westerosorting | Win or Die (Reply)

Name: Joseph
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!):
I saw the a house banner and link in the background of a piece of ASOIAF art on deviantart.com
Age: Eight-and-Twenty
Location: Midwestern U.S.
Occupation: Freelance journalist and copywriter

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!.
First off, I would like to live in a location where the seasons change. I've lived in primarily cold environments and deserts and I prefer to watch Mother Nature wax and wane. I would choose a wooded location that is semi-isolated. Not on the road but close enough to it. Surrounded by trees and hills. I would like to live close enough to a city to visit but not live. I like traveling to and visiting distant places and cities but I'm a "Your hills are lovely and green but they aren't the hills of home" type of guy. I think I would choose somewhere in Kentucky or Virginia. Maybe the Dakotas since I'm not against longer periods of cold.
As for the house itself; Two stories at the most. Dark, old wood and stone. Bare floors for the most part, carpeted in the bedrooms and throw-rugs in the common area. Sparse art on the walls. I like decoration on the walls but it would limited because from the doorway to the attic/basement; every spare inch of wall space is covered with shelves. I need to be surrounded by books. I would have a medium-sized bedroom which would be adjoined by a study where I keep my favorite books, comic book collection and important possessions. It's where my computer and writing desk would be. A decent kitchen and common area. Big comfy couches and chairs pointed at a fireplace. It would a room for eating and discussion. There would a separate media room for television and movies. A basement for laundry and exercise equipment. I would live primarily on the first floor with the upstairs reserved for storage and guest space. I would have a wrap-around covered porch on the outside. A nice width, so when the weather's nice you can read, cook and smoke outside. No lawn, I would have the house right next to a stand of trees with the driveway curving around so you couldn't see it from any road. About a 100 yards away I'd have a garage/tool shed.

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 classic question for good reason.
1. To help people understand each other. Not telepathy! That's more of a curse but the power to help people gain more an emotional insight on each other. I think if people could sense what the other is feeling in his gut, there would be less hate and fighting.
2. Good health for my father. He's had a tough road and deserves to live out his life with no pain.
3. Time-travel. Without the ability to change things! As a passive observer only. As a former history major, the thought of going back to hear Lincoln speak or observe the debates in ancient Greece is a happy one.

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. ;)
Writing professionally would be the chief one. I've always enjoyed writing but going out there and trying to do it for money was daunting but I've built up a good rep in my community and I'm creating a system of clients and contacts that I hope will last a long time. Recently I wrote an article about a comedy troupe for a local magazine and several weeks after it was published, the leader of the troupe sent me a card about how much she liked the piece and how they have received several new gigs because people read it. It was a powerful feeling of validation and good emotions. I felt like I had helped someone and it reflected back at me.
More recently, I've been proud of my exercise regime. Most of my life I avoided working out like a plague but six months ago I decided my body had to change because I'm getting older and frankly, the health crisis of a close family member reminded me of my own mortality. I started small and kept leveling up the amount and I'm proud to say I've lost over 30 pounds and my health has never been better!

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.
Knowledge: The top one. You should never stop learning because I think if you do, that's when you start to die. Life is a learning experience at the core. Read, write, travel, talk to different people, try new things, succeed, fail, grow.
Family: They're always with you, for better or worse. They build the foundation blocks of your personality and soul before you set out into the world. Embrace them, protect them and try to understand them. If they affected you negatively, try to forgive them and grow from that blackness.
Friendship: A true friend is worth their weight in gold. You one need one or two. They can often understand you better then family or lovers. If you have one person in your life that laughs with you, cries with you and doesn't judge you; then you're a wealthy person.
Love: All forms of it. Loving your family, your friends, your special someone and yourself. My father said to me that everything people do originates from love or fear. It's better to go with love.
5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
This is a long one but I have to post it entirely. Based off a quote by the legendary Sam Clemens but I saw in a comic expressed by Captain America in his own words:
"No, You Move.
Doesn’t matter what the press says.

Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say.

Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.

This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences.

When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world – “No, you move.”

Captain America
Amazing Spider-Man #537

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's important because you can't escape from it. Financial security equals freedom in this world. I'm a freelance guy so the amount of money I make goes up and down (also depending on what part-time jobs I hold at the moment). Budgeting is the most important aspect. I live within my means. I budget each month. Must-haves: rent, bills, food, gas and the like and would be nices: entertainment, travel, gifts, etc. I have one credit card and I don't abuse it, if I don't have the money for something I don't need, then I don't get it. Being creative is key. My passion for books leads me to library sales, used bookstores and yard sales. I don't eat out more then twice a month, I doesn't use my car if I can hoof it or public transport is available. I look for bargains, coupons and special deals. If you can be honest with yourself, then you can live a simple but fulfilling life when it comes to money. I also will admit, short-coming with money is comic books and smokes but I usually can keep my addictions on a short chain.

7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
Reading/writing: I love reading, it's the best thing in the world to me. Without books, the world would be a dim and dismal place. History, sci-fi, fantasy, pulp, horror, biographies, religious/spiritual, philosophy; I'm an equal-opportunity bibliophile. Writing is my saving grace, not just in the professional world. Journaling and jotting down notes and thoughts eases off the emotional pressure.
Collecting comic books: My life-long hobby. I've been collecting since I was six and I'll never stop. Other hobbies come and go but my fanboyism has stood the test of time. Hit me over the head and I'll puke up fifty years of Marvel facts and history. I have over 25 longboxes in my apartment and I love reading them, organizing them and re-reading them! I also attend cons and other gatherings of fans. I think there is something in comics for everyone.
Exercise: A new but it important one. Walking, running, target-shooting, swimming. I like solitary sports and physical stuff. It's Zen to me, it helps me focus and process my day.

8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
1. Being devoured. I've had repeated nightmares about being eaten. The cast changes; bugs, sharks, zombies, what have you but the thought of being ingested or absorbed makes me shiver.
2. Memory loss/dementia/loss of self. I have several family members going though this and the prospect of not knowing where I am or forgetting my past is not-acceptable. I'd rather die.
3. Failure. Not accomplishing anything with my life. Feeling like I squandered my gifts and chances, failing the ones I love. It used to be stronger when I was young and scared all the time but it's still there. It never completely goes away.
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.
1. Loyal: If you're my family or true friend, then I'm with you. No, ifs ands or buts. That means if I have to protect you from yourself then I'll do that too. I don't open my heart often to people, places or concepts and if I do, it's with all of it. I make a promise, then I'll do everything possible to make sure it comes to pass.
2. Observant: I'm a watcher by nature. Often times I'd rather observe then participate. This trait helps me when I'm writing a story. I love to people watch and I think I have often predicted how a person will react.
3. Helpful: I like helping people. If you need my assistance in some area and I can provide, then I will!

1. Judgmental: I can be very harsh when I think (sometimes wrongly) that it is warranted. I believe in things. If a person doesn't hold up to those standards then I don't respect them. This has hurt me in the past. I know the world isn't black and white but sometimes I can't accept that at times.
2. Self-Isolating: The bad side of being observant. I'm a loner by nature but that goes too far sometimes. I fight against the urge to cut myself off even from the people I love.
3. Anger/Temper: I used to fight a lot when I was a kid and I don't anymore but sometimes, it feels like everything pisses me off and I want to start swinging on everyone. I keep it inside but that hurts too. I struggle with it sometimes.

A Song of Ice and Fire Related

1.How many books from the series have you completed?
All of them! All 5 novels and the Dunk and Egg stories.

2.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Only three!?!?
1. Jaime Lannister. The Kingslayer. Rarely have I seen such evolution from a character. First, I hated the 2-D villain in GoTs then I grudgingly understood the captive in CoKs. Then I grew to sympathize and admire the wounded knight from ASoS and AFFC. I think Jaime was crushed by the world and is only now truly understanding where his place in it is. He's so flawed and human. I think and hope GRRM will give us a arc of true redemption with the Lion of Lannister.

2. Brienne of Tarth. What is not to love? Aside from Barristan the Bold, perhaps the only true knight of Westeros and the soul-mate of Jaime Lannister. She's seen the brutal truth of the world but hasn't let it crush her. She fights for honor, love and those who can't. She also fights for a world that refuses to understand or accept her. That is noble.

3. Littlefinger. Petyr Baelish is a love-hate character. Not common but not noble enough, disliked and mocked, hated and hateful. Is he the true villain of the story? I think Petyr's purity of purpose is fascinating. He wants it all but he hates everything in the world. I have been re-reading the series and I'm newly interested in the works and mind of Baelish.

3.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
1. Cersei. Ugh, all that is wrong with the world. A fantasy version of the horrible elites and politicans that ruining our world. She lies to everyone and herself most of all. I can't stand her.

2. Daario. I want him to be eaten by a dragon. He's annoying and a dagger aimed at Danys back.

3. Grand Maester Pycelle. Coward, murderer, betrayer and Tywin's faithful dog. Ugh, two-faceness of this man was astonishing.

4.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?
The bear-pit! From Jaime's dream to "I dreamed of you." The scene spoke to the closet-romantic inside of me and confirmed my shipper-glee with Jaime/Brienne goodness and I think it was the first step for Jaime to stop being the Smiling Knight and to once again become (in spirit) the boy who knelt before Ser Dayne.

5. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I have a million thoughts but here are the ones that jumped out first.
Daenerys on the Iron Throne with consorts Aegon and Jon after uniting the realm in battling the Others. Tyrion as the Hand and lord of Casterly Rock (he found BrightRoar btw ;)) Cersei dead by Jaime's hand (the true Valonqar) Tommen forgiven and freed. (I think he should a maester) Myrcella happy in Dorne.
Asha as the Queen of the Iron Islands, Sansa as the Lady of the North with her loyal Hound and Littlefinger dead by her hand. Theon dead but he took one or both Boltons with him. Gendry becomes Gendry Baratheon after taking up his father's hammer in the war against the Others and becomes the lord of Storm's End. Varys dies to save the realm but no one ever knows it. Rickon and Bran lead the Free People to a new life, Gregor and the Sand Snakes slay each other. Arya becomes a member of the Queensguard who visits Storm's End often on "business". Euron and Victerion die in battle.
Penny is given a home and safety by Tyrion. Jaime and Tyrion make their peace. Brienne and Jaime become even bigger legends in the war against the Others and Jaime is
pardoned by the Queen. Brienne marries him and they retire to Tarth where they spawn a pride of brave male and female knights who are plain of face but have amazing eyes.