Verity George is co-owner of the Garnet Station cafe, restaurant and Tiny Theatre in Westmere, which opened on 8 August 2007.
Tell us about your tiny theatre at Garnet Station?
It seats 35. Since September last year we’ve had 11 plays, three bands, two art exhibitions, many significant birthdays and the Singing Cowboy fills it with preschoolers twice a week.
What was your childhood like?
Never a dull moment.
Who do you think is the most annoying celebrity today?
Not annoyed by any of today’s celebrities.
Which TV series would you never miss and why?
I love a good period drama and currently it’s Poldark.
Where would your dream holiday internationally be?
New York in October for my 50th!
What is the best thing you have brought back from an overseas trip?
An antique Persian rug from Wales.
Which do you prefer Tweeting or Facebook?
Facebook.
What/who is the greatest love of your life?
My partner of 20 years, Lisa Prager.
How would you like to be remembered?
That I could still do headstands at the age of 80.
What do you love most about your age?
Freedom.
Whose greatest hits would you take to a desert island?
Annie Lennox.
Who do you think is the best dressed woman on earth?
Colourful Peruvian women in their bowler hats.
When was the last time you turned off your cell phone?
At the movies.
What is something that you really disapprove of?
Rates increases.
What song makes you happy?
Easy Like Sunday Morning.
Describe one of your biggest disappointments?
Not being bi-lingual.
Now if you won a million dollars what is the first thing you would do?
Pay off the mortgage!
What’s your comfort food?
Peach Tree Danish made at Garnet Station from our own backyard bottled Paragon peaches.
What really motivates you?
Love!
What do you think happens when we die?
We incarnate again.
What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen and why?
Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance, 1982 cult time-lapse doco with no dialogue.
When is the last time you cried?
When the cat scratched me.
Give your teenaged self some advice?
Listen to your Nana when she says you should be a radio presenter.
Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Cate Blanchett.
How do you chill out?
By watching Shortland Street.
What is your all time favourite book?
Mists of Avalon.
Which item of clothing can’t you live without?
My underwire bra.
What is your favourite time of the day?
Dusk.
What do you love about your life right now?
My new car. It’s a VW Polo stick shift.
Tell us about your dream home?
Off the grid with a biolytix water/waste system.
What are you insecure about?
Insecure people.
Tell us something very few people know about you?
I’ve skydived.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Swimming in the sea.
What is your greatest fear?
Mould in the fridge.
Who is your favourite hero of fiction and why?
Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple with a sharp mind age is immaterial.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
A little less décolletage sun damage please.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To sing like a bird.
Which living person do you most admire?
Louise Nicholas.
Do you have a life motto?
Do It Now.
Have you ever had any acting aspirations?
I’m a trained thespian, darling!
What cliché do you most abhor?
Time waits for no man.
What gizmo can you simply not live without?
A cell phone.
What is your greatest weakness/indulgence?
Gewurtztraminer - it’s an aromatic wine, like ambrosia of the Gods!
Which website do you read the most?
Scene pics Gay NZ.
Are you a handshake or a hug kind of person?
An air kisser.
What is your favourite season?
Autumn.
Name your dream guest list for a dinner party and why?
Oscar Wilde - a laugh a minute, Georgia O’Keefe - adore her flowers, Catullus - for his racy love poems, Marilyn Monroe - just because!
Do you have a party trick?
Doing my Xena warrior cry.
How do you take your coffee?
Long black with organic coconut oil, cream and cinnamon.
Do you travel light or heavy?
Moderate.
What is the best holiday you’ve ever had?
My first trip to Europe in 2004 with many museums, galleries and restaurants on the itinerary
What is your opinion on today’s man?
Dazed and confused.
You’re all time favourite movie?
Easy, it would be The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be?
Leave the Resource Management Act alone.