WWYD

(originally written 2/15/08)

Ed note: Originally, I posted 10 hypothetical questions, but in light of learning something last night, I decided to take out the question, it wasn't a bad question, but it was something I didn't think was appropriate, so in the manner of trying to maintain good karma, I took out the question.

I am trying something different with this blog. I don't know how it will turn out; it could be one of the better ones, or it could be one of the worst ones. Then again, the one I wrote about what I was thankful two years ago was the worst thing ever written since the lyrics of every Nickelback song penned. Call me confident, or cocky, but I don't think it will be worse than, If Everyone Cared This is How You Remind Me of Someday I am a Rock Star in Photographs. If it works the way I envision it in my mind, it could be epic, if not, well, then at least I get more time to play my new Wii at night this week instead of toying with the blog.

Ed note: I bought a Wii Sunday morning and continued to play Guitar Hero for a continuous 6 hours. I am writing this throughout the entire work week, so by the time I post this on Friday, I fully expect to sign a record contract to be the new guitarist for The Killers, or to have developed carpal tunnel; which ever ones comes first.

So, what's the catch? It's this: This needs your cooperation, an interactive blog, if you will. If you remember my blog at the beginning of the New Year, you may recall the fictional scenarios I posted at the beginning of the blog. There were three hypothetical scenarios posted: The smart pill, the weather and its relation to your friend, and the opportunity to relive the greatest year you have ever experienced over and over…and over.

Here is the deal. If you participate, allsome; if you don't, well, then don't complain next week when the blog doesn't take shape the way it does in my mind. I am going to pose 9 different scenarios and hypothetical questions to you. They will be open-ended and have no right or wrong answer. The key is for you to answer the questions and send your answers back to me, you can reply in the blog, send me a message, email, text me your answers...whatever, as long as I get them. Once I get them, I'm going to write a blog about the answers and formulate it into next week's blog. This ain't college; you don't have to write long, complex, detailed, and far-fetched, answers like someone you probably know. Ok, I'm babbling. On to the questions:

You are having dinner. This is an elaborate dinner in which you will be served the greatest feast you have ever been served in an elaborate 7 course dinner. Attire is extremely formal and everyone in attendance is dressed to the nines. After dinner you will be required to give a 20 minute speech. The only attendees will be those people who you have had sex with, some you remember well, others are one night stands. What do you say?

You are in a band. For your genre, you are the biggest selling act ever, you have sold countless millions of albums, you have achieved everything you have ever set out to do: videos, MySpace page, groupies, sold out arenas. Your success rivals that of U2, quite frankly, you are one of the most successful bands ever, but also one of the most controversial. You are rich beyond your years and have everything you want out of life; however, the band you are in is a satanic worshipping band. You don't agree with the message you portray, but the money is well worth it. Do you stay in the band?

You have the best job in the world. You have the worst co-workers in the world. You get paid handsomely for what you do, but you also must go through a series of tremendous ridicule for what you do. Your work has been lauded as some of the best your industry has ever seen; however you feel a void in life. You want to share your work with your family members but fear there might be rejection. You are a gay porn star, like Militia in American Gladiator, however you are straight and there are no chances for diseases. How do you react?

You and your brother/sister are traveling on a cross-Atlantic flight from New York to London. There are three total passengers on board: yourself, your brother/sister, and the pilot. In a dramatic turn of events, there is a malfunction with the propeller and you are forced into a crash landing. Upon crashing, the pilot is dead upon arrival as is your sibling; however, the pilot was able to announce coordinates of the crash over airwaves; unfortunately, the rescue party wont arrive until 2 weeks. On this desolate island, you have no means of survival whatsoever unless you turn to cannibalism; there is no absolute other way of eating, thus no survival. The only body you discovered is your sibling. You have a new born due in 2 weeks. What do you do?

You are faced with a decision. This decision is not directed at you, yet, it impacts you indirectly. This is a decision regards either your son, or daughter. As you have raised your kids, you have tried and tried to engrain morals and values into your children. What would be more damning to you as a parent: Your son being a drug dealer, or a daughter who is a prostitute? Both are dead end jobs and have no clear future, which causes you the most pain?

You have been selected to jury duty. The defendant, a known gang member, has been accused of murdering a rival gang member. The slain gang member has had a reputation for committing heinous crimes throughout your area. The defendant claims it was in self defense, however, all evidence supports the contrary; this was a pre-meditated murder, yet, people are supporting the death of this notorious gang member. If found guilty, he will be given the death penalty, otherwise he will declared innocent. You agree with the motive for the murder, yet, legally speaking, he is wrong and should be given the death penalty. There are only two choices: death penalty or innocence. What do you vote?

And the three of my favorite questions….

You come across a wizard. This is a real wizard and he has proved to you he is a wizard. He offers you an opportunity: He says he will make you appear more attractive for a monetary amount. For instance, if you give him $1, the wizard will make you appear $1 more attractive. Not believing what you have heard, you ask for proof. Your friend gives the wizard all of the cash in his pocket, which is $3. The wizard then casts his magic on your friend, and at first glance there is no noticeable change in his appearance, but you do acknowledge there is a change in his demeanor, making him to appear more attractive than before. After seeing this, you decide to try. How much money do you give the wizard?

You meet a magician. He knows only 3 standard tricks: He can pull a rabbit out of a hat, turn a 2 of diamonds into an Ace of Spades, and make a quarter disappear. The catch is this: these tricks he pulls actually happen. In other words, he literally pulls a rabbit out a hat, makes quarters disappear, and turns a 2 of diamonds into an Ace of Spades right before your eyes. These are the only 3 tricks me knows how to do, but as proof shows, he actually performs real magic and uses nary an ounce of illusion. Knowing this, would you consider him more impressive than Albert Einstein?

If you're reading this blog, chances are you have been on this Earth for a at least a decade, perhaps some of you have been on here for two decades, a few have been on here for three decades, and others, who I may not even know, have been on this Earth for upwards of four decades. Considering everything you know about life, love, money, academia, wisdom, everything: Is there a certain point in your life you would do differently? Or, are you content with everything you have done in the past and where your life is headed and/or heading?