I really like this interview format meme, it really makes me think about my answers though I’m not nearly as creative in my responses as some of the posts I’ve read! I wanted to play again and noticed that SilverWillow had recently played, so I asked her for five questions. My responses follow! And it’s not too late for you to play, if you want me to come up with five questions for YOU to answer just leave a comment!

SilverWillow: If you were discovered to be a reincarnate of a past warrior, who would you be and why?

Michael: I’m assuming you’re referring to a warrior from a human culture, so ancient Klingon heroes are ruled out, correct?  Hmm… well that does narrow the field a bit. In that case, I’m going to go with Saburo Sakai. Sakai was a Japanese naval aviator during WWII and survived the war as Japan’s 4th highest scoring ace. By all accounts, he followed the Samurai code in combat and conducted himself with courage and honor.

SilverWillow: You are guest hosting on American Idol, you are given the choice of either wearing a bright pink ruffled shirt with your outfit, a Scottish kilt with hightops …OR…a purple robe with kittens on it…which do you choose?

Michael: Well, having experience with at least two of these articles of clothing I’d have to say I’d go with the Scottish kilt.  I wore one in a friends wedding party some years ago and found it to be very comfortable. And no, I won’t tell you what I wore underneath. A man has to have some secrets.  I still threaten to buy a Utilikilt from time to time, but haven’t gotten around to it. 

SilverWillow: You are on a first date and suddenly get the urge to kiss her…do you: (A) Go for it, the moment is upon you, (B) Pretend that your shoe is untied to distract yourself, (C) Make subtle hints and hope she lays one on you, (D) Think of a strategy, mull it over in your mind and then execute it?

Michael: Hmm, human again yes? Just checking… always pays to be sensitive to a being’s cultural background. Frankly, “A” wouldn’t work for me, I always assume I’m reading signals wrong and err on the side of caution and thus, inaction. Honestly, the few times I have chosen otherwise have been hideous mistakes. “B” could backfire, I often wear shoes with no laces. If I tried this wearing my Uggs or Tevas it would just be… awkward. I mean, what would she think if I were fiddling with shoes that have no laces? “C” is a possibility, but what if she misread *MY* signals and thought I was having a nervous breakdown? That leaves “D” as the best choice. Several possible strategies spring to mind.  Not dating would solve the problem handily but may be sub-optimum. The only strategy that has ever worked for me was simply asking my date if she minded if I kissed her. Old fashioned perhaps, but safer for all involved!

SilverWillow: What is one of your most funniest memories?

Michael: I like to think my one and only stand-up gig at at open mic night at Giggles in Seattle was pretty danged funny, but maybe not the funniest. I’ve seen a lot of stand-up comics and those memories are pretty funny to, I used to love hanging out in comedy clubs but haven’t in recent years. Hard to say if I have a specific funny memory but I do have a lot of funny memories from my years in community theater.  Theater people are hilarious once they let their hair down. And with things often going wrong, a sense of humor is critical to survival. Domestic Tranquility was a pretty funny show. I played a mute character. Try being on stage for nearly the entire show and only communicating via gestures, grunts and growls. I got pretty good at growling. My favorite show (as an actor) was probably You Can’t Take It With You.  What a great (and funny) show. I got to wear overalls and appear on stage in black silk boxers with red hearts (I still have them too!).  That was pretty funny. One of our shows was on Valentines Day. I secretly borrowed a pair of angel wings and wore them for my boxer scene, so that I could be cupid on that day. I wish I had a photo of that! Not that I’d post it mind you. (More theater photos here for anyone interested)

SilverWillow: What is your favorite element…Earth, Water, Air, or Fire?

Michael: I note that chocolate isn’t on your list… clearly an oversight. Well, according to my horoscope, as a Capricorn I’m an Earth sign. If I look at my Chinese horoscope, I’m a Fire Horse. Among other things, my analysis says that being in love with me will bring pure rapture.  You’d think that would be a real plus when it comes to dating, but mostly it gets me odd looks. Well, the rest of it seems pretty accurate. So this suggests that Earth and Fire are my most compatible elements, and I tend to agree.