Meet Peter Batchelder (Musical Concierge, Court Composer, Audiophilanthropist)
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I think it starts somewhere in the North of England, Lincolnshire or Norfolk perhaps, and involves me living alone in a stately home with very little to do.
What is your greatest fear?
Probably death. Being responsible for children. Centipedes.
Which living person do you most admire?
Christopher Hitchens.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I’m not terribly prone to verbal repetition and I’m not one for mantras. Although I don’t think it rises to the level of “overuse”, I’m guessing I use a fair number of prepositions on a day to day basis.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Where to start? Otiosity, corpulence, and my poor proof-reading skills.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
That it remains with me.
Which living person do you most despise?
Ryan Curtis Plato.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Her name was Cinema.
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to do math in my head.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would have applied to a more prestigious university.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
Nothing at all.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
If I’m lucky… I won’t be coming back. If I’ve been bad, I expect coming back as human being would be bad enough.
What is your most treasured possession?
My integrity and/or my car.
What is your favorite occupation?
Writing music and directing movies.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Unsolicited abrasiveness.
What do you most value in your friends?
Rigorous biting honesty.
Who are your favorite writers?
Jorge Luis Borges, Ian McEwan, Philip Larkin, George Orwell.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The people out there who actually do what is right when no one is looking.
What is it that you most dislike?
Unwarranted righteous indignation. Also, anyone who abuses their authority. “This hand is hostile to tyrants” is an old family motto. Manus haec inimica tyrannis
How would you like to die?
Quickly.
What is your motto?
“The unexamined life is not worth living… it is, however, easier.”