Today we were talking about the typical Friday stuff — high school boyfriends, peaking in yours teens, self-destructive behaviour in our adolescent peers that extended into adulthood, self-esteem, blue eye-shadow, long hair as well as fried blonde hair, being self-aware and living an authentic life…

Kinda like an Oprah show mixed with the DSM-IV.

Yeah, I know. We’re an interesting bunch.

I’m thinking a bit more about some of the quite varied topics discussed…

Someone mentioned this piece of wisdom: Start as you mean to finish — do things at the get-go the way you plan to do them at the end. I’m not always so good at this. Sometimes I start like a house on fire and end up with a little pile of singed sticks. Other times, I am far too enthusiastic and I end up doing something I’d rather not.

That comment made me think about something I read a few weeks ago: All relationships – personal, professional, romantic, with your electrician – end as they start. Reflect on that. It’s true, isn’t it?

There’s some lesson here. I think it has to do with being your authentic self — something I am pretty good at, as I can’t keep my light under a bushel — or rather my quirks from spilling out from my half-full glass and staining the carpet.

I used to own this book: If…(Questions for the Game of Life..

In an elegant, two-color format, punctuated with intriguing drawings, If . . . poses hundreds of questions ranging from practical to maddening, moral to hilarious–which, if read alone, inspire self-exploration; if shared, spark fascinating discussions at gatherings, dinner parties, or meetings.

Some people found the questions posed in the book fun at my dinner parties. Others just wished we could talk about something — anything — else!

Here are a few questions and answers just for fun…

Q: Would you accept 20 years of extraordinary happiness and fulfillment if it meant you would die at the end of the period?
A: Maybe, if I was 55-60ish. At this point, no. I pretty happy as it is.

Q: When is the last time you stole anything?
A: I have never stolen anything. Not even childhood shoplifting.

Q: When you are given a compliment do you usually acknowledge it or suggest that you really do not deserve it?
A: I’m pretty sure I thank the person. I don’t suggest I don’t deserve it unless it’s an especially obsequious remark, like you are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen or you have the the most lovely singing voice.

Q: What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?
A: No. But I won’t tell you what it was in response to.

Q: If you could have any one specific power over people, what would it be?
A: A bulletproof bullsh*t detector.

Q: If you could have a year in any place in the word – all expenses paid – where would you go?
A: New York City.