The Questionnaire

"Most everything I do is pretty silly, really"

1. What are you doing these days?
I’m blogging on Boing Boing, editing Make magazine, and writing a book about the do-it-yourself movement. I’m meeting extreme do-it-yourselfers and learning how they became who they are and why they do it, and then trying to incorporate DIY into my life in a reasonable and rewarding way.

2. What turns you on creatively?
My kids’ art is a big influence. Most of my paintings are based on their art and the characters they’ve created. Taking walks alone is a big creativity booster, too.

3. If you were a mind-reader whose mind would you like to read?
A wild gorilla’s mind, one that has never had contact with humans.

4. If you could travel in time, which era would you visit?
100,000 years in the future. I think people will still be around by then. I’d say a million years, but we might be extinct by then.

5. What is your favorite sound?
I used to have a Zip Drive, which was kind of a portable hard drive with removable 100 Megabyte disks. When you stuck a disk in it, it made a very pleasant, soft, rapid clicking sound. There was something very comforting about it.

6. What is the album or song that influences you the most?
London Calling, by The Clash. It came out when I was 18, which is a perfect time to be deeply influenced my music. It will always be my favorite album.

7. Who would you like to collaborate with? And why?
I usually don’t like to collaborate with other people. I like working alone. I do enjoy working with my wife, Carla though, because we help each other. I also enjoy working with the staff at MAKE, because our roles are pretty clearly defined and no one steps on any one else’s turf.

8. What drives you crazy?
Robotic bureaucrats and red tape. My mother-in-law and father-in-law have fallen victim to identity theft, and since they are not in good health, I’m handling it. The amount of paperwork  to deal with is astounding.

9. What makes you laugh?
Funny real life incidents that my friends and family tell me.

10. If you had 3 wishes what would they be?
Realistic wishes: My kids live rewarding lives, I get to play with my grandchildren, I become a better ukulele player. (The third one is the least likely).

Unrealistic wishes: Everyone lives forever, everyone is happy. I don’t need a third wish.

11. What is the craziest thing you ever did?
Selling everything and to Rarotonga with my family in 2003

12. What makes you feel embarrassed?
Speaking in front of a dozen people. But I don’t feel uncomfortable speaking to 2,000 people.

13. What are your favorite web-sites (not including the ones that you are participate in)?
Neatorama, Nothing to Do With Arbroath, The Agitator, Grow-a-Brain,

14. What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
Most everything I do is pretty silly, really.

15. How would you make the world a better place?
By raising responsible kids.

16. What is your biggest weakness?
Coffee and desserts. If I have one piece of pie, I have to have three.

17. Where will you be in 10 years?
Still in Los Angeles! I love it here.

18. Write a question that you like to ask yourself and answer it.
Q: What is your new year’s resolution?
A: To only buy things that are beautiful.

19. Who would you like to answer that Questionnaire?
David Pescovitz (my friend and co-blogger)

Associations

Love – my family
Death – something I push out of my mind
God – strong doubt
TV — the shows have never been better
Family — the secret of life
Writing – exquisite torture
Politics – disgust and entertainment
U.S.A — world’s best place for the weird
Internet — it saved my from life in a cubicle
Fame — I’d rather have the money
Happiness — if you aren’t happy, you can’t make others happy
Boing Boing — surprise
MAKE magazine — better than going to school
Mark Frauenfelder — very curious

Mark Frauenfelder is a blogger, illustrator, and journalist

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