Coffee Time Questions

I find myself at loose ends today, the weather is absolutely miserable, so I thought I might try, these coffee-time questions that I have seen posted on blogs I follow. My wife and I will be traveling doing the family rounds and Christmas open houses so I will not be blogging till after the new year. A Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukah to all who may read this.

1
What actions do you take if you can’t sleep naturally?

I usually lay on my back, relax and recite a mantra. It seems to do the trick. I find the older you get the harder it is to get a full night’s sleep.

2
Can you easily recognize if you are suffering from stress, and if so, what do you do to reduce it? Are you able to see signs of stress in your friends or your family more than you?

I don’t usually suffer from stress. I used to have severe stress when younger when I had to get up in front of people to speak. Luckily I don’t have to do that anymore. I can usually see signs of stress in others because of their body language. If that is the case I try to speak as calmly as possible on some topics and get them distracted.

3
The West holds firm concerning the war in Ukraine. However, how do you feel about it all now? Do you believe we are providing too much or too little support?

We should do all we can to support Ukraine. I know this is a very divisive issue, but, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was unjustifiable, and we should do everything we can to support Ukraine. I know it is costing Western democracies billions which presumably could be better spent on health, infrastructure, etc. But this is one of those cases in history like the Second World War where it is important to draw a line in the sand. My heart goes out to both the citizens of Ukraine and Russia and I hope for a quick resolution.

4
How much black-and-white honesty from your best friends do you believe your friendship with them warrants? Should friends be brutally honest with you or provide support without question?

Inspired by Should Friends Offer Honesty or Unconditional Support?

I go for honesty over appeasement all the time. Brutal honesty has a harsh ring to it, so I would just go with honest dialogue in a constructive affirming manner.

5
Do you think you have an addictive personality?

I definitely have an addictive personality. My first addiction was cigarettes, when I gave them up some forty years ago I had bought my third pack for the day. When I emigrated to Canada from England I switched from tea to coffee. My coffee consumption then increased from three cups a day to a cup every hour. When I gave up cigarettes I also gave up coffee and drank nothing but water for three months. My poor wife had to suffer with me for those three months, and I’ve always admired her for that because I wasn’t fun to live with. I now drink green tea. If I sat down with a box of chocolates I wouldn’t get up till they were all gone. I now have two squares of 90% dark chocolate a day. How times change.

6
Why are so many of today’s online/television advertisements so cringy? Are you ever influenced by the comedy or corniness of them?

I don’t watch cable TV but Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Paramount, though when I go on YouTube to do research I have to put up with ads from 5-15 seconds long, but my mind switches off and I don’t really absorb them. I refuse to pay YouTube $30 monthly for ad-free viewing. Though I do pay the WordPress fee for ad-free writing.

7
Do you ever need help responding to some comments left by readers on your blog posts, as in not knowing how or what to respond with? Why is this, and what usually throws you off?

I have absolutely no trouble with comments on my blog posts they are nearly always respectful, the only exception being if I add some current controversial topic in my blog, then I may get a comment expressing the reader’s vehement disagreement with my views. But I don’t mind and reply regardless, got to keep the conversation going.

8
What five vegetables do you use the most each week or month?

I am a carnivore and hate vegetables with a passion. I don’t know if I can name five. My only vegetable consumption is onions, mushrooms, asparagus, and occasionally red pepper.

9
What is the most outrageous thing you have ever done?

I went to a new years eve party and dressed as Miss Universe 1971.

10
Have your blog reading habits changed since you first started to blog?
Have you ever felt frustrated from reading blog posts because they are perhaps not piquing your interest?
What have you done to prevent the boredom from biting deep if this is the case?

Inspired by bloggers

I like short stories and usually follow people who write short stories. I have not been disappointed so far.

11
Do you find it easy to make difficult decisions, and do you have a process of elimination for making those tough decisions?

I have never had trouble making difficult decisions, I usually jumped right in with, whatever will be, will be. I have made a few wrong choices and as I grew older I learned to pray and discern, then decide.

12
What’s the longest you have gone without a shower?

Back in the day, I used to go camping, so I would say about a week.

13
Between the choice of a deep fried insect sandwich or a raw earthworm hamburger with no option of declining either, which would you choose?

Inspired by a conversation at the Nature Reserve

Deep fried insect all the way.

14
How would your family and friends react if you started to talk to another person one day that no one else could see but you? Do you speak to yourself regularly?

Inspired by the film – Just Like Heaven

I speak with myself sometimes to motivate myself and give myself a kick up the backside. I am getting too comfortable sitting around in old age and need to get moving more.

15
How far can you be pushed before annoyance becomes full-blown anger and what is your anger style?

I have to be pushed very, very far before I give way to anger. Though my wife wouldn’t necessarily agree with me because of my driving habits, and my running commentary in the car. (I guess that answers question 14 as well.) I have been told that I have what is called a servant personality, and used to be always obliging to avoid confrontation. But I have learned to stand my ground over the years.