that).

12. The last person to make you cry?
Not a who, a memory of loss.

13. What is your favorite cologne/perfume?

I liked Magie Noir but gave up perfume because it attracts noseeums and mosquitos and I live in Florida.

14. What kind of hair/eye color do you like on the opposite sex?

Dark hair, any color eyes.

15. Where can you see yourself being proposed to at?

I’ve been married twice and got no proposals from either. I think neither wanted to go on record. If I could orchestrate a proposal, I'd make it in a park next to water. I would include a ring and a wonderful dinner. I can go on but will spare you.

16. Coffee or energy drink?

Coffee please, with extra caffeine -- no flavors.

17. What is your favorite pizza topping?

Mushrooms and cheese. In Chicago, when I was a kid, you only got cheese, but it was exceptional pizza and I miss it.

18. If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?
A pork chop pan fried with lemon and butter.

20. Have you ever eaten goldfish?

No, I am not a spoiled college kid.

21. What was the first meaningful gift you ever received?
An am-fm radio from my older boyfriend (he was 32) when I was 19. I could listen to classical music for the first time. He gave it to me because he wasn’t going to give me an engagement ring and knew it would shut me up.

22. Do you like anybody?

My friends.

23. Are you double jointed?

Alas, no. Leaping into the air with the perfect arch will elude me forever.

24. Favorite clothing brand?

Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne.

25. Best place to kiss?

Is this a family blog?

26. Do you have a pet right now?

Yes.

27. What kind is it?

“It” is a they – Brunswick, Chewy and Max. Boy kitties.

28. Would you fall in love knowing the person is leaving?

If it felt good, probably.

29. What is the best way to tell someone how much they mean to you?

Not killing them when they drive you nuts.

30. Say a number from 1 to 100:
8

(What happened to 31?)

32. What is the number you call the most?

Home

33. What annoys you the most?

Anything Evangelical.

34. Have you been out of the US?

Yes -- Canada, Mexico, England, Greece, France, Germany and the Bronx.

35. Your weaknesses?

Animals – all kinds.

36. Met anyone famous?

Yes, because of where I lived (New York City) and the crowd I ran with, and my work with The New York Times. List on request, if I can think of them all, but notably, Arthur C. Clarke, Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite ...

37. First job?

When I was 14, I got a summer job (lied about my age) in the E.I. Guthman radio factory and I shellacked radio tubes.

38. Ever done a prank call?
A couple in my early teens. It was 13 – 14 yer old madness.

39. First concert?

Solomon, the pianist, at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. He played Beethoven sonatas. I was 19 and went with Mollie Margolies, teacher, Robert MacDowell, reasonably prominent midwestern pianist, and my best friend, Penny, while we were studying piano at Chicago Musical College. It was fabulous. Afterwards, we walked into Grant Park and watched Buckingham fountain’s display of lights.

40. Ever had surgery?

Too often. But I could get addicted to general anesthesia.

41. What were you doing before you filled this out?

Checking E mail messages.

42. What do you get complimented about the most?

My body.

43. Have you ever had glasses?
Had them as a kid, then didn’t have them, then got them again when I was in my 40s. But I don’t really need them except for reading.

44. What do you want for your birthday?

If we’re talking real money, a rebuild for my piano. Elsewise, a digital camera will do nicely.

45. How many kids do you want?

That ship has sailed (with no cargo – that’s okay).

46. Were you named after anyone?
My mother’s sister, Chareikleia, who died as a young girl. The ch is soft, more like a “ha” sound.

47. Do you wish on stars?

When I was a kid.

48. What kind of chapstick do you use?

Burt’s Beeswax -- There’s a picture of a grizzled farmer type on the package – looks disgusting. I am writing them they need to re think the package.

49. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Do you mean lust? (Oh, yes, yes.)

50. Do you like your handwriting?

Yes, when I am relaxed. It has morphed.

51. What is your favorite lunch meat?

Genoa salami. I have it twice a year or less.

52. Any bad habits?

Not for publication.

53. What CD are you most embarrassed to have on your shelf? I like all my CDs. Ed’s are another story.

54. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?

Yes. I am rock solid.

55. Class that surprised you the most so far?

Floor barre in ballet. It was supposed to be EASY.

56. Do looks matter?

Of course. Don't ever think otherwise. Good looks open doors. They keep people around you long enough to give you a chance. But, there are no unattractive people, only unattractive characters. Most people do not give character enough of a chance and are turned off by other things before they know if one is worthwhile.

57. How do you release anger?

I play the piano or take a really long walk.

58. Where is your second home?

New York, but someone else is living in it.

59. Favorite place to clear your mind?

At the piano.

60. What was your favorite toy as a child?

A ball. Also, drawing material.

61. How many numbers are in your cell phone?

About 5. Someone else programmed them and she left town. I doubt I will ever add more.

62.Were you a fan of Barney as a kid?

What is a Barney? Different generation here.

63. Do you use sarcasm?

Lots. It’s a gift and nurtures my passive-aggressive side.

64. Mashed potatoes or mac 'n cheese?

Mashed potatoes, if that’s the choice, but I prefer Spanish rice.

65. What do you look for in a girl/guy?

Intelligence, integrity, humor, irreverence.

66. What are your nicknames?

I have none I am aware of.

67. What's your favorite band/singer?

If you're talking pop, I liked Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman and most of the big bands. The field has attrished since then, big time. Don’t get me started on the demise of quality pop music. (P.S. I know attrished is not a word. I made it up, but I think it fits.)

68. What's your favorite TV show?

NCIS, The Mentalist, The Good Wife, CSI Miami, 2 1/2 men and, and forever in re-runs, The West Wing. Second string: Criminal Minds, CSI New York, Law and Order and its spin-offs, The Big Bang.

69. Favorite ice cream flavor?

Butter pecan, chocolate, when I let myself have it.

70. Do you have all your fingers and toes?
Yes. (This is a terrifying question to a pianist.)

71. When was the last time you worked out?

This morning.

72. Did you notice that there was no #19?

No, but I did notice there was no 31.

73. Do you want everyone to answer these questions?

Go for it.

74. What are you listening to?

The news from the other room -- MSNBC

75. Last thing you drank?

Spicy Hot V8 juice

76. Last person you talked to on the phone?

My friend, Leeanne

77. The first thing you notice in the opposite sex?

Eyes and voice.

78. Favorite story-telling song?

Can’t think of one, let alone a favorite.

79. Favorite thing to hate?

Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sarah Palin, Bob Cheney, anything Right Wing

80. Favorite month of the year?

September, when the arts come alive (at least in NYC)

81. Zodiac sign?

Libra, so I am supposed to be balanced.

82. Favorite thing to collect?

Anything funny.

83. What is your hair color?

Under the blonde, brown/white.

84. Eye color?

Teal. Really. Come look.

85. Favorite fast food place?

I shun them.

86. Favorite restaurant?

Fiorello’s in New York, Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island

This took longer than I thought.

xx, Teal