Seven Questions
Swiped from ozmissage:
Comment to this post letting me know you want to participate, and I will list seven things I want you to talk about. They might make sense or they might be totally random.
Then post that list, with your commentary, to your journal. Other people can get lists from you, and the meme merrily perpetuates itself.
1. What draws you to OT3s? I've noticed you seem to gravitate toward them and you always create the most interesting ones.
Okay, for as much as I like to deny my Supernatural roots, the first OT3 I can even remember reading was Sam/Dean/Jo. It wasn't really a pairing (threesome) I was super into, but that's the first I can really remember, so I guess it deserves a little mention here. Especially because it consists of two of my biggest fic kinks: incest and mmf threesomes. Claire/Jack/Sawyer came next, which was pretty much forged by my own sheer will. And if you've never heard this story, the sad truth is that this ship was literally born out of a joke during the 3rd season of Lost when I was just very unhappy with the show so I amused myself in episode discussions with others by making up completely non-existent shippy sub-text between characters. One such night "Jawyercita" was born and I kind of couldn't let go of the idea and it became a thing. This is notable because it was the first threesome that I really latched onto. (And held onto with all my might for as long as humanly possible.)
I think what draws me to this type of pairing is all the different ways three people can connect. You've got the relationship that all three of them share, ABC, but you've also got three other, completely separate (and yet intertwined) relationships. A to B, B to C, and A to C. And for some reason that random math equation is totally and utterly fascinating to me. The details of it, the taboo, the idea that no matter how hard they try to fit themselves together as one, they're still fractured in the most basic of ways -- one character catching another's eye when the other one isn't looking and they have this completely separate, private moment that's just for the two of them even if, at the end of the day, they are a triad.
2. You storm the TVD writers' room and take all of their keyboards away. It's your show now, what direction do you take it in?
First, I'd petition to move it to 9PM and it'd get racier and grittier, if I could manage it. You don't really want to know who I'd kill, though I'm sure you could guess, but let's just say that I'd be trimming some fat in terms of excess characters. I feel like, just because I'm me, I would initially take this show to a very dark place. There will be blood, and male facial hair. (Ugh, why is everyone, bar Alaric and Klaus, always so clean shaven? It's disconcerting!) There would also need to be more Katherine, and I'd work toward introducing Tatia as a character.
There would also be some legitimate fall-out for Damon and not this boo-hoo-I'm-in-the-doghouse-for-one-whole-episode crap that he's been getting for seasons. I just want to see him on a path of redemption that doesn't include him being at the right place at the right time just to swoop in and be magically forgiven. That is basically how his so-called redemption arc has gone until now. It's very shady-politician-esque where they distract you with this other thing so you forget that you're mad about all this other stuff, etc. Under my rule, that would no longer be allowed. He needs some other motivation in his life other than wanting Elena. I'd try to give that to his character.
I want some serious not-pretend, not-free-will-less betrayal to go down. Like, two people that we the audience loves fighting on two different sides and each having their own, very good reasons for that. I'd even like to see other characters choosing sides, having the whole group split up as a result. It would be epic and terrible and not everybody would make it out alive. And then perhaps in the end they could reunite to fight a common enemy or something -- but you just know that nothing will ever be the same again.
Basically I want all characters to interact. I think they've done a pretty crappy job of that, especially this season. You constantly see the same people interacting and it just doesn't work. There are so many characters on this show. Let's mix it up a bit shall we?
In terms of ship directions? Tyler/Jeremy would totally be a thing. I don't even care how, but it's going to happen if I'm running the show. I also want Elena to be alone and fierce all on her own for a while. Without anybody drooling and slobbering all over her every spare moment. We don't even want to know who I'd hook up, because I'm a crazy multi-shipper and it'd be like one big incestuous pool of bed-mates if I had my way, so I'd probably have to tame that, but I would try to make people hooking up not such a huge deal. Nix all the high school stuff and just be like "we're grown ups, we can handle this."
3. If you could do just one thing in your life over again, what would it be and what would you do differently?
I'd probably just focus on my education earlier and more aggressively.
4. Who would win in a broody vampire smackdown: Stefan or Angel?
Well I don't know... Angel has more combat training but Stefan can seriously brood with the best of them. Also, his vampire skills seem a little bit stronger than Angel's in a general sense. I think in the end it would have to be a draw though. They'd both walk away from the fight exhausted, perplexed, and guilt-ridden.
5. Talk to me about your vidding process because you're awesome at it and the whole thing seems like magic to me. I don't understand how my television works either.
Look, I don't know what to say. It is actually magic...
This is actually kind of an embarrassing fact, but I have no really vidding method. I know a lot of vidders do, you can tell just by reading their vid-notes. And I kind of get the impression that I'm missing something elemental in my vidding because of it. It seems that every single one of my vids comes together in a different and unique way. I have no real rituals unless you count opening up a vidding program a ritual, and that's kind of a necessary evil. (If I could figure out how to vid with just my brain, I'd totally be there.) I did talk a lot about vidding in this interview at vid_commentary and you can read that if you are interested in specific things. But basically? My vid process is just chaos mixed with inspiration mixed with a collection of knowledge/lessons learned over the past 7 years.
6. If you could make one book required reading for humanity at large, what book would you choose and why?
On any other day, I probably would say The Lorax because it's my favorite Seuss book and one with a great message. (And this has nothing to do with Zac Efron, lol.) But at the same time it feels like humanity at large needs kind of a broader message than "save the trees" doesn't it? Something about love and tolerance and something that warns about abuse of power and tells us about how life is really just absurd and how we shouldn't take things too seriously or feel too guilty about stuff we do or judge each other, etc. Whatever book is about all that, put it on the list!
7. What is your go-to comfort food?
Lots of things! Mashed potatoes, sushi, grilled cheese, ramen, hot crusty bread with butter, etc.
Comment to this post letting me know you want to participate, and I will list seven things I want you to talk about. They might make sense or they might be totally random.
Then post that list, with your commentary, to your journal. Other people can get lists from you, and the meme merrily perpetuates itself.
1. What draws you to OT3s? I've noticed you seem to gravitate toward them and you always create the most interesting ones.
Okay, for as much as I like to deny my Supernatural roots, the first OT3 I can even remember reading was Sam/Dean/Jo. It wasn't really a pairing (threesome) I was super into, but that's the first I can really remember, so I guess it deserves a little mention here. Especially because it consists of two of my biggest fic kinks: incest and mmf threesomes. Claire/Jack/Sawyer came next, which was pretty much forged by my own sheer will. And if you've never heard this story, the sad truth is that this ship was literally born out of a joke during the 3rd season of Lost when I was just very unhappy with the show so I amused myself in episode discussions with others by making up completely non-existent shippy sub-text between characters. One such night "Jawyercita" was born and I kind of couldn't let go of the idea and it became a thing. This is notable because it was the first threesome that I really latched onto. (And held onto with all my might for as long as humanly possible.)
I think what draws me to this type of pairing is all the different ways three people can connect. You've got the relationship that all three of them share, ABC, but you've also got three other, completely separate (and yet intertwined) relationships. A to B, B to C, and A to C. And for some reason that random math equation is totally and utterly fascinating to me. The details of it, the taboo, the idea that no matter how hard they try to fit themselves together as one, they're still fractured in the most basic of ways -- one character catching another's eye when the other one isn't looking and they have this completely separate, private moment that's just for the two of them even if, at the end of the day, they are a triad.
2. You storm the TVD writers' room and take all of their keyboards away. It's your show now, what direction do you take it in?
First, I'd petition to move it to 9PM and it'd get racier and grittier, if I could manage it. You don't really want to know who I'd kill, though I'm sure you could guess, but let's just say that I'd be trimming some fat in terms of excess characters. I feel like, just because I'm me, I would initially take this show to a very dark place. There will be blood, and male facial hair. (Ugh, why is everyone, bar Alaric and Klaus, always so clean shaven? It's disconcerting!) There would also need to be more Katherine, and I'd work toward introducing Tatia as a character.
There would also be some legitimate fall-out for Damon and not this boo-hoo-I'm-in-the-doghouse-for-one-whole-episode crap that he's been getting for seasons. I just want to see him on a path of redemption that doesn't include him being at the right place at the right time just to swoop in and be magically forgiven. That is basically how his so-called redemption arc has gone until now. It's very shady-politician-esque where they distract you with this other thing so you forget that you're mad about all this other stuff, etc. Under my rule, that would no longer be allowed. He needs some other motivation in his life other than wanting Elena. I'd try to give that to his character.
I want some serious not-pretend, not-free-will-less betrayal to go down. Like, two people that we the audience loves fighting on two different sides and each having their own, very good reasons for that. I'd even like to see other characters choosing sides, having the whole group split up as a result. It would be epic and terrible and not everybody would make it out alive. And then perhaps in the end they could reunite to fight a common enemy or something -- but you just know that nothing will ever be the same again.
Basically I want all characters to interact. I think they've done a pretty crappy job of that, especially this season. You constantly see the same people interacting and it just doesn't work. There are so many characters on this show. Let's mix it up a bit shall we?
In terms of ship directions? Tyler/Jeremy would totally be a thing. I don't even care how, but it's going to happen if I'm running the show. I also want Elena to be alone and fierce all on her own for a while. Without anybody drooling and slobbering all over her every spare moment. We don't even want to know who I'd hook up, because I'm a crazy multi-shipper and it'd be like one big incestuous pool of bed-mates if I had my way, so I'd probably have to tame that, but I would try to make people hooking up not such a huge deal. Nix all the high school stuff and just be like "we're grown ups, we can handle this."
3. If you could do just one thing in your life over again, what would it be and what would you do differently?
I'd probably just focus on my education earlier and more aggressively.
4. Who would win in a broody vampire smackdown: Stefan or Angel?
Well I don't know... Angel has more combat training but Stefan can seriously brood with the best of them. Also, his vampire skills seem a little bit stronger than Angel's in a general sense. I think in the end it would have to be a draw though. They'd both walk away from the fight exhausted, perplexed, and guilt-ridden.
5. Talk to me about your vidding process because you're awesome at it and the whole thing seems like magic to me. I don't understand how my television works either.
Look, I don't know what to say. It is actually magic...
This is actually kind of an embarrassing fact, but I have no really vidding method. I know a lot of vidders do, you can tell just by reading their vid-notes. And I kind of get the impression that I'm missing something elemental in my vidding because of it. It seems that every single one of my vids comes together in a different and unique way. I have no real rituals unless you count opening up a vidding program a ritual, and that's kind of a necessary evil. (If I could figure out how to vid with just my brain, I'd totally be there.) I did talk a lot about vidding in this interview at vid_commentary and you can read that if you are interested in specific things. But basically? My vid process is just chaos mixed with inspiration mixed with a collection of knowledge/lessons learned over the past 7 years.
6. If you could make one book required reading for humanity at large, what book would you choose and why?
On any other day, I probably would say The Lorax because it's my favorite Seuss book and one with a great message. (And this has nothing to do with Zac Efron, lol.) But at the same time it feels like humanity at large needs kind of a broader message than "save the trees" doesn't it? Something about love and tolerance and something that warns about abuse of power and tells us about how life is really just absurd and how we shouldn't take things too seriously or feel too guilty about stuff we do or judge each other, etc. Whatever book is about all that, put it on the list!
7. What is your go-to comfort food?
Lots of things! Mashed potatoes, sushi, grilled cheese, ramen, hot crusty bread with butter, etc.