Interview meme: I'm glad to answer five questions

[jesse_the_k]

Comment below and I'll ask you five questions. Drop me a link to your answers in your own journal. Offer to give the first five commenters their own sets of questions, and let the cycle continue!

Thanks for these great questions, boxofdelights

I've been thinking a lot about the idea of "best friends". Do you have a best friend? Did you, as a child? What do you think about the concept?

When I was young I internalized the ubiquitous "best friend" propaganda from kids books, but mostly managed one friend at a time. By definition "the best" but I don’t know if it was reciprocal. But now one BFF seems unlikely. Hell, even one life partner won’t match on all the grooves, so I’m happy to have friends in different spheres with various interests. I’m thankful that I have more than 5 people on my "911 call" list.

Tell me about one of your best memories of WisCon.

I can’t choose just one; here’s three on a disability theme:

• Chip Delany interviewing Joanna Russ at WisCon 30, via telephone. Russ was too disabled to travel — this event encouraged me to join the concom to work on access.
• "A Very Special Disability Panel" at WisCon 36, all-disabled panelists talked about anything except access (inspired by the Not Another Fucking Race Panel juggernaut).
• The Disability Safer Space at WisCon 43 was a community-building event I’d never thought of (reassuring me that Access was thriving long after I stepped away)

Do you play games? If so, what is a game that you like?

When I had access to my installed arithmetic and memory skills, I enjoyed playing trick-taking card games — Euchre, Sheepshead, Bid Whist, Hearts, Spades. I haven’t played Scrabble in too long. Nowadays I color digital Mandalas on my iPad.

Tell me about your first dog.

Like Bella, an American black dog mixed-breed from the shelter. Shiny, small (maybe 30 lbs), and despite naming him Normal Norman, he was neurotic as all get out. It didn’t help that my definitely ex-partner used to blow pot smoke in Norman’s face. I had to leave Norm behind in the break-up, and I was sad about that.

When you are stressed, how do you like to make yourself comfortable again?

Physical activity has been my reliable soother since I can remember. So if possible, walking or swimming. As I’ve answered this meme I’ve learned that reviewing my life via my 27-year email archive is very soothing. Past-me kindly saved the emails where I was helpful or clever.

Comments

Here you go!

[jesse_the_k]

1. Tell me about something you treasure -- thing or person -- that's older than you.
2. Please expound on use-mention distinctions
3. Did the virtual-con bubble introduce you to a new con you’d like to attend in person?
4. Do you do enough mathematics these days?
5. What’s your favorite way to consume chocolate?