Interviews:

[judecorp]

1. You're politically and socially active. What is the one 'liberal' or 'mostly Democratic' idea or platform that you just can't get behind 100%?
The problem, really, is that I'm more left that most liberals and the Democratic Party. So there are lots of 'mostly Democratic' ideas that I can't get behind 100%. For example, why won't they get their heads out of their asses and actually, you know, be leftists instead of left-leaning conservatives? The Democratic Party is really dabbling far too middleward for my liking. I'd like to see them going back to the realm of fighting for social change (universal health care, abolition of poverty, fair trade) rather than fighting for votes.

2. On Survivor: Palau, Tom or Ian, and why? (Yes, I know you like Stephanie, which is why I'm not asking about her. :) )
Oh my gosh, Ian all the way without a doubt and without question. I am totally in love with him and have been since the first time I saw those big, nerdy glasses.

3. If you could go on any reality TV show, which one would it be and do you think you have what it takes to win? Explain your qualifications and what would make you a stand-out contestant!
If I had to pick a show to "win," I would probably choose Big Brother. The people on that show are so ridiculous and bland most of the time that I think I could fly under the radar and win without them knowing what hit them. I'd actually really REALLY like to go on The Amazing Race (even though I've never watched it) because I'd love to enter that sort of competition with my Jennifer and also get to see the world. (I just don't think she'd go for it.) I'd love to go on a version of The Real World for late-20-early-30-somethings. That would be fun, but there's nothing to "win" so I don't know if it fits your question.

4. If you could Design-Your-Own Big Gay Job, what would you be doing?
Being a queer mama to some great kids. (But I don't think that was REALLY what you were asking, so...)

Outreach in high schools and colleges. It would probably be part counseling young people who are coming out (and their families), part being a support person and advocates for young people, and part going to schools to mobilize students and rally support for queer young people and their allies. I'd really just like to be that one safe person in a school, school system, or community that everyone knows about. (Of course, I'd also like to be SO GOOD AT IT that I would be famous and everyone in the country would know who I was. I could be on the cover of Time, Newsweek, The Advocate, and everything else. Of course.)

5. It's ten years in the future and we run into each other in a trendy restaurant in New York City. Tell me what you've been doing with your life and how everything is going!
Dude, I am SO going to be that person that drives people crazy with pictures of their kids. In ten years there should hopefully be a couple of them running around, and I'd probably end up talking more about them than myself. Hopefully I could tell you all about how everything is great and that I finally have settled into something that works for me. I'm sure I'll still be busy, still be manic, still be volunteering with something-or-other, still hating my hair, and still in love.


1. How did you get so into the Smurfs? =)
I don't know. I guess I started liking them when I was a kid, and I had a couple of figurines and stuff. I'm sure I watched the show but I wasn't much of a TV kid. I just thought they were cute. I continued to think they were cute when I got older, and when I was in college I realized that people were remembering me as "that smurf girl," and that was kind of cool. So I revisted the figurines and thought they were adorable. I started collecting them. Then other people started saying things like, "Hey, my mom cleaned out the attic and I have a bunch of smurf stuff for you..." Nowadays all of my smurf stuff is in boxes, but I still like it.

2. What one person inspires you the most, and why?
My grandmother. Man, she is one tough lady. No one can tell her /anything/ and expect to change her mind, and she'll tell you exactly what she thinks about anything. She's also incredibly loyal to her family and will give every ounce of energy if a family member needs it. She may not understand me or anything I'm doing, but she will always support my crazy ass. When I was younger she would give me crap about my stubbornness and my attitude. I hope that someday she realizes I received all of my strongest, admirable qualities from her.

3. Do you think apathy is as damaging as antagonism? Why or why not?
More dangerous. You can /see/ antagonism. Apathy takes you by surprise, often when it's too late. See: 2000 election. Besides, I have more respect for antagonists because at least they're out working toward something.

4. If you could give one material posession to every person in the world, what would you give?
Like if I could give every person the same thing? A camera. I would love to see how each person chose to represent themselves and their experiences through their photos.

5. If you had to choose between losing your sight or losing your hearing, which would you choose and why?
Hearing. I wouldn't mind soaking in some Deaf culture... and I have enough song lyrics locked into my head to keep me going for the next 50 years. But to never see my Jennifer's smile again? No way.

6. Bonus question: When are you and J going to come visit me in Sacramento? =)
Dude, I would go tomorrow if I could. Sadly Boston sucks all of our money and there is no cross-country travel anywhere in our future. We need to go to Florida first to see the in-laws' new house... but someday we would LOOOVE to come out and visit you, either in Sacto or in Vancouver when you guys move out there. I love Vancouver, it's so gorgeous.

That was fun. Thanks! If you comment, I'll try to come up with questions for you, too. :)