So a while back I mentioned that Dad Gone Mad was my new hero. Every so often he puts up a list of things, and I glanced there yesterday saw what I thought was a list, and just moved on past for awhile since I am supposed to be working. I came back later and actually read the list, which turned out to be a series of questions about life. My life. Well anyone’s really, but my answers would be about me. A meme really. This is what I posted to his notes in reply:

1. There’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but you haven’t done it because you think you lack the time, money, or support to do so. What is that something? And what are the REAL roadblocks keeping you from it? Teaching. It’s funny, but most of the people in my High School graduating class have become teachers. About 50%. Not because it’s a good gig, but because it’s a good gig. Yah I know what I just said, but it’s true. I know we were affected by amazing teachers ourselves, and I believe that they have become teachers to pass on the same thing we received, a good education. They certainly didn’t get into it to become rich and famous. What is standing in my way? Time and money. With my sons still in High School themselves, I feel it is my responsibility to be there when they need me, not in class, and to make sure adequate funds exist for their continued good health. Changing jobs, or not giving all I can to my job, would put those things at risk.

2. Name something you would eat more of if health, cost, allergy, and caloric intake were of no concern. Lil’ Debbie Honey Buns and vanilla ice cream cones from Dairy Queen.

3. What is the one singer/band, book/author, painting/painter or author artist/work of art that “speaks to you” most? Why? It’s a tie between Guy Gavriel Kay, The Lions of Al-Rassan and Ender’s Game, by O. Scott Card. They are astoundingly amazing stories. Lions is sort of a cross between “Arabian Nights” and the story of “El Cid”, and Ender is about a boy-genius in the far future who is put through the wringer to save the world from an alien species (sounds like a sci-fi movie of the week, but honestly it will wrench your heart).

4. If your country’s government handed you a check for $10 billion and empowered you use that money to support a single program, cause, or organization, where would you send it? I honestly can’t answer that question. There is no program at the moment that I think 10 billion will fix, but Homeless something would sit at the top of any list. Followed closely by the “SDG Send My Sons To College” Fund.

5. What really, genuinely pisses you off? Holier-than-thou-ness, and ignorance.

6. Describe your current level of happiness and contentment in your life. Are you living the life you imagined for yourself when you were younger? I am not in any way close to the life I thought I would be living when I was younger. I thought I would be an international news photographer when I was a teenager. SDG – Photojournalist I thought I would be. Breaking news and telling the truth about things no one knew anything about. About the only breaking news I have to deliver now is for my sons about when its time to take the dog out. And no, I would not do this now either. It would definitely be #1 if I could change my life.

It’s a very original meme, and I was hoping I could get everyone who stops here to put up their own list. I am not going to tag anyone, I don’t want to make it compulsory. Take a look at the list, and think about your answers. If you do it, leave me a note so I can read what you have. I’m definitely interested. :)

Happy Tuesday! :D