Interviewing Meme
If you're actually going to ask me to interview you, beware! I am like the worst question asker ever.
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Questions from kittu9
1. Have you seen "The Music Man?" If so, what's your favourite part?
I have not seen The Music Man. I have not seen a lot of movies people think I should have seen.
2. How many words different words do you know for "wench" or a varient of the word "prostitute"?
*laughs* Not too many really. I like the variants that are tongue in cheek, like "Companion" or "Escort." Courtesans always sounds really fancy. Of course, there's always the scathing "whore" or you can always use other languages. Admittedly, I do have a fascination with prostitutes, since I think they must live very interesting lives. Reading Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel trilogy just exacerbated that like 100x. There's a story about a prostitute in my head somewhere, I'm sure.
3. What is one hobby you have invested a significant part of your life in that you no longer find worthwhile?
This is a hard question, mainly because I don't have my hobbies. But if I'd have to answer, I'd say writing as a serious venture because I don't really think I'll ever get published or write something worthwhile that I think could be/deserves to be published. Or hell, I just don't think I'll ever finish any of my writing.
4. As a child, did you have imaginary friends?
Yes. They never had names though. They evolved to characters that live in my head. In fact, my brain is constantly hatching characters and filling my thoughts with daydreams about their lives.
5. Are you a music snob?
Hm. Yes. I am an everything snob really. Anime, music, movies, not so much with books simply because I am consciously aware how lacking my knowledge in that area is. My friends tell me I have very high standards and it's true--I am very critical. But as for music, it really depends how it makes me feel; music has to move me and usually it doesn't matter what the lyrics are. In fact, I can completely bad lyrics if the music is taking me on a complete trip.
Questions from daringu
1. So we already share the Sabriel books in common as a like....what other books do you love? Give me a few.
I always flounder when people ask me this question, but I'll see what I can name off the top of my head. Contemporary stuff I would heartily recommend, from random genres: Wicked by Gregory Maguire, The Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears, The Alienist by Caleb Carr (sequel not as good, but still somewhat entertaining), Face of Deception by Iris Johansen (sequels somewhat disappointing because I wanted the protagonist to end up with another guy), Kushiel Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey, The Gangster We Are All Looking For by le thi diem thuy (recent read... done in almost a drabbling style--prose can purple sometimes, but then you find a line that is absolutely to die for), Sandman series by Neil Gaiman (comic or no, it's awesome literature), Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The Great Gatsy by F. Scott Fitzgerald, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, and, um, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I dabble in Lisa Scottoline's lawyer verse from time to time, too. *sigh* I wouldn't mind a good mystery read right about now.
2. If I said I was thinking about travelling or going to grad school in California (never been to West coast), what could you tell me about the area?
Depends on which part of California. =D California is a big state and I hardly know Southern California, where I'm from. But, to take it from there, closer to the coast the weather doesn't change much. You can usually expect sunny days; further south, I regulary got overcast days with the sun really emerging around 9-10. Here in La Jolla the sun's usually out by 8, which is when I get up these days. It rarely rains, so it's annoying when it does. It gets chilly in the winter, but nothing close to dehabilitating--a sweater will usually serve you well. Mid California is lots of farms and whatnot I hear tell and I have no idea about North Cal. As you get further inland, it gots noticeably hotter--closer to something desert. The bad thing about San Diego is that it's so spread out; in that respect, I don't really consider it much of a city because you definitely need a car. Downtown is not spectacular and usually pisses the heck out of me. We've got your four-lanes per side highways and the traffic is growing worse as the years go by since the real estate market, especially around where I live closer to the border, is hot. SoCal also has the allure of Mexico if it please you; Tijuana is just a crossing of the border away. It's also hecka expensive to live in SD; gas prices vary from 2.40s-2.60s/gallon recently and I hear lots of complaints about high milk prices. Let's not even talk about housing, which will devour an arm and leg, kind of like HT. If you want to know more, feel free to ask--I can ask my friends about the LA area.
3. If you could take a foreign language other than Spanish, what would it be and why?
I'd love to learn Latin, if only because I find words delicious and love etymology. But really, I want to learn Vietnamese because it is supposed to be my native tongue and I'm somewhat ashamed to not know it. I knew it once upon a time, but that was when I was little. Though I think it will kick my ass even more than Spanish. Since it's a tonal language, speaking and listening to Vietnamese is a complete pain in the ass. One of these days.
4. What's the most painful part of being your major? (English, right, unless I'm making things up again. XD)
Getting stupid professors and TAs. Kidding. Maybe. But yes, I'm a Lit major and the only really painful part for me is writing papers. I don't like writing essays; I mean, I get excited about books and all and I'll dig discussing books, usually on a one-on-one basis because speaking in front of people flusters me, but I find it difficult to articulate myself in papers. A friend described reading my essays like "Tripping on LSD" because I can't seem to organize myself and throw in the most random interpretations. I love learning, but I hate having to prove that I am. Then again, I'm only a first year and what the hell do I have to say? =D
5. What's the most random thing anyone's ever said to you?
Hmm... I don't know! Maybe, "Will you go out with me?" *laughs*
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Questions from kittu9
1. Have you seen "The Music Man?" If so, what's your favourite part?
I have not seen The Music Man. I have not seen a lot of movies people think I should have seen.
2. How many words different words do you know for "wench" or a varient of the word "prostitute"?
*laughs* Not too many really. I like the variants that are tongue in cheek, like "Companion" or "Escort." Courtesans always sounds really fancy. Of course, there's always the scathing "whore" or you can always use other languages. Admittedly, I do have a fascination with prostitutes, since I think they must live very interesting lives. Reading Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel trilogy just exacerbated that like 100x. There's a story about a prostitute in my head somewhere, I'm sure.
3. What is one hobby you have invested a significant part of your life in that you no longer find worthwhile?
This is a hard question, mainly because I don't have my hobbies. But if I'd have to answer, I'd say writing as a serious venture because I don't really think I'll ever get published or write something worthwhile that I think could be/deserves to be published. Or hell, I just don't think I'll ever finish any of my writing.
4. As a child, did you have imaginary friends?
Yes. They never had names though. They evolved to characters that live in my head. In fact, my brain is constantly hatching characters and filling my thoughts with daydreams about their lives.
5. Are you a music snob?
Hm. Yes. I am an everything snob really. Anime, music, movies, not so much with books simply because I am consciously aware how lacking my knowledge in that area is. My friends tell me I have very high standards and it's true--I am very critical. But as for music, it really depends how it makes me feel; music has to move me and usually it doesn't matter what the lyrics are. In fact, I can completely bad lyrics if the music is taking me on a complete trip.
Questions from daringu
1. So we already share the Sabriel books in common as a like....what other books do you love? Give me a few.
I always flounder when people ask me this question, but I'll see what I can name off the top of my head. Contemporary stuff I would heartily recommend, from random genres: Wicked by Gregory Maguire, The Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears, The Alienist by Caleb Carr (sequel not as good, but still somewhat entertaining), Face of Deception by Iris Johansen (sequels somewhat disappointing because I wanted the protagonist to end up with another guy), Kushiel Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey, The Gangster We Are All Looking For by le thi diem thuy (recent read... done in almost a drabbling style--prose can purple sometimes, but then you find a line that is absolutely to die for), Sandman series by Neil Gaiman (comic or no, it's awesome literature), Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The Great Gatsy by F. Scott Fitzgerald, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, and, um, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. I dabble in Lisa Scottoline's lawyer verse from time to time, too. *sigh* I wouldn't mind a good mystery read right about now.
2. If I said I was thinking about travelling or going to grad school in California (never been to West coast), what could you tell me about the area?
Depends on which part of California. =D California is a big state and I hardly know Southern California, where I'm from. But, to take it from there, closer to the coast the weather doesn't change much. You can usually expect sunny days; further south, I regulary got overcast days with the sun really emerging around 9-10. Here in La Jolla the sun's usually out by 8, which is when I get up these days. It rarely rains, so it's annoying when it does. It gets chilly in the winter, but nothing close to dehabilitating--a sweater will usually serve you well. Mid California is lots of farms and whatnot I hear tell and I have no idea about North Cal. As you get further inland, it gots noticeably hotter--closer to something desert. The bad thing about San Diego is that it's so spread out; in that respect, I don't really consider it much of a city because you definitely need a car. Downtown is not spectacular and usually pisses the heck out of me. We've got your four-lanes per side highways and the traffic is growing worse as the years go by since the real estate market, especially around where I live closer to the border, is hot. SoCal also has the allure of Mexico if it please you; Tijuana is just a crossing of the border away. It's also hecka expensive to live in SD; gas prices vary from 2.40s-2.60s/gallon recently and I hear lots of complaints about high milk prices. Let's not even talk about housing, which will devour an arm and leg, kind of like HT. If you want to know more, feel free to ask--I can ask my friends about the LA area.
3. If you could take a foreign language other than Spanish, what would it be and why?
I'd love to learn Latin, if only because I find words delicious and love etymology. But really, I want to learn Vietnamese because it is supposed to be my native tongue and I'm somewhat ashamed to not know it. I knew it once upon a time, but that was when I was little. Though I think it will kick my ass even more than Spanish. Since it's a tonal language, speaking and listening to Vietnamese is a complete pain in the ass. One of these days.
4. What's the most painful part of being your major? (English, right, unless I'm making things up again. XD)
Getting stupid professors and TAs. Kidding. Maybe. But yes, I'm a Lit major and the only really painful part for me is writing papers. I don't like writing essays; I mean, I get excited about books and all and I'll dig discussing books, usually on a one-on-one basis because speaking in front of people flusters me, but I find it difficult to articulate myself in papers. A friend described reading my essays like "Tripping on LSD" because I can't seem to organize myself and throw in the most random interpretations. I love learning, but I hate having to prove that I am. Then again, I'm only a first year and what the hell do I have to say? =D
5. What's the most random thing anyone's ever said to you?
Hmm... I don't know! Maybe, "Will you go out with me?" *laughs*