Wonderland Burlesque's Giving It All Away Quiz

Wonderland Burlesque's

Giving It All Away Quiz

I'm in the process of giving away something very dear to me. 

It's for the best and I know it's the best thing for all involved... still, my heart aches just a bit.

Today's quiz is all about giving away something - be it information, possessions or someone you love.

And, don't worry... We'll keep it short and simple. 

Just eight questions today.

1/ Have you ever regretted giving something away? What?

I've written in the past how I sold or abandoned everything I owned in Iowa Falls.

Out of all of it, the only thing I truly regret not keeping was... my vinyl collection.

It contained so many hard-to-find albums and odd things no one else would have thought to collect. I had all of Lily Tomlin's comedy albums, even the ones on Polydor Records. I had Ricki Lee Jone's Girl Under The Volcano EP. I had a copy of everything Madonna had released on vinyl, including all the early 12" remixes. I had scads of rare 45's. There were thousands and in the course of selling things, I think I only sold about 500 of them. The rest were donated to this little thrift store that operated in this warehouse district in Iowa Falls.

They got such a treasure trove of music.

I've replaced some of it, but... I'd need another lifetime to locate all of it.

2/ When was the last time you did a clean sweep of your house? Who did you give it all away to?

About ten years ago, I got rid of all my recording equipment, my turn tables (save one), my keyboards, my synthesizers, and all the computer equipment associated. Digital cameras, video cameras, everything went. I donated it to this place that buys bibles for Africa (I know, I know...) And I do regret that part of it. But clearing all that stuff out, at the same time that I was splitting up with The Ex... it was a lot to process, so... I didn't. 

I still haven't. Every once in awhile I think about it... and I think it was a way of getting rid of a lot of weight. I felt responsible to that stuff, like I was supposed to do something with it... For the longest time, I did... and then, suddenly, I simply lost all desire. That's when I returned to my spinet and just started working on memorizing songs - rather than creating these elaborate arrangements which I could only play electronically but couldn't live elsewhere. 

I've enjoyed the simplicity. It feels more honest and less delusional. 

3/ Did you ever give away a secret? On purpose? By accident?

I'm a great secret keeper. I have four that will go with me to my grave. 

I once gave away some information about a co-worker's promotion that I was not aware was a secret. I had been befriended by a woman who was in direct competition with this co-worker and when I spoke candidly about the person's new salary, this woman then confronted my boss with the info, demanding the same amount. I got hauled into HR and it was a big to do which I had no idea I'd stepped in. 

I wasn't always very savvy when it came to things like that. 

However, for the past 19 years? I have done nothing but kept a lid on things professionally. 

I know better than to fall under HR's radar. The only time you hear from HR is when something bad has happened. Best keep your lips sealed and head down in order to avoid attracting attention if you want to retire someday.

4/ What was the last free sample you received that a retailer was giving away?

My youngest sister took The Boyfriend and me to Costco on a Saturday. Turns out, you can make a meal of just running around tasting things they have to offer. Energy bars, trail mix, mini quiche, cheesy potatoes... on and on. I had a blast. We did end up buying some of it, too. I bet there are people who do that every Saturday and Sunday for entertainment. 

I don't like those stores much - too much stuff, I end up feeling all bug-eyed and disgusted by our consumerism.

But the free sample thing... that struck me a bit like going to the state fair, trying a bit of this and a bit of that... things you'd never make at home, but what a gas to try just for the fun of it. 

5/ Have you ever figured out that something was up in a relationship or friendship? What was the dead give away?

I'll never forget the time I decided to show up at an actor's house with a single rose to tell him I'd made a mistake and that I thought we should be together. 

I knocked and he looked through the peephole and opened the door just wide enough to speak with me and I laid out my case and apologized for past trespasses and then offered him the rose. As he reached for it, the door opened just wide enough for me to catch a peek of his new boyfriend's face... another actor we were both acquainted with and, given the fact that he was standing there stark naked, I sort of got the picture quite quickly. Thanked my ex-love interest for his time, tipped my hat and exited stage right. 

I got back to my car and felt like such a fool.

Years and years later, we met up in a popular cruising spot. We spoke briefly, but all the magic was gone and I wasn't interested in the slightest. 

Felt okay about it though... I mean... we both really dodged a bullet that time time with the rose. Trust me on that.

6/ Have you ever inherited anything? What did they give away to you?

I have my Dad's garnet ring and a tiny revolver he owned. I also have one of his Stetson cowboy hats. 

Those are the three things that mean the most to me that my mother gave me. Everyone else got things, too. 

He had quite an extensive gun collection, most of which went to my older brother. 

But I got the three things which meant the most to me. 

And that's as it should have been.

7/ If you got married today, who would give you away?

My brother-in-law and youngest sister. I don't think there's anyone in this world that has supported me more through the years. In a way, they helped raise me. 

They certainly helped me recover from L.A., gave me shelter from life when needed, and helped me get my sense of humor and lust for life back. 

And even before that... they supported all my theatre projects and music demos. They've been incredibly generous over the years. 

They're my best friends... so they're a natural choice. 

8/ Have you ever said 'Well, I'm not gonna give it away for free'? What were you referring to?

I did say that once, in Iowa Falls. It was at my estate sale and this man had the nerve to ask that I reduce the price on a rare piece of Roseville pottery. I'd been collecting for years and, since I'd had a shop in Minneapolis, knew the value of things. It was already priced to move and when he suggested I had overpriced it - something snapped. I just grew incensed that he thought he could pull one over on me, given the quality of stuff I was unloading at that sale. Like I didn't know what I had? 

I told him to go put it back on the shelf, that I wasn't giving it away for free and if wanted to play games with me, he could just leave right now. There were so many people at the sale, I had no time for nonsense. 

He bought it. And I'm glad I didn't see him pay for it.

I would have snatched it out of his hands and said... "Changed my mind, bitch!"

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And that's all for today.

Your turn. Leave your answers in the comments section, or post on your blog and leave a link here.

Until next time...

Thanks for reading... and participating!

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Giving It All Away - Leo Sayer

Gave It All Away - Boyzone