On the Spot
The Age newspaper has an Arts section on Saturdays called A2, and on the third page there's a regular Q&A column called On the Spot.
They ask the same quirky questions to someone working in the Arts – a playwright, author, musician, etc. – each week. Most are just curious questions, some really do put them "on the spot".
I always answer them mentally for myself as I read, and thought I'd do that here today 
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What do you want to live to see?
Successful teleportation. Mr K and I were chatting about this over breakfast yesterday, and I really believe it will happen eventually, and it kills me that I won't live to see it.
What's your favourite game?
Playing Pictionary with my brother. We're strangely in sync, so that one can draw just two lines and the other will guess it. Our friends banned us from playing together.
Man: Jackal! Jackal? Is it a Jackal? It's a Jackal! Jackal! Jackal? Is it a Jackal? Is it a Jackal? It's a Jackal! Jackal! Jackal? Jackal! Jackal! It's a Jackal! Jackal! Jackal? Jackal! Jackal! It's a Jackal!
Stewie: If it wasn't right the first time you said it, why would it be right the next 30 times?!
What is the most vulgar thing you have ever done?
See what I mean by "on the spot"?
Nothing that I'm willing to admit, except maybe the trackies and sheepskin slippers I've worn down to the fish n chip shop. I think that's pretty classic Aussie bogan, hey?
Disclaimer: These are not my moccies
If you were a meal, what would it be?
Probably one of Adriano Zumbo's crazy complicated desserts from MasterChef.
Favourite work of art?
American Gothic by Grant Wood. I still remember well the feeling when I saw this at the Art Institute of Chicago. It's probably one of the most well known images – and definitely one of the most parodied – in art, but I was still struck dumb by the sheer perfection of this painting. Only in real life can you see the perfect precision of every line and brush stroke.
Strongest childhood memory?
I'm not sure there's just one, but I do clearly remember having whooping cough as a toddler. Mum took me to the doctor and I hid under a chair when they wanted to put a tube up my nose. The memory of that tube and whatever they put in it has stayed with me forever.
Like doing summersaults in the pool without holding your nose. Ouch!
What should you be doing right now?
Getting my beauty sleep.
What question would you most like an answer to?
What's the cure for cancer?
What skill should you have learnt?
To play the guitar. I wish I'd learned that instead of the flute (are there many more embarrassing instruments than the flute?)
Favourite piece of furniture?
I don't own a favourite piece yet. But if I owned this chair, it would be my favourite. Occasionally I see furniture that I love so much, I feel a physical pang that I can't have it.
This one's in America. Or else it would be mine.
What image from literature has stayed with you?
This is where you are supposed to say something from a hard-to-read classic, like Dostoyevsky, or some obscure Japanese poet to make you sound sophisticated and erudite.
For me, it's the slippery slide down the middle of The Faraway Tree. And pop biscuits!
Favourite season?
Winter. Believe it or not.
I'm a bit of a homebody. I love nothing more than cosying up inside with a book, my laptop or my quilting.
And a hot cup of tea.
Do you need much sleep?
More than the average person. I don't function well at all if I don't get 9-10 hours each night.
Greatest invention?
Next must-do?
Return a library book that was due back in May…
Greatest fear?
The Giant Drop. If someone had offered to shoot me as I was falling, I would have thanked them.
Indescribable horror.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To sit with pain and let it pass through, and out.
Have you ever said "I love you" and not meant it?
Yes, before I knew what love was.
Is it better to give or receive?
I see them as equal. I love giving but I love receiving just as much!
What's the worst thing anyone's said to you?
When my brother was going through a tough time and distanced himself from his friends, one of his close mates would always ask me about him. One day, after chatting about my brother for a while, I smiled and said, "We can talk about other things besides (my brother), you know?". His reply? "I don't talk to you because then I'd have to have a conversation, and I couldn't be bothered".
Oh. Okay.
To whom would you most like to say sorry to, and why?
Everyone who emails me. I am a terrible replier. Just terrible. Take ages.
Sorry!
Where would you like to be right now?
In bed.
***
With that, goodnight!
xx Kiki
We share the same greatest fear! I could never bring myself to actually go on one though – my knees go weak at the thought of rides that involve plummeting straight to the ground!
Oh, I am so with you. Icanhazcheezburger – greatest invention ever. I cannot be friends with people who don’t “getit”.
What a fun and lovely post! Love all the pics matched up with your replies. Thanks for sharing Kiki.
I do have a fear of heights but I don’t mind the Giant Drop. It is a bit scary but what a hoot!
Louise – You’re smart for not being coerced like me! It was one of the worst experiences of my life.
Kitty – I think it’s up there with The Simpsons for me for guaranteed smart humour. Such a feel-good site.
Ms Curious – Awww… you’re lovely. Finding and posting those pics took aaaages! But it was fun. You should do it on your blog
Great post. Some of those questions are tough. I loved Magic Faraway Tree when I was a child-actually Enid Blyton in general. But MFT was my fave-I couldn’t tell you how many times I read that book.
Apparently they are modernising her books, to take out all of the parts that aren’t very PC. Which are a few, but….
Oh yes!! More Cheezburger fans!
I used to guiltily think that I was the only one. I cannot begin my working day without catching up on all that is new at http://www.icanhascheezburger.com
Best. Site. Ever.
Ness – I adored Enid Blyton too. The MFT and The Wishing Chair were my favourites. I could get lost in those books for days! I read about the modernisation of her books, and think it’s totally stupid, so was relieved to hear that they’ll still print the original versions too.
Milo Jean – lol… it’s inspired! I start my day at icanhascheezburger too. I need my daily lolcat fix