A Stitch in Haste

Inside the Vault = An intermittent string of weekend posts detailing aspects of my personal life.

I always insist that I'm not one for memes, but every so often I read one that is intriguing.

In this case, it's a fun quiz that I first saw at Southern Expressions and then actorschmactor:

The idea is to list five things about yourself. Four of them are true, one is a lie. Can you guess which one of the following statements about me [is] false?

I'm going to add a twist: a statement after each option that is either a hint or a curve ball. Half-truths inside straw men wrapped in red herrings — I'm practically a politician!

So, which is the lie?

1. I incessantly talk to myself.
--Maybe that "Torch Song Trilogy" quote in the left sidebar has a deeper meaning to me.

2. I once fell out of a moving car.
--Doesn't everyone?

3. The one candidate for president I ever wholeheartedly supported was a Democrat.
--Not a trick option: I did once wholeheartedly support a presidential candidate, but was he a Democrat?

4. I get hopelessly seasick.
--Note that none of my recent vacation destinations are "maritime" in nature.

5. I share a certain fetish with (at least) two bloggers on my blogroll.
--I didn't say "sexual fetish" and I didn't say "gay bloggers." That's a mighty wide net. Or perhaps I'm just too uptight to admit that I share a certain sexual fetish with (at least) two gay bloggers on my blogroll.

Which is the lie?

• #1
• #2
• #3
• #4
• #5

view results

The correct answer will be posted next weekend.

NOTE: It's possible that a few long-time readers may know with absolute certainty that a particular choice is or is not correct. If so, please don't comment about it — just vote in the poll.

Inside the Vault = An intermittent string of weekend posts detailing aspects of my personal life.

To review:

The idea is to list five things about yourself. Four of them are true, one is a lie. Can you guess which one of the following statements about me is false?

So, which is the lie?

1. I incessantly talk to myself.

True. I grew up in a remote rural neighborhood where not only were there no kids my age, but also few kids period. And both my parents worked, and there was no instant messaging or anything like that to stay in touch with schoolmates, so I became a somewhat reclusive latch-key kid and got so bored that at some point I just started talking to myself. Not to an imaginary friend, but more like to a documentary camera. I just never shook the habit. Which is perhaps why blogging seems so natural to me.

2. I once fell out of a moving car.

True. I was about seven, riding in the front seat (kids did that back then) and as my mother was slowly negotiating a S-curve she hit a bump while my hand must have been on the door handle. I don't recall actually ejecting from the car, but I distinctly remember rolling head-over-heels to the curb. No serious injuries, but I was kept in the hospital overnight for observation (my only inpatient experience, incidentally).

3. The one candidate for president I ever wholeheartedly supported was a Democrat.

True. Notice I said "wholeheartedly supported" and not "voted for." That was because I was only 16 at the time, and I absolutely adored, as an optimistic 16-year old moderate might, Ohio Senator — and national hero — John Glenn, who was (briefly) a candidate for the 1984 Democratic nomination. I was no fan of Ronald Reagan, and Glenn seemed to have the best chance to defeat his re-election bid. In my current regeneration, I would also say that, if there ever was a national politician who indeed strove to be a "dedicated public servant," and was not a moral defective, it was Glenn. On the other hand, as Judge Judy would say: I wasn't fully cooked back then.

4. I get hopelessly seasick.

This is the lie. I've even gone sailing — in a race no less! It was a weekly event that a fraternity brother was a team member on. The teams could be either four or five members, so I tagged along once as a fifth wheel. The captain was very good at translating sailing terminology into English. For example, "When I say pull that rope, pull that rope!" (Not to mention, "When I say duck, you better damn well duck!") I also love taking ferry rides as quasi-scenic tours (e.g., from San Francisco to Sausalito). And I always treat friends visiting New York for the first time to a ride on the Circle Line. As for the lack of "maritime destinations," my next vacation, in less than a month, is to Barcelona (no sailing though). Want to come with me?

5. I share a certain fetish with (at least) two bloggers on my blogroll.

True. And that's all I'm saying on the subject. But if you're on my blogroll and you've mentioned a fetish, maybe now you have something to think about...

About 40% of you guessed correctly. Congratulations.