TGIF, Nom, and Five Question Meme

[jedishampoo]

TGIF! I had a lonesome but relaxing day at work in which I did not have a headache, yo-- I've had a headache pretty much every other day this week except today, woot! And now I'm being blissfully bad. sharpeslass and I have been on a strict diet for over a month and it's been working... but I was craving. I went to Whole Paycheck Foods Market after work and got half the deli-- veggie sushi, tofu rice-wrap rolls with peanut sauce, fake chik'n curry salad, and some Mediterranean goodies: hummus, baba ghanouj, feta, pita, tabouli, and dolmades, NOM! It's healthy-ish stuff, but the way I've been scarfing it down is not diet-friendly. Comfort food for vegetarians, mmmmm!

And in other news, a Five Question Meme From whymzycal!

"Leave me a comment saying 'SOCK IT TO ME, BABY' (or something similar). I'll respond by asking you five questions so I can get to know you better. Update your journal with the answers to the questions. Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions." You may also comment without being grilled. :)



1. Who is your most hated character in all of fiction?

OMG I DON’T KNOW and I am ashamed. This one is really tough. I know the character is there in my brain screaming DUH!? at me, but I can’t grasp their name. As I mentioned to Whymzy, I really hated Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. But I also hated Wickham in Pride & Prejudice and Willoughby in Sense & Sensibility-- the two-timing, teenager-raping, money-grubbing bastards. The French sewing-lady in A Tale of Two Cities (the only Dickens book I like). Pretty much everyone in every other Dickens book. Kyp Durron and Qui Xux in the Star Wars extended universe. Kiiilllllll…..

2. What made you decide to learn Japanese?

Because I’m a nerd. I have been into anime since the early 90s and manga more recently, but when I became obsessed fell in love with Howl’s Moving Castle in 2005 I started buying doujinshi.. and realized that I couldn’t read any of them and none of them were translated. So I decided to learn the language if I could. Since I started, though, I’ve been to Japan and it was awesome, being in another country and being able to speak to people (badly, perhaps) in their own language and reading a lot of the signs-- and now I’d like to continue to learn just for the sake of learning the language. Nihongo ga suki desu! (I love Japanese!)

3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Physically or not-physically? Physically, I’d give myself a teensy bit more T&A (I’m tall, but have not much of T or A). Not physically, I’d like to go back in time and convince my younger, party-girl self that staying in college the first time around would have been a great idea. I could have gotten a bit of an earlier start on my career and life-path. As it was, I graduated college when I was 30.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you pick?

The U.S., still. And hmmm… of all the places I’ve been, I’d say Sedona, Arizona. It’s still close-ish to a city, but it’s warm and absolutely gorgeous. There’s all sorts of mysticism surrounding Sedona and I don’t necessarily believe it, but the couple of weekends I’ve spent there have been some of the most relaxing in my life.

5. Are you a fan of giant robots?

No, I’m not! They’re kind of boring. As a fan of anime, I’ve seen my share of giant robots, too. I guess Giant Robo himself is OK but I really don’t care about him all that much. Oh, and the giant robot from the… not-Disney giant robot movie with the kid… uh, he was OK, but still, not my thing. I’m sorry, robots!



Happy Friday, y'all!

Comments

[whymzycal.livejournal.com]

Your answers are fab. FAB, I SAY! Just like you. Mwah!

I love giant robots enough for five normal people, my friend, so I? I've got you covered. And then some.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh! I used to produce an online magazine about Sedona and I fell in love with the area by proxy. I'd love to get out there for a visit, though.

Thanks for sharing! And you can ask away, but I probably won't get around to answering for a week ^__^.

[rroselavy.livejournal.com]

**blech** That was me! I forgot I wasn't signed in ... **is fried**

[minidrag33.livejournal.com]

Sushi! I wanted sushi for dinner... my hubby wanted pizza. We had pizza (I like pizza too). Maybe I will lobby for sushi tomorrow.

[the-rotten1.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the giant robot from the… not-Disney giant robot movie with the kid… uh, he was OK, but still, not my thing.

Do you mean the movie "The Iron Giant"? I liked that one too. I don't get why people are so crazy about the Transformers of any of the gundam series though. They're alright, I don't have anything against them, but people are more interesting than machines to me.

You can grill me if you want.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Your hysterical icon is all the giant robot I need-- hee!

::mwah:: back!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Heh, I'd wondered who this was! :) Oh, I loved Sedona. The pictures do not do it justice... it's really stunning. A little touristy in places but the location makes up for that. One 75-degree night I was there we sat on a Days Inn balcony, drinking beer and watching a full moon rise over the rocks... it was breathtaking. If you ever come here we'll go!

Oooh, questions. I know you're busy so if you ever get the chance at all, that's great. :)

1. How do you feel about roller-coasters?

2. What do you like best about the town/city you live in?

3. What first name would you have loved to have had, besides your own?

4. Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

5. What was your favorite TV show as a kid?

::hugs::

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Oh, SUSHI, yum! Pizza sounds pretty good, too. Jalapeno and pineapple pizza is my favorite. I had just veggie sushi, the little avocado rolls. Much cheaper than the really good stuff. We're planning to diet another month and then go to an all-you-can-eat sushi place and just NOM to our hearts' content.

If you get sushi, enjoy!! ::hugs::

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

That's it-- The Iron Giant! Duh, I couldn't remember; I could only remember Giant Robo. :) The Iron Giant was OK but obviously it didn't make a huge impression on me, right?

Oooh, lessee... hmmm... you just did one so if I ask similar question, forgive me!

1. Legos or Tinker-toys? If neither, then what crafty building toy is best?

2. What color do you think you look best wearing?

3. How many cities have you lived in?

4. Who is your favorite musician/band of all time?

5. What is your favorite non-fiction subject to study?

::hugs!!::

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

and Willoughby in Sense & Sensibility

Omg, yes! What a bastard.

Btw, I'm over an hour into Howl, LOVING it, and am eager to watch the rest. :D Howl is so hot, om nom nom. I really hope he doesn't end up dying or something. :D I want to thank you again for that glowing recommendation, or I might not have bought it! ♥

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you've actually seen Gundam Wing, but there's probably as many scenes of people wanking about politics as giant robot fights-- that's why I liked it!

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

Hit me!

[indelicateink]

Ooh, that comfort food you picked up sounds really tasty!

I'm up for some questions! :)

[theskywasblue.livejournal.com]

Mmmm comfort food. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it soothes the soul.

You can ask me questions, if you like.

[the-rotten1.livejournal.com]

That's the one where they have names like Duo and Trio or something, right? I think I may have seen an episode or two a long time ago, but not enough to judge the series as a whole. I think I remembered a girl who was caught up in politics... and that was interesting.

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the one. When I finally got around to watching it, I was amazed by how much time everyone sat around talking politics. It was pretty good!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

SQUEE! How did you like Howl? I'm even watching it again today-- at least, I have it on in the background while I write. I love that scene of the old ladies on the stairs... and the Calcifer rebuilding the castle scene... OMG.

[minidrag33.livejournal.com]

I have sushi tonight and eating as I type! Hubby & I went to see the movie GI Joe (ok). After the movie I said that I wanted to eat sushi for a couple of days. So there is a restaurant near by and we stopped. I went in to order take out.

The cashier asked about my t-shirt. I had on my Hellsing shirt. So I passed the time talking to him about anime. I may be wrong but I am pretty sure that most of the employees there are Chinese. He said that he like to watch them with English dubbing :) So I have to assume he was not Japanese.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Oh, yum. What kind of sushi do you like?

That's funny, about the Chinese people working at the sushi joint. That's how it was in Indianapolis when I visited last and decided to take a friend out for Japanese-- all Chinese and Korean ladies! Most places I've been here in LV the staff are Japanese, though. I think the west coast in general has more Asian people than the midwest!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Yay, I get to be nosy! :) Ooohhh, lessee...

1. What is your favorite thing to play on Wii?

2. Can you explain "good with cheese" from your interests?

3. What was your first-ever ‘ship (when you were a kid, perhaps)?

4. Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

5. What is your proudest accomplishment?

(bonus question-- who is that in your icon? Hee!)

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

The comfort food was awesome and was gone by 11:00 this morning, despite my having bought plenty of it. :)

And YAY, questions!

1. What is your favorite musical act (band or person) of all time 4-evar?

2. Do you like Studio Ghibli movies?

3. Can you remember the first fanfiction you ever read?

4. What is your favorite cocktail, alcoholic or virgin, and where do you get the best one?

5. What do you like best about the town/city where you live now?

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, my soul was soothed and my stomach is still very, very full. I was extra bad and bought PEPSI, the nectar of the gods, elixir of life. I only bought one because Pepsi is verboten on my diet. God, it tastes so wonderful.

Yay, questions!! :)

1. Are you afraid of bugs?

2. What is your favorite animal besides cats (if cats are #1)?

3. What was your first-ever ‘ship (when you were a child, perhaps)?

4. What do you like best about being Canadian?

5. If you had one fandom you could suck all your flist into, what would it be?

[clytemnaestra.livejournal.com]

Sedona is gorgeous and all, but the traffic kills me! There is NO reason to have roundabouts. Srsly. If the US were going to randomly adopt roundabouts allover, sure, but just Sedona having them? Absolutely ridiculous.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Ha, I was thinking about you when I wrote this, 'cause of you having grown up so close to there.

Well, Summerlin, on the west side of Las Vegas, has them. I was horrible in them, too. No matter what I did, what attempts I made to navigate the roundabout correctly, I always had someone honking at me or beeping at me or yelling at me. Bikers, cyclists, drivers. Sigh.

[clytemnaestra.livejournal.com]

There are a couple of them in the newer roads of Prescott/Prescott valley too. The thing is, I really don't mind driving through them. But in a place like Sedona where there is SUCH huge traffic due to the tourist season, it really doesn't alleviate any of the traffic problems! It just makes them worse!
So, if they made traffic flow smoothly through the weird intersections of Sedona, I'd be all for them. But they clearly don't. And people want them badly because they're "European" and "classy" and all the rage in places that aren't here.
< / rant >

I like Sedona, though. I just would never want to live there in a million years because of all the crazy tourists :)

[minidrag33.livejournal.com]

I usually just get stuff that has cooked meat. I am not too much into the raw fish. I like California rolls. Tempura or Yams (vegie) are good too. I am a bit afraid of the raw meat :) Though I have tried it.

[seshats-prodigy.livejournal.com]

Congrats on surviving your diet for a month! Go you! \o/

I keep telling myself I want to learn Japanese, but other than the occasional word that would make me sound like a two year old were I to speak it in relevant company, and the fact that I can't read a word of it (save for sake, go figure! **lol** ), I'm failing miserably at that. I need more time to dedicate to learning, and the software I have to learn is decidedly crap. :P

Anyway, now that I've ranted, sure, I'll take some questions if you want to fire away! ^_^;

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

The kanji for sake looks like a bottle, right! :) OMG, kanji. I'm sure I've forgotten more kanji than I'll remember when class starts up again. ::bites nails::

OOoh, lessee:

1. What is your favorite cocktail, alcoholic or virgin, and where do you get the best one?

2. Do you speak other languages besides English?

3. What is your favorite book of all time?

4. Star Trek or Star Wars (or neither)?

5. What super-power would you most like to have?

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

It made me cry. *g* It was lovely.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Yay! So glad you loved it! Squeeee! Wasn't it sweeeeet? And I can squee this now because you won't be spoiled, but OMG watching it again, you see how he comes up behind her and says "I've been looking all over for you, sweetheart" because he's been waiting for her since he was a boy WAHHHHHHHH!

::squee more::

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

Yes! I loved the paradoxical nature of their relationship, and I totally didn't guess at all, so when she stepped into Howl's past I was completely delighted with how subtle all that earlier stuff was. Eee! It was so beautifully done. The last scene with them flying through the air, and they're stood on the balcony and he looks all handsome and manly, then he just leans in and kisses her, and it's not a tentative kiss but a PROPER one... *falls over* I was bawling my head off. :D

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, the balcony! I loved that it was a Ghibli movie with a real romance and a smooch OMG! I was all about the Howl/Sophie.

I loved how they incorporated the old lady, too. And the dog. So sweet. ::sigh::

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

I was torn over the Witch of the Waste - sometimes I felt sorry for her and was glad Sophie was being so kind, and other times I wanted to strangle the silly old fool. *g* But it was sweet and I know it was meant to be that way to say a lot about the sort of person Sophie (and Howl) is/are. :)

Also, omg, I want a dog like that! And a fire!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

You can get the doggie in plush. Heh. And a real Calcifer would be awesome to have as a friend.

I know, sometimes in Ghibli movies I want the villains to get their just desserts a la Disney and Gaston plunging into the rocky abyss, but Miyazaki's so into redemption and makes it all seem worthwhile, somehow.

[seshats-prodigy.livejournal.com]

Yep. Makes it easy to remember! **lol** Ooh, do you go to like a local college or something for your classes? And how long have you been learning for?

Aww, I'm sure it's like riding a bike - once you're back in the swing of things, it'll come back. :D

**races away to post answers to meme!!**

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I take a class at a local college, and I've been really impressed with the classes! I'm in second semester of second-year Japanese. I withdrew from the course in the spring because I had a lot of stuff going on that was making difficult for me to have fun or study-- like my mom's breast cancer and whatnot-- but I signed up again. So on the one hand I'll have a head start, having taken half the class, but I'll have forgotten lots since April when I withdrew, eeeek!

I really enjoy it, though my professor is tough and scares me with her evil eye and "you KNOW THE VERB WHAT IS THE VERB???" ;)

You should totally do it-- it's so much fun to learn, really! Despite the potential for scary teachers! ;)

[seshats-prodigy.livejournal.com]

Oh, it sounds like so much fun!! Our college only offers French, Spanish and Chinese... I keep looking though, and buying the DVDs for the computer. :D I have a vocabulary of maybe 50 words, and I couldn't conjugate a verb to save my life... ~_^ But I'll get there! I will! **determined nod!!**

(Hee - when you get fluent, you can teach all of us internet nerds. ~_^ )

[lawless523.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I thought of the same most hated fictional character as you. Wuthering Heights may be well written - it's vivid enough that I remember a lot of it even though I read it when I was thirteen or so - but it's full of unlikeable and puzzling characters, with Heathcliff at the top of the list of unlikeable characters and Cathy at the top of puzzling characters because, other than his devotion to her, why does she like him? He's awful to everyone else!

I have to laugh at how much everyone I know who's a friend of despina_moon feels the same way about Dickens. Despina and I and another mutual friend have exchanged book lists and on the basis of who wrote the largest number of books I own, of the classical literature authors, Dickens wins hands down, Jane Austen coming in a close second, but I own all of her major works. I own more copies of certain mystery series than of Dickens, and used to own almost all of certain mystery writers' output, but I'm not counting those. And my husband owns just about all of Stephen King's output.

However, I see him as a second-tier author; I think Whmzy said that he writes the heck out of two-dimensional characters, which I think is right. But I love his plots and symbolism and even his characters and the fact that his books are fast-paced and not taxing to read while still giving the illusion of literary merit. I find "Tale of Two Cities", while a good introduction to why the French Revolution happened the way it did, too pat and simplistic. I like "Great Expectations" and "Bleak House" better. "David Copperfield" probably isn't any better a story but I find it more fun than "Tale of Two Cities". But then again I read "Tale of Two Cities" for school in ninth grade and the rest on my own for funsies.

Feel free to ask me five questions. No promises how soon I'll respond, depending on how hard the questions are.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I love Stephen King's books! You say your husband likes him but are you a fan? They are a weakness of mine. I sometimes get annoyed with his stylistic and theme repetition but I do have great respect for him as a writer. And he's written a couple of my favorite books of all time, and some really, really awesome science-fiction short stories. The Jaunt OMG!

Another Dickens lover, eh? He does have his fans, and I have respect for his work, I just don't generally enjoy it. I loved Tale of Two Cities-- but opposite of you, that's the ONE Dickens book I didn't have to read in school. Great Expectations was 9th-grade torture for me. :) Some people, like my roomie, only like BBC adaptations of Dickens. (Those kill me, too.) Ah, so, that will drive my first question!

1. What is your favorite Dickens story adaptation ever, from movies or TV minseries?

2. What historical period interests you most?

3. What country would you visit if you were given the opportunity?

4. What food do you hate that people are always trying to feed you?

5. Sub or Dub?
5.

[lawless523.livejournal.com]

I like Stephen King's books but wouldn't say I'm a fan. I probably wouldn't buy any but his most classic early novels (Carrie, The Stand, The Shining) if left to my own devices, although I might read other novels of his if I could find them at the library or borrow them from friends. Horror isn't the genre that pushes my buttons; I'm a mystery/detective/thriller/suspense novel kind of a gal.

I do think he's a good writer, especially considering how popular his work is. I agree, however, with those like despina_moon who think that his later work has suffered from lack of editing. I'm not sure I'm familiar with his science-fiction short stories, although I thought we had all of his short story collections.

I'm also amused because I was just telling some other Saiyuki friends of mine who also like and are familiar with Gravitation that down the road I intend to write a story somewhat inspired by "Misery" (that's another good one, actually) about the lead character who's an author being kidnapped by a fan, but in a different way and for different reasons than in "Misery".

The romance in Tale of Two Cities is too pat for me. Actually maybe the whole plot is. Carton going to the guillotine for Despard because he loves Despard's wife just makes me gag now even though it's a noble gesture I know I should applaud, and used to when I was younger. It does have lots of lovely writing, though, and is more focused than most of his work.

If I remember correctly, I'm supposed to post the answers to the questions in my journal. *goes to journal*