In your own words, what does self-worth mean?
I'm not sure that I have a super strong sense of 'self' any more, but I suppose that to me it's about not being pushed around, sticking to principles even in the face of adversity, knowing when to walk away from people and situations. It's not an arrogance or inflated ego thing, it's a well-developed sense of security in yourself, justice, and of preservation, maybe. Or those are the lines along which I tend to think about that question.
Have you made space in your life for what you want?
Previously yes, but these days I have a wider family unit to think about first, so it's a two-pronged thing. In the sense that their interests are my interests, then yes. But in the sense of 'I love doing that, I'm gonna go do it', then nowhere near as often as I used to, no.
What’s a moment you will cherish forever?
I don't know if I have one. I'm not sentimental.
Do you have feelings for anyone that others don’t know about?
Probably of disdain, yes. One must bite their tongue for the sake of the family.
How do you handle anger?
People think I'm narky on here (I'm not, I'm just frank) but it's pretty rare I feel angry now. I used to be very reactive and it made me quite unhappy, though I didn't see it that way at the time. I made a lot of changes and now I can usually let things drift past me. it is a choice - I usually decide not to let it rile me and I move on with my day. With that said, the last time I really lost my rag I dealt with it by chinning the other person, so it's still in me. Rare now, and they deserved it.
What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
I don't know if there have been any major revelations. I worry a bit about being 'good' and doing the right thing, and I've had a bit of validation in the regard especially in work, so maybe that has helped me lay off myself a bit.
What has been your most valuable life lesson?
Life is short, embarrassment is temporary. Do it now. Tell them now.
What do you need most right now?
A holiday. It's been a bad week.
What scares you the most?
I don't lie awake at night about anything
What’s been your biggest challenge in life and how did you overcome it?
I don't think I've had anythign awful, especially compared to some fo the student I've worked wth and some of the people I know. I've had a lot of deaths in the past 5 years, so maybe those. I don't know if you do overcome that, you just learn to sit peaceably with it, it's an unwanted passenger but it never really goes away.
If you had an unlimited supply of anything, what would it be?
Guinness or a good Barolo.
What would you do with it?
Does this need explaining?
What is something you’re weirdly good at without having had formal training or much practice?
I unintentionally carry a room, which means I do very little and make lots of friends, get a lot of attention. It's not somehthng I have ever practiced, and it's not somehting I particularly enjoy. But it's a thing. Handy when teaching.
What was the first movie you saw in a movie theater?
I want to say Addams Family Values or Dennis the Menace, both around '93 I think. There might be some before that I can't remember so well.
If you were to create a recipe meant to represent you, what would be the ingredients?
Soma, black metal, religious iconography
Did you think you’d end up where you are now?
Not really.
Why or why not?
I had no grand plans, and I think I am quite a difficult person a lot of the time, so it surprises me that I have what I have.
Do you believe in heaven or the afterlife? If yes, what does it look like to you?
No, but I spend more time than most thinking about it. If I had to hedge my bets on which one I thought'd be most realistic or likely, then maybe the Advaitin conception of Brahman. But ultimately I do not think there is any ultimate grounding principle, god etc and so an afterlife seems superfluous in the light of that.