In a way, yes. I had a role in a community theatre production of Kiss Me Kate, which is based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
Have you ever sent back a meal in a restaurant?
I returned a carry-out pizza. It was ice-cold and raw.
HYE dropped a carry-out pizza before getting it home?
Yes. I was bringing pizza to a park for a kids party. I got 8 large pizzas out of my car and turned around and stumbled over something dropping all the pies. It was a big mess. Have I told you I’m a wreck most days?
HYE stumbled to a big audience and totally embarrassed yourself?
Yes, during one of my Gay Men’s Chorus concerts, at one point the chorus was to exit off the risers, in the back. Instead of the lights dimming, they went completely out. Total blackness. We were all feeling around, trying to get off the risers, and I stumbled. I said “Oh fuck!” The audience couldn’t see me, but some of them heard me.
HYE attended an LGBTQ Chorus event?
Not in person, but I’ve seen a few LGBTQ choruses perform on TV.
Have you ever attended a performance of classical music by a symphony orchestra?
Yes, dozens of times, I’m a classical music fan and used to live within walking distance of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in NYC, where the NY Philharmonic plays. I’ve also attended symphony performances at Carnegie Hall and chamber orchestra performances by groups like Tafelmusik in Toronto and Academy of St Martin in the Fields in London.
Have you ever given up on playing a musical instrument?
(I tried to learn to play the guitar but couldn’t get my fingers in the right position to hold down the strings firmly and play chords)
Yes. My Daddy made us all take piano lessons. All my sibs are fair, one or two are really good. I’m terrible. I can play one song and chop sticks. And that’s all. I gave up early, but I plunked away at lessons all thru school.
HYE sang a solo to an audience. (I’m a closet soloist)
If karaoke counts then yes, many times. My go-to song was DESPERADO by the Eagles although I do have a slightly hazy memory of what I’m told was a non-heinous version of Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell. If karaoke doesn’t count then I had one time at a school function when we had kind of a “Gong Show”/talent show fundraiser event. The whole idea was to get up and embarrass yourself and,…I succeeded. I don’t think I’ll ever be forgiven for what I did to Bob Seger’s Against the Wind.
Have you ever done something embarrassing for a good cause?
Yes. We were giving a friend a surprise birthday party. Another friend was carrying in her cake, and she was about to see the cake too soon. I shouted, “Hey (Name), look at this table!” while pointing at an utterly unremarkable table. She stared first at me, then at the table, and the rest of us were able to sing “Happy Birthday” all together.
Have you ever planned a surprise party?
To a degree, yes. It was a bachelor party, and the groom thought he was getting plenty of beer, a poker table, and some tired-out porn videos. What he got was a catered affair, with plenty of food provided by the deli counter of a local supermarket, a blackjack table, a roulette wheel, a poker table, a professional comedian who roasted the groom, and a stripper. I was in on the plan, and helped to plan, but the groom was definitely surprised at what we had for him.
Have you ever driven more that 600 miles (1000 km) in a day?
My bolding. That should be “than.”
When I was living in Philadelphia, I arranged a job interview in Pittsburgh. I woke up early, drive to Pittsburgh, interviewed, then drove back to Philadelphia. Total miles that day was 640.
HYE driven a truck (bigger than a pickup)?
Yes. I learned to drive an 18-wheeler back in the day. Got my license, made a number of runs, then I found a better job. But it was kind of fun to operate the biggest vehicle on the road, and I have many happy memories.
Have you ever played music in a band?
I was a flute player in my high school orchestra.
HYE shaken hands with a famous musician?
Yes, I met Leonard Bernstein once. He was to conduct the national anthem at a GMHC Barnum & Bailey Circus fundraiser, and I was there to do some graphics work. I also met Beverly Sills once.
HYE shaken hands with a famous politician?
Sure. Obama during his 2012 reelection campaign. Got my photo taken with him too. (I had to pay for it, but we both pretended it was real)
HYE met a famous general or admiral?
I can’t say that I have, but when I was a child, one of our neighbours was an RCAF officer in WWII who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Have you ever won a free game on a pinball machine?
Yes, many times. Pinball used to be my go-to way of spending time at a bar when there was no game on the TV. It was also a great way to impress cuties with my wizard-like skill 
HYE won cash by playing Bingo?
Yes, we won $200, the grand prize, at Bingo night at my kids’ school some years ago.
HYE won more than a few dollars in a lottery or raffle?
And, kayaker, did you get the job?
I was offered the job. I did the Philly-Pittsburgh drive one other time a week or so later and was offered that job as well. I took the second job offer and kept the job for 15 years. 