In my quest to join a Writers Group I was asked to fill out the following Proust Questionnaire.
I did wonder if my answers would determine whether I would make a worthy addition to the group.
In years past, I have read the Proust Questionnaire at the back of Vanity Fair; on occasion I have read it elsewhere.
I have often wondered what my answers would be - well, I wonder no longer.
For your amusement, here's what makes me TICK.
My assistant - ring in nose, or nose in ring… either way - Wee Dog is contemplating her own answers. |
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
. My idea of perfect happiness is reading in bed, Wee Dog snuggled close by, and rain playing on the roof and decks. Bliss!
2. What is your greatest fear?
. I can’t say I have a ‘greatest fear’ - at least not yet.
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
. Procrastination
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
. Procrastination
5. Which living person do you most admire?
. I admire three - Me, Myself and I - they have never let me down.
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
. Living vicariously through the lives that have graced my space.
7. What is your current state of mind?
. Determined
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
. I didn’t know virtues could be overrated - if anything I think many are underrated.
9. On what occasion do you lie?
. When asked a question were the truth would hurt.
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
. Nothing - I like what looks back at me in the mirror, always have.
11. Which living person do you most despise?
. I prefer not to despise people.
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
. Humour
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
. Humour
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
. “Hmmm, really…”
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
. My daughter and Wee Dog - they both get top billing.
16. When and where were you happiest?
. I am happiest in the NOW.
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
. The ability to carry a tune.
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
. Preferring my own company when I have been privileged to have friends that would like my company. Bless them!
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
. Getting this far in life without doing life.
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
. I’d come back as me - better the devil I know...
21. Where would you most like to live?
. With grandfather in the Alps.
22. What is your most treasured possession?
. A childhood doll.
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
. The state of unhappiness.
24. What is your favourite occupation?
. The one I’ve done for 31 years - being my own boss.
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
. My sense of humour tied for first place with my optimistic outlook on life.
26. What do you most value in your friends?
. Loyalty, compassion, and patience - mostly patience; I can be a trying friend!
27. Who are your favourite writers?
. J M Barrie, Jane Austen
28. Who is your hero of fiction?
. I don’t have a particular hero of fiction.
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
. Cleopatra
30. Who are your heroes in real life?
. In real life my mom and dad are my heroes; they taught me to work hard, pay my dues, show gratitude, and to value integrity.
31. What are your favourite names?
. Moo-tastic and Lucky Lucky Pow Pow
32. What is it that you most dislike?
. Questions that are vague - and dishonesty.
33. How would you like to die?
. In a fit of laughter.
34. What is your motto?
. “She who helps herself is in good hands.”-JW Pearson
My closing question to you -
Have you ever answered these questions?
If not, do so now and post them!
I’d like to know what makes you tick!
Cheers, Jenny
Good answers. I mean it.
ReplyDeleteHey Susie - thanks for dropping in and taking a read.
DeleteI'm glad you liked the answers. I tried to keep them short and sweet. When I've read this questionnaire in the past I would get a little bug-eyed when the answers would go on for days. Really, one just need the basics, eh! :)
Hi Karen, thanks for stopping in. Yes, I'm back… doing better, hmmm… could be doing worse, so that must mean I'm doing better. There's always a little light at the end of my tunnel. Of course, that could be the oncoming train, eh!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI've joined a Writers Group - I was given this questionnaire to fill out - thought I'd share it here. If you haven't answered a Proust - please give it a go - I think it would be fun to see what my fellow bloggers have to say to a few of these questions.
I hope you had a wonderful month off - glad you're back too.
Cheers, Jenny xo
Did you enjoy filling out the answers? Very cute pup picture.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ms. Happy, I did. :)
DeleteI thought it was strange I should be asked to answer them at all - you know, not being a celeb and all! haha
I read them all once, then I went back and answered with the first thing that came to mind - not too much deliberation - letting the fun part of me shine through where possible and really just keeping it short and simple.
The "procrastination" bit hit me hard - it was the word that came to mind as over the last year that has truly been my state of mind and body - lazy bones! Once it was on paper, where I could see it, I got my butt in gear. Funny how that happens.
Have you ever answered these questions? Would love to read your answers.
Yup to the pup - too cute, eh! My little Lu! She's 14 but has the spirit of a puppy.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a read. Cheers, Jenny xo
You mentioned being a perfectionist before on the blog. Is the procrastination a side effect of that? No, I don't usually fill out forms like these. Though once a friend sent me a funny one and I filled mine out to go right back to her, based on jokes we both thought were funny.
DeleteI make light of being a perfectionist - compared to some I'm a walk in the park. I don't think the two have any connection at present as my procrastination is a relatively new state for me. Since starting my renos I have really noticed it creeping into my folds and taking hold of my will. Then I fall into the "I will not do it" camp… where the bonfire is toasty and so are the marshmallows.
DeleteI'd like to do a funny one… this one seemed too, I don't know, stuffy!
Procrastination is a side effect of perfectionism. Though not always, of course. Anyway, I hope you don't let either take hold of your will. That's a good way to put it by the way, take hold of your will.
DeleteI tell ya, you made the questionnaire way less stuffy. Well done, you.
Oh dear, I am a procrastinator, at least with this cold weather making it harder to be motivated. Hope you will forgive me that flaw.
ReplyDeleteI too have a beautiful doll from my childhood. A gift from my great aunt as it was her doll when she was a child. I hope one day to have a grand daughter to hand it down to.
Hey Mynx - looks like we can add "procrastinator" to the list of things we have in common. I feel the warm weather is having the same effect on me - I just want to lie still and not move - to do so makes me sweat - I don't do sweat well! :)
DeleteThere's something special about childhood dolls - I'm glad you have one that means something special to you. I do hope you have a grand-daughter to pass her along to… Miss CP has her eye on mine.
Thanks for dropping in… and on a cold winter's day no less - how brave! :P
Those answers are definitely you! I'm not sure I would like my answers. I'd have to go about changing myself to be a better person. I prefer to be...me!
ReplyDeleteThey are, aren't they! hahaha
DeleteBefore you go all rogue and think you need to be a "better person" answer them and post them - just as you are now… the awesome warrior dude that you are! (yes, I read your post - combat suits you)
Been thinking about you - hope all's well! :)
Hi Jenny - good to see you back and enjoying your writing ... I sometimes see these questionnaires .. but like your idea of glance through, then fill it out - makes sense - and good answers too ... sometimes in waiting - things settle into place, at least I'm finding that ..
ReplyDeleteLove the view here .. gorgeous ... cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, in the past when I would read this type of questionnaire I found myself answering along, but often (as I did with this one) found some questions really annoying - like #32 - too vague.
DeleteGiving them a quick once over made me realize I wanted to keep my answers short. I've been toying with stretching this post into several more and going into a little more detail about some of my answers. Vague has its up points, but also some downs.
Thanks for stopping by, Hilary - I hope life is good, and you are happy! Sending you cyber hugs… :) :)
Looks like you're ticking along pretty darn well to me. :)
ReplyDeleteMy answers to most of the questions would actually be quite similar to yours.
Hey there, Linda - could be that you and I are, you know, twins separated at birth. It's been known to happen… maybe that's why our answers would be similar! Or, were just two very cool chicks - that'd do too!
DeleteGreat to have you stopping by - thanks! Glad to see you back and blogging too!
Hahahaha - in light of your post look at my typo…
DeleteOr, were just two… (should be we're - damn little apostrophe)
Yikes - so "too early in the morning for catching this"!
I'd come back as a sloth, but it seems redundant at this point.
ReplyDeleteNow why does that not surprise me - that word sloth comes up now and then in conversation with you, if my failing memory is correct.
DeleteI think slothing it would be great! Hanging around in a tree all day, yup, I'm good with that! See you in the trees!
What a wonderful questionnaire! And I'm right with you on #1. My idea of perfect happiness is reading in bed, Wee Dog snuggled close by, and rain playing on the roof too. Doesn't get much better than that :)
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy - Yup, #1 is the whole enchilada - Wee Dog is off to my right, sawing her little logs while I madly type this reply. Coffee's brewing, books waiting… no rain though!
DeleteThanks for stopping in. :)