Being Interviewed!
Ok, i've finally come around to answering the interview questions posed to me about a week ago. So here goes nothing...
Marley's Questions:
1) If you could interview anyone, who would it be and why? What would be the focus of the story? [Yeah, I decided to ask all the journalists this one.]
Answer: I guess i can take the easy way out on this one. Obviously, i've always been fascinated with FDR and his manipulation of the media to hide his disability. I seriously would want to just sit down in a room with him and pick his brain. I would also want this to be in some sort of time-warp world. Why? Because i'd love to interview him TODAY, in 2005. In that case, i can ask him two questions: What were the conditions like back then that made you so determined to hide your disability? Would you do the same thing if you ran in 2008 against Jeb Bush? Will someone with a visible disability ever be elected president? And if so, will it come before a woman and/or black American wins the office?
2) Are you happy the Wildcats won the Women's NCAA Lacrosse Championship, or mad that Northwestern didn't win a title in a sport that you follow?
Answer: I'm thrilled!! Seriously, i was watching the end of the game tonight on CSTV, and I got the chills. The announcer's last line: "Congratulations to the Wildcats of Northwestern, everyone believes in you now!" That just got to me. No matter what the sport, you feel an immense sense of pride with your school. Just to hear the terms "Northwestern," "Number One," and "National Champion" at the same time has to get your blood pumping a little bit. I noticed that with you too...you got into it. Mike M, and Chris were hardcore into it as well along with passing interest from just about everyone. I mean, when your classmates do something this special, i don't care what they're playing, it could be bocce ball, and i'd be excited.
3) What is your personal theme song?
Answer: Oh my. That's a good question. Eye of the Tiger is a song that always gets to me and gets me pumped up for anything, a game, exam, etc. "It's the Eye of the Tiger, it's the Thrill of the Fight." If you look at life as a "fight," this fits me perfectly. I find life to be a thrill each and every day, even when others perceive it to be a struggle.
4) You're in a room with Marty Morninwheg, Dracula, and Hitler, and you have a gun with only two bullets in it. Who do you shoot?
Answer: This is easy. Hitler. That goes without saying. So now it's me and Marty Mornhinfuck and Dracula. Dracula has some cool-ass teeth. So i'd make friends with Dracula and take out Marty. I mean, he set Lions football back about 25 years. Not that that's saying anything...
5) Who is better: last year's Lakers, or this year's Heat? Do you think they will beat the Pistons, and if so why and under what conditions?
Answer: This series is so intriguing in many ways. Honestly, i wouldn't be surprised if the Pistons swept the Heat. At the same time, i wouldn't be surprised if the Heat sweep the Pistons. I mean, i have NO IDEA what's gonna happen in this series. But first thing's first: who's better, Lakers or Heat? Talent-wise you probably have to go with the Lakers. Surprisingly this isn't cuz of the four hall-of-famers, but for one other simple reason. They had a healthy Shaq. No matter what he says, Shaq ain't healthy this year. And i truly think Kobe, on sheer talent alone, is better than Wade. But the Lakers had enough arrogance to give Mitch Albom a run for his money in the "Most Arrogant Bastard on the Planet" competition. But the Heat are hungry, and gasp, they like each other. Gah.
Now back to Question 2. Who will win? Hmm...It's really really really tough to go against the Pistons. Not just cuz i'm a homer, which of course i am. But as Tyler wrote in his sports blog, "Can anyone bet against this team in the clutch?" Need a big shot? Go to Rip Hamilton. Oh wait, he's covered? Eh, try to post Sheed up on the baseline. Oh no, they're fronting him?? Ok, dish it off to Tayshaun. If he's guarded tightly quickly kick it out to Chauncey for the open 3. I mean, there are just too many options on this team. And one thing i've noticed with the Pistons the last couple series': This team just has another gear that they can go to. It's as if they just start trying and the other teams have no chance. The second and third quarters of Indiana Game 5 (which included the 30-4 run), and the fourth quarter of Indiana Game 6 are perfect examples of this. So yeah, when push comes to shove (which it will), i'll take Detroit in 6.
Carol's Questions:
1. Your team is playing a wheelchair basketball game against five of your favorite atheletes from any sport or time period. Who do you play against, and who wins?
Answer: Great question. One will definitely be Barry Sanders. I'd like to play with him honestly just to see how competitive he truly is. He walked away from the game cuz it wasn't fun for him anymore. The Lions weren't gonna compete for many years, and he knew this. Was this a sign of giving up? Or realizing when it's time to get out? I'd also play with Jitim Young. Seriously, one of my favorite players. Busted his ass on the court and a really really nice guy off it. Next, Allen Iverson. That little bastard is so tough minded. He hustles, takes a beating, and is as talented as any basketball player in the world. Next will be Matt Scott...a wheelchair basketball player that i played with in high school. Matt quickly ascended to stardom in the years after i graduated. He is now considered one of the top 3 players in the world, and just led the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to a national championship. One more huh? I guess that would be Neil Parry. Nobody knows him, but i have a picture of him up on the wall in my room. Parry had a horrific leg injury in a football game with San Jose State about 3 years ago. It was so bad that doctors had to amputate his right leg below the knee. So what does he do? He rehabs like hell and two years later he played on Special teams in Division 1 college football. That's intense.
So yeah, if we played this team...yeah, no shot. I don't care what sport they played, all those players gave 100% on every play and would win on sheer hustle alone. I guess that's why i picked them. I never had the most talent, or was the biggest, or had the best moves, etc., when i played, but i used hustle and intelligence to become one of the best players on the team. I feel like all these players do the same.
2. If you could only communicate using three words or phrases, what three words or phrases would you pick?
Answer: "I love you" because love is an incredible thing, and could help you survive any other sort of condition. "Could you reach that please" - merely for logistical purposes. And the last one isn't a word or phrase at all. But it's laughter. Laughter is a cure for a lot of ills in this world.
3. What would be a perfect day for you?
Answer: A perfect day for me involves waking up around 10 o'clock and seeing that it's 75 and sunny outside. I'd then wander the streets of Chicago, going from neighborhood to neighborhood, talking to strangers and other people, really getting to know them. I'd then meet up with Derin in a park and we'd just sit on a bench and enjoy the weather and people watch. There'd be lots of laughter and relaxation. We'd then go get buffalo wings somewhere for dinner. After dinner, there would be a big social gathering with friends. Perfect days wouldn't be complete without friends. Oh yeah, and i'd be drinking root beer all day!
4. Say you're trapped in a cave with a tap-dancing horse. If you have to hear it tap-dance to only one song over and over again, which song would it be?
Answer: First of all, i'd shout "Holy shit! A TAP-DANCING HORSE!!!!" Then i'd listen to it tap dance to Call and Answer by Barenaked Ladies (I know, a hard song to tap dance too, but i doubt the horse would notice).
5. If you had five minutes to ask F.D.R. one question, what would you ask him?
Answer: I'd ask him how much he truly thinks America has changed over the past 70 years (assuming i'm asking him this in 2005). Can a person with a visible impairment be elected President, or is it still considered a sign of weakness?
Marley's Questions:
1) If you could interview anyone, who would it be and why? What would be the focus of the story? [Yeah, I decided to ask all the journalists this one.]
Answer: I guess i can take the easy way out on this one. Obviously, i've always been fascinated with FDR and his manipulation of the media to hide his disability. I seriously would want to just sit down in a room with him and pick his brain. I would also want this to be in some sort of time-warp world. Why? Because i'd love to interview him TODAY, in 2005. In that case, i can ask him two questions: What were the conditions like back then that made you so determined to hide your disability? Would you do the same thing if you ran in 2008 against Jeb Bush? Will someone with a visible disability ever be elected president? And if so, will it come before a woman and/or black American wins the office?
2) Are you happy the Wildcats won the Women's NCAA Lacrosse Championship, or mad that Northwestern didn't win a title in a sport that you follow?
Answer: I'm thrilled!! Seriously, i was watching the end of the game tonight on CSTV, and I got the chills. The announcer's last line: "Congratulations to the Wildcats of Northwestern, everyone believes in you now!" That just got to me. No matter what the sport, you feel an immense sense of pride with your school. Just to hear the terms "Northwestern," "Number One," and "National Champion" at the same time has to get your blood pumping a little bit. I noticed that with you too...you got into it. Mike M, and Chris were hardcore into it as well along with passing interest from just about everyone. I mean, when your classmates do something this special, i don't care what they're playing, it could be bocce ball, and i'd be excited.
3) What is your personal theme song?
Answer: Oh my. That's a good question. Eye of the Tiger is a song that always gets to me and gets me pumped up for anything, a game, exam, etc. "It's the Eye of the Tiger, it's the Thrill of the Fight." If you look at life as a "fight," this fits me perfectly. I find life to be a thrill each and every day, even when others perceive it to be a struggle.
4) You're in a room with Marty Morninwheg, Dracula, and Hitler, and you have a gun with only two bullets in it. Who do you shoot?
Answer: This is easy. Hitler. That goes without saying. So now it's me and Marty Mornhinfuck and Dracula. Dracula has some cool-ass teeth. So i'd make friends with Dracula and take out Marty. I mean, he set Lions football back about 25 years. Not that that's saying anything...
5) Who is better: last year's Lakers, or this year's Heat? Do you think they will beat the Pistons, and if so why and under what conditions?
Answer: This series is so intriguing in many ways. Honestly, i wouldn't be surprised if the Pistons swept the Heat. At the same time, i wouldn't be surprised if the Heat sweep the Pistons. I mean, i have NO IDEA what's gonna happen in this series. But first thing's first: who's better, Lakers or Heat? Talent-wise you probably have to go with the Lakers. Surprisingly this isn't cuz of the four hall-of-famers, but for one other simple reason. They had a healthy Shaq. No matter what he says, Shaq ain't healthy this year. And i truly think Kobe, on sheer talent alone, is better than Wade. But the Lakers had enough arrogance to give Mitch Albom a run for his money in the "Most Arrogant Bastard on the Planet" competition. But the Heat are hungry, and gasp, they like each other. Gah.
Now back to Question 2. Who will win? Hmm...It's really really really tough to go against the Pistons. Not just cuz i'm a homer, which of course i am. But as Tyler wrote in his sports blog, "Can anyone bet against this team in the clutch?" Need a big shot? Go to Rip Hamilton. Oh wait, he's covered? Eh, try to post Sheed up on the baseline. Oh no, they're fronting him?? Ok, dish it off to Tayshaun. If he's guarded tightly quickly kick it out to Chauncey for the open 3. I mean, there are just too many options on this team. And one thing i've noticed with the Pistons the last couple series': This team just has another gear that they can go to. It's as if they just start trying and the other teams have no chance. The second and third quarters of Indiana Game 5 (which included the 30-4 run), and the fourth quarter of Indiana Game 6 are perfect examples of this. So yeah, when push comes to shove (which it will), i'll take Detroit in 6.
Carol's Questions:
1. Your team is playing a wheelchair basketball game against five of your favorite atheletes from any sport or time period. Who do you play against, and who wins?
Answer: Great question. One will definitely be Barry Sanders. I'd like to play with him honestly just to see how competitive he truly is. He walked away from the game cuz it wasn't fun for him anymore. The Lions weren't gonna compete for many years, and he knew this. Was this a sign of giving up? Or realizing when it's time to get out? I'd also play with Jitim Young. Seriously, one of my favorite players. Busted his ass on the court and a really really nice guy off it. Next, Allen Iverson. That little bastard is so tough minded. He hustles, takes a beating, and is as talented as any basketball player in the world. Next will be Matt Scott...a wheelchair basketball player that i played with in high school. Matt quickly ascended to stardom in the years after i graduated. He is now considered one of the top 3 players in the world, and just led the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to a national championship. One more huh? I guess that would be Neil Parry. Nobody knows him, but i have a picture of him up on the wall in my room. Parry had a horrific leg injury in a football game with San Jose State about 3 years ago. It was so bad that doctors had to amputate his right leg below the knee. So what does he do? He rehabs like hell and two years later he played on Special teams in Division 1 college football. That's intense.
So yeah, if we played this team...yeah, no shot. I don't care what sport they played, all those players gave 100% on every play and would win on sheer hustle alone. I guess that's why i picked them. I never had the most talent, or was the biggest, or had the best moves, etc., when i played, but i used hustle and intelligence to become one of the best players on the team. I feel like all these players do the same.
2. If you could only communicate using three words or phrases, what three words or phrases would you pick?
Answer: "I love you" because love is an incredible thing, and could help you survive any other sort of condition. "Could you reach that please" - merely for logistical purposes. And the last one isn't a word or phrase at all. But it's laughter. Laughter is a cure for a lot of ills in this world.
3. What would be a perfect day for you?
Answer: A perfect day for me involves waking up around 10 o'clock and seeing that it's 75 and sunny outside. I'd then wander the streets of Chicago, going from neighborhood to neighborhood, talking to strangers and other people, really getting to know them. I'd then meet up with Derin in a park and we'd just sit on a bench and enjoy the weather and people watch. There'd be lots of laughter and relaxation. We'd then go get buffalo wings somewhere for dinner. After dinner, there would be a big social gathering with friends. Perfect days wouldn't be complete without friends. Oh yeah, and i'd be drinking root beer all day!
4. Say you're trapped in a cave with a tap-dancing horse. If you have to hear it tap-dance to only one song over and over again, which song would it be?
Answer: First of all, i'd shout "Holy shit! A TAP-DANCING HORSE!!!!" Then i'd listen to it tap dance to Call and Answer by Barenaked Ladies (I know, a hard song to tap dance too, but i doubt the horse would notice).
5. If you had five minutes to ask F.D.R. one question, what would you ask him?
Answer: I'd ask him how much he truly thinks America has changed over the past 70 years (assuming i'm asking him this in 2005). Can a person with a visible impairment be elected President, or is it still considered a sign of weakness?