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THE BLOGGER INQUIRER ISSUE # 28
"For Blogging Minds Who Need To Know" ...

PRISONER OF HOPE of A Common Housewife in the Fast Lane
interviews
JOHN THE SQUABBLER of The White Lodge

Hi Mr. Squabbler !
How nice it is to finally meet you at long last !
Where, may I ask, were you born and raised ?

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...or Long Island, New York.
That's the little fish-shaped sliver of land that sticks out into the ocean next to the Big Apple.
A lot of people who visit think of Long Island as one long,
crowded road, but that's not true.
There are several long, crowded roads - not just the one.



Now, you know that there are some 'Lucy' questions
that she wants us to ask.
I will start with those and then add some of Whisper's that
I thought were good.
Well, the first Lucy question is:
Name 5 CD's you have in your changer right now.
I happen to have a 5 CD changer, but it’s empty right now.
Suppose I tell you what 5 CD’s are likely to be in it?
That would be fine......
Santana III (that would be Santana’s third album)

Jupiter Circle “Shade Songs”
Soulfly “Prophesy”
King Crimson “Islands”
Miles Davis “Blue Miles”
Wow. Those sound great.
I know Santana and of course, Miles Davis, but I haven't heard
of Soulfly "Prophesy".
I think you might know me well enough at this point, John,
to know that I would like to hear that.
Soulfly you are not going to like, POH.
It's rather aggressive, and their manner of praise is sprinkled
with some language not ordinarily associated with civil discourse,
much less the worship variety.
But they're individualists, like me,
trying to make their way in a weird world.
All of your selections are very interesting.
Okay, here's another "five" question:
What 5 bloggers would you want to meet and why?



Meet?
Can’t I keep my illusions ?
No.
*winks*
Well, that’s easy.
The people who started commenting right away – in the first week.
If I had to narrow it down to five, though…
I guess it’s not so easy all of a sudden.
Sherry of Sherries Cherries, definitely.
She just came right into the comments section and
said hello right at the beginning.
She helped me figure out a few technical things.
I think she started telling people,
‘Hey, go read what this crazy guy has to say".
I know we’re friends because we’re very different and
yet we get along so well.
Yeah, Sherry sure is friendly, isn't she ?
TTR because I Trust the Rust.
I have a picture of him in my mind.
I’m pretty sure he would resemble it in person.
He’s sincere, creative, full of compassion, and really a seeker.
Besides, he gives me the most overwhelming compliments !
Indubitable Paradox by Trust the Rust
I don't know him. He has an interesting name.
Gotta love those compliments !
Prank, for sure, and I can’t put my finger on why.
We’re both very positive and sensitive people.
No kidding. I like a quick and ready wit – sense of humor.
We’re both observers and recorders of inner life and outer life.
I just get this impression that if I was still drinking he’d be
someone I could have a Guiness with.
Prank is a great blogger.
Everybody knows Mr.Happy.......er, I mean, the Prankster.
*winks and smiles sheepishly*
I haven’t met you yet – at least not in person.
Can I say that?
Is this thing on? Testing, testing…

Oh, we've met, Mr. Squabbler.
At least in all the ways that matter.
The rest is just outward appearance and
who cares about that, right ?
And why ?
Well, because we’d have a blast, of course.
Tons of reasons.



You know it, John T. Squabbler.
Little POH is all about having a blast !
I’d like to have coffee with Ron of Radicaldiscipleship
because I think he would like to have coffee with me.
There would be some real conversation at that event.
He actually reminds me of someone I know –
even has the same name.
Oh, my goodness, who would NOT like to have coffee with AZRON?
You have to love him and his very gracious and hospitable wife,
JUNE.
Wait, that’s five already and I’m not done.
I’d like to go all ‘round downtown Manhattan with Purple Fly.
Great pick! I love Purplefly !
And Biggie too.
Oh my, Biggie the T-ster.......he is the MAN, isn't he ?
Well, you know what I mean !
*wink, wink*
We’d find some decent music between us.
Can you imagine ?
Actually, I can imagine, John.
What a great party that would be !



I’d like to listen to Rosie’s Australian accent.
Yeah, it's purty......
Well, I was gonna say, sexy, but then again I'm POH
and people tell me that Little POH isn't allowed to say
things like that.
I do believe Lucy has a recording of Rosie's voice
in her archives somewhere.
And I'm going to have to add Shoutoutgirl now,
and Big Chris, and your buddy, Mr. Ornery - what a sense of humor -
so I'm going way over my limit.
Oh, what the heck –
why don’t we just hire out a convention center smack dab
in the middle of the country?
We could have everybody there.
We could have panels, seminars, parties,
plot world domination, whatever.
Hey ! That's what Art M. and I have been saying for months !
Let's do it !
You, Zappa and Biggie will bring the music, right ? Bring it !
Cuban Husband and Lucy are officially
the Host and Hostess extraordinaire, how 'bout dat ?
Favorite alcoholic beverage ?
Well, I never met a drink I didn’t like,
and I guess that’s why I don’t drink.
I haven’t had a drink in six years.
I used to like Irish whiskey quite a lot –
no, much more than quite a lot.
But after 30 drinks everything tastes the same.
Hard to pick a favorite there…
Ha-ha, Mr. Squabbler
*roly face*
Well, Little POH doesn't drink either for the very same reason.
I just recognized the problemo after the first and only time
I got drunk and ended up......oh, never mind....
So, you're saying you don't drink NOW, right?
No, I don't drink now. It wouldn't be considerate of me to drink.
There'd be none left for the rest of the world if I did -
and that just wouldn't be fair.
What is your nationality ?
American.
Well, I heard tell you have a little European in you...
Something about Long Island and Manhattan....
you know...
Nope, just American.
What is the last book you read ?
Well, this is a week ahead and I read about four or five books a week, but as of now I’m finishing ..
Joyce Carol Oates “Son of the Morning,”
and I’m about to break into the mysteries of
S.J. Perelman, “The Road to Miltown,”
which appears to be a compilation of essays,
presumably humorous.
I buy books by the box-full at auctions, estate sales, etc.
I’ve collected several thousands.
When I finish one I put my bookplate in it and mark it with my initials.
That way I don’t read them twice.
So, THAT'S why I can't keep up with you when I talk to you.
I like Joyce Carol Oates too.
Can I come browse your library?

You can come catalogue my library if you like.
I still haven't got it all in order, but I use a system based on
the thickness of the dust on the books.
I know at least how long it is since I've had one down
by studying the dust.
Sorry for this next question, John...
*winks at Lucy, asks question, waits for answer and winces*
What is the color of your underwear ?
At the moment ?
Uhhhhh......
Sort of caucasian fleshy color with manifest imperfections.
Imperfections? Whaaaaa ?
Yeah, I'm a white guy, so I have freckles and all that.
If you were to rifle through my drawer, however, (or drawers?),
you would find rather conservative boxers
and a few dark black and blue Y fronts.
The type I wear depends on the trousers,
what would be most comfortable.
Okay, that was probably more than I wanted to know....
What is your middle name ?
MY NAME IS
Hilda.
Whaaa ? Nooo !
Is THAT why you call yourself 'a silly girl' sometimes ?
If it's not, please explain.......*wink*
What is your favorite curse word ?
I don’t really have one.
Sometimes I’ll let out with a ‘Holy Schmack !’
Ha-ha !
Because it has such a nice NY Yiddish ring to it,
but I was taught that substitutions such as ‘frig’ or ‘heck,’ ‘dang,’
are really exactly the same as the vulgarity they represent.
I’ll go with those too sometimes,
but it’s ‘skimming’ on the disrespectful,
and I have to be sure the listener is in a jovial enough mood
to accept it in the spirit it’s offered.
The use of curse words, in general, indicates a lack of character.
My blasphemy can be appalling, though !
When my children were born,
their mother and I got into the habit of exclaiming
‘God bless America!’
instead of blaspheming outright, but really…
Oooooo, I LOVE that !
I will have to remember that, to use in front of my children...
God bless America !
Okay, here's a good one for ya:
What noise or sound do you like ?
I love the sound of people’s voices, different accents, laughter.
Natural sounds – birds and such.
Coyotes on a chilly night.
Someone playing Mozart in another room.
The sound of dogs barking over the hill,
Distant chainsaws in the Fall.
The Subway sounds, The Tube sounds.
All kinds of sounds emit their pleasure rays.


What a GREAT answer, John, seriously.
I will have to remember that you said,
"All kinds of sounds emit their pleasure rays"
I'll add it to my John T. Squabbler quote book I've started.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
It would be easier to answer, what doesn’t ?
I had a girlfriend in college....
*thinks, wait a minute......did I ask the question right ? ....winces*
....who once gave me a birthday card in which she had written:
‘The littlest things delight and amaze you.’
That stuck with me.
It began to occur to me that I perceive the world a little differently.
*thinks "pheeeeuuuwwwww! I guess I did !
Dabs demurely at forehead and chest with hankie*
Just by the little bit I've gotten to know you John,
I would say that girl is right.
You do take great joy in the little things.....
and that's a good thing, you silly girl, you.
I’m creatively turned on by other people’s creations.
All reading, all music, all movies, plays, poetry –
it’s all a form of sharing creativity; it’s all inspiring, or can be.
The same things can be emotional turn-ons, too.
I’m not sure about the spiritual, though.
I don’t see it as a separate category.
Life is spiritual by its nature, and all things rebound to that spirit
within that resembles the love of our Creator.
I’m deeply religious, but I don’t go to church for the experience;
I go to be fed the Bread of Life.
If I happen to enjoy the Liturgy or the music
– and I love liturgical music –
That’s entertainment, same as a Broadway show.
I appreciate it as art.
Sure it uplifts the Spirit. Art does. That’s what it’s for.



Well, you MUST know POH just LOVES this answer.
Gotta love that Bread of Life !

What profession other than your own would like to attempt ?
You’re gonna laugh, and I don’t blame you.
Awwww, I wouldn't laugh at you, Mr. Squabbler...
I’d like to work in Funeral Services.
A-haa-haaa-haaaaa........ooops.........sorry,
I didn't mean it, honest !
*lowers head, covers mouth with hand, all that can be seen is
Little POH's shoulders convulsing uncontrollably with
an occasional snorting sound escaping...*
It requires reducing one’s own personality and serving people with respect and solemnity at a most important
and stressful time in their lives.
I’ve loved being in service.
I’ve loved being the butler, the porter, the custodian, the consierge,
the bartender, the guy at the sales desk.
I’ve even been a salesman.
These jobs put me into contact with people in a way where they’re the ‘boss.’
I have a massive ego, and it absolutely loves being reduced.
It gives me pleasure to serve.
Awwww, I really am sorry, John, you lift that job up into
the spiritual realm, seriously.
Wait a minute, you have a massive ego ?
I haven't gotten that from you.
Well, I have a self-effacing and ironic sense of humor.
That's one of the hallmarks of the big ego.
I love to deflate my ego, but I'm not at war with it.
Deflating the ego is good because it allows us to see reality without getting in our own way.
When we pray that happens.
I have a friend who’s a caterer, and she often asks me to help out.
I love being on the other side of that table.
I think being responsible for carrying out a family’s wishes
for their departed loved ones in a courteous,
respectful fashion is a noble occupation.
The whole idea is not to be remembered by them,
but to be invisible to the memory,
to form no greater impression,
so as not to detract from the solemnity of the event.
Wow, you are a true servant. Honestly.
I see a few moral lessons for POH in there.
Wow.
What occupation or profession would you not want to do ?
Tree surgeon, roofer, housepainter,
anything requiring ladders and heights.
I’m not acrophobic. It’s not heights I’m afraid of.
It’s falling I’m afraid of. I don’t want to fall. It hurts.
Well, the falling doesn’t hurt.
It’s what happens when you’re finished falling that hurts.
Didn't you fall off of a roof recently?
Tell us about that John.
Sure, I fell off a roof last week - week before.
There's not much to tell. I'm right as rain now.
It's like it never happened.
I think the first thing I mentioned about it in my blog was
that it was a head rush.
So I guess it was fun, really. No worries.
If Heaven exists, what would you like God
to say to you when you arrive ?
I’d like Him to say,
“There you are – what took you so long?"
Oh, that is a GREAT answer !
I want him to say that to me too, John.
If you could live anywhere, in any time period,
where and when would it be ?
I’m already here and now, and that’ll do.
Awesome answer. I like that.
I’m not entirely pleased with everything about my time and place,
but that would be true anyway,
no matter where or when I was, am, will be.
I do enjoy old movies from the 30’s and 40’s.
I know that my manners, my values, and a lot of my attitudes are formed in that time, and I’m quite comfortable with
older people who lived it.
I can see that.
I don’t really connect with most people my own age.
So, THAT'S why you and I get along so well.....
it's the age difference !
Come now, POH -
You're older than me by no more than a few years.
And years are like days when you're over 40,
so we're really the same age.
But you're a woman.
I should say more specifically I don't connect with men my own age.
We have so little it common.
I like guys in their 70's and 80's, 90's.
We share values guys my age don't seem to have.
They lived in the 1930's and the war years.
What a great time that was to be an American !
But there were these horrible human monsters in the world,
people consumed by Evil –
Hitler, Stalin, and later, Mao.
Genocide was everywhere.
I think we beat the devil himself, at least won a major battle,
because of the character we possessed then as a people.
By and large, we don’t have that anymore.
We have a whole generation of cowardly worms in charge of our culture right now.
Gee, Mr. Squabbler, why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel?
*wink*
Well, people can say
"What are you doing up there on your high horse?"
I say to them,
"What are you doing down there in the mud?"
But every time period, and every place,
has its miracles and its tragedies,
its good points and bad points.
So, I’m happy here and now.
It’s where I belong.
And we are very glad to have you here and now.
You belong on the Blogstream with us.
Great answer.

What five things that you have done in your life
you are you most proud of ?
Five again. What’s up with the number five ?
Uhhhhmmmm, Lucy has a thing for five ?
I DON'T KNOW, just answer the question please....
I’m not proud of anything I’ve done.
Let me change that word to ‘grateful’ then I can answer.
Oh, John, what a thing to do......
I like that.....
I’m grateful for my children, the fact that I can be a Dad,
maybe a decent one.
They’ll let me know one day if I have been.
I’m grateful for the way I’ve been able to overcome difficulties,
both the real and the self-created ones.
I’m grateful that there are people who think I do a good job,
and want me back, ask for me by name – name of my company.
I’m grateful that people here on blogstream
seem to enjoy my writing.
A little overwhelmed by it, though.
I don’t value it much.
I do it because I have to. I always have.
It’s goofy writing – that’s all.
“An ill-mannered thing, but my own.”
It fills me up in such a way that I have to be very careful
to avoid pride, at all costs.
I’m grateful that I’ve managed to live this long against such odds,
with God’s grace sustaining me.
I’m grateful for every day I wake up
– in the sense you mean by ‘pride,’
because it’s an achievement for me.
I achieved another day of life.
For many that’s a thing taken for granted.
I used to be able to do that.
I can’t anymore.
Every day really is a new beginning.
I know it’s a cliché.
I’m just a silly girl.
Oh, that was a wonderful answer, John.
I am humbled for not having thought of it myself.

Oh – I am proud of that.
I’m proud that I’m a silly girl.
But that’s 6.
I’ve gone over again !
So, you ARE proud of being a silly girl ! I knew it !
*laughs out loud*
Let's say you get to spend the day with 5 people
(dead or alive).
Who would they be, and where would you meet ?
(Sorry about that number five again.)
Groucho Marx. I’d like to be a contestant on “You Bet Your Life.”
I would like to meet G.K. Chesterton for coffee somewhere.
He can pick where.
Actually, knowing him,
he’d probably invite me over to his house so
I could meet his wife too.
Ditto C.S. Lewis.
Only I’d like to run into him while he was
on his honeymoon in Greece.
He was so out-of-place there, so helpless.
It was all so befuddling for him.
I might have a chance of actually being noticed –
any English speaking port in a storm – that kind of thing.
I would like Roald Dahl to give me a tour of the
Cadbury Chocolate Factory,
and afterwards we can have flakes and chocolate coffee drinks,
and talk about chocolate and the War,
and children who don’t behave,
because that’s what he liked to talk about.
I would like to have had an audience with John Paul II.
And I suppose I could have done it.
Perhaps it’s a regret now that I didn’t, when I had the opportunity.
Those are great picks, John.
I love C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl too.
Personally, I liked James and The Giant Peach.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be ?
I’ve already changed everything about myself,
but I can’t answer this seriously.
I think I’d prefer being one of those tall,
narrow guys who always gets the good-looking dates.
Tall and narrow ?
Maybe a fellow who looks good naked ?
Yikes !
*blushes*

Hey – I feel great, baby, but you better keep the lights down low, if you know what I mean…
I guess if I could look like George Clooney, only with a brain,
that would be good.
Well, LOOKING like George Clooney and BEING George Clooney are two different things, aren't they ?
If you WERE George Clooney I'd have to tell
Marc not to let you meet Biggie in person..or something like that...
*lowers head, puts forehead into hand, shakes head...
no sound...only convulsing shoulders visible*
What do you believe are your gifts ?
I have the gift of gab, primarily. I’m a fantastic liar.
I don’t do that anymore, but I was awfully darn good at it.
I tell tall tales, and I love doing it.
I love exaggerating the truth, making the ordinary extraordinary.
Telling stories.
I’m better in person than I am in writing, so I try to write just as I talk
so you can see me smiling at you when you read it.
The thing to remember as you read my stuff is that
I'm laughing while I'm writing it.
If it 'sounds' really serious the chances are I'm poking fun at you,
or at myself, or at everybody - just having a howl, you know ?
You are an exaggerator ?
That must be why you fit in so well on the Blogstream !
I have a gift that many people call empathy.
My eyes tear up at the drop of a hat – so don’t go dropping any hats.
Awwww.
Anyway, I seem to be good at getting inside your head.
Uh-oh ! That could be a dangerous place to go, Mr. Squabbler.
Oh yeah - but Danger's my second cousin's - adopted brother's - middle name.
Maybe that’s connected with story telling.
When people talk to me I listen aggressively so
I can understand them.
People really interest me and I love them.
That’s a gift.
I can attest that you are an aggressive listener....
I've learned to watch what I say around you !
Extreme good looks.
Of course.
Goes without saying though.
And a huge dose of humility....
Oh, I forgot, it's that massive ego you were referring to.
What is your worst and best habit ?
Well, you tell me.
If I pick my nose, tell me.
Say ‘Yuck! Stop that !’
YUCK..........STOP THAT !
I have absolutely no idea how the words
‘best’ and ‘habit’ go together.
I will say that I smoked from the age of 10.
Ten ? Really ? Wow.
Quit about a dozen times within the past seven years,
and I’m still quitting today.
Every morning I have to quit all over again.
Well, I haven’t had a smoke in a few weeks now.
Good JOB, Squabbles !
Keep it up !
You know, it’s funny – I couldn’t care less about health matters,
the pain associated with smoking-related illnesses
one can develop.
I’ve known so many people going through that, too.
What got me in the end was that I was sick and tired of
being told what to do by a plant.
I’d wake up every morning and hear a voice:
“This is Tobacco, I’ll be running your life today.
Your schedule is as follows…”
Whatever it takes, John. I agree.
I don't like to be told what to do by a jellybean...same thing, right ?
Well, I don't know as jelly beans will ever put you on oxygen,
but I suppose in principle there are some similarities.
Hummmmm, guess you don't know how many jelly bellies
POH can eat !
*lowers head and slaps own hand*
If you had three wishes but could only use them
to benefit someone else,
what would you wish, and whom would you wish it for ?
( I have to say that this was a question that Whisper and her kids thought up and I loved it so much. )
In general, I would wish the Spirit that filled me,
that fills me with life, love of life, fill everybody.
That wouldn’t make them like me.
We wouldn’t want that.
But it would make them like themselves.
Squabbler, man, that is a GREAT answer !
I LOVE that answer !
I wish I thought of it myself !
I would wish for Peace.
That doesn’t mean cessation of hostility –
not until everybody has Peace, anyway.
I’m at peace already. I wish more people could be there too.
I can’t wish for an end to hunger, or war, poverty, or injustice,
because then I’d be wishing for the end of the world.
And I don’t wish for that.
Peace is in the heart of every man and woman who prays for it,
unconditionally, and with humility.
It’s available in infinite supply right now this minute,
without any other conditions being necessary.
I guess that’s it. I only have two. I’m glad you didn’t ask for five.
I didn't ask for five, John, but I did ask for three...I only count two.
Got one more?
Nope. I'm done.
The third wish will be a mystery. I love a good mystery.
One more question, John.......
Are you generally an optimist, pessimist, or realist ?
I call myself a realist, because the reality is
there's always cause to be grateful.
I guess that’s optimism, though.
I mean, come on – look at this wonderful world.
If that’s not what you see the problem’s your eyes because
you have no control over someone else’s.
You have no control over the world.
But you have all kinds of control over what you see
and how you see it.
Wow, it was WONDERFUL talking to you, Mr. Squabbler,
and I hope to do it again very soon.
Thank you also, for letting the blogstream see the true Squabbler.
Your presence adds your own unique facet to our community.
TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS PROVIDED BY:
ICE




