Well, here we are at the last day of November. I don’t know about you, but it seems to me like this month went by very quickly. Thanks again to everyone who asked a question — that really helped make the daily posting easier, and I ended up writing about stuff that I had no idea I’d ever write about.
If you don’t mind playing along, I’d like to turn the Q&A tables on you for this last day of NaBloPoMo fun. So, here’s a question, if you don’t mind answering:
Okay, so you know that old question about what book you would take with you if you had to be stranded forever on a deserted island, but I’m not going to ask that question because it’s been asked (at least) a million times already. I’m going to ask a variation. I’m pretty sure this has never been asked before. So here goes:
For whatever reason, you’re going to be stranded forever on a deserted island (but it’s okay, because there aren’t any polar bears or smoke monsters on this island, unless you want there to be polar bears or smoke monsters, and then okay, whatever makes you happy). You get to take the following with you: a lifetime supply of one snack food, your choice of toilet paper or yarn, and one person. So:
a. What snack food?
b. Toilet paper or yarn?
c. What person?
And why?
Oh come on, like you don’t want to answer that.
Is that a lifetime supply of tp/yarn? Or just one roll/ball? Because I can foresee a difference between short term and long term benefits here.
Also, does the yarn come with knitting needles and lessons? And once you’ve finished the lessons and practiced a bit, how long would it take to knit toilet paper (this assumes the lifetime supply of yarn)?
Posted by Andy C | November 30, 2009, 9:38 amI’m feeling generous, so sure. A lifetime supply of either toilet paper or yarn (though you can reuse yarn so I’m not really sure what would constitute a lifetime supply). But it’s just the yarn, no needles or anything. I mean, if you’re stranded on an island forever, you have plenty of time to make knitting needles and figure out how to knit by yourself, if that’s what you want to do, because really, what’s going to stop you?
Posted by jamelah | November 30, 2009, 9:45 amFor purely practical reasons I submit the following:
Snack food: trail mix-type product with raisins or some kind of dried fruit in it. Thus, I would have protein (from the nuts) and, hopefully, some kind of vitamin C from the fruit to ward off scurvy.
TP v. yarn: I’m going with yarn. I can think of only one use for the TP, granted it’s a nice use, but it is very limited in value. The yarn, however, can be used for making blankets, clothing, etc. The yarn strands can be taken apart. Yarn can be used to tie things together. And, I have a feeling that you could likely find something on the island that can substitute for TP.
As an aside, I cannot wait for Season 6 to begin in about two months. Is Juliet dead? (Please no.) Who was the man in black, a/k/a Esau? Was Ben a pawn for all of Season 5? So many questions.
Posted by Dave | November 30, 2009, 10:38 amOh crap, forgot about the person. Not sure. But it would have to be female. I mean, come on.
Posted by Dave | November 30, 2009, 10:42 ama. What snack food? Cashews. High in protein and good ol’ fat.
b. Toilet paper or yarn? TP. Can be used for the obv reasons, plus braided into rope, woven into fabric for a 2-ply frock or crafted into origami animals, festive party hats, or the like should the occasion arise.
c. What person? Oh probably my man, the elusive M. He’s strong. And handy in many many ways.
Posted by Linda | November 30, 2009, 12:27 pmHmmm, first off I think Dave is right on when it comes to trail mix, protein/fruit combo plus the advantage of sweat/salty (although I should note that this mix would need to include chocolate chips and not M&Ms, because who cares about chocolate chips melting, they are are so much better than M&Ms!).
Also yarn is more handy that toilet paper, although I am guessing after several months of using leaves, I would miss those little squares of softness.
As for the person, that would be hard, because for good company I would prefer to take a close girl friend or family member, but that does reduce procreation possibilities quite highly. So I would probably just end up dragging poor Paul Rudd along with me, because as you have pointed out before, that man can dance!
Posted by Abby | November 30, 2009, 12:45 pmSome pretty thoughtful answers so far. Well, I never was one to follow the prevailing trend…
Snack : Snickers, please. Why ? Because I already eat one more or less every day, and since being on a desert island is already going to put me in the mother of all cold turkey situations (Ten coffees a day ? Not any more. Four hours a day on the internet ? Nope. Music ? Nope. TV ? Nope. Movies ? Nope. Etc., etc.) I figure I might at least try to maintain one habit.
TP vs yarn : Really easy, this one : TP. Why ? Because I actually (and I am not making this up) don’t know what yarn is. Well, I am a man.
Person : Well, let me see. I’m going to need someone witty, cultured, creative, good at telling stories, smart, preferably attractive, but also quite self-sufficient (for those moments when I’ve had it up to HERE) and strong, basically optimistic, morally and politically liberal. In fact, basically the kind of person I’m looking for right now while not actually on a desert island. I’m sure this is going to sound horribly fawning – but I’m equally sure I’m not the only one thinking the same thing – but of the top of my head, I can’t think of many people I’d rather be stuck on a desert island than you, Jamelah.
Posted by Tom | November 30, 2009, 2:04 pm1. Fritos. They’re like crack. And they’re made of what is arguably a vegetable, sort of.
2. Toilet paper. Have you ever tried wiping with yarn? It doesn’t work.
I’ve heard.
3. Someone who builds boats for a living. That way, we could occupy ourselves with the construction of a yacht that would eventually sail us to freedom when the fritos and toilet paper ran out.
Posted by You can call me, 'Sir' | November 30, 2009, 4:00 pma. To Kill a Mockingbird. You know. . . food for the soul and whatnot. . .
b. Atlas Shrugged. Get it? Toilet paper?
c. Friday. Because every castaway needs a savage to civilize with the superior ways of the Western world.
Posted by sisyphus | November 30, 2009, 7:43 pmDave — Trail mix is a good idea, except for raisins. Raisins are always a bad idea. Also, season 6 starts on February 2! Woot!
Linda — You know, not enough people think about festive party hats when considering life while stranded on an island. This is a shame.
Abby — I would like to be stranded on an island with Paul Rudd. Somehow I never thought of that before, but… what an amazingly great idea.
Tom — I can’t think of many people I’d rather be stuck on a desert island than you, Jamelah. You’d rather I were stuck on a desert island? Heh. Sorry, couldn’t help it. Also, do you think the Snickers would melt?
Sir — No, actually, I haven’t ever tried wiping with yarn. I’m just going to assume that you have.
sisyphus — Ha. Book nerds, represent! How many copies of Atlas Shrugged would make for a lifetime supply, do you think? Also, I hate Robinson Crusoe, mainly because the protagonist is such a dick.
Posted by jamelah | November 30, 2009, 11:18 pmHI: I’d take yarn for its utility, trail mix for nutrition,
and that woman who was the star in The Girlfriend Experience because she looks hot and sounds brainy. We’d be off the island in no time at all and in between, maybe some nice experiences.
Posted by Warren | December 1, 2009, 10:12 amI guess the correct response for the person is Jamelah?
Posted by Warren | December 1, 2009, 11:25 amOoops.
So I get to be weirdly fawning and inadvertently offensive all in one. That’s a new all-time low for me. I think.
I confess I didn’t think about the practical aspects of my Snickers choice. I’m going to have to go away and completely rethink this whole thing.
Posted by Tom | December 1, 2009, 7:10 pmWarren — Trail Mix is a popular choice. And the female lead in The Girlfriend Experience is also a porn star (which I think was the most-hyped aspect of The Girlfriend Experience), so there you go.
Warren (again) — Were that the case, I would’ve added “By the way, the correct answer is me.”
Tom — Well, it made me laugh, anyway.
Posted by jamelah | December 1, 2009, 9:30 pm