5×5 With The Hook: Deanna Herrmann

Our guest today is so sassy and fearless you’d think she walked straight out of a 1960s sitcom starring Marlo Thomas.

But she didn’t – as far as I can tell, at least.

Here are some facts about Deanna Herrmann:

• She is a contributing writer at Tipsy Lit, a ridiculously cool site featuring Ericka Clay’s gang of cute and talented literary rapscallions. (The link contains some of her best work so check it out or be subject to ridicule.)
• It’s more than a tad cliché, but she has miles and miles of heart and it shows in her writing. I like that.
• Her expat blog – yes, she’s one of those brave souls who actually travel beyond the world outside her window – is From Casinos To Castles, where it’s mostly expat life, mom life and recipes. It’s where her legend began.
• I discovered and fell into non-vow-breaking-love with Deanna on My Muted Voice, a place all her own, where she can focus on her writing and of meet other great writers like Twindaddy.
• Her work makes me smile.

Enough with the foreplay, it’s virtual Go Time!

1)  Your favorite John Cusack movie is…

   Well, my knee-jerk reaction was Say Anything, because Lloyd Dobbler made me fall head over heels in love with John. And yes, I call him John, because we are on such good stalker-stalkee terms. But, when I actually thought about all of his movies that I adore, Grosse Pointe Blank would be my chosen favorite. Did you know John’s never married? He’s clearly waiting for me.

2)  The best thing about being in love?

   Kissing. Oh….aside from the physical? 😉

   Honestly, I think the best part is the winning combination of best friend and lover. In my experience, you have to have both. In my past marriages (yes, that’s plural), I always had one or the other. My first husband was my best friend and we had so much fun together….umm….outside of the bedroom. Now, my second husband was definitely not lacking in the bedroom department, but I’m not sure how we ever got there since he was such an ass. And now, the third time is most definitely the charm as I spend my days with my very best friend and my nights with my dream lover.

   TMI?

(There’s no such thing on this blog, young lady.)

3)  In your opinion, what is the best movie soundtrack of all time?

    I actually had to search Google to refresh my memory on soundtracks, although Garden State was the first to come to mind. I don’t choose many soundtracks because they usually only have 2-3 songs that I like. Aside from Garden State, I do really love these: Footloose, Flashdance, Pretty in Pink and Pulp Fiction. In case you ever had any doubt, I’m a child of the 80’s. (As a teenager, I think I listened to the Reality Bites soundtrack a lot too)

Fun Fact:  If he finds himself at a wedding, Kevin bacon will pay the DJ to not play “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins, thus sparing himself the inevitable requests to recreate that particular moment in his life and career.

4)  Are there any reality shows you feel are actually worthy of your time or do you live in fear of their soul-crushing madness?

    Definitely the second, especially when it comes to The Real Housewives, Toddler & Tiaras and others like them. However, not all reality shows are created equal and I do love the ones that are a bit less “dramatic” such as: Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, Bar Rescue and Restaurant Impossible. I also used to really love House Hunters and House Hunters International despite the truth that they are filmed after the fact. I just enjoy looking at real estate, especially in other cities and countries. Oh! Have you ever seen The Little Couple? I love that one too….they are so sweet!

   Ok, maybe in actuality I am a reality show snob.

(Point of clarification: Anyone who is deluded kind enough to take part in 5×5 cannot be labelled a snob. And Bar Rescue rocks.)

5)  Your favorite black comedy (like Very Bad Things, for example) is…

    I actually like Very Bad Things, but it wouldn’t come close to my favorite. I wasn’t even sure I liked black comedies until I did some more Googling and realized there are several that I love! I can’t choose a favorite when it comes to music or movies. I just love them all too much so instead, I’ll just list a few that come to mind: Heathers was a fave when I was growing up, Grosse Pointe Blank is also considered a black comedy, so you know that one had to be here, Pulp Fiction (duh), American Beauty, Natural Born Killers and American Psycho.

   I better stop now. I own over 400 DVD’s so this girl could go on and on.

(Not to worry, Deanna, we’d keep up, wouldn’t we, kids?)

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Well, that’s all she wrote for today, my friends. I think we’ve all learned something today about Deanna, Kevin Bacon and of course, John Cusack. This has been fun, hasn’t it? My thanks to my guest today for bringing yet another smile to my face. You rock, Deanna.

See you in the lobby, folks…