My friend Pat sent me a reddit or a sub reddit or something reddity about blogs and I found 500 Prompts for Personal Writing from the New York Times. There are some great ones in here but a lot of them go over territory that I feel like I’ve covered or they don’t inspire full essays or posts. But I still want to write about them. For example, the Looks, Fashion and Health section, prompts 405-416. I’ll just answer them rather than try to stretch an entire post out of them.
405. What Does Your Hairstyle Say About You?
My hairstyle says that I am a forty-one year old man with a receding hairline.
406. How Far Would You Go for Fashion?
I suppose this could refer to distance or effort. In both cases the answer is, “not very far.” I’m a pretty classic jeans and a t-shirt kind of guy.
407. What Are the Hot Fashion Trends at Your School Right Now?
I’ll also substitute work for school. Also, I’ve never known a hot fashion trend in my life. People wear whatever the hell they want and it’s great. There’s one producer who wears a tie and pocket square every day with nice wingtip shoes. Some people wear t-shirts every day of the year. I wore Birkenstocks to work this summer. As the saying goes, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
408. Do You Have a Signature Clothing Item?
Yeah, Vans sneakers.
409. Has Anyone Ever Said That You Look Like Someone Famous?
Yeah. I got John Cleese in college. I was also told that I looked like the lead singer of the band Keane. One time a woman at an open mic, after I told her people tell me I look like Conan O’Brien, said, “No, you look like Charles Grodin,” which was the neutralist compliment I have ever received or, likely, will ever receive. My friend Jeff said Colm Meaney. Google him (Colm, not Jeff), not sure what he was getting at.
410. Would You Ever Consider Getting a Tattoo?
Yes. I just can’t decide what.
411. What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery?
I don’t think I’d ever get any but I heard that George Clooney got his eyes done and somehow that normalizes it for me. (Wow, I think I’m shallower and more celebrity obsessed than I thought.) Generally, I think one needs to age. I’ll never get hair replacement surgery. I can see my wrinkles forming and have no problem with that. But, on the other hand, I can see myself getting jowly and that might need to get taken care of at some point. But, with enough luck, I’ll never have enough money to afford it, so, it probably won’t be an issue.
412. Do Photoshopped Images Make You Feel Bad About Your Own Looks?
Nah. I’m aware of my relative level of attractiveness. Anyone worth Photoshopping is already far more attractive than I, so, it’s not a concern.
413. What Are Your Sleep Habits?
Go to bed at night, wake up in the morning. One of the things that I can’t do anymore as I get older is sleep in past 10:00AM, not even if I’m hungover. Can’t do it. Most days I’d prefer to get up in the morning just to get the day started. Twenty-four year old me wouldn’t recognize forty-one year old me. I’ll fuckin’ crush a nap, though, any time, anywhere.
414. How Much of a Priority Do You Make Sleep?
On the weekends, it’s at the top. Weekdays? It gets pushed aside for other stuff.
415. Do You Get Enough Sleep?
No.
416. What Health Tips Have Worked for You?
Stay hydrated. Don’t smoke.
