Opinion

Friday Night Clam Bake – #20: Philosophical Musings about Nudity and Unregulated Morality

By on • ( 54 Comments )

For this week’s Bake, I’m shifting gears a bit and proffering up a round of questions for your consideration. What you choose to do with these queries is entirely up to you. You can answer some or all of them in the comments, you can create your own blog post out of the mess, or you can simply move on with your life, which is what most self-respecting folks will opt for, considering the tainted history of Bonnywood Manor. Here we go…

1. Do you happily eat the licorice jellybeans, or do you hurl them aside in wretched disgust?

2. If you had to choose a vegetable for the title of your autobiography, which one would it be?

3. Whilst reading the last few pages of an engrossing novel where you still don’t know the answer to “the big question”, are you able to calmly do so, or do you have to fight to keep your eyes from flitting to the final paragraph prematurely?

4. Can you remember the name of the first book you read that didn’t have any illustrations?

5. What literary character best represents the dreams that you are made of?

6. What was your favorite piece of clothing (or accessory) that you wore in high school? Did you steal said item?

7. Do you know where your last high school yearbook is right at this moment?

8. Let’s assume that you have done something that you shouldn’t have. No one knows you have done it and no one ever will unless you say something. If you don’t confess, your innocent best friend is sentenced to a year in prison but then wins the lottery on the day of release from said prison and becomes a millionaire. (Friend never learns of your duplicity.) If you do confess, you get ten years in prison and no lottery win. Your choice?

9. Do you have anything in your home that actually belongs to a former employer?

10. Did you ever have to finally decide? (You knew I would throw in a song reference at some point.)

11. Name the first song that comes to mind where you know every single word of the lyrics.

12. Can you remember the name of everyone who has ever seen you naked as an adult? We’ll toss aside professional/medical experiences, as we’ve all had to throw our legs wide in clinical situations, but this one becomes harder to answer in the affirmative the more you think about it.

13. Through some bit of circumstance, you suddenly find yourself on a nude beach. Which of the following would be your reaction: A) Run screaming in abject horror. B) Hang around a bit to see what’s what whilst remaining chastely covered. C) When in Rome… D) Wave to all of your friends because everybody knows your name.

14. Given the magical chance to start your life over at a certain point, would you rather go back to your high-school graduation, knowing everything that you know now, or go back ten years, knowing only what you knew then?

15. You discover that a life-changing sum of money has been mysteriously deposited in your checking account. Upon speaking with a banking representative, you learn that the source wishes to remain anonymous and you will have to reimburse the donor if the name is ever revealed. Do you keep the money?

16. Would you rather watch admittedly crappy movies with your loved ones in a living room, where it is guaranteed that the miscreants will constantly interrupt the viewing, or peruse cinematic masterpieces by yourself with no interference?

17. Name the movie title that best encapsulates a poor decision in your life.

18. Would you rather write a single book that is hailed as a masterpiece long after you are gone or multiple critically-panned bestsellers whilst you are still on this plane?

19. Do you secretly write poetry that you have never shared?

20. Do you regret things that you never dared?

21. Is there anyone who knows every single thing about you? Do you?

 

Cheers.

 

Categories: Opinion

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54 replies »

  1. Ohhhh there’s some probing questions here and I never could resist a good quiz so……
    Licorice may have untold medicinal purposes but it is not, never has been and never will be a sweetie
    A Pumpkin – it takes a huge effort to get something out of it but, occasionally it’s worth it
    In the last few pages of an engrossing novel my eyes will move at light speed and the world will cease to exist until I get to the end – definitely nothing calm about it
    The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
    Rincewind from various Terry Pratchett books – he bumbles and stumbles through life but always manages to get there in the end
    School was so many years ago that any questions relating to that period are pretty much impossible to answer
    I’d like to say that I’d go to prison for 10 years because that would be the noble thing to do but I probably wouldn’t (I am not feeling good about this answer….)
    Yes, a file but as I was my former employer I don’t worry about it too much
    Yes
    Rock and Roll Suicide by David Bowie
    Thought about it and no….
    Having been in Rome I would happily do as they do ;O)
    High school graduation definitely; my future self would thank me for it
    Yep I would definitely keep the cash; who am I to question the generous gestures of others?
    Definitely cinematic masterpieces, on my own except for a large glass of wine
    Dangerous Liaisons
    Multiple best sellers now thanks :O) The real critics are the ones who buy the books (or not as the case may be)
    Yes but only in my head…….it’s really secret
    No because regrets are a waste of time
    There was yes but not any more

    That was fun! Who’s next? ;O) xx

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Official Response: This is a very interesting cornucopia of information that I promise I will use in a just and prudent manner. Some of the answers surprised me and others intrigued me greatly. Translation: Holy cow, I could get at least 24 Past Imperfects out of this plethora of expression. I’d best start making some narrative notes before the intel leaks out of my brain. But don’t worry, I’ll be gentle… 😉

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  3. Ok, had a think and this is it:
    1. I’m not jellybeanist – I eat them equally
    2. Potatoe – you can live on them (and water) for a very, very, very long time
    3. I admit to glossing over lots of words if I really am intrigued
    4. Not sure – but the book I remember is “Sunnybrook Farm” by Enid Blyton
    5. Pass
    6. A secondhand male business shirt – and NO
    7. Yep, burnt to ashes 30 decades ago
    8. Apaprently you are fortune teller to know they are going to win the lottery – so you tell me what I did!
    9. Nothing that I’m not allowed to have – a pen.
    10. I did, but then I changed my mind – more than once – I AM WOMAN
    11. Baa Baa Black Sheep
    12. Once I could have – now they have all faded away (thank goodness)
    13. I wouldn’t run, but I would amble very dedicatedly – I really don’t want to see a mass of “bits” that only ever look good hrough a haze of love (or lust). The human body is ridiculously weird.
    14. Magic always has a cost – so think I’ll just stay me now – she ain’t so bad.
    15. Money for Nothing – I’d be done with Dire Straits! (now who’s doing song references, huh!)
    16. My living room – always.
    17. Pass
    18. Oh, come on – When you’re dead you ain’t going to know.
    19. YES
    20. Don’t really think about it, so probably not
    21. Nope, and NO

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Well, then, I had a swell time scrolling through these.You had me right at the start: “I am not a jellybeanist.” What a lovely thought and a great opening line for a moving, allegorical story about high fructose corn syrup. Some random thoughts that popped into my head on a few of your other answers:

      Potatoes can grow eyes in the dark, so your autobiography might have to include references to clairvoyance and/or The Psychic Network.

      Interestingly enough, I also had a second-hand male business shirt that was a fave of mine for a while.

      I’m surprised that you passed on the “dreams that you are made of” question, as it would have been a perfect opportunity to make an obscure Eurythmics reference.

      “Baa Baa Black Sheep” actually scared me as a child. I don’t remember the why at this point, only the fact that I didn’t like to hear those words.

      Truth, Part I: “The human body is ridiculously weird.”

      Truth, Part II: “Magic always has a cost.”

      I love the defiant “NO” at the end…

      Liked by 1 person

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      • AH, damn missed the Eurythmics opportunity. Being able to say No with conviction is a perk of getting older I feel, plus I am always slightly suspicious of anyone who says they have no secrets – we all do, even if it is a teeny tiny one about who ate the last jellybean. 🙂

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  5. Pingback: Philosophical Musings | Wanderings of an Elusive Mind
  7. Pingback: Philosophical or not | sparksfromacombustiblemind

  8. How very very strange. The ping backs work on YOUR page, but most others I respond to? The ping will not ping. It may have to do with persons requiring PERMISSION to allow the ping to ping, which seems to me to defeat the whole purpose. Anyway. If you click that pinged link, you’ll find my answers to your most interesting questions.

    Now I have a question: Where are YOUR answers, sir? I’d love to read them….

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Sigh. I’m miserably behind with my follow-ups and perusals of other blogs these last few days, but I relish seeing what you’ve done with this on your blog. As for my own answers, I will providing them eventually, but I want to get through everyone else’s responses so I can come up with something fresh… 😉

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      • We’ll wait. Not patiently, no no…but wait we will. Actually you do them in your own good time. These questions are getting quite the buzz from folks who follow my blog, but I’m careful to credit YOU for them. So…. heh.

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  12. Ohhhhh, now I get the last post.
    And yes, yes, this IS how I’m getting by in life believe it or not. Lol 🤷‍♀️ Just thinking everyone knows what people are talking about and it’s only me living in a dark world with honey blond hair atop of it. Sigh. 🙄

    You deserve a post my friend, don’t hole your breath but soon. Like tomorrow. Lol.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Interesting questions! I’ll be posting my answers over at my place, pretty soon! Now, I’m off to read your answers from your future post, since I’m running behind as usual. Does this even make sense? haha :)_

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I just finished reading you post and it was a hoot! Thank you so much for joining in and for you kind words in the intro.

      And yes, I completely understand the future post angle, as I’m constantly running myself… 😉

      Liked by 1 person

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  14. You create the most fascinating questions. I’ll ponder them and a post may be the result, mainly because constantly scrolling up and down is annoying and I’m far too vain to let all my good work go unheralded.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Isn’t the scrolling annoying? I always forget about that angle when I do one of these audience participation things, and I quickly rue the negligence when it comes time for my comment responses. One would think I would have the questions memorized after a certain point, but nope, here comes comment 39 and I’m still scrolling. The first step toward recovery is admitting that I have a problem…

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  15. Pingback: 21 Questions & Answers | teleportingweena
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  19. Pingback: Twice-Baked Clams and the Dreams That We Are Made Of – Bonnywood Manor

  20. Impossible to resist this engaging questions😀😎
    Licorice I love it in any for except liquor and always have a bag in my car(thing that doesn’t go well with my high blood pressure but it’s for that I take the pills right?).my vegetable is aubergine/eggplant.Hard not to jump to last paragraph know the “big answer”,but then I will happily go back to the start.Knowing the end won’t ruin it.”little women “ was sure among the first proper books I read.
    Favorite high school item ,for sure a pair of green tights,year s hook book we didn’t have them in Italy and I frankly don’t have the best if the memories from my high school class.I don’t have a best best friend and if I had one she/he would be like me….not buying lottery tickets😜I have always been curious of going to a nude beach but I wouldn’t keep unknown source money.
    I have no patience to watch crap movies,well crap in my opinion of course .
    I would like to go back ten years with the notions I have know but would it be fun?I don’t memorize songs….my brain just cant🤷🏻‍♀️despite ho much I like them.
    My motto is better regret to have done something rather to wonder what if but still there is always something left undone and yes I regret I didn’t dare but it’s not really troubling me.I would say nobody knows everything about someone……not even the same someone!

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    • I really enjoyed reading your answers and learning bits about you, but I must confess that I am fixated on the aubergine choice. I can just see the cover of your best-selling autobiography, with you sitting at your Louis XIV writing desk and looking glamorous, hoisting a massive aubergine, with a slightly-devilish gleam in your eye. And possibly wearing the green tights…

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  25. Pingback: Friday Night Clam Bake Response – Culture Shocks

  27. 1 – I swallow them whole
    2 – “One Fell Off the Turnip Truck”
    3 – I just read faster
    4 – sadly, no.
    5 – I have a lot in common with Jude Fawley
    6 – I had no fashion sense at all at the time. No particular item meant anything to me.
    7 – Sitting on my hard drive.
    8 – Make sure the friend understands how good a friend I really am while he is in prison.
    9 – Oh yes.
    10 – Only occasionally. I have other people who are anxious to make up my mind for me.
    11 – Baby Shark
    12 – I have seen hundreds. Maybe thousands. Not a chance.
    13 – Definitely D!
    14 – High-school graduation. Too much pain between then and ten years ago.
    15 – Hell yes!
    16 – I’ll let them watch the TV while I watch something worthwhile the laptop in the same room.
    17 – So many bad decisions! None of them interesting enough to make a movie about.
    18 – I’ll take the bestsellers any day.
    19 – Prose? Yes. Poetry? No.
    20 – Yes. Many. Some days the regret is almost unbearable.
    21 – Everyone is a mystery, even to themselves. I try to clear up some of that mystery and I think I am doing a reasonable job. Nobody else is interested. Everyone else prefers to nurse their own illusions.

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  28. 1. I ONLY eat licorice jellybeans.
    2. Fava beans. They’re very hardy and go well with a nice Chianti.
    3. Well…I’ve never read a novel, so…
    4. The only book I have ever read didn’t have illustrations.
    5. What?
    6. A navy blue mohair sweater.
    7. Yes. In some landfill in Miami, Florida.
    8. Umm…let the friend go to prison, win the lottery, and then kill them and steal the money. LOLOL
    9. Yes, but it was given to me.
    10. Yes I did.
    11. Hell…I know all the words to all the songs I know.
    12. Yes I can. Aside from doctors…not one living soul. (and I know what you’re thinking. “She was married,”)
    13. B for sure. I have no problem taking a free peek at the dangles.
    14. High school.
    15. Hell, I don’t care who the money came from. No need to identify benefactors.
    16. Watch masterpieces by myself.
    17. Why did I get Married?
    18. Not sure. Writing a masterpiece that is hailed long after I’m dead…who cares? I won’t know. That’s like all those famous artists who died broke, and now their works are worth ga-zillions. Probably neither. Don’t like to write.
    19. No.
    20. No. I regret things that I did dare.
    21. No. No one will ever know everything about me.
    13.

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    • Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, even though the post is ancient and dusty, just like me…

      1. I recently read about a licorice cake that was apparently popular back in the day. Have you ever tried one?
      2. In other words, you have contemplated murder at some point in your life…
      3. Never ever? Hmm.
      4. See, now I’m starting to think you’re playing with me…
      5. Yep, definitely playing…
      6. I notice you didn’t mention whether or not you stole it. Your mystery deepens…
      7. I never picked mine up, even though I was on the yearbook staff. We had to go back AFTER graduation to get it, and I was done with that place.
      8. I knew there was murder in your past!
      9. That’s not as much fun.
      10. Me, too.
      11. And you’re still messing with me…
      12. I think it’s best that I not know any more about this angle…
      13. Getting serious for just a sec, I think all bodies are beautiful in their own way. We shouldn’t be ashamed of them…
      14. I would definitely go back to high school knowing what I know now. And I would destroy certain people with no regrets…
      15. Agreed. I would wonder a little, but I would enjoy the money much more.
      16. Same. I have little tolerance for anyone who can’t shut the hell up when it’s appropriate.
      17. “You Can’t Go Home Again”
      18. I want the masterpiece. I don’t care when it gets recognized…
      19. I do. All the time.
      20. I’m on the fence with this one, but I lean toward regrets about the chances I didn’t take.
      21. Yep, no one will ever know.

      What’s up with the extra “13” at the end. Were you still thinking about the danglies? They CAN be hypnotizing… 😉

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      • 1. No, I have never heard of a licorice cake, but I would have probably tried it. (I don’t eat licorice any more. It’s very bad for you.)
        2. Shucks! More than once. LOLOL
        3. Never, ever.
        4. The only book I ever read was Ambulance Girl….and it was under duress.
        5. Well, I’m not sure I understand the question, but if you’re talking about dreams, then I reckon Jack the Ripper? (I have horrible dreams).
        6. Ha. No, it was a Christmas present.
        7. I carried mine around with me. I don’t remember how it got lost…(well, I do, but I’m not saying. It’s pretty sad.)
        8. Okay. Maybe not kill them. Just make them wish they were dead. (That would be a good story. You know how I like to murder, dismember and collect blood in my stories.) LOLOL
        9. I know, but I’ve never really been much of a thief…although the other day, I stole a pack of sewing machine needles. (Didn’t mean to.)
        10. I had to finally decide to get rid of a maggot.
        11. Seriously. It could be any song from my past. Now if you’re talking about the modern rap crap, I don’t listen to it and heaven forbid…I would never learn the words.
        12. Hey. You do know that naked means you don’t have any clothes on, right? And nekked means you don’t have any clothes on and you’re up to something. I was neither of those. I didn’t mind walking around in my underwear, but not in the altogether. Maybe that’s why some maggot called me a puritan? LOL
        13. I agree, but I would be like a child in a candy store. SO many lollipops and…which one to lick? (You asked for that.) LOLOL
        14. DITTO!
        15. Yeah…who cares where the money came from? Spend it and enjoy…and I love a little mystery in life.
        16. One of my favorite things is to get ready for bed, curl up on the sofa and watch a good movie.
        17. That’s a great one…especially since the author was from my hometown. I’ve seen his little bitty house. Quite unimpressive.
        18. I really don’t care. That’s why I don’t want a grave or a marker. I don’t want assholes showing up with tears and flowers when they wouldn’t give me the time of day when I was alive. And I wouldn’t want them to buy my fucking book. (Sorry…a nerve just got struck.)
        19. I wrote stories when I was a young girl. They very much echoed my life, but I destroyed them. Oftentimes, I would “paint” my poetry.
        20. I regret every single minute of every single day that I wasted.
        21. It’s good to be an enigma. I’m the kind of person who will walk twenty miles to repay a debt, but I will walk twice as far to collect one.
        I don’t know what was up with the extra #13. Maybe I was thinking about Wentworth Miller. 🙂

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