On Martha, Surveys and Being Saved by Not Having to Come Up with an Original Post

Today’s post is brought to you by the incomparable Martha. She has tagged me to answer a little survey, and I am happy to do so. For one thing, I never try and get out of my survey responsibilities. For another, I don’t have anything better to write about at the moment. Thus I gladly accept her challenge and offer you a bunch of useless junk.

Martha has saved the day (as she has so often done for me before).

What’s your current obsession?
Other than obsessing over when Martha is going to pop out a kid, there are three major things that are currently plaguing my mind. Two of those things are not to be mentioned here (yes, I do have a small censor on myself). The third thing is whether or not the Gossip Girl season finale will live up to my expectations. That may seem trivial to most of you, but for a boy like me it really is something to obsess over.

What keeps you going when days are hard?
Chocolate is never a bad option. Coffee works well too. A hug can do the trick. A good laugh is good medicine. It’s really the simple things that make all the difference

What are you wearing today?
I’ve got on my grey suit. I’ve taken to pairing it with brown shirts. At first I thought it would look awful, but I’ve come to love the combination. It works, but it’s not expected. It gives me a little fashion edge.

Why is today special?
I don’t recall saying that today is special. I suppose, however, that a cheery person would think every day is special simply because it exists and he is alive to see it.

What would you like to learn to do?
I’d love to master the arts of holding on to money and letting go of fat. If that can not happen, I’d settle for a class in breaking down emotional walls.

What’s for dinner today?
Can I please just get through lunch first?

What’s the last thing you bought?
I bought some running shorts. I also wanted to get a pair of running pants, but that’s just not in the cards. In order for them to fit me at the waist, I have to get a fairly large size. The problem is that I then end up with really long pants. It sucks to be short and round.

What’s your favorite weather?
I love a cool crisp October day when the sky is blue and you can see for miles. Throw in some autumnal leaves and I’m in heaven.

What’s your most challenging goal right now?
Remember those two things I said I could not talk about at the beginning of this survey? Well, I still can’t talk about them now, Nosey Rosie.

What do you think about the person who tagged you?
Martha’s amazing! She’s a loyal friend. She’s one of the hardest working people I know. Her personal and work ethics are enviable. I’ve seen her trudge through adversity and come out of it all the better for having trudged. The girl is a winner!

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
This is a tough one. I love Chicago. I love Portland. And I certainly love my family, all of whom live in California. What’s a boy to do? A house would be great, but it would also be pointless if I wasn’t able to share it with people I love. In other words, I’m a greedy brat and I want three houses. And can you throw in a jet?

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Quite frankly, I don’t have one. For me, it’s all about the experience. Give me a few friends and a plane ticket and I’m there. The destination is almost secondary to the company.

What would you like to have in your hands right now?
A credit card with no limits and no payments would be handy.

What would you like to get rid of?
I’d love to dump about sixty pounds or so. I also wouldn’t mind getting rid of my nemesis. Either one would do in a pinch.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
This is going to sound insanely sappy, but I’d settle for being curled up in bed with a certain someone. We wouldn’t even have to speak. It would just be nice to be close.

What’s your favorite thing about the city you live in?
There is always something to do in Chicago. If you live in Chicago and are bored, you are just not trying very hard.

If you had $150 now what would you spend it on?
I’d buy lunch for my coworkers. It’s been a rough few hours here in the office.

If and when you buy a magazine at the airport, what do you buy?
I buy something trashy that’s not going to tax my brain too much. I tend not to really read much at the airport. I’m far too interested in people watching to care about some silly magazine.

Describe your personal style.
I like to think of myself as a casual kind of guy. And yet, I tend to wear more colors than most men. I guess that makes me colorfully casual.

Whose art show would you want tickets to?
There’s this guy I once knew who was an artist. If he were to ever have a show, I’d kill a nun for tickets. I’m not that interested in his art. I’d just want to be there to see him. And I would want him to see me. And then I would want everyone else to see the sparks fly!

What are three live shows that you have seen?
I’ve seen a lot of live shows. I’ve been to concerts. I’ve been to theater. I’ve even been to strip clubs. I’ve seen Madonna at least three times. Most recently, I’ve seen Britney Spears. I also recently saw The Tempest at Steppenwolf Theater.

Thanks for once again saving my butt, Martha.