Interview with Kyra

One of my favorites, Kyra, has shared some questions with me to answer. Since she is one of the many huge crushes I have out here, how can I say no in good conscience? So here we go:

1. Imagine you are able to pick three people you know in or because of the blogosphere. Who would they be and why? Describe the meeting.

This is a little like asking the little kid if only one cookie is enough. I can answer this question in a myriad of ways, by categorizing or devoting entire posts to each person. So what I will do is to, indeed, pick three people according to my own personal (read: however we've exchanged between ourselves outside the realm of blogging) experience with them. All three of these folks are intellectually challenging, spiritually grounded and sexually HOT. In no particular order...and knowing that you, Kyra, are always in there somewhere....:)

FIREBYRD -- The woman has a brain to dive into that provides endless stimulation... a nature that shares and nurtures and cajoles all at the same time... and a body that a man could pound on forever! The naturally articulate nature she owns is something that I have always craved in my own life and, so far, have found little of. We share so many of the same attitudes, while I imagine that she would be willing to talk with me about pretty much anything, this being part of her professional leaning as well. THIS, friends, is quite a woman. Oh...and she's 3500 fucking miles away in England. Fuck....

NITEBYRD -- Here is a remarkably calm spirit that boils inside to be absolutely taken anywhere and everywhere. Her own sexual discovery has come comparatively late in life, and it's fun to follow. Our conversations have taken us from travel to marriage to open relationship to job to orgasm to laughing and crying about the rent and who knows what else. I am proud to say I have phonefucked this wonderfully wry little bitch and know that she's hotter for it!...Because believe me, I am, too...:)

A. SECRET -- ....and she does keep it well, let me tell you. Ladies and gentlemen, this could be the treasure that we all long for. She is fun. She's smart. She's very fuckable and wants you to fuck her any way you want. Who WOULDN'T like that, no questions asked? The one thing I always am immensely gratified for is her strong sense of loyalty. You remember the scene in Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath", where Rose of Sharon ends up feeding a poor man with her breast milk? No, that's not a fetish of mine, believe me....it's an example of a friend who would literally give you anything if she could. Behind the mystery is one of the great people I know out here... Wow.

....and lots of others, I promise you...The Cheating Wife...JRM...KJ...the Lady in Red...all women I'd fuck with someone ELSE'S cock, they are that exciting....and little Button, my new friend...and I'd want to have a beer and be totally chauvinistic with the Southern Sage....and.... on and on and on...and if I didn't mention you, it's only because of how my mind is working today...

And then there's Kyra....:)

2. Imagine you are standing and watching your funeral. Who is there and what one word would they use to describe you and/or the way you lived your life? Is anyone missing and if so, why?

My funeral...I've come close to that a time or two...lol... This may sound like I'm dodging the question, Kyra, but I have to categorize so much in my life, in so many places, that I honestly don't know how to answer this. Who would be there? I would hope some folks with whom I have broken bread, bent an elbow and survived the wars of life to be a better person for having known them. What one word?....Oh my God.... how's this... Kindness... Kindness to people, to the things around me... To me, being kind and loving is actually more important than being wise...because kindness is, in truth, the beginning of real wisdom in a person. Who would be missing? Lots of folks who have either already gone on or are working...I couldn't fault anyone for that. I've said many times that you are no good to anyone until you know how to be good to yourself first. That is a self-advocacy that I preach and fervently believe, but have yet to master.

3. If you could pick any point in time of your life to go back and re-experience, what would it be and why? Would you do anything differently?

Many. Many. My first date with Cherrie....Working with one of my heroes, Stacy Keach, in "King Lear"... Being able and proud to actually give someone ELSE some help, because they needed it and didn't have to ask me....But for the purposes of this question, I'll be specific....February 4, 2002. It was my first jazz gig at a club here in Chicago. I had put so many e-mails and posters out, because I was afraid that no one would come. But they did. The place's filled to the gills. I had a quartet behind me. Everything I sang was right. Every move I made that night was spot on. It taught me that no matter how life ends up, I know that somehow I had the ability and the ambition to make things happen. A standing ovation. My first attempt at scat-singing, which is incredibly difficult. The audience was wide and varied and from all walks of life. And it was one of the great evenings of my life. I wish I COULD live it again...and bring you all along with me, just to show that I am what I say I am...

4. If you were not an actor, what would your profession be and why?

That's easy, although it took a long time to realize it. I would raise horses. I'm an old cowboy at heart. This profession would take care of a lot of dreams. I would have the specious ranch I want. I could raise thoroughbreds and then race them. I would have a strong, independent woman around me who would enjoy the open lifestyle that I crave. I honestly believe that this would be a kind of nirvana, because this would all be created out of CHOICE. And that, in the end, is what we all want...the freedom to choose what we like, with whom we like, for all the positive reasons we can summon.

And just ride....

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I need to travel a whole lot more before answering this fairly. Ireland....the Southwestern US.... Spain....London....Hawaii....San Diego...on and on here, too. But in my experience so far, I'd probably want to pick Chicago up and take it to where I'd like to go. It's a great town. The Olympics would be served well here.

How's that, Kyra? Thank you, ma'am. I do have an examined life. Certainly an unfinished one. And always, endlessly ambitious for so many things. Once I'm able to find someone to come along for that ride, that is. 'Cause I'm tired of feeling lonely. In the meantime....one foot in front of the other...There's too much to be done yet. Ithzak Perlman, the great violinist, once said "Sometimes the artist's task is to find out how much music he can play with what he has left."

Indeed.