Getting to Know All About You

My lovely & talented friend Kristin of Camels & Chocolate wrote a post the other day that challenged us all to open ourselves up to an interview. As you all know, I have no problem blabbing about myself, so I jumped at the chance. In fact, I promised her (on the internets, which is like swearing an oath in blood) that I would publish this interview on Thursday or Friday. My apologies for the delay, Kristin & the maybe one other person who cared!

If you want to be interviewed as well, leave me a comment & I'll come up with 5 questions tailor-made just for you. However, I can't necessarily promise such insightful questions. Remember, she writes & sometimes interviews people for a living!

1. After going through quite a few Mr. Wrongs, who you dated for long stretches, how did you know The Boy was Mr. Right after just a few short months?

Excellent question & I've been pondering it for the last few days. Since The Boy & I got engaged so quickly, we've been asked this a number of times & I have yet to formulate an answer that works for me.

I think the easiest way to explain it is to rely on good old Anne of Green Gables. Like many of us female childhood bookworms, I've always been looking for my Gilbert. He had to be someone who understands my deepest thoughts, fears, and dreams, like Gilbert did for Anne. And somehow, The Boy fills that role. He "gets" me - all my weird, silly, goofy, deep-down parts.

There have been many moments that have brought this truth home to me, but I first realized this back in October when we were walking down by Prescott Park in Portsmouth. There were leaves all over the sidewalk & I was running ahead through the piles like a 7-year old. The wind ruffled through the trees & a shower of leaves came down near us. I turned back to him with bright eyes & said, "It's like we're walking in Rivendell!" Being a big Tolkein nerd himself, this was a wondrous thing to him & the look in his eyes was priceless. It's all those looks that remind me that this man understands & appreciates me for exactly who I am - no faking & no need to fake.

2. Once you guys tie the knot in a year-and-a-half, where do you think you'll live? Any chance of another stint in Scotland?

Our living plans for the next five years or so are very much up in the air. It's both exciting & a little scary, actually. I will be finishing my master's in a couple of months & have begun the "Great Job Search of 2009 (& potentially beyond)." Depending on how that goes, I may or may not need to go back to school for my PhD. The Boy has one more year left in his bacheor's, then pretty firm plans to continue on to his PhD. All of these things will determine where we end up living over the next half-decade or so, but hopefully we'll be able to stay in the Northeast, near our families (particularly my little nephews!).

And, yes, I can easily imagine another stint in Scotland if the gods smile on us. The University of Edinburgh (where Kristin & I both studied) actually has a well-respected program in the field The Boy studies. Discovering that fact sent my mind racing on flights of "living-happily-in-Scotland-again" fancy. :)

3. Fifteen years from now, where do you see yourself(ves)?

In 15 years, I will have reached the venerable age of 42 and The Boy & I will have been married for about 13 years. Holy mother of monkeys! Since the rough plan is to begin trying for kids in about 5 years, we may even have a 9-year old & a 7-year(-ish) old. Cripes - this is freaking me out a bit. Let's focus on things like living quarters & careers - sharpish.

I'd love to be living within an hour's drive of my parents and/or my sister's family. I'd love to be living in an old or feels-old house, with hardwood floors, big windows to let in the light, and architectural accents (crown moldings, chair rails, etc.). I'd love to be the curator of a medium-sized museum & for The Boy to be happily ensconced in a professorship in his field.

4. What is it about the Red Sox that make the fans more fanatical (and annoying...ha! I kid...sorta!) than any other sports team in history?

Very funny, lady. ;) I'm not sure I would make the claim that Sox fans are the most fanatical, but we'll roll with it for now. It's hard to explain, really. A long & compelling team history, an 86-year World Series slump, and eternally famous past players like Cy Young & Ted Williams all contribute to the intensity of Red Sox fandom. Boston is also a big sports town & has been for a very long time. Beyond all that, I think that the connection to history that is maintained by having one of the oldest ball parks in the nation & the connection that the fans feel with the players (& vice-versa) have much to do with the passion of Red Sox fans.

5. If you could be best friends with anyone on TV, who would it be and why?

Hmm - toughie. I watch very little TV these days, limiting myself to The Office & 30 Rock on Thursday nights and No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain on Monday nights. Actually, the latter is as good an answer as I can come up with! How awesome would it be to explore the world with Tony Bourdain, all with a focus on good food, good drinks, and well-placed doses of cynicism & sarcasm?

Thanks for the questions, Kristin! As I mentioned above, I'd be happy to come with up 5 interview questions for anyone who wants to give this a whirl. Just leave me a comment & your email address if I don't already have it and I'll get to work!