Win or Die

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Name: Janessa
How did you find out about the community? If it's through an LJ user, please tell us who it is (individual user if possible, not just a community name!): honest_illusion
Age: 27
Location: Biloxi, MS
Occupation: College Student/Photographer




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!.
To be honest, the geographical location really isn’t that important. As long as it is home, I will deal with whatever climate or topography that I encounter. (But since I am imagining…let’s say Scotland or Ireland.)

My perfect home, now that is pretty simple. I would want a home that reflects myself, but is also welcoming to others. I would want plenty of antiques, but also special items that will make the space my own. I would want a large living space so that I could have as many people over as I desired without feeling cramped. I would want a fun room with a pool table and maybe even a jukebox. I would want a big movie screening room full of couches and comfy chairs to have horror movie marathons. My home would not only be a place for social gatherings, but I would also want it to cater to my solitude as well. I would like to have a huge library. Floor to ceiling bookcases. A quiet place where I could just curl up with a book and fall into another realm. I want a killer computer setup that will allow me to multitask like crazy. A photography studio where everything I could want would be ready for use at a moment’s notice. My home would have to be comfortable and my own.

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!

a) I would wish first and foremost for financial security. I want to be able to make enough money to stand on my own and then still be able to help out my family. I would be able to pay for my college tuition in one fell swoop while also ensuring that I can help take care of my grandparents and mother.

b) Secondly, I would like to no longer have a bad back. So many things would be accomplished if I didn’t hurt so much or end up with migraines. It is a pain just to have to watch everything I do just to make sure I don’t have to pay for it later. It would also save a lot of money on trips to the chiropractor.

c) Thirdly, and much more randomly, I would like wizarding powers like in The Dresden Files. Of course, it could just be due to my serious addiction to the series at the moment. However, if I have to settle for Harry Potter witching powers…I think I could deal with it. ;)

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. ;)
This is a tough one. Well, I guess one of the first things that really pops to mind is my high school graduation. I not only graduated with Honors but I was also wearing the National Honor Society sash. I did better than both of my parents in school and I felt like that was an accomplishment in itself. The next thing, well, it is kind of silly really. I am proud that I have missed that first marriage/kid/divorce thing that a lot of my peers are going through. I am just proud of myself for not getting wrapped up in young love to the point where a lot more was at stake than just broken hearts.

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.
The most important without a doubt is Family. To me they are a very vital part of my life. I don’t know what I would do without the support system that is my family. We are all very close. We all bicker and laugh and love and irritate. We are always there for each other. Family without a doubt is the most important thing.

The least important is definitely money. Unfortunately, it would make a lot of things easier. The convenience of having money and being able to buy whatever one wishes does not mean that it is important. Money does not buy happiness. In my experience, the other choices are far more important for living a full life.

5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
“Remember who you are.”
It is the phrase that I grew up hearing. My grandfather has told it to all of us. It is meant to be a constant reminder that when we are out in public that we represent our family. Our actions whether good or bad reflect on everyone else in the family so we must be conscious of our decisions. It made such a strong impression on me that it has directly influenced my manners and my ideas of what is appropriate for public and what is not.

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.
It is very difficult to manage money right now because, to be honest, there isn’t a whole lot of it. Basically, I live from paycheck to paycheck and don’t have a lot of superfluous cash to blow. Financial security would be fantastic. In fact, on level of importance for that kind of security, I would have to say that it is pretty high. After all, you can only eat Ramen so often before you start getting sick of it. ;) It would definitely make it possible to take trips further away for my photography. It would also allow me the financial freedom to start stocking up prints for sale/gallery exhibition. It would make paying my bills and going to the grocery store easier. I would be able to start filtering some cash back to my grandparents who have helped me a lot.

7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
Reading: Yes, this has to be stated. I am an avid reader. I have a ton of bookcases that are just overflowing. I like to read a lot of science fiction, but I also have a lot of Anthropology and History books. I am rarely caught without a book. I keep one stashed everywhere. I even make sure to keep one in my purse so that I can read on the go.

Photography: I am sure y’all have picked up on this one already. Yes, it definitely is a hobby. I absolutely love it. I love going out and spending all day out on the road shooting. I especially love my road trips to New Orleans when I can really cut loose…of course I have to make sure I have backup batteries. My friends probably think that I am crazy. I am the one that documents all of our gatherings. I also like to take my camera out to capture local musicians. I received my first camera when I was about 7 years old and I just haven’t been able to stay the shutter since.

Games: I love games. I love board games, video games, puzzles, you name it. I love them. If I had to choose between going out to a bar and just staying in with a small group of friends playing games, guess which one I would choose. I have a ton of favorites – I love List of Things, Munchkin, Trivial Pursuit, etc. I really could go on forever. As for video games, those are just as varied. I like RPG, strategy, puzzle, and hack/slash.
My perfect day would be able to include all three of these things in abundance. :)

8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
Failure: I am terrified that I am not going to accomplish anything with my life. I have had some setbacks with getting out of college and it has dampened my spirits some. I just want to get out of school and go be successful at whatever I endeavor to spend my life doing. I do not want to be that nerd that is forced to move into the basement of the parental unit’s home. Granted, we don’t have basements, but the idea is still the same. I want to go forth and do something that I love to do everyday!

Pregnancy: No seriously. The thought of having a little parasite in there for nine months that I can feel kick and move…it is enough to send me into a panic attack. It scares the hell out of me. Sure, I have no problem with friends reproducing, but the thought of something the size of a watermelon coming out something the size of a lemon is more than a little daunting. I know it is irrational, but you know what…I don’t care. It is still creepy. *shudder*

Losing loved ones: I know. Everyone has this fear, but it is one that I thought I needed to mention because of the reaction I get when someone in my family calls me late, late at night. The first thing out of my mouth every time is “What is wrong?” because I know that eventually, one day, it will definitely be bad news. It grows ever more apparent with my grandparents steadily getting older. It is a fear that is constantly in the back of one’s mind.

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.
BEST:
I like to think that I am witty. I like to tell jokes. Okay, I like to tell really BAD jokes. Puns usually, but I think they are funny. I don’t care if everyone else is groaning or not, because that just opens up the door for more jokes!! My sense of humor runs the line of Terry Pratchett (for those of you who may be familiar with his humor). I am generous. I am always willing to help out my friends when I can. If they can’t afford to go out to eat when a group of us are going, I will cover them with no question. I feel that is part of what being a friend is all about. Although, I am wise enough not to get taken advantage of most of the time. Lastly, I am kind of like Mr. Darcy in regard to how I go about relationships…friendships, et al. I do not make friends easily, but I am loyal to them once I have them. True friends know to respect that loyalty and honesty because once I cut someone off there is no turning back. “My good opinion once lost is lost forever.”

WORST:
I have a really foul temper. Granted, it usually take a lot to spark a reaction out of me but when I go, I go. I have a stereotypical Irish temper. I fight. I get red in the face. I yell. It rarely gets to that point but sometimes even the most dormant volcano is going to blow. Also, I am very cynical. Okay, to be fair, I do not think that this is a negative trait to have, but since most people would put it under a negative heading here is where I have put it. I think that it just enables me to take off the rose-colored glasses that a lot of folks prefer to wear so that they do not have to see the bad things in people. I am what I refer to as an Optimistic Pessimist. I hope for the best but am not surprised when I get the worst. And finally, I think that my absolute worst trait is that when I get bored, I neglect to care anymore. For example, if I am taking a long 16 week course and the professor doesn’t move very quickly through the syllabus, I tend to start skipping class because I know I won’t miss anything. I know it is not a wise thing to do, but I do it because I hate to sit there for an hour or more listening to things and taking notes on things that are not important in the long run. I want valuable information divulged to me at a pace that will keep me interested.




A Song of Ice and Fire Related

1.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Sandor Clegane: I think that I am drawn to this character for the same reasons that I was drawn to Severus Snape. He is the anti-hero. He doesn’t want to be labeled as a good guy because his vision of what a knight was supposed to be was ruined when he realized just how corrupt most people were. He accepted his lot in life grudgingly. His brother ruined his chances for knighthood, marriage, and a family. He was physically and psychologically scarred by his childhood and it made him a bitter man. However, I do not believe that he is beyond redemption. I think that time heals all wounds and that deep down he is still a good man, whether he wants to admit it or not. He just needed to get away from the influence of the Lannisters and forge his own path come what may.

Tyrion Lannister: Ah, Tyrion. The only really intelligent person in the series that can manipulate, counter-measure, and prepare for the political maneuverings of others. Yes, he has faults, but that is part of his appeal. No great character should be without some kind of flaw. Tyrion lends his wisdom to those who will listen and does not take kindly to the stupidity of individuals who are supposed to be leaders. He fights for what he needs by bribery (because let’s face it, it usually works) and by strength of arm when he must. He is a man who has the brains and skills necessary to rule, but will not be given anything even that which he works for due to the misfortune of his birth. I feel for him. He is frustrated and always has to watch his back because he knows that his betrayers are in his midst.

Arya Stark: This feisty little minx is my favorite female character. She is tough. She is a survivor. She has overcome countless odds against her but they are helping her grow into a much stronger person. She is learning skills that I think will be pivotal come the time that Dany tries to take the Iron Throne. She sacrificed everything to be where she is now. She is alone. She has no family. No wolf. No friends. No connections. She is completely torn from whatever life may have been planned for her and she is making her own way the best way she knows how. She is going to become a formidable opponent. I guess, in the end, I respect her and admire her in many ways.

2.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Sansa Stark: Yes. I absolutely cannot stand her. I have argued this with people, my mother especially. She pities Sansa. I do not. Nor will I ever pity Sansa. Her betrayal of her family and her selfish motivations lead to the death of her father and their soldiers. Her actions brought forth Robb to declare war against the Lannisters. Her actions split her family into pieces. She deserves every bit of what she gets. The first thing anyone should know is that you do not go against the family. It is like The Godfather. Never go against the family. And she did. She is not a redeemable character in my opinion and I really, honestly hope that Martin does not try to make her into some kind of a heroine for the series. I might puke.

Theon Greyjoy: What a lousy little swine. He was a ward of the Starks, yes. Yes, it was not necessarily a fostering of a friendly nature. But they never treated him ill. He received the same training and instruction that the other boys of the family received. He was raised in a household where he was being taught honor and duty. Then, the little turncoat goes and decides to join up with a father and household who basically had written him off because he was raised by the Starks. He was no longer welcome. He had to prove himself. How does he prove himself? He “murders” Bran and Rickon and puts his trust in a man who is obviously not to be trusted. His fool decisions and his tactless ambition led him right where he belonged. His grave. I feel no remorse for him. At all.

Melisandre: Now this zealot, where to begin… There are a lot of things that put her on the least favorite list. First off, she comes out of nowhere and purposely targets the weak minded wife of a powerful lord – one vying for the throne. Through him she intends to spread her religion and destroy that which has endured. She destroys heart trees and the seven all together. She has a fanatical devotion to her religion which is tearing people apart. People are being forced into burning their gods so that she may be appeased. She claims to be a savior in a time when the Others are going to start arising again. I do not believe her. I think that she is as devious as she is manipulative. I think that she is serving her own agenda and I am just waiting to see what it is. In the meantime, people suffer because of what she dictates. Also, anyone that can give birth to a shadow that kills….really? You gonna trust that? You are going to put your faith in that? I think I also just have a really sore spot for people coming over and just supplanting the culture of another people -- I am not sure if this is due to my Anthropologist mindset or a very distinct pang when I think of all the rich cultures that were lost because Christianity wiped them off the map. It is mirrored, I feel, in her religious takeover.

3.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?
I spent a lot of time thinking about this question before I could come up with an answer that I felt really could be described as “favorite”. There are plenty of instances which I could have named which could warrant the title, but there is only one that I feel really changed the tides of the story. When Sam thinks that he can no longer outrun the enemy in the Wild. When he uses one of the Dragonglass knives to pierce the Other. He has, in that moment, changed the tide of the things to come. They know how to defeat the Others now and there is now hope where hope would have become frozen and bitterly fragile. His actions also enabled him to begin to realize that he is not a coward. It leads him to his own set of adventures which will, in the end, make him a formidable opponent in the books to come.

4. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I’ve never really spent that much time on thinking about how the series would end because I am more caught up with how we are getting there. I really can’t see Dany taking the throne and keeping for long, even with her dragons. I think she has the power of mind to take it, but not the power to keep it. I would not be sorry to see some of the villains in the story receive their due. I expect to see some more action out of Sandor Clegane despite rumors of his death. As we know, rumors of death are typically false in Westeros. I would love to see Tyrion on the throne in the end. Like I stated before, he has the intelligence and the influence to really be a grand ruler.

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