Marriage statistics -- that's how I first came to know Brian b. He wrote about how his marriage was just another stat. And I recall thinking "join the club." And I've been reading about what's on his mind ever since.

So here are some random (and I do mean random!) questions I threw at Brian. Let's find out what he thinks about ironing clothes, astrology and erotic faces ...

Steve Ettlinger wrote a book called “Twinkies, Deconstructed.” Would food would you deconstruct and write a book about?

Interesting thought, but I’m more interested in constructing food than deconstructing it. I loved Bill Buford’s book “Heat” for the experiences he shared, but the part I enjoyed least was the detailed butchering of the pig. Knowing what goes into hot dogs totally ruined that experience for me. In fact, though I love to cook, I don’t enjoy my own cooking as much as I love people’s reaction to it, probably because after constructing it, I’m like the magician’s assistance – bored by knowing all the tricks.
I consider myself a storyteller, and that is all about building blocks, not knocking down. However, a lot of my work is very analytical, and I am known for my problem solving abilities.
Besides, bread and salt have already been done.
If forced to chose, I’d take chocolate…


In a recent interview, Clint Eastwood said we live in a “pussy generation” where people think about things from a psychological standpoint, something he thinks might have started when we started pondering the meaning of life. What’s your take on this?

My take is “what’s his point?”
The ‘man of action’ is wonderful mythology, but only that – it’s the gunslinger mentality that brought us Iraq and the current economic crisis.
I love Clint as an actor, but for philosophy give me Monty Python any day.


People (including you I believe) say 50 is the new 30 or whatever. Is this good news for middle-agers? Or are we prolonging some kind of adolescent hell?

I never actually said that – I posed it as a question, as I do with a lot of my Os musings. But I don’t see this as prolonged adolescence (says he who self describes as 17 for the third time). 30 is, or should be, well past adolescence. The very attractiveness of that stage of life is that it is older enough to have overcome childhood mistakes, but young enough to have the whole world of possibilities open to exploring what you have learned.

You’ve referred in your posts to ironing clothes and even have a day of the week set aside for it. Who taught you to iron and how did you come to love it? Have a quick tip for people ironing-challenged? (I’m not sure I even own an iron … )

I must once have had a lesson from Mommie dearest, but block that successfully. I learned largely through trial and error, and tips picked up in handy home pamphlets and on the internet. Being dexterity challenged, I get satisfaction from doing anything manual without inflicting physical damage to self or others. I also like the sense of order at the end (wrinkly becomes neat), and the zen of focussing on fine details. I’m not naturally a neat freak, so this exception pleases me.
Quick tip: do the toughest parts first, it makes it go quickly. This applies to everything, not just ironing


“There is a rose in Spanish Harlem,” sings Ben E. King in his old pop ballad. “It is a special one/ It’s never seen the sun/ It only comes out when the moon is on the run.” What do you think King’s referring to in this song?

I think it works on many levels. At its simplest, it’s a love ballad – he’s referring to his girl, who only comes out at night. Philosophically, it evokes themes of the joy and beauty of originality, bucking the norm or expected, but at the same time reminds us how fragile that must be, so we need to grab that gusto before its gone.


In his book Signs of Success, astrologer Steven Weiss says “The question ‘Do you believe in astrology?’ is like asking someone if they believe in art.” What do you think? Do you read your horoscope regularly, Scorpio?

I read irregularly. The only one I pay much attention to is my birthday, to look for a theme for the next year. Which is odd, because I largely ignore birthdays. The daily ones I find too generic, so reading them is the philosophical equivalent of looking in the mirror, which I largely avoid as well.


“The face is the most erotic part of the body,” says fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. What do you think?

See above re mirrors.
Actually, I think the mind is the most erotic part of anybody, and that the eyes are the mirrors of the soul. Though a great pair of legs are distracting as well. I’m an exception in that breast size isn’t a big deal with me.


Speaking of faces, why does your look like a Gerbera Daisy? (Incidentally, it was named in honor of German naturalist Traugott Gerber, has about 30 species, and is my favorite flower.)

That’s actually a sunflower. ‘Venus sun’ if I recall correctly. Grew it myself. Midsized B took the picture, to preserve the memory of that crop. At the new house, the crop was poor, but we’ll try again this year. I chose it from the few original photos I had on my computer because I smile every time I see it.


Do you pick your writing subjects or do your subjects pick you?

Both, but mainly they pick me. Maybe that’s why I’ve run dry. ‘The Soloist’, ‘Bailout Math’, ‘Amanda Knox’, the foodie posts, are diverse examples which all presented themselves. The ones I picked often come from other people’s suggestions, but 75 questions was totally picked by me. Got any good suggestions?


What do you get out of the OS experience?

I wish I had an answer to that. I’m conflicted about OS these days. I began reading by accident – the links from salon.com. Then I ran into a post I needed to comment upon, which I discovered meant I had to register, so I decided I might as well post. Now, I think it’s an addiction. One I’d quit, but I’ve made friends here, and need to support them. I’m certainly not getting the attention and affection I crave, but that’s because it won’t come from OS.

If you could be a famous writer or the lead singer in a famous rock band, which would you choose and why?

I want it all. I’ve never fantasized about being a famous writer, but I can’t sing, so it’s all irrelevant.
(Yes, that means I HAVE fantasized about being a rock star – who hasn’t?)


Do you believe in soulmates and love at first sight?

Absolutely, though so far, it hasn’t worked out for me, I’ll keep trying. Because who says there need only be one soulmate? (read my Valentine’s rumination if you want more on this subject).