answers – the 2009 edition

Will you and the Dork Lord/Christopher be settling down in Texas? -Do you guys have any plans for your 1yr anniversary coming up? Thank you! – Kehinde

I do believe we will. Although, he’s in school for the next few years here in Dallas, we’ve got pipe dreams of ending up in Austin when he’s done. Oh, 2013. How I long for ya. As far as the anniversary, we opt for the day in early November on which we became super glued to each other, as opposed to the day we met. And on that day this year, we will be in Austin (funny enough) celebrating the wedding of some friends. Nice, right?

 
Are you obsessed with Mad Men? If yes, which character? – BookMoth

Please don’t let this change your opinion of me (assuming that right now it is a positive opinion. If it’s not, well then, proceed with the changing), but I have never seen a single episode. However, that dude in the suit? Don Draper, I think? Holy drool all over my pillow at night. The only thing hotter than him is the redhead I always see on the red carpet. She’s a total knockout. I’d consider quitting boys.


I know this one could be a touchy one so I totally understand if you don’t post it. How is your dad doing? And how is your relationship? – Carrie

Hrm. Well. He called me on my birthday, which was a first in like, oh, four or five years. We’ve maybe talked twice since. I feel very conflicted about him. When I was a kid, you could not ask for someone more perfect at fathering. Which is why now, after one disappointment after the other, I have a hard time reconciling which one of the two is my dad – the memory or the current specter.


Have you ever been to Italy? – Sarah

Yes! Two years ago, I put on a backpack and headed across the ocean. London, Scotland, Barcelona and… several stops in Italy. You can read about it here and here, or in the travel blog I kept for ISE Cards.

Mike or Dexter? – Sarah Brown

Zing! That’s the toughest one yet. However, upon deep consideration, I have decided that Mike was too melancholy. Hello, Dexter.

Hi Fish, Do you have any cute, single, man friends left in the Boston area? And for my non-self centered question…What was your nephew’s first word? – Different Melissa

Hmm, actually, I think all the fellas (cute or otherwise) I hung out with in Boston are married. Let’s appeal to the audience, shall we? And though I’m not sure if he’s repeated it since, I’ve been told Owen’s first word was, “cookie.” That’s how we know he’s one of us.

What’s your favorite part of the day? What’s your favorite girly girlmemory? How many cookies do you think you could polish off if you had agood friend and a really big glass of milk? What traveling is there onthe immediate to-do list? – Melissa

Whoa! Way. Too. Many. Questions. I feel like I need multiple choice to tackle this! Let’s take the travel one. Aside from our Disney World family adventure in TWO MONTHS FROM RIGHT NOW (eeee!), we will be traveling to Austin in November and Utah in March. Both for weddings. Another little sister is gettin’ hitched.

These are not nearly as profound, but here goes:1. How long did it take you before you could complete the 30-day shredworkout without wanting to throw up? and,2. Are you still running? These are just questions because I need -NEED!! – to get motivated, and if I know that there is a light at theend of the workout tunnel, I might be less inclined to sit by the trackwith my eyes closed….. :) – Lawyerchik

1. A week and then I went to Level Two. GOD. 2. No, but I intend to work back up to it. When I moved in with the Dork Lord, I lost my early morning running buddy. Haven’t found my groove since!

What is your favorite concert? – MissusB

Turns out, I’m not much of a live music person (I can take it or leave it). But the Indigo Girls concert experience is one I’d repeat.

What kind of work are you doing now? – Molly

Marketing & Business Development for the A/E/C industry. Try not to be blinded by the glamor.

Just in case you don’t want to answer my other question, how long exactly have you and Dork Lord been dating?  – Danielle

One year this month.

I’m a very long time reader and am really curious if you ever talk to Jor have you in the last few years? If not, do you think he reads yourblog? – Danielle

Yes, we keep up over Facebook. I think occasionally he reads the blog but I doubt it’s with any regularity. My own boyfriend doesn’t read it!

So you live in Texas, you lived in New York and (I think) you lived inBoston for awhile. People from any of those three places usually have arecognizable accent. My mother-in-law has a serious Boston accent goingon even though she left Boston 40 years ago. So what (if any) accent doyou have? – Misses M

None, so far as I know. I haven’t been anywhere long enough for any one accent to take!

How are you adjusting to the pooch these days? Do he and kitty get along? Can we ever see a picture of Dork Lord?? – Deeana

We’re thick as thieves. Mostly because I’m the resident sucker and he knows he can flash his muppet face and get anything he wants. I do love him. He and the cat get along just fine. And, no, probably not (unless you’ve been very clever and found it elsewhere). I don’t think he’d dig that at all.

Whenever you do a Q&A I always want to ask about Ben & The Intern.I know you won’t answer, so:What do you miss about NY, if anything? – Heidi

Le sigh. What more is there to know about that? Every time it comes up, I post the same link to the same story and let folks glean what they will. So, we’ll just move on… I miss my friends, sometimes to the point it gives me a stomach ache. And I miss the food, and having things to do ALL the time. Other than that, New York can suck it.

I’m sure you get asked this a lot, but how did you get into blogging? Iam a recent college grad., and I’d love to eventually do something likeyou’re doing, but I have no idea where to start. and a fun one: If youcould have a lifetime supply of any food (regardless of cost orcalories) what would it be? – Katy

I went to blogger.com and started a blog. It was that simple. Just put it out there. If you write it, they will come.  Oh, and Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby.

A long time ago you blogged about your gyno lecturing you on waxing. Ihave always wondered why? I can’t figure out what’s wrong with it!-  Alexa

Apparently it has something to do with prevention of disease and infection. But the, she was sort of an angry lady, too, so take that into consideration.

How long do you see yourself continuing to blog for? do you ever seeyourself NOT blogging, in some capacity at least?-someone once asked me this: “assuming that you write an anonymous orpartially anonymous blog, by what non-physically identifyingcharacteristics might you be identified in a bar?”-do you follow a lot of blogs? who are your favorites right now? – Brooke M

I will probably always blog in some capacity – I think it’s such a great way of recording my personal history, easy reference remembering! And, um, I’m not anonymous at ALL, since there’s my name and picture up there. But, I snort when I laugh. That’s hard to miss.

What are you and the dork lord going to be for halloween this year? – Betsy

We actually talked about this last night (as we will be attending a party) and came to zero conclusions. I kind of don’t really LIKE the fuss of costumes. I know. I ruin everything.

What name did Dork Lord’s parents bestow upon him at birth? If you’re taking guesses, I guess Jason or Michael. – Barbara E.

Christopher. LG, whoever they are, is clearly in the know, and thus, a cheater and a spoiler and will be taken to the stocks later.


My morning coffee guy is talented at making me a good cup of dark roast every morning and I regularly tip him for a job well done. I’ve been following you for a couple years now. I think you are a talented writer and I enjoy your work. Any way grateful readers like me could tip YOU for a job well done? Ever thought of putting a tip jar on your site? – Doug

Oh, Doug. You just gave me some warm fuzzies. I have an ancient PayPal account, which I think still works for that sort of thing. And, if you pass along your address, you’ll get a handwritten thank you note.

P.S. Oh my goodness, you guys. I just got an email from PayPal and I started crying. You’re unbelievably generous. Thank you.

15 comments to answers – the 2009 edition

  • LG

    I’m a cheater now? I *guessed* that the “Chris” shown twice in recent-ish photos on your public Flickr site was your boyfriend; it wasn’t mentioned anywhere. How is that cheating?

  • Anonymous

    I’m not quite sure why you’re so defensive. I mean, especially since I don’t actually *own* stocks. Anymore.

  • S

    Whoa, the travel blog was 2 years ago already? Wow am I old, and wow have I been reading you for a long time now!

  • Carrie

    I know this one could be a touchy one so I totally understand if you don’t post it. How is your dad doing? And how is your relationship?

  • Olivia

    Holy cow! We have the same job. Somehow, that makes me feel soooo much cooler. :)

  • Kyla

    Totally don’t have much $$ to give but I agree with Doug. I feel like I need to tip you for all the enjoyment you’ve given me over the years. :) I figure if everyone that enjoys you gave you $5, you’d be pretty rich!

  • Anonymous

    Hee. It’s a noble profession, Olivia. Sometimes I want to paper cut my eyes out, but I feel very noble doing it.

  • Anonymous

    S – I remember feeling old on that trip. Now I am old + 2. Funny how it creeps up on ya.

  • I had/have a similar father issue…and it was a constant struggle for me. I hope it gets easier for you :)

  • Anonymous

    Thank you, Echo. Being a kid was so much simpler, wasn’t it?

  • Rachel

    As a waitress I do sometimes wonder why its only us that receive tips (not that I’m complaining…) Everyone deserves an little extra for a job well done :)

    Love, LOVE the blog.

  • Kehinde

    I know I’m a little late with the Q&A, but can I still ask a few?

    -Will you and the Dork Lord/Christopher be settling down in Texas?

    -Do you guys have any plans for your 1yr anniversary coming up?

    Thank you!

  • Nessje

    Doug is a genius. I’ve derived more enjoyment from reading your blog than from the average book… so. Donated, with a grin on my face.

  • Is it too late to ask a question? (Oops, I just used up a question.)

    When are you going to quit your job and write full-time? You’re so talented.

  • Jen

    Just a little note from a previously anonymous blog reader (for years): Just wanted to say that your blog has provided me with endless enjoyment, entertainment, and comfort. (I am NOT ALONE in these super analytical, unconventional thoughts… I’m almost 3.0.! ; I totally agree with your comments about being super afraid of accidental pregnancy.) Sometimes your blog post is the only mini-break that can snap me out of the funk of my two very stressful jobs. Thanks so much! I wish the mini-donation/tip was 10 times larger. I, too, am trying to get of debt. Thank you,Fish & best of luck in the future, and especially with the boy. You deserve it! ~ Jen, Baton Rouge, La.