1. What story did you love reading, as a child? I had an oversized, illustrated copy of The House That Jack Built that I loved. I read it so much, the spine kind of fell apart. My copy was slightly more cartoonish, but this is a nice illustrated version at Project Gutenberg.
2. What remains to be your all-time favorite book? All-time is tough, but I think it’s probably Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, only because I’ve read it so many times that I’ve lost count. The characters are very well-written (not flat at all), the plot is kind of fantastic at first (time travel), but it quickly doesn’t matter because the book is so engaging. I’ve followed the series over the years–in fact, the next book releases at the end of this month–but none of the other books in the series compare to the first, for me.
3. What book do you usually recommend to people? hmm…I don’t normally recommend things. Actually, I think I ask for recommendations more than I give them.
4. If you were a character in a book, who would you be? I tend to read depressing books, so even though they’re my favorites, I wouldn’t want to be any of them, lol! Maybe Jo March in Little Women.
5. If you could write a book, what would it be about? It would be a sad story, of course, probably about love and loss, because I am all emo like that. I haven’t worked on it in a long, long time, but I had started a “thing” a while back (I don’t really think it’s a book yet, more like a short story in progress) and it was pretty depressing, lol. Maybe I’ll dig around on my external hard drive and find that piece and work on it.
1. If you could only hear one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is a tough question. Sometimes I get into phases where I’ll only listen to one artist or band for days at a time. After consulting my iTunes library and looking at my play counts, I’ll say Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. That song is perfect in every way.
2. What one song would you like to be played at your funeral?
For a while, it’s been Closing Time by Semisonic. If you listen to the lyrics, it seems funnily appropriate. And I wouldn’t want my funeral to be a weep-fest anyway. No Sarah McLachlan songs at my wake, either!
3. What one song is best to describe your feelings right now?
Considering I’m kind of stressed, maybe…Under Pressure?
4. What one song would you like to hear when you’re sad and depressed?
When I want to feel better (sillier), I put on Cupid’s Chokehold. That song cracks me up.
5. What’s one song that you wish you’d written?
Can’t narrow it down, but anything by Tori Amos or Jewel. Love them.
I’ve always been drawn to tortured souls like Edgar Allan Poe, Virginia Woolf, and Sylvia Plath. Learning about their (depressing) lives and heartaches–and in the case of the two latter, suicides–has prompted me to read their poetry and novels. I think it’s especially insightful, knowing the backstories and in many ways, autobiographical elements in their work. For me, that knowledge makes their work more meaningful.
(Disclaimer: hope the above makes some kind of sense. Am highly medicated on Sudafed + Benadryl. Apologies if my rambles don’t read well at the moment.)
This week’s question is…not about books, but songs! I could probably go on forever, so to answer this, I consulted my iTunes library and we have:
Rise Against – The Good Left Undone
In fields where nothing grew but weeds,
I found a flower at my feet,
bending there in my direction.
I wrapped a hand around its stem
and pulled until the roots gave in,
finding there what I’ve been missing.
The lyrics to this are poetic and rather beautiful, and part of me wishes that it had been done as a ballad instead.
Radiohead – High and Dry
Two jumps in a week,
I bet you think that’s pretty clever don’t you boy?
Flying on your motorcycle,
watching all the ground beneath you drop
You’d kill yourself for recognition,
kill yourself to never, ever stop
You broke another mirror,
you’re turning into something you are not
I’ve been listening to Radiohead more, and this is one of my favorites.
Modest Mouse – Float On
Bad news comes, don’t you worry even when it lands.
Good news will work its way to all them plans.
We both got fired on exactly the same day.
Well we’ll float on, good news is on the way.
If I’m having a bad day, this always makes me feel a little less crummy. It’s upbeat without being too cheesy.
Just mis-typed that as “end of the yarn,” guess what’s on my mind? ha! Saw this meme at hello, lovely:
What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Bought a house with the bf It has helped lower my stress level considerably.
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don’t think I made any last year–because I always break them–I think I’ll probably just make very general ones for next year, like read more; knit/crochet more; and start sewing.
Did anyone close to you give birth? Not close to me, but several women at work did.
Did anyone close to you die? No
What countries did you visit? None
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A better handle on my finances, a new/better job
What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 4, 2008: Election Day. Yes we did!
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Buying a house with M
What was your biggest failure? Not getting out of credit card debt the way I wanted to
Did you suffer illness or injury? I was sick pretty much all of March – May…I had tonsillitis twice, due to poor nutrition/lack of sleep/working two jobs at the time
What was the best thing you bought? Our house
Whose behavior merited celebration? M got a new job recently–less of a commute and more pay, hurray!
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? hmm a lot of the political stuff during the campaign had me aghast…but I’ve tried to put it out of my mind since the election took place
Where did most of your money go? House-related things, bills, yarn and books (though not nearly as much as last year; I’ve cracked down on the yarn and book stashes, go me)
What did you get really, really, really excited about?TWILIGHT ahahaha
What song will always remind you of 2008? Probably “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” – Stevie Wonder. Reminds me of the Obama events I went to since it was one of the campaign songs.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier ii. thinner or fatter? probably fatter, boo iii. richer or poorer? maybe about the same…possibly poorer, but who isn’t right now, with this economy?
What do you wish you’d done more of? read, crafty things, saved money
What do you wish you’d done less of? worry, stress, spend money
How will you be spending Christmas? Pretty low-key–we’re going to my parents’ house for lunch, after opening presents in the morning. I am simple and easily pleased, haha.
Did you fall in love? I was already in it
What was your favourite TV program? hmm I don’t watch a whole lot of TV…I watched Dirty Jobs a lot this year, and probably way too much MSNBC during the election season: Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Morning Joe, Chris Matthews
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? What an odd question, lol…ummm Sarah Palin? Hate is a strong, strong word, I know.
What was the best book you read? Weeeeell I don’t know about “best,” because while it’s one of my favorites, I wouldn’t call it great literature, you know? We’re speaking of Twilight, of course. Also I read it three times since the summer, because I am knowingly an obsessed Twihard freakazoid. yes. Other than that, I also read The Time Traveler’s Wife, which I loved.
What was your greatest musical discovery? ooh so many:
Cat Power:
Adele:
Laura Marling:
And of course Rob Pattinson:
What did you want and get? A house with M and a little less stress as a result
What did you want and not get? Freedom from credit card debt, a new/better job
What was your favorite film of this year?oh come on!
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? ummm is it bad that I don’t really remember what I did? It was on a Saturday this year, I know I spent it with M but I didn’t do anything really unique…I turned 28.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably satisfying? To have come into an inordinate amount of cash, and paid off my debts.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? ha! hahaha. nonexistent, I’d say. That, or “comfortable.”
What kept you sane? Knitting. Also crocheting, and escapist wish fulfillment young adult novels. ahem.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?La la la la…
What political issue stirred you the most? Getting Obama elected–I don’t know how I would have reacted if he hadn’t won…!
Who did you miss? A couple people I used to know online, but have lost contact with over the years
Who was the best new person you met? The girls at Stitch & Bitch, I’d say
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: oy. ummm…be cool? Don’t sweat the small stuff? (I swear to you, I just mis-typed that as “don’t SWEATER the small stuff,” I need to go knit something ok??)
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
You realize that life goes fast
It’s hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn’t go down
It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you’ve mastered it.
Hate is a strong, strong word, I know.
Also I read it three times since the summer, because I am knowingly an obsessed Twihard freakazoid. yes. Other than that, I also read 
sassenach
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