And now, Mayor Bruce Chuluda's 'Proust Questionnaire':
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Having what I need to get by and taking care of my family.
What is your current state of mind?
Generally at peace with myself and my circumstances.
Which living person do you most admire?
My daughter and her ability to raise my granddaughter as the great mother I knew she would be.
What is your greatest fear?
Something bad happening to my family.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My empathy for people.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My lack of patience.
Which living person do you most despise?
I don't like the idea of despising anyone, but since you asked, Osama bin Laden.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Going out to eat.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Lack of patience.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I don't think any virtue can be considered overrated.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
You'd have to tell me since I try to avoid looking at myself.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd lose some weight.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Integrity.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Integrity.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I'd say folks 'cause I'm a down-to-Earth kind of guy.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I'd like to solve everyone's problems, but I'm satisfied to solve just one.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My late wife, Vickie. She will always be my greatest love.
When and where were you happiest?
When I married my wife in 1975 in Norwood, Massachusetts.
Where would you like to live?
Right where I live now. I never want to leave.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The loss of a loved one.
What is your favorite occupation?
Truthfully, I love being the Mayor of this great city.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Indiana Jones quickly comes to mind.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Bill Russell because he was a winner. And my late father because he worked hard to support his family.
What do you most value in your friends?
Being there for me when I need someone to prop me up.
What is it that you most dislike?
People who like to denigrate others in an effort to make themselves look good.
What is your motto?
Do the very best for the most.
- John C.L. Morgan
P.S. Read City Councilors Rielly's and Gattine's "Proust Questionnaire."
Showing posts with label better know a rep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label better know a rep. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Better Know a Rep: Brendan Rielly
Better know a representative by checking out this 'Proust Questionnaire' of City Councilor Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1) :
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Notre Dame's football team winning the national championship, or my kids succeeding at something they've worked hard at. Don't make me choose.
What is your current state of mind?
Peachy keen.
Which living person do you most admire?
Drew said his wife? I'll say Drew's wife, too. Anyone who can put up with him is a saint. No, I'd have to say my wife. I have to. She's reading this. Just kidding. I do admire Erica for her good heart and sense of humor, and the fact that she's stuck with me since we were both fifteen. Either she's a very loving person or just plain crazy. Both are traits I admire, and I'm not asking any questions.
What is your greatest fear?
Bats. Nasty, mean, ugly creatures. I could be profound and say fear of failing my loved ones, but I've gotta go with bats.
What is your most marked characteristic?
The third eye in the middle of my forehead. I keep it covered over with makeup. No, I hope my most marked characteristic is my positive attitude and willingness to make the best out of whatever situation I'm in.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of patience.
Which living person do you most despise?
I don't despise any single person. I despise self-important people who have never had to work a day in their lives and who have no sense of humility, faith, duty, honor or community. And Yankees fans.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I don't really have any extravagances, although if I don't have air conditioning I get pretty cranky.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
See the traits of the living person I most despise.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I don't think there is such a thing. Virtue only becomes overrated if it is false virtue, like pride or arrogance. Then it's no longer a virtue. Wow. That was way too profound for a Friday afternoon.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I suppose that third eye in my forehead...
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd be more patient, and I'd have the gift of flight.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
A snarky sense of humor.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
A snarky sense of humor.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Okay.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Quarterbacking the Green Bay Packers would be pretty cool.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
You, of course. But since you're taken, I'll go with my wife.
When and where were you happiest?
Right here, right now. In general terms, I mean. I don't mean sitting at my computer typing to you, although this is pleasant.
Where would you like to live?
In the great city of Westbrook! I have a thousand places I'd love to travel to, but it's always nice to come home.
What is your most treasured possession?
We have lots of things that remind us of people we've known or places we've been, but I'm not a "thing" person, so I don't really have a treasured possession.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Not having friends or family who care about you.
What is your favorite occupation?
Dad and husband.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
A three-way tie: Luke Skywalker, George Bailey and Tom Joad. When I was a kid, I wanted to be Joe Hardy.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I start with my parents who taught me how to care for others, be a man, and give back. I continue learning from them as well as from my wife, my sister, my kids, and many of my friends. I'm always trying to learn how to be a better person and I certainly have a lot to work on. I'm lucky to be surrounded by people who are smarter, cooler and more put-together than me, and I learn from them. They're my heroes. Now I'm going to cry.
What do you most value in your friends?
A snarky sense of humor.
What is it that you most dislike?
People who think they know everything.
What is your motto?
Go get that ball. That's your ball! Sorry, that's my soccer coaching motto. Clarence the angel said: "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." That works as well as anything.
- John C.L. Morgan
P.S. To read City Councilor Drew Gattine's 'Proust Questionnaire' from two weeks ago, click here.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Notre Dame's football team winning the national championship, or my kids succeeding at something they've worked hard at. Don't make me choose.
What is your current state of mind?
Peachy keen.
Which living person do you most admire?
Drew said his wife? I'll say Drew's wife, too. Anyone who can put up with him is a saint. No, I'd have to say my wife. I have to. She's reading this. Just kidding. I do admire Erica for her good heart and sense of humor, and the fact that she's stuck with me since we were both fifteen. Either she's a very loving person or just plain crazy. Both are traits I admire, and I'm not asking any questions.
What is your greatest fear?
Bats. Nasty, mean, ugly creatures. I could be profound and say fear of failing my loved ones, but I've gotta go with bats.
What is your most marked characteristic?
The third eye in the middle of my forehead. I keep it covered over with makeup. No, I hope my most marked characteristic is my positive attitude and willingness to make the best out of whatever situation I'm in.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of patience.
Which living person do you most despise?
I don't despise any single person. I despise self-important people who have never had to work a day in their lives and who have no sense of humility, faith, duty, honor or community. And Yankees fans.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I don't really have any extravagances, although if I don't have air conditioning I get pretty cranky.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
See the traits of the living person I most despise.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I don't think there is such a thing. Virtue only becomes overrated if it is false virtue, like pride or arrogance. Then it's no longer a virtue. Wow. That was way too profound for a Friday afternoon.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
I suppose that third eye in my forehead...
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd be more patient, and I'd have the gift of flight.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
A snarky sense of humor.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
A snarky sense of humor.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Okay.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Quarterbacking the Green Bay Packers would be pretty cool.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
You, of course. But since you're taken, I'll go with my wife.
When and where were you happiest?
Right here, right now. In general terms, I mean. I don't mean sitting at my computer typing to you, although this is pleasant.
Where would you like to live?
In the great city of Westbrook! I have a thousand places I'd love to travel to, but it's always nice to come home.
What is your most treasured possession?
We have lots of things that remind us of people we've known or places we've been, but I'm not a "thing" person, so I don't really have a treasured possession.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Not having friends or family who care about you.
What is your favorite occupation?
Dad and husband.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
A three-way tie: Luke Skywalker, George Bailey and Tom Joad. When I was a kid, I wanted to be Joe Hardy.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I start with my parents who taught me how to care for others, be a man, and give back. I continue learning from them as well as from my wife, my sister, my kids, and many of my friends. I'm always trying to learn how to be a better person and I certainly have a lot to work on. I'm lucky to be surrounded by people who are smarter, cooler and more put-together than me, and I learn from them. They're my heroes. Now I'm going to cry.
What do you most value in your friends?
A snarky sense of humor.
What is it that you most dislike?
People who think they know everything.
What is your motto?
Go get that ball. That's your ball! Sorry, that's my soccer coaching motto. Clarence the angel said: "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." That works as well as anything.
- John C.L. Morgan
P.S. To read City Councilor Drew Gattine's 'Proust Questionnaire' from two weeks ago, click here.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Better Know a Rep: Drew Gattine
Sure, you probably know where City Councilor Drew Gattine (D-Ward 2) stands on some of the big issues of the day. But I bet you didn't know what he considers to be his greatest extravagance. Or which talent he would most like to have. Don't worry, that's why we exist.
Now, a close reader may recognize these are the same questions featured in Vanity Fair's 'Proust Questionnaire.' I felt guilty for lifting content from a magazine, but felt better about it once I learned the editors at Vanity Fair themselves lifted the questions from a biography of Marcel Proust. Besides, the sincerest form of flattery is imitation. Right?
Anyway, without further ado, I present Drew Gattine's 'Proust Questionnaire.'
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
On vacation with my family.
What is your current state of mind?
Happy. Busy, but happy.
Which living person do you most admire?
My wife. She holds it all together no matter how much I mess it up.
What is your greatest fear?
The typical stuff all parents worry about.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My Mets season tickets. Want to buy some games?
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Narrow-mindedness.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Patience.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination (the dark side of patience) and disorganization.
Which living person do you most despise?
I don't bother to despise anyone. World leaders who contribute to human suffering are pretty low on my list.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I don't think any virtue is prevalent enough to be overrated.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Unsure. I try to avoid looking at myself. Some people tell me I have a lot of hair on my back, but I think they're just teasing me.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Slow down a little. Not fill not every moment of every day with "stuff to do."
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Humor and intelligence.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Intelligence and humor.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like most people of my generation, I need to find a replacement for awesome. I tend to say sorry a lot, but wouldn't claim to overuse it.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Any talent would be nice. Spinning straw into gold would come in handy.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
C'mon now. My wife and kids, of course.
When and where were you happiest?
At home with my family.
Where would you like to live?
Where I live now, 529 Stroudwater Street.
What is your most treasured possession?
Tangible possession: My bike. Our pets bring us a lot of joy, but I don't really think of them as possessions.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The red-eye from Seattle to Portland. (My own personal hell about five times a year.)
What is your favorite occupation?
Professional golfer must be nice.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Odysseus.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Local people who help others: Teachers, social workers, public safety workers, nurses, etc.
What do you most value in your friends?
That they listen to my dumb stories and laugh at my bad jokes.
What is it that you most dislike?
Greed, in all its forms.
What is your motto?
Life's not a race, it's a journey.
- John C.L. Morgan
Now, a close reader may recognize these are the same questions featured in Vanity Fair's 'Proust Questionnaire.' I felt guilty for lifting content from a magazine, but felt better about it once I learned the editors at Vanity Fair themselves lifted the questions from a biography of Marcel Proust. Besides, the sincerest form of flattery is imitation. Right?
Anyway, without further ado, I present Drew Gattine's 'Proust Questionnaire.'
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
On vacation with my family.
What is your current state of mind?
Happy. Busy, but happy.
Which living person do you most admire?
My wife. She holds it all together no matter how much I mess it up.
What is your greatest fear?
The typical stuff all parents worry about.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My Mets season tickets. Want to buy some games?
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Narrow-mindedness.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Patience.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination (the dark side of patience) and disorganization.
Which living person do you most despise?
I don't bother to despise anyone. World leaders who contribute to human suffering are pretty low on my list.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
I don't think any virtue is prevalent enough to be overrated.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Unsure. I try to avoid looking at myself. Some people tell me I have a lot of hair on my back, but I think they're just teasing me.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Slow down a little. Not fill not every moment of every day with "stuff to do."
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Humor and intelligence.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Intelligence and humor.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like most people of my generation, I need to find a replacement for awesome. I tend to say sorry a lot, but wouldn't claim to overuse it.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Any talent would be nice. Spinning straw into gold would come in handy.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
C'mon now. My wife and kids, of course.
When and where were you happiest?
At home with my family.
Where would you like to live?
Where I live now, 529 Stroudwater Street.
What is your most treasured possession?
Tangible possession: My bike. Our pets bring us a lot of joy, but I don't really think of them as possessions.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The red-eye from Seattle to Portland. (My own personal hell about five times a year.)
What is your favorite occupation?
Professional golfer must be nice.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Odysseus.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Local people who help others: Teachers, social workers, public safety workers, nurses, etc.
What do you most value in your friends?
That they listen to my dumb stories and laugh at my bad jokes.
What is it that you most dislike?
Greed, in all its forms.
What is your motto?
Life's not a race, it's a journey.
- John C.L. Morgan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)