(no subject)
How this works: Comment with your favourite colour and I'll respond by asking you five questions so I can get to know you better. Update your journal with the answers to the questions. Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions.
I got these questions from shrijani.
1. What fictional character do you see as most like you, and why?
I recognize a lot of myself in Isabel Dalhousie from the Sunday Philosophy Club series by Alexander McCall Smith. She is insatiably curious, particularly about the wayward ways of human nature. She is always ready to find answers to questions and solutions to problems, even those that she should be leaving to the owners of the questions or problems. Her younger husband, Jamie, is forever encouraging her to stop worrying about others and let them lead their own lives. She does try but the temptation to interfere is often too much for her to resist and this gets her into trouble. She is also a romantic, a homebody who also loves to travel, and someone who is quite content to spend an afternoon pondering and observing the little wild world of her back garden.
2. In what fictional movie or television universe would you most like to live (as yourself, not as the fictional character from question one)?
It would be amazing to live in the world, or worlds, rather, created by Charles de Lint in his Newford books. I am very much attracted to magical realism, so worlds like the one created by Mary Stewart in Thornyhold or Alice Hoffman in Practical Magic, are very appealing.
3. David Sedaris once said that his memoir essays are 93% true. In general, what percent true are the stories you tell, when no direct witnesses of the actual event are present? Is there any difference when witnesses are present?
My own stories are generally true, although, admittedly, the details may be questionable. I've caught myself or, rather more embarrassingly, been caught by those who have known me forever blending multiple memories into one memory or leaving out relevant bits for various reasons (shame, effect, worries about the judgements of my audience, or just mis-remembering). Most of the time, though, these changes happen because of my perspective at the time and how I later interpreted what happened. Because I am aware of my tendency to blend memories and color in what I don't remember, I would say that I am likely to include less detail when there are witnesses present and, as a result, there tends to be greater accuracy. If I am passing on a story I have been told by someone else, I would say that my re-telling is probably the most accurate, since I stick pretty closely to what I've been told. Still, I am sure some interpretation seeps in over time. When I take all these instances, from the least to most true, into consideration, I'd say that my storytelling ranges from about 85 to 95% accurate, depending on the situation.
4, How honest is your answer to question three? Reply with a percentage. Just kidding. That sort of game could go on forever. ;) What do you think was the greatest advantage of your upbringing?
97.85% ;)
I was always encouraged, by example and by instruction, to explore and expand my mind and my horizons. My parents always found ways to encourage my curiosity and imagination and expose me to nature and culture. Even when we were at our poorest, they managed to turn a cross-country trip for a interview for a desperately-needed job into an opportunity for sight seeing, learning about history, and having fun. They taught me to never pass up an opportunity to see more of the world and I haven't. Well, actually, to up my truth percentile, I should mention that I did turn down the chance to visit Haiti with my roommate once as well as a cross-country camping trip with a boyfriend. There is such a thing as TOO much adventure! ;)
5. Rhapsodize about your favorite writing implement.
I have many different pens, each with elements of my ideal but all falling woefully short of it. To fulfill all my writing needs and desires, a pen should have an ergonomic barrel design of moderate thickness. It should have a grip wrapped in a soft comfort pad that is no thicker than the rest of the pen, allowing for ease of movement. I prefer a matte finish, regardless of the material from which the pen is made. The pen should be capable of producing clear, distinct fine lines that allow me to both write and later read the smallest notes in my appointment book without strain. Ideally, it would be retractable yet also have a cap to prevent unfortunate incidents. I have yet to find this pen, but if I do, I will let the world know of my discovery.
Edit: Okay, I trust James on this one (after all, he has known me better for longer than anyone else and has heard ALL my stories, god knows how many times); my memory and storytelling are probably more accurate than the percentage I gave. Still, I think I do fail at times when it comes to details. Of course, James DOES let me know when I do this. ;)
I got these questions from shrijani.
1. What fictional character do you see as most like you, and why?
I recognize a lot of myself in Isabel Dalhousie from the Sunday Philosophy Club series by Alexander McCall Smith. She is insatiably curious, particularly about the wayward ways of human nature. She is always ready to find answers to questions and solutions to problems, even those that she should be leaving to the owners of the questions or problems. Her younger husband, Jamie, is forever encouraging her to stop worrying about others and let them lead their own lives. She does try but the temptation to interfere is often too much for her to resist and this gets her into trouble. She is also a romantic, a homebody who also loves to travel, and someone who is quite content to spend an afternoon pondering and observing the little wild world of her back garden.
2. In what fictional movie or television universe would you most like to live (as yourself, not as the fictional character from question one)?
It would be amazing to live in the world, or worlds, rather, created by Charles de Lint in his Newford books. I am very much attracted to magical realism, so worlds like the one created by Mary Stewart in Thornyhold or Alice Hoffman in Practical Magic, are very appealing.
3. David Sedaris once said that his memoir essays are 93% true. In general, what percent true are the stories you tell, when no direct witnesses of the actual event are present? Is there any difference when witnesses are present?
My own stories are generally true, although, admittedly, the details may be questionable. I've caught myself or, rather more embarrassingly, been caught by those who have known me forever blending multiple memories into one memory or leaving out relevant bits for various reasons (shame, effect, worries about the judgements of my audience, or just mis-remembering). Most of the time, though, these changes happen because of my perspective at the time and how I later interpreted what happened. Because I am aware of my tendency to blend memories and color in what I don't remember, I would say that I am likely to include less detail when there are witnesses present and, as a result, there tends to be greater accuracy. If I am passing on a story I have been told by someone else, I would say that my re-telling is probably the most accurate, since I stick pretty closely to what I've been told. Still, I am sure some interpretation seeps in over time. When I take all these instances, from the least to most true, into consideration, I'd say that my storytelling ranges from about 85 to 95% accurate, depending on the situation.
4, How honest is your answer to question three? Reply with a percentage. Just kidding. That sort of game could go on forever. ;) What do you think was the greatest advantage of your upbringing?
97.85% ;)
I was always encouraged, by example and by instruction, to explore and expand my mind and my horizons. My parents always found ways to encourage my curiosity and imagination and expose me to nature and culture. Even when we were at our poorest, they managed to turn a cross-country trip for a interview for a desperately-needed job into an opportunity for sight seeing, learning about history, and having fun. They taught me to never pass up an opportunity to see more of the world and I haven't. Well, actually, to up my truth percentile, I should mention that I did turn down the chance to visit Haiti with my roommate once as well as a cross-country camping trip with a boyfriend. There is such a thing as TOO much adventure! ;)
5. Rhapsodize about your favorite writing implement.
I have many different pens, each with elements of my ideal but all falling woefully short of it. To fulfill all my writing needs and desires, a pen should have an ergonomic barrel design of moderate thickness. It should have a grip wrapped in a soft comfort pad that is no thicker than the rest of the pen, allowing for ease of movement. I prefer a matte finish, regardless of the material from which the pen is made. The pen should be capable of producing clear, distinct fine lines that allow me to both write and later read the smallest notes in my appointment book without strain. Ideally, it would be retractable yet also have a cap to prevent unfortunate incidents. I have yet to find this pen, but if I do, I will let the world know of my discovery.
Edit: Okay, I trust James on this one (after all, he has known me better for longer than anyone else and has heard ALL my stories, god knows how many times); my memory and storytelling are probably more accurate than the percentage I gave. Still, I think I do fail at times when it comes to details. Of course, James DOES let me know when I do this. ;)