Yeah, I also wondered about the title. Proust was a dilettante and social climber and author of the world’s longest novel at 1,267,069 words. But I only mention his name because it’s on the back page of every issue of Vanity Fair where they asked someone well-known, a bunch of questions. It’s called The Proust Questionnaire. Other than that, I couldn’t tell you much about the Frenchman. Here are the questions VF asks every month. These are my answers.
What is your perfect idea of happiness? A full family, but life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. With all its baggage, I have happiness now.
What is your greatest extravagance? Cruises. and my cigars but I buy bundles and don’t give in to all the hype for certain pricey leaves.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? People who have already thought of an answer before you finish a statement and it’s about them being heard, not you.
When and where were you happiest? Taking Erica to Disney World for the first time.
On what occasion do you lie? If a friend did something bad, I play down my indignation or anger since they have enough shit on their plate. I get my point across without making them feel smaller.
What is your favorite journey? The taxi ride to the cruise ship as we go on yet another adventure. This is our vice in life and where we spend our money.
Which living person do you most despise? Wayne LaPierre
Which historical figure do you most identify with? A HS friend wrote in my yearbook, “you are the funniest and sincerest person since Lenny Bruce.” I’ll take that.
What do you consider the most overrated virtues? Chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility…and sarcasm.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? If I have to say it, you don’t know me.
What do you dislike most about your appearance? My fluctuating stomach.
What is your greatest regret? I didn’t wake up Erica that morning before I went to play golf. She would not have had to rush to her job.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I had been a little more ambitious that even though I had a successful career, I should have kept it going.
Which talent would you most like to have? When I was nine, I went to see “Young Abe Lincoln” on Broadway. After it ended, I went down to the pit and started playing the songs I just heard. I played by ear. The composer, Victor Ziskin, heard me and offered to train me..for free! I said: “nah!” I wish I had taken lessons.
What is your current state of mind? Arizona… Pretty much happy 90% of the time.
What is your most treasured possession? Erica’s baby teeth, and a toy pink rubber pig that when you squeeze him, a brown thing comes out of his tush.
What do you consider the lowest depth of misery? Loss.
What is your favorite occupation? Radio talk show host.
Who are your favorite writers? Besides myself, Robert Caro, Anne Rice, Calvin Trillin. And those folks who wrote the Torah.
What are your favorite names? Besides the obvious, Sanjay Gupta, Poppy Harlow, Joaquin.
What is it you most dislike? People with egos who cannot admit they may be wrong or people who say they miss the good old days, which weren’t that great for a lot of people.
What do you most value in your friends? Advice, honesty but the best answer is from Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead who said: “that they will help me dump a body off the turnpike.
i forgot Jerry Carton and C.L. Steiner!
Very interesting, but what are your reasons for those qualities being overrated?