westerosorting | win or die

Name:

just_a_dram or Elizabeth
How did you find out about the community? If it's through an LJ user, please tell us who it is: An LJ search brought me here.
Age: 32
Location: St. Louis, MO
Occupation: professor of medieval history

All About You

1. Describe your ideal house/home. Please go into as much detail as possible, and be sure to include your ideal geographical location in the description!

I'm happiest in my hometown. However, I have lived in two other locations: England and Virginia, both of which I love as well. I'd probably place the English countryside as my ideal geographical location, so long as I could make trips back to my hometown! I like the scenery (green, green, and more green), the people (that stiff upper lip British-ness and rough friendliness), and the food (starches and meat!)--all of which are important to me in terms of setting.

As far as the actual house, I like old things. Hence being a historian. I would never live in a new house. New houses seem soulless to me. Instead, I like to live in old homes and think about all of the lives people have led before me. It would mean even more if it was the home of my family. I currently live in the house my grandfather built, and I don't know if I'd ever be able to leave it for that reason.

Architecturally, I like several different styles, but English Tudor is lovely. I love dark wood and stone. I like elaborate furnishings, I'm not afraid of color, and I would have oodles of oil paintings in an ideal world. Almost every room would have a musical instrument in it. I like really lavish bathrooms with heated marble floors and huge tubs. Big beds. I get cold, so I'd need big fireplaces in every room. I like to entertain, so I'd like a big dining room for parties. Massive walk in closets. I'd rather have fewer rooms and bigger closets, because I am a collector of stuff.

2. Imagine you’re given the classic opportunity: a genie granting you three wishes. What would you wish for? Please be as elaborate as you can. Wishing for more wishes is not permitted!

My biggest fear is dying. I've fixated on it since I was a kid. I'd close my eyes and wonder if that was what it would be like to die. Darkness. And then I'd start crying. So, I would wish to be immortal. Problem solved. Yes, I know that living forever poses all sorts of problems. Change is difficult for humans and you'd be living through a lot of it. Well, I don't care. That's how afraid I am of dying.

I'd wish that I didn't have to work another day in my life. No, I'm not digging ditches. And yes, I love to teach. But, I'd rather not have to work, so I could choose exactly what I want to do with my time. Travel, explore hobbies, spend time with my friends and family. I sort of despise a schedule.

I'm afraid of losing my family, who mean the world to me, which is really an extension of my fear of death. I'm an only child and my little family has always been the focus of my life, as opposed to friends or career or whatever else people focus on. So, I would wish the same (immortality) for them as well. Is that cheating since it benefits several people? If it is, I'd have to think of a new answer for my first wish, because I don't think I'd want to live in a world without my husband and my parents. No, I know I wouldn't want to.

3. In your life so far, what accomplishment are you the most proud of? Why? You can list more than one if you have trouble deciding. ;)

Getting an MA in medieval history. I thought I had school all figured out. Graduate school kicked my ass. It took everything to a whole other level. I learned more in those two years than I had in the past ten.

Passing my PhD exams in the same field with distinction. Ohhh, this was so sweet. People didn't think I could do it. People might even have been cheering against me. But I knew my stuff forward and backward, and even though the public speaking portion of it is truly not my forte, I stunned everyone with the breadth of my knowledge. Do I know it now? No. But I did that day!

Marrying the love of my life, my best friend. I didn't work to find him. He fell in my lap practically. But I knew a good thing when I saw it and immediately pursued him. Well done. Pat on the back. Best thing that's ever happened to me.

4. Which of the following is most important to you: Love, Money, Knowledge, Family, Friendship, Adventure, or Pleasure? Which is the least important to you? Please explain why for each choice.

Most important: Family! Family is love and comfort and understanding. It is history and bonds that you can't duplicate. They make me laugh. They don't judge me. They're proud of me, and I'm proud of them. I'm happiest with my family. I'm the only person I know who never went through the--I'm embarrassed of my family--stage. I think they're kind of perfect and a real hoot to boot.

Least important: Adventure. Does not interest me in the least. I can be a coward. I don't like taking chances. I like to travel, but not really have adventures. I like to carefully plan things, so I know what to expect. I make folders for vacations, planning everything down to where we'll eat each meal. Adventure sounds like danger and uncertainty, which doesn't appeal to me.

5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.

"Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle."--Lewis Carroll.

I still refer to myself as a kid, because I feel like I'm still in the process of becoming. I am changeable about what I want to do even after all the years and effort I've put into my advanced education. Even though I teach at a four year university, I have a short list of things I'd also like to do that would make use of none of the skills I've developed in school. It's my belief that our journey on this earth is all there is. So, the process of becoming is the whole point. The meaning of life, if you will. And not knowing who I am isn't so much worrisome as exciting. I can remake myself if I want.

6. How do you manage your money? On that note, how important is money/financial security to you? Go into as much detail as you can.

Money's very important to me. It's important to me in the moment, because I like nice things. And it's important to me in the future, because I am planning on eventually having a child. I know how expensive the school is I would like to send my child to (education is so vital!), so I better start saving. Easier said than done, because, as noted, I love things. I sort of watch my savings account with one eye closed, because I'm terrified of how much I spend. My husband has very little success reining me in. But I have no debt. I don't believe in it. You don't spend what you don't have. Period. So, I spend a great deal of what I make and plan to do better in the future. I do have a lot of investments, which hopefully will come in handy.

7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?

I used to dance professionally. Ballet, tap, jazz, modern. The works. I haven't done it in years, but I want to start up again, because it makes me feel really good about myself.

I sing. Again, in the past I sang in groups, but now it is solely to the radio. I occasionally sing at weddings or funerals. Singing is an instant mood changer. I can go to depressed to happy in one song.

I'm crafty. I like to make things like accessories and jewelry. I am a total Martha Stewart addict. I'll make every craft in her magazine. It's relaxing and I like giving the things I make as gifts to people. They appreciate the personal touch.

I write. Not just professionally, but also fanfiction that would shock my colleagues and original fiction they might find frivolous. I didn't share my writing with anyone for years, because it is the most personal expression of self.

8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.

As stated before. I fear death. I think about it too much. I have been with someone as they died. It's terrifying how fragile we all are.

I'm afraid of not being liked. I try really hard to be a likeable person, but sometimes it is exhausting. It would be easier to not care what people thought about me.

I'm afraid of having very little to show for my life. If this life is all there is, you better make the most of it! So far I'm not sure I'm doing the best job I could. I should probably not watch as much TV as I do. On my deathbed I doubt I'll say: I wish I'd watched more TV.

9. Name (and elaborate on) your top three BEST and top three WORST qualities (personality-related, not physical). Please answer as fully as you can, as this is an important question.

I'm loyal. I once described myself as loyal as an old dog. I'm never going to cheat on you, wrong you, or leave you once you have my affection. That was the example set for me. Love is forever, whether it is friendship or romantic. I've probably cut people too much slack because I'm so loyal. It also makes me really defensive about the people I love. I won't say a peep when people attack me, but don't say anything about the people I love!

I'm silly. People should be sillier. I'm not afraid to make a fool of myself. Sing, dance, talk in funny voices. Whatever makes me laugh or makes the people around me laugh. Life's too short to take yourself really seriously.

I am generous. I love giving to people. Finding the perfect gift for someone is such a thrill. I like giving more than I like getting. This is actually a personality trait that people regularly compliment me on.

Worst qualities?

I'm a perfectionist. If I'm not going to be good at it, I don't want to do it. That limits me.

I'm needy. I never became independent, even after going away to school. Emotionally needy, really. It's just a good thing I married someone who gets that, because I need a lot of face to face time.

I have a nasty temper. Steam coming out the ears, throwing things, totally inappropriate fits of rage over sometimes ridiculous things. I think maybe three people have seen this in action, because I'm not proud of it. If I'm ignored I quickly burn out and meekly apologize to anyone who was in the vicinity. It's ugly while it is happening and I think most people would be shocked.

A Song of Ice and Fire Related

1.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?

Tyrion. I love that he's smart and works to exceed his personal limitations. He's a smart ass, which amuses me. I like that he is one of the few people who take action against Joffrey and Cersei--not just behind their backs, but right to their faces as well. I liked him immediately, which isn't the case with a lot of the ASOIAF characters I now like. His dealings with Jon Snow struck me as really intuitive.

Sansa. She's had character growth! I like to see that in any character of course, but especially a female character. She was such a believable young girl initially: naive, a bit spoiled, sure the world was going to go her way. And now she's been through hell, which has left her with this bizarre bifurcated personality. I suppose she is one of the characters whose end game I'm vitally interested in, particularly if the Stark children's fates are wrapped up with their wolves.

Jaime. Character growth yet again! Cocksure, headstrong, impulsive, but the loss of that sword hand and some choice words from his brother have really shaken his world. I *knew* he was going to refuse to save Cersei, but somehow it was still a shock. I don't quite know what to expect from him, which is appealing. And, yet again, he's a smart ass. Initially I couldn't stand him, but he won me over (and not always through good behavior).

2.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?

Dany. I just don't get her portrayal. She's this young girl who has been sold, essentially raped, and then suddenly she's madly in love with her husband and has become one of his people. She's strong! She has the heart of the dragon! But where the heck did that come from? The development just seems off to me. Plus, I'm not into battle scenes (and there seems to be an abundance of that once she's marching from city to city freeing slaves) as much as I am intrigue and character development. And I'm always worried something is going to happen to her darn dragons. Somehow I always think her character arc would have been more interesting if she had married her brother.

Melisandre. I don't think this is even one of those--love to hate--types for me. I just wish she'd go away. It's sort of bizarre to me how this woman has enchanted Stannis, who seems like he wouldn't be easily swayed. Eh...she seems like a type, a flat character to me, and there are too many female characters like that floating around.

Davos. His chapters bore me a bit. I read through them very quickly. I don't see how he is vital to the story, and if the big reveal is coming it feels like a long time coming. I wish we'd have POV from Stannis instead. I'd like to get into his head much more. There isn't anything particularly *wrong* with Davos, I just think there are many more interesting characters I'd rather be hearing from. Someone with some really interesting shades of grey to their moral landscape. He doesn't tug on my emotions, have me rooting for him, or caring much one way or the other.

3.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?

Probably when Bran sees what he shouldn't and gets shoved out the window. That was the Big Shocker for me. Everything after that has been--well, heck, the twins are incestuous and they shoved a little boy out a window, what do you expect? I wanted to wake up my sleeping husband to share this shocker of a tidbit. Books rarely shock me and this moment was Epic.

4. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?

I'd like to say that I'd like to see the characters I love would have happy endings. Tyrion, Sansa, the Hound, Jaime are all in these meaningful, healthy relationships...no more wolves die! But, come on, this is ASOIAF. I'd actually be rather disappointed if the ending wasn't epically bittersweet. Some people are going to have to get a fate they don't deserve. Maybe Sansa. I will, however, spit nails if the Hound is really and truly dead. Since I'm not a huge Dany fan, I think having the culmination be her taking back the throne would be a bit of a let down for me. Perhaps rule disintegrating altogether in the face of Winter would be more interesting. There are all these examples of rule by the people that spring up in the books with the breakdown of authority, which is actually kind of compelling, I think. How people rise to the occasion (or fail to) when there isn't someone to point the way or force you to bend the knee is an interesting study in human nature.