Dan's Questions
1) If you had to choose between being blind or deaf, which would you choose? This came up once in conversation with some of my friends, and I was the only one to answer the way I did. I'm curious to know what other people have to say about it.
When I think of being deaf, the first thing of I think of is not being able to hear music- something unfathomable to me. On the other hand, being blind, would require me to trust other people more. If I had to pick, I would still rather be blind than deaf- I just cannot imagine no music, no sounds.
2) As busy as you are, how do you keep upright as well as you do? That is to say, there must be times when you just want to say, "Fuck it," and either go to sleep or just sit and hang out for a while. How do you manage to stomp on those urges? I ask this because I realized a long time ago that I would have to choose between being sane and doing all the work I needed to. I decided in favor of the former. People who are capable of doing both mesmerize me.
I am very passionate about everything I am involved in- so a lot of the work I have to do is something I have invested interest in. For all those other things, I am always inspired to do my best job at everything I do because I constantly think in terms of the big picture. There are many things I want to change so I have to make the most of my time. It is also true that I had to work extremely hard to get here- since I was 13 I have worked 2 and 3 jobs to save up for SATs, college applications, tuition etc. So now I have an opportunity that most people where I from, not because of their intellectual ability but because of their resources, have not had. I see myself as working not only for myself but also from my family and my community. I think it is those things added with the fact that I am just really energetic and zealous- maybe I am a little nuts.
3) In what way does Van Morrison speak to you that leaves all others lacking? That is, why exactly is he your favorite performer?
There are a million reasons- what stands out to me most is his romance. His lyrics speak to my ideas of romance and idealism and I find his music embodies the way I live my life-in a dream state regardless of the surroundings. His music makes me think about how there is always something more than what you are seeing and how you can transcend daily reality with big dreams and a good imagination.
4) I know you are a fan of The West Wing, but have you ever seen Aaron Sorkin's other show, Sports Night? When are we going to get together and watch Sports Night? What, for your money, is the best TV show ever?
West Wing is by far my favorite show because it is an example of what good leadership could be. It really encourages my political passion for wanting to change everything out there and it portrays the government at its best- composed of compassionate, intelligent, liberal thinkers who have a vision and do everything possible to live within that vision. If only government was really run that way. I have never seen Sports Night but I agree we should get together and watch it.
5) How pissed off are you about the new Applebee's commercial where they parody the song "Mack the Knife"?
I have not seen it yet but the idea of a classic that has passed through the voices of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra being used out of context to pedal food to the masses does make me sad and I must say, it makes me resentful of corporate consumerism.
When I think of being deaf, the first thing of I think of is not being able to hear music- something unfathomable to me. On the other hand, being blind, would require me to trust other people more. If I had to pick, I would still rather be blind than deaf- I just cannot imagine no music, no sounds.
2) As busy as you are, how do you keep upright as well as you do? That is to say, there must be times when you just want to say, "Fuck it," and either go to sleep or just sit and hang out for a while. How do you manage to stomp on those urges? I ask this because I realized a long time ago that I would have to choose between being sane and doing all the work I needed to. I decided in favor of the former. People who are capable of doing both mesmerize me.
I am very passionate about everything I am involved in- so a lot of the work I have to do is something I have invested interest in. For all those other things, I am always inspired to do my best job at everything I do because I constantly think in terms of the big picture. There are many things I want to change so I have to make the most of my time. It is also true that I had to work extremely hard to get here- since I was 13 I have worked 2 and 3 jobs to save up for SATs, college applications, tuition etc. So now I have an opportunity that most people where I from, not because of their intellectual ability but because of their resources, have not had. I see myself as working not only for myself but also from my family and my community. I think it is those things added with the fact that I am just really energetic and zealous- maybe I am a little nuts.
3) In what way does Van Morrison speak to you that leaves all others lacking? That is, why exactly is he your favorite performer?
There are a million reasons- what stands out to me most is his romance. His lyrics speak to my ideas of romance and idealism and I find his music embodies the way I live my life-in a dream state regardless of the surroundings. His music makes me think about how there is always something more than what you are seeing and how you can transcend daily reality with big dreams and a good imagination.
4) I know you are a fan of The West Wing, but have you ever seen Aaron Sorkin's other show, Sports Night? When are we going to get together and watch Sports Night? What, for your money, is the best TV show ever?
West Wing is by far my favorite show because it is an example of what good leadership could be. It really encourages my political passion for wanting to change everything out there and it portrays the government at its best- composed of compassionate, intelligent, liberal thinkers who have a vision and do everything possible to live within that vision. If only government was really run that way. I have never seen Sports Night but I agree we should get together and watch it.
5) How pissed off are you about the new Applebee's commercial where they parody the song "Mack the Knife"?
I have not seen it yet but the idea of a classic that has passed through the voices of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra being used out of context to pedal food to the masses does make me sad and I must say, it makes me resentful of corporate consumerism.