#85 | 12.31.12 | Fort Greene | After your parents, who was your very first role model?

Answer (Elaine): I don't have any. Well, I guess Mary Magdalene, a sister from when I went to high Anglican school. She was gentle, kind and smart unlike the other sisters. She was a good role model. After that, I don't think I really had any.
(Darryl): Can I say myself? I would say myself because I am inspiring, energetic and get things done. I love life and I'm very lovable.
Question (Elaine): If there was anywhere you could live besides where you live now, where would it be?
(Darryl): What are you looking forward to in 2013?

#84 | 12.30.12 | Bushwick, Brooklyn | Do you think you are racist? How racist are you?

Answer: I wouldn't say I'm racist. I don't see someone's color and think -oh, you're bad, you're smart…I don't make judgments based on race. But I do notice color and wonder about people's background and their story.
I'm a minority too, but I grew up in New York, but often people assume I'm Indian or I'm not from here. When I see people, I wonder, are you first generation or second generation? What's your background?
So no, I'm not racist, but yes, I do notice race. And I question. I'm curious, I guess.
Question: After your parents, who was your very first role model?

#83 | 12.9.12 | Fort Greene, Brooklyn | What's your deepest darkest secret?

Answer: Wow, that's a hard one. I guess my secret would be that I'm sad...the world is kind of making me sad. Oh, I guess I can say this...Hydraulic fracking is really bothering me. I hope President Obama stops it cause it's really going to affect our future. I didn't sleep well last night because I was thinking about it. I saw on TV that in some areas, you turn the faucet on and light a match and poof, it starts a fire, because of the gas in the water.
I don't really have secrets because I talk about all my issues. Homelessness also really bothers me. I was almost homeless once. It makes me very sad because no one needs to be. There is enough space for all of us.
Question: Do you think you are racist? How racist are you?

#82 | 10.27.12 | Fort Greene, Brooklyn | Has there ever been an impending date that has made you stop, reassess and make changes?

Answer: When I turned 30, I challenged myself to do something different. But, I ended up putting too much pressure on myself and didn't end up doing anything.
Question: What's your deepest darkest secret?

#81 | 101712 | UES, Manhattan | Do you think of yourself as an artist? And if not, why not?

Answer: Yes, because even when I'm not as productive with my artwork, the ideas and the desire to create don't stop. So being an artist is just part of who I am. I struggled with it for awhile. It took awhile for me to say it; it took a year to claim it when people asked me about it. I felt it sounded pretentious, but realized unless I claim it, say I'm an artist and open myself up to opportunities, nothing will come of it.
Question: Has there ever been an impending date that has made you stop, reassess your life and make changes?

#80 | 10.11.12 | Museum of Arts and Design, Manhattan | What do you know about quantum mechanics?

Answer: I honestly know very little about quantum mechanics. I can't even put it into words. I think of Richard Feynman and he was talking about spinning planes, but I couldn't define it. It also makes me think of string theory, which I love thinking about and trying to get a grip on it. When I was younger, a dated a guy that was a mathematician. He would talk about equations with fluid flow and boolean equations and get so excited. He was in love with it, the way that I am about art. We could relate on that passion level. Both fields are so creative.
Question: Do you think of yourself as an artist? And if not, why not?

#79 | 10.11.12 | Clinton Hill, Brooklyn | In this day and age of constant access to the internet, how do you slow down time to be in that moment?

Answer: I lose phones very easily. I don't own a computer, if that helps. I drink heavily and I largely make poor decisions. I didn't have a phone for about a month 'til yesterday. Now it's great, I can call and text people.
Question: What do you know about quantum mechanics?

#78 | 10.10.12 | Clinton Hill, Brooklyn | Now that we have facebook, social media etc., do you think we will maintain human interaction down the road?

Answer:I do. Yes. I think part of humanity is that we crave and need human interaction and I would hope that our society, ourselves and our human endeavors would want to maintain a level of intimacy instead of substituting technology.
Question: In this day and age of constant access to the internet, how do you slow down time to be in that moment?

I met Tanya the day before she was opening her new coffee shop/cafe/all around comfy and welcoming hangout - The Joint on Myrtle Ave.

#77 | 10.9.12 | Fort Greene, Brooklyn | What is brave?

Answer: That's an interesting question. I would say bravery is obedience to friends and like loyalty a little, but mainly that you are trustful to your friends. Whatever the situation, don't just look on yourself but also to your friends.
Question: Now that we have facebook, social media etc, do you think we will still maintain human interaction down the road?

After picking up a Craigslist desk at PS067, I met her outside the school recruiting kids to an afterschool program.

#76 | 10.06.12 | Clinton Hill, Brooklyn | How do you like your neighborhood? How do you feel about it?

Answer: I grew up in Harlem, on Van Cortlandt Park South. I lived in that area about 16 years. Harlem has a deep seated sense of community. It's similar to Bushwick, or even Williamsburg a few years ago. I definitely like Brooklyn more than Manhattan, but Harlem feels like a heart, a chakra, a heart center. I definitely feel that about Clinton Hill as well. It's what I remember New York being like. But when Bloomberg wiped the streets clean, with that comes distractions and Manhattan is like Disneyland now. In Harlem, when I walk down the streets, I physically still get that feeling of community.
Question: What is brave?

#75 | 10.1.12 | Fort Greene, Brooklyn | What's a good deed that you would do for someone without spending money?

Answer: I've done many things for many people that don't cost a dime. I call people when the parking police are on the move so they have time to move their car. I've taken UPS deliveries for people. When I stand out here, I just see what people need. I don't do it for the money, I do it as their neighbor. I was born in the neighborhood. I'm 61 now, so I pretty much know everyone in the area.
Question: How do you like the neighborhood? How do you feel about it?

Joe is basically the mayor of the block of Myrtle Avenue that I live on. I can always find him somewhere in the vicinity of my block, saying hello, talking to people or just hanging out.

#74 | 9.30.12 | Berkeley, CA | Will the United States be here in 20 years?

Answer: Oh yeah, absolutely! America is here for good. Because of the people, America is everlasting. It's going to live 'til the end of time.
Question: What's a good deed that you would do for someone without spending money?

My friend Kush and I were walking down Shattuck to brunch, and we met this smiling woman who had just picked up a gold Christmas tree to decorate her home.

#73 | 9.25.12 | Oregon, IL | What's more important - drive or talent?

Answer: Drive, because without that you can't use the talent. You're supposed to use your given talents. But I think your drive is what keeps you moving along and persevering toward your goals.
Question: Will the United States be here in 20 years?

Later during my visit home, I went hiking with my mom in Lowden State Park. Fall is still totally novel to me because I never saw fall really happen before leaving California for college. So it still seems magical. After our hike, we walked up to a ledge and took a break overlooking the Rock River, which is where I met my interviewees who were also enjoying the view and the remaining summer sun.

#72 | 9.22.12 | Chicago, IL (1 of 4) | Did you grow up in a community of lots of people that come from the same background? How has that affected your life views?

Answer: I grew up in Chicago, a very diverse city. It's helped me to get along with everyone of different backgrounds. Sometimes it could be kind of cruel but when you finally break through the stereotypes, you find that people are people. If you never say hi and introduce yourself, you would be stuck in a jail, because of that one person who said that crazy, cruel thing.
Question: What's more important - drive or talent?

When I visited my parents in Chicago recently, they planned a Lake Michigan lunch cruise. Across the dining room from us, I noticed these these ladies who decided to spiff up their cruise experience by bringing their own decorations - bright red roses and placemats - and dessert, a chocolate bundt cake made festive with a long white candle stuck through the center. I introduced myself and learned that it was Rosemary's birthday and her mother and two sisters were celebrating with her.

#72 | 9.22.12 | Chicago, IL (2 of 4)| Did you grow up in a community of lots of people that come from the same background? How has that affected your life views?

Answer: I grew up in Chicago, a very diverse city. It's helped me to get along with everyone of different backgrounds. Sometimes it could be kind of cruel but when you finally break through the stereotypes, you find that people are people. If you never say hi and introduce yourself, you would be stuck in a jail, because of that one person who said that crazy, cruel thing.
Question: What's more important - drive or talent?

When I visited my parents in Chicago recently, they planned a Lake Michigan lunch cruise. Across the dining room from us, I noticed these these ladies who decided to spiff up their cruise experience by bringing their own decorations - bright red roses and placemats - and dessert, a chocolate bundt cake made festive with a long white candle stuck through the center. I introduced myself and learned they were all family, a mom and two sisters celebrating their sister Rosemary's birthday.

#72 | 9.22.12 | Chicago, IL (3 of 4)| Did you grow up in a community of lots of people that come from the same background? How has that affected your life views?

Answer: I grew up in Chicago, a very diverse city. It's helped me to get along with everyone of different backgrounds. Sometimes it could be kind of cruel but when you finally break through the stereotypes, you find that people are people. If you never say hi and introduce yourself, you would be stuck in a jail, because of that one person who said that crazy, cruel thing.
Question: What's more important - drive or talent?

When I visited my parents in Chicago recently, they planned a Lake Michigan lunch cruise. Across the dining room from us, I noticed these these ladies who decided to spiff up their cruise experience by bringing their own decorations - bright red roses and placemats - and dessert, a chocolate bundt cake made festive with a long white candle stuck through the center. I introduced myself and learned they were all family, a mom and two sisters celebrating their sister Rosemary's birthday.

#72 | 9.22.12 | Chicago, IL (4 of 4)| Did you grow up in a community of lots of people that come from the same background? How has that affected your life views?

Answer: I grew up in Chicago, a very diverse city. It's helped me to get along with everyone of different backgrounds. Sometimes it could be kind of cruel but when you finally break through the stereotypes, you find that people are people. If you never say hi and introduce yourself, you would be stuck in a jail, because of that one person who said that crazy, cruel thing.
Question: What's more important - drive or talent?

When I visited my parents in Chicago recently, they planned a Lake Michigan lunch cruise. Across the dining room from us, I noticed these these ladies who decided to spiff up their cruise experience by bringing their own decorations - bright red roses and placemats - and dessert, a chocolate bundt cake made festive with a long white candle stuck through the center. I introduced myself and learned they were all family, a mom and two sisters celebrating their sister Rosemary's birthday.

#71 | 1.11.12 | TaoYuan, Taiwan | What will you be doing for the new year?

Answer: New Years for me is a time to reminisce and meet old friends. When I fly back from America to Taiwan, I'm chasing old memories, remembering. There are many old Taiwanese customs for Lunar New Year. When I fly back to Taiwan for Lunar New Year, all my brothers and sisters get together and eat lots of food. We talk about when we were young. That's the most interesting. We talk about the good, the bad, the fun. We talk about stories from when we were young, who did what...

In America, we spend a much simpler Lunar New Year. My children and grandchildren come over and I cook for them. My grandchildren are in Chinese school and just learned about red envelopes. So, this year, they asked me for one. It's simpler in America, not as bustling and busy as when we are in Taiwan.
Answer: Do you have lots of people around you that come from the same background? How has that affected your life views?

This year, for the first time since I was two, I flew back to Taiwan for Lunar New Year. It was an amazing two weeks of insane amounts of Taiwanese street food and my grandma's home cooking (probably two years worth), night market shopping, and family time. I met this great couple on my plane ride back to Taiwan.

#70 | 11.15.11 | UWS, Manhattan | If you could go to anywhere in the world and spend a month, where would it be?

Answer: Up next for me is Costa Rica, for the nature parks and for the natural beauty.
Question: What will you be doing for the new year?

I was sitting on a bench, waiting for a friend to take a walk through Central Park, when my next interviewee came up to ask if I could take a photo of her with her camera.

#68 | 10.27.11 | Chelsea, Manhattan | Which mangoes are the best?

Answer: Julie mangoes. Regular mangoes are very stringy and I don't really like that texture. Julie mangoes are my favorite. There are lots of different types of mangoes, especially in Jamaica, but my favorite is definitely a Julie mango.
Question: What event has most influenced you in choosing the career you have now?

#67 | 10.9.11 | Park Slope, Brooklyn | Where in the world would you like to go visit? Where are you curious about?

Answer: What an easy question! I would want to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. I would want to go to Sydney, Australia. I would want to go to Egypt to see the pyramids. Those things are on my bucket list. I've already been to the Northern Lights, Glacier National Park and seen pyramids in Mexico (which I really liked, but I want to see the ones in Egypt). I've been to Río Camuy Cave Park in Puerto Rico. They are the darkest, deepest underground caves. There are 20 mile deep caves, 40 mile deep caves and even 100 mile deep caves with stalactites and stalagmites. I've gotten to travel to all these places just by saving from one year to the next and when I have enough, I take a trip.
Question: Which mangoes are the best?

*The story about why these photos look like this...in April of last year, my friend and forever creative collaborator, Kaitlyn, visited me in LA and she had two rolls of Kodachrome left. She gave me one roll, she took one roll and we went on a photo adventure. But, I didn't finish the roll till this fall, far after Dwayne's in Kansas (the world's last Kodachrome processing facility) stopped processing the film. Still eager to see what was on the roll, I took it to Print Space, who said they could experimentally process it as black & white film....and voila!

#66 | 8.5.11 | Ravinia, IL | What are the most important things in life?

Answer: Freedom is the most important. Freedom to see your friends. Freedom to think what you like. You don't have to live a cookie cutter life. You have freedom to live where you want, read what you want, love what you want, to think what you want, to have your own opinion. Basically, no limitations. You're going to have limitations with age, but I'd like to avoid it if I can afford it.
Question: Where in the world would you like to go to visit? Where are you curious about?

When I visited Chicago, I went to see Yo Yo Ma play at Ravinia. I met my walking talk interviewee on the Metra ride up to the festival.

#65 | 7.4.11 | Venice, CA | Do you like to sing?

Answer: Actually, I would say I don't like to sing, but I like to talk. I like to speak. I just like listening to music. You know, music soothes the heart and soul. My favorite song right now is something by Yanni. "Love is All." Yanni. Y-A-N-N-I. He's a good American singer and the song is "Love is All."
Question: What are the most important things in life?

#64 | 5.23.11 | Oceano, CA | What is your favorite aroma or smell?

Answer: Lavender. The smell of lavender. It's relaxing and soothing. I plan on planting lavender when I rearrange my yard, so I can dry it and put it in little baggies. When you walk into Bed Bath and Beyond, it's the first thing you smell. At the farmer's market here, it's the first thing you smell. It draws you in because it's just so calming and soothing. My favorite smell used to be vanilla, but lavender has overruled it now.
Question: Do you like to sing?

I met her during a road trip down the California coast. On day three of the trip, we hiked around Big Sur and picnicked overlooking the ocean. Then, we took a giant detour to our next stop, Pismo Beach. There was a mudslide on PCH but despite there being signs for the past 100 miles telling us we would have to take a detour, there was never a sign saying...detour here! The road literally just ended with one roadblock sign in the middle of nowhere. So, we had to take a 3 hour loop all the way back up north through Monterey and then all the way back down, finally making it to our hotel in Pismo Beach at 2 am.

#63 | 5.21.11 | Napa, CA | What's the first thing you do in the morning when you open your eyes?

Answer: The first thing I think of is, "I want to close my eyes and I don't want to wake up. I want to go back to sleep." Laughs. Every day I think that.
Question: What is your favorite aroma or smell? I ask that because I was in Taipei just about two weeks ago. I grew up in Sydney, Australia and just for a minute, at sunset in Taipei, it smelled like a humid day in Sydney.

#62 | 5.11.11 | Venice, CA | Are you happy? If yes, why? If no, why?

Answer: Of course, I am happy! I am happy to breath fresh air. I'm happy just to be alive. There was a singer who sings this song... Celia Cruz. She sings, "Life is a carnival. It doesn't matter if you don't have any food, doesn't matter if you don't have any belongings, just be happy. Try to be happy. To be happy, you don't need many things. To be happy, you just need yourself. If you are not rich, if you are poor, enjoy the life cause it's a carnival." It's the only time we have to celebrate, when we are alive.
Question: What's the first thing you do in the morning when you open your eyes?

I go to the Bank of America in Venice nearly every day for work and every time I go, I always look forward to seeing Magdiel, the attendant in their parking lot, who greets me with a big smile and an enthusiastic, "Hello Jasmin!" I've been hoping to interview him for The Walking Talk for some time now, and this just seemed like the perfect question for him.

#61 | 5.1.11 | Koreatown, Los Angeles | Would you marry someone of another race?

Answer: I have...yes. So the answer is yes and I hope everybody does, actually, so eventually there won't be any separation, but yes, absolutely, it's not an issue at all. I met my wife in Mesa, at a community college, in a photography class. She's American. She's from the Hudson Bay so she's very white, very American. She's from New Jersey and her family's been there for a long time. I think she's Polish originally, but like I said, they've been here for a long time. Her father actually followed up on a family tree a little bit, so they found out they were related to Henry Hudson, or one of those guys, one of those explorers, but very, very far back and before that her mom's family was from the Netherlands, but like I said, they've been American for generations so they're more American than anything.
Question: Are you happy? If yes, why? If no, why?

A studio visit with photographer Noe Montes where I met his adorable kids and talked some ideas.

#60 | 6.20.10 | San Francisco | Who in your life do you think you take most for granted?

Answer: Most for granted? The person who I know that I do that to and I really shouldn't is my partner. We've been together 36 years and sometimes I do things that I wouldn't do if it was a casual acquaintance, I say things that I wouldn't say to a stranger. I would say something that was nicer. We have a great place and we have a wonderful life together. Sometimes we get into a little argument but very, very seldom, but still, sometimes I do things that I shouldn't even though we have a great relationship. I always regret any kind of a mood swap. I just wish for peace in the family. Most of my immediate family is back in Louisiana so I really have very little contact with them.
Question: Would you marry somebody of a different race?

#59 | 6.4.10 | Inglewood, CA | How do you feel about life in general? Do you feel like you're content or do you feel like you're missing something?

Answer: No, I do not. I feel very content. I feel I'm exactly where God wants me to be. I just turned 31 and I just feel so blessed. I feel like most people my age don't love their job. I feel blessed to really love what I do. I have a great family. I have my health. Yes, I'm very content. It's such a great place to be. I just think so many people at this age, well so many people in general. are always waiting to see what the next thing is thinking, well, this will make me happy. Well, that will make me happy, but I am content with where I am.
Question: Who in your life do you think you take most for granted?

#58 | 6.3.10 | Rockford, Illinois | How come some people can take care of dogs and cats for a long time, but others for only a very short time? With babies too. Some people can care for them for a long time, some people play for a few minutes and then get bored. Why is that difference?

Answer: Well, you can say the same for people and children. For people who are entertaining a child for the short term, they want to play with the child, interact with the child so the child will not fear them, so that it will be comfortable with them but then they want to move on and interact with the adults in the room if there are adults in the room.

As far as taking care of a child on the long haul, usually that's either your own child or you've taken an interest in a friend's child or an aunt's child or you're doing it for money so it can either be a financial need or an emotional need, end of story.

Patience comes because people have a deep love for children, or they have a deep love for a pet and a pet fills empty holes in their life. It fills loneliness and some people, they bond with animals better than they bond with people so they have a wonderful lifetime relationship with an animal.

I understand people who love children and I understand pet lovers and the desire for pets. It's kind of, you know, when you've lived this many years, you kind of know a little bit about human nature and human needs. You can read body language and the way people laugh, the way they react to you...you can tell if they're genuine or not, the same thing with pets they either love you or they don't.

So now, shall we move on?
Question: How do you feel about life in general? Do you feel like you're content or do you feel like you're missing something?

#57 | 6.2.10 | Skokie, IL | Why don't people pay more attention to spaying and neutering their cats and dogs? Why don't people take more responsibility for their pets?

Answer: I don't know because I don't raise cats or dogs. The people don't have responsibility. They think it's easy but it's not. It's a soul. It's like a human being. It needs food. It needs care. You have to take care of it like a baby. I've been here just for a short time and in my country, Iraq, they don't care to take care of pets like here.
Question: How come some people can take care of dogs and cats for a long time, but others for only a very short time? With babies too. Some people can care for them for a long time, some people play for a few minutes and then get bored. Why is that difference?

The restaurant I always eat at when I'm in Chicago - Pita Inn. Three dollars for a dozen fresh baked pita bread, the best falafel sandwiches, hummus, tabouleh...

#56 | 5.26.10 | Venice, CA | Do you think that the country is headed toward a more socialistic system than we had before? Why do you think so?

Answer: Right now, there's a democratic president and the healthcare issue. That passed so that is more socialistic. But I think the real sign is that everyone is intermixing. Before it was like our culture versus your culture. It seems like people are interrelating more. It's more of a celebration of culture rather than paranoia, which I guess is more social.
Question: Why don't people pay more attention to spaying and neutering their cats and dogs? Why don't people take more responsibility for their pets?

#51 | 5.17.10 | Manhattan, New York (Central Park) | Do you think that American society is becoming more nihilistic?

Answer: No, I don’t think so, but I think people are more afraid of getting involved. If someone doesn’t help someone that’s sick, it’s because they don’t want to get sued, but I don’t think it’s an individual fault. Everyone is kind of wrapped up in their own little thing they’re doing. They are scared to come out of their bubble.
Question: Do you think that the country is headed toward a more socialistic system than we had before? Why do you think so?

#54 | 5.15.10 | DUMBO, Brooklyn | Do you believe in God? And if not, why?

Answer: Yes, I totally believe in God because I feel like our human brain cannot comprehend the infinite. I don’t think it’s arrogant if you’re agnostic, I just don’t think the world would be the way it is now without God. The serendipity, the random violence. We try to anthropomorphize God but it’s beyond our thinking. I think it’s something that gives us hope because I don’t think being human is the most fun thing in the world.
Question: Do you think that American society is becoming more nihilistic--that we are not caring about things that we used to see as sacrosanct? What values do we still care about or is it all out the door? Is everything up to question? Do we care anymore?

#53 | 5.1.10 | Beverly Hills, CA | Will the universe continue to expand?

Answer: (left) Yes, absolutely. It always has and it always will. There’s no end to the possibilities of the universe. The universe is endless in my mind. I have a conviction.
(right) Of course. Nobody knows how far it goes. You don’t know. You can’t know.
Question: (left) Do you believe in God? And if not, why?
(right) Do you think that everytime NASA sends a satellite into space, they create pollution? Why are we making consumers so guilty when they drive a car when we have the government sending spaceships into space and probably creating much more pollution? How come nobody talks about that?

#52 | 4.24.10 | Santa Monica | Do you believe in God and if so, how do you know?

Answer: (right) I’m probably the least religious guy you’ve ever met.
(left) No you’re not.
(right) Why do you say that?
(left) Because I’m even less religious. I don’t know if God exists or not. I don’t really think about it.
(right) Do you eat matza balls?
(left) Well it’s hard to kill off those matzo balls. laughs Every society since the dawn of man has had gods. Some of them plural. Lesser animals we don’t think have gods because they don’t have the imagination we have. So we can create anything we want in our imaginations but as far as a physical God that watches over us? No, he doesn’t exist.
Question: Will the universe continue to expand?

#51 | 4.17.10 | Silverlake, Los Angeles | Are you interested in tracing your roots via the internet?

Answer: I'm not interested in that simply because I already know my roots. My uncle gave my parents a gift that traced our family roots, so I know that history. It would have interested me though. My family is Italian, first generation Italian. They moved from Italy to Montreal, my dad in '54 and my mom in '59.
Question: Do you believe in God and if so, how do you know?

At the Spice Station where my mom and I met the owners and bought German Chocolate Cake Tea and volcano ash salt!

#50 | 4.4.10 | Playa del Rey, Los Angeles | Where do you come from?

Answer: Would you believe that we are both native Californians? We were both born less than ten miles from here. I was born in San Pedro and he was born in west LA. The largest change in LA that I can think of is, for instance, I had a friend who lived on a street with three single family dwellings on one street. When they decided to sell, they all decided to sell to a contractor and it went from three families to 36 condominiums. You multiply that by many many many times and that's what happened to west LA. That's the reason for all the traffic!
Question: Are you interested in tracing your roots via the internet?

Back at my favorite neighborhood grocery store, I met this couple when they recommended a new type of orange with wrinkly, bumpy, bulging skin. I can't remember what it was called but she said it was the sweetest, most delicious orange she ever ate. I bought one and indeed...yum!

#49 | 4.2.10 | Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park) | What makes you interesting?

Answer: Shrugs and shakes his head. Nothing. No, I have no idea. For me, what's interesting is the weather. I like the weather when it is raining. I wish it would rain more. We need the water, no?
Question: Where do you come from?

Walking back to my car, I stopped to take a picture a palm tree with all its fronds on the ground. He walked into my frame and asked me to take a picture of him with a palm frond.

#48 | 4.1.10 | Venice, CA | What kind of food do you love the most?

Answer: (left) Baked ziti. It's the worst. It's criminal. You put some sausage in... then you put it back in the oven...then there's all this cheese everywhere. It's sooo good.
(right) Eggplant parm. That's what I grew up eating. My grandma's eggplant parm.
Question: What makes you interesting?

#47 | 3.21.10 | Los Angeles, CA (Los Feliz) | When's the last time you went to see a movie?

Answer: Three weeks ago. Shutter Island. It's fun. It was interesting. You saw the preview right? Not scary at all. It interests me. Yea, yeah I liked it!

Question: What kind of food do you love the most?

With my friend Natalie who swears by Sapp Coffee House. She discovered her favorite Thai restaurant when she saw this clip of Anthony Bourdain eating their boat noodles.

#46 | 3.19.10 | Rowland Heights, CA | What does community mean to you?

#45 | 3.12.10 | Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park) | Where were you born?

Answer: -El Salvador. I came here to LA when I was 6, but then we moved to the valley because of the gang violence in the city then, but I came back later because LA's fun. It's a magnet.
-Findlay, Ohio. It's a small town. -We moved from Ohio to Denver to LA because my mom remarried and my stepfather got a job with the LA Philharmonic as a violinist. This was back in '81.
-New York City. I always wanted to come to LA. It was always something my mom would talk about, but we never came, so I always saw it as this place where I would eventually go.
Question: What does community mean to you?

Walking through the Echo Park Farmer's Market, I met these women at a booth representing the Echo Park Time Bank.

#44 | 3.6.10 | Los Angeles, CA (Mar Vista) | How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Answer: I was 14.
Question: Where were you born?

#43 | 2.27.10 | Los Angeles, CA (Del Rey) | What is going to make you happy?

Answer: Ooh...I would actually say clearing the economy. That would definitely make me happy. I need to get a job. Can't be happy broke. I'm looking for a receptionist job, anything right now.
Question: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

#42 | 2.13.10 | Beverly Hills, CA | If you could die and come back tomorrow, what race, sex and job title would you like to come back as? Where would you like to live?

Answer: That's a bad question! I don't like it and I don't want to answer it. I don't want to think of dying and coming back. I never do think what's going to happen tomorrow. Why you have to think you have to die and come back? I like the way I am and I want to be the same way. I live and I am happy where I am now.
Question: Are you happy? What is going to make you happy?

#40 | 2.2.10 | Marina del Rey, CA | Do you enjoy life today?

Answer: Mostly. It's part of the sign, I guess. I guess I got tired of seeing so many miserable people in $500,000 cars. I just don't understand why they're so miserable. I think it's weird. This sign seems to offend more people than if I had a sign that said "Fuck you." They don't get it, I guess. I've gotten some thumbs up, but I've also gotten a lot of scowls. I was panhandling and holding signs that said the same thing as everyone else--"homeless," "hungry"... and no one was giving me any money so I figured I'd try something else and put a message up.
Question: Why is it that when you ask a sensible question that people generally feel strongly about, most people will answer in an opposite, hardened way and not want to admit their vulnerabilities? For example, the question, how would you feel if a sibling stole from you?

#39 | 1.23.10 | Wrightwood, CA | Do you think angels are around us everyday?

Answer: Yeah I do. I married one. You know what? I did. It took me 43 years to find her or it took 43 years for God to send her to me. One or the other. I'm not sure which but yeah, I believe in angels. We've been married for 9 years.
Question: Do you enjoy life today?

After getting stuck in three hours of traffic to find we couldn't go snowboarding because the Mountain High parking lot was completely full and the resort completely out of snowboarding rentals, we found a snowy hill and this awesome couple shared their sled with us.

#38 | 1.21.10 | Los Angeles, CA (Echo Park) | Have you thanked your guardian angel today?

Answer: Shrugs. I'm not sure. It depends what religion you are. Yes, I do believe in angels. I thank them today and everyday, but most of the time I think about God to help me.
Question: Do you think angels are around us everyday?

At Nuvia's for the most delicious pupusas!

#37 | 1.15.10 | Santa Monica, CA | Why can't man bring about true peace and security?

Answer: Man is. It's happening now--peace and security. It's all in your perception. What we're doing, we're not just advertising for Liberty Tax. We're spreading the love. We're raising the vibration of the planet one person at a time.
Question: Have you thanked your guardian angel today?

#35 | 1.9.10 | Davis, CA | Where do you plan to be or be doing in 5 and then 10 years from now?

Answer: Five years, ten years...I want to be retired. I want my daughter to take over. My restaurant, Fuji, has been open for 16 years. We bought it two years ago.
I want to take photos. All over the world. Whenever I travel, I'll take photos. I have a pretty nice camera. I was trained in the arts too. In Taiwan, 40 years ago, I drew manga at a company in Taipei. When I'm retired, if I have no worries and no concerns, then of course I want to move back to Taiwan.
Question: How long do you think it will take for the American economy to come back?

Every time I visit my friend Yen at law school in Sacramento, we go to Fuji Sushi Boat and Buffet near UC Davis for all you can eat sushi.

#34 | 12.26.09 | Rowland Heights, CA | What do you like?

Answer: What do you mean? In what respect? I like to be healthy. I just had prostate cancer. I would like to be closer to my grandkids, my daughter and my son. They live in Portland. Well, I like to work on puzzles. I love Sudoku. You know Sudoku? I do one a day. Before, I used to do more a day. I used to do a lot of crossword puzzles but now I forget things. I'm 69, you know? But I should do crossword puzzles because there are two sides of the brain...the mathematical side and the language side.
Question: Where do you plan to be or be doing in 5 and then 10 years from now?

#33 | 12.24.09 | Los Angeles, CA (Del Rey) | Let's talk about 2010.

Answer: I don't know. Well, I leave next week to go to Salvador! My grandchildren are there. I go every year for Christmas. I like! Muy importante. I like to cook with my family. I like my dogs. I like it. Everything, I like it. I don't like the cold.
Question: What do you like?

#32 | 12.20.09 | Los Angeles, CA (Lincoln Heights) | What do you think is going to happen in 2012?

Answer: I hope it gets better for the year 2012. That's just my opinion. I hope things get better by 2012. People have struggled this year. Well, when my mom was a little girl, they said the world was going to end. There would be a big disaster or a big earthquake, but who knows?
Well, I've noticed that people are more friendly now that we have a black president. Well, the president...well, I like him. I don't care what other people say. I like him and Michelle and the kids. Color doesn't bother me. I don't care if you're black, purple, green...as long as you're nice.
Question: You're asking about 2012? Well, let's talk about 2010.

At a thrift store shopping for an ugly Christmas sweater for Karen, Michelle and my Christmas party.

#31 | 12.14.09 | Los Angeles, CA (Del Rey) | Do you live near where you grew up? If so, why did you stay and if not, why did you move away?

Answer: I grew up in San Diego til 14. Then I moved to LA. The reason why we moved here was for my dad's job. He repairs airplanes at Santa Monica Airport. The beginning--no I wasn't cool with it, but once I got here there was nothing I can do. Now, I'm OK right here. This is cool. I miss my family in San Diego. I got a lot of family out there.
I won't be going home for Christmas because I have to work, but my mom and my brother are here. My aunts, cousins and uncles are in San Diego. Christmas will be my mom, my brother and I. It's good. It's good to take care of mom.
Question: What do you think is going to happen in 2012?

#30 | 12.5.09 | Los Angeles, CA (Downtown) | Do you have any tattoos and if not, why?

Answer: I don't have any tattoos and the only reason is that I haven't thought of something that I want permanently on my body. Michelle, my wife, recently got a tattoo and seeing that one, I kind of want to just pick something and go with it, because it looks so good. The thing I used to want was a scarab beetle with wings, but I wanted to go to Egypt and find one carved in stone and I haven't been to Egypt, so that kind of died. The think I've currently been interested in is the spacecraft thing or something like that, maybe Pioneer.
Question: Do you live near where you grow up? If so, why did you stay and if not, why did you move away?

At the first of a series of planned quarterly open studio tours in the downtown arts district I met Jeremy Quinn, an artist I met in the Rise Industries studio.

#29 | 12.4.09 | Los Angeles, CA | How long will it be before we eliminate war and why do you think that?

Answer: I think it's never because war is inevitable. Someone is always going to be pissed off at someone else. There's always conflict in this country, never conflict resolution. Not in our lifetime.
Question: Do you have any tattoos and if not, why?

At one of my favorite places to spend an LA afternoon, The Getty Center.

#28 | 11.29.09 | Chicago, IL | Where do you think people come from?

Answer: Well, you've asked the right person. I will give you an unexpected but long answer.
The creationists say we're made by God in one day or whatever. The evolutionists say we evolved from lower animals, but there's actually evidence that says we were modified by intelligences, alien intervention.
There's a guy, Lloyd Pye, who has done research on this. I'm not a UFO guy but I will say this: the universe has been around for 12 and half billion years, the earth has been around for 4 billion years. We're only 300 years into our technological age and we've been able to do all types of things. There are certainly other intelligences out there. Our plans when we go out there into the galaxies are to change planets and to find life on other planets. Why would we think they would do anything less? I tend to agree with him.
I think the creationists are wrong and I think the evolutionists are wrong. I believe that anthropoids that were not intelligent were here on earth. Other intelligences came and tweaked things on earth and were able to create human beings. They changed chemicals and genetics. We can do that. Give our medical people 1000 years. Think of what we've done in 50 years. They're going to be doing things way beyond. They'll be able to lengthen our lives, regrow limbs... Did the intelligences know that this was what they were going to create? [shrugs] Anthropoids are apes that are not human...chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, yetis, abominable snowmen--Lloyd includes those. He's certain they existed. Science has a tendency of ignoring things that it can't explain and doesn't want to explain. We're both extremely critical of scientists.
I'm an independent researcher. My friends are independent researchers. Part of it is speculation, but it's also based on things that we think science is ignoring. I started out just interested in how we got here. I've been studying it since I was about 20. It has tentacles that go everywhere-- ancient history, metaphysics, astronomy, astrology, geology... I read probably about 100 books a year. Never stop.
Question: How long will it be before we eliminate war and why do you think that?

#27 | 11.28.09 | Chicago, IL | If you knew you would die in a month, what kinds of things would you do?

Answer: All the things that I haven't been doing. That's what I would do.
First, I'm overweight. Now, when I see something that is bad for me, I try to not to eat it, but if I knew I was going to die, whatever I want to eat, I would. I won't do things that are bad, but it's a dangerous question, eh? What if you ask someone bad that question? I'm not a bad person. I would...just the things that I haven't done, like the example of food. I'm not gonna kill nobody. Maybe I'll die with a piece of chicken right here [motions to left hand] and a piece of ham right here [motions to right hand.] I'm going to die happy.
Question: Where do you think people come from?

Walking from the Metra to Debi's apartment, I looked to my right and saw a giant pile of stacked cars, so I turned right to explore the junkyard and met him.

#26 | 11.27.09 | Rockford, IL | What is your opinion of adoption for gay couples?

Answer: It's a controversial topic. I think it's so weird because something--a topic like that-- will only come up in Western countries. In China, it would never happen...at least not right now. In China, if people are homosexual, they completely conceal themselves from the public. Even their close friends and families don't know. Personally, I do not like this idea because from a psychological aspect, kids will get confused. Based on medical knowledge, childhood is very important, especially in learning sexual preference. I can understand homosexual couples wanting to be married, wanting a family and kids but just like any controversial topic, they always claim that it is their right, but they are thinking mostly of their own happiness and joy, not of the child. I think it is selfish. I just don't want them to give their influence to kids. Adults...it's their decision, but when kids are raised in their family, then they will be taught to accept absolutely that it is natural.
Most Chinese people are not that open to see homosexuality as in the states. All the family members will think it's a shame to their families. That's why they try to conceal it from the public. As far as I know, some people even get married and have children, but they have a close boyfriend or girlfriend. In China, at home, in the workplace, in college, no one will mention it because it's not a hot topic in China. I think only young and educated people, only those who study English, will discuss it in classes as they learn about controversial issues in America. If people dare tell others that they are homosexual, and if they have family, their family will shun them. Chinese parents always have high expectations on their children and to declare that you are a homosexual, absolutely it is a shame, based on Chinese culture.
I think the difference between Chinese and American culture is that American culture honors change. They welcome change and they are not as afraid of making mistakes. When it comes to progress, making mistakes is not a big deal and you can improve or just start over. Chinese culture is 5000 years old and in China, mistakes are terrible. You are taught from when you are little that even the smallest mistake is unnacceptable. At school, you learn to keep quiet because the more you talk, the more chances there are for you to make a mistake. It's a kind of psychological harm. Most Chinese people do not have that confidence because your parents, peers, teachers tell you 'you can't do that,' 'that's stupid,' 'it's just a daydream.' It's a culture of conformism; the government teaches us since we're young to be the same, not different. If you do something different, people will think what you are doing is something dangerous, and it will make people feel unsafe around you and they will teach you a lesson for that. That's why most Chinese people try to stay away from politics. Nowadays even thought it seems improved, that nothing as horrible as the Cultural Revolution will happen again, it is still better to take the safe road that your forefathers took.
Question: If you knew you would die in a month, what kinds of things would you do?

Back at home in Rockford for Thanksgiving - Flora is an exchange student from Nanking, China that my mom and Steve are hosting.

#25 | 11.24.09 | Chicago, IL (Bus 66) | What do you think the food you eat says about you?

Answer: It says a lot about your character and community. I don't like sweet stuff. I don't consider myself a sweet person. I like strong flavors and I think my personality is very strong too. Yes.
Question: What is your opinion of adoption for gay couples?

#24 | 11.19.09 | Los Angeles (Miracle Mile) | Do you think that men and women have more equality in our generation than in the past and is it enough?

Answer: I can only speak for the American situation but for my generation versus my mother's generation, it seems to be more equal, but that's just my personal experience. But I think different levels of equality and inequality exist in the same time and region. (For there to be full equality,) it would take more self awareness for women. It's an agreement to have an equal status. I'm not that big of a fan of "feminism," in quotes, because I think a very specific social strata is attracted to it and it's offputting to other women.
Question: What do you think what you eat says about you?

#23 | 11.14.09 (1 of 2) | Culver City, CA (2 of 2) | What can we, as human beings living in the 21st century, do to make sure that future generations of chickens will not be so mistreated?

Answer: We actually just watched a video on chickens in our food science class! They seemed happy, but they should have activities to do instead of just having them as machines that produce eggs. They're animals. Instead of just having them for our benefit, we should treat them better. They should have a better life. People should go in and check often to see if they are being mistreated because there is still a lot of animal testing that happens.
Question: Do you think that men and women have more equality in our generation than in the past and is that enough? Will we ever be equal to men?

At the Three Apples exhibit at Royal/T.

#23 | 11.14.09 (2 of 2) | Culver City, CA (2 of 2) | What can we, as human beings living in the 21st century, do to make sure that future generations of chickens will not be so mistreated?

Answer: We actually just watched a video on chickens in our food science class! They seemed happy, but they should have activities to do instead of just having them as machines that produce eggs. They're animals. Instead of just having them for our benefit, we should treat them better. They should have a better life. People should go in and check often to see if they are being mistreated because there is still a lot of animal testing that happens.
Question: Do you think that men and women have more equality in our generation than in the past and is that enough? Will we ever be equal to men?

At the Three Apples exhibit at Royal/T.

#22 | 11.13.2009 | Los Angeles, CA (Del Rey) | How will you demonstrate love towards someone today?

Answer: When I go into the Jack in the Box right there to get a salad, I will lean over the counter, not for a kiss...that might be moving too fast...but to say thank you for the salad and I love you for the salad.
Question: What can we do, as human beings living in the 21st century, to make sure that future generations of chickens will not be so mistreated?
The two guys have been traveling by walking, hitchhiking and taking the bus up and down the west coast from Portland to San Francisco to Los Angeles since the beginning of the summer.

#21 | 11.09.2009 | Los Angeles, CA (Playa del Rey) | What part, in your life, does the ocean play?

Answer: I would say very occasional inspiration. When I occasionally go to the ocean, I feel inspired...relaxed...mellow. ..contemplative...renewed..(nods) I've driven by it in the past couple of weeks, but I haven't really visited in months.
Question: How will you demonstrate love towards someone today?

#20 | 11.4.09 | Los Angeles, CA (Mar Vista) | How has the economy affected your life?

Answer: My friends don't have jobs anymore, so I have to spot them whenever we go out.
Question: What part, in your life, does the ocean play...as a California resident or a coastal resident?

#19 | 10.29.09 | Inglewood, CA | What would make today a good day for you?

Answer: Business wise, of course if business is good today...the day before Halloween. Personally, that we all get along, everyone in the store. There are 14 people working here and most of them have been here for awhile.
This building has been Randy's Donuts since 1976. The building was built in 1952. There were 10 buildings like this and they were originally called the Big Donut Drive In. The original owner sold it to a man whose son was named Randy. There are four buildings like this left, but this one is the most famous cause we've been in movies. They're actually filming a movie here next week. It is about the end of the world, and they are going to have the donut roll off the top of the building.
My brother and I bought the store in 1978. I was living out in Ohio and I wanted to come back to California and my brother told me that this place was for sale. So, I came out here, worked here for a month, liked and and bought it with my brother. It's been 31 years.
Question: How has the economy affected your life? Have you continued on the same path or cut back?

For anyone that knows of my obsession with fake food, it's obvious why this entry exists. Seeing Randy's Donuts every morning on the way to work has been the highlight of many days. So finally, on the way to my last day of work, I decided to stop and buy a dozen donuts.

#18 | 10.28.09 | Inglewood, CA | What, more than anything, would you like to achieve in your life?

Answer: I guess I would just like to be happy for everyday, to be grateful for everyday and not let the small stuff get you down.
Question: What would make today a good day for you?

#17 | 10.24.09 | Echo Park, CA | How do you define love and where did it come from? What is the source of it?

Answer: Definitely God given. I think people that know God love deeper. You can feel it more if you are connected with God. To define it? It's God. It's what God is. I think that's why we're here is to love. The more you love, the more you will have it in your heart and soul and the other person can feel it in their heart and soul. It's not even about religion. It's about souls and connections and when you connect really deeply with someone, then that's love. I know that when children bond with their mother, that's their first love. It teaches them to love. It's scary because for people that never bond with anyone, it's harder for them to love. Brandon and I connected immediately. We're best friends and we love hugs. Countries that don't teach touching and holding...it's so much easier for the people to be detached. I think people that love deeper are happier. It's almost like a domino effect.
Question: What, more than anything, would you like to achieve in your life?

On the way to the car after going to the Saturday Fantasy film festival with Karen.

#16 | 10.23.09 | US - Canada - UK | How does art affect your daily life? Does it?

Answer: Art keeps me inspired When I see other people create, it fuels my creativity. As a creative, it keeps me creative. Art is an expression often of what is going on inside and sometimes words are not enough and then art allows us to communicate.
Question: How do you define love and where did it come from? What is the source of it?

I photographed Suzanna in my neighborhood in Los Angeles, but it seemed strange to classify her in that location. For the past few months, she has traveled from London to Toronto to New York to Philadelphia to Jacksonville and finally to Los Angeles in the pursuit of developing her screenplay into a feature film.

#15 | 10.20.09 | Los Angeles, CA (Del Rey) | Does making art make you happy?

Answer: Of course! Of course art brings you happiness! In our head, we always imagine perfection, beautiful things and art makes it so that you can see it. It's real! It's not just in your imagination anymore. We as humans go so far away with our imagination. Art puts that in reality where you can enjoy it, especially in moments where you sit and have a fixation on something. It's always beautiful things. You never want to go to bad places with your imagination. Artists give you something beautiful, something green, with birds around, beautiful where your dreams come true.
Well, in art, I don't like art that has an insult to humanity, but anything that brings peace, love, harmony and life, I think everyone enjoys. Art affects your daily life when you don't throw anything beautiful away. You don't see a flower and kick and break it. You don't throw a big plastic bag over something that is beautiful if you are one that likes sensitive things, beautiful things. Yeah, I admire beautiful people, beautiful things. You cannot deny beauty. It's there. It's only for us to see. You can see beauty in a monkey, but other people just see a monkey. Beauty is all over but some people can see it. You just have to see it. Or what you have to do is knock on that door, let it out. Be open to beautiful things in life, or what you can say is oh, damn it, let me just finish my day. It's not a contract. You're day is not a contract. Enjoy your day. Live your day. Then you will see beauty.
I tell you one thing, with photographers--what I see can be a normal person, but what you see is an angel. I see the picture and think geez what a beautiful person. I mean, it's there, but until you see it in a picture and you say oh my God, it's beautiful. You could have just passed it by on the street, but when you see it in a photo, you see it's beauty.
Question: How does art affect your daily life? Does it?

#14 | 10.10.09 | Hollywood, CA | How do you define true happiness?

Answer: You've asked the wrong person. Laughs.] I've been going through a rough time for awhile so...but I think it's something that comes from within, something that you create, like anything else.
Question: Does making art, make you happy?

On the lawn of Barnsdall Art Park, my favorite park in all of Los Angeles.

#13 | 10.3.09 | Torrance, CA | How long do you think it takes to drive around the island of Hawaii?

Answer: (left)I would guess seven hours. I've been up to Oahu three times. Last time I went was three years ago. It was for my sister and my graduation. We graduated at the same time. It took me five years and my sister four years. It was great--all my family was there.
I asked her about her Oktoberfest outfit.
Oh, thanks! It's authentic. Well I actually got it at Alpine Village, but they originally purchased it in Germany. My fiancee is a flight attendant and can get cheaper flights so we want to save up to go to Munich.
I congratulate them and ask them how the proposal happened.
Fiance : I got down on one knee and asked! We were in a cave in Sequoia National Park and we were on a cave tour. We got to the last cave and I had already called ahead so they knew what was happening. It was funny because the tour was actually full of German tourists who had no idea what was going on.
Question: How do you define true happiness?

At Alpine Village, the largest Oktoberfest celebration in LA.

9.27.2009 | Malibu, CA (El Matador Beach) | Do you say prude or cheese when you take a picture?

Answer: Cheese? I don't usually say anything, but if I had to choose between the two words, then cheese. You say cheese because saying it makes the ends of your mouth go up in a smile. Prude? Prude. Prude...that's weird. I've never heard that before. I guess it's something someone said once and then decided it was funny.
Question: I've always wanted to know how far it is around the islands of Hawaii. How long do you think it takes to drive around the island of Hawaii?

#11 | 9.24.09 | Hollywood, CA | What smell do you find nasty, but interesting?

Answer: Pussy.
Question: Do you say prude or cheese when you take a picture?

After a Projekt LA photography projection night at Space 15 Twenty.

#10 | 9.7.09 | San Francisco, CA | What will you do today if tomorrow is the end of the word? Who will you like to spend the last day with?

Answer: I would spend the day with my girlfriend...typical right? I've been with her for four years. I would want to see my family too.
Question: What smell do you find nasty but interesting?

#9 | 8.26.09 | Taoyuan, Taiwan | Being Taiwanese and living in America, what are the main differences between America and Taiwan?

Answer: Taiwanese people and American people have pretty different attitudes towards life. Taiwanese people are more focused. For example, they simply study and read until the test is over. They work hard until they are retired. They focus on finishing everything and then relaxing. Americans do both at the same time. They work and study, but they can relax and do things they like at the same time. Americans are more hospitable and passionate. Taiwanese people are better at saving money, but hmm..younger people aren't so good. Sometimes I feel like an old Taiwanese person!
Question: What will you do today if tomorrow is the end of the world? Who would you like to spend the last day with?

My cousin, Isabel, and her dog in the courtyard of their apartment complex.

#8 | 8.16.09 | Hengchun, Taiwan | What changes would you want to make in your temperament/attitude?

Answer: As you grow older, of course you hope that your temperament improves. When you're young, you're much more rash, but as you get older, you are slower to act because you consider different perspectives--you consider other people's opinions before you act. Of course, it's different for everyone's personality. When you're my age, you learn not to overreact and count points, with kids or elderly people. Kids are young and don't understand yet. The elderly need their peace and quiet and they don't have too many years left.
Question: Being Taiwanese and living in America, what are the main differences between America and Taiwan?

Walking down a small street in a small town in Taiwan, I met her when I stopped at her food stall to buy the most enormous, flaky and delicious onion pancake that she was frying.

#7 | 8.6.09 | Taipei, TW | If you could change one aspect about yourself (physically, emotionally etc.) what would it be and why?

Answer: I guess it would be that I am too much of a perfectionist. I finish something and even if I do it well, there are still picky things that bother me when I look back that I really want to fix.
Question: What changes would you want to make in your temperament/attitude?

#6 | 7.25.09 | Chicago, IL | Do you think that the people in this world can live in peace?

Answer: Yes. Do you need more than that? Well, for peace to happen, people need to be conscious and aware. It's easy for emotions to get in the way which can lead to foolish actions but if people are more conscious and analyze actions and decisions then there will be less conflicts and arguments. It comes down to what's relevant and irrelevant and if you can keep that in mine then you can avoid a lot of conflict.
Question: If you could change one aspect about yourself (physically, emotionally etc.) what would it be and why?

#5 | 7.17.09 | Rockford,IL | If you could kill anyone that you wanted to and knew you could get away with it...would you and who would it be?

Answer: No. I would not kill anyone. No. It's not only me and the person who dies that suffers. Their family and my family would suffer, even though it's a different kind of sorrow. I used to go deer hunting but as my daughters grew up, they didn't want me even killing deer so I stopped.
Question: Do you think that the people in this world can live in peace?

#3 | 7.11.09 | Sawyer, MI (Warren Dunes) | If you could live your life over knowing what you know now, would you change anything?

Answer: I would have bought some Apple stock about twenty years ago. Laughs. Actually I wouldn't really change anything major in my life. My husband is an archeologist so we've been to lots of places and had a really exciting life. We've gone to Istanbul a number of times and spent a year in France when my husband was in grad school. Recently though, I've gotten into family genealogy and I found out that my family came over in 1692 with the Virginia Company. Most people started coming in the 1800s, but my family was here really early. I think if I'd known that when I was younger, I would've puursued studying history more. I'm a historian--my passion is learning about the situation people are in and how they got there-- but when I was a student, the grad students were always kind of cocky and very sure of themselves and I was a bit more timid. If I had known that fact about my family, it would have made me more confident-- knowing that I, personally, had roots in this history. I got into genealogy through my sister-in-law. She was telling me about it and I found a book in a used bookstore that recorded everyone in the Virginia Settlement and my ancestor was in it. He was listed as Captain and Adventurer Nathaniel. Apparently he also married a native American woman.The company eventually flopped and then changed some more when it was owned by the King and then you know it all fits into history in that sense.
Question: What is your passion?

On a trip to the Michigan side of Lake Michigan and the tallest hill of sand I've ever seen with Debi Nafis and Lauren Pond.

#2 | 7.4.09 | Jacksonville, FL | Where are you going to travel to when the first hurricane forms?

Answer: UP! Not up to North Carolina, up to my mom's attic. She has a big fortress of a house that we call the castle. I would go up! My mom wouldn't go anywhere and I'd stay up there with her. The traffic is so bad going up north because there's one highway up from Florida and they evacuate the people in South Florida first so by the time it gets to us, the freeways are already crowded going up. It may be stubborn but that's what I would do. We'd go out the first day and get food and then just go up into the attic and watch the storm coverage. What people don't realize with hurricanes is that the water doesn't just come over the river or the ocean and flood your house. The wind causes the water to whip around to the back of your house. One year, we were at the house at 8:30 and it was fine, but by 8:35, the water was up to our calves!
I'm sure that was more than you asked for, but the short answer is, I'd go up!
Question: If you could live your life over knowing what you know now, would you change anything?

The most memorable and festive fourth of July I've spent with my friend Taylor's (right) family at their Jacksonville beach house.

#1 | 6.30.2009 | Nashville, TN | What was the happiest thing you've done this week?

Answer: I bought a new washer and dryer set for my wife. The ones we had were from the little league years, so we're trading those out and remodeling.
Question: Where are you going to travel to when the first hurricane forms?

The Walking Talk