Thursday, November 6, 2008

In a Parallel Universe, What Would Be On Your Business Card?

For the first book I’m publishing with Flux, I needed a phrase translated into Latin. In the original draft I used some free online Latin translation site just to have something to work with. As I revise I’m trying to tie up all lose ends, so my friend Blue hooked me up with a friend who is a professor of Classics. He responded today with two elegant options, neither of which was even close to my hacked up guess, and my first reaction was, “I want to be him.”

So, I can add Professor of Classics to my list of things I’d like to be in a parallel universe. Others on the list are architect, Elle McPherson, food and travel writer a la M.F.K. Fisher, Tibetan Hermit, and archaeologist (specifically the archaeologist who discovered what the Antikythera device really did).

So, if you could snap your fingers and be ANYTHING else, what would you be?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ballerina. Edyta Sliwinska. A master Chocolatier. In a perfect parallel world maybe I could be all three at once...

CDG

Unknown said...

Criminal Defense Attorney. Or Neurologist.

And you're welcome, even though I did nothing. Jim was my Latin prof first term freshman year. And he's still willing to answer my emails.

Anonymous said...

Row/Blue - honestly, it's probably too late for Neurology, but Criminal Defense? TOTALLY! A couple years of Law School and you're there, baby! You were made for that.

Carrie Harris said...

I can't come up with anything better than Elle MacPherson. Could we share her? ;)

Disco Mermaids said...

Hmm, interesting question. I pretty much change careers every 4 years so I can try them all on before I die, so I don't have too many left (I'm old!!)

But I would like to be Dave Eggers in my next life or in another universe. Seriously, he's my idol. Amazing writer, philanthropist, teacher, mentor, humble, brilliant, all around perfect dude.

Or a pro baseball player.

Or Elle MacPherson. That'd be cool too. :)

Eve

Christy Raedeke said...

Dave Eggers is an excellent choice! Okay, I change mine to Dave Eggers' brain in Elle McPherson's body.

Disco Mermaids said...

Oh, and ROW- it's NEVER too late to become anything!! Especially a neurologist.

There was an 88-year-old dude in the medical school class above mine. No joke. (He's no longer with us, but he realized his dream!)

Eve

Anna Claire said...

Master Baker. Super Secret Spy. Owner of Quaint Adorable Bookshop.

Anytime I wonder if I'm too old, I think of Grandma Moses.

Cathy Gersich said...

Professional golfer, architect, successful painter, fireman (woman)

Katie Anderson said...

Ayurvedic doctor, race car driver, professional ballroom dancer, architect, interior designer...

I could go on, but hubby is calling me to watch The Office :-)

Tyler said...

Walt Disney or Jimmy Buffett, or some super awesome hybrid of the two. Or maybe an NFL punter, they have a pretty sweet gig; just kick the ball, not too much pressure and no injuries. Or Pat Sajak/Vanna White, depending on what sex I was born into on this parallel universe.

Good topic. :)

Katie Anderson said...

I forgot secret CIA sexy spygirl agent.

I LOVE this game Christy!

Christy Raedeke said...

After being up since 4:00 due to a certain child's intestinal issues, I'd like to add Professional Sleeper for Sleep Studies to my list. I'm one of those people who can sleep until woken, like 16 hour stretches. Of course I haven't had a chance at this since 1999, but I just know I still have it in me...

Mari Hunt said...

Professional Traveler. No doubt about it.

Cathy Gersich said...

goat hearder in Soglio, Switzerland.

Cathy Gersich said...

herder ;)

Anonymous said...

Personally, I just find the whole concept of parallel universes extremely comforting as it means that there are other "me's" out there doing a lot better than I am (or a lot worse) - so I know that there's this guy (my other self) who is completely kicking ass at everything and another who is a complete deadbeat (if that's not actually me). It's great! It really takes the pressure off!