Getting To Know You

I have a weakness for these things.

First Name: Daria

Were you named after someone? Actress Daria Halprin, who played a character named Daria in Antonioni's Zabriskie Point. Also, my mom read a lot of Russian novels while she was pregnant with me.

Do you wish on stars? Always.

When was the last time you cried? I teared up last night when a sweet old man came & did string tricks at our table.

Do you like your handwriting? Nope. Not one whit.

What is your favorite lunch meat? Hard salami, right now. I am also fond of turkey breast & of bologna.

What is your birth date? July 17, 1970.

What is your most embarrassing CD? Probably the Evita soundtrack. At least, it embarrasses my wife. Maybe the Hank Williams' greatest hits or the tribute to Tammy Wynette. Or, for certain people (my kids), the Dead Kennedys. It all depends on the audience. None of them embarrass me. Although, I am glad to have my son's Austin Powers soundtrack out of our CD player.

If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? I think I would, actually.

Are you a daredevil? Nopie.

Have you ever told a secret you swore not to tell? Yes, but only to my mother.

How do you release anger? I usually write.

Where is your second home? I don't have a second home, but if I did, it would be in the West Virginia hills.

Do you trust others easily? Probably too easily.

What class in high school do you think was totally useless? P.E.

Do you have a journal? I have a gazillion. I do morning pages, blessings, what I did each day, a visual journal, an illustrated discovery journal, a food journal, a nature journal, a prayer journal, a kids' journal...

Do you use sarcasm a lot? Not a lot. But, some.

Your nicknames? Dar, Dar-Baby, Darb, Dar-Dar, Sugarplum Fairy, Plum, Darbuncle, Bunk, Bunkie...the list could go on endlessly.

Would you bungee jump? Absolutely not. I dreamed last night that I was watching bungee jumpers & they were hitting the ground with their feet, making big dents but not getting hurt.

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope. Although, I greatly prefer slip ons...and barefoot is even better.

Do you think that you are strong? I'm emotionally strong, but not really physically. Although, I do sometimes surprise myself by lifting something much heavier than I expect I can.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Although, Mela's lime basil sorbet is amazing, as is Mexican hot chocolate from Jeni's Splendid.

Shoe Size? 11

What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I'm not happy with my weight. And I would love to have 20/20 vision.

Who do you miss most? I miss hearing from my friend Jess, who lives in Pittsburgh. I miss my mom & think 3 & 1/2 hours is too far to live from her. And I miss my fairy godfather, who died of AIDS a few years ago.

What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Grey yoga pants with a black waist & bare feet.

What are you listening to right now? Cicadas outside, the hum of my computer, the cat bathing.

Last thing you ate? A Big Boy & mashed potatoes at dinner last night. Oy!

What is the weather like right now? Sunny & gorgeous.

Last person you talked to on the phone? My wife.

First Concert you attended? B.B. King in 1980 or 1981.

Last Concert you attended? Jonell Mosser at Canal Street Tavern.

Celebrity Crushes? Wynonna. Ina Garten. Angelina Jolie, but that is so common it almost doesn't count.

The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? I guess I should change that to same sex...and it's probably the eyes.

Favorite Drink? Water, Lindemann's Framboise Lambic, RC or other colas. As far as cocktails, I like mojitos & amaretto sours.

Favorite Sport? I like to watch bull-riding. And figure skating.

Favorite TV show? I am a food porn & house porn junkie...you will find my t.v. tuned mostly to HGTV or Food Network if I have control of the remote. I do like CSI & Law & Order. And Great Hotels.

Favorite Movie? Right now, it's probably either Practical Magic or Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood.

Last cd purchased/burned? The Bride & Prejudice soundtrack

Hair Color? Almost black, with copper highlights when I've been out in the sun a lot.

Eye Color? Dark brown

Do you wear contacts? Nope, they slide right down my eyeballs.

Favorite Food? Good cheeses like Maytag blue & Pierre-Robert.

Last Movie You Watched? I watched part of Hope Floats last night. My wife, who would rather have been watching the Sci Fi channel said, "Why do you watch this crap? It's depressing."

Scary Movies or Happy Endings: I am inclined to romantic comedy, although I really like suspense movies like Along Came a Spider & Double Jeopardy. Angel Heart is one of my favorite scary movies.

Summer Or Winter? Both, whichever is coming up. But, I like May & October best of all.

Hugs or Kisses? Both.

What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Flourless chocolate cake, if I'm making it. Chocolate Napoleons at my favorite restaurant. Sorbet anywhere.

Living Arrangements? Married with 2 stepbabies, 3 cats, and a frog.

What Books Are You Reading? The Bible in English Translation, Jubana, Oh My Stars!, Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons, and What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality. Oh, and a new Cuban cookbook.

How Many Candles Were On Your Last Birthday Cake? I think there were 10. My mom decided against 35 & one for luck, much to my disappointment.

What Did You Watch Last night on TV? CSI & hurricane reports.

Who Was the Last Person You Kissed? My wife, when I saw her off this morning.

Favorite Smells? Vanilla, grapefruit & orange, lily of the valley, cinnamon.

What's the furthest you've been from home? Los Angeles. Or maybe Monterey is further.

What's your biggest indulgence? Books & dining out.

If You Could Be Anywhere Right Now, Where Would You Be? Hanging out with my mom & my wife.