Five questions, the first attempt

[saxikath]

1 - Which would you rather be - American crossword champ or Gold Queen?

Crossword champ. It's a real thing, for one, not just part of a game -- albeit a game that I've become increasingly obsessed with. And I don't want to have to sleep for half the year.

2 - What is the most impressive live stage performance you have ever seen?

There are several that were impressive in different ways. Cats was the first Broadway-level musical production I ever saw, and the whole experience was overwhelming. Copenhagen was the most intellectually stimulating stage performance I ever saw. And Riverdance, for sheer energy and power, hasn't got a rival.

3 - Do you ever regret the direction your academic career took?

Rarely. I do miss the opportunity to think deeply about interesting topics and the access to resources and people who are also interested in such things. But I still don't really see a place for myself in the academic world, and I don't regret leaving when I did, because I think I would have been miserable if I'd stayed.

4 - If you could add one thing to your life, what would it be?

Wow, that's a tough one. I can think of a lot of things I'd like to subtract, but add? I guess one thing would be the ability to keep my belongings tidy and organized for more than a day at a time -- I like it when things are neat, but I'm lousy at keeping them that way. Or else just more energy; I'm running low these days.

5 - Deep down, do you *really* want to be corrupt?

Yes and no. I'd like to be less uptight and less worried about what people think, and shed some of my overdeveloped sense of responsibility, but I also am glad that overall I'm a nice person. If I could be irresponsible and corrupt without destroying my life or being mean, I would. :)