Speaking French with Elizabeth

An Interview by Ivy Dillinger
Director of Publicity, BDFC



"I appear to be pretty normal, but my blog knows different..."

So says Elizabeth, a Bay area consulting professional with a serious gift for the written word. I stumbled upon her blog, Pushing In The Pin, while perusing some Californians, and was immediately captivated. She's edgy and funny and refreshingly honest, and she's graciously agreed to be the first subject of Speaking French. (Speaking French will be our ongoing interview series with super-cool people.)

IVY
Liz, you have a wonderfully natural writing style. I know you like Anne Rice and Stephen King, but are there other writers you feel have influenced the way you communicate?

LIZ
I do not feel that I am influenced by any writing style. What I write is about what is going on in my life, or has happened in my life, and I just write it the same way I would tell it verbally to my friends. Usually, with too much detail!

IVY
Have you always been so honest and open about your life and thoughts?

LIZ
I am a very shy and reserved person, until I feel comfortable enough with someone to open up. Then I will say anything, tell any of my stories (no matter how inappropriate or gross it may be) to my friends. My blog started as a way of venting about a guy that I liked, but then grew into more of a daily dairy. I would see no purpose in not being open and honest in it, as it is as much for myself as for anyone interested enough to read it.

IVY
Despite all of your (hilarious) "evil spawn" references, do you ever envision yourself having children?

LIZ
I really do not know. The whole pregnancy thing creeps me out, as well as having that responsibility and not being able to be selfish anymore. Your life is no longer your own, really. I guess it would come down to whether or not my (assumed to be) husband really wanted kids or not. And if I felt that he would be a good dad and involved with the parenting responsibilities.

IVY
Are you watching the Republican National Convention? Any thoughts?

LIZ
I have not watched any of it. At all.



IVY
You know that game they play on The Howard Stern Show? "F, Marry, Kill?" I have a political version for you. Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Who do you F? Who do you marry? Who do you kill?

LIZ
Hmm...this is interesting. I'd have to go with Arnold for the F, but the younger "Conan" Arnold. John for the marriage, but only because I would have to take Bill for the kill because I'm sure he would have cheated on me!



IVY
You’ve recently gone to see Aimee Mann and The Cure in concert. Who are your favorite singers? Who are your favorite bands?

LIZ
I am a big fan of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Aimee Mann, Courtney Love, Liz Phair and Alanis Morissette. I tend to like female vocalists best, probably because I can relate to the lyrics on most of the songs.

IVY
Seen any good movies lately?

LIZ
The last movie a saw in the theater was The Bourne Supremacy...it was good. I also saw the The Butterfly Effect on PPV a couple of weekends ago - and that was better than I expected it to be. I tend to mostly like psychological movies that have interesting twists.



IVY
What famous woman would you love to look like?

LIZ
How long can I make the list? Reese Witherspoon for her natural beauty, Angelina Jolie for her sexy attitude, Jennifer Lopez for her bronze skin and perfect symmetry to her face.

IVY
If you don’t mind, please wrap up this interview with a juicy tidbit you haven’t mentioned on your blog…

LIZ
In late April of 2003 I was diagnosed as "boderline insulin resistant," which freaked me out and I immediately went on a low carb diet. I have lost over 100 pounds since then, and my sugar levels are back to normal.



IVY
Thanks so much, Liz! You rock!