As a Door in Water
Mar. 1st, 2008 08:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lotesseSince I'm feeling uncreative, a meme. Ganked from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ninkasa, 35 questions for my flist, here answered by moi:
1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
Yes. Five years this past Wednesday with The Boy, since I was sixteen. We did two years long distance and survived it. We've lived together for a year and a half, now.
2) What was your dream growing up?
I've never really had a dream career. I mainly just wanted to read a lot of books. I've always loved theater, but I never wanted to headline on Broadway or anything like that, it was more the chance to be one of my best-loved characters that I wanted. In the same way, I was never a Mary Sue in my proto-fics. I would rather consume stories than live in one myself.
3) What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I was a more talented pianist. I started taking lessons when I was six, went all the way through high school. They were pretty intense, very academic and completely oriented towards the more complicated bits of baroque and classical music. I did it for so long that I'm passable, but I've never been anything close to gifted as a musician, and I really really wish it came easier to me.
4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
Good wine.
5) Favorite vegetable?
Fresh green beans. In-season sweet corn.
6) What was the last book you read?
"Off With Their Heads: Fairy Tales and the Culture of Childhood" by Maria Tatar
7) What zodiac sign are you?
on the cusp, Taurus and Gemini. My father's birthday is the day after mine, but he's a pure Gem. In many ways we're identical, but I have that whole earth-sign thing going on as well. I tend to be idealistic, romantic, and mercurial, but I'm very practical in the execution of my wild impractical ideas.
8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
none. Not even my ears.
9) Worst Habit?
Binging on candy, left over from a fairly traumatic adolescence.
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
Depends on where I am. At home, my family regularly offers rides - we know several of the hitchers by name. Here, though, I'm not so sure. This town scares me sometimes. It's economically depressed, and there's drugs and an overall lack of hope.
11) What is your favorite sport?
Sailboat racing. I'm a freak.
12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
Optimistic, but pragmatic.
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Could we have a singalong? That would be awesome!
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Being fifteen.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
I used to sleep with my one-volume Lord of the Rings like other kids slept with stuffed animals or blankets. Just holding it close made me feel better about things.
16) Do you have any pets?
two cats at home. I miss them so much.
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
... it would be a mess?
18) What was your first impression of me? (hmmm...careful!)
the Sophia Myles icons :)
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
pointless.
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
I would be fifty pounds lighter and have a more decided chin.
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
Conscience. I stink at crime.
22) What color eyes do you have?
pale blue.
23) Ever been arrested?
nope.
24) Bottle or can soda?
Neither, because I don't like corn syrup. I am, however, totally addicted to Vitamin Water.
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
Pay off my student loans.
27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
My room, cause I'm pathetic and solitary like that.
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
sort of. Supernatural phenomena, yes. Woo-woo hauntings, no. But I come from an old theater family; it's mandatory that I believe in that sort of thing. My great-grandmother was a spiritualist psychic, and a powerful one. I've been doing tarot since I was thirteen.
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Read.
30) Do you swear a lot?
Yes.
31) Biggest pet peeve?
Books that seem like they're going to completely mash my buttons and then totally fail to do so. Ack!
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Bookish?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
Oh yes.
35) Do you believe in any god[s]?
Sort of. I'm pagan, but in a much more practical and less definitive way than most.
ninkasa, 35 questions for my flist, here answered by moi:1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
Yes. Five years this past Wednesday with The Boy, since I was sixteen. We did two years long distance and survived it. We've lived together for a year and a half, now.
2) What was your dream growing up?
I've never really had a dream career. I mainly just wanted to read a lot of books. I've always loved theater, but I never wanted to headline on Broadway or anything like that, it was more the chance to be one of my best-loved characters that I wanted. In the same way, I was never a Mary Sue in my proto-fics. I would rather consume stories than live in one myself.
3) What talent do you wish you had?
I wish I was a more talented pianist. I started taking lessons when I was six, went all the way through high school. They were pretty intense, very academic and completely oriented towards the more complicated bits of baroque and classical music. I did it for so long that I'm passable, but I've never been anything close to gifted as a musician, and I really really wish it came easier to me.
4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
Good wine.
5) Favorite vegetable?
Fresh green beans. In-season sweet corn.
6) What was the last book you read?
"Off With Their Heads: Fairy Tales and the Culture of Childhood" by Maria Tatar
7) What zodiac sign are you?
on the cusp, Taurus and Gemini. My father's birthday is the day after mine, but he's a pure Gem. In many ways we're identical, but I have that whole earth-sign thing going on as well. I tend to be idealistic, romantic, and mercurial, but I'm very practical in the execution of my wild impractical ideas.
8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
none. Not even my ears.
9) Worst Habit?
Binging on candy, left over from a fairly traumatic adolescence.
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
Depends on where I am. At home, my family regularly offers rides - we know several of the hitchers by name. Here, though, I'm not so sure. This town scares me sometimes. It's economically depressed, and there's drugs and an overall lack of hope.
11) What is your favorite sport?
Sailboat racing. I'm a freak.
12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
Optimistic, but pragmatic.
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Could we have a singalong? That would be awesome!
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
Being fifteen.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
I used to sleep with my one-volume Lord of the Rings like other kids slept with stuffed animals or blankets. Just holding it close made me feel better about things.
16) Do you have any pets?
two cats at home. I miss them so much.
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
... it would be a mess?
18) What was your first impression of me? (hmmm...careful!)
the Sophia Myles icons :)
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
pointless.
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
I would be fifty pounds lighter and have a more decided chin.
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
Conscience. I stink at crime.
22) What color eyes do you have?
pale blue.
23) Ever been arrested?
nope.
24) Bottle or can soda?
Neither, because I don't like corn syrup. I am, however, totally addicted to Vitamin Water.
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
Pay off my student loans.
27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
My room, cause I'm pathetic and solitary like that.
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
sort of. Supernatural phenomena, yes. Woo-woo hauntings, no. But I come from an old theater family; it's mandatory that I believe in that sort of thing. My great-grandmother was a spiritualist psychic, and a powerful one. I've been doing tarot since I was thirteen.
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Read.
30) Do you swear a lot?
Yes.
31) Biggest pet peeve?
Books that seem like they're going to completely mash my buttons and then totally fail to do so. Ack!
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Bookish?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
Oh yes.
35) Do you believe in any god[s]?
Sort of. I'm pagan, but in a much more practical and less definitive way than most.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-02 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-02 03:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-02 03:42 am (UTC)Well, it's hard not to, there's so many. :P
And re: sleeping with LOTR. I would TOTALLY sleep with my copy of Howl's Moving Castle if it weren't already falling apart. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-03-02 04:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-03 12:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-04 05:28 pm (UTC)I've never really had a dream career. I mainly just wanted to read a lot of books.
Exactly. Yes. So, at the risk of sounding like everyone else who's ever asked you this very annoying question: English degree - what will you do with it?
Do a basic google search for "careers with an English degree" and you will get a flood of advice from all corners that says pretty much the same thing: English degrees are great! They're versatile! You can use those skills anywhere! And they go on to give you myriad example of how Suzy's excellent writing skills and grasp of human nature helped her market herself right into a successful technology entrepreneurship.
Well, that's all wonderful for Suzy and I absolutely do believe that you can use the language, communication, and analytical thinking skills gained from majoring in English anywhere. But I've noticed that nowhere in any of these helpeful articles is a caveat that says, "Of course, if all you really wanted to do after persuing this degree is to continue working directly with research and textual analysis, you shoulder consider X Career." Where's that helpful list?
....and I think I'll stop myself here and maybe make a post about this instead ranting incoherently at you. :) But I'm still curious becuase I think you and I might be in, if the same, then at least neighbouring boats: any further plans for all that hard-won knowledge and experience you're getting?
no subject
Date: 2008-03-04 06:44 pm (UTC)No matter what happens this year, I'm gunning for academia. Maybe I'll have to reapply next year as a Masters candidate, and do it that way, though there's less chance of funding for that and I have no money. But yeah, as far as I can tell, there's only teaching. It's hard out there for a bookworm, girl!
no subject
Date: 2008-03-04 07:32 pm (UTC)I silmultaneously feel awful for you and a bit relieved that it's not just me; this well is dark and deep enough without being in it alone. :(
I'm starting an MA in the fall..possibly as early as May, if they're offering anything I want/need over the summer. And I almost feel guilty over it. Why am I bothering? If I don't teach, what will I do with this degree? I've been persuing any potential form of editing, proofreading, & publishing that I can, but unless you Know Someone or live in a few key areas, there seems to be an awfully high hedge between my puny little lawn and those lovely pastures.
But after two years, I'm done with my current little slice of the Real World. My patience and tolerance are worn straight through. I'm leaving my (un)comfortable 9-5, applying at local bookstores, libraries, newpapers, and e-publishers, and waiting to see where the MA path will take me. Hee...it's kind of what inspired my current lj layout; I needed something inspiring, and River seemed to help. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-03-04 07:50 pm (UTC)The only other thing I can see myself doing is graphic design. My parents run a design studio in our basement, so I've been trained to it all of my life, and I have a damn good eye if I say so myself. I just don't want to end up waitressing again. Anything but that.
Oh god, being grown up stinks royally.