How about a 'Getting to Know the FOT' thread?

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

This is an awesome idea.  I don't know that an interview with me would be at all interesting, though, considering that I've posted the answers to almost all of these except maybe the Death Row Pizza.

[mokin]

Maybe we could do them in order of # of posts? Like start with Andy and then go down the list?

[KickTheBobo]

This is an awesome idea.  I don't know that an interview with me would be at all interesting, though, considering that I've posted the answers to almost all of these except maybe the Death Row Pizza.

It doesn't have to be interesting or funny at all. Just some standard type questions that can maybe give some folks a peek into who some of the FOT are.

Also: having a thread for each person let's us come up with supplemental questions if you have any.

[KickTheBobo]

Maybe we could do them in order of # of posts? Like start with Andy and then go down the list?

I thought of that, but then I thought that it might be interesting to focus on some of the lighter posters (or a mix).

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Yeah, I vote for the mix idea, for the reason I mentioned above - I'm more interested in reading about FOT who I don't yet know that well (whether from the boards or because they call the show a lot).

[Laurie]

1. What is your real first and middle name (if any)? Laurie Joan

2. Where were you born, geographically? Miami

3. Where do you reside now (geographically)? Miami

4. What is your current vocation/ job/ area of study? Trustafarian?

5. Desert Island: ONE record Robyn Hitchcock's I Often Dream of Trains. I picked this one despite the fact that it does not have my favorite Robyn Hitchock song ("Egyptian Cream"). Worse, still, it has my least favorite song: "Ye Sleeping Knights of Jesus." Despite this, I still like the overall feel of the album. The "Nocturne" songs are particularly sweeping and cinematic.

6. What is the most impressive thing in nature that you have ever seen in person? I spent a month in Australia. We were staying in Sydney. My mom and I did a nature thing in the forests of Victoria. The guide pointed out some amaaaaaaaazing bowers decorated with beetle wings, flowers, pens, and clothespins. I was jotting down notes in a little notebook, and a male satin bowerbird swooped down and snatched the blue ballpoint pen right out of my hands. Amazing. By the way, should someone come along and mess with a fellow's bower while he is away hunting for more pretty things, he will notice and fix it at once -- even if you just move a single flower a few inches over. They're little artists!

7. What is the most impressive thing in the human-made world that you have ever seen in person? I went to the Art Institute during my trip to Chicago. I was in the impressionist room, looking at Monet paintings, and I started crying.

8. Death Row Pizza: what style/toppings? Portobello mushrooms, goat cheese, white alba truffles, and drizzled with single-vineyard extra virgin olive oil and a tiny dash of truffle oil. Too much?

9. Tom calls you up and tells you that he will be at a cardboard symposium in your town and has a free day off. What will you guys do? Brunch at St. Michel in Coral Gables, spend the afternoon at the Rubell and maybe also perusing the Margolis warehouse (that shit is bananas), dinner at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (they have really good salads and sides and snacks and stuff for the veeeeeegans. Think you hate kimchi? Try the kimchi with crushed peanuts, you will be a convert.) Spend the night partying. Maybe take in a show at Churchill's? If we're lucky, we'll run into the ravaged visage of Iggy Pop! (Wait... lucky?) If nothing's going on there, we'll just go to The White Room or Circa 28 or some shit. We will drink beers on the beach at around 3 am. Yes.

[masterofsparks]

Based on the answers so far and the general nature of the question, I predict #9 will generate the most tubular responses.

[mokin]

So how is this working? It seems like people (besides Beth) are randomly posting their answers, but I thought it would be more structured.

[Susannah]

I know I'm not following the rules, but it's a Sunday afternoon.

1. What is your real first and middle name (if any)? Susannah Laura

2. Where were you born, geographically? Summit, NJ--proud home of the "Monk" studios.  I grew up in Scotch Plains, right down the Double Deuce from No Underbites, and went on a lot of adolescent era dates at Bowcraft Amusement Park.

3. Where do you reside now (geographically)? Beverly Hills, 9021...1. I spent some really happy times in West Philadelphia (3914 Spruce Street and 44th and Osage Avenues, to be exact) and Glasgow.

4. What is your current vocation/ job/ area of study? English/History teacher at a private, all-girls' high school.  Last year I taught 9th grade English and Ancient Civ, this year I'm doing 9th grade English and 12th grade History seminars.  I studied English Literature (19th century British novel), Art History (Modern/Postmodern architecture) and Classics in college. I then gave up any hope of doing anything useful professionally.

5. Desert Island: Yo La Tengo, "Electr-O-Pura."  It's got the crowd-pleasing "Tom Courtenay," the sweet "Pablo and Andrea," and "Blue Line Swinger," which is so many different types of awesome.  It's my favorite record by my favorite band.

6. What is the most impressive thing in nature that you have ever seen in person? I went to Israel last summer with one of those Jewish youth propaganda groups, and we spent a day hiking up Mt. Arbel, which is in the Galilee. There are defensive battlements carved right into the side of the cliffs that date from the Roman occupation, and it's the presumed home of Mary Magdalene.  We picked and ate figs right from the trees during the day, and as we descended at dusk, the muezzin at the mosque across the valley started wailing and projecting this eerie green light from the minarets.  I have never gotten chills down my spine like that before!

7. What is the most impressive thing in the human-made world that you have ever seen in person? Another European tourist destination: the entire city of Florence, Italy.

8. Death Row Pizza: what style/toppings? Hawaiian.  I can't get enough of that sweet/salty taste combination.

9. Tom calls you up and tells you that he will be at a cardboard symposium in your town and has a free day off. What will you guys do? Breakfast at Norm's, lunch at Carney's, dinner at Poquito Mas.

[Laurie]

What can I say, I'm a rebel.

[KickTheBobo]

So how is this working? It seems like people (besides Beth) are randomly posting their answers, but I thought it would be more structured.

well, that was sort of the idea. I will continue with my original plan of asking a new random 100+ post FOT to answer those questions in a new thread each day. If people want to go ahead an cut in line, that's fine too. they'll just be skipped if their number gets drawn. I still think that each should have their own thread though, rather than posting answers here.

[Susannah]

Sorry KTB!  Just bored on a Sunday afternoon.

[KickTheBobo]

Sorry KTB!  Just bored on a Sunday afternoon.

oh, no big whoop. I'm just glad you took the time to fill out the answers. thx!

[dave from knoxville]

I am patiently awaiting my turn.


And trying to think of what I will do with Tom without sounding like Spike.

[Spoony]

I think this is a great idea.

I've been really impressed with every FOT I've ever met. Normally, the idea of meeting up with someone I barely know from a message board fills me with panic and a desire to carry mace. But every time I've crossed paths with an FOT, and T himself, I've walked away with a really positive feeling.

Good folks, those FOT's.

C