Mark Starlin’s Questions, My Answers
Better Late Than Never
I was tagged by my pal, Mark Starlin, to answer these questions of his choosing. I was out of town at the time but finally sat down to knock them out. I’m sure he’s been holding his breath with eager anticipation.
Here are Mark’s questions and my responses:
If a cosmic blast of animal-matter rays hit the Earth, turning all humans into animals, what animal would you hope to become, and why?
Bloody hell. I really have no idea. Could I become Snoopy? I already dance like him. I love his laugh, his loyalty to Woodstock, and his snarkiness. He took on the Red Baron. And his sunglasses are tres cool.
(I can’t even answer the first question like a normal human. This does not bode well.)
If you could go back in time to any place, when and where would you go and why?
Serious answer: I’d go back to Tallahassee, FL in 1973 and tell the doctors that Dad’s melanoma didn’t spread. They don’t need to cut out his lymph nodes.
Silly-but-sincere answer: I’d go back to 1983 to the New Orleans Kool & the Gang gig or 2004 to the Tempe, AZ Trashcan Sinatras gig.
What is your ideal meal?
An appetizer of hush puppies — from Jonah’s Fish and Grits, a restaurant in Thomasville, GA. Give me some Southern sides, please. I’ll skip the meat and save the calories for dessert. Please add in a Cherry Coke with light ice.
And since this is my ideal meal, some live music by Jim Croce or Karen Carpenter would be lovely background music while I dine.
If you could be the best at any one thing, other than writing (don’t be so predictable), what would it be?
In charge of the music for soundtracks or playlists.
What is your favorite place, and why?
It’s a tie: The lawn at Maclay Gardens overlooking Lake Hall in Tallahassee, FL AND the V&A museum in London.
One is the natural beauty of home. The other is the beauty of art over the centuries from all over the world.
If you could pick a super-power, what would it be?
I already possess it. Picking the right music dedications for people.
If you could have your own planet, what would you name it? (Describe it for bonus points.)
Lilly Pulitzer nation. It’s very bright, whimsical, and pretty. It’s sunny and happy. Animals are always welcome and snacks are aplenty. (Technically, it’s its own land as opposed to an entire planet.)
You are on a long road trip. You stop at a gas station for gas. What “food-ish” product would you buy to snack on while you drive?
Aside from a Cherry Coke (natch), a mozzarella cheese stick, Kind bar, or nuts. Something reasonably healthy. If I was bothering to consume calories from that pitiful selection, I’d try to go with something hearty.
(I don’t judge others’ choices by the way. Notice what I’d start with!)
Would you mind if my wife and I stayed at your house for a week? And what weeks are available?
Not at all. The carriage house bathroom needs a gut, though, so back half of 2020 would be best.
Do you prefer hugs or handshakes? (In case I end up staying at your house.)
It depends.
If you could have any musician or band (past or present — pretend we have the technology) come to your house and give a private house concert, who would it be? Unfortunately, The Beatles are away on a yellow submarine mission that day, so you’ll have settle for someone else.
Well, there’s really only one right answer: Beethoven, to perform his 9th in its entirety. Like, that should be EVERYONE’s answer.
But it would be cool if these guys showed up to do some version of a “We Are the World”/“Do They Know It’s Christmas Time” sort of thing: a-ha, Justin Currie, Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Nina Simone, Lloyd Cole, Trashcan Sinatras, Karen Carpenter, Nat King Cole, Jim Croce, the Stone Roses, Daryl Hall, Mayer Hawthorne, INXS, Ride, Scott Walker, Prince, Clare Maguire, Glenn Frey, Elton John, Rick Astley, James Ingram, the Beach Boys, Mahalia Jackson, Kurt Nilsen, New Order, Depeche Mode, and the Pet Shop Boys.
Unsurprisingly, I didn’t follow the rules very well, did I? #shocker
Alrighty, if you find yourself bored in mid-December, here’s my compilation of 10 searing personal questions:
If you could pick only one decade of music to listen to for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
What is your greatest fashion or hairstyle regret?
Are you a Universal, Disney World, or Six Flags person? Pick only one, please. And share why (if you wish).
What saying or slogan would you banish forevermore?
Do you believe in soulmates — for yourself specifically and/or in general?
Who is the best James Bond?
If you were a Peanuts character, who would you be?
What is your favorite pre-1980 movie?
If you could switch with any Medium writer (only for Medium purposes, not the other areas of your life), who would you pick? Why?
What is your greatest musical guilty pleasure? (Song or musician/band.)
If you care to respond, please feel free (whether tagged or not). Jon Scott ~ Heath ዟ ~ Kyrie Gray ~ Evelyn Martinez ~ No Words, No Song ~ Roy ~ Vanessa Torre ~ Barry Davret ~ Lucy King ~ Deb Knobelman, PhD ~ Kay Bolden ~ Michelle Jaqua ~ Jeremy Roberts ~ Ellie Scott
Thanks to Mark for tagging me — this was great fun! And it’s always a delight to learn more about my Medium peeps!
Until her 40’s, Bonnie’s worst nightmare included writing and sharing personal stories publicly. At her friends’ suggestion, she bemusedly started Bonnie’s Mixed Tape on Medium in 2017. She remains shocked that anyone reads her stories and that P.S. I Love You, the Writing Cooperative, Song Done Wrong, and the Ascent have published her work.
Bonnie loves all types of music, but really, really, really loves the 80s!
Thank you for reading this story
I know you are busy and have lots of ways you could be spending your time. You using your time to read my work means the world to me — my sincerest thanks!
