WIN...OR DIE!!!!

[brenden.livejournal.com]

Name: Brenden
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!): hobnailedboots commented in ohnotheydidnt
Age: 26 (oh god...)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Occupation: Editor

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 don't know if this is cheating or not, but the only 'dream home' I've ever wanted is a Romanesque villa, much like the Getty villa in Malibu, CA. I remember visiting here as a kid and being completely stunned by how beautiful it was, even before I think that I could appreciate it. I love the idea of a more 'communal' household, with rooms facing a courtyard. I'm kind of torn, however, because I tend to go for a more modern/minimalist look for interior design. I guess a perfect blend of classical architecture and modern design would be my ideal home.

As for location...Big Sur, CA. I'm a California native and Big Sur has always been the most beautiful spot in the state, to me. I'd want my Roman villa perched high on the edge of a cliff, facing the ocean with a view like this one.


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!

#1: A debit card tied to an account with an endless supply of money. I could use it for purchases and make a stop at the ATM when I'd need CASH.

#2: The ability to control time. With a snap of my fingers, I'd be able to pause time, rewind time, slow it down, etc. What was that shitty movie with the kid who had a watch that could control time? That.

#3: Shape shifting. Basically, to possess any physical form I want. If I want to be a Brazilian underwear model to pick up dudes, if I want to be an old lady so I can get a seat on the bus, if I want to turn into Jay-Z so I sneak backstage at a concert, etc.

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. ;)

Independence. Ever since I was young enough to hold a job, I tried to support myself to ease the stress on my single mom. I know it might sound stupid, but I'm really proud of how far I've come. I went through a shitty time, shitty jobs, shitty relationship, shitty friendships, shitty everything...but now I feel like I've broken free from all of that and really become my own person. I live alone, support myself and I am happy, something I could never quite conceive just a few years ago. I'm proud that I've sorted out who I am and what I'm about.

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.

Adventure! Individual lives and everything derived from mankind seem like such a small...insignificant part of the world. Sometimes things like love or money tend to keep you down (or lack of, I guess...) but what are those things? Nothing but man made conceptions. You only get one life, I like to spend mine doing as much as I can with what I can. I've lived paycheck to paycheck before, worried about if I'd make the rent the following month, but in the long run...money tends to sort itself out. I am always on the look out for experiences, the spirit of adventure...and usually these can include things like love, knowledge, family and friends. I've always said that the best money I've spent has been on making memories.

Least important? Pleasure. Sometimes I feel like a prude when I admit that .... sex or pleasure aren't priorities in my life. I don't have any problems with people who do, but I've never gauged my success on who I've slept with. When I go out with friends, I don't care who I'm taking home and I don't need to take someone home to call it a night, you know? I think pleasure is a little selfish.


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

"Absolutely no regrets." It's been my long standing motto (from queen Madonna, in case anyone wants to judge me) that I live without regrets. Regret usually equals guilt, guilt for something that's happened in the past. Who wants to be bogged down by that? Regrets usually prevent us from experiencing life and taking chances. Shit happens, don't let it affect who you are and how you act.

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.

Oh lord...I am not really good with managing money. Actually, I probably just...don't. I'm never late with bills, I always pay my rent and credit cards, so I have a handle on priorities and responsibility. I just...tend to spend my money on stupid shit or eat out a lot.  One of my goals this year is to start a serious saving plan and start up a retirement fund because I'm not 20 years old anymore!  

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

Photography is probably my main hobby. I collect cameras and although I haven't really shot anything fun recently, I always have my phone and document my life regularly.

Movies! I know this might not be a "hobby," per se, but I really like going to the theater. My favorite scenario is usually a weekend morning, when the theater is filled with nothing but old people and weirdos like me. I used to be hung up on going to the movies alone, but after I stepped outside of my comfort zone and saw Back to the Future when it was rereleased…I realized it wasn't a big deal at all.

Exploring! This kind of ties into "adventure," but whenever I have a chunk of free time, I like to spend it enjoying the city. I moved to San Francisco almost 2 years ago and I still feel like there's more to discover. One of my best friends and I regularly traverse the area, starting in one neighborhood and ending up in a completely different one. We've started off at the beach, hit the city for shopping, pop down to the Mission for dinner and finish the evening downtown. Sometimes I just take my Kindle and try to find a cafe or park to read at. It's great and one of my favorite things to do.

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

ALIENS. I have no idea. Many of my fears are irrational, but there they are. Aliens scare the shit out of me. I can usually deal with Independence Day, District 9, Star Wars aliens…it's just the humanoid ones that freak me out. When I was little I used to have reoccurring dreams that a grey alien hand would creep up from the foot of the bed to me, under the covers. DECIPHER THAT ONE, I DUNNO.

BIGFOOT. Again, irrational. The concept of this massive, gorilla type man animal just chilling out there in the woods somewhere freaks me out. One time, I was at Universal Studios for their halloween thing and a bigfoot popped out of the bushes at me. I nearly crapped myself and my friends said they'd never heard me scream so loud. I have no idea what it is about them…but big foots are scary. I'm cool with yetis - big foots of the snowy variety - but not the regular forest kind. You'd' think I'd have a problem with Chewbacca since he's kind of like a hybrid of alien and big foot, but nope.

BAD NEWS. I do not like to hear the worst. I've had so much shit happen to me in life, I almost expect bad things to happen to me. Regularly, I jump to the worst possible scenario and spiral into a panic attack. My boss wants to talk to me? I'm fired and I'll have to worry about breaking my lease and I hope I can take my cat to my next place. The doctor wants me to see a specialist? Something's wrong with me. I have cancer and I'm going to have to go have surgery alone and then I'll have to take a cab home. I don't' know why my thought process runs away with it, but it does.  I guess it's rooted with receiving bad news.

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

Considerate - Especially now that I'm older, I feel like a lot of the world's problems could be solved by extending a little more consideration for your fellow human. There's so much negativity in the world that is just…unnecessary and stressful for no good reason. I go out of my way to be courteous to strangers and friends alike.

Apathy - I really think my ability to let go and not care as much helps me deal with a lot of situations in life. I try to not to care (and often don't) and it ends up saving me from unnecessary pain or emotions.

Loyalty - I'm fiercely territorial and loyal to my family and friends. Fuck with them, you fuck with me and I take it personally.

WORST

Obsessive - Once I get into something, I can't seem to shake it. I don't know how else to explain it, but if I'm really excited about something coming up…I won't shut up about it. Conversely, if I start thinking of something negative, it can turn into that sort of obsession.

Apathy - Sometimes I really need to care about stuff…and I just don't. As much as I pride myself on being strong by not letting myself care, there are situations where I find myself struggling with whether or not I should/can be emotional.

Jealous - When I am in a relationship, I'm jealous. I am so jealous and paranoid that combined with being obsessive, it's not cute. What's mine is mine and I don't like to share, sorry.

A Song of Ice and Fire Related

1.How many books from the series have you completed?

I've only finished the second book. I want to start on ASOS, but I have some other books lined up right now. I just forced ecctv to watch the series again with me and I'm already impatient to find out what happens, so I'm sure it'll happen soon. I know the rules say you should be through AFFC to join, but I'm not really concerned with spoilers.  I understand if this totally negates this long, though out application, but I hope it doesn't.

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

Daenerys Targaryen: Even thought she was introduced to an uncomfortable situation, I really find her journey of discovery exciting. She was so timid when she started off. I just feel like she's matured, grown into her role and is becoming aware of her power, sexuality and femininity. She's still naive, in a way, but that path of growth is what makes her a great character. That kind of self awareness translates to confidence and nothing is sexier than a confident woman in power. With dragons.  In the show, I love the pyre scene, especially right before she walks into the flames.  There's just this air of ... self awareness that screams utter badass.

Cersei Lannister: I guess that I kind of have a thing for crazy, evil women. One of my favorite characters in Harry Potter was Dolores Umbridge, so I feel like Cersei is in the same vein. She's crazy, kind of evil…you're supposed to hate her…and for that, I love her. I just like that fierce mama mentality she has with the cunning, conniving skills that belong in the realm. I don't necessarily like HER, but she's a good character.

I have to admit that Tyrion wasn't originally one of my favorites, but his role in ACOK really made me change my mind. He's probably one of the only male characters I can stand. He's consistently wise and uses his situation to his advantages. One of his best lines, in my opinion, was when he told Jon to 'wear it like armor.' So much truth in what he says and when he gains the confidence of his father in becoming the hand of the king…his humor and knowledge really shine.

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

Theon Greyjoy. I think the reasons are pretty obvious - he basically destroyed Winterfell after the Starks practically treated him as one of their own. He's just a DICK. I've heard that there are reasons and maybe I'll feel sorry for him when I find out why he's such a sandy vag, but until then…not his biggest fan.

Ned Stark. SKEWER ME. I think he's an idiot, but I guess he was just naive. What kind of fool has a dying king sign a document without witnesses in the room? He made a ton of mistakes and I'm glad he's out of the picture.

Lysa Tully. I'm sorry, she's a weirdo. The whole backstory with Littlefinger was left out of the TV series (for now? I don't know) but I'll still judge her for poisoning her husband and blaming it on the Lannisters. I'm no Lannister fan, but damn. That and overprotecting her son, not limited to breastfeeding, really bothers me. Family, duty, honor and she treats her sister like shit just because of the whole Petyr thing. Nah, bitch.

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

I am not a fan of the Lannisters, even if I think two of the best characters are in the house. As I was reading ACOK, I literally cackled and growled when they saw Myrcella set sail for Braavos. When the common folk turn against the procession, yelling shit like "BROTHERFUCKER!" and calling Joffrey an abomination. It was glorious. GLORIOUS. The whole frantic scene of them trying to return to the castle, Sansa getting swept up in the drama and Joffrey getting pelted with debris. I'm really looking forward to that scene in the second season.

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

You know, I don't want to draw conclusions just yet because I haven't read the entire thing. Judging from what I have gotten through…I'd really like to see Daenerys return to the Seven Kingdoms and take over everything. I'm sure there are houses and characters that would work well with her. THEN….I want shit to go down with everything North of The Wall. I know it's kind of inevitable, so I'm excited to see how that turns out. I guess I'd like for Daenerys to claim the throne, rule over the land alone (or with a king, I guess….) and unite everyone. THEN…a massive, all out fantasy battle between all the Westeros forces and whatever's hiding up there.

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