Win or die
May. 13th, 2012 02:05 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
calleia.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
westerosortingName: Kaisa
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 just found my way here by searching different a Song of Ice and Fire related communities.
Age: 27
Location: Finland
Occupation: Assistant Justice. Meaning that I have Master of Laws decree and I work in one of Finland’s Court of Appeals. You could say that I'm a judge in training. It is hard to explain as I don't think many countries have equivalent offices in their court systems.
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've lived most of my life in small towns located near bigger cities and it has suited me well. I don't mind having easy access to a big city with all it's amenities, but I appreciate having my own space and clean nature and air around me. Big cities are too busy, crowded, stressful and dangerous for my taste. Nowadays I live in Arctic Circle area and I love our mountains, snowy winters and summers with midnight’s sun. At times I miss the time when my family lived in South-East part of Finland. There were more lakes, rivers, leafy trees and wild strawberries (and lack of mosquito's during summertime). However, both places have their own kind of beauty and I'd actually be happy living either at the north or the south, as long as I'm surrounded by beautiful nature and I can live in a big house with some personal space.
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!
Health. I'm actually okay with growing old and eventually dying, but I fear the frailty and vulnerability that the old age brings. So for the time that is given me I'd like to stay healthy. Diseases and ailments easily break anyone of us and in worst case make us go through hell before the end.
Wealth. Money matters in this world of ours. There are things money can't save you from, but it still gives you certain safety and peace of mind. If money can't make all your sorrows and worries go away, at least there are few things less to worry about.
To differ from my other rather mainstream wishes, my last wish would be to be remembered. This is a thing I've spent some time thinking these past few years. My spouse is many years (and we are speaking of tens of years) my senior. He already has one child and does not want more. That is alright with me as I'm not really a motherly figure and I don't feel the need to have children to perfect my happiness, but then I'm faced with the question of what do I leave behind when I am gone? Usually it's through the offspring’s we "continue to live on". So, in my case I should be able to leave my mark on some another way. I haven't quite figured out how I could do it though.
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. ;)
I think my most remarkable merits are the ones concerning my career. However conceited that might sound. I've always set high standards for myself career-wise and I'm pleased to say I've thus far pretty much managed to fulfill my expectations and aspirations. Prioritizing studying and work may have cost me few close friendships and relationships, but I have accomplished a lot in my career (though I'm far from being done) and I'm not ashamed to be proud of it.
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 is the most important and love comes close second. I tend to be rather timid and careful and having knowledge lets me sleep my nights soundly and do my job well. Having love in my life makes it easier to cope with all kinds of issues, but ultimately it will not help me make the right decisions. In worst case it can do just the opposite. Like someone said, love is the most beautiful of dreams and the worst of nightmares.
The least important would be adventure. I'm not at all spontaneous person. I rather trust in things I know. Occasional adventure can be stimulating and open your mind to new things, but most of the time the unknown and the unexpected tends to stress me out more than give me pleasure.
5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
"Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everybody I've ever known." And the beautiful simplicity of "Live it, learn it". (That was two, I know.)
The first quotation expresses well my point of view to society and its influence on me. In my opinion I can't take all the credit (or all the blame) for what I've become. My accomplishments are due to hard work on my part, but also because I've been provided with the best possible premises to work with. The advices, support and encouragement I've gotten from my parents, colleagues and from people all around is simply incredible. I'm also sure that everybody I've ever had some contact with have left me the richer, some more, some less, but somehow nevertheless. The second quotation is pretty much my take on life: we live and learn by living. Brooding endlessly on some mistakes or the less pretty side of life is never good, nobody is born perfect and this is the only life I have. Instead of making things unnecessarily difficult I'd just rather go on living.
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.
Financial security is very important to my peace of mind and I always see that my economics are in balance, but I do have trouble saving money. No matter how much I earn I seem to be able to thoroughly spend every salary. This is due to the fact that I am a pleasure seeker and I don't hesitate spending money on things I want. If I really want something it doesn't matter what it costs. Vanity is expensive.
7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
Reading is probably my dearest hobby. I've loved to read since I was a little girl and my favorite genres are romance, adventure and fantasy. During office time I read a lot of legal literature and to balance it off I read something totally different on my free time.
Exercising. I'm usually pursuing some form of exercise, but after awhile I tend to get bored with it and swap it to something else. Aerobics, swimming, walking, skiing.. the usual stuff. I've also learned the basics of capoeira and bujinkan. It would be nice to start training some martial art again, but I fear I never have enough time to learn one thoroughly. Actually it's the cultural background of the arts that interest me the most, but I've also found them useful in practice. Learning how to avoid breaking bones when falling down has proven valuable.
Playing video games, which also tells a lot about my escapist side. I play various kinds of video games, but mostly adventure and roleplaying games. I've also played some mmorpg's, though that was way back when I still actually had decent free time on my hands. I guess playing serves the same purpose as reading. The best games have a great story that you get to live through. Like reading it takes my mind off work related things and it feeds my imagination.
8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
Failure. As I am slightly perfectionist and determine my self-value through success fear of failure is very familiar to me. I've always felt that I have high expectations to fulfill.. the expectations of my parents, my bosses and most of all my own. Also the matters I deal with at work can easily be next to life and death to the people involved and that adds the pressure quite nicely.
Betrayal. I'm pretty trusting when it comes to people closest to me, and sadly, there has been times when I have been betrayed by friends and former partners. The incidents have left me wary, but everyone must trust someone in this world and so I'm left hoping I manage to see to whom my trust is not misplaced. Betrayals make bitter people and I wish not to become one.
Abandonment. This kind of goes hand in hand with my fear of betrayal. I have a lot of insecurity in me when it comes to relationships.. This may partly be due the fact that my "safety net" is nowadays very small. I tend to be quite self-reliant and there are only about five people who really know me and who I can trust to look out for me. I'm not big on keeping up with social circles and so my circle of friends also tends to be quite small. Most of my friends I know from work. My hubby, my parents and sisters are pretty much the only ones I have, and I'm terrified losing them. The insecurity shows strongest in my fear of being abandoned and the ugliest shape it takes in jealousy.
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 are
Dutiful. If there is something that is expected or asked of me, I always give it my best effort and then some. Working 12/7 if need be is nothing new to me and often I don't even feel the need to complain about it. Working hard makes me proud of myself and I can't stand doing something half-assedly. And this is not just in matters concerning work.. For example, besides my father I'm the only one in my family who has a drivers license and a car. My father is away a lot and for that reason I get to play the part of taxi driver on my free time. If my mother or sister needs a ride to the mall or something such they call me. It's not the most pleasant pastime as driving them around and running errands for them often takes an hour or so of my time, but I don't complain about it. It is my duty to help my family and doing the tasks that are trusted to me is a matter of honor and self-respect. People may freely say whatever they wish of me, but I'll be damned if I ever give them reason to blame me of negligence.
Amiable. I'm a kind person and easy to get along with. I'm courteous, meek and I dislike conflicts. I'm not easy to anger and even if you'd manage to get under my skin my anger quickly turns to hurt and takes a silent form. Rather than shouting, I let my composition to show how hurt and disappointed I am. If the quarrel is with someone who really cares about me, they will react to that. If they don't, well, then I guess there is no reason for me to be hurt either. I don't hold grudges as there is nothing to gain by it. If someone treats me badly me and doesn't feel sorry for it, I'd rather not bother to brood with the matter or trouble myself with the person.
Sensible. I don't make rush decision or take action purely based on emotions. I aim at calm consideration when faced with something that agitates me. I'm good at seeing both sides of things, weighing pros and cons and have long long time ago accepted that nothing is strictly black and white. I hardly ever feel the need to raise an argument leading to a quarrel. I might not agree with you on some matters, but I know the time and place for arguing and when to reel.
Worst are
Timid. I'm quite shy, especially in new social situations. Small talk isn't something that comes naturally to me and meeting new people can be terrifying. I'm a stereotypical Finn in the sense that if I don't have something meaningful to say I'd rather not say anything. I just feel plain stupid if I have to prattle on something about the weather. Usually socializing with new people goes okay as long as someone else takes the initiative and responsibility for leading the conversation.. if not I'm likely to run out of topics quite fast and to end up wandering around looking out of place and lost.
Anxious. I'm constantly worrying about something. There is so much going on all the time, things to plan and things to carry out.. and then there are the things that come unexpected and often at the most inconvenient time. Usually I'm a sound sleeper, but on when things get really frantic I start waking at night to puzzle on things I must do when I finally may get up. Though I act most efficiently when I'm under some stress, I wish I wouldn't worry as much as I tend to.
Reserved. Though I'm kind and friendly, I have very few people in my life whom I can call my friends. I have many acquaintances and colleagues with whom I can go for a lunch or for a drink or two.. but I actually think that based on this application alone you guys get to see more versatile side of me than most of my friends do. I am able talk about myself more freely than I would with my friends, because you don't know who I am supposed to be. Surely my friends have learned to know me the longer I've known them, but there are things I hide from them. None of my friends has any idea about my passion for video games, very few know about my love for fantasy novels and not many know what actually is going on in my private life. I guard myself and the information I give of myself well. Too well. It sometimes makes me sad not having any really close friends. I have struggled with this issue of mine for a long time now and if there has been any change in this issue, it has only been for the worse.
A Song of Ice and Fire Related
1.How many books from the series have you completed? All five. I'm on my second read-through and I just completed ASoS.
2.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Sansa Stark. I absolutely adore her. She started as one of my least favourite Starks, but after few chapters from her POV I was sold. She has kind of gentle strength in her and I was really proud to see her grow instead of breaking in that horrid situation she ended up in King's Landing. She found a way to cope, stay gentle and considerate despite all the things she was subjected to. I can also relate to her character the most, which probably is one reason I prefer her over the other characters. She has made bad mistakes and at times she was very unreasonable towards Arya, but she has been growing much as a person, and I'm hoping one day she and Arya will find a way to co-exist despite their differences. In this respect I think Sansa had more growing up to do than Arya, who usually was more aware of her own follies towards Sansa. I'm very interested seeing how Sansa will take to Littlefinger's education. She seems to have picked up the name of the game well, but she still is Eddard's daughter. So if Littlefinger's plot involves getting rid of Sweetrobin before his time or something such, I'm hoping that lord Baelish will be in for a surprise.
Sandor Clegane. Sandor is such a delicious character and probably also the most interesting characters in the novels. I'd like to know more of his background so I'd be able to perceive him better. At first he seemed just some crude and cruel monster, but then he suddenly started showing inclination to something else.. at times he was remarkably gentle despite his rough tongue and he seemed to have some affection towards both Sansa and Arya. The introduction of Gregor, his doings and Sandor's own thoughts when he was being accused of things his brother had done, made me believe that some and maybe even most parts of Sandor's bad reputation stems from the things his brother has done. I know he isn't all bad, but I'm not sure how good he is either. But I'm sure his story is not at its end yet, so maybe we get to know him little better by the end of the novels.
Tyrion Lannister. In my eyes Tyrion is the masterpiece of the novels, even though I'd rank Sansa and Sandor over him as my personal favourites. His chapters are the ones that make me laugh. I love his wits and the kindness he still has in him even though his road has been rocky from the get-go and has gradually only gotten worse. I wasn't happy of the fact that he killed his father and how he is letting his anger towards Tywin, Jaime and Cersei take control over his clever mind. His family finally managed to break him, but I believe he is now on the mend and will be back stronger he ever was. His fixation over "where do whores go" doesn't bother me too much as other characters I like seem to have had this phase too.. Sansa had her true knights, Arya her death list etc.
3.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
Theon Greyjoy. Even before he became the turncloak his nature alone was enough to repulse me. He was above all arrogant, regardless and wanton. And then he betrayed Robb by doing something ha wasn't even forced to do. After all, it was his own idea to take Winterfell. Even after all the cruelties he has gone through, I can hardly find it in myself to feel bad for him. But he isn't the worst one out there, I give him that much. I don't think he would have killed Bran and Rickon if he'd caught them, and he did have warm thoughts for some of the Starks. There may yet be some hope of him redeeming himself to some extent.
Robert Baratheon. Oh, Robert. He is a character I could have liked, maybe even loved. If only he could have even tried to love his wife and be a proper husband to her! With that alone he could have saved quite a bit of sorrow all around. Cersei is far from being the innocent wife, but Robert's behavior towards her right from the beginning left really bitter taste in my mouth. Besides this stuff with Cersei, I dislike Robert for having all the potential in the world and letting everything go ruin. So frustrating.
The last place is a tough competition between lord Walder Frey and Lysa Arryn. Lord Walter Frey is an horrible old man with nothing but rancor and spite left in him and maybe Lysa Arryn was just a simpleton who got played all her life, but somehow I still despise Lysa Arryn more. Lord Walder Frey at least sticks to his own (mostly, sorry Jinglebell) where Lysa Arryn very decidedly tried to shove Sansa out the Moon Door. And for no reason. So, Lysa Arryn takes the price.
4.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?
A tough one.. plot-wise my favourite novels are A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. Chapters concerning the attack to King's Landing in the first mentioned and Joffrey's wedding and Sansa's escape in the latter one were thrilling to read. Catelyn's and Arya's accounts on the Red Wedding were very intense, but the ordeal broke my heart so I really can't call it my favorite moment. So, I'll choose Tyrion's and Sansa's chapters concerning Joffrey's wedding and the aftermath of it. I had waited eons for Sansa's escape and after Joffrey's joy over the Red Wedding, I was very delighted of his fate.
5. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I dream too much.. and I have several scenarios I would gladly see come true. I try limiting this to just few characters close to my heart.
First of all, I want to see Sansa still alive when the series ends. When Lady died I was sure Sansa's life was forfeit, but she is still alive and singing so maybe there is hope still. When Sandor started showing some sort of interest in Sansa, I started thinking he would take the place of Lady as her protector. Be it at Vale or Winterfell, I want Sansa and Sandor united. I'm a total SanSan shipper, but as them marrying and making pups of their own seems bit far-fetched, I could settle with the protector scene instead.
I don't believe Jon is dead and I'd like to see him and Arya fighting the big fight side by side. Their connection is lovely and I think they make a good team. And if/when they chance to meet the Targaryens, I'm curious to see how that works out. I'll be damned if there is none Stark/Targaryen match made by the end of the game. Dany is bit of a wild dragon for me.. I'm pretty sure that when the series ends we are back with one ruler, and it might be her, with a king on her side. But then again I'm thinking that Westeros might, after all, turn out to be a disappointment to her, and she and her dragons might be better off staying in Free Cities.
And Tyrion! He will have his Rock, at long last.. and I also wish him to finally be happy. Maybe he'll even have twins of his own to worry about!
* edited to elaborate few thoughts and fix some silly typos.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[GREYJOY]
Date: 2012-05-22 06:54 am (UTC)[TARGARYEN]
Date: 2012-05-22 11:54 am (UTC)[TULLY]
Date: 2012-05-22 02:24 pm (UTC)[TULLY]
Date: 2012-05-22 04:03 pm (UTC)[TYRELL]
Date: 2012-05-22 06:24 pm (UTC)[greyjoy]
Date: 2012-05-22 08:51 pm (UTC)[STARK]
Date: 2012-05-22 09:12 pm (UTC)[LANNISTER]
Date: 2012-05-23 01:20 am (UTC)[MARTELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 01:25 am (UTC)[STARK]
Date: 2012-05-23 05:05 am (UTC)[TYRELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 05:44 am (UTC)[STARK]
Date: 2012-05-23 06:31 am (UTC)P.S. Very nice upic! :)
Re: [STARK]
From:[TARGARYEN]
Date: 2012-05-23 06:34 am (UTC)[TARGARYEN]
Date: 2012-05-23 08:19 am (UTC)[TYRELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 12:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-23 01:12 pm (UTC)[MARTELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 06:27 pm (UTC)No, but for real, I'm maybe the only one but I do see a lot of Martell in you (mostly Doran - sensible, reserved, fear of failure; but also Oberyn - knowledge being so important, you want to be remembered - *that's* decidedly UN-Stark, I think). But...there is so much Stark about you as well - you are dutiful, you don't care for adventure, and your passage about where you live/have lived/would like to live screams Stark to me, and not just because you live in the Arctic Circle area ;)
BUT...I don't know, the way you write about the characters you like and dislike - ESPECIALLY the ones you dislike - seems the exact opposite of Stark. Maybe it's what you said about Robert; I mean Ned couldn't bear to hurt his friend's feelings or really even believe too many terrible things about him despite seeing him hit Cersei and whatnot...so in that respect...
Ugh, forget it, I'm going against the grain and voting Martell. You're more Doran/Quentyn than Oberyn/Arianne, but with what bits and pieces we know of past Martells I think Elia was more of the Doran variety too, or possibly a good mix, and whatever, I think you'd fit despite the fact that it's a bit hot in Dorne. ;)
Re: [MARTELL]
From:[MARTELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 07:10 pm (UTC)[TYRELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 07:38 pm (UTC)[MARTELL]
Date: 2012-05-23 07:52 pm (UTC)[GREYJOY]
Date: 2012-05-23 09:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-24 12:07 am (UTC)Tully
[LANNISTER]
Date: 2012-05-24 02:30 am (UTC)[TYRELL]
Date: 2012-05-24 05:18 am (UTC)[TULLY]
Date: 2012-05-24 08:33 am (UTC)[STARK]
Date: 2012-05-24 09:55 am (UTC)[STARK FOSTER]
Date: 2012-05-24 10:58 am (UTC)[LANNISTER]
Date: 2012-05-24 11:24 am (UTC)[LANNISTER]
Date: 2012-05-24 01:46 pm (UTC)Lannister
Date: 2012-05-24 03:09 pm (UTC)And I think you make three for Finns, though I've no idea how many are alive or dead just now.
[TARGARYEN]
Date: 2012-05-24 07:39 pm (UTC)[LANNISTER]
Date: 2012-05-24 08:32 pm (UTC)[TULLY]
Date: 2012-05-24 09:09 pm (UTC)[STARK]
Date: 2012-05-24 10:12 pm (UTC)Re: [STARK]
From:[LANNISTER]
Date: 2012-05-25 01:11 am (UTC)[MARTELL]
Date: 2012-05-25 03:37 am (UTC)[Greyjoy]
Date: 2012-05-25 05:20 am (UTC)[GREYJOY]
Date: 2012-05-25 06:38 am (UTC)[STARK]
Date: 2012-05-25 09:40 am (UTC)Reading the comments, though, looks like you're coming to House Stark, which makes me ecstatic! I loved reading what you said about your favorite/least favorite characters. :)
SORTED: STARK
Date: 2012-05-26 07:45 am (UTC)You may join
Please don't forget to join the following subcommunities:
We are pleased to have you here and we look forward to your participation!