Camphor Trees, Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida.
So, mrschili proposed this “manly meme.” Here’s my preface: what makes a man a man? Kindness and keeping commitments. All else is vanity.
1. Underwear: (How did this subject become one of interest? Was it some Clinton thingy?) Usually none. Boxers to bed as pajamas when it’s cool. Those longer-legged “briefs” (clingy, not floppy) when biking, walking, etc., usually the Ex Officio brand.
2. Fussiest personal care routine: Nail care. I am a fanatic about this because I play fingerstyle guitar, and need my nails really short, on both hands, but exceedingly smooth on my right hand. I have emery boards everywhere, and a special brand I order. Washing my hands frequently is a corrolary of this; I hate playing guitar with grubby paws.
3. Favorite tool. Let’s just say I can tell a Philips screwdriver from the other kind, and know some real crackerjack handymen. Seriously, I have a little tool which is both a string-winder and cutter I use to change strings on my guitars. That’s my favorite tool.
4. Can I change the oil? Yes. Do it? Not a chance.
5. “Manliest” thing I do on a regular basis: Rub/scratch my Honey’s back/interact with Babycakes.
6. Something “manly” I never learned to do? I dunno, chew tobacco?
7. Do I ever cry? Well, I tear up. The trigger? Mistreated and sad children/mistreated and sad women.
8. Chivalry? Yes. I just try to do those little things which are pretty much passe. Open my Honey’s car door, seat her at restaurant tables myself, that kind of stuff.
9. Chauvinistic? I like to think not.
10. Favorite movie? Really hard to pick, but I’ll go with Blade Runner.
11. Dumbest testosterone-inspired thing I’ve done. Hmmm, well let’s just say that the 17 years between my divorce and meeting my Honey were “Frank’s Wild Years.”
12. Quality(ies) that make a good man good. See my preface above: kindness and commitments. I really try. I think about these things a lot.
13. Toilet seat up or down: (This non-issue has gotten more play over the years than it deserves). I close both the seat and lid when I flush, always. I leave it that way.
14. When my Honey’s away, how do I dine: Usually I make sandwiches or heat soup. She usually makes some stuff like turkey meatloaf and freezes it for me. I do little take-out. I am a real homebody.
15. What societal expectation of being a man do I resent? All the bullshit surrounding “clothes make the man.”
16. Best part, society-wise, of being a man? Urinals?
17. Will I stop to ask for directions? Sure.
18. What do I wish my Honey understood better about how I think or behave? She understands me only too well!
19. What’s the one thing I understand least about my Honey? Why she insists on ironing sheets.
20. What do I need to have in the shower? My razor. My Archipeligo Milk body wash (I use it to shave, not for washing, it is wonderful). Soap, shampoo, the ususal stuff.
21. Burp/fart/scratch in public? Well, as slyly as possible. Remember, when it comes to belching: “Better to belch and bear the shame than hold it in and bear the pain.”
22. I decided to change this one to one of my own choosing: Do I have regrets about my conduct as a man? I do. My regrets are all about the times I was cruel to someone. Anyone. I hate it that I said and did anything unkind ever. I try not to dwell on it, and try to let this subject govern my current actions.
23. What scares you? Seriously, I have dreams/nightmares of tight places. I must be claustrophobic.
24. My best feature? Not for me to judge.
25. What would I do for love? Be kind and keep my commitments.
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