TJ wrote:
5 questions for board members to ask of themselves:
1.) Greatest desire. (Open ended. A tough one, I know, but what is each individual’s greatest desire?)
2.) Biggest Fear. (I know, I know, perhaps you were looking for more "what's your favorite color" but from what you grasp of me already, the small-talk never interested me in life.)
3.) Is there a something/someone stopping you from achieving your greatest goal and if so-why let it/them?!!!! Don't need to write this one down. Just answer it.
4.) Where do you live currently and what is the state of affairs in your region these days?
5.) What's your favorite JACK moment on Bones?
There it is!
Wow. Thank you, TJ, for the deep, insightful questions. I appreciate you looking beneath the surface. I hope my answers do your questions justice. And perhaps—if you have not done so already on this site (I’m new!)—would you post your answers to these questions for us?
1. Greatest desire
My greatest desire is to find and share the rest of my life with my one true love. I have had my school-girl crushes; my kinda serious college relationships; the not-interested-in-anything-serious-right-now flings; the attempts at friends-with-benefits; the younger guys and the older guys; the longer-term, live together boyfriends; and too many missed opportunities. I spent years being commitment-phobic. Now that I’m ready to make a commitment, guys I like are taken (or jaded by divorce). And maybe, my “one true love” is someone I have not yet met. I totally believe that the right guy and the right timing will line up for me someday—just hope it’s sooner rather than later! I have so much I want to share with him!
2. Biggest fear
Fears can fall into so many different categories, can’t they? Let’s see…
I’m afraid of the unknown. That’s pretty general, but very true.
I’m afraid of the “biggies”: being buried alive, of drowning, of falling from a great height (i.e., from an airplane, or within one), or being trapped in a burning building.
I’m afraid that past sins will keep me out of heaven, or, that there is nothing beyond this life; I guess I have fears regarding the afterlife.
I’m afraid of losing loved ones, which includes family, friends, and pets. I’m also afraid of having to share their suffering, be it physical ailment or mental deterioration. Even though I have in my life dealt with all of these items, it doesn’t lessen the fear of future situations.
Perhaps most of all, I’m afraid of going completely deaf. I was born hearing-impaired, completely deaf in my left ear and partially deaf in my right. Going totally deaf is a possible future reality for me. I know I would miss the music, the laughter, the sound of familiar and friendly voices, all the implied communication conveyed by tone of voice, the sounds of love and contentment my pets emit, and the “I love you”s from those I love.
3. Someone/something keeping me from achieving my greatest goal
I have really been pondering over this question. In many ways, I
have achieved what I’ve wanted—to teach. I teach for a living. I have always wanted to teach. In fourth grade, I discovered that I wanted to teach math. In sophomore year of high school, I knew I wanted to teach algebra. Now, in undergrad, I was detoured for a bit by a combination of some hard-headed male professors (who didn’t believe women could nor should be successful in mathematics) and my own penchant for wanting to sleep in, unfortunately past the time the daily Calculus class ran. I “temporarily” switched my major to be music, and—long story short—graduated with a music degree.
Let me say that even though I had never intended to major in music, I am glad for all the experiences, skills, friends, and mentors that came from my college detour. But, my heart was never truly in the game. I loved music as a hobby, not as a career. I still wanted to teach algebra. What held me back? Knowing that I’d have to quit teaching—relinquishing job security, income, location—in order to return to school and get that math degree. So, for nine years I taught music.
I think it was a combination of a near-fatal accident, a bad breakup, and a lot of soul-searching that finally convinced me to just go for it. And I did. I resigned from teaching, left the area to attend the grad school that met my needs, left everything and everyone behind. Wow—just typing about it scares me a little! Still amazed that I finally got up the nerve!
I moved, earned the math degree in 15 months, got steady employment literally the day after graduation. I originally intended to return back home upon graduation, but I stayed for a guy. Ironically, a couple of years later, I left because of that guy.
So (and thanks for indulging my introspection!), I think what keeps me from achieving my goals is me, specifically my tendency to allow relationships with men to dictate the course and location of my life. Of course, the older I get and the more experiences I have, the wiser I become about myself.
4. Where I live currently and its state of affairs
I live in the United States, in a town called Hanover, Pennsylvania. My understanding is that the town was named after the same town (possibly sporting an extra n) in Germany. Hanover borders Maryland to the south and Gettysburg to the west. It is best known locally as the “snack capital of the world,” boasting Utz potato chips, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, Wege pretzels, and Martin’s kettle-cooked potato chips.
Having been born and raised for a while in Baltimore, Maryland, then living way, way out in the country in north-central Maryland, Hanover seems like the perfect place. Houses are nice and offer space between neighbors. Except at the town square, parking is free and easy to find. All basic shopping needs, forms of entertainment, schools, and medical facilities are within a few miles from any residence.
(And for those TJ fans who live out of the country…) I live in the northeast U.S., where we experience all four seasons. I am glad to live in an area not prone to tornados or earthquakes, nor in the path of hurricanes and tropical storms.
You ask about the state of affairs. It’s weird—I can listen to NPR news and hear how the economy is in such disrepair, but I don’t know anyone personally who has fallen victim to it. Thank goodness for that, right? The only signs I see of a stalled economy is the number of “For Sale” signs lingering in front of homes for months.
I feel extremely fortunate, personally. While (so I’ve heard) four-year colleges have taken a hit with enrollment, community college growth has been steady, if not booming. And I teach math at the local community college.
5. Favorite Jack moment on Bones
I can answer this one decisively, but only because I’ve only now seen a total of six
Bones episodes (the first five on Hulu and the clip of the one where Hodgins and Brennan are trapped underground)! I love Jack’s confession of his love for Angela to Brennan while underground, then later his emotional moments with Angela, confessing of his fear of going to sleep because of what he might find when he wakes up. Those scenes drew me to TJ, the actor, specifically, while drawing me to
Bones the show in general.
The raw emotions must, I imagine, be difficult to portray! They require such vulnerability. From my limited, amateur, acting experiences, I remember having comedic lines and stunts to do, and wondering whether I pulled off the scene as I wanted, as the director wanted; or if I came off as a total goof…or as not-believable…or as an idiot. You get the idea. I can’t imagine having to act scared, upset, desperate, all while pouring your heart out, being head-over-heels in love with Angela.
It was truly remarkable.
You are truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us.
Peace and hugs,
Liz