win or die, there is no middle ground

[coaldustcanary.livejournal.com]

Name: Kristin, or Canary, or coaldustcanary
How did you find out about the community? If it's through an LJ user, please tell us who it is: Via a post in another community, kushiel_trilogy, by umihebizanomiko.
Age: 28
Location: Indiana
Occupation: PhD student/instructor




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 have a perhaps odd mix of modern and classical tastes. My ideal home would be a spacious flat, optimally in a renovated older building so that there's a modern, open layout, but elements of original architecture - exposed stone or brick, aged wood, brushed or beaten metal. I'm kind of a whore for texture and material, though I'm fond of muted color patterns. (Everything in my bedroom currently, for instance, is in shades of brown and muted green.) In this home I'd probably go for black/gray/white palette, maybe with touches of green or muted metallic blue. I'd need minimal furniture, but a top notch kitchen, quality electronics, and a great setup for my computer - I love my toys very much. My favorite city in the world is Edinburgh, so that's where I'd wish it to be located. I love its mix of history, culture, and architecture. It's a thriving urban center, but it's not far from the sea, or the countryside. I have lived most of my life in rural areas, and generally prefer them, so having an outlet to be able to escape the city is absolutely paramount.

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

A. Failure & the disappointment of others. As my academic advisor once said, "You sometimes fail to act, or end up indecisive, not because you don't care, but because you care too much." I live in constant fear of disappointing the people around me, which is almost funny, considering that I know on a logical level that this is ridiculous. I'm pretty accomplished for being at the point I am in my academic career, and a student in a top-10 program in my field. Most people are very proud of me. Still...

B. Getting old. I'm only 28, but I absolutely fear that I'm letting my life pass me by, or that I wait too long before making decisions, and that by the time I'm at a point in my life to enjoy it to its fullest potential, I'll be past my prime and unable to do so. This also includes finding a partner and having a family, but that's only a small part of it - it's really more the idea that someday I'll be comfortable in my own skin, but that I'll be too old to enjoy it!

C. Loneliness. I'm terrified there's no one out there for me romantically, and that I'm not a good enough friend and the connections I do have with people are either fake or failing. A bit paranoid, to be sure.

3. 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!

First Wish: The ability to successfully find the person in the world with whom I would be most happy in a long term relationship.

Second Wish: Money enough to live in that dream house in Edinburgh, research and write to my heart's content, and throw a lot of money at deserving people and charities.

Third Wish: A completed Song of Ice and Fire. Ahem.

4. 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. ;)

Leaving my comfortable, steady if unfulfilling job to return to academia and pursue my dream of an academic career. It was scary and hard.

5. 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.

Love is the most important, with Knowledge and Pleasure being up there as well. Still, the fact remains that I'm a hopeless romantic. I love to be loved, and I love loving others. I like to do for others, please them, and know that I'm loved when they do the same in return. The thing I miss most about being in a long-term relationship is the steady constancy of another warm body to sleep with, a shoulder to lean on, and locking gazes with someone whose eyes are as happy as yours. (TOLD YOU, hopeless romantic.) Also, the sex. Ahem.

Adventure is the least important. I aspire to be an academic who wears tweedy clothes and lives in an unchanging little college town for the rest of my life - NOT Indiana Jones.

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

I go to school, I write exams,
if I pass, if I fail, if I drop out,
does anyone give a damn?
And if they do, they'll soon forget 'cause it won't take much for me
to show my life ain't over yet.
I wake up scared, I wake up strange.
I wake up wondering if anything in my life is ever going to change.
I wake up scared, I wake up strange
and everything around me stays the same.

- "What a Good Boy", Barenaked Ladies

This whole song kind of speaks to my alternate determination and insecurities, about my hopes an fears, and my approach to love as a kind of self-sacrifice. (The entirety of the lyrics can be found here for the curious.) I picked these lyrics because they're the most important to me out of the whole song, but it's really the whole package.

7. 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 don't have a lot of money to manage, currently. As a grad student, my stipend is enough so that I can pay my mortgage, pay utilities, buy food, and then enjoy a movie, or a drink, or a meal out, or a book on a regular basis. I generally take after my parents, who had quite small incomes when I was born, but who have raised up through the ranks with their company to the point where they are now quite well off. They are careful with their finances, but never deny themselves something just to save more money if it brings them enjoyment and can be managed. Among most of my friends, I'm the only one without significant credit card debt. While I was gainfully employed, before returning to academia, I generally chose economies - living with a lot of housemates, even moving back in with my parents - to afford to pay off my car a year early, save money for a downpayment on a condo, and buy furniture for it when I went back to school. I can plan well, but I don't always choose to. My piles of books, DVDs, video games, and computer toys all speak to that. I also probably have spent more than a thousand dollars on gaming books, and a similar amount on perfumes - things that most people would consider ridiculous, but they make me very happy, so they're worth it to me.

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

I enjoy roleplaying games (Werewolf: the Apocalypse is a particular favorite - an epic, good-versus-evil tale, fighting to save the Earth from destruction and corruption), games on my Playstation, Wii, and computer, knitting (mostly things for other people), cooking (Indian food is a favorite), horseback riding, collecting perfume (Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, for the curious), and taking long drives (I find riding in the car often helps me think through problems for some reason). I also really like trying different teas and coffees - I like my caffeine.

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.

My best qualities are,

Intelligence. I've got considerable brainpower and I'm pretty good at using it. I'm perceptive and good at problem solving, whether it's logical or emotional or something else entirely. I'm well-read and well-educated, and I mostly use my powers for good!

Empathy. I've never been entirely sure about this, but my friends insist that I'm very good at knowing how people feel, relating to their problems, and generally being helpful in times of crisis. I'm not a martyr or self-sacrificing to a huge extent, but I put others first a lot.

Dependability. People can count on me to do things. I might not be the nicest person about it. I might go nuts trying to do it. I might fail as I'm trying. But I will at least make the effort, you can count on that.

My worst qualities are,

Procrastination/avoidance. I do this because of my fear of failure, mostly, but I'm often indecisive and self-defeating before I even get started on a project, putting it off and putting it off to avoid my own discomfort. I'm better at the planning than the executing.

Discomfort with social situations. I put off a lot of people because I am awkward in company a lot. I sometimes say too much without thinking, hoping to impress or interest someone before I realize it's the nerves talking. I'm good at listening. I'm good at speaking to an audience in a formal setting. I'm not good at, say, parties.

Dreaminess. I daydream constantly, and I'm not always entirely "there" when people are trying to work with me or talk with me. I like escapism a lot, sometimes when it's really inappropriate.





A Song of Ice and Fire Related

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

Brienne. I'm a helpless romantic, remember? Duty, honor, and hopeless unrequited affection from afar? Yes, please! And as much as it makes the feminist in me shudder in horror, yes, I'm one of those people who hopes that Jaime redeems himself in a sincere way and they end up together somehow. No, I don't actually think it will happen, or it will happen in some horrible, screwed up way (like they actually share a romantic interlude and then Brienne has to kill him) but it doesn't stop me.

Sam. The way he told the story of how he came to the Wall to Jon won my heart from day one. His honesty and his sadness as well as his delight in having friends are very poignant to me.

Tyrion. He makes me laugh, and his wit and cunning in the face of all the abuse he gets continues to impress me.

Honorable mention: Jaime, Sansa, Daenerys, Varys

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

Ned. (Please put away your sharp instruments.) I understand and greatly admire a lot about the man, but I spent most of A Game of Thrones wanting to kick him in the balls for being so foolish, all for "honor". If it was just him it'd be one thing, but he basically walked into his death and his family's downfall with eyes wide shut.

Lysa. She's a whole mess of unsympathetic and unlikeable crazy.

Robert. "I never wanted to be King." Yeah, yeah, cry more. If he had tried to be a good King and simply failed, I wouldn't hold him in such low esteem, but he didn't even bother trying. He just ignored his responsibilities for fun and frolic.

Dishonorable mention: Stannis, Catelyn

3.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?

I don't have a single favorite moment. The times I feel the most giddy are when GRRM surprises me thoroughly. In some ways, I guess, the Red Wedding is a favorite moment of mine, because in spite of the uneasy foreshadowing, I didn't expect that, and I love being surprised.

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

I don't know, and that's the beauty of it, for me. I purposefully don't really even guess at the ending - remember, I love to be surprised. All I hope for is shocking and unexpected happenings, and I'm sure GRRM won't disappoint. I also hope for an ending that's a very neat resolution. If we get some kind of epilogue that involves, say Jon and Daenerys happily ruling the world from dragonback with a herd of kids or something, I'm going to disappointed. Just let it be messy and brutal and real, like the books have been thus far!

Comments

Tyrell

[greyfable.livejournal.com]

You are everything that is right with House Lannister. I get very strong Tyrion vibes from you. You like your comforts and understand the importance of money, but what is more important to you is love - so Tyrion. And then acceptance and pleasure, which is very Lannister to me. Jaime, Cersei, and Tyrion are all on their own journies looking for acceptance, and so very afraid of losing which, based on you "what if life passes me by" fear, so are you. You are determined and not afraid of risks (giving up a stable job to go into academia). You're practical with money (one of the reason Lannisters have so much gold is because they know how it keep it).

Tyrell

[gogoratchet.livejournal.com]

I suspect some people will take your romantic tendencies and practical nature and say Stark, but I'm going with Tyrell

You seem well rounded, and your favorite characters section points to liking a certain deviousness. (Heck yes, Varys) I could definitely see you as a Willas type Tyrell.

Targ

[metao.livejournal.com]

Desperate to be loved?

You're a Targ, with a hint of Lannister.

Your app reminds me of mine, actually, although I see a bit more of Riverrun in you than in me.


EDIT: RE-LETED FOR EPIC HTML FAIL!

Tyrell

[hamsterwoman]

I think you're a Stark-y Tyrell. One of the quieter Tyrells, sure, the Willas sort, but I felt a consistent Tyrell vibe throughout (and not just because a lot of what you said about yourself reminded me of me :P). Your least/most important rankings in particular strike me as *very* Tyrell, and so does your money management quote: "I can plan well, but I don't always choose to."

Targaryen

[rohajavongareth.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going with Tyrell, as well. I also got some strong Tully vibes, because of the importance you place on love, your being a romantic and especially your view of love as "a self-sacrifice". But your ideal home and your way of dealing with money (being able to save, but also spending it on some "guilty pleasures") made me think Tyrell. Some other things like your best and worst qualities supported that, so in the end I'll say Tyrell.

I like Werewolf, too, by the way. :-)

Targaryen

[guad.livejournal.com]

Ohh very Lannister, of the more Tyrion sort. Your wish for love, having knowledge and pleasure up there and your very practical third wish *lol*

Lannister: From Tommen's Kittens Grow Mighty Lions

[thessalian.livejournal.com]

...I wish you were more of a Lannister. I really, really do. We have tons in common (liking W:TA, BPAL and the BNL)...

But you'd be happier in Tyrell, and if you're happier, then you'll stick around and I'll get to chat to you anyway.

Stark

[gruselig.livejournal.com]

Alright, I'll admit that I'm torn between Stark and Tyrell. You're a hopeless romantic, a dreamer and yet somehow quite practical, all things I associate with both houses. However, you don't put much emphasis on adventure and you aren't comfortable with social situations, both of which are rather wolfish. In a pack, you'd never have to fear loneliness, so I think I'll ultimately have to claim you for the Starks.

Stark

[misstopia.livejournal.com]

I started Tyrell then went Lannister/Stark and then saw Tyrell again. Despite that, I'm going with Lannister because while I don't see them as awkward at parties, I DEFINITELY don't associate that with Tyrell, in fact quite the opposite. Granted there'd be exceptions both in canon and in the comm, but if I can pick another house just as easily, maybe I should do that. And while Loras is a romantic, all Tywin's kids are in some way, and Tywin himself too maybe, once upon a time. And Tyrion I think qualifies as an academic in Westeros terms. It was awfully tempting of me to sort you Stark, but if you reacted to Ned that way, I'm thinking maybe not so much.

Changed my mind, Tyrell. Everything I said? Yeah true but then the empathy might be more like Margaery giving so much to the poor? Sure it could be a PR move, but it could be more ... while with Tyrion we know that what he wanted was to be popular. I mean he has empathy too, but ... I guess a Lannister comes off as more hardened? *generalization*

Stark

[ice-elf.livejournal.com]

I'm getting Lannister vibes from you. The desire for acceptance and love make me think of them, especially Tyrion, although I see romantic qualities in all of them.

The knowledge also seems very Tyrion.

Martell

[smlp.livejournal.com]

I wanna say Stark because you seem to be a quiet person who seeks knowledge for personal improvement rather than for impressing others, and you also seem quite reserved and compassionate. Also, your "hopeless romantic" side reminds me of Sansa.

Martell

[etrangere.livejournal.com]

Stark is what makes more sense to me, even if I'm entirely easy about it, I can't see you as a Tyrell or a Lannister.

Stark

[cetacea.livejournal.com]

Another Indiana person! Brilliant! I think you're a Tyrell.

Tyrell

[childdoll.livejournal.com]

Well at first you struck me as Lannister. There was something very determined and organized about you, plus your fears. Then I saw a hint of Targaryen in there as well. But I ultimately have to go with Tyrell because you strike me as such a romantic and your overall essence really seems more matched to that particualr house, at least to me.

Targ

[skelody.livejournal.com]

Tyrell, really? I thought Targ. See, I've never really understood why Tyrell = romantics when the only romantic I can see there is Loras. Queen of Thorns is about as far as you can get from romanticism, Margaery is more practical than anything else, Mace just wants power... *shrug*

And hey, marriage and love aren't antifeminist. Feminism is just the advocacy of equality between the sexes, nothing more -- and Brienne's proven that she can stand up for herself and dismiss the haters (outwardly, anyway), while Jaime seems to esteem at least her worth as a warrior and as a person, if not other women... which could be expanded.

Tyrell

[cyshobbitlass.livejournal.com]

I see you as a Tyrell. You quiet academic nature reminds me of Willas. Your romantic dreaminess reminds me of Loras as well as all three of the other siblings to some extent. And being an empathetic, helpful friend is very Margaery and Olenna (hey, you said you're not always the nicest person about it. Neither is Olenna XD).

I also think you'd justy love Highgarden. It's lovely and relaxed, suburban but near enough to Oldtown U to strike your fancy. JOIN US!

Tyrell

[regendy.livejournal.com]

I think you're a Tyrell--not because you're a romantic (I agree with chainedwind--that's really not a Tyrell norm), but because you seem like you want to shine on your own terms. Also, your reasons for disliking your least favorite characters sound Olenna-like to me, because the Queen of Thorns does not suffer fools. XD

Stark

[esc-key.livejournal.com]

Still, the fact remains that I'm a hopeless romantic.
Duh! Tyrell.

Tully

[sheiannasherra.livejournal.com]

I can see where the Tyrell votes are coming from but see you more as a Stark for basically the same reasons given by smlp.

Martell

[angerfish.livejournal.com]

Wow, not seeing the Tyrell at all. I was thinking Targ for a bit when I was reading it but that went away. I'm now thoroughly convinced that you're a Lannister along the lines of Tyrion. Intellectual with a romantic streak? Oh yeah.

Also good for you using a BNL song for your favorite quote. XD (May have done the same.)

Lannister

[jamesmcgraw.livejournal.com]

You're a Starky Lannister, I think!

Stark!

[pyoska.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna say Tyrell here, on the hopeless romantic and your love of BPAL. Margaery would SO collect BPAL if they had it in Westeros, I swear!

Stark

[chacusha]

I got a little bit of a Tyrell vibe, but I think your one big trait is romanticness and that's not very Tyrell.

I think you're a Tyrion-like Lannister, although Stark is a close second.

Stark

[coughingpuppy.livejournal.com]

I might say Stark, for the reason that you remind me of myself and your answers are similar to some of the answers I gave, but I do get a much more Lannister vibe from you overall.

Also a Werewolf fan, though Mage has always been my personal favorite. :)

Martell - We Have Ssssssnakes

[ebonhost.livejournal.com]

I honestly don't see the Tyrell at all. What clearly spoke to me, over and over while reading your application, was Stark. Your romanticism and daydreaming is Sansa all over. Despite the fact that she's one of your least-favourite characters, the importance of family and the way you seem to want to not disappoint others speaks to me a lot of Catelyn. Her betrothal to Brandon and then marriage to Ned was certainly duty and doing what was expected of her so as not to disappoint others.

The preference for a rural environment away from the pressures of a high-exposure social life, also speak to me of the location of Winterfell and the general isolation of the Stark family. I also agree with others who have said that the whole quiet intellectual thing feels very Stark-ish.

Tyrell

[spamdilemma.livejournal.com]

The hopeless romantic made me immediately think of Lannister. :) And add to that what others have already pointed out: your intelligence, ability to take (calculated) risks, good with money while allowing yourself to splurge now and again, all seem to line up with House Lannister.

Tully

[loveweasleys04.livejournal.com]

I started off saying Tyrell, then Lannister, and by the time I got to your best worst qualities I thought Stark I think you would fit well in a number of houses, but Stark seems to combine all your qualities well. Your best/worst qualities are most fit with the Starks I think and even though you say you are dreamy you were realistic and practical with your dream ending, which seems above all more Stark-ish.

Lannister

[ladynyks.livejournal.com]

First read-through at a glance made me wonder if I'd sort Tyrell, but two as if drops it from considerations more so already. 2 is more Targaryen + Lannister, and bits of it even ring of Tully to me. 3's first wish seems a rather Lannister way of going about it, but I suppose also passes for Tyrell with that. You seem way too obsessed with love for my palate, yeeeuch, reminding me more of Samwell Tarly in some ways through that, but yes, I am aware that Tyrion probably qualifies for a more cynical version of that. "They'll soon forget" from the lyrics likewise, in his accomplishments being forgotten.

I think I'm mostly doubting the Lannister in there because I see us a little less keen on talking about our desire to be loved, revealing the insecurities to the world willy nilly. Tyrion doesn't tout such things publically like Loras, declaring suns having gone out and his life having ended? Go talk to Harry Potter's chest monster, Loras, you über-dramatic teen, you. You have some Starkish qualities (of the Sansa sort) that reflect there, I think, slightly obscuring other things. "Yeah, yeah, cry more," sounds like us though (and Olenna, but she's not really a Tyrell). The trouble here is mostly that I'm reluctant to give the Tyrells another potential member or asset, the Lannister in me looking at that as a very bad thing even this early on. So I'm kind of deciding based on what I see other Lannisters do, and however I feel once online in the library to post this again. I may even come back and edit if I change my mind overnight, since I'm not sure here. Lannister, for now.

Stark

[twoeyedcyclops.livejournal.com]

I can see why everyone is saying Tyrell, but my gut is saying Lannister. Not thebitchJoffrey kind, but the holyshitit'styrion! kind.

Stark

[minviendha.livejournal.com]

I see all the Lannister, but I'm going to go with Stark. Your reasons for disliking Robert, your fears (disappointing others? loneliness?) and actually just an overall vibe...a Sansa-ish Stark, but a Stark nonetheless. Starks aren't the most practical ones ever.

Stark

[claireobscure.livejournal.com]

I see Lannister, Stark, and Tyrell, but I'm going to say Stark, because your best/worst qualites and reasons for disliking Robert (particularly) just shout it. ♥

Tyrell

[rose-petals.livejournal.com]

Some might say Brienne and Ned were similar characters, yet one is among your favorites and the other among your least favorites. I think your reasons for liking Brienne and disliking Ned are suggestive of Highgarden. As were a lot of other things about your application, the high ranking of love and pleasure, your desire to please others, your liking for nice things-I agree with with the Tyrell votes for you. :)

Lannister

[northswainglow.livejournal.com]

I also see the Lannster, of the Tyrion variety. But I also see the Tyrell there ♥

Targaryen

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

Chiming in late, but I, too, see you as a very Tyrion-like Lannister.

Stark

[aragorntyrant.livejournal.com]

I see you as a Lannister. I don't really see the Tyrell, I think of them as pretty unromatic actually, (in a totally awesome way). It seems like with the one big exception of the love stuff, you're very pragmatic, which is sort of how I see the Lannisters (Tyrion, yes, but also Jaime, and even Tywin's feelings for Joanna show even though she's been dead for so long and he's Tywin).

Stark

[just-chiara.livejournal.com]

I see some Stark and Tyrell in you, but in the end I'm gonna vote for Lannister since that's the strongest impression I got from your application.

Targaryen

[deathjoy.livejournal.com]

I thought Stark at first, but your dislike of Ned who is the patriarch and essential TEMPLATE for the entire Stark house nixed that. But your romanticism mixed with pragmatism, and desire to be socially correct and approved of, scream Tully to me.

Tyrell

[aikodestiny.livejournal.com]

I'm terribly, terribly torn between Tyrell and Targ. In the end I'm going with Tyrell - it might be just wishful thinking on my side to see more people in my house, but your romantic side fits very well with the quieter half of the roses. "Discomfort for social situations" is also very Willas-y.

Lannister

[liaku.livejournal.com]

I'm swinging between Targ and Lannister. I see the Tyrell too, but not quite as nailed. I like to err in favor of my house, so Lannister.

Martell- House Sexy

[jesatria.livejournal.com]

I think you're a Willas-like Tyrell, the quieter, romantic, academic sort. You like pleasure & you like your comforts, which is very much a Tyrell thing.

Stark

[lilycobalt.livejournal.com]

I think you're a Stark like Sansa.

Targaryen

[supernonamegirl.livejournal.com]

Lannister
I didn't really need to read past #2 for that conclusion, but you just kept on going with that Love thing and insecurity thing. Totes Lannister.

Targaryen

[trivalent.livejournal.com]

How the different houses add up says Targ to me.

Tully

[theletterelle.livejournal.com]

I am so torn between Stark and Lannister. The practicality of much of your personality says Lannister to me, as does your disdain for Ned's choice of honor over family. Also your fear of life passing you by, and choices getting away from you, sounds like Cersei to me. Grab it while you can!

And this:
I'm terrified there's no one out there for me romantically, and that I'm not a good enough friend and the connections I do have with people are either fake or failing.

Is totally Tyrion. Deep inside. :)

OTOH, the rural thing is totally not Lannister. Although you do say that you want to live in a city, just be able to get out to rural areas when you have to.

As far as Stark goes, you seem like a combination of Sansa (dreaminess, romantic) and Arya (practicality, good vs. evil). And your fear of disappointing, and the fact that love is your most important thing, I definitely see those in Sansa.

This is very hard for me. On balance, I'll say Lannister.

Stark

[ohcarousel.livejournal.com]

Lannister

Tyrell

[apocalyptically.livejournal.com]

A lot of this made me go "ME TOO!" - the urban/rural home dichotomy, the fears, and the worst qualities especially (heh). So, Tyrell makes sense to me!

SORTED: LANNISTER

[deeplyunhip.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! After receiving one vote for Tully, four votes for Targaryen, nine votes for Stark, and a considerable sixteen votes for Tyrell, you have officially been sorted into House Lannister with eighteen votes!

(http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v708/fierytempest2/westeros/sorting_banners/?action=view&current=house_martell.png)

You may join thelannisters. If you'd like to display your house banner anywhere, please be sure to upload to your own server first.


Please don't forget to join the following subcommunities:
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