![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deborah_c... so I might as well succumb to another meme, stolen from all sorts of people, probably ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
devalmont originally
1. What is the geekiest part of your music collection?
Errm... I'm not sure what counts as "geeky" in this context. Depending on your point of view, it might be two albums by The Enid (80s very classically-influenced synth pop), Bryn Terfel singing songs from American musicals, or the complete Messiaen organ works. Take your pick.
2. What do you eat when you raid the fridge late at night?
Generally cheddar cheese and/or supermarket ham, in pita bread or a roll. Sometimes large quantities of chocolate. At the moment, I'm more or less not eating, so the question is moot.
3. What is your secret guaranteed weeping movie?
Lots, but particularly When Harry Met Sally. Most recently Un Coeur en Hiver at film club.
4. If you could have plastic surgery, what would you have done?
Oh goodness. There is so much I hate about myself, the list wouldn't fit here.
5. Do you have a completely irrational fear?
I think most of my fears have some kind of rational basis, although put together they do constitute immense paranoia.
6. What is the little physical habit that gives away your insecure moment?
Breathing. If anyone spots that I have non-insecure moments, I'd love to know what gives those away, though.
7. Are you a pyromaniac?
Not noticeably. I enjoy (well, when I'm capable of functioning properly, I do) cooking, but that's rarely supposed to involve towering infernos. Well, except for the little incident with a chicken, long ago in a rented house, but I know to be more cautious with flaming brandy these days.
8. Do you have too many love interests?
No. Not by any possible definition of the phrase.
9. Do you know anyone famous?
Kind of. Apart from the usual being-in-Cambridge thing of knowing people famous in their own field, a few people I knew in childhood have gone on to greater things, although I haven't seen them for decades: most notably, Sam Mendes and Tom Hollander.
10. Describe your bed
Largish, often untidy, usually with orangey or terracotta covers; black wrought-iron headboard, and drawers underneath. Generally entirely surrounded by books, although again I seem to have been less inclined to do anything with them recently.
11. Spontaneous or planned?
Spontaneous by preference, but only when feeling confident.
12. Who should play you in a movie about your life?
Errm... not really something worth making a movie about. Besides, going through it once is quite enough. Having to watch it again would be too painful.
13. Do you know how to play poker?
Only in theory. I don't know the odds, though, and would lose far too fast.
14. What do you carry with you at all times?
Handbag, phone, Palm (when not left somewhere by accident), purse. Other contents at random.
15. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Very little. The music, I suppose; at the moment, I don't really do any at all, whereas it was basically the one good thing in an otherwise hated childhood.
16. Are you happy with your given name?
Yes. Wow. Something I'm happy about!
17. How much money would it take to get you to give up the Internet for one year?
Since it would make work more or less impossible, somewhere in the vicinity of my salary, I suppose. Even then, I'm not sure it would be worth it; online friends help keep me, if not sane, at least less insane than I'd otherwise be.
18. What colour is your bedroom?
Terracotta and white, with teak furniture
19. What was the last song you were listening to?
Morgen, Richard Strauss
20. Have you ever been in a play?
Sort of, as a walk-on violinist. Not to act, though -- I'm hopeless at that. More often I've been in pit orchestras or helped with the technical side, but not for a long time now.
21. Have you ever been in love?
Yes.
22. Do you talk a lot?
Sometimes. Not much at the moment.
23. Do you like yourself and believe in yourself?
Like: no, not much, although as I get to know myself better that's improving slightly. Believe: in certain obscure aspects, yes, but I'm very insecure about most things.
24. Do transient, homeless, or starving people sometimes annoy you?
Sometimes. (Cringe.) Mostly those who ask for money for food, but refuse anything but cash.
25. Missing question, at least where I found this
26. Do you spend more time with your partner or your friends?
Probably similar amounts at the moment. If I spent more time with Liz in my current frame of mind, I suspect I'd drive her up the wall.
27. What is your ideal marriage location?
Once upon a time, I was deeply in love with the idea of a college chapel wedding, but I don't think I have a strong opinion now. Not really relevant, anyway.
28. Which musical instrument do you wish you could play?
It's always been an annoyance that I don't seem to be able to learn to play a guitar. On the other hand, the first instrument I fell in love with (but never learnt because there weren't teachers around for toddlers) was the cello. Since I'm completely failing to practice any of the instruments I can play, learning anything new would be a bit silly, though.
29. Favourite fabric?
I love the feel of silk and satin, but not the impracticality. Other than that, rather boring, but probably cotton.
30. Something you love and hate?
Difficult. I mostly have things filed under at most one of these, I think. Church music, possibly: I love to listen to it, and I've been steeped in it for so many years, but it's hard for me to hear knowing that I'm unlikely ever to be involved in it again.
31. What kind of bedding do you use?
A duvet. (Obviously, pillows, pillowcases, sheets too)
32. Do you tell your friends about your sex life?
About my what??
33. What's the one language you want to learn?
I love France, and it would be good to speak French fluently; on the other hand, I theoretically already know the language. German would be practical, Italian more romantic, or Russian intriguing. Probably the latter.
34. How do you eat an apple?
Whole, except for the stalk. Unless I'm feeling really bored and quarter it, in which case I'll sometimes core it as well.
35. What do you order at a bar?
Generally coke or orange and lemonade, since I tend to be driving. If not, cider, wine, or nice scotch, depending on context.
36. Have you ever pierced your body parts?
Only my ears (once each). I tend to be very squeamish about the idea of other body modifications.
37. Do you have tattoos?
No. Again, too squeamish, even if it seemed like a good idea. Fine on other people, just not on me.
38. Question missing in action again
39. Can you drive a manual car?
Ah. This would be an American quiz, then... Yes, I can.
40. What's one trait you hate in a person?
Untrustworthiness, I think. Insensitivity, too, possibly. I'm probably guilty of both, certainly of the latter, unfortunately :-(
41. What kind of watch do you have?
Gold-coloured bracelet-style watch. Not enormously valuable, but I'm very attached to it for sentimental reasons, and it's pretty :)
42. Most frivolous purchase?
Recently? A sundress, which given the British weather I'm unlikely to wear often...
43. Do you consider yourself materialistic?
I suppose I probably am, yes. At least, I have a lot of Stuff. I think I'd prefer not to be, though, and maybe it's something on which as time goes on I have a better perspective.
44. What do you cook the best?
Hmm. Not sure, really. If you mean competence at fancy cooking, then probably stilton souffles. I enjoy (on a good day) cooking lots of other things, though.
45. Favourite writing instrument?
Very fine cheap propelling pencil.
46. Do you prefer to stand out or blend in?
To blend in, without question.
47. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
No.
48. What's the one car you will never buy?
One? No specifics, but anything impractical, I suppose.
49. What kind of movies do you watch?
Most of my movie-watching is at film club, which defies any attempt to categorise it. Other than that, a tendency toward romantic comedy, I suppose.
50. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Pay off the mortgage, make the family's future secure, and give quite a lot to friends in need. However, since I don't buy tickets, it's unlikely...
51. Burial or cremation?
Not something that worries me enormously.
52. How many online journals do you read regularly?
About 50 or so, mostly here.
53. What's one thing you're a sore loser at?
Arguments. I sulk, I'm afraid.
54. If you don't like a person, how do you show it?
Avoiding them, mostly. I'll be civil but not very communicative if forced to.
55. Do you cry in front of your friends?
Yes. Frequently.
56. What kind of first impression do you think you give to people?
I honestly have very little idea. My personality has changed so much over the last couple of years that I barely know what impression I give myself; meanwhile other people's perception of me remains one of my deeper insecurities.
57. What's one thing you like to do alone?
Read.
58. Are you a giver or a taker?
When I'm in a rational frame of mind, a giver. Recently, far too much of a taker, which I hate.
59. When's the last time you cried?
About half an hour ago, watching a tape of yesterday's Silent Witness. Several times earlier today over other things, though.
60. Favourite communication method?
Talking to friends. Preferably with hugs.
61. How many drinks before you're tipsy?
Often less than one. Certainly no more than two.
62. Do you think you're cute?
Not in the least. Anyone who does is severely deluded.
63. Do you have problems changing clothes in front of friends?
If it were ever something I needed to do, yes, it would be a problem. I've always been very body-conscious, at least since going to a very old-fashioned boarding school, and time has only made matters worse.
devalmont originally1. What is the geekiest part of your music collection?
Errm... I'm not sure what counts as "geeky" in this context. Depending on your point of view, it might be two albums by The Enid (80s very classically-influenced synth pop), Bryn Terfel singing songs from American musicals, or the complete Messiaen organ works. Take your pick.
2. What do you eat when you raid the fridge late at night?
Generally cheddar cheese and/or supermarket ham, in pita bread or a roll. Sometimes large quantities of chocolate. At the moment, I'm more or less not eating, so the question is moot.
3. What is your secret guaranteed weeping movie?
Lots, but particularly When Harry Met Sally. Most recently Un Coeur en Hiver at film club.
4. If you could have plastic surgery, what would you have done?
Oh goodness. There is so much I hate about myself, the list wouldn't fit here.
5. Do you have a completely irrational fear?
I think most of my fears have some kind of rational basis, although put together they do constitute immense paranoia.
6. What is the little physical habit that gives away your insecure moment?
Breathing. If anyone spots that I have non-insecure moments, I'd love to know what gives those away, though.
7. Are you a pyromaniac?
Not noticeably. I enjoy (well, when I'm capable of functioning properly, I do) cooking, but that's rarely supposed to involve towering infernos. Well, except for the little incident with a chicken, long ago in a rented house, but I know to be more cautious with flaming brandy these days.
8. Do you have too many love interests?
No. Not by any possible definition of the phrase.
9. Do you know anyone famous?
Kind of. Apart from the usual being-in-Cambridge thing of knowing people famous in their own field, a few people I knew in childhood have gone on to greater things, although I haven't seen them for decades: most notably, Sam Mendes and Tom Hollander.
10. Describe your bed
Largish, often untidy, usually with orangey or terracotta covers; black wrought-iron headboard, and drawers underneath. Generally entirely surrounded by books, although again I seem to have been less inclined to do anything with them recently.
11. Spontaneous or planned?
Spontaneous by preference, but only when feeling confident.
12. Who should play you in a movie about your life?
Errm... not really something worth making a movie about. Besides, going through it once is quite enough. Having to watch it again would be too painful.
13. Do you know how to play poker?
Only in theory. I don't know the odds, though, and would lose far too fast.
14. What do you carry with you at all times?
Handbag, phone, Palm (when not left somewhere by accident), purse. Other contents at random.
15. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Very little. The music, I suppose; at the moment, I don't really do any at all, whereas it was basically the one good thing in an otherwise hated childhood.
16. Are you happy with your given name?
Yes. Wow. Something I'm happy about!
17. How much money would it take to get you to give up the Internet for one year?
Since it would make work more or less impossible, somewhere in the vicinity of my salary, I suppose. Even then, I'm not sure it would be worth it; online friends help keep me, if not sane, at least less insane than I'd otherwise be.
18. What colour is your bedroom?
Terracotta and white, with teak furniture
19. What was the last song you were listening to?
Morgen, Richard Strauss
20. Have you ever been in a play?
Sort of, as a walk-on violinist. Not to act, though -- I'm hopeless at that. More often I've been in pit orchestras or helped with the technical side, but not for a long time now.
21. Have you ever been in love?
Yes.
22. Do you talk a lot?
Sometimes. Not much at the moment.
23. Do you like yourself and believe in yourself?
Like: no, not much, although as I get to know myself better that's improving slightly. Believe: in certain obscure aspects, yes, but I'm very insecure about most things.
24. Do transient, homeless, or starving people sometimes annoy you?
Sometimes. (Cringe.) Mostly those who ask for money for food, but refuse anything but cash.
25. Missing question, at least where I found this
26. Do you spend more time with your partner or your friends?
Probably similar amounts at the moment. If I spent more time with Liz in my current frame of mind, I suspect I'd drive her up the wall.
27. What is your ideal marriage location?
Once upon a time, I was deeply in love with the idea of a college chapel wedding, but I don't think I have a strong opinion now. Not really relevant, anyway.
28. Which musical instrument do you wish you could play?
It's always been an annoyance that I don't seem to be able to learn to play a guitar. On the other hand, the first instrument I fell in love with (but never learnt because there weren't teachers around for toddlers) was the cello. Since I'm completely failing to practice any of the instruments I can play, learning anything new would be a bit silly, though.
29. Favourite fabric?
I love the feel of silk and satin, but not the impracticality. Other than that, rather boring, but probably cotton.
30. Something you love and hate?
Difficult. I mostly have things filed under at most one of these, I think. Church music, possibly: I love to listen to it, and I've been steeped in it for so many years, but it's hard for me to hear knowing that I'm unlikely ever to be involved in it again.
31. What kind of bedding do you use?
A duvet. (Obviously, pillows, pillowcases, sheets too)
32. Do you tell your friends about your sex life?
About my what??
33. What's the one language you want to learn?
I love France, and it would be good to speak French fluently; on the other hand, I theoretically already know the language. German would be practical, Italian more romantic, or Russian intriguing. Probably the latter.
34. How do you eat an apple?
Whole, except for the stalk. Unless I'm feeling really bored and quarter it, in which case I'll sometimes core it as well.
35. What do you order at a bar?
Generally coke or orange and lemonade, since I tend to be driving. If not, cider, wine, or nice scotch, depending on context.
36. Have you ever pierced your body parts?
Only my ears (once each). I tend to be very squeamish about the idea of other body modifications.
37. Do you have tattoos?
No. Again, too squeamish, even if it seemed like a good idea. Fine on other people, just not on me.
38. Question missing in action again
39. Can you drive a manual car?
Ah. This would be an American quiz, then... Yes, I can.
40. What's one trait you hate in a person?
Untrustworthiness, I think. Insensitivity, too, possibly. I'm probably guilty of both, certainly of the latter, unfortunately :-(
41. What kind of watch do you have?
Gold-coloured bracelet-style watch. Not enormously valuable, but I'm very attached to it for sentimental reasons, and it's pretty :)
42. Most frivolous purchase?
Recently? A sundress, which given the British weather I'm unlikely to wear often...
43. Do you consider yourself materialistic?
I suppose I probably am, yes. At least, I have a lot of Stuff. I think I'd prefer not to be, though, and maybe it's something on which as time goes on I have a better perspective.
44. What do you cook the best?
Hmm. Not sure, really. If you mean competence at fancy cooking, then probably stilton souffles. I enjoy (on a good day) cooking lots of other things, though.
45. Favourite writing instrument?
Very fine cheap propelling pencil.
46. Do you prefer to stand out or blend in?
To blend in, without question.
47. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
No.
48. What's the one car you will never buy?
One? No specifics, but anything impractical, I suppose.
49. What kind of movies do you watch?
Most of my movie-watching is at film club, which defies any attempt to categorise it. Other than that, a tendency toward romantic comedy, I suppose.
50. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Pay off the mortgage, make the family's future secure, and give quite a lot to friends in need. However, since I don't buy tickets, it's unlikely...
51. Burial or cremation?
Not something that worries me enormously.
52. How many online journals do you read regularly?
About 50 or so, mostly here.
53. What's one thing you're a sore loser at?
Arguments. I sulk, I'm afraid.
54. If you don't like a person, how do you show it?
Avoiding them, mostly. I'll be civil but not very communicative if forced to.
55. Do you cry in front of your friends?
Yes. Frequently.
56. What kind of first impression do you think you give to people?
I honestly have very little idea. My personality has changed so much over the last couple of years that I barely know what impression I give myself; meanwhile other people's perception of me remains one of my deeper insecurities.
57. What's one thing you like to do alone?
Read.
58. Are you a giver or a taker?
When I'm in a rational frame of mind, a giver. Recently, far too much of a taker, which I hate.
59. When's the last time you cried?
About half an hour ago, watching a tape of yesterday's Silent Witness. Several times earlier today over other things, though.
60. Favourite communication method?
Talking to friends. Preferably with hugs.
61. How many drinks before you're tipsy?
Often less than one. Certainly no more than two.
62. Do you think you're cute?
Not in the least. Anyone who does is severely deluded.
63. Do you have problems changing clothes in front of friends?
If it were ever something I needed to do, yes, it would be a problem. I've always been very body-conscious, at least since going to a very old-fashioned boarding school, and time has only made matters worse.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-09-29 05:17 pm (UTC)Said Nile, who wandered in from a link on a comment in
no subject
Date: 2004-09-29 05:27 pm (UTC)I knew "originally" was a bad choice of word... What I should have said, had I been more coherent, was that
who wandered in from a link
Welcome!