At the end of the nineteenth century, when Proust was still in his teens, he answered a questionnaire in an English-language confession album belonging to his friend Antoinette, daughter of future French President Félix Faure, entitled An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc.

At that time, it was popular among English families to answer such a list of questions that revealed the tastes and aspirations of the taker.

James Lipton, the host of the TV program Inside the Actors Studio, gives an adapted version of the Proust Questionnaire to some of his guests. Lipton has often incorrectly characterized the questionnaire itself as an invention of Marcel Proust.

A similar questionnaire is regularly seen on the back page of Vanity Fair magazine, answered by various celebrities. In October 2009, Vanity Fair launched an interactive version of the questionnaire, that compares your answers to various luminaries.

For this week, I will ask questions that seem appropriate to you my readers.

Question #1: What is your favorite word?

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Narrative: I didn’t see it coming.  For crying out loud, all I was doing was checking Twitter.  They friended me.  I checked ‘em out. Next thing I know I’m in the studio with ATTWATER making some sort of country record (for lack of a better description in these pluralistic/postmodern times we live in).  But I’m getting too esoteric with that kind of talk. It’s just good music and Erika Attwater is one amazing singer.  So there you have it.  If you dig me and stuff I’ve produced, you might just like this too.  And if you do like it, pass it on to others with gusto.

Have at it. It’s all yours.  Watch the amazing Jeremy Cowart directed video and get yerself a bumpin’ download too.  I don’t know what bumpin’ means.  I was told to say it by my multitude of handlers.

Peace and love,

Charlie Peacock

Watch the amazing video below and then get a free mP3 download at: http://attwatermusic.com

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We’re all born to broken people on their most honest day of living
and since that first breath…
We’ll need grace that we’ve never given
I’ve been haunted by standard red devils and white ghosts
and it’s not only when these eyes are closed
these lies are ropes that I tie down in my stomach,
but they hold this ship together tossed like leaves in this weather
and my dreams are sails that I point towards my true north,
stretched thin over my rib bones, and pray that it gets better
but it won’t won’t, at least I don’t believe it will…
so I’ve built a wooden heart inside this iron ship,
to sail these blood red seas and find your coasts.
don’t let these waves wash away your hopes
this war-ship is sinking, and I still believe in anchors
pulling fist fulls of rotten wood from my heart, I still believe in saviors
but I know that we are all made out of shipwrecks, every single board
washed and bound like crooked teeth on these rocky shores
so come on and let’s wash each other with tears of joy and tears of grief
and fold our lives like crashing waves and run up on this beach
come on and sew us together,
tattered rags stained forever we only have what we remember…

For the rest of this extraordinary poem click HERE

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Grant that I be salted with new ideas,
With every dream tempered from my soul,
Every passion fitted excellently to opportunity,
To encourage, refresh and diffuse me.

Let me not overlook the hand that holds the pen,
The eye that sees the horizon,
The tear that stings with emotion,
The verklempt that tells of wonder,
And the heart that beats for each new day.

Help me repair to creativity,
Be commited to the world by it,
And in it find the deepest joy.

May I be motivated to impatience and self-expression,
Grace for active imaginings,
Faith to see things not yet seen,
Hope to stimulate my intellect,
Love to free me forever,
To ideas and belief in magic.

May creativity make me
More thankful,
More wild,
More zealous,
More watchful,
More discontented,
And more challenging to others.

That hereafter I may forever be a fly in the ointment and a befuzzlement to all.

Amen?

What say you? Can you make this prayer better? Please go for it!!

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Bud and Randy at Royers Cafe in Round Top Texas

These unforgettable and timeless “Budism’s” from Bud Royer of Royers Cafe, Round Top, TX will help you get through life in a more enjoyable way!

“The greatest achievements were at first, and for some time, dreams.” — James Allen

“A lot of people can tell you what to do but very few can tell you why they do what they do.”

“If you believe you can tell me what to think, I believe I can tell you where to go.”

“It ain’t braggin’ if it is real!” — Dizzy Dean

“Our souls long for authenticity.”

“A pie is the ultimate comfort food.”

“It is not God I have a problem with, but it is His fan club.”

“We live in an evil world, but a great place to serve.”

“Everything is a pretext for a good dinner.” — Jean Anouilh

“Success is not available to just a fortunate few—success is available to everyone.”

“Creativity is all about giving freedom within a framework.”

“Adventures do not require money, they require imagination and leaving fear behind.”

Question: “Can you add to Bud’s list of Budism’s?”

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It is definitely counter-cultural. It may seem un-American.

But spending an entire day eating and drinking with friends is one of the most spiritual things you can do in life.

I would be bold enough to say it is just as important as a traditional church service.

It is sacramental.

Here is an outline of our second annual Italian Memorial Day feast.

Who: Dear friends

What: An all-day Italian Feast

Where: Kalein@Round Cove

When: Memorial Day

Why: To spend uninterrupted time together eating and drinking.

The morning started for me very early in the morning in a rocking chair on the deck overlooking a majestic bluff on the 2,000 acres of Kalein@Round Cove soaking in this extraordinary sunrise.

You can view the menu HERE: Memorial Day Round Cove 2011

Course I

Bruschetta di Pomodori — 4 fresh large beefsteak tomatoes, 1 shallot, 1 clove garlic, olive oil, fresh chopped basil, kosher salt. Mix together, let rest for a few hours. Chargrill baguette slices and serve together. Recipe from my friend Billy Ray Hearn.

II

Base Sardine — Sardines from the grocery store fileted, basted during grilling with 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 peeled and halved garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and  grilled over high heat. Recipe from the Essential Pasta Cookbook.

III

Insalata Mista — Salad fresh from the Round Cove garden (the only ingredient not from the garden was goat cheese.)

IV

il primo (First Main Course)

Gamberi in Salsa Verde e Risotto — Shrimp in Green Sauce — Chop together 1/2 cup Italian parsley, 1/4 cup onion, 2 tablespoons capers, 2 anchovy fillets, whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, salt to taste. Boil shrimp for two minutes (no more!) until they turn bright pink, place shrimp on sliced tomatoes arranged crossways on the plate, drizzle with sauce. (This seemed to be the favorite dish of the day for many.) Recipe from the Savoring Italy cookbook.

V

il secondo

Amatriciana con pancetta e Red Chili Peppers — Red Sauce with Pancetta and Red Chili Peppers — Put 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1 medium finely chopped onion in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the onion becomes a pale gold, then add 1/4 inch slice of pancetta cut into strips 1/2 inch wide and one inch long, cut up and add 1 1/2 cups canned Italian plum tomatoes, a chopped hot red chili pepper, salt to taste, and simmer in an uncovered pan for 25 minutes. Toss 1 lb bucatini pasta with the sauce, then add 3 tablespoons freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese and 2 tablespoons freshly grated romano cheese and toss again. Serve immediately. Recipe from Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking.

VI

Vari Formaggi — Various cheeses — We set up a beautifully decorated table in the garden and enjoyed lavender infused, manchego, drunken goat, and other favorite cheeses.

VII

Dolci Vari — Various desserts — We set up another decorated table under an arbor with a rustic table and benches and enjoyed a Royers Cafe Macadamia Nut Pie, and Mascarpone Cheesecake with almond crust. Click HERE for recipe.

Bere

Pre Dinner Bere — Pre-Dinner Drink — Sangria Flora — For our first three courses, we enjoyed a St. Germaine Sangria. Click HERE for recipe.

Diversa Vini Bianca e Rosso e Chianti — Various White and Red Italian Wines — At course 4, we opened various Pinot Grigios, and for course 5, we opened bottles of the award-winning 2006 Monte Antico Super Tuscan Red. For the cheeses, we enjoyed various Muscat wines and for the desserts, more various red wines.

Timetable for the day:

9am – Prepare Sangria Flora and Bruschetta.

10:am – Prep for first 3 courses.

11:00 am – Course 1

12:30 pm – Course 2

2:00 pm – Course 3

2:30 pm – Prep for next 4 courses.

3:30 – Course 4

5:00 – Course 5

6:30 – Course 6

8:00 – Course 7

Question: Have You Ever Taken An Entire Day To eat Slow and Enjoy Friends? Why?

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To ship a Royers’ pie, “THE ULTIMATE SLICE OF HOME!!!”, to 1000s of our brave fighting troops serving overseas for July 4th and 5,000 for Thanksgiving & Christmas …. THEY ARE ALREADY AT 450 PIES FOR THE 4TH!!!

Be a part of OPERATION: DESERT PIE by sending a couple of BUD’S CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE….   Pretty simple!

And with your order they’ll make a donation to the FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION of $5 for two (2) pies shipped together, aka THE TEXAS HOME SLICE PACK or $2 when one (1) pie is shipped.

The FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION: Is like the Ronald McDonald House but it is at many of the military medical centers around the world. They provide free housing for families when they have a wounded warrior in the hospital. PRETTY COOL!

Many of you will want to be a part of this OPERATION but do not have any names of soldiers to send a pie too…. they have compiled a list of soldiers who’d love to have the “THE ULTIMATE SLICE OF HOME!!!”

1. The BEST DEAL VALUE is to ship THE TEXAS HOME SLICE PACK of two (2) pies with s/h for $76.00 or just one (1) pie with s/h for $41.00.

2. Pies are shipped to APO/FPO addresses (USPS). It takes about 10-15 days to get to’m.

3. Go to the café’s website to order THE TEXAS HOME SLICE PACK or just one pie. If you don’t have an address for a soldier, we have scores of soldiers addresses & when you place your order online the directions are so very simple!

4. Deadline for placing your order for the holiday:
* JULY 4TH ~ June 12th
* THANKSGIVING ~ October 17th
* CHRISTMAS ~ November 14th

So join them in OPERATION: DESERT PIE to have a slice in supporting our brave fighting soldiers overseas by sending  “THE ULTIMATE SLICE OF HOME!!!”

So here’s the deal folks …. this is not worthy of a “Good Job!” or just a pat on the back!!! This is the ultimate in capitalism, all involved in ODP are “winners!” They’re committed to making difference …
ORDER SOME PIES!!!

CLICK HERE & DO IT NOW!

Email them or call 979-249-3611

Spread the word to all your friends and social network by clicking the buttons below!

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“I want to live where soul meets body, and let the sun wrap its arms around me, and bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing, and feel, feel what its like to be new.” — Death Cab for Cutie

“So grab that last bottle full of gasoline, gasoline, gasoline, grab that last bottle full of gasoline, light a toast to yesterday, and don’t tell me there is no mystery, mystery, mystery, and don’t tell me there is no mystery, it overflows my cup.” — Bruce Cockburn

“Could’ve swept in like a tidal wave, or an ocean to ravish our hearts, you could have come through like a roaring flood, to wipe away the things we’ve scarred, but you came like a winter snow, quiet and soft and slow, falling from the sky in the night to the earth below.” — Audrey Assad

“All this pain, I wonder if I’ll ever find my way, I wonder if my life could really change at all, all this earth, could all that is lost ever be found, could a garden come up from this ground at all, you make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust, you make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us.” — Gungor

“Cast me gently, into morning, for the night has been unkind.” — Sarah McLachlan

Question: What is your favorite song lyric?

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Alone Together

Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky (Creativity and Generosity In A Connected Age) Internet guru Clay Shirky forecasts the thrilling changes we will all enjoy as new digital technology puts our untapped resources of talent and goodwill to use at last. He posits that television has consumed a vast amount of America’s intellect, time and energy, but for the first time people are now embracing new media that allows us to pool our efforts at a vanishingly low cost. The results are Wikipedia and the current overthrow of governments in Egypt, Libya and the Sudan. Let’s all join together, turn off our televisions for a bit, read this book and do something productive.

The Empathic Civilization by Jeremy Rifkin (The Race To Global consciousness In A World Of Crisis) Empathy as a skill not a gift of the creative was one of the three points of my latest video and talk. In this sweeping new interpretation of the history of civilization, bestselling author Jeremy Rifkin looks at the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our journey—and will likely determine our fate as a species. The dawning realization that we are a fundamentally empathic species has profound and far-reaching consequences for society.

Question: What book have you read lately that you could not put down?

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Chances are—if you have experienced success in life, someone provided the opportunity for your “big break.”

For me it was a man named Jack Price. Jack is a boisterous music evangelist from Texas. We are as different as night and day.

But one day in 1992, the phone (remember land lines?) rang in my hot cramped office in the booming metropolis of Satsuma, Alabama and Jack was on the other end.

As music director for the Southern Baptist Convention, he invited me to sing a solo at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis in front of 30,000 people before the keynote address of the President of the Convention, Dr. Charles Stanley.

Little did I realize at that moment my life was never to be the same.

Sure, I had to perform, I had to pay my way to Indiana, I had to rehearse countless hours, and I had to show up.

But it would not have happened without the invitation from Jack and his belief in me.

And it changed my life forever.

After the solo, people were literally lined up offering job opportunities and the rest, as they say, is history. I accepted one of the offers as Arts Director at a South Florida mega-church of thousands. In one five minute span, I was transported from a hot, cramped office in a tiny South Alabama town with no assistant, to a South Florida air conditioned, spacious office that would have made any corporate CEO proud, with a staff of twelve people.

And I have thanked Jack. A lot. He brought me to the dance.

One of the paradoxes of mentoring is the thrill of taking people to the dance and the heartbreak of many of them forgetting—never to hear from them again once they find success.

Mentoring naturally means connecting people with each other, providing introductions that opens new worlds to them, helping them find their dream job, or giving them the “big break” to sign a record contract.

But many forget…who brought them to the dance.

What about you? Who brought you to the dance?

Have you thanked them appropriately?

Question: What are your thoughts?

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