If... (Weeks 3 and 4)

So since I have a few weeks to catch up on, I'll try to do at least two sets of questions each week. Thanks to my inspiration for this project from JD2.0 and NickyNax.

Without further ado, Week 3:

1. If you could alter one physical characteristic of your mate, what would it be?

I consider myself lucky not to have to answer this question, as I'm single. Sort of a mixed blessing as I don't GET to answer the question at the moment!

2. If you could dine alone with anyone from any period in history, which person would it be?

Haven't I already answered this? I suppose in the entirety of history, I'd have to pick Jesus. Not so much for the religious experience of it, though I suppose seeing water turn into wine might make me a believer!

3. If you could, in retrospect, change one thing about your childhood, what would it be?

I count myself lucky that I never had to go through a divorce or other terribly traumatic event in my childhood. The one thing that stands out clearly to me is my father's terrible temper. I'm not sure what the root of it was, but he was a very angry man when I was growing up. It only took the smallest thing to set him off. My brother and I reacted very differently. My brother rebelled while I tended to retreat. I'm not sure if it was the age difference (he's 10 years older), or some other factor, but we took very different approaches. Here we are years later and he's mellowed out a LOT and we both have a good relationship with him. It makes me wonder how things might have been different if we'd had the same relationship with him all that time he was so pissed off.

4. If you could have any room in the world become your bedroom from now on, which room would you choose?

This is a really tough question. I've been lucky to travel to several countries in Europe, and one would be hard pressed to find more impressive architecture or interior design in any other part of the world. But would it be terribly wrong if I picked Paula Deen's kitchen?

....and Week 4:

1. If you could change one thing in the world right now, what would it be?

I think Jody has it right when he says he would rid the world of religious intolerance. I would take it a step farther and get rid of organized religion generally. I'm glad this isn't asking for a realistic answer because organized religion will always be a part of our world, and religious intolerance is equally inevitable. So many of the world's problems can be traced to religious roots. Granted, there are many peaceful religions and religions with honorable roots and honorable intentions. This is one, however, that I believe has costs that outweigh the benefits. Don't count me as a John Lennon type...I certainly don't consider "Imagine" my theme song, even for this particular issue, but he might just have a point.

2. If you had to assassinate one famous person who is alive right now, who would it be and how would you do it?

I think the most obvious answer to me is Osama bin Ladin (sp?). As the figurehead for the worldwide terrorist network, his death would not end the problem but I believe it would be a blow to the extremist Muslim movement. We have chased him for years and have come close to capturing/killing him but he continues to elude capture. By hiding I think it shows his cowardice, but to his followers, it seems to energize them in some sick way. It's almost like he is more powerful because he has been in power so long and the United States has not caught up to him. As for the method, I say strap a suicide bomb to his chest and make him wander around an empty field waiting for someone to push the remote control button. Make him suffer the same fate as the developmentally disabled women his group sent into the streets in Iraq, but make him suffer longer waiting for it to happen. This answer could easily be related to Week 4, Question 1 above.

3. If you could permanently alter one thing about your physical appearance, what would you change?

As any of my friends could tell you, I've struggled with my weight for years. I lost about 40 pounds when I trained for the Hogeye Half Marathon a couple of years ago, put some back on (but managed not to go up in clothing sizes!), and now I'm working it back off. I've made it an absolute part of my daily routine to go to the gym after work, no matter what I'm doing later in the evening, to eat better, and not drink as much. But if I didn't actually have to do all that, it would be great!

4. If you could have stopped aging at any point in your life up to the present, how old would you want to remain?

I really feel like I could stop aging at this point. I'm sure I could have said that if I had been asked at any point along the way. There are points in my life that I've been happier, but looking back I realize that everything has brought me to this point. I think some of the things in my life could be better (not being single, etc.) but I know I'm far more mature for what I've been through. I've got a lot of great friends who I would never give up and (kind of) a plan for where I want to go with my life.