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.
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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
Jenny, you're back blogging??? Wow. That must mean you are doing better. Yeah! How did I miss this. Must have been when I was away for 3 weeks.
ReplyDeleteHi 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!!! :)
DeleteI'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
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! :)
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. :)