5 Questions

No crafty content today.  I am battling sinus issues (for the last week or more and I am VERY tired of it) and feeling quite fuzzy headed.  It is so bad that I don't even have much interest in reading blogs (that is scary!).  I am behind on responding to comments too.  In good moments I respond, and in bad moments I put it off.  I apologize if I haven't responded to your comments.

The other day Jacquie was interviewed by Miriam.  I thought it was a fun idea, so I asked her to interview me.  Here are her questions:

1.  We both have the privilege of having Boston Terriers in our lives. When you first decided you wanted a dog were you looking for a Boston in particular and did you choose them or did they choose you?
I first learned about Boston Terriers from my in-laws.  When I met Roger they had a Boston named Bart.  He was a wonderful dog and I fell in love with him and the breed.  In every way they suit our lifestyle.  They are very people oriented and make great companions, shed very little, don't require grooming, and are very playful.  I also like the size, small enough to fit on your lap, yet sturdy little dogs.

My very first dog, Sophie, was our first Boston.  We always get rescue dogs and she came with issues.  She was aloof, crabby, and a total princess.  I loved her madly.  I think I identified with her in many ways and share a few of her character flaws.  Two weeks ago was the one year anniversary of her death.  I miss her very much.

Six years ago we got our special needs child, Toby.  He was at least five, blind, deaf, and simple (in every sense of the word).  We had more than six great years with the love bug. I doubt I will ever knew a dog  who is more about love than Toby.

Now we have our Sammie.  He also came to use as an adult dog (maybe 5 years old).  He is funny and fierce, snuggly and fearful, loyal and aloof.  Sam is such a mixture of emotions.  Sometimes he'll lie on his back on your lap to get his tummy rubbed and sometimes he'll charge at you.  He is freaked out by yelling (makes watching baseball difficult) and really doesn't want you to swat at mosquitos.  I suspect that he came from a home with domestic violence.

All are completely different personalities.  All have changed my life.  I can't imagine living life without a dog.

2.  Do you find your engineering background helps you with your knitting and spinning in any way?
Yes and no.  I think I am attracted to knitting for the same reasons I am attracted to engineering, not that one has an effect on the other.  Both use problem solving skills, math, and are about creating.  I do use the things I learned in school, especially math to create patterns and ideas.

Both are about creating within a framework.  With knitting I can sit down with graph paper and create a garment.  Engineering is the same; there are certain criteria that you need to respect.  Creativity and innovation are important, but there is always that framework to work within.  I notice that all my hobbies have this characteristic.  I have never been good at or drawn to free-form art methods.  I try, mostly to stretch myself, but it is definitely outside my comfort zone.

3.  Miriam was asked this question and I thought it was a good one - What do you make for dinner when you can’t think of anything to make for dinner?
Something very simple like tamales from the freezer (sometimes homemade, sometimes store bought).  Often it is even simpler like quesadillas, grilled cheese, toast with hummus, or salad.  We eat a lot of salad with toast.  My favorite toast is French bread toasted, rubbed with a raw clove of garlic, and sprinkled with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Yumm.

4.  If you were offered the chance to boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before would you take it and why or why not?
If that means traveling in space, probably not.  I like the sun, plants, animals, and being alone too much.  Besides, how much stash would they let me bring?  I doubt I could bring my wheel.  Scares me just to think about it.  Then again, maybe if I could be on the Battlestar Galactica . . .

5.  What do you like most about living in the San Francisco Bay area?
I was born here and it feels right to be here.  I lived for long periods in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Seattle, Washington.  I loved both places, but always felt like an outsider.  I am home here.  Of course, the mild Mediterranean climate doesn't hurt either.  Best of all, we both have a lot of family within a few hours drive of where we live.

If you would like to be interviewed by me, leave a comment and I will send five questions to you.

Comments

[LaurieM]

I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well, but I enjoyed reading your interview. I'd love for you to send me five questions. There's an energy and dynamic to that sort of give and take that I'd love to add to my blog.

Thanks!

[Lisa]

I can sympathize with the sinus gunk. The allergies are killing me. I hope you are feeling better soon. I liked your interview too. I wish someone would question me like that, although I don't think my answers would be as good as yours lol.

[elizabeth]

What great questions and answers! A good friend of mine is involved in Boston Terrier rescue but she doesn't know how to say no, so she now has like eight dogs! She loves them all, though.

[Rebecca]

I'd love to be interviewed by you! Hope you are feeling better soon. My hubby and daughter are dealing with the same problem and it's horrible this year!

[Nora]

I loved reading this - those dogs are very lucky to have you in their lives.

[Debi]

I "met" you when Toby died and the love you shared with that dog was so evident and special - like you!

Thanks for the compliments on my throw - I'm really happy with it too, even if it is crochet :)

[Jacquie]

Sinus trouble is miserable - I hope you feel much better today.

Thanks for your great answers to my questions. This has certainly been a fun meme - long may it continue!

[Judy]

Hi Maia--I hope your sinus "ick" is getting better. I thought people moved west for their health--what's up with that? :-)

I laughed out loud when I read "He is freaked out by yelling (makes watching baseball difficult)" because Henry can't stand it when Nerdy Hubby watches any sport because his expressions of frustration upset him so much. Poor guy--he doesn't want Big Mean Doggy Daddy to be angry. He just doesn't get sports.

Hey--I'd love to be interviewed by you--I bet you'd come up with really good questions.

I really enjoyed reading your responses--good interview!