David Giacalone has graciously passed The Stick to me. The Stick is a set of questions designed to make people think that you appear smarter than you are. Unfortunately, I don’t think it works for me. Looking back over my answers I think it makes me look geekier than I am. Other people who have been stuck with The Stick: Evan Schaeffer and George Wallace.
1. If I was stuck in Fahrenheit 451 which book would I want to be?
While I am counting on all the other people who were stuck with The Stick to keep the Bible, I would keep Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. This story shows some of the worst things that people can do to each other, but it also shows some of the best things.
2. Have I had a crush on a fictional character? Other than Princess Leia from the 1977 novelization of Star Wars, no. Since that is not really literature, I guess I haven’t had a crush on a fictional character.
3. The last book I bought was…. Oh get ready for this…Geoffrey Wooridge’s, Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data. Its pretty good, but (spoiler coming) there are no wookies.
4.a The last book I read was…(its a good thing the risque-wife buys the books) … Carlos Zafon’s The Shadow on the Wind. This was such and interesting story because I just couldn’t figure out what it was about until almost the last page.
4b. What I am currently reading …. Right now I am just starting to read Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I am also in the middle of some boring Tom Clancy-esque story about a future Korean conflict, but I can not even tell you what the name of the book is. I multi-task well but I do drop unimportant details like names and authors.
5. Five books I’d bring on a desert island.
a. The Boy Scout Field Book (the classic 1973 ed. of course!) What would one do without a guide to leadership and wilderness survival?
b. Any other book by Victor Hugo or one by Tolstoy — especially a long one with small print. This would be for the rainy days.
c. The Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare because I haven’t read them all and I figure other than fighting for my survival, I won’t have much to do.
d. Ulysses by Jimbo Joyce as I hate leaving something unfinished.
e. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy as I love it when the good guys triumph over evil.
6. My favorite child’s book (Bonus Question from David and not part of the original stick meme.) Other than Mr. Brown Can Moo (one of my all time favorites as I can repeat it even now… but I won’t.) I like the Fire Within by Chris D’Lacey. Note: kids like me only rated it a 7/10.
7. Who will I pass the stick to and why? I am always interested in what other professors read, so I will pass this tick to my friend Jim Garven (who I know is just finishing up the semester) and to my unknown friend the Unknown Professor at Financial Rounds. Finally, I’ll pass the stick on to EL Eversman as she is highly cultured, well traveled and likes cars —– as long as she promises not to list Nader’s Unsafe at Any Speed!
The semester must be over, 'cause you got on this stick right away. Thank you, Martin. Actually, I thought a Risk Prof had to be a lot geekier than this list suggests you are.
Wasn't Ulysses on the Church's banned list? Is there a special dispensation for guys alone on islands? A tear ran down my check when you said "because I hate leaving something unfinished."
You must be in good shape, as you've chosen some heavy books to lug to the island. I don't think you'll be needing the Leadership part of the Boy Scout guide, so maybe you can just take the survival sections.
If we ever get that luncheon together, I may ask you to recite "Mr. Brown Can Moo." Do you think that would draw a crowd or clear the room?
Posted by: David Giacalone | May 17, 2005 at 02:44 PM