French writer Marcel Proust made these questions famous at the end of the nineteenth century when he recorded his answers in his diary, “An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc.”

Known as the Proust Questionnaire, the following questions are selections from his original quiz. Today the Lovely Darling of Burlesque, Rose Darling takes time to answer a few for us.

Read the whole article here or check it out below the cut.

1. What is your greatest extravagance?
Dresses, I bought at least 10 this summer. I keeps finding places online where I can get vintage ones really cheap, so thankfully I’m not spending too much on them. They are just so easy, you don’t have to worry about matching a top to a bottom. Plus they make me feel really girlie.

2. Which talent would you most like to have?
The gift of gab. It takes me awhile to get comfortable talking to new people sometimes.
I would love to just go up to a bunch of strangers and start an enjoyable. memorable conversation with ease.

3. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Can I say that I haven’t had it yet? Not that I haven’t achieved great things, cause I know I have.
I’m always looking into the future, not patting myself on the back for the past.

4. What do you most value in your friends?
I have really cool friends that do some pretty amazing things.
I value that they all want to make something of themselves and be great at it.

5. Who are your favorite writers?
Tom Robbins, David Sedaris, Kurt Vonnegut, Chuck Palahniuk and after Naked Girls Reading, Marquis De Sade. wow.

6. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
I fall in love with any fictional character that is sexy and proficient in witty retorts, man or woman.

7. What is your motto?
“Expect the best, be prepared for the worse, forget what others think and do your own thing.”

From Rose Darling’s website:

“Rose Darling also known as “The Lovely Darling of Burlesque”, blends vintage burlesque style with elements borrowed from a mix of French culture and 60’s bombshells. (Or you can say she’s a bit of Oh-la-la mixed with some Va-va-voom. *wink wink*) This has caught the eye of many to nominate her for “One to Watch” in the 2009 Hot Rod and Heels show. Rose has guest performed in Chicago with Vaudezilla Productions and also was chosen to perform in the Late Night Bash for New Orleans 1st Annual Burlesque Fest.”

Rose Darling will be performing at Gifts and Garters this Saturday, don’t forget to bring one unwrapped toy to receive a discount on admission.

Are you a burlesque dancer who would like to answer the Proust Questionnaire? Email the Dallas Burlesque Examiner at ginger.lee.valentine AT gmail DOT com.

Home For the Holidays With Rose Darling

What holiday do you celebrate and how do you celebrate it?

I celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, because of that, my parents mixed things up a bit.

I always thought it was cool when I was little cause Hanukkah came before Christmas and we got to open some of our presents “early”. I had no concept of any religious stuff, my parents didn’t force that part on us thankfully.

For Hanukkah we wouldn’t open a present each of the 8 nights, we’d only get to open 1 or 2 total. We would light the candles and said a basic prayer in Hebrew (which I had no idea what it meant until I was older). Then, since we didn’t open a gift every night, we had a small present we would all share as a family. Sometimes it would be one of those sausage/cheese/crackers gift basket things or some gimmel (chocolate coins) with a dreidel.

We would open the rest of our presents on Christmas Eve, which apparently no one else did. My brothers and I found this out while spending Christmas with other relatives. There were many stern looks on us kids faces about breaking “tradition.” In actuality, we just wanted to open them early like we usually did. On Christmas day, there were presents left for us unwrapped on our designated couches and a full stocking.

What is your favorite holiday movie or television show?

I love it when “A Christmas Story” runs all day on Christmas. I also like “Scrooged” and “A Christmas Carol” (both similar, but I like that Charles Dickens story).

What is your favorite holiday song and who performs your favorite version?

I honestly hate most Christmas music. Anything good gets overplayed. I did try out the Sufjan Stevens “Songs for Christmas” last year, it’s not too bad. Its a mix of his own original songs and his version of the traditional songs. I wish there were more Hanukkah songs out there, most of them just sound depressing.

What is your favorite holiday beverage, adult or otherwise?

I love spiced cider with Tuaca.

What is your most memorable holiday gift?

One time, my older brother actually gave me a lump of coal. So I decided to turn it into a “pet rock.” I drew a face, tied a string around it and walked around the house with it for at least a couple of days. I thought, “Hah! That will show him!” But I just ended up looking sillier anyhow. I think I got him back by throwing a bunch of ice on him to wake him up in the morning. Actually, that happened a lot back and forth. I think it entertained my parents so they never stopped it, I’m pretty sure they encouraged it.

Are you a gift shaker?

I’m am most definitely a gift shaker. When I was little and our dogs were puppies, they use to get into the presents and unwrap them or tear them open a little. When the puppies got older they stopped, but my parents didn’t know that. heh heh heh.

Do you rip into gifts or open them nicely so you can reuse or save the wrapping paper?

I’m a ripper. It’s so satisfying.

Care to share a holiday horror story?

I don’t have anything that ruined the holiday, just a bunch of small funny things.

As I explained, my parents are not very traditional. It was pretty common for them to pack us all up and just take off somewhere (I appreciate it now, but it drove me crazy as a kid). One time my mom had brought a honey baked ham in a cooler for us to eat, we had been driving for awhile and then slept, so the rest of us were a bit scared of the ham. I think we ended up driving around for awhile looking for a place that was actually open. We ended up eating at Luby’s.

Oh and there was the time my mom forgot where she hid half of our presents and she found them the following summer.

or you read the whole thing below:

Since going solo a year ago, Dallas’ Rose Darling has been performing everywhere from Chicago to New Orleans, while still saving some time for Dallas. Rose talks geeks, Batman, and the pervertazzi.

Interview & photographs: Shoshana of Through the Looking Glass

Q: You have been solo a little less than a year now, yet you’ve had some amazing opportunities already! What are some of your most memorable accomplishments to date and why?

The way things keep going, my last accomplishment becomes the most memorable. I keep getting involved in more and more exciting things. My last now being the New Orleans Burlesque Fest. My first festival and my first time in New Orleans. And I got to perform, not only at the House of Blues, but in New Orleans, for a burlesque festival. How cool is that? I was so lucky to be chosen and have a chance to meet all the people I’ve been watching perform on YouTube in awe and see them perform in real life!

Q: Some of your performances and appearances have a comical super hero slant to them. Do you have an inner geek? (I use geek in the sexiest way)

I don’t think it’s quite considered an inner geek, as soon as you meet me I think most people figure that out. hah!

And to be honest, this whole sexy thing came way later than the geek thing. Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing dress-up when I was little, but I was brought up by computer programmers. It’s in my blood to be geeky. In fact, I’ll be making an homage to that side of me in a future dance. My friend Chris was joking that if I was a Goonies character, I would be the Asian kid (Data) with all the gadgets. Haha!

I’ve done a Barbarella number, as you know, cause Barbarella is just awesome. She’s in space, has limitless amounts of costume changes and she’s hot. Sounds perfect for a burlesque number to me! The Ms. Marvel themed Dr. Sketchy’s I got volunteered for, not that I’m complaining! When I was a model for a figure drawing class in college, there was this one guy that would always draw me as a superhero. I think my figure leans towards those superhero woman, you know: tall, big boobies.

Q: If you were a superhero, who would you be? What would your name be- what powers would you have?

My favorite superhero is Batman, he’s kinda James Bond like. Suave with lots of gadgets (see a trend here?). As far as me being a superhero, well I can’t tell you my superhero name for the sake of being caught by the evil villains that are trying to stop my do-gooding ways. My powers would to be able to transport myself anywhere at any time. Make clones of myself that will do my work for me (so I can do more important things like, you know, saving the world). And being able to see through people’s clothing so I can see them naked. Hot.

Q: What was one thing that really inspired you during your New Orleans experience, or one big lesson you learned?

There are many lessons I’ve learned, some from watching others, some from my own experiences. What I’m really working on now is connecting with the audience. When I was watching the Queen of Burlesque competition in New Orleans, the ones that impressed me the most where the ones that connected with the audience. There is something about that. Me, personally, while I was in the audience felt like I was being held up by the little pinky of whomever was dancing. If you looked at my face I would have had this happy spacey grin. I was connected.

Q: After performing in several US cities including Chicago, New Orleans, and Dallas, are their regional trends you have spotted or observations you have made about the different communities?

Every city has the pervertazzi! I can’t really say there was a trend in each city. All girls have their own influences and flavors.

Q: You can have dinner with any five people, past or present, who do you choose and why?

Lauren Bacall she’s a sharp talking badass with class.
Tom Robbins (an author) he would be cracking dirty jokes to keep me laughing but stimulating the conversation at the same time.
Paul Pope for those who do not know him, he’s my favorite comic book writer/illustrator but he’s also thoughtful and well read.
Dorothy Parker she’s another sharp talking BAWC (I think you know my type now).
Don Draper (ok I’m doing imaginary, too) I don’t think I need to explain this.

Q: What does the future hold for Rose Darling? Any upcoming projects we should know about?

I would like do more out of town gigs. I was also thinking about keeping the trend of applying to burlesque festivals in cities I’ve never been to. Bonjour Montreal!

And tomorrow, in print, we should be in The Observer, but check out the online version now!

You can read the whole thing online here. Or download it to read later here (note: this link only links the most current issue, make sure you get it now!).

Rose Darling, the darling of DFW burlesque
If you went to the Dallas Burlesque Festival earlier this year, then not only did you see some amazing burlesque talents, but you also saw the spunky Rose Darling, who panty wrangled that evening. Rose, who debuted as a soloist this year at Glam’Amour’s Bewitching Burlesque Revue, has had an amazing past few months! She is known as the “Darling of Burlesque”, and for good reason – this gal is the sweetest, easiest to get to know person you’ll meet!…

Both of whom will be performing at the Spring Swing Burlesque Revue TONIGHT! If you are lucky, there might be tickets still available. Also the legendary Michelle L’Amour (Miss Exotic World 2005) will be performing, definitely a must see.