Repost from: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Do you want to play a game?
Current mood: hungry
Category: Life

(If you would like to take part in this "game," follow the instructions at the end of this post.)

My childhood friend, and myspace/facebook/twitter buddy, Misha, has supplied me with 5 interview questions. Here they are, along with my responses:

1. What life lesson have you learned, even though it may have been difficult or painful, would you be willing to learn again because it changed your life so significantly?

I think my first marriage taught me a lot about life. I think I married John because I liked the idea of marriage and sharing my life with someone, and building a foundation ultimately for a family. I also think my hormones got the better of me rather than thinking long-term; I was completely swept up in the passion that I felt. That combined a clash with my mother about traditional conventions of living together vs. marriage (long story, maybe I'll blog it sometime), inexperience and the inability to assert my point of view effectively all led me to choose marriage at such an early age. That being said, it was the most expensive and valuable lesson I have ever learned. Foremost, knowing the signs of alcoholism, and actually learning to understanding the disease. Second, I learned how to find my voice. I am not the same person I was 20 years ago. Third, I learned that I am allowed to be loved the way I deserve to be loved, not having to accept a façade of what someone else purports it to be. Fourth, I learned about accountability and to accept responsibility for my part in the failure of my marriage. In addition, I also learned that having high expectations starts with the self and only then can extend outward. Above all, the most important lesson that I have learned is that forgiveness is the most difficult gift to give, but it is one that must be given as we are all fallible and that imperfection is unique to us all, and by letting go, we allow love to come in, encompass us and truly be ready to accept it.

2. If you could re-write The 10 Commandments what would they be?
1. Thou shall follow a personal code of ethics (this encompasses the big ones like killing, stealing, etc).
2. Thou shall treat all human beings as equal, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or culture.
3. Thou shall covet thine own life and live every day to the fullest extent. Laugh and love without restraint and allow music to fill your heart.
4. Thou shall seek knowledge and truth allowing logic and reason to dictate your path, in an effort to better understand the universe, and by extension, thyself (No, I'm not a Vulcan).
5. Thou shall live in harmony with the earth and all its living things.
6. Thou shall leave valuable contributions for future generations.
7. Thou shall strive to be the person your dog thinks you are.
8. Thou shall practice responsible birth control.
9. Thou shall read the fucking manual before entering into an endeavor (aka RTFM in our household).
10. Thou shall visualize world peace.

3. List your own celebrity contract rider.

Martha's Celebrity Rider:

Chilled Fiji Water

Cooler with ice full of Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper

Masseuse and equipment

Bouquet of fresh flowers, including lilies

Bose iPod compatible radio

2 Big Screen TVs

DVDs for me ~ comedies, action movies, chick flicks

PS3 & Xbox 360 & games for hubby

Big, firm pillows

Lavender oil and diffuser

Bottle of chilled Pino Grigio

Bottle of Shiraz, decanted, room temperature

Lots of candles

Fluffy robe

Supernanny Jo Frost & child accoutrements

Breakfast Options

Eggs Benedict

Large pitcher of Orange Juice, no pulp, low acid

Large pitcher of Ice Water

Meat for hubby

Snack Options

Fresh fruit consisting of grapes (white and red seedless), apples, oranges, cantaloupe and pineapple; assorted cheeses such as Gruyere or Swiss, Muenster, Cheddar

Sourdough bread & spinach dip

Tortilla chips, campfire roasted salsa (preferably Trader Joe's) & guacamole

English cucumbers, salami, & Rondele garlic & herb cheese

Meat for hubby

Dinner Options

Chicken Kiev or Pork tenderloin w/balsamic-red wine reduction

Steamed broccoli with lemon, garlic and butter

Salad, consisting of:

Romaine & Spring mix yuppie greens

Grape tomatoes

English cucumbers

Red onion

Balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Meat for hubby

4. Here is a link for some examples:

http://www. thesmokinggun. com/backstagetour/index. html



5. What is your personal Mission Statement or Life Manifesto? I live my life with as much emotional balance as possible; hence my quest for Peace, in all forms. My manifesto would look something like the following lines from The Peace Book: 108 Simple Ways to Create a More Peaceful World: Inner peace is about connection with our true and natural self and a sense of being part of something larger. This connection gives rise to serenity, balance, and a feeling of well-being. Peace with others is about our connection with the open heart, through which we remember our shared humanness. This brings us to the practice of conflict resolution, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Peace in our communities and in the world requires a connection to respect for our multiple differences, and for the right of all people to justice, freedom, and dignity. This leads to trust, community, and co-existence.

To play along, please follow these instructions:

1. Leave me a comment saying "interview me."

2. I will respond by e-mailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog (so you have to have a blog) with a post containing your answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

Peace,

Martha