Still Dawdlering

Another Sunday’s come and that means it’s time for Rory’s Garden Dawdler — nine questions posed once a week for our answering pleasure. And since the garden is in bloom, I’m accompanying my answers with some flowery pics.

THE GARDEN DAWDLER — Q&A

What do you find yourself splurging on the most?
Probably food, dining. I really enjoy good tasty food. I don’t mean expensive, fine dining. Sometimes that’s fine, but I’m much more interested in great flavor. This also extends to coffee.

What is your top writing tip?
Write everyday. It doesn’t need to ever see the light of day. It doesn’t even need to make sense. Making writing a daily practice is my healthiest habit. It not only keeps me writing, but it keeps me (relatively) sane.

Are you a regular recycler, and if so, what are five of your top recycling tips?
In Shanghai, recycling is mandatory so we definitely regularly recycle. One recycling tip is to know the local requirements wherever you are. When I was visiting my mother in the US their system could only recycle a much narrower range of plastics than we do in Shanghai so it was important to sort the recyclables from the non-recyclables to not clog the system with garbage. The biggest advice I would have is NOT to recycle if you can help it. What I mean is that recycling should be almost the last resort. It takes a lot of energy to recycle, especially when it comes to plastics, and if you can first reduce what your using or re-use it then that is the better option. I read somewhere (and I don’t have a source so read and understand at your own risk) that it was the plastics industry that funded a lot of the recycling movement because it would encourage continued use of plastics by even those that wanted to protect their environment. With all that said, we should definitely recycle if possible when the only other option is the trash heap.

Are you someone that wants to be or needs to be heard and seen, or are you content to be found behind the scenes?
Ah, what a probing question Rory! I’d say that I’m someone that want’s to be heard and seen sometimes but is also happy to stay behind the scene other times. The key is that I want it on my terms. If I’m proving to be invisible when I’m trying to be seen then my ego can get all up in a twist. Likewise, if I’m trying to hide in the background but am pulled into the light I can get very uncomfortable and grumpy.

How approachable do you think you are in real life and away from the keyboard, and do others feel the same way about you?
I try to be approachable, especially in my professional life. But if I’m honest there is enough evidence that I might not seem that way to some others. In an effort to be accessible I often set up 1:1’s with all the members of my team. Some of them are clearly nervous during these sessions despite all my attempts to help them relax — especially the more junior ones. Socially, my shyness can sometimes become a barrier as well, but I’ve been getting much better over the years. I give myself a B mark for being approachable, because at least I’m trying.

Do you sit more on the fence or the edge of the knife?
I’m not sure I fully understand the choice here. I definitely am not a fence sitter. I make decisions quickly and decisively and only change them when I’ve new information that warrant’s a rethink. The only decisions I don’t make are those that don’t need to be made by me (of which their are plenty more than I might at first think). Sitting on the edge of a knife sounds painful, but if that’s what being decisive means, then there’s the answer.

What do you remember the most about your grandparents.
My dad’s dad — no memories; My dad’s mom was super sweet and kind toward me. I especially remember the huge blueberry pancakes she would make when I visited. Yummy. My mom’s dad seemed sad; My mom’s mom was funny about money and a terrible cook. My mom’s parents had a sailboat and I remember sleeping on the sailboat once or twice and having the best sleep of my life.

How important to you is validation from your readers to your written content — do you need acknowledgement from others to create?
These questions go deep this week Rory. Your getting us to open up our souls — haha. I’d say validation is pretty darn important to me but not a requirement for me to create. I greatly appreciate a comment or review (or that very rare of rarities and actual sold book). It energizes me and feeds my soul. But I can work with validation in small doses. One insightful response is enough to keep me going. I think I would still create even with no feedback, but probably not as often.

What is it you would have liked to have been asked about your life but have yet to be?
I don’t know how to answer this one. If I have something to share I feel able to share. I guess I wouldn’t mind being asked someday how I managed to become a globally renowned author…but that answer kinda busts my answer to the previous question. So I guess there really isn’t any answer for this question.

Thanks Rory for the interesting questions once again. I look forward to reading everyone’s responses.

Be well,

Monty

• Horizon
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• Wound Up
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• Playful
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• Dragon in Flight
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• All of Me
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• Morning Concert
  It’s drizzling around me. I first noticed the patter upon the umbrella above. A little too heavy to be the mosquitos dancing. A little tooContinue reading “Morning Concert”
• The Day After Yesterday
  The Day After Yesterday The morning is cool. The air is a fresh floral green.The light is bright beyond the shade tree’s shadow. My mindContinue reading “The Day After Yesterday”
• Another Floral Pattern
  Be well, Monty
• Weave Too
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• Weave
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• Painted Flowers
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• On Exhibit
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• A Little More Than a Drizzle
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• The Human
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• Strangers
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• Another Garden Dawdler
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• Figures
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• Willing and Able
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• An Exercise III
  Be well, Monty
• An Exercise II
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• Under the Pi Pa Tree
  I’m sitting under the pi pa tree observing hundreds of yet to ripen fruits. I wonder what pi pa jam tastes like? It was justContinue reading “Under the Pi Pa Tree”
• An Exercise
  Be well, Monty
• Morning Ride
  Morning Ride Her arms wrapped around me,Wanting more, I sped up;She held on tighter;I smiled into the rushing wind,Wishing I could go faster. Mrs. MontyContinue reading “Morning Ride”
• An Old Sketch
  An Old Sketch What’s this?A tree yet to be.Or, If roasted,A fragrant snack. Be well, Monty
• This Morning
  This Morning Dancing greensDroplets of pinksSet against a canvasOf subtle blue shades Be well, Monty
• Upon Every Sunrise
  Upon Every Sunrise Sitting in the corner, quietly observingThe life of the party, I scroll throughMental images of those we’ve buried;Memories aged, blurred byTears, saltyContinue reading “Upon Every Sunrise”
• Sunlight Through Stained Glass
  Be well, Monty
• Selection of Florals
  Be well, Monty
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• Z is for Zoomorphism
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