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General Attitude Turn-offs and Turn-ons Advice Specific People Personal Philosophy Political Stances Lessons Society GENERAL ATTITUDE Chris prefers "goal-oriented living" (June 25 2000) and says that he discovered that "working hard is funner than fucking off and the rewards are deeper. Of course, fucking off in moderation has its place" (June 9 2000). "Accomplishing my goals helps" Chris to combat feelings of low self-esteem (May 18 2001). Unfortunately, when he does not accomplish a goal he's set for himself, he treats himself with an "iron fist in an iron glove," explaining, "I think kind and gentle is a better motivator…just can't seem to grasp that tact when dealing with self" (Aug 29 2000). In the world according to Meloni, happiness lies in "what you believe and sometimes between the sheets" (June 9 2000). Money doesn't exactly "buy happiness," but it does make it "easier to live life. Money is freedom. It can also dull one's drive or hunger" (Dec 6 2001). When asked whether time is money or money is time, Chris replied, "Time is money. If you don't manage them, they dwindle away. If you're too preoccupied with them, you'll never live" (Aug 4 2000). The opinion that matters most to Christopher is his own, "because come crunch time, it's my ass on the line, it's my life and if a mistake or bad decision is made, I know who to hold responsible" (Jan 26 2001). According to Chris, "greatness" is "someone that is dedicated to what they’re doing or respects what they’re doing and does it well" (Apr 4 2001). On whether he sees people more in terms of Freud's sexual theories or Jung's archetypal theories: "Both, leaning towards Jung" (June 14 2000). According to Chris, The Portable Jung is "a cornerstone of modern thought and I agree more often with him than I do with Freud" (May 3 2005), but he admits that he is "not really informed enough to say" whether he identifies with any of Jung's archetypes (Aug 23 2000). He would like to have lived during Ancient Roman times because it was "a world without religious dogma" and "Rome without vespas" (Jan 12 2001). Chris "never considered" joining a military branch (Apr 26 2005), explaining, "I'm not a big fan of organizations, conformity to others' imposed ideas, being told what to do and others' rules in general…Uh, does that answer the question?" (Nov 3 2001) Chris does not believe that there is "one right person" for everyone, since "I don't believe there's any right one of anything" (Dec 6 2001). TURN-OFFS AND TURN-ONS Christopher despises manipulative behaviour and hidden agendas, explaining, "When one deals with that type of behavior, there is no truth in anything, little of value is accomplished, it's a shitty energy to be around and you never know where you stand" (Mar 26 2000). On the other hand, what really turns him on to someone is an "open smile, intelligence, honesty in who one is - warts and all" and a "sense of humor different from mine" (Mar 26 2000). When asked whether "you can love someone despite ideology," he replied, "I find butting heads over ideology leaves me empty and wanting to take a shower. I tolerate 'the others.' Understand? Most of what I disagree with has to do with people taking a stance that uses fear-mongering or control as a weapon or solution. Love them? I leave that for someone far more forgiving than I" (Aug 9 2000). ADVICE The best piece of advice Chris could give his child is "You are strong, you are smart, you are beautiful" (Apr 21 2000). If his children wanted to become actors or go into the entertainment business, Chris would tell them, "If you want it, you must work for it" (Apr 26 2000) and "Follow your heart and know that your average SAG actor makes about $5000 a year" (Mar 28 2000). The most valuable wisdom he could impart to his child is this: "Hate is a draining bottomless pit from whence nothing good or of any value can come. Try to eat a balanced diet. Guys only want one thing" (Sept 22 2001). Chris's tip for women to avoid rape: "Don't get drunk and carry mace" (Sept 21 2003). On teenage pregnancy, drug use and eating disorders: "Pregnancy - use condoms. Drugs - some are fun in moderation. Others lead to a bad dead end. Eating - let's talk about what's bothering you" (Jan 24 2005). SPECIFIC PEOPLE Question: "Is Freudian psychology a true architecture of the human mind or merely a quaint historical artifact of the fin-de-siecle Viennese bourgeoisie?" Meloni: "Another intellectual with too much time on his hands and too much coke up his nose?" (Apr 17 2000) While being interviewed for Out Magazine, Chris saw a woman in a girl's dress and Pippi Longstocking hose and commented, "That's a lot of sadness and a lot of beauty wrapped up in one package." A fan asked him about that comment and Chris replied, "I see her a lot. She has a lot of mental/emotional/substance abuse problems. That's just how she strikes me" (June 9 2000). Christopher's favourite historical figure is "Martin Luther King" (Dec 4 2000). On a somewhat related note, when Chris was in D.C., he "ran into a few 'The South will rise again' types. Uh…hey, it's over, so let's share a six-pack and chill out" (Nov 13 2001). PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY The meaning of life is "to keep searching for the truth" (Nov 16 2004). Christopher's purpose, in particular, is "to use my talents so I can experience God that will help me define myself, which hopefully will make me a better person, so that I can share the best aspects of myself with people and maybe become more selfless" (June 25 2000). Chris also says that his approach to life is "focused. Trying to find kindness within myself. Trying to listen to others, all the while, trying to understand the chaos and confusion that is life. And I try to work out. Thank you, goodnight" (Nov 7 2001). When it comes to finding one's purpose in life, Chris says, "I believe that people make their own reality. They have a purpose if THEY believe in that purpose" (Jan 31 2005) and also says that we are in control of our own destinies (Oct 12 2001). The answer to the purely philosophical question "Why?" holds little interest for Chris "unless it is boiled down to a specific question or problem that concerns me in the moment" (Oct 29 2001). Chris cautions against helping other people arrive at their own answer to that question: "Please don't help - just be. Let others figure their own 'why' out" (Oct 29 2001). Ultimately, in Christopher's opinion, the answer to the question "Why?" does not lie in physics, but in death (Oct 29 2001). In contrast, the question "How come?" can be a useful one: "If 'How come?' is asked during times of good things happening, then it is an occasion to be thankful. If 'How come?' is asked at times of crisis, it is to reflect on how to change. Make sense?" (June 25 2000) A fan asked whether Chris believes "intuition is spiritual, instinctual, or more of one or the other." Chris replied, "It's instinctual and becomes spiritual from understanding and enlightenment" (Aug 26 2000). On the age-old question "nature or nurture," Chris leans "more towards nature, but not exclusively" (Sept 11 2000). At times, Chris ponders "the suffering of life and where God fits in all of it" (Aug 10 2000). Still, when asked to list the ways in which he's been blessed, he responds, "As clichéd as it may be: family and friends, a capacity for growth, curiosity, health - look, my whole life is one big blessing, if not miracle" (Aug 30 2000). POLITICAL STANCES [Please see the Politics section of these FAQs for more on Christopher's political views. - Editor] Chris does not think that the death penalty is a deterrent "except in the fact there is not a documented case where a dead murderer has ever committed another crime" (July 30 2000). More recently, he has confirmed that he "agrees" with the death penalty, but adds, "Whether it's being administered correctly is another thing" (Apr 20 2005). When asked whether he, like Elliot Stabler, sometimes fantasizes about killing sexual predators, Chris responded, "I think my answer to that is yes" (Feb 15 2002). LESSONS Chris has said that he had no heroes while growing up and has none now (Aug 4 2000). Still, the most important lesson he’s been taught is that "to work for what you receive is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and kindness is important (the kindness thing, I’m still working on)" (Apr 4 2001). On life's challenges, Chris says, "Isn't that really what a great part of life is - the temptations, the easy roads, the unquestioned paths, identifying your fears and ignorance as things that are bad and evil. Happens all the time, every day to all of us - when do we challenge these things, when do we let them go by, when do we act (and how) for change? Calm and focus? Breathe and listen" (Dec 7 2000). SOCIETY When asked whether he believes that justice is invented by society or whether there is such a thing as "natural justice," Chris said, "Natural justice is subjective. Society-imposed justice attempts to be objective" (Feb 2 2005). Another fan asked whether Chris is optimistic that civilization will have "a long and happy road ahead." He replied, "I think humans are highly adaptable. Keep the environment's health outta the grasp of industry and the U.S. government it runs and make sure the fanatics don't get the nukes and I think we'll be O.K." (Feb 2 2005) Social and cultural issues that are of importance to Chris are "education" and the "threat, fear and perception of racism" (Aug 13 2000). The most important aspects of education today are "paying teachers more, testing teachers to make sure they're qualified and making the school safe so kids have a chance to learn" (Apr 26 2005). The most important characteristics a teacher can have are "command, smarts, patience, ability to relate" and teachers should be "tough but fair" and "engaged" (Apr 26 2005). Of affirmative action, Chris says, "How about for the length of time we've kept them down, we help them up" (Aug 10 2000). Christopher is not wholly convinced that the media are to blame for eating disorders: "I'm a believer in most things being up to the individual (genetic problems aside). To blame the media for anything disempowers all of us" (Aug 26 2000). When asked whether the emphasis on physical appearance is "equally damaging to young men of today as it is to young girls in regard to self-image," Chris replied, "I don't buy. Let's blame the media for everything. This is the world we live in - let's all deal" (Oct 29 2001). Last updated: March 04/06 | |