Drowning, Zelda and ADHD: Iqaluit comedian takes the Proust Questionnaire

When in 1886, future French writer Marcel Proust was asked to fill out a questionnaire that would later be named after him, he was only 14 years old.

To the simple question, “Where would you like to live?” teenage Proust answered, “In the realm of the ideal, or rather my ideal.” And when asked, “For what fault have you most toleration?” he replied, “For the private lives of geniuses.”

Brandon Villeneuve says he wishes he had the insight of Proust at the age of 14.

“I wish I had that kind of insight ever,” he later added.

Villeneuve recently talked to Nunatsiaq News to provide his own answers to the Proust Questionnaire.

He is a comedian, board member at Skills Canada Nunavut, host of trivia and co-host of bingo at the Nunavut Brewing Company in Iqaluit and a 3D printing enthusiast.

After about a year of hosting events at NuBrew, Villeneuve says he is now recognized by people on the streets and has become a sort of “small-town celebrity.”

What is your greatest extravagance?

I spend too much money on video games. I am a big gamer. It’s something that I’ve been into for a very long time, and I’ve shared it with my family. I got my grandmother really, really into Zelda years ago. I got a Zelda tattoo for her when she passed away two or three years ago.

What is your greatest fear?

Drowning. I’ve had a fear of water since I was a child. From what I’ve heard, I’ve almost drowned a couple of times as a kid. So I can’t swim, and I have never had an interest in learning how to swim.

What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) fuels me greatly and hinders me drastically. I get wrapped up in interests, and I’ve explored a lot of interesting things. But at the same time, finding motivations for things is very, very tough.

What is the trait you most dislike in others?

Ignorance. And also, when people are being rude to service workers. Like if you’re at a restaurant and they get your order wrong, you scream at them. That has always been a huge pet peeve of mine.

What is your current state of mind?

Contentment. I’m very, very lucky with how my life is. Everybody has stresses and stuff, so obviously nobody’s life is perfect. But I’ve been very lucky with the things I have been doing in the last year or two. I do things that I enjoy doing and I share it with the community.

What do you most dislike in your appearance?

I have struggled with weight for a long, long time. I’m a big guy. It bothers me because it’s something that I can change, but I just can’t find the drive to change it.

What is your greatest regret?

I don’t have an answer for this one because I try not to have any. I can’t change it, so no need to regret it.

Nunatsiaq News is borrowing the old Proust Questionnaire parlour game to get to know people who are in the news. If you know someone in your community who our readers should get to know by taking this questionnaire, let us know by email: editors@nunatsiaq.com.