Blog of Questions

Ideological Inconsistency

"When you are first published at a young age, your writing grows with you--and in public. Changing My Mind seemed an apt, confessional title to describe this process.  Reading through the pieces, though, I'm forced to recognize that ideological inconsistency is, for me, practically an article of faith."--Zadie Smith, Changing My Mind, 2009

Last week I bought Zadie Smith's new collection of essays, Changing My Mind.  My main motivation was to read her moving tribute to David Foster Wallace.  However, I also identified with her defense of ideological inconsistency.  To me this is a a sign of a mind alive, and if the cost is wishy-washiness or "flip-flopping" then so be it.

Forever now I've called myself a "liberal," and in American political terms I suppose I am.  But now I live in a city surrounded by fellow US liberals, and I find SF politics to be nauseating more than revolutionary.  Groupthink can set in all along the political spectrum, and we've got it bad here.  So these days it's fun to more fun to tweak the left than to agree with it.  But when I go to visit family in Arizona I turn on the leftie card like a switch.  That's McCain country, after all.

So, in some ways "ideological consistency" simply means the ability to be a chameleon.  More important, and worthy, is the capacity to maintain firm convictions while possessing the ability to change your mind after hearing new perspectives or simply "growing up."  Values should be constant, but not views on specific issues.  Everyone has to strike their own balance between "standing firm" and changing their mind, and I err strongly on the side of mind-changing. This is yet another reason why I shouldn't be a politician.

Question #4: What products/services are you loyal to and why?

I am very loyal to ABC.  I don't watch any channel besides ABC.  This started during college, when Marcus and I didn't have cable, and the channel that got the best reception was ABC.  Since then, that's all I watch.  They've got the best shows as far as I'm concerned.

I am also loyal to Shell.  This started all the way back to when I was in elementary school (1st or 2nd grade) in Hong Kong.  Our school van driver always filled up the van at Shell.  I still remember the shell-shape stickers that the gas station employees used to give us.  Because of those stickers, I prefer Shell to other gas stations.

Question #3: What one thing would you like to do but probably will never do?

There's probably a better way to word this question...

I would really like to skydive.  Everyone I've talked to who has gone skydiving said that it's an awesome experience.  I think I would enjoy the experience, but I don't have the nerves to actually skydive.  What if the parachute doesn't open?  What if my parachute collides with someone else's parachute and gets tangled?  See, it's too risky.

Question #2: What Guinness World Record would you like to set/break?

I've been cracking my finger knuckles since I was ten, when my cousin Irene showed me how to.  Back in school, it felt cool to crack my knuckles.  Now that I'm in the working world, people tend to cringe or give me admonishing looks when I pop my fingers.  I feel so alone!  Which leads me to...I would like to set a Guinness World Record in the Amazing Feats>Mass Participation category:  the most number of people gathered in one place simultaneously (in 5 seconds) cracking their fingers/neck/back/toes.  I've checked at the Guinness World Records website, there is not an existing record. 

Marcus thinks this is strange, but since the conception of this idea, my life somehow seems more purposeful.

Question #1: Where do you see yourself when you're 60?

It's my least favorite job interview question:  Where do you see yourself in five years?  Heck, I don't know.  Am I supposed to know? 

But I know Marcus and I want to open a bed-and-breakfast after retirement.  So, when I'm 60, I see myself running a successful bed-and-breakfast business.

Blog of Questions - Explained

Here's how the Blog of Questions works -- I come up with an interesting question; I write my response; you write your response.  And we do this once a week.

This will be as interesting as you make it.  The fun part will not be reading my postings, but, rather, reading everyone's responses. 

I promise you this will be fun.

Don't believe me?  Give it a try!  No strings attached. 

Psychological Effects of Color

I carefully chose this blog's color scheme with you in mind. 

As you read my postings, the orange background will fill you with joy; the red banner will stimulate your heart and blood circulation; the yellow side bar will enhance your memory; and the purple links will make you feel sexy.

So, throw away the Zoloft prescription, daily workout schedule, ginkgo pills, and lingerie -- welcome to my blog!

It's me Helen!