There have been two instances now where I’ve been asked a question, and I couldn’t seem to find an answer:
- Cual es tu estado favorito? (Which state do you like most?)
- What do you like? Like, what is it that you can talk about for hours?
As simple as they were, I was stumped:
- Uh, I don’t know. I guess California?…but Massachusetts is cool too…
- Uh, anything creative, like patterns…and Austin Kleon…
Things such as philosophy, the concept of time, the cyclical nature of life — are all topics I think of constantly and easily.
But turn the conversation toward me, and I stutter.
All I can think of is the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland and his imposing question:
It’s not that he’s questioning her existence (who are you?) but more so her standing (who are you?).
The attention is now on Alice as opposed to everyone else.
Think, Alice, think. Who are you?