If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
In my youth, I knew a pair of artists whose work was informed by found objects.
They scoured the streets near their Lower East Side apartment for cloth and discarded spindles and leftover thread. Cardboard and milk cartons were turned into artwork.
Recycling the leavings of their industrial neighbors was an artful endeavor in and of itself.
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
Once upon a.., I planned on opening a little store with my friend Helen. We thought it would be cool to sell crafts.
I had been taking pictures with my Rollei Rolleiflex, which I wanted to include in our inventory.
The storefront we had in mind was deliberately tiny.
Describe your life in an alternate universe.
It’s pretty same-o-same-o today. A day like no other.
From my perch, I see the rings that have made our planet famous. Like Jupiter’s, they are a gassy effusion. And like Jupiter’s, they are very beautiful.
It’s barely past the lunch hour, and I am hungry. This, too, is not unusual.
Like I said, this seems to be shaping up to be an ordinary day.
My calendar says August 7th is a Civic Holiday in Canada.
The words “civic” and “holiday” sound so sweet together.
Describe one habit that brings you joy.
A day walking about or an afternoon sitting with friends or a precious hour catching a performance or time spent at home with my beloved are all ports of joy.
Greeks must have meandered into French kitchens in the last half century. Almost every little bakery seems to feature a small burek alongside the croissants.
Veganism, if it is an ism, seems to be going mainstream. My evidence? Tacos with vegan pastor. Likewise, there’s Impossible gone mainstream in the Starbucks breakfast sandwich.
How would you describe yourself to someone?
It’s hard to be immodest, but sometimes it’s better than hiding your true self. Under a bushel of false modesty.
So I will admit to my best qualities. I am friendly and loyal and sincere.
I lose some of my pride in these when I realize these are qualities that are also common to your golden retriever.
Ah well.
If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?
I always loved the dinosaurs that occupy the AMNH.
As a child, I loved visiting the giant beasts and the big whale.
Years later, I spent many a productive evening in the great halls with little Danny. In his childhood, as he is in adulthood, he was always a scientific guide. It was a real treat when his mom entrusted him to me for a trip to the museum.
All that said, I see no useful purpose to bringing the TRex or any of his pals back. Not even the herbivores.
If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go?
It’s a wide wild world.
Figuring out where to start a trip is a big part of the fun.
What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?
All The Best