An interview with Claes:
Why are we doing this interview thing?
Well… For one thing, because I just sailed past one of life’s hurdles: My 50th birthday.
Are you sure you want to do this?
I haven’t the foggiest, but here goes...
Are you male or female?
Male last time I checked.
What is your name (if you don't mind sharing it with us)?
Claes Olof Gefvenberg
Got milk?
Yes, thank you: In my tea. Of course, there was a time when I was pumping iron just about every day and used to consume a whopping 5L a day. That, my friends, is more than 10 pints, which lasts a week nowadays.
Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
Not me... I would not settle for a single cookie. It is far more likely that I would nick the whole jar (and now maybe you realize why I am so keen on riding my MTB all year round: I have to, in order to stay in any kind of shape but round).
If you had a personal theme song what would it be?
That was a tough one... Why not
The Chorus of the Hebrew slaves from Verdis Nabucco? No particular reason but the fact that I enjoy it.
What makes you keep coming back to the Forum?
Interesting question considering my recent prolonged absence. The answer is that I have many good friends here, and keep making new ones. I simply like you lot, and felt bad about staying away for so long, but sometimes work interferes rather too much with my spare time.
It has been a year since the last interview. What have been the high and low points?
The ongoing recession hit us hard, and we have all been going flat out at work in order to stay reasonably competitive while at the same time launching a couple of investments totalling around 50 M€! This is the main reason for the above mentioned absence. The real killer is that much of my time has been spent in negotiations about layoffs. This, I am sorry to say, was not entirely successful.
The positive thing is that our hard work seems to be paying off. We are still in dire straits, but then so is just about everyone else too, and I think we are going to be fine in the long run.
The best and worst books you have read during last year?
I rather liked Iggulden’s series about Ghengis Kahn. Worst...? No, why bother with that?
The biggest surprises of the past year (both pleasant and unpleasant)?
Realizing that I am now 50 years old, which combines pleasant and unpleasant surprises in one go. Believe me, it
is a surprise when you find yourself there.
What has been the the biggest change in your life since your last birthday?
Nothing worth remembering comes to mind.
Do you feel the divine spark of life within you or do you consider yourself a mechanical thing?
Divine... Nah... As for mechanical, I suppose I will be requiring some spare parts (replacement joints) before I end my journey.
Do you have any pets? What are their names?
Not any of my own, but the neighbours have a 14yo cat. He has assumed ownership of us as well as his regular family. He usually pays us a visit or two every day, and have trained us to provide him with a bit of cuddling, some handouts and if he is so inclined, a place to have one of his five hour naps.
Given the option, what animal would you choose to be?
Ah, yes... Last year I said an obnoxious parrot, but this time I think I would like to try a bear. Given the weather and my lack of sleep, hibernation sounds tempting. Where do I apply?
How did you meet your significant other?
At work.
What is the one thing you must do before you die?
One? Just one? There are so many books to read, pictures to take and places to see.
Do you believe in ghosts?
I did this morning, but then I realized I was looking at a mirror. Frightful experience, really.
What song is in your head at the moment?
Chorus of the Hebrew slaves from Verdis Nabucco... The question about a personal theme put it there, so I’ll hold you responsible.
Which book(s)
are you reading at the moment?
The 7th and last part of The saga of seven suns, by Kevin J Anderson, A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell, a Sci Fi anthology, a number of work related books and one about roman machines and inventions.
What type of an author would you be?
Given the fact that I cannot stay serious for five minutes, I suppose I would go for something humourus.
The last book you finished reading?
On the Beach, by Neville Shute.
What are you wearing at the moment?
An ugly old track suit (I have been out tinkering with my MTB).
Favorite TV shows?
I don’t watch a lot, but I like documentaries, so when I do have the time I often find something on History channel.
Which LitNet members would you like to meet in person if you could?
At the very least everyone on my friends list and of course many others as well. There is no lack of interesting and friendly people here.
Favorite post on the Forum?
Impossible to say...
Favorite thread?
Pictures taken by you.
Last food did you have?
A ham sandwich.
Last words you said out loud?
Can I borrow my computer now? (There is a teenage daughter in the house, remember?)
Last person you hugged/kissed?
Hugged: My daughter. Kissed: My Missus.
What question would you like to ask yourself?
Are you sure you know what you are doing? The reply would be: Nope, but it may work...
What should you be doing at the moment instead of answering these questions?
As usual, I ought to be asleep. It’s getting late.
Last dream you remember having?
That is an extraordinary thing: When I wake up I always know that I have been dreaming, but as soon as the cobwebs clear off, they slip away and I cannot remember what I was dreaming about. It is so annoying!
What is your most bizarre book memory?
Probably some gene pool improving demise I read about in a Darwin Awards Book. Some of the listed cases there should be bizarre enough for anyone.
Who is your best friend and how long you have known them?
No contest. That would have to be my wife. Who else would have put up with my antics since 1982?
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you.
If you had to lose one of your senses, which would you choose and why?
Tough... Am I allowed to choose my sixth sense? No? Ok, perhaps hearing. Mostly because it’s getting worse and worse already.
Are you mostly happy with life or are you still in pursuit?
Both! Those are not mutually exclusive, and everything and anything can be improved.
How often do you tell lies?
All the time (don’t look so shocked, we all do). Usually though, they are little white ones aimed at lubricating our everyday socializing. I try to avoid the technicolour extravaganzas: They require a very good memory, and I happen to be extremely absent minded sometimes. There is a thread about it here on the LitNet.
What gives your life meaning?
My family, friend and the odd challenge.
What type of Faerie would you like to be and why?
Who cares as long as as I get wings so I can fly?
If you were a colour, what colour would you be and why?
Black: Then I could absorb all the other colours (Muahahahahah).
What makes you laugh?
Lots of things, but I have a soft spot for British humour.
What was the happiest period of your life and why?
Definitely my daughters first year: Everything was so exiting, and things kept happening every day.
If you could be a Disney character who or what would you be and why?
Being an engineer and doing a lot of training and coaching on improvement and quality... Perhaps Gyro Gearloose?
Do those animated smilies ever get tired? Think of them day after day, dancing or crashing computers or laughing or crying till the end of time...
I’m sure they do, but it’s their career choice, right?
One thing you would like to do before your next birthday?
Start learning another language, perhaps?
Did you answer all of the questions?
I may have skirted the issue in a few, but... Yes, I suppose so.
One final word of wisdom for LitNet users?
If the past annus horibilis have taught us anything it is this: NEVER EVER GIVE UP!
What would you like to ask to the person to be interviewed after you?
What will you be doing in the year 2035?
"It's so mysterious, the land of tears."
!
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