Win or die

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Name: Mamculuna
How did you find out about the community? If it's through an LJ user, please tell us who it is: Etrangere ( but she's not responsible for me!)
Age: 62
Location: South Carolina (soon North Carolina), USA
Occupation: meditation teacher, community college lit teacher, yogini, gardener


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!. My house is on the shore of a tidal creek, in an isolated inlet off the southern Atlantic, swept by winds and tides and blessed by sun. It's built of cypress and nestled under ancient oaks draped with grey moss. It has a few rooms: one's an open kitchen with a table and a fireplace, another's a cozy couch and old chairs, there's a big shaded porch with hammocks and rockers, and my own room's a cozy nest in the eaves.

2. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain. Heights-they suck me into them. The power of the wealthy to manipulate the ignorant--every time I turn on the television, I see poor people who've been duped into believing that's what good for the rich is good for them. Dying lonely in pain. What's to explain about that one?

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! Wish for the power to save all the hurt and helpless, whenever and wherever they are. Wish to stay young and strong, to play in the waves and run on the mountains for a long, long time. Wish that my children will have this, too.

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. ;) Had two incredibly wonderful sons, who still love me in spite of all my selfishness. Created a pretty good English department that's fair to all comers but has good standards, and hired people who carried on my vision. Started writing again and getting published.

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. Family, because they are part of me, almost more myself than I am. I don't think I exist without family. Friendship is the same, just a tiny bit less. Love is part of these--I would once have put love first, thinking of sexual passion, but then the estrogen waned and now love is family and friends (though passion still hovers around the edges). Then adventure and pleasure tie, because with them I grow and become something else. Money's just what you sometimes need to make the other things (like adventure) possible, not an end in itself, so least important.

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

Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.

Seems clear, but to make even clearer: it's hopeless, but we have to keep hoping.


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. Well, age approaching (maybe here already), I have to think about security, so I have investments that are as safe as I think I can find, but allow a reasonable amount of growth. I hope. Mostly I get recommendations from my husband and his broker and try to pick the least risky ones. Utilities, silver, etc. Boring, but winter is coming. When I was younger, money didn't mean much--now it's security.

8. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office? Heh, I'm retired, so no school or office unless I want it! I like to read, write, meditate, do yoga, garden, walk, knit, get high, body surf, kayak, swim, talk to my friends. It's hard to elaborate--I guess what I love best is the ocean, and being in it. Next best is reading. And games, yeah. I play whatever online or board game is offered, though not the very elaborate roleplaying games (don't play the one associated with Ice and Fire, for example). And talk with people online, that I like.


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
Warmth--I think I am most likely to give love when I can. I do really feel the sweet humanity of most people and want to reach out to it, and share their joy or sorrow or laughter or whatever.
Honesty--this didn't come naturally, but because I value it and work hard at it, I list it. I'd really prefer to tell people what they want to hear, but know that leads to grief.
Creativity--I like this in myself. It's not just a matter of making up stories, though I do love doing that--it's also a kind of problem solving, figuring out how to make things work, and then putting energy into it.

WORST
Laziness--It's a way of wasting life and hurting other people
Disorganization--takes so much energy to find things
Egoism--gah, so tired of myself! But still, it keeps being all about me.


A Song of Ice and Fire Related

1.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
1) Arya Stark: love her innocence and hurt when she loses it, admire her courage
2) Tyrion Lannister: He's so complex. He could be a victim, but chooses to make the world his way, as much as he can. His courage, his intelligence. The way we see his pain.
3)Jon Snow: Like Tyrion, only younger and hotter, I think. I identify with the outcasts, clearly, and he's the most outcast of all, next to Daenerys (who really ties with him, in my mind) He seems in tune with the deep mystery of the saga.


2.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
1) Joffrey Baratheon: Whiny brat.
2) Gregor Clegane (The Mountain): Unredeemed evil. Sadist.
3) Viserys Targaryen: He's totally clueless, selfish, and without any redeeming valor or compassion.

3.#1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why? Daenerys hatching the dragons. It amazed me that this very nurturing act could have such violent potential.

4. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I want to see a grand battle between dragons and the Others, and the love match of Daenerys and Jon. Don't care who wins the battle---tragedy or heroic victory, both work. But the battle and the love, has to happen.

Comments

Tyrell

[cyshobbitlass.livejournal.com]

I think you're a Targaryen. The open minded, wise way you seem to think can only be a dragon to me.

Re: Tyrell

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Now there's a compliment I'll cherish! And love the icon.