You know, one of the cool things about social media is that it really does require us to be transparent. I don’t care how tired some might feel that term is being used, it’s the truth. But really, how transparent is one supposed to be? Or rather, how well do you know you? of course you want to know more about others so that you can develop that kindred trust. But just who is the person behind the green curtain?
Take for instance the Proust Questionnaire. In the back pages of Vanity Fair each month, readers can find The Proust Questionnaire, a closely related set of questions posed to famous subjects about their lives, thoughts, values and experience. I love reading this. It’s always one of my favorite things to read in VF. So I decided to take it myself. Rather than try to really sit down and “think” about each answer, which would be sorta cheating I think, I decided to just let the stream of consciousness fly. So now you’ll know even more about what makes me tick, though as you’ll see-I’m a simpleton.
Where would you like to live? Initially I would have said Santorini (honeymoon), but I might opt for Positano(incredible food with a view)
What is your idea of earthly happiness? A beach, my family and no worries except what else can we do thats fun for tomorrow?
To what faults do you feel most indulgent? Trusting my naivete
Who are your favorite heroes of fiction? Any character created by John Irving
Who are your favorite characters in history? The people who have taken it upon themselves to shape the world for better, for good and for peace.
Who are your favorite heroines in real life? Does Jackie O count?
Who are your favorite heroines of fiction? Sorry, I got nothing here.
Your favorite painter? Oh Boy, to name a few- I love Chagal, Calder, Picasso, Peter Dean, Basquiat, Van Gogh, Monet, and Rauschenberg.
Your favorite musician? There’s not enough room here-but will go with Ben Harper, Seal, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Martin Sexton, John Butler, and Erika Badhu.
The quality you most admire in a man? Loyalty and Character
The quality you most admire in a woman? A sense of beauty and self and a love for children
Your favorite virtue? Nobility and humility
Your favorite occupation? Music, and competing and learning
Who would you have liked to be? I would have liked to have been a 1950’s pro baseball player or 1940’s jazz musician.
Your most marked characteristic? The ability to laugh and natural curiosity
What do you most value in your friends? Their understanding and their loyalty
What is your principle defect? Expecting too much from others and judging others too quickly
What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes? To not have produced 2 really cool kids and meeting my wife.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? My children dying before me.
What would you like to be? A jazz pianist or a blues guitarist
What is your favorite color? Olive green
What is your favorite flower? Sunflower
What is your favorite bird? I dont really have one but maybe the bald eagle.
Who are your favorite prose writers? Ummm geez-I’ve been reading too many business books lately.
Who are your favorite poets? I havent read poetry since college
Who are your heroes in real life? The brothers of the sacred heart for helping me to become the man I am, and anyone with a selfless heart.
Who are your favorite heroines of history? Mother Theresa
What are your favorite names? Clive Throckmorton
What is it you most dislike? Anyone that hurts a child in anyway.
- What historical figures do you most despise? Hitler, Stalin, and any leader that feels that war is the only answer.
What event in military history do you most admire? The forming of our country/Revolutionary War.
What natural gift would you most like to possess? Intelligence
How would you like to die? In my sleep
What is your present state of mind? Anxious, concerned, worried ,optimistic, hopeful, doubtful.
- What is your motto? You never know, and lets see what happens tomorrow.
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So take the questionnaire and see how well you know yourself-who knows you might surprise yourself or others.
Direct Marketing Observations 
Thank you for sharing. Some of the answers were very personal.
I’m downloading the questionnaire now it might help me figure a few things out about myself during this period of transition and (I hope) self discovery.
Enjoy.
Joann