There is something about answering questions. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I have been a sucker for it for as long as I can remember. I just looooove answering questions. I found this list with 204 questions and decided to answer them all.
Some of these questions are really silly, but I will answer them all. Expect silly answers, here and there – or unsatisfactory answers, because however much I like answering question, I still like to keep some things to myself.
So, without further ado, here we go. Grab a beer / beverage of choice and dive in – this will be lengthy. Cheers!
The 204 Questions
1. What shows are you into?
Shows? Does the question refer to televisions show? Or Netflix? Or live concerts? This first question rises more questions, but I will go with what I think it means (viz. television/Netflix show).
Since I do not watch television (true story), I do watch the occasional movie or serie on Netflix or Amazon. I really, really liked Van Helsing, Better Call Saul and Narcos. My favorite movie of all time has to be Scarface.
2. What’s your claim to fame?
My claim to fame is that I am a pretty satisfied musician. I love what I do for a living (teaching piano) and I love performing live; as a solo pianist, or in a band. I am proud of the various CDs I have recorded as well as the fact that I had the honour to play the music of Frank Zappa on stage with several musicians that also played with Frank himself. Something that I am particularly proud of, is the fact that a little morsel of my playing has been included in the Alex Winter documentary about Frank Zappa (Zappa, 2020 – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4881578/ )
3. How often do you play sports?
I don’t. But I do like to play table tennis when I get the chance.
4. Are you usually early or late?
I am always well on time. I hate being late – and, as long as it is in my own hands – I will show up early. I prefer to wait than to stress about making it on time.
5. What quirks do you have?
This is something that people who know me can answer better than I can myself. But I have been called goofy, ridiculous, funny as well as talented (although I doubt that can be called a quirk, but it’s something I am proud of and cherish).
6. How often do you people watch?
It happens not very often. Perhaps once a year. It’s not a hobby of mine.
7. What’s your favorite drink?
Beer.
8. What do you hope never changes?
I like this question. With all that is happening in my life at the moment, I am pleased and grateful. And although I know there is nothing more certain in life than change, I just hope that the good in people doesn’t change. We are born pure and loving. The world tends to change that as we grow up, but I hope that we all – however unfair life can be at times – keep being good human beings.
9. What’s your dream car?
My dream car? When I was younger, I always wanted a Jaguar XJ6. Now, I would love to have a BMW X6. It’s not going to happen, so … I’ll dream on.
10. Where would you rather be from?
I am fine with where I am from.
11. What songs have you completely memorized?
I am really bad at remembering / recalling lyrics, but I do know a lot of lyrics to Prince and Frank Zappa songs.
12. What would you rate 10 / 10?
That’s really WAY too broad, but I would definitely rate ALL the music of Johann Sebastian Bach 10/10.
13. What job would you be terrible at?
Sales.
14. What are you absolutely determined to do?
At the moment, I am determined to become debt-free. That’s the financial aspect of my answer. Otherwise I am determined to play more concerts.
15. What skill would you like to master?
This is a wishful question. There are many skills I would like to master, but I also know that mastering a skill takes time and effort. And with time and effort, I believe anyone can learn any skill. At the moment I am learning how to throw cards. Not a lucrative skill, but I want to learn it. That said, it makes me realize that I would actually like to learn to be assertive. Then again …
16. What website do you visit most often?
Pretty ashamed to admit it, but that has to be Facebook. Everything I do NOT like about the internet, is concentrated on that website. Reason for visiting, is to interact with my friends, who live all over the world. Facebook makes it easy to connect with them and I am at peace with the price to pay.
17. What would your perfect room look like?
My room is perfect as it is – I am content.
18. What movie title best describes your life?
I literally have no idea. I mean, there are hunderds of movies that I really like, but putting a movie title to my name … I really have no idea. If it’s just about the title (and not the movie / story line itself) than I would either say: La Vita è Bella from 1997 (Life is Beautiful), or The Pianist (2002).
19. What age do you want to live to?
84.
20. What kind of art do you enjoy most?
Music is always #1 for me. When it comes to the visual arts, I love hyper realism. Two of my favourite painters are Ivan Shishkin (1832-1898) and Rod Penner (1965 – ).
22. What do you wish you knew more about?
This is one of those silly questions … I mean, if you want to know more about something: go study it! Then, when I just typed that … I would love to know more about my heritage – for I don’t know. And there is also no way to find out.
23. What’s the best way to start the day?
Nothing beats starting the day with a hearthy full-on English breakfast. And I mean: full-on! The more on, the better!
24. What mystery do you wish you knew the answer to?
There are no mysteries.
25. How different was your life one year ago?
Not too much different, really.
26. What’s the best single day on the calendar?
June 5th.
27. What are some things you’ve had to unlearn?
Unlearn … interesting, indeed. I don’t think there are things you should UNlearn. But LEARN … that’s something else. I think one can learn to do things differently – that’s not the same as UNlearning something. When it comes to learning to do something differently, I can only think about how I practice for a new piece of music and when I perform. Every performance is different and I keep learning ways to improve my playing.
28. What’s your favorite genre of book or movie?
Stupid question. There are good books and movies in all genres. As well as there are really bad ones. In order to answer the question, I will list some of my favourite books and movies.
Books:
– The Good Soldier Schweik, Novel by Jaroslav Hašek
– Weaveworld, Novel by Clive Barker (and many of his other books)
– Candide, Novel by Voltaire
Movies:
– Scarface
– Batman, The Dark Knight
– The Terminator
29. What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Cali, Colombia.
30. What TV or YouTube channel doesn’t exist but really should?
No idea. But what I do know, is that there are a lot of YouTube channels that SHOULDN’T exist.
31. Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
I feel fortunate that I have been able to travel a lot. I have seen many, many interesting places and it would be really hard for me to name one, but I was very impressed seeing the Hoover Dam, The Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls when in the States. Seeing the white cliffs of Dover for the first time was also amazing.
32. What fad or trend do you hope comes back?
Good music.
33. What city would you most like to live in?
I would love to live in a small town in the UK. Or in a town in South America. In Europe, I would love to live in a city in Germany. Berlin, Osnabrück or somewhere in Bavaria. And there is a town in Austria, called Ossiach that I really love.
34. When was the last time you climbed a tree just for fun?
A couple of weeks ago.
35. What do you consider to be your best find?
When it comes to material things, I am really happy with my Fernandes Telecaster (The Revival). Also, I really love my Behringer Truth B2030A Studio Monitors. And I am happy I found the KORG SV-1 (and SV-2) – stage pianos. I don’t have either of them anymore, but will definitely buy one of those again.
Another great find are a couple of Italian villages I visited – names I know, but will not share. When it comes to food, I discovered a great Japanese restaurant, here in The Hague. And when I was in Wales, I was introduced to a drink called Lager On Lime. I love that.
36. What is special about the place you grew up?
What is special about Eindhoven, is that it is (and always will be), the place where I lived for 30 years. The place is magical to me. And that’s because I had a happy time growing up there – and it’s filled with beautiful memories. And that’s why it’s special.
37. What age do you wish you could permanently be?
I have fond memories of being 16/17, as well as being 25/29. But I don’t think I would like to be one age forever. All ages have their charmes, challenges, difficulties and beauty. I know that I didn’t like turning 30 (no reason, really), but I have been pretty happy with every age, really.
38. What’s worth spending more on to get the best?
Musical equipment and travels.
39. What are you most likely to become famous for?
I don’t know if it’s likely, but I would like to be either a famous musician, or an author. I recorded many songs and wrote many books that I am proud of and would like to share with the world.
40. What fictional place would you most like to go?
Abarat. (look it up, read the books)
41. Where is the most relaxing place you’ve ever been to?
That’s classified information that I will not share.
42. What have you only recently formed an opinion about?
Opinions are like a lifeform .. they change over time. The more you learn, the more apt you are to changing opinions about pretty much everything. I don’t cherish my opinions as gems, but as guidelines. And as life goes by, I change and review them. What I though about the world (or other subjects) when I was 16, is not the same anymore. Not so long ago, I changed my opinion about eating meat. I am not turning vegetarian as of now, but I won’t be surprised if I will in the future. Then again, I might not.
43. What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen?
One of the things that warms my heart, is to see strangers being nice to eachother. On publice transport, for example. And I love to see animals happy.
44. What’s the most interesting piece of art you’ve seen?
Any work by Rod Penner. I stumbled upon his work at an exhibition in Rotterdam, a few years back. I was blown away. Still am. Check out his work. I find it amazing. And while you’re at it, check out the work of Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin. You’ll know what I mean.
45. What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way?
Write.
46. Would you rather go hang gliding or whitewater rafting?
I have bad ears and should stay out of the water. So whitewater rafting is a no-no for me. Hang gliding it is.
47. Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?
Johann Sebastian Bach.
48. How do you relax after a hard day of work?
I sit down, have a drink and watch something. A movie, mostly – I don’t really have time to binge watch series. But! I do recommend the series Van Helsing on Netflix. It’s superb. But I watched that now. It served me many a relaxing evening.
49. What popular TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?
Anything woke.
50. What job do you think you’d be really good at?
I like to think I would be a good performer on stage, playing piano and entertaining the audience.
51. What pets did you have while you were growing up?
When I grew up, we always had a dog. When I was young, a Cocker Spaniel named Sammie, then a Basset Hound Named Ludwig and then (in the time we had him and me leaving my parents house) my parents had an identical Basset Hound named Ollie. I loved those dogs to bits.
52. Where would you spend all your time if you could?
See answer to question 41.
53. What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?
I would love to go on a two-month solo piano tour.
54. What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend?
Pretty much how I spend them now: teach on Saturdays, dinner at home and a Sunday of doing as little as possible.
55. What’s the best way a person can spend their time?
That’s for each person to decide to themselves.
56. What one thing do you really want but can’t afford yet?
I would love to own a new Yamaha grand piano. I don’t think if I will ever be able to afford one (I doubt I will), but I can dream, right?
57. What is the luckiest thing that has happened to you?
I consider myself a lucky man, with all I have achieved and all that has crossed my path; people, experiences, life itself … I guess the luckiest thing is that I won the race to the egg.
58. What are some small things that make your day better?
A smile, a hug, a compliment.
59. What’s the best thing that happened to you last week?
I received an email from a fan of Frank Zappa’s music, who wants to meet me and who would possibly like to take piano lessons from me. And there is something else, but I will not mention that here, for I do not want to jinx it. But yes, it was some good news.
60. What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
I am looking forward to the last month of the year (December that is). I love December.
61. What’s your favorite piece of clothing you own/owned?
Great question! I loved my long leather jacket. It was huge, heavy and up to my anckles. It weighed about 20 pounds. I looked ridiculous in it, but I loved it.
62. What is the most annoying habit that other people have?
Ignorance.
63. What game or movie universe would you most like to live in?
Back To The Future.
64. What is the most impressive thing you know how to do?
Play piano, I guess.
65. What was the best book or series that you’ve ever read?
All books by Clive Barker. Another of my favourite writers is Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
66. What question would you most like to know the answer to?
Pretty much any question about music theory.
67. What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of?
Zappa. Barker. CSS.
68. Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?
I am a music teacher and performing musician. Why would I not want that as my life?
69. What state or country do you never want to go back to?
Been to a lot of places, but Tacoma, WA (USA) is a place I will not soon go back to.
70. Where do you usually go when you have time off?
Someplace calm. And that means that mostly that I will stay at home or in my studio. When I have a lot of time off (like in weeks) I love to travel.
71. What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?
I’m not very good looking forward to years, let alone 10. At the moment, I am looking forward to 2025 and the gigs that are planned at the moment. One in January (here in The Hague), a few in Louth (UK) and two in Germany .. and hopefully more to come.
72. What is the most annoying question that people ask you regularly?
People don’t really ask me annoying questions. Especially not regularly, let alone it being the same one. So, no, don’t really have an answer to this one.
73. If you suddenly became a master at woodworking, what would you make?
I would make a replica of the Lament Configuration (look it up, it’s cool).
74. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Music Theory.
75. What amazing thing did you do that no one was around to see?
Once I threw a wad of paper across the room, somewhat in the direction of the wastepaper basket, and it hit at least five different obstacles before it landed right into it. From the direction I threw it in, it was pretty much impossible to think it would ever make it. But it did. And nobody saw it. But I did. I really did.
76. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
I like the hobbies I have now. They are my hobbies, because I spent time on them when I have some free hours. That’s why they are my hobbies. If I would have all the time in the world, they would no longer be hobbies. Silly question.
77. If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
I have to sleep. I like sleeping. But okay, I will play along … I would probably take on more students and play more music.
78. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
Carrying something heavy, or they want to know more about music theory (those are mostly my students :- ).
79. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
I don’t think that all the stuff I did in my life would benefit other people, so I will just speak for myself … I very much enjoy(ed) travelling. I have seen many sights and ticked quite some boxes when it comes to ‘seeing the sights’. If you are into travelling, I suggest you visit Colombia, Russia, Germany and Portugal. And Normandy, York and Los Angeles. And watch the movies Hellraiser, Inception and Netflix series Van Helsing. And enjoy a stiff gin tonic.
80. What’s something you’ve been meaning to try but just haven’t gotten around to it?
Learn how to speak Russian. I am still at it, slowly, but I should’ve started years ago. But, as I tell my students, never too old to learn, so I keep trying (and actually complying, as of lately).
81. If all jobs had the same pay and hours, what job would you like to have?
As much as I enjoy playing piano, I would be love to be a published author. I love writing. I have written (and self-published) over a dozen books, but to no successful avail. I wouldn’t mind that as a job.
82. Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?
Frank Zappa, Johann Sebastian Bach. Always.
83. If you were dictator of a small island nation, what crazy dictator stuff would you do?
Ha! Nice one … actually gave this some thought. I think I would actually be a pretty cool dictator who would want the people to enjoy life. But one thing I would definitely do: get rid of shit music.
84. What is something that most people consider to be a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without?
Owning several piano’s and guitars.
85. What would be your first question after waking up from being cryogenically frozen for 100 years?
Probably ask for a coffee. Irish, please.
86. What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with, but you just don’t get the point of?
TikTok and shit music.
87. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
Playing piano.
88. What piece of entertainment do you wish you could erase from your mind so that you could experience it for the first time again?
A great question, indeed. The first time I saw Prince perform live.
89. If you had unlimited funds to build a house that you would live in for the rest of your life, what would the finished house be like?
It would not be huge, but not small either. It would definitely have a large bathroom, large bedroom and a fully equipped music studio, with a concert grand piano. It would be located far from any big city. Preferably in the woods, with a lake nearby.
90. What gets you fired up?
Performing live.
91. What makes a good life?
Happiness.
92. What risks are worth taking?
Following your dreams.
93. What do you take for granted?
I don’t take anything for granted. I am very grateful for all the beautiful things in my life.
94. Who inspires you to be better?
It’s not very much a ‘who’, but more a ‘what’. And that’s music. I do have much admiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger.
95. What do you have doubts about?
Myself.
96. When do you feel truly “alive”?
Literally .. when I am performing live.
97. What fact are you resigned to?
I am resigned to the fact that I have tinnitus.
98. What book impacted you the most?
Three books that have made an immense impact on me, all for different reasons:
The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka
The Great And Secret Show, by Clive Barker
and
One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez
99. What’s the best thing about you?
I like to think of myself as a kind person.
100. What would a mirror opposite of yourself be like?
Someone who does not care. About whatever, actually. I care. And I care a lot. Sometimes perhaps too much, but hey, that’s me.
101. What irrational fear do you have?
Took me a while to come up with an answer, but I don’t think I do.
102. What would be your spirit animal?
A bat.
103. What would be the scariest monster you could imagine?
A human thug.
104. What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?
To be able to say NO.
105. What’s something you are self-conscious about?
That rewards don’t come without effort.
106. What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lime and cilantro.
107. Have you ever given to any charities?
Yes, I have.
108. What’s the last adventure you went on?
Last month’s week in the UK.
109. What are three interesting facts about you?
I play piano. I write. I played on stage with several Zappa alumni.
110. What was the best compliment you’ve received?
That one came from Ike Willis, former front man / guitarist for Frank Zappa. After our gig at Zappanale in 2015, he told me: “I am so fucking proud of you, Freddy.” I still beam when I think about that.
111. What chance encounter changed your life forever?
Meeting my, now, piano tuner. I bought a piano, somewhere in 2015 and was looking for someone who would transport it. The person I knew who had done it for me before, told me he stopped moving pianos and gave me the name of a colleague. That person was Hans P. and he opened so many doors for me on the piano spectrum. Moving, purchasing, selling. And through him, I met many other very interesting people in the music/piano business. None of this has to do with financial gain, but all with true friendships.
112. What do you want your epitaph to be?
That would probably be either Ike Willis’ quote: “Life. What a town.” or Frank Zappa’s: “Music is the best.”
113. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it?
I can drink a lot of beer. I guess 🙂
114. What is the “Holy Grail” of your life?
A Yamaha grand piano.
115. What do you like most about your family?
That they are family. 💛
116. What do people think is weird about you?
117. What is something you will NEVER do again?
118. Who is/was your most interesting friend?
119. What are you most likely very wrong about?
120. What’s the most immature thing that you do?
121. What stereotype do you completely live up to?
122. What is the biggest lesson you NEVER learned?
123. What dumb accomplishment are you most proud of?
124. What was the most memorable gift you’ve received?
125. What chapters would you separate your autobiography into?
126. What do you hope your last words will be?
127. What do you spend the most time thinking about?
128. What is something you can never seem to finish?
129. What mistake do you keep making again and again?
130. What’s the best thing you got from your parents?
131. What is the strangest thing you have come across?
132. If you could make a 20-second phone call to yourself at any point in your life present or future, when would you call and what would you say?
133. What’s the best and worst thing about getting older?
134. If you could have a never-ending candle that smelled like anything you wanted, what fragrance would you want it to be?
135. What is something you are certain you’ll never experience?
136. What challenging thing are you working through these days?
137. What’s one responsibility you really wish you didn’t have?
138. What do you wish your brain was better at doing?
139. If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
140. In your group of friends, what role do you play?
141. Which of your scars has the best story behind it?
142. What have you created that you are most proud of?
143. What do you strongly suspect but have no proof of?
144. What were some of the turning points in your life?
145. What bends your mind every time you think about it?
146. What’s the title of the current chapter of your life?
147. Among your friends or family, what are you famous for?
148. What is something that your friends wouldn’t believe was true about you?
149. What’s something horrible that everyone should try at least once?
150. If you had a personal flag, what would be on it?
151. If your life was a book, what would its title be?
152. As the only human left on Earth, what would you do?
153. What stats for your life would you most like to see?
154. What did you think you would grow out of but haven’t?
155. What are three of the most significant numbers in your life?
156. What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
157. What’s the best and worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?
158. What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
159. What annoys you most about the in-groups you are a part of?
160. What small gesture from a stranger made a big impact on you?
161. What do you regret not doing or starting when you were younger?
162. What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done that actually turned out pretty well?
163. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?
164. When people look at you, what do you think they see/think?
165. What can you not get right, no matter how many times you try?
166. What question can you ask to find out the most about a person?
167. As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of?
168. What lifestyle change have you been meaning to make for a while now?
169. In what situation or place would you feel the most out of place?
170. There are two types of people in this world. What are the two types?
171. What personality trait do you value most, and which do you dislike the most?
172. When was the last time you changed your opinion/belief about something major?
173. What would you do if you knew you were going to die in one day?
174. What are some of the events in your life that made you who you are?
175. If life is a game like some people say, what are some of the rules?
176. They say that everyone has a book in them. What would your book be about?
177. What could you do with two million dollars to impact the most amount of people?
178. What would be some of the most annoying things about having yourself as a roommate?
179. What do you want to be remembered for?
180. If you could make one rule that everyone had to follow, what rule would you make?
181. What’s something that happened or something that someone said that changed how you view the world?
182. If you were put into solitary confinement for six months, what would you do to stay sane?
183. If you could have a video of anyone event in your life, what event would you choose?
184. What incredibly strong opinion or belief do you have that is completely unimportant in the grand scheme of things?
185. What are the top three things you want to accomplish before you die? How close are you to accomplishing them?
186. If you could convince everyone in the world to do one thing at one point in time, what would that thing be?
187. If you had a clock that would countdown to any one event of your choosing, what event would you want it to countdown to?
188. What do you wish you could tell yourself 10 years ago? What do you think you’ll want to tell your current self 10 years from now?
189. If you were forced to relive one 10-minute block of your life again and again for all eternity, what 10 minutes of your life would you choose?
190. Have you ever saved someone’s life?
191. What are you addicted to?
192. What keeps you up at night?
193. What lie do you tell most often?
194. What do you regret not doing?
195. What gives your life meaning?
196. What are you most insecure about?
197. What bridges do you NOT regret burning?
198. What’s the most illegal thing you’ve done?
199. How do you get in the way of your own success?
200. What are you afraid people see when they look at you?
201. What’s the most surprising self-realization you’ve had?
202. How do you hope you’ll change as a person in the future?
203. What’s one thing you did that you really wish you could go back and undo?
204. What do you most often look down on people for? What do you think other people look down on you for?
