Q&A

Wild Dreams and Rich What Ifs

A This or That Challenge

“For this month’s This or That, I thought I’d ask you to imagine, to think, and to dream.

All you need to do is to copy and paste these questions into a new story and answer them with your unique style. Many readers want to get to know you better.

Each question has an either/or, so if you can, try not to answer “neither” or “both.” It’s much harder that way.

Please don’t forget to tag me so I can read and support you. Let’s get started shall we?” — Karen Schwartz

1] If they made a movie of the last dream you remember, would it be fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction, I think…

I guess that depends on whether you view supernatural elements as real or not. The last dream I remember happened a few nights ago, around Halloween. I guess that, even as a foreigner, I was all caught up in that spooky mood.

One thing that I have realized over the years is that the more tired I am, the harder it is for me to remember my dreams. And let’s face it, an adult’s life is pretty tiring. So, I only remember bits and pieces as I went back to sleep right away.

In my dream, I was somewhere rural, near an old, western-style house surrounded by tall, dry grass. Someone else was with me, but I don’t remember who. We were either running or riding a bike when our heads turned towards the spooky-looking property.

Then, all of a sudden, a strange, ghost-like apparition showed up on the porch of the decaying house. The other person got scared, but for some strange reason and completely unlike my style, I was berating it. Until it chased us.

I was spooked a bit, but I also laughed as I ran away. That’s when I woke up.

2] Do you spend more time reimagining the past or imagining the future?

To be honest, I don’t do much of either nowadays!

When I was a teenager, I used to daydream about having the chance to go back in time and relive some events from my life. The thought that I would be able to overcome every regret or past challenge with my current experience and maturity was very appealing.

But, as I grew up, I tried to focus on the fact that everything that happened, good or bad, shaped me into the person that I am today. I’m not perfect, but I can’t say I hate myself either. And I’d rather focus on the present.

Imagining the future is okay, but I learned to be more pragmatic about things to limit disappointment. The last time I imagined the future, I was able to make a lot of money on Medium to be able to tell people that I “also do independent work for an American corporation” and act mysterious about it. We all know how that ended.😆

Technically, I can still do that, but I don’t think I can keep the same attitude when I’m making peanuts instead of a four-figure income. I have seen an improvement in earnings lately, but the difference from one article to another is insane, to say the least.

3] Would you prefer to live a day in the life of a criminal lawyer or a police officer?

Criminal lawyer.

A high-paying, safe career sounds better than being a cop and risking my life on the streets. I’m not a coward, but growing up in a bad neighborhood, I’m tired of seeing things from the street level.

I did not dabble in that world, nor did I poke my nose in it. But just being around criminal activity and abject poverty is not that nice. As a criminal lawyer, I could detach myself better from it.

Sure, in a utopian fantasy, I could do so much good as an honest cop. But let’s say that would be possible. How much change could I bring in just one day on the job? Not much; I’ll give you that.

4] Are you best suited as a contestant on Jeopardy or Family Feud?

Family Feud!

I’m not very familiar with either, so I had to google them for a very brief inspection. I think we have something similar to Family Feud here in Romania. I’ve seen it a couple of times on TV.

Nonetheless, I don’t really like to be on stage, on TV, or in front of an audience. I hate everybody focusing on me as I try to come up with answers that I probably don’t know if the questions become too deep.

It feels like school again, with the stares and the pressure to succeed with knowledge alone. I can certainly do with a little bit of preparation, but it will not be something that I would enjoy.

I choose Family Feud because if I have to go through all of that, I’d rather have my two raccoons with me. Strength is in numbers, as they say.

5] If you could study cooking (all expenses paid), would it be at a cooking school in its country of origin or with a private chef in your kitchen?

With a private chef in my kitchen!

Make it a pretty lady wearing nothing but an apron, and my motivation will skyrocket almost immediately. Talk about “wild dreams and rich what-ifs,” eh?

Silly jokes and wiped drool aside, I think it was pretty clear that school is not something that I look forward to experiencing once again.

6] You wake up a superhero. Do you prefer incredible strength or invisibility?

Incredible strength!

Invisibility would be nice as an introvert. Every time I would feel that I was dangerously social, I could just disappear and fade into the background. Sometimes I feel like I stand out too much for no reason. If I stay in a place and don’t say anything, I might look cocky and arrogant.

But invisibility won’t do much help when you’re a superhero. Saving others would require power that can make a difference. I feel like invisibility would be a superpower more worthy of a creepy, perverted villain.

7] You have one week to live with no family. Would you spend all your money or donate it all? (There’s no doing both!)

I will spend it all.

It’s pretty bold of you, Karen, to assume I would have so much money that donating it would make a difference. Wouldn’t whatever disease can cause me to only have one week left also leave me poor in the long run? Especially if I have no family to help me with the bills?

Okay, sure, let’s say I had enough. What would I use to live with for the remaining week of my life? If even criminals deserve the opulence of one last meal, I think I’m entitled to one week living as a king.

If I knew I’m dying in one week, of course I would overindulge a little, buying a few things I had not bought before or having one more party before I go down. You know, in case I am in a good enough physical state to enjoy all of that.

But sure, if I have no family to leave everything to and I can’t enjoy myself during my last week, I would donate all of my money. Heck, it’s better than everything going to the state.

8] You must live one year without people; would you rather spend it with dogs or cats?

Dogs!

I love both the same, but I’m not a fan of kitty litter boxes inside the house. I’ve been there when my friend’s cat pooped, and it smelled horrible. I’d rather take the dog out to poop.

Plus, I’m not into the type of love a cat displays — fickle and distant. I want a loyal, affectionate, and warm pet who will keep me company, and I won’t have to worry that it will run away if that year is spent in the wild, let’s say.

9] Imagine you controlled the Universe, would you feed the hungry or eradicate illness?

Eradicate illness!

I chose the one that seemed a lot harder to do. Illness comes in many shapes and forms. Not to mention, considering how much good food we throw away, with some good management and logistics, feeding the hungry wouldn’t be such an insane dream.

As long as there is a serious interest in doing that.

10] If you could choose a mentor for one year to improve your writing, would you choose an author who’s alive or dead?

None!

I don’t think I’m at a level at which a mentor could help me improve so much. It would be a waste of their time. There’s still a long process until I can properly milk that opportunity.

And to be a bit honest, I kind of want to find my own way without a mentor. When writing in English would be as easy as writing in my own language, only then would I seriously consider this question, even in a hypothetical scenario.

Britt H., Susan Christiana, Dixie Dodd, NancyO, Lisa Guard, William Michael Williamson, Dave Gottlieb, Karen Schwartz, Katy Lin, Mariana Busarova, Lynn L. Alexander, Paula Shablo, Bruce Coulter, Jimwebster, Jason Edmunds, Julia A. Keirns, TzeLin Sam, Sweet Honeylu, Tori Hall Sudduth, Jenny Gargarello, Shanti C K, Brenda Arledge, Johnny Poitras, Frances A. Chiu, Thomas Sturgeon Jr., Coralie Brébec, Sophia Tell- Stories 🤓📢🤓, A.M. Goode, Sumaya, A man leading a simple life.