Deep meaningful conversation tag

Before I forget again go check out this stupendous contest (I want every color)! Dandyism
Taylor over at The California College Student (awesome life blog: food, makeup, personal growth) tagged me in this and I love it.  Instead of the usual insipid favorite color, favorite place lists (don't get me wrong I think those are tons of fun too) this really makes you dig deep and think.  Thanks Taylor!

Picture from today, the sun came out!!!!!

1. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?
Wow, this depends on the day.  At what age are you supposed to rock the pop tunes and play dress up with your horse (cause I do that)?  At what age do you act as a sounding board for people well into mid-life (cause I do that)?  I'm a conglomeration of 13 and 33.

2. If happiness was the national currency what work would make you rich?
I would continue to train horses (forget biology and the medical field).  I would make Double Shot Training legit.  If it was making me rich then I could train some really nice horses, but mostly I would stick with the toughies.  Those horses that have made others throw their hands up.  Those horses that just need some time.  I won't be able to fix them all (eg. Gunner), but to have the unhurried chance would be bliss.

3. What is one thing that you have not done that you really want to do, what's holding you back?
Hmmm, in the equine world or elsewhere?  I want to go to cooking school.  I want to write a novel.  I want to compete advanced. I want to do a FEI dressage musical.  So many dreams.  Fear of failure doesn't hold me back here (but can be a challenge to over come in the day to day grind).  Mostly the money/time challenge gets in the way.  So I will continue to hone my cooking skills at home.  I've promised myself to write a novel when school is done.  The horses are a daily step step progression towards the big goals.

4. If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself how long would you allow this person to stay your friend?
Sometimes I tell myself I'm awesome, but sometimes (I've really been struggling with this recently) I tell my self things about being stupid and a failure.  That person would never even get to be my friend.  I finally recognized this in myself and I am actively working to change my thinking.

5. What is the one thing you would most like to change in the world?
I wish that each and every person could be raised to dream, to be in a position to dream, to build castles in the clouds.

6. If the average human lifespan was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I would stop waiting and worrying.  If I want to do it I would do it, and I wouldn't let thoughts about what other people think affect my decision.  I'm already rather impulsive and independent, but it would jump up several levels.  'Release the crazy cat/horse/nerd lady'

7. You are having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not realizing that she/he is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified, what do you do?
Like a fish swimming upstream I would start to bring up all the good parts about her/him, I would offer different points of view to what they are saying.  There are two sides to every coin.  I've found that the best way to change people's thinking without making them defensive is to redirect.  You let the more positive thoughts seem like their idea, suddenly the smack talk usually ends.

8. Would you rather be a worried genius or joyful simpleton?
Uhhhmmm can I choose joyful genius?

9. Would you rather lose all your old memories or never be able to create new ones?
The past has so much in it, but the future holds so much possibility.  Most certainly the future, I like remembering, but after just one day the memories will start adding up again.  I don't want to be stuck on the same reel of life over and over and over.

10. What would you do differently if you knew no one would judge you?
Go to public places in my riding clothes (I do that).
Laugh loudly (I do that).
Wear insane color combos (I do that).
Smile broadly (I do that).
Share my excitement (I do that).
Share my fears, worries, pain (I don't do that).  Well, I guess that is my answer.  If I would just let go of the bad stuff, let it out, wear it on my sleeve, I would prevent it festering in dark hidden places.  So yes I will continue to think positive, but I will also let those close to me know how I'm feeling.

So those are the questions.  I'm supposed to tag a few of you to answer the questions yourself, but I would love to hear all your responses.  Heck just think through them, it was a fun exercise!