Questions, Questions (A Good, Fun Game)
Oct. 27th, 2005 05:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dolorous_ett![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
theregoesyamum has revived the Five Questions meme, to my great delight.
Here's what happens.
Leave a post saying you want to play. I will ask you five questions, which you then go on to answer in your own livejournal, together with your own call for questions. Leave a link to your answer so I know what you've written.
1. Most overrated HP character?
Fred and George. I was the but of plenty of practical jokes at school, and for some unaccountable reason didn't find them funny at all when they were being performed on me. Though all my classmates who were standing around watching found the whole business hysterical. A warning sign should be the fact that they pick on Neville, of all people. Neville!
And now they've opened a shop in which the less imaginative type of bully can buy stuff with which to ambush his or her less rich peers. Lovely.
Their only defence is that they may well be too oblivious to realise they're causing real damage. Not a defence that appeals much to me.
I realise I may ruffle a few feathers by saying this, but I will never love Fred and George.
2. Aren't there just people you wanna smack up?
Yes. Despite the calm and emollient persona I try to project on the world, there are plenty of people I want to smack up. I just don't think it's cool to do it (or go on about it) except under really extreme provocation.
I can't bear religious evangelists of any sort. I particularly detest the anti-science brigade - the Intelligent Design brigade, flat-earthers, losers of that sort. It offends me that they think any deity worth its salt would be gratified to see people being so stupid on purpose.
I loathe Margaret Thatcher and all her spawn, who are still cluttering up British politics today. Including, I'm sorry to say, Tony Blair, who is in many ways her natural heir. And I increasingly think the British people as a whole deserve a good smacking for putting up with it for all this time without having the wit to do anything about her legacy or trying to put a few things right.
It probably ought to go without saying (especially after those horrors you posted the other day), but racists of any description need a good smacking. I'm not up to inventing a punishment specially, but it ought to be both painful and humiliating, the bastards. Add homophobes to that list, too.
I can't stand people who look down on others for their background. Both in China and in Britain, people seem to think being born privileged gives you a good reason to look down on people who didn't have those advantages. Why? Being born isn't an achievement.
Finally, I detest ingratitude. If someone has worked hard for you you should say thanks, even if it's not exactly what you wanted. People who just sneer at the efforts of others are not demonstrating they're bigger than the rest of us - they're just being crap.
Eeeeeeh, that feels better! I've probably offended at least one of my f-list now. But you asked.
3. If you were to lie down dead in the gutter as the result of drug overdose, what drug would it be?
It's hard to imagine. I've never been particularly taken by any of the obvious choices - so the drug that really does things for me is probably something really illegal and scary that I'd never have the bottle to take anyway. My brain's a scary enough place at the best of times - the last thing I need is to go stirring things up.
I suppose it would be opium - I've never been near the stuff (though I once had a hotpot in China I'm pretty sure was doctored with it - to lure customers back), but at least I'd be able to claim that I was doing it all in the interests of my subject, trying to really empathise with Late Qing degenerate intellectuals after the Opium War, before I finally passed out.
4. Most obnoxious pop song?
Thanks a bundle Gun - I now have the most awful things going through my head. And will all evening, no doubt.
I think I'd have to go with The Lady in Red. Not only is it vile and full of cheap, spurious, souped-up emotion, it always goes far slower than I remember - meaning I have to suffer it for longer.
There are some horrors in Chinese too, but they won't mean much to you. One - much loved by sentimental females at Karaoke - has a chorus that goes I miss your smile/I miss your overcoat/I miss your white socks /and the smell of your body (this last in a vile screech because it's just that bit higher than most women should sing). Awful. And then there was a beastly one when Macao went back to China, sung by an annoying squeaky-voiced child, finishing with the child (meant to personify Macao returning to the Motherland) crying Mama! Mama! (with hindsight, this reminds me of a certain Dr Who episode).
Enough. Enough!
5. Favourite movie critic?
Sorry - I like films but I have no background in the study of them at all. Can't think of a single one.
Barry Norman used to do the films for the Radio Times I think. He'll have to do.
After all that, I'm in the mood for asking questions. Any takers?
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no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 05:46 pm (UTC)And I'm so agreeing with your take on Gred&Forge! I didn't like them for their "antics" (the constant bullying disguised as funny pranks, the Percy-mobbing, the Ron-dissing, the two on one against younger (!!) students and I wondered about Montague after OotP already...) for some time now but HBP changed my feelings into full-out loathing. They're by far the most horrible of the Weasley-tribe imo - at least Percy is only pompous and self-important not vicious.
btw: so glad your singing on Sunday went well and that you were comfortable with your decision!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:08 pm (UTC)1. What do you think will be the final fate of Severus Snape?
2. If I had a day to spend in Bremen, where would you advise me to go?
3. Tell me one of your fondest memories of China.
4. How did you get your username?
5. What's your favourite Sichuan dish?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 05:59 pm (UTC)I'm not a big F&G fan, either, even though I worry sometimes whether I take them just that bit too seriously (I certainly can't stand Weasley-bashing in general, and have a particularly soft spot for Percy). I liked that in HBP we saw the Peruvian Darkness Powder they sold put to very sinister purposes - seem to remember a short piece of
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:12 pm (UTC)1. Who was Dolabella?
2. Robespierre or Danton?
3. Who is your favourite Weasley?
4. How can a beginner tell good whisky from bad?
5. Do you think Nick Cave is going soft in his old age?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 12:24 pm (UTC)Oh, that Dissipation and Despair moment is chilling. I wish she'd come back to HP fic. So different from my usual tastes (attractive, 'redeemed' Draco, for a pretty big start) and yet I love it.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 05:07 pm (UTC)Off now to read your answers.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 06:08 pm (UTC)Mostly to see what you'll come up with...
"It offends me that they think any deity worth its salt would be gratified to see people being so stupid on purpose." I can't express enough how much I love that statement.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:17 pm (UTC)2. Do you think the new Doctor Who can ever hope to live up to Christopher Eccleston?
3. If you spend an afternoon with any HP character, who would it be and what would you do?
4. If you were unexpectedly offered a day off work what would you do with it?
5. What thing you studied at University has stuck with you the most?
There ya go
Date: 2005-10-28 02:28 pm (UTC)Oh, Why Not.
Date: 2005-10-27 07:00 pm (UTC)*brandishes crucifixes and garlic at your icon*
Date: 2005-10-28 12:21 pm (UTC)1. What was the wisest thing Churchill ever said?
2. Where is the furthest you have been from Wiltshire?
3. Byrd, Purcell or Parry?
4. Why did you feel it was necessary to provide Draco and Harry with children in Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn?
5. What, in your view, constitutes the perfect English breakfast?
Oh, Rubbish.
Date: 2005-10-28 09:18 pm (UTC)And I've answered your queries, here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/wemyss/12317.html.
Re: Oh, Rubbish.
Date: 2005-10-30 12:53 pm (UTC)An impressive set of answers - thanks!
Thanks. And By the Bye....
Date: 2005-10-30 03:15 pm (UTC)At http://magnatune.com/genres/classical/, there's incredible stuff, Holborne, Brade, Lawes, Gibbon, &c.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:25 pm (UTC)2. Do you think that Severus Snape will die painlessly in bed at a ripe old age, surrounded by greiving grandchildren?
3. Tell me about one thing where you are that I would never be able to see in Britain.
4. Would you rather spend all day in a library or all day in a museum?
5. What is the most interesting thing you've seen out of your window in the past week?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 03:51 pm (UTC)Student, in the course of a presentation where the group presenting was supposed to be leading discussion about The Duchess of Malfi: "How are the brothers alike?"
:: pause ::
Another student: "They have the same parents."
2. Do you think that Severus Snape will die painlessly in bed at a ripe old age, surrounded by greiving grandchildren?
No, I think he'll be dead by the end of Book Seven, and in any case he's probably a virgin.
3. Tell me about one thing where you are that I would never be able to see in Britain.
Well, see, we have this big yellow ball in the sky called the "sun," and... OK, that was a bit of a cheap shot. Um, let's see, there are at least six Mexican restaurants within walking distance of where I am right now where you can get a good meal for under $10. I doubt this is true anywhere in Britain.
4. Would you rather spend all day in a library or all day in a museum?
Library, definitely.
5. What is the most interesting thing you've seen out of your window in the past week?
I can't think of anything terribly interesting in the past week. We have owls and hawks sometimes, but not lately.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 08:06 pm (UTC)I want to play too, btw!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 08:49 pm (UTC)If fanfiction makes them lovable and worthy of admiration, though, I can take it. Ah, fanfiction.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:31 pm (UTC)2. Who's your favourite Harry Potter fanfiction OFC, and why?
3. Have you ever been involved in a fandom spat?
4. Are you glad you changed your jobs a few months back?
5. What musical acheivement are you most proud of?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-30 11:20 pm (UTC)Well, I suppose Montague already has, in an indirect way, so I'd have to say either Neville or Percy. I just love Neville, but I think poor old Percy has suffered most of all at their hands.
2. Who's your favourite Harry Potter fanfiction OFC, and why?
Tough question, but the award has to go to Ariadne MacDougall from the Moons of Deceit series by Grace Has Victory. She's multifaceted, interesting, plausible, likable and so real you feel like she's someone you actually know. I can visualise her very clearly even though I don't think she's ever described in detail, and she fits into Potterverse seamlessly. She even gets away with being related to Snape and marrying Remus and no one would dream of giving her the dreaded 'MS' label.
Have you ever been involved in a fandom spat?
Well, there was quite a bit of heated debate on the Nifflers group, which I suppose might count, but apart from that, no.
4. Are you glad you changed your jobs a few months back?
Yes. Words cannot express the full extent of my gladness. I love my new job. It's been a lot tougher since I got promoted last month and I miss my old colleagues, though I still see them socially, but even at it's worst it's about ten times better than being an auditor.
5. What musical acheivement are you most proud of?
Passing my music A-Level with a B. I was told I wouldn't get any higher than a C if I took it, which was supposed to put me off but in fact made me completely determined to do it! Though it wasn't as good as my other subjects, I really had to work hard for it.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-01 07:14 pm (UTC)And I know how you feel about the B pass. I was prouder of my CDT B than all my other GCSE grades put together, because I'd really worked for it (I've often since wondered if the teachers' way of dismissing girls as bound to fail was a Cunning Plan to make us work hard. We beat the boys in terms of final grades, hands down.)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 08:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:33 pm (UTC)2. Why are you so certain that Snape is innocent?
3. Was it fun being a Niffler? Would you do it again?
4. What one thing would make your day at school less mindless and more meaningful?
5. Would you rather take a holiday in the mountains or by the sea?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 07:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-27 10:03 pm (UTC)I thought you'd list Xiao Meimei.
Ooops. I answered - it means I will have to interviewed. Oh, okay, I'm game.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 12:39 pm (UTC)1. We both know that Gilderoy Lockhart is actually Richard Cleyderman. Do any other HP characters have similar double identities?
2. What's going to happen to Crabbe and Goyle now Malfoy has vanished?
3. What's the biggest difference between mainland China and Taiwan?
4. When you write fanfiction, do you think in English or in Polish?
5. Are you now feeling slightly more reconciled to your haircut?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 02:37 pm (UTC)Best Fred and George moment was watching PoA at the pictures, when as they give Harry the Marauder’s Map, the six-year old in front of me piped up, “But why is Harry doing what they tell him? They’re the naughty boys!” Out of the mouths of babes…
no subject
Date: 2005-10-28 04:28 pm (UTC)That six-year-old hit the nail on the head. Very good.
not Flanders fields
Date: 2005-10-30 10:46 am (UTC)Opium may be illegal, but my old Children’s Encyclopaedia Britannica gave pretty good instructions on how to refine. Just give me a field of poppies, and it’s laudanum for tea. Except for the cowardice/sense part.
Hail to thee, blithe spirit! Bird thou never wert...
Date: 2005-10-30 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 12:55 am (UTC)And if you feel up to querying, ask away!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-29 08:38 am (UTC)2. If you had a chance to travel beyond Earth orbit, would you take it?
3. What was the last pleasant surprise you had?
4. If you could ask George R. R. Martin one question (and didn't blow your chances like I did) what would it be?
5. Do you think Snape will ever teach again?
no subject
Date: 2005-10-31 12:09 am (UTC)In some subjects, I think so. Since it's impossible to judge magical ability, I imagine I'd have done reasonably well in subjects with a lot of emphasis on books. I'd probably do well on essays and such, only to botch up exams royally. ;)
2. If you had a chance to travel beyond Earth orbit, would you take it?
I don't know. It sounds fascinating--much like undersea exploration--but I occasionally suffer from claustrophobia, so it might not be the brightest idea, given how long one would need to be in a tiny space surrounded by absolutely nothing...
3. What was the last pleasant surprise you had?
Finding out that L'Occitane-en-Provence not only pays its employees better than most other stores, we also get a 40% employee discount. :)
4. If you could ask George R. R. Martin one question (and didn't blow your chances like I did) what would it be?
Just one? ::grin:: What do the characters sound like in *his* head?
5. Do you think Snape will ever teach again?
Unlikely. Even if he is exonerated and turns out to have been working for the side of Light all along, I imagine the parents might complain about their children being taught by a known murderer. Also, I don't really get the impression that he enjoys teaching particularly much. He seems to enjoy knowing that his students are surviving him, but that's about it.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-01 07:16 pm (UTC)I sympathise with the Earth orbit thing - only my problem is motion sickness, which is bad enough with gravity in operation. The 3D version might well be the end of me. Though I like to think I'd make the effort.