interview questions from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
asphodeline
Feb. 10th, 2004 10:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pauraque_bk1)you seem to have a wealth of knowledge of many things and that which impresses me most is linguistics. Are you self taught or did you study ( assuming you have not lied about your age, you have squeezed a lot of studying into precious few years! )
Self-taught. I took French in school, but that was all practical, no theory. I always read my parents' books on language when I was a kid (Sapir was an early favorite), and when I was older and able to hit the library on my own, I kept reading. In recent years I've been able to learn even more online.
2)which historical character ( real ) would you most like to meet?
Hm, tough one. So many choices. Shakespeare comes to mind. I'd want to know what his writing process was like, if he wrote outlines, if he wrote scenes in order, what he thought about various characters, etc. (Assuming I could stop fanboying him long enough to ask anything relevant at all...)
On that note, another one I'd be extremely interested to meet is Caius Cassius. I've invested a lot of time reading different accounts of his life and what he did, and I would love to hear it in his own words. See for myself what he was like as a person.
3)I know you particularly like Snape but you also like Pettigrew - what is the attraction there?
I like Peter because he comes across as a three-dimensional, psychologically realistic character, moreso than almost anyone else in the books. When I first read the Shrieking Shack scene, he really made me sit up and take notice -- he's inarticulate, he contradicts himself -- he talks like a real person. He keeps looking around at the doors and windows (JKR mentions it three or four times), so there's a hint that he's always thinking, that there's some kind of calculation beneath the hysterics. And the way he thinks Harry should show him mercy because James would -- or because *he* thinks James would -- I love that confusion, that disjointed almost-logic barely held together with powerful emotion. You can't quite pin it down; I love that twisted realism.
I'd also say Peter is the most genuinely frightening character in the series. He's not a Bond villain type who's going to try to match wits with you, give you a chance to escape -- he'll just blow your head off. He's wonderfully scary in GoF -- the moment when he's got Harry tied up and goes to mutilate him, that's some *freaky* stuff.
The other thing that keeps me coming back to Peter is that he's very difficult to write. You can't really fake it with no understanding of the character; it seems false. A good Peter characterization is something I'll always remember about a story, because, like in canon, there's a desperate intensity about him that steals the scene.
Does that answer your question at all? *g*
4) If you were stranded on a desert island and could take only one book what would you take? ( apart from a religous text that is )and if it isn't asking an extra question, why?
I wouldn't take a religious text; I don't belong to any organized religion.
As dorky as this may sound, I might pick Bernard Comrie's "Languages of the World", which is a great huge linguistics textbook. I've read bits of it at a library an hour's train ride away, but they don't let you take it out (which is probably a good thing, because I'd have stolen it by now). I wouldn't even consider taking a work of fiction I've already read. I very rarely re-read fiction at all, much less during my entire term as governor of my very own Caribbean island. I'd want new information that I know would be interesting, and Comrie fits the bill.
But will there be palm leaves on this island? Because if not, I'd forgo Comrie in favor of a blank book and a sturdy pen.
5) what is your shoe size?!!
10 1/2. I was going to say that my answer wouldn't be very informative because men's and women's shoe sizes are different, but then I realized that it's worse than that -- American and European shoe sizes are also different!
Thanks for the fun questions; I'll have five for you in a bit. If anyone else wants to ask me questions, go for it.
*
I sure do like Fantasia. I noticed her early on, and she was certainly a cut above the others tonight. I have a feeling the voting will be a race for second place.
Damn, those were some weird song choices. *Journey*?! About the only person who chose the right song was the Walking In Memphis guy, but unfortunately he also had the weakest voice. He has the same range as Cher, but none of the vocal power.
Was it just me, or did Simon seem really distracted? They're singin' away, and he's just sittin' there thinking about Chinese food and Lost In Translation...
Self-taught. I took French in school, but that was all practical, no theory. I always read my parents' books on language when I was a kid (Sapir was an early favorite), and when I was older and able to hit the library on my own, I kept reading. In recent years I've been able to learn even more online.
2)which historical character ( real ) would you most like to meet?
Hm, tough one. So many choices. Shakespeare comes to mind. I'd want to know what his writing process was like, if he wrote outlines, if he wrote scenes in order, what he thought about various characters, etc. (Assuming I could stop fanboying him long enough to ask anything relevant at all...)
On that note, another one I'd be extremely interested to meet is Caius Cassius. I've invested a lot of time reading different accounts of his life and what he did, and I would love to hear it in his own words. See for myself what he was like as a person.
3)I know you particularly like Snape but you also like Pettigrew - what is the attraction there?
I like Peter because he comes across as a three-dimensional, psychologically realistic character, moreso than almost anyone else in the books. When I first read the Shrieking Shack scene, he really made me sit up and take notice -- he's inarticulate, he contradicts himself -- he talks like a real person. He keeps looking around at the doors and windows (JKR mentions it three or four times), so there's a hint that he's always thinking, that there's some kind of calculation beneath the hysterics. And the way he thinks Harry should show him mercy because James would -- or because *he* thinks James would -- I love that confusion, that disjointed almost-logic barely held together with powerful emotion. You can't quite pin it down; I love that twisted realism.
I'd also say Peter is the most genuinely frightening character in the series. He's not a Bond villain type who's going to try to match wits with you, give you a chance to escape -- he'll just blow your head off. He's wonderfully scary in GoF -- the moment when he's got Harry tied up and goes to mutilate him, that's some *freaky* stuff.
The other thing that keeps me coming back to Peter is that he's very difficult to write. You can't really fake it with no understanding of the character; it seems false. A good Peter characterization is something I'll always remember about a story, because, like in canon, there's a desperate intensity about him that steals the scene.
Does that answer your question at all? *g*
4) If you were stranded on a desert island and could take only one book what would you take? ( apart from a religous text that is )and if it isn't asking an extra question, why?
I wouldn't take a religious text; I don't belong to any organized religion.
As dorky as this may sound, I might pick Bernard Comrie's "Languages of the World", which is a great huge linguistics textbook. I've read bits of it at a library an hour's train ride away, but they don't let you take it out (which is probably a good thing, because I'd have stolen it by now). I wouldn't even consider taking a work of fiction I've already read. I very rarely re-read fiction at all, much less during my entire term as governor of my very own Caribbean island. I'd want new information that I know would be interesting, and Comrie fits the bill.
But will there be palm leaves on this island? Because if not, I'd forgo Comrie in favor of a blank book and a sturdy pen.
5) what is your shoe size?!!
10 1/2. I was going to say that my answer wouldn't be very informative because men's and women's shoe sizes are different, but then I realized that it's worse than that -- American and European shoe sizes are also different!
Thanks for the fun questions; I'll have five for you in a bit. If anyone else wants to ask me questions, go for it.
*
I sure do like Fantasia. I noticed her early on, and she was certainly a cut above the others tonight. I have a feeling the voting will be a race for second place.
Damn, those were some weird song choices. *Journey*?! About the only person who chose the right song was the Walking In Memphis guy, but unfortunately he also had the weakest voice. He has the same range as Cher, but none of the vocal power.
Was it just me, or did Simon seem really distracted? They're singin' away, and he's just sittin' there thinking about Chinese food and Lost In Translation...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-02-11 05:05 am (UTC)Exactly. Both literally and metaphorically, he's a cornered rat. He's dangerous because he's scared and desperate, and because an impulsive idea about how to save his own skin will override logic and the long term view every time.
Re:
Date: 2004-02-11 03:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-02-11 06:04 am (UTC)The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity...
something like that?
do I have the right to comment back as well?? please?
Date: 2004-02-11 06:09 am (UTC)1) wow, I'm impressed. You have a real talent for language.
2)This is not easy to answer ( and damn you've asked it back! )
3)I'd also say Peter is the most genuinely frightening character in the series. He's not a Bond villain type who's going to try to match wits with you, give you a chance to escape -- he'll just blow your head
I agree. He proved just how dangerous he could be in GOF. He's almost grown into his animagus, becoming more rat like.
4)I agree. I do re-read some fiction but if I was stranded I should want an encyclopaedia or somthing of that nature. I like to learn and be challenged. I think we could allow palm leaves otherwise we'd both be scribbling in the margins of the book we took! I must have a look at this Comrie book, sounds good.
5)I'm just pure nosey and shoe size gives an idea of height too. Our shoe sizes are different from USA and mainland Europe - off to do a conversion!
Thank you. This was really fun. I'm off to consider my questions carefully, will answer SOON
p.S. can I ask one final ( embarassing ) question? People often end with *g* - what does this mean?????
Re: do I have the right to comment back as well?? please?
Date: 2004-02-11 03:24 pm (UTC)If you wanted to know, I'm 5'9". Now go convert that into centimetres. ;)
People often end with *g* - what does this mean?????
It's short for *grin*.
Re: do I have the right to comment back as well?? please?
Date: 2004-02-11 03:29 pm (UTC)it was more fun to ask your shoe size - the other fun question is what colour is your tooth brush!
People often end with *g* - what does this mean????? It's short for *grin*
Oh, good grief!!!!!
I have just answered you my questions and my fingers are seizing up!
Re: do I have the right to comment back as well?? please?
Date: 2004-02-11 03:32 pm (UTC)I'm definitely an inches and feet girl!
no subject
Date: 2004-04-04 10:29 am (UTC)I'd also say Peter is the most genuinely frightening character in the series. He's not a Bond villain type who's going to try to match wits with you, give you a chance to escape -- he'll just blow your head off. He's wonderfully scary in GoF -- the moment when he's got Harry tied up and goes to mutilate him, that's some *freaky* stuff.
So true. He is very scary, what with the doing magic while in horrible pain, the treachery, and the pure love-of-self that I think he has. *skips merrily along the path to Peter-obsession)
4) A linguistics book? Unique. But this:
But will there be palm leaves on this island? Because if not, I'd forgo Comrie in favor of a blank book and a sturdy pen.
is the best answer to this question ever. :D I can't believe I've never heard anyone answer it this way before.
Are you still up for being interviewed? And another thing: you are always offering to do stuff on request, but for some reason I feel guilty about asking for things, because I'm afraid of making it a chore for you. But now I'm really curious to see my name in amiu, even though I don't have enough icon-space to use it...and, hey, icon-drabbles? *eyes Brutus and Cassius* That is, er, if you have the time and it's not a burden. :)
no subject
Date: 2004-04-04 08:41 pm (UTC)Sure, hit me.
I'm really curious to see my name in amiu
Sure. It's "useful" in Greek, isn't it?
icon-drabbles? *eyes Brutus and Cassius*
Hee. I'll see what I can do. *g*
And don't worry about being burdensome. I make those offers because I want to; it isn't a burden.
no subject
Date: 2004-04-05 10:02 am (UTC)1. How well do you feel your personality type fits you? What INFP traits do you find you normally display?
2. I don't know if you have any original fiction projects, but. If you were to write a novel, what would you be most interested in writing about? What would you want to achieve with your fiction?
3. I remember, I think, seeing something on your website, about a dragon. Er, what was that all about? :)
4. What was the single happiest moment of your life?
5. If you had to spend a day with one character from the HP books, who would it be?
Wow, that was trickier than I expected. I am sure as soon as I go offline I will think of a brilliant one. Alas.