Posted by chicagomedia.org on October 02, 2008 at 06:36:59:
"Seven Questions" is back! This month we ask midday host Kathy O'Malley to answer seven of the best listener questions we've received over the past month. Be sure to read all the way to the end to learn who next issue's featured personality will be!
1) If you were not hosting a talk radio show, what profession would you have a passion to try? (Submitted by Donna)
I'm not qualified by a long shot, but landscaping or garden design kind of calls my name.
2) You come across as a strong, fearless, "take-no-prisoners" kinda gal. If you do ever worry, what is it you worry about the most? (Submitted by Patti)
Worry is so pointless, but I guess I do worry (or certainly think) about the unpleasant possibility of becoming dependent on others as I get older. I like to think I'd have the guts to see that doesn't happen.
3) What was your most exciting (memorable) adventure? (Submitted by Dru)
Had to be Outward Bound-- a 10-day mountaineering trip I took for my 50th birthday. Hardest damn thing I ever did--75 pound backpacks, hiking to 12,000 feet in snow (this was July). I truly thought I would die -- remember, this was in 1995, when cell phones were not de rigueur, so we really were out in the middle of No Freaking Where with no way to call a cab or a helicopter company and say "Save me" and the only out was on your two feet. The others in my group (who were great, by the way) were between 21 and 42, and I never felt so old in my life-- and I was in pretty good shape at that point! P.S. Antarctica was pretty excellent, too.
4) What has been your most humbling experience? (Submitted by Pat)
See #3.
5) Do you and Judy do anything together outside the radio, just for fun? (Submitted by Edward)
Not so much, really, even though we're really friends. We spend more time together at work than most married couples do at home, so that's pretty much enough for us. We've wound up together at some events to which we've both been invited, we've certainly had dinners at each other's home, and there have been a couple evenings over the years that we've finished off a bottle of wine together.
6) Why did you pick Princeton for your home away from home? (Submitted by Patricia)
I grew up in the country (in Crystal Lake) so the small town/country thing felt real familiar and comfortable. But mostly I fell in love with the house, which I found while I was just goofing around on the internet. It was such a connection--I never looked at another house, never compared it to others (yes, I know that's totally nuts). I just knew I wanted to live there, at the edge of the woods, and I haven't been sorry yet.
7) What's the worst (or best) thing you ever got in trouble for? (Submitted by Marcie)
I know this is hard for most people to believe, but I have been a rule follower most of my life (except for that speed limit thing). I certainly have had people mad at me for stuff I wrote when I did a column, or for things I've said on the radio, but that's not the same as getting in trouble. I did spend part of my last day in high school in the principal's office for some stupid infraction, but I really haven't gotten in that much trouble. Maybe I should while I still can.
(WGN's Newsletter, "The Voice")