Eleven-Question Challenge

This blog is thematized by enigma, mystery. Lady Austan has issued a challenge. It requires I depart from my usual format and confine myself to reality. Enigmas occur at every level of consciousness, even those I am unused to, so I cannot ignore her request without risking my posture toward existence. Pretty much everything's a mystery to me. Let's explore this one.

Austan's questions:
1. Red or white?

Red, mainly. I can tolerate white wine with fowl and prefer it with some kinds of fish, but a good California Cabernet goes with everything else --except hamburgers, where you want Guinness Extra Stout, and Mexican where you want Corona, one of the world's most cheerful beers.

2. If you could meet one living person, who would you choose?

Uhura, from Star Trek, because I've had a crush on her since 1966. One of my son's work and hers coincide sometimes so he asked her to inscribe a photo for me. She did. Picture reveals my whole name, George, which I have hidden for many years under the deucedly clever and deceptive pseudonym, Geo., and she writes "love". I love her right back, but have never met her.

3. Who gave you your first kiss?

Probably one of my parents. But the first extrafamiliar kiss I recall was from my kindergarten friend, Donald, in 1955.

4. What are you most proud of?

Raising a family, supporting them with my labor, seeing them grow into peace-loving, good, productive people. I take a measureless pride in that.

5. You can be ruler of one country, which one?

Any country. My wife would not approve. I would be ruler only long enough to give the following, Edward VIII-esque, public announcement: I abdicate my throne for the woman I love. Boy I'd rather deliver that romantic line than rule anything.

6. What's the best clothing outfit you ever had?

My summer-issue Boy Scout uniform. It had shorts and the long stockings with leather-tabbed garters. In 1964 I was on a crowded sidewalk in NYC and bumped into two other pedestrians. A man in a pretty blouse and toreador stretch-pants, a nun in her habit, and I in my scout-duds all held each other from falling. He and I apologized and she said "Ah g'waaan." As enigmatically absurd moments go, I think "best clothing outfit" was shared three ways on that one.

7. You must pick having 6 children or 6 large dogs. Which do you take?

I didn't know I had a choice. I've raised 4 children and 2 dogs. At least that makes 6. They were all educated at Starfleet Academy, like Uhura.

8. Pie or cake?

Pie.

9. What corny/sappy/uncool thing do you secretly love?

Without hesitation, this:
10. At what age did you start reading?

I don't know, I remember my parents talking about the president, Harry S. Truman, and thinking his name was Hairy Ass Truman. Then Eisenhower got elected and pretty soon I could read. I still like Ike and will always be grateful.

11. Who influenced you most in life?

Norma.

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I'm supposed to challenge readers to answer 11 new questions but can't think up any as good as the ones given me. So I'll pass them along.