Question Time Over Coffee – 11’ish Questions Once a Week

This caught my eye because it asked a question to which I actually have an answer. I got the answer because at one point — briefly — I was a reporter for an English-language newspaper in Jerusalem. We were broken into and I developed a sudden, new interest in burglary, burglars, and “getting caught.” And so, here I am.

How do you see music or do you simply hear it? If you do see it – what do you see and if you hear it how do you hear it ? What does music conjure up for you when you listen?

I see classical music, probably because I studied it in college. I often can actually “see” the score. If it was something I performed, my fingers will try to play along. But I can also see most songs that have melody, or at least the melodic portion. I don’t really see images unless that particular piece of music was part of some other event in my life and it conjures memories. But that’s not the music — that’s memory.

Why do some crimes go unsolved and what do you think is the hardest crime to get away with?

Back in the 1980s, my condo was burgled and no, I was not insured and I never got anything back. The crime was never solved, probably because my then-husband was probably the recipient of the money and goods. I only learned that much later.

Since I was the managing editor of an English-language newspaper as well as its primary writer and editor (we were lacking funds to hire others, so I used many names and wrote a lot of material), I used this as an opportunity to try and learn about crime. Not merely as a victim, but from the perspective of the cops, other victims … and the robbers.

The policeman I interviewed was, at that time, the “voice” of the Jerusalem PD, although I don’t remember if the police were actually broken down by city. But, it happened I knew him and he agreed to talk to me. He said the reason most crimes don’t get solved is if it was committed by someone without a record who had never been fingerprinted. These were the days before cameras, I should add. He said most intelligent people could get away with a crime — at least once — if they were careful and if they had no previous criminal record.

And, one of the main reasons they busted a lot of people for minor drug offenses was because you nabbed one drug offender and you were usually getting a very active burglar off the streets. Who knew that my husband was one of them?

Burglary is probably the easiest crime to get away with because they don’t try very hard to solve them. Murder is likely the hardest — depending on who you murder because they usually make an effort to find the killer. But really, much more crime goes unsolved than is solved — no matter what you see on TV procedurals.

On a scale of 1 – 7 with 7 being the highest how do you rate your country’s current government’s effectiveness?

All things considered, Biden’s doing surprisingly well. He’s got huge obstacles in his way, though. Given those obstacles, I doubt anyone would be able to do much better and that is sad.

How would you describe the colour teal to someone who wasn’t familiar with the colour?

The color of the Caribbean in sunlight in the summer!

Are you able to list five ways to improve your mental health and wellbeing?

Mine? Make me 10 years younger, a great deal healthier, and a lot richer!

How would you describe your house/property and do you like it or not?

I love the place we live. The house, although it is very ordinary, is also very comfortable. If we had the funds, there are a lot of improvements I’d make including knocking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to make one big, bright room.

Nonetheless, we’ve done pretty well with the house and I’m not unhappy with it. It’s difficult on a fixed income to maintain a house. It’s not the fault of the house. It’s just reality.

Is popularity important to you and if so why?

No. I’m not sure it ever was.

If fear wasn’t an issue for you, what adventure would you take?

Fear isn’t an issue for me. PAIN is an issue for me. If I were younger, healthier and richer (see previous response), there are many things I’d love doing and many more I’d happily do again.

How many Bond Movies have you seen and what are your top five favourites?

I have probably seen most of them. None of them are favorite movies. Sorry, but I really loved the books. I don’t know why they never followed the stories in the books. Why use those books if you aren’t ever going to use the story? They were great stories!

What is the most reckless thing you‘ve ever done?

Moving to Israel with my son when I had no money, no knowledge of the language, and no prospects. I just wanted to get away, see another world. I really wanted a heavy dose of culture shock. I had reached an age when the idea of being born, living, and dying on Long Island wasn’t enough. I never regretted it. Personally, I think everyone should live in another country for at least a few months. Especially Americans who seem to think America IS the world.

What really freaks you out and why?

The way corporations are running our world. Everyone thinks it’s politicians. But it’s not. It’s money people who run things. Maybe this is somewhat less true in other countries, but it’s true enough over all. Freedom is an illusion.

Categories: #foliage, #Photography, Anecdote, landscape, Life, Music, questions

Tags: #Humor, #QuestionsTimeOverCoffee, humor, Marilyn Armstrong