Feature: Not Superhuman
June 21st, 2010 § 4 Comments
Today I’d like to take a moment to recognize one of my favorite blogs: Not Superhuman. The title is particularly interesting because reading Tracey’s blog absolutely makes you consider that she may indeed be just that: superhuman. Her posts are of the highest level of quality- laugh out loud funny, insightful, sensitive, and intelligent. Half the time I just wish she didn’t write so damn well, because then maybe my 500 word essays about peanut butter and fluff sandwiches wouldn’t seem so grammatically incorrect.
But what truly makes me return to her site, time and time again, is her humility, her grace, and her unfailing ability to remain positive and strong despite the fact that she’s struggling with weakened knees that won’t always allow her the mobility she’d like. Makes me think twice about complaining that season 2 of United States of Tara is over. Or that the rain frizzed my once straight hair. That is unfair though.
So, without further ado, I’d like to share with you a few questions I asked Tracey to answer. No, it’s not a serious interview. It’s less ‘Barbara Walters’ and more ‘chimpanzee with a microphone and a list of important questions.’ Just things I’d like to know about the people whose life I stalk daily.
Enjoy!
What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
I would like to attempt being a sky diving instructor, but The Man thinks that’s a dumb idea that would lead to a gruesome end. So, yeah, I’ll go with being an actress.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
For six years I wanted to be an actress but my parents forbade it. Seeing how Lindsey Lohan and her clan turned out, I can’t blame them. After that I wanted to be a writer. Which is good, because that’s what I am.
Which popular sitcom character are you closest to?
I rarely watch sitcoms (I prefer twisted shows like LOST—RIP), but I remember thinking Monica on Friends was me, but with a lot of free time. I’m a total neat freak and kinda sorta OCD.
If told that this is your last day on earth, how would you spend it?
I’d fly to Seattle and beg you to bake me a dozen of those chocolate chip cookies you make. Then I’d eat them all. I might also say my goodbyes between bites, which means my family would be visiting you, too.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t you dare give up on me. Never give up. Er, uh, I think that was some weird variation of Titanic Jack pleading with Titanic Rose not to die. But I think someone once said something like that to me—don’t give up on anything you really want.
If you were given $5,000 to spend at any one store, which store would you choose?
The eternal debate: Get one big-ticket item or a gazillion cheap ones? I think I’d go midrange and pick Macy’s. Then I could get clothes, shoes, makeup, and new sheets. For my Brand. New. King. Bed! (You can pretend I said that like Bob Barker on The Price is Right.)
If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass on to your children, what would it be?
I wouldn’t want to curse my children with my perfectionism, so I think I’d want to pass on my persistence. I figure you can do anything as long as you try long and hard enough, so that should get them at least to college.
What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
Write—and publish—a book. I’ll still probably try that even though “novel” is somehow associated with “Future Fail” in my brain.
What are your top three favorite foods?
Here’s where I reveal I’m a picky eater with a massive sweet tooth: spaghetti with marinara, bread pudding, and molten chocolate cake.
If you had to only eat meals from one fast food chain restaurant for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
I guess I’d have to go with Subway even though the thought of eating there for the rest of my life makes me want to punch Jared in the face. Still, I don’t eat at any other fast food joints. So, yeah, Veggie Delites for life.
If you could dine with any living famous person, who would it be?
Hmm, I might choose Oprah and hope she gifts me with an iPad and $10,000 like she just did for everyone who works at her magazine. Or maybe I’d pick Ben Stiller because just looking at him makes me laugh and that’d be a fun dinner. On second thoughts, let’s go with Oprah.
What is your ultimate breakfast?
Buttermilk pancakes. Even better: silver dollar. Even better than that: someone else cooking them.
Your ultimate lunch?
A giant salad. Followed, of course, by a brownie, cookie, or any form of death by chocolate.
Your ultimate dinner?
I’m stumped. I’d much rather eat lettuce and save room for dessert. But I’ll go with filet mignon. I rarely eat steak, so why not call it the Ultimate with a capital U?
Your ultimate dessert?
There’s a restaurant in Anguilla that makes a thin, crispy, warm apple tart I’d kill to eat right now. (I wouldn’t really kill—just maim.) It’s perfectly sweet and tart and buttery. I ate it multiple times on my honeymoon and it’s heaven in a square with some vanilla ice cream on top.
When did you start blogging?
Not soon enough—October 2009. If I’d have known it would be this much fun and introduce me to such a great community of people, I’d have started way earlier.
What do you like the least about blogging?
For some of us, the web comes really easy. It’s like, “Oh look, my page is displaying Chinese characters! I’ll just type this and press that and wiggle my nose and—Oh look, it’s all 100 percent perfect again!” Yeah, I’m not one of those people. So I guess my least favorite part is the background, technical stuff.
What is your favorite recipe? (Link to it!)
My favorite recipe of my own (http://www.notsuperhuman.com/2010/04/learning-to-love-beets/) is not nearly as cool as someone else’s (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/strawberry-rhubarb-crumble-recipe.html). At least I acknowledge that I’m not worthy.
Which post of yours is your favorite? (Link to it!)
That’s like asking a mother which child she loves more. (Unless you ask my mother, in which case she’ll say me. Obviously.) But if I have to choose, and it’s clear I do, I pick this one: http://www.notsuperhuman.com/2010/04/sincerely-gym-management. It’s not my most informative, but it’s fun. And I’m all about health and fun.
Thank you, Tracey!
Please check out Tracey’s blog: Not Superhuman
You can also follow her on Twitter: @NotSuperhuman
Thanks so much for featuring me. I’m honored. And I love this idea, so I can’t wait to read the interviews throughout this week!
[...] to add: Check out my Q&A with the lovely Andrea on her blog. Then browse there for her killer baked goods. Then come back [...]
Ahh I love it – another awesome blog to check out. Thanks! Anybody who is willing to maim for an outstanding dessert is somebody I need to read regularly…
Great answers Tracey. There were some pretty hard questions. I love your sense of humor!
Great idea Andrea!