THE GREAT INTERVIEW EXPERIMENT - San Diego Momma

I'm taking part in the Great Interview Expirement hosted by Neil Kramer over at Citizen of the Month. I had the great pleasure of interviewing the lovely and talented Deb from San Diego Momma. Not only that, but she is prompt! She answered her questions much faster than I have (Sorry AC, they're coming .. really!) And away we go ...

1. I see you've found some real steals at Good Will. If you had unlimited funds to spend and you had to spend them on yourself, what would you buy? Designer duds? Books? Music?

I’d buy a comfortable and easy-to-drive Winnebago and cruise the entire U.S. with my kids and husband. I’d stay for a bit in every state and soak up the diversity. And THEN, I’d shop for my dream house. Finally, I’d buy a quality wardrobe of basics (cashmere sweater, trench coat, awesome boots, good bag kind of thing). (Maybe not in that order.)

2. You mentioned your novel. What is it about? What genre is it in? And if you don't want to talk about that particular piece, what type of book would you like to write?

My book’s working title is “Past Dark” and it’s a middle grade fantasy suspense tale. It’s along the lines of Harry Potter (obviously not as fantastic as all that, but same genre and audience). Past Dark is at its core a story about the power of imagination. And witches. Now that I called you out on this, you're going to have to let us know when you finish cause as far as I'm concerned, anything with witches is good to read!

3. You've lived in a lot of different places.
a) Which was your favorite?

I consider Chicago my home (even though it was for only 8 years) and so have to qualify that city as my favorite.

b) Where would you not want to live?

I don’t know if There’s anywhere I wouldn’t want to live at least once. Maybe Baghdad.

c) If you could pick anywhere in the world to live, where would it be and why?

I’d love to live somewhere overseas for awhile. I’d also like to try the East Coast. I can’t pinpoint any one place, because I’d like to see and experience everywhere. BUT, now that I’ve been in San Diego for awhile, I can tell you my dream neighborhood here would be at the beach in La Jolla. I love the town’s beautiful beachfront properties, but also the fact that it’s still close to downtown. I don’t like to get too far away from the heartbeat of a city.

4. If in your wildest fantasy, Jay Leno is interviewing you for your greatest accomplishment. What is the interview about?

The interview is about how I finally started believing in myself, finished my novel and lived my bliss. But I’d be witty about it.

5. Back in February, you wrote about eating well. Is that something you're still trying to do? How has it been trying to do this with younger kids?

I am trying to eat well. I eat only whole grains, limit my sugar intake and watch the processed stuff. I’ve gone back to drinking caffeine in moderation, which THANK GOD! But I don’t ever crave things like white bread, cakes, etc. anymore. These foods somehow seem “empty” to me now and the whole grain route is heartier and more filling. For the most part, my kids eat like I do (whole grains, for instance), but they also still get the sweets, McDonalds, etc. I don’t expect them to adopt my eating habits in full. That’ll be their choice. But I do try to emphasize the healthy options. I’ve eaten this way for most of their lives, so they don’t know any different. When I tried to give my oldest daughter “real” butter the other day, it was a foreign taste to her. I hope I haven’t made her into a geek.

6. When you get your dream home, what is the one room you really want and how will it be set up?

I want the ultimate family room. A big sectional, bookcase after bookcase stuffed with novels, family pictures on every wall, large plate glass windows with a view to a beautiful outdoors, floor scattered with bean bags, board games, etc.

7. If they made a movie of your life, who would play you and why?

I’d like Cate Blanchett to play me. I like her vulnerability and emotional depth. In interviews, she comes across as “real,” and that’s something I admire in a person.

8. I've always wanted to visit San Diego. Can you tell me five of your favorite things about your hometown?

Look me up if you visit!I love Sunset Cliffs, which are rocky, crumbling cliffs tumbling down to a raw, amazing expanse of crashing sea. I love Coronado. The light is different, softer there. I love the downtown harbor. It’s breathtaking with skyscrapers juxtaposed against the blue of the bay and the white of a hundred sails. Speaking of which, I love downtown, with its mix of restaurants and crazy energy, and I love my little neighborhood of hippies, hobos and “alternative” personalities.

I'm a big Inside the Actors Studio fan and one of my favorite parts is the questionnaire at the end from Bernard Pivot. So I thought it might be fun to put at the end of this interview. Please answer with the first thought that comes into your head.
1. What is your favorite word?
Peace.
2. What is your least favorite word?
Hopeless.
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Authenticity and willingness to take risks.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Arrogance. Close-mindedness. Judgment.
5. What is a sound or noise you love?
My daughters’ from-the-tummy laughs.
6, What is a sound or noise you hate?
A jackhammer at 6AM.
7. What is your favorite curse word?

Motherfucker.
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Singer/songwriter.
9. What profession would you not like to attempt?

Mortician.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say at the Pearly Gates?

Thank you for trying.