Tell us something we never would have guessed about you.
Phil: I have a fear of heights. But when I have to, I go up anyway. So I don’t climb the Gunks, but I will clean the gutters.
Justine: I am a spiritual person and I am a yoga therapy teacher that doesn’t teach.
What keeps you here?
Phil: My friends.
Justine: My husband and my friends.
What would you change?
Phil: Winter — make it shorter. Other than that, this is a great place to live.
Justine: The traffic!
Where would we find you on Sunday mornings?
Phil: Sleeping in, the Mudd Puddle, our Café — or if I’m really lucky, hiking.
Justine: Sleeping in until 8 a.m. or out running with my girlfriends.
What is your favorite virtue?
Phil: Honesty and clear communication. It makes everything so easy.
Justine: Compassion, empathy.
What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt?
Phil: I am just starting out managing a restaurant, so here I am attempting another profession! But after this, I was thinking of creating a cultural center in the Yucatan of Mexico that celebrates the foods, crafts, language and spirituality of the Mayan peoples still living there.
Justine: Mexican culture guide and yoga teacher. I have a passion for the Yucatan and the spiritual life there.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here?
Phil: My wife. She is always growing, learning and exploring — so she keeps bringing new things into our lives.
Justine: I’ve met so many interesting people here. I can’t choose!
What qualities do you admire most in others?
Phil: Being at ease, having a strong work ethic and having self-motivation. Keeping oneself healthy.
Justine: Candidness, integrity, being on time and gentleness.
What is your idea of happiness?
Phil: Being content with what you have. The daily gift of life is everything. And I guess I am happiest when I can take a break from my responsibilities and recharge — whether a couple of hours or a couple of weeks.
Justine: Living in the present moment with my health and my loved ones surrounding me.
What is your idea of misery?
Phil: Misery is a mental construct — one is miserable only if you allow it.
Justine: Physical disease and cold damp weather.
What talent do you wish you had been given?
Phil: I wish I was a gifted linguist and could speak many languages.
Justine: A good singing voice.
What is your main fault?
Phil: Being overly optimistic.
Justine: Not wanting to work constantly; ignoring things I shouldn’t.
For which fault do you have the most tolerance?
Phil: I am very open-minded and tolerant, along with being optimistic. So I tend to tolerate faults and look for the good in my initial associations with people.
Justine: A lack of education and experience when someone is young.
What is your favorite motto?
Phil: Jump, and the net will appear.
Justine: “Whatever you can do or dream you can do, do it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
