Blake's Proust questionnaire
When I read this, I said, "I'm going to ask if I can post it...but part of me just wants to keep it for myself." It almost felt like a little present.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Those times when I sit down, can take a big deep breath, the air feels light, the weather is nice, and there’s not a thing to do.
What is your greatest fear?
Snakes. On a plane or otherwise.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Napoleon Bonaparte. I can at least understand the desire to be in charge of everything.
Which living person do you most admire?
It comes and goes, but I most admire my friends. I feel like I have an amazing group of them and I admire a little something different in each one of them.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
The need to blend in.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When people lack insight.
What is your greatest extravagance?
If I had to pick one, definitely electronics.
What is your favorite journey?
Sitting on a hillside in Parc Guell.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Impartiality. It seems to me that this virtue is at odds with another, loyalty. I much value loyalty over impartiality.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I don’t want a response to the truth, or when you don’t really want the truth either.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My height and skin.
Which living person do you most despise?
It’s a lot of effort to continue to despise somebody. I’d rather just ignore your existence.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
The vocal interrupter “like”.
The response “maybe”.
What is your greatest regret?
It depends on the time of day. Usually, I regret leaving everything I need at home.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Hard to answer that question, because I think it is difficult to say until right before you die. But, at present, my boyfriend.
When and where were you happiest?
I’m happiest when I feel that I’ve just had a very genuine moment with somebody and we both get our feelings and thoughts out there, in the open. There’s that twinge of relief and also of knowing that you’ve shared this moment that you can hold on to.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be one of those people that can just fix ANYTHING, you know those people? You take them a broken music box made of rare jade from 682 B.C. (I don’t actually know when the earliest music box was made) and they can make it seem like it was made yesterday (and also make it play Dancing Queen).
What is your current state of mind?
I’m tired of this survery, it’s making my ADD flare up.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would seek less extrinsic approval and find it from somewhere more personal.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
They would accept that I’m gay, join PFLAG, and donate to the HRC instead of the Southern Baptist Association and the NRA.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Matching into residency.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Yoda I would be. Powerful the force is. Live for a millennium I would, many things I would see.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
A lazy brown dachshund.
What is your most treasured possession?
Pictures. From old family photos to new journeys with friends.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Saturday night internal medicine call in the hospital admitting somebody you have admitted 10 times before for another missed dialysis appointment.
Where would you like to live?
Washington DC or SF Bay Area.
What is your favorite occupation?
Firefighters. They’re hot.
I’m sure this was supposed to be a question about the favorite occupation for me, but I already know what I have to do.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Some people might say the fact that my personality is chameleon-like. I say my most marked characteristic is my moodiness, let’s call it my mini-bipolar.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
The ability to read my mind.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
The ability to put it all together. Looks, book smarts, wit, and street smarts. It’s hard to wear all of those together, but that’s the perfect woman. She can pull it all off (in heels). Oh yah, and good teeth.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty, disclosure, and support.
Who are your favorite writers?
Asking me this question is a bit like asking a vegan what meat they like.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
James Bond.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I look up to many of my friends. I like to have tangible heroes.
What are your favorite names?
Ashleigh, Austin, Jack, Jacqueline, Kyoto, Amberlie.
What is it you most dislike?
People who are unprepared.
How would you like to die?
Old and quick.
What is your motto?
If you’re gonna do something, better do it right (or at least appear that you have).
