Sunday, January 21, 2007



The Thinking Meme

I was tagged by The Curmudgeon about a week and a half ago. If you regular readers recall CNN came calling and life turned upside down for about a week. So on the day that The Cur (my newest pet name for the honest-to-goodness furthest thing from a cur) is doing The Super Bowl Shuffle for the first time in over twenty years I will respond to his tag and finally reveal my answers.

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others what would it be?

Wow. So many choices and so little time. I love good cigars. I occasionally smoke a pipe with my own tobacco blend I created at a local cigar shop. I like beer but I LOVE wine. Give me my Chardonnay!

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world what would it be?

I’m a firm believer in changing the world one person at a time. I know that in my own life my views and beliefs have been challenged and even changed drastically by getting to know folks and really listening to them. If I could change one thing it would be that humans develop a better propensity to listen rather than react.

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most.

The Tasmanian Devil. Out of curiosity I asked my wife and she said the same thing.

4. If you could live one day in your life over again which one would it be?

The day before my dad passed away unexpectantly. He was just 51. Yesterday evening our family went to a surprise birthday party for one of closest friends in the world. It was his fiftieth.

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person who would it be?

My grandfather Barrett. He was my father’s father and I can’t even remember him anymore. I’m told by folks that remember him well that he was one of the best men they’ve ever known. That’s saying something special about somebody who died over 40 years ago.

6. What is the one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you could have back?

My baseball/football card collection. I actually give them to my youngest brother who obviously inherited a gold mine. You're welcome, little brother.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?

My children.

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about?

I’m a very good singer and decent songwriter. I used to perform professionally.

9. What is your most cherished possession?
I’m gonna guess that this is a materialistic question so I will say my 1983 Takemine Koa wood acoustic guitar (pictured above). If we're talking value to my heart I’d have to say my wife and children.

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up?

My mother followed closely by my father.

11. What one word describes you better than any other?

Vivacious!

In in keeping with tradition in the Blogosphere I hearby tag KimmyK, blogwhore, and Creative Type Dad with this meme which turned out to be a little more difficult than I thought.

5 comments:

kimmyk said...

So I take it that's you in the picture? Very cool. People who play music and make music I think are inspiring. I always wished I could do something musically, but meh...not gonna happen.

Sounds like you had a good relationship with the folks-good for you.

Ok, I'll do this meme, but ya gotta give me a day or so to get it done. I'm gonna have to think on this one a bit.

Ben and Bennie said...

Yeah, Kim. That's me. I'd love to do what I'm doing in that pic but it's difficult to do and continue with the art stuff. Both of my brothers are outstanding musicians. My youngest bro is the best. One of my dreams is to have the three of us do an album one day together.

Like I told you, reading your 100 Things kind of floored me. We had our family problems but nothing like I sometimes read on other's blogs. The most awesome thing about you was reading how you "broke the cycle." That my friend is something worth medals, awards, and accolades.

Love those kids. Kiss them all over and drool occasionally which will make sure the Wahs from the South get their love in!

Creative-Type Dad said...

Ok- here it is:
1. Fried Food (or just Fried Chicken in a bucket)
2. No earthquakes or natural disasters.
3. Gumby
4. The day my daughter was born. I wouldn't change anything about it - it was just pretty cool.
5. Leonardo Da Vinci
6. Garbage Pail Kid collection
7. Deep Fried Butter on a Stick (for county fair's)
8. Blog (but it's not really a talent)
9. Pictures
10. Grandmother/Grandfather
11. Crazy.

cmhl said...

interesting!!!

The Curmudgeon said...

Nice job, Bennie. Now I'll have to go back to the top and read down... but I've been tied up doing actual work lately (yeah, I know it seems unlikely to me, too) so it'll take me a while to catch up....