a few questions by zuzu, a few answers by meg lee chin
The thrust of this new series, called Innerview 15, is to ask 15 questions with people you know, about things that don't have much to do with why they're known. No opining by the interviewer, just pure subject. Our first subject is sick poet, singer, musician and all around amazing talent Meg Lee Chin.
zuzu: Do you consider yourself a religious or spiritual person? Who or what is god to you?
meg:
I run a mile when people claim to be "spiritual". I have had spiritual moments
with music whether it be listening or playing. I think this is the main attraction
for me. I don't think I'm a "spiritual" person. I think I''m able to tap into
the spirit via music, but I don't think this originates with me. God to me,
is a mystery which I'm always trying to get closer to.
z: Do you ever plan to have children? What would be the most important thing to teach your child?
m: If I had kids I would try to do my best to pass on the benefit of what I've learned in my time on this planet. I would try to teach them tolerance by example, but I'm no expert..
z: Do you read or listen to stories involving celebrity gossip? What do you feel about the tabloid culture? Do you believe that where there's smoke, there's fire, or do you think those stories are all a load of rubbish?
m: The modern phenomena I refer to as the "Cult of Celebrity" is fascinating to me. Andy Warhol was right when he said "In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes". It's happening now... In the future people will stop pursuing fame cuz it'll be boring and pointless. People will pursue privacy and introspection. Are the stories a load of rubbish? I think so. Public image is an illusion....
z: Name a film and a book that were influential to you... not necessarily your favourites, but ones that made an impact on your life in some way, be it superficial or deeply affecting.
m: The Wizard of Oz is the perfect existential fairy tale. Dorothy and her mates sought an all powerful Wizard to solve their problems. But he was just a wimp with MTV type pyrotechnics- Just like modern celebrities!. The truth was, Dot & co. had the power all along.
z: Let's say you're a budding journalist. What 3 people would you choose to interview to launch your career and why?
m: 1- Henry Ford- (Can I choose him even though he's dead?) I don't like him. I'd like to give him a hard time. He turned people into machines.
2- George Bush- He's a creep. I don't like him. I'd like to give him a hard time. That goes for his son too.
3- Any tobacco company executive with the power to spend money on advertising budgets.- I'd ask them how they felt knowing that with one stroke of a pen, people will die. FACT- Advertising works. I don't like them. I'd like to give them a hard time.
NOTE- still trying to work on the tolerance, but it's damn hard!
z: How important do you think personal style is to well being? (Personal style meaning fashion, but unrelated to the 'next big thing')
m: Style
is important to me. It's an expressive art and expression is strong in my
nature. Aesthetics in general is important to me. I'm quite visual and when
someone looks good, I appreciate it as an act of generosity from them.
z: If you had to choose between incredibly intelligent and vivacious but ugly or incredibly beautiful and fabulous but vapid, which would you choose?
m: This question is too easy! Intelligence over beauty any day. There's only so much you can look in a mirror, but you can amuse yourself forever with an ugly, but smart head on your shoulders.
z: Have you ever had any experiences that could be described as supernatural? If yes, what?
m: Too numerous to recount. For some reason, my mind picks up on a lot of strange weirdness. But I don't like supernatural experience. I prefer plain vanilla flavoured reality.
z: Choose one: worldwide fame and fortune (Madonna) or just respect from peers and some fans and the ability to eke out a living (Tony Visconti)?
m: Too easy. You know what I think about fame. I'm already doing what I want in life, so why should I change?
z:
What are you afraid of?
m: My imagination.
z: What describes a perfect day for you?
m: A new song. A shag.
z: What's your workspace like?
m: At the moment it is my portable laptop. Small, compact, powerful.
z: What do you miss most about childhood?
m: Effortless good posture. Aside from that... I'm still living my childhood.
z: What book are you reading right now, if any, and how is it so far?
m: "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking"- by Alan Carr. It's one of the most intelligent books I've read in a long time.
z: Do you have any 'hidden' talents (drawing, body tricks, juggling, etc.)?
m: I'm an idiot savante when it comes to remembering people's astrology signs. Though, I think astrology may quite possibly be the work of the devil. Life is best without pre-conceived notions. But saying that, I think I enjoy torturing myself.
z: Thanks for your time, Meg!
m: You're very welcome ZuZu! And thank you.