And here we are at Part 3. If you’re doing this along with me, here are links to my answers for Part 1 and Part 2 in case they spark something in you. I hope you’re finding this process as interesting as I am.
11. In what situation would you feel most out of place?
I’ve felt like a fish out of water at varying times of my life. With hindsight, it’s more to do with me, with the state of my self-esteem than to do with the other people. I’ve even had wildly differing experiences with the same group of people – ranging from being ignored/politely shunned to totally in with the in-crowd with the sole difference being me and how I felt about myself.
12. What artist do you really like, but rarely admit to liking?
Hmmmm … if that’s artist as in painter, I’m not sure there is one I have a problem admitting to liking. The closest I can get to this is my experience with Claude Monet. My first art love was Impressionism and Monet’s works were a big part of that. But they became so mass-market – being reproduced everywhere – it lessened their appeal for me such that I started to fall out of love with them. Until, that is, I went to The Orangarie in Paris and visited the room designed for viewing his giant waterlily paintings. Simply magical. Always, always, see art in the flesh!
13. What gets you fired up?
Ignorance – especially when it’s at the root of an -ism.
Dishonesty – in particular when by lying to yourself you hurt another.
There’s more … but that’ll do for here and now.
14. What annoys you most about the fandoms you’re part of?
Erm … I’ve never considered myself to be part of any fandoms per se. But if we take being a photographer as making me part of a fandom, the thing that most annoys me at photography events is the lack of manners and consideration for others. I’ve learned that photography is a very selfish pastime. At best – elbows become sharp and are used without mercy, at worst – the rudeness and smugness on display is simply staggering.
15. What do you do to get rid of stress?
I talk to myself, often whilst out walking. Sometimes it helps to say things out loud, to get them off my chest. But it also allows me to work out what I’m really stressed about, as all too often it’s not the obvious aspect. If that doesn’t work, then I write it out – longhand – in a private journal. And if all that fails, I go see my Gestalt therapist.
16. You have to relive one day of your life forever. Which day do you choose?
The day my daughter was born; the day she told me how she’d broken some rule or other knowing that her punishment would be less because she’d a) ‘fessed up and b) made me laugh; the day she told me she hoped to be as good a parent to her daughter as I’d been to her. Yup, it all seems to revolve around my daughter and being her parent – the most important and worthwhile job I’ve ever done.
17. How quickly do you jump to conclusions about people?
Interesting question. I’m pretty much an open book and I always expect others to be the same. So I would say, rather than jumping to conclusions, I accept people are who they say they are, until and unless their behaviour proves otherwise.
18. If you were a doll, what accessories would you be sold with?
Good (expensive) bag and shoes – but well-worn & well-used. And maybe a camera.
19. What have you done in life that has given you the most satisfaction?
Discovering that I’m not unintelligent. It’s not that I’m something special, nor do I have a high IQ, but I do have a good mind. Whilst discovering that late in life was rather sad, that old chestnut of “better late than never” really does apply. Studying, as a mature student – learning, giving my brain exercise – has given me the greatest possible satisfaction. I miss it and would truly love to be a perpetual student if I could afford to so do.
19. What would be the worst thing to put in a piñata?
Something sharp, explosive, or otherwise designed to hurt.
Something overly personal or private when in a crowd.
Or simply something the recipients would find dull – for example, I’d always like books, but others might prefer jewellry! Not that I’d expect a piñata to hold either, but you get my drift.
Just one more to go!
© Debra Carey, 2018
debsdespatches.com 
Love this!!
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I’m so pleased. 🙂
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I’m with you on 15. I walk and talk to myself as a way of working through issues. I sometimes wonder if anyone sees me doing this. But then I remember everyone is staring at his or her smartphone, so no one is noticing me. This last realization pleases me more than it should.
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That last realisation of yours made me chuckle too 😉
I only realised how much I needed my walks when a work colleague commented that how she’d noticed my mental health suffered without them. So, not just a method of working stuff out, but a way to keep sane as well. Who knew eh?
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I often feel kind of out of place wherever I go, but I’ve always managed to somehow blend in and make an okay impression. My strategy typically is to spot someone else who looks out of place and try to help them get more at ease and in turn that helps me.
I’ve never considered using anything other than candy in a pinata and we had a lot of those when my kids were growing up. The thing that always concerned me was that stick the blindfolded kids were swinging wildly. Had a couple of minor mishaps with those.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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That’s a great strategy Lee.
As for the pinata, I thought it was an odd question. We don’t really do those in the UK, although I have noticed a few starting to creep in now. My daughter had one we bought on a visit to Spain, but absolutely refused to let anyone hit it with a stick so we had to cut a hole in the bottom for the sweets to fall out!
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