Win or die

[alenky-cveto4ek.livejournal.com]

Name: Alyona
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!): My friend mauvais_pli has been trying to persuade me to join since I first expressed interest in Martin books, so here I am)
Age:23
Location:Moscow, Russia
Occupation:Student (and a part-time tutor)




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'll start with the location, I guess: ideally I would love to live somewhere near the sea/ocean, possibly even close enough so that I can see it from my windows. I'd like a mild climate, but not of tourist-attraction sort; just not too cold in winters, not scorching hot in summers sounds like my sort of thing. The house itself doesn't need to be big, in fact, I'm all for moderation. It should have at least one set of those huge windows that are more like doors to enjoy the view and so that sunshine can fill the room. I'd like the house to have two floors so I can have a balcony, even a small one would do. I don't care about gardens much, but a patio of sort is certainly welcome. I would want warm colours dominating the interior: light brown, ivory and a mossy sort of green, with bright spots (like maybe vases or picture frames) here and there, because that way it'd be easy to redecorate just by changing the bright parts. Little to none futuristic design elements, and that concerns - first and foremost - the kitchen, which should have all the necessary gadgets but none of that "This is a square glass container that poses as a drawer" sort of thing. On the contrary, I'd like to see a lot of soft, smooth, curving lines that are soothing to the eye instead of sharp corners.
I'd also try and set up a small library in a separate room, because that's how my Granddad has his book collection organized and I think it's a splendid idea, because books deserve it.

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!

Can I wish for world peace? I mean, I know it sounds either childishly stupid or beauty pageant stupid, but as a student of an International Relations University, I believe I know what I'm talking about. I'd be out of work (how tempting!), but that's not why I would make that wish if I could. I personally think that a peaceful life is a beautiful thing, and if there's anyone whose chest doesn't tighten when they think about all those unjustly ruined and wasted lives, well then, there's something deeply wrong with this universe.
Then I'd ask for the means to make a trip round the world, and this wish can come true either in the form of me owning lots of money and a private jet or no money and a flying carpet, I honestly don't care. I'd prefer to do that with my friends, but I'll ask them first if they want to accompany me, and then we can embark on our journey =)
And here come the tricky one. I think I'd ask my parents about what they want and grant them whatever it is. I can't say they've had an easy life up until now, and I think they should be able to enjoy it more.

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. ;)
Oh, this is going to sound cheesy, but there's no getting around it. I'm most proud of making friends with the two most wonderful girls in the world, and I don't say that because I'm a teenager wanting to praise the kids who currently rule my school. I'm not a particularly pleasant person by nature and for the longest time I was one hundred and one per cent sure I could never have close friends because no one would want me as such. Frankly, I might still be a bit hazy on this whole friendship idea, but I think it's an amazing and inspiring thing. Sure, I was proud when I won my competitions (and I've won some pretty impressive ones), and when I became an exchange student thanks to my abilities only, yes, I was bursting with pride. But this? This is deeper, stronger, truer and much more lasting.

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.
My friends are my family, so if this is not cheating I'd say Family. In an extended format) Come what may, when the people you love are with you, it's gonna be so much better than if you experience it all on your own.
The least important is harder to pick. Knowledge is not necessarily a good thing in so many cases, but I don't really enjoy feeling (and/or being) stupid, either. Pleasure should not be the main goal in anyone's life, in my opinion, but is it enough to put it on the last place in my personal list? Rhetorical conversations, yay! So I'll stop musing and pick Pleasure for the least important thing, then. As for the rest of them, well, life without adventure would be dull, and money are the means and not the ultimate aim, in my opinion.

5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
There was peace in the twilight
And for a moment among
It was a world without danger
A world without war
And I will take all your suffering
It will do any good
Cause we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood (Terence Jay, One Blood)
I realize I can be quite selfish, but I really hope I'm capable of lifting other people's burdens, even if it's a very limited number of people. For the most time, life does seem like a battlefield with those brief respites, so the lyrics strike me as something very real. And I do believe loyalty matters, because that's how I see the "one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood" - as ultimate loyalty.

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.
I manage my money fine. I'm not exceptionally good at it, but I'm far from hopeless. I have fits of spending the money I probably shouldn't spend, but those are occasional, plus they never leave me completely broke. I hate borrowing money and do it very rarely; I'd rather economize and drag out my remaining resources until I get my paycheck. Financial security would be nice, I can't argue with that, but as a young university alumna-to-be I realize it's not going to be possible in the nearest future. Eventually I'm hoping to achieve the wonderful nirvana when I make enough for a comfortable living, but not so much that I never do anything except work. I don't think I'm very greedy, but maybe people get more obsessed with money as their income increases, and in that case I just haven't had a chance to find that out about myself yet.

7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
I read a lot, watch different sorts of movies, sometimes do things that involve handiwork and enjoy that immensely. Unfortunately, I'm short on time, space and supplies lately, so I don't do that very often. I'm good at things like cross-stitching, because I like things to be neat and take my time with whatever I do with my own hands so it looks as perfect as I can possibly make it. I like seeing new places, but sometimes being lazy prevents me from doing much of sightseeing. When I'm in a certain mood, I can walk for hours just enjoying myself, even though I'm not a very sporty person and exercising bores me. The point of this sentence being that if I really want something and think it's fun to do, I will; I'll find the time and muster some willpower and pull it off.

8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
I'm afraid of being helpless on some grand scale. Seeing something I don't want to be happening and being unable to prevent it, feeling small and useless. Even contemplating that chills me to the bone.
I'm afraid of people I love dying. I realize it's a natural process and one day it is going to happen whether I want it or not, but I don't know how I will cope with that. Last time, I just haven't. Some inner part of me still denies it, and I stick to that for reasons of selfish cowardice. I'm very, very bad at letting people go. I'm afraid of failure. Small everyday failures, more significant failures and grand things of oh-god-my-whole-life-is-a-failure kind. Those are devastating.

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'll tell you right away that figuring out my best qualities was not an easy task, as I find it easier to criticize myself than to praise. But here they are.
I'm a fairly reasonable and sensible person. I try not to get carried away by my emotions and think my decisions through. Sometimes it's not very easy, especially since all the patience I can possibly summon is a result of a long and painful process of developing it. I'm not a very patient person by nature, I'm also impulsive in a lot of situations, but my self-control is a solid fortress that keeps these things mostly in check. In fact, people who don't know me very well are quite sure I'm sensible not through effort, but just because I was born that way or something.
The second good quality I managed to dig up is that I'm reliable in a broad meaning of the word. I'm responsible, so I always finish my assignments on time, I'm almost never late and basically I complete the tasks set by authorities/superiors, and I do it well. They are aware of that, so I often get loaded with the work that absolutely needs to be done without any delays or excuses. What I think is an inherent part of being reliable is being organized. I like things neat and where I can find them; I generally like order. That makes it easier for me to organize other people as well, and make sure everyone knows what/why/how they're supposed to be doing their part of, for example, some project.
And the third quality I think I can safely call good is that I'm mostly truthful. I'm not sure it's because I believe it's the way a person should be or because I'm just a very bad liar =) which I am, by the way. I never lie about big things, while I can cover up the small stuff I consider off-limits for other people and not even feel the slightest tinge of remorse. However, I don't lie about feelings, relationships and such, and I usually answer what I truly think about mostly anything. That quality, of course, can be perceived as a bad thing as well, but since I often wish more people told the truth at least once in a while it's hard for me to see it in that light.

WORST.
My worst quality is probably that I'm a jealous person, in any meaning of the word. I can be jealous about my boyfriend looking at another girl, I can be jealous of someone's success. I'm in no way proud of this, but it's true. I'm trying to fight it and reign in the negative emotions, and I think I got better at it over the years. The reaction still comes sometimes, unbidden, so I suppose it's still there.
I'm also quite judgmental. In my opinion, almost everything people do can be sorted into right/wrong or good/bad category or anything else of the sort. What gives me the right to judge I cannot fathom, so don't ask. This trait of mine is a huge obstacle when it comes to interaction with other people, because, well, no one likes being judged, and even if I don't say anything out loud, the vibe might be clear enough. I'm a perfectionist by nature, so condemning everyone, including myself, for not being perfect shouldn't come as a surprise, but it's a disgusting quality nonetheless.
The last - but not the least - is me being selfish. I firmly believe that everyone is selfish to some extent, some people more so than others. I'm probably the "more so" kind of person, being an only child and all. I don't think I should really explain how this is a bad quality that needs to be rooted out)





A Song of Ice and Fire Related

1.How many books from the series have you completed?
All of them, and the opinions I'm expressing now are greatly influenced by A Dance with Dragons.

2.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Out of those that are so far alive? That'd be Jon, Jaime and Arya.
Jon. Yes, I am aware that he's more or less bulletproof and maybe even Marty Stew-ish in a way, but personally I like him. He has a steady and honour-driven personality, and I appreciate that. His choices I mostly approve of, too, so maybe it's just a matter of personal associations. I wasn't sure what I thought about him becoming Lord Commander at such a young age, but the latest book convinced me that he becomes more like Ned with every turn his life takes. And I never for a moment doubted he'd refuse Stannis' offer to be granted all the honours including Winterfell, and I like how he's true to himself.
Jaime. So, okay, he's been a jerk until book 3, and I'd be the first to agree, except I always thought there must be more to him, and there is. I absolutely love his smart mouth and his replies are worth quoting. I like his interaction with other characters, even though some of his actions I can't possibly say I support (incest and flinging Bran off the tower included). I think he's gradually reforming and starting to realize there's a different way of living his life, being a better person. I enjoy his POV chapters very much, if that's a sufficient reason to pick him for my favourite.
Arya. I'm undecided whether I like where she currently is – as a personality – but I find her inner strength fascinating. While being a full-fledged killer she also manages to behave in a confused-little-girl way, which adds credibility to her character. She has determination, skill and a fierceness of sorts. I sincerely hope she does not lose herself in becoming a Faceless Man.
I also like Catelyn (and no, I'm not one of the people who hate Catelyn because she's not that fond of Jon, since I totally get her reasons), Tyrion (for his witty banter; but Martin seems to love him a little too much, so he didn't make my top three) and Barristan Selmy (because he's awesome with a sword and very loyal)

3.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
There goes: Ramsay, Theon and Stannis.
I'll start with the least controversial, Ramsay Snow/Bolton is a horrible sick mass-murderer that needs to die very, very soon and possibly in some slow cruel&torturous way.
Theon. Oh, this is personal. I pity his broken Reek persona, I do, and I don't even truly believe he deserved it this bad. But he has annoyed me since moment one, and even his way to redemption hasn't swayed me. Yet. He seems so spoiled, so ungrateful, so full of himself that I will be out of breath with indignation by the time I finish describing everything about him that rubs me the wrong way. I reserve the right to change my opinion, but now it stands as it is.
Stannis. He makes me very angry for a number of reasons. First of all, what's he doing listening to the Red Priestess of Crazy? His attempts to do the right thing end up a disaster time after time, and that's just depressing. He's not even that bad a person, but he takes everything a little too far: he's a little too law-abiding, a little too unyielding, a little too determined to get the crown. To put it simply, he makes a mess of things way too often.
I also harbour no particular love for Cersei, Daenerys, Melisandre, Victarion Greyjoy and the new High Septon.

4.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?

So far I'd say it's Aegon's apperance. If that's a moment. I can't say I didn't see it coming (even if he's just an impostor), but I was positively delighted that the heir to the throne is travelling by boat and living his princely life with his hair dyed blue, having all the proper education and whatnot. But there are a lot of moments that were gripping, heartbreaking, sweet and plain amazing, and that makes it very hard to pick one)

5. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I actually am willing to go with Martin on this. I'm sure it's going to be a perfect heartbreak, but when it comes to this particular series I'm quite conformist. Ideally, I'd like my favourite characters to live happily ever after, but I realize the chances of that are ridiculously small. I'd like a Targaryen to rule Westeros, preferably a sane one, but with Targaryens it's hard to predict) Winterfell should go to a Stark, and in this case I don't really care which one. And someone get Rickon a shrink, poor baby.

Comments

Tyrell

[sephystabbity.livejournal.com]

You remind of the best qualities of quite a lot of Starks in the series. So it's House Stark for you!