This second installment of the “Interview With…” series is all about Cate (Show My Face), of 6 Word Saturday fame.

I first “met” Cate early last year when I was a wet-behind-the-ears blogger looking for something to write about. I found her 6 Word Saturday meme on several blogs that I was following at the time, and decided to participate. I’ve been a faithful 6WS-er ever since. Besides my own (SHW) meme, hers is the only one that I still participate in on a regular basis.

Cate is a bit of an enigma – seemingly gruff on the outside (“punch you in the face” is a common line to be found on her blog) but as you dig deeper, you come to find that she’s actually a thoughtful, sensitive individual indeed. I have enjoyed following her this past year, and thought my own readers would like to get to know her a bit better too.

Q. First, lets get this question out of the way. You’re always threatening to punch people in the face. I have a (call me naive) feeling you’re not all that violent “in real life”. So tell us; how many people have you REALLY punched in the face?? Inquiring minds want to know!

A. I’m not nearly as violent in real life. I’m all bark, no bite. Total wimp.

Q. You’ve been blogging a while now. What are the best and worst things about it?

A. I love the feedback and interaction with people who read my blog. Meeting new people through blogging has been a lot of fun. Not so fun? Those days when I just have absolutely nothing to say. Or if I feel like I’m in a “down” rut for too many days in a row.

Q. Coke or Pepsi?

A. Coke Zero. Do they make Cherry Coke Zero? I can’t remember. If they do, I’ll go with that. If they don’t, they better make it ASAP.

Q. As I move through your blogs, I feel as though I’m exploring an onion (vidalia, naturally) – you have many layers to you. Obvious to everyone that you’re a Wordsmith. A poet. A photographer. So much more that we aren’t privy to seeing via this medium. If you could, which of your many layers would you bring to the surface and make known to the world, even if it would take you way out of your comfort zone?

A. I use my blogs to indulge areas that I don’t often have an opportunity to express in my job. Being able to focus on any one of those and make a living from it would be a dream. I’d love to be published in some way and just spend my days writing.

Q. Imagine you just won the big one. The lottery. What is the first thing you’d do with the money?

A. I’d probably have a panic attack and freak out. Then I’d spend my first $10 to refill my xanax. Followed closely by quitting my current job.

Q. What is your usual morning ritual/routine?

A. During the week, I lounge in bed with my Blackberry until the last possible moment. Then, I shower, make myself presentable, and haul into the office. Usually all of this is before I wake up. That’s why the majority of my posts are written the night before.

Q. Your 6 Word Saturday has really gotten huge! Congratulations – I know I really enjoy doing it. Do you ever find it to be a chore to keep up with?

A. When I started 6WS, I never imagined there would be so many participants. I love seeing what everyone has done but it does take awhile to get through them all. Word verification slows me down a lot and then to find out that even after completing word verification they ALSO have comment moderation turned on? That’s just craziness. One or the other folks. Or live dangerously like me and just delete occasional spams!

Q. If you had the opportunity to tell readers the one thing that some of them say or do (or don’t do) that bugs the living crap out of you, but you might not want to put it on your own blog… what would you say? (Oh look, here’s the opportunity right here!)

A. The biggest annoyance to me is probably when I try to respond to someone’s comment and they haven’t enabled email in their profile. It makes me batty when someone leaves a comment I so desperately wish to acknowledge and I have no way to contact them.

Q. What are three of the best books you’ve ever read, and recommend?

A. Growing up, I was an avid reader. Then I got away from it (too much required reading in college). Now, I’m back at it (you can follow along on my bookshelf) I’m going to recommend a few recent reads I enjoyed, though they may not be the best “ever”.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (good fiction, kind of a mystery)
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (maybe a bit trite but it made me think)
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (yes, it’s a young adult book, but it’s an easy read and very fun)

Q. Life lessons. Share with us the best advice you’ve ever been given.

A. This is by far the hardest question. Like most people, I’ve received a lot of good advice and a lot of bad. The best advice for me has fallen into two broad categories – be myself instead of trying to please others and not to worry so much. I’ve made progress at both and continue to work hard.

Thanks for sharing a bit of yourself with us, Cate!