Answers

Man being at a loss for words is a downer. 
I am normally ok, if given about three days to think of an answer.  Having a question thrust at me, and to be expected to answer straight away is tougher.  It seems to be a politician’s lot in life.  For them, it seems that to say nothing in a lot of words, is preferable to saying the wrong thing.  It could be why I am often frustrated with what I hear.  I just want an answer, and all I hear is waffle.  It seems that the fall-back position is waffle.  The trouble is, I am yet to find anyone who cannot see through waffle.
Still, writing stuff is very different to needing to answer on the spot.  If I am at a loss for words, I just wait.  Eventually something usually comes.  It is one of the benefits of doing things this way.  I have time to consider as I go.  If I am unsure of something I often look it up.  I try to get my facts straight, because I have found if they are not, then it is sure to be pointed out to me.
Being questioned though, I am expected to know the answer on the spot.  If I do, then well and good.    I have known what it is like to give the right answer at the right time, and to have it come cross how I meant it.  That really is a good feeling.  It helps if I am satisfied, and the enquirer is to.  That makes me a happy man.
Mostly people do not ask something out of left field.  Generally it is relevant to them at the time.   Many questions relate to everyday stuff like “what time do we start?” or “how do I do this?”  When I have been there and done that, or have found out something for myself, I am generally able to satisfy the enquirer.  Other questions are like, “why are we here?” and, “what is the meaning of life?”  I have my own take on such things.
To me, for every question there is a right answer, which we ignore at our own peril.  For example if I am asked what is two plus two, and I answer five or six I get it wrong every time. For that the ramifications are small.  If on the other hand, I excessively ignore speed limits, the ramifications can be large for me and others.   I saw someone in a hurry, who tried to take someone on the inside.  Unbeknown to them, the person was turning into the child care centre.  For the sake of two seconds a crash ensured which was a real inconvenience and totally unnecessary.
For me, the right answer is the true answer.  I hear much these days about “the truth as you see it.”  Personally I cannot take to that.  For me, it is either true or it is not.
I guess that is like seeing things in black and white.  I know there is a lot of grey, and sometimes I just don’t know.  It is probably better I fess up and say I just don’t know, then to pretend I do.  It is probably like seeing though waffle anyway.