For the 80s Ask Meme: I, too, invite you to answer ALL THE ASKS!! But if you want to stick with just a specific few, my picks are The Karate Kid, Pretty In Pink, Drugstore Cowboy, Dangerous Liaisons, E.T., Young Guns, Oxford Blues, Dead Poet's Society.
YAY! I’m gonna answer ALL THE THINGS! ALL! THE! THINGS!!!!
K, so following your lead here, I’m gonna answer your picks first, and then attempt to put the rest of the lil’ buggers under a cut. Yeah. We’ll see how this goes...
the karate kid: when did you last have to work really hard to achieve something you’re proud of?
I think this would have to be just the way my current schedule has been improved, and the overall getting up, getting stuff done, working out, taking care of me, and taking care of all the other things. I feel like this question is more geared toward projects and major achievements, but this is part of that for me. I’ve gone from having no time because I don’t utilize it well, to knowing how to have lots of time to do all the things I need to do, plus all the things I’m dying to get to—projects and achievements included. Took a while to work out, but I’m happy with it right now.
pretty in pink: what’s your signature ‘look’?
Sort of a cross between western and what I consider wood elf. Denim (particularly jeans, but I love me a good denim shirt or jean jacket), boots or sandals, and either a western shirt (particularly for practical purposes if I were to need to work/run/hike), or a peasant/floaty sleeve blouse. Occasionally simple jewelry, nail polish, and if anything, some lip gloss or copper-toned lipstick. Yes. I am an elf cowgirl. Git ‘er done, anar’alah belore. (Useless trivia: I used to have these awesome black jeans with silver studs all down the outer seam. I looooved them. And got too tall to wear them. Now I’m sad… D-: RIP, silver studded jeans.)
drugstore cowboy: which historical figure most spikes your interest?
Huh. You know, I don’t think I currently have one? I mean, having just read Dead Wake and learned all about the captain of the Lusitania, Captain Turner absolutely fascinates me, but I feel like I’ve exhausted just about all the knowledge I can obtain about him. Though I have had fascinations that could reignite if I started consuming books/media featuring them: Lady Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Napoleon, Lafayette, Jesse James, Doc Holliday (Okay that one’s pretty much permanent), Davy Crockett…etc. I just know I’m going to post this and then two days later go “HOW could I forget thus-and-such??”, but such is life, haha.
dangerous liaisons: which language would you most like to learn?
Irish. Which may be predictable (I feel like a lot of Americans want to either learn Irish or Scottish Gaelic for varying reasons, but I do too, nonetheless). I’m currently stumbling through Spanish, which I don’t exactly want to learn, but it’s going to prove useful. (Let me also admit here that I’m getting more and more tempted to learn Polish so that I can stop relying on translations of The Witcher. It’s hard knowing a lot of the depth is being lost between languages and cultures, and I WANT IT ALL.)
e.t.: what’s one ‘weird’ feature that you love about yourself?
Weird? Well, I guess that would be my ear. I have a small point on the outside curve of my left ear, just far enough down from the top that it doesn’t make me look overtly elven. It is proof that my ancestors were graceful, woodland beings of ageless magic and grace. *nods wisely* (This also explains why I can’t ever give a simple answer to anything. “…Go not to the elves for counsel, for they shall say both no and yes.”) :-P That’s physical, while you went with personality, but…I can’t think of a weird internal feature? I mean, I’m sure most of mine are weird, but as they’re totally mine and I’m comfortable with them, I don’t notice them. I’m a happily weird, unselfaware redneck of elven heritage. WOO!
young guns: what’s one style that you love on others, but would never try yourself?
Anything cute or pixie-ish (NOT the hairstyle. I’m sooo not a pixie-cut fan). Cute little sweater-dress/legging combos, some vintage-style dresses, etc. Not that it’s not a nice look, but I don’t really like myself in that sort of dainty, cute, innocent style. Also add to this any kind of fancy makeup, ‘cause I don’t wear it in any capacity besides the aforementioned lip stuff. Nope.
oxford blues: why did you last pretend to be something you’re not?
I don’t remember? I’m not sure I’ve ever completely pretended to be something I’m not. At least in the real world. :-P I will say that on hindsight, when I was close with my problematic former best friend I was sort of…less than myself—purposely dimmed, if you will—either so she could seem brighter, or out of shame because of the less than healthy or safe things I lied about on her behalf. I acted like I was far more okay with the sneaking around, lying, substance abuse, and rebellion than I really was a lot of the time. Frankly, a lot of the time I was just scared, and of course that wouldn’t have gone over well. But since then, I’ve pretty much gotten Me back. If I ever do pretend to be something I’m not nowadays, it’s usually because I’m shy or nervous and pretending to be…I dunno…not. xD
dead poet’s society: the last time you made a decision that everyone around you told you not to make, how did it work out?
Heh, I can’t pinpoint an exact instance on this, either. I think that most of the time, though, these choices turn out less than stellar. Mostly because I tend to surround myself with people who have outstanding advice to give, and who don’t try to overpower my own choices and preferences with their own ideas and agendas. This is not to say that I never go against that advice and that when I do, things don’t ever turn out swimmingly, because it happens! It’s just that, armed with the type of advice my loved ones give me, I’m much better equipped to make a more informed decision one way or the other than I would if I were going it alone. And it’s rare, if ever, that literally everyone around me is telling me not to do the thing without first helping me weigh the pros and cons on my own terms, or unless it’s just a monumentally stupid idea for which the answer is a resounding “NO”. So…basically, the result is less than stellar, unless I have taken the time to carefully weigh each piece of advice and the whys and wherefores attached to them and decided that this time, my way is the better way, regardless of popular statements of “nay”.
I got good peeps, man. What can I say?
bill and ted’s excellent adventure: are you more of an optimist or pessimist?
I am absolutely, definitely an optimist….usually. I’ve dealt with some doubts and fears and such over the last handful of years, but I’ve come to realize those have more to do with lack of “self-care” than my own actual genuine feelings about stuff. When I eat right, sleep enough, exercise, drink plenty, and spend some time outside with nature and God each day, those doubts vanish and no longer plague me. And frankly, I’m just happier all the way around.
Take care of your bodies, ladies and gents!!!! You would be amazed how just a little bit of taking real care of yourself will change your mental and emotional states!
back to the future: which decade in the last century would you most have liked to live in?
I would absolutely have loved growing up in the 50s, especially if it meant still living here on the family’s ranch and/or getting to grow up alongside my Mom. Back when there were fewer neighbors, more homegrown supplies, and less drama. Pre-drought 50’s Arizona Ranch Life sounds like heaven to me.
the breakfast club: which high school stereotype do you fit into best?
Going by Kim’s link…I’d say probably Geek. Although I’m pretty sure I have potential to be a decent Drifter. I was homeschooled, so I had no exposure to this sort of thing in its natural habitat until I started mingling with public schooled kids at around 10. And I didn’t really go in for all that clique nonsense in all my groups of friends. Frankly, it always annoyed adolescent me that everyone just had to group off exclusively, and I’m afraid I went obnoxiously out of my way to put a stop to that nonsense. At church groups (Which yes, had cliques. Arguably some of the WORST), I took great evil pleasure in actively and purposely breaking up people’s stupid, snarky cliques by sweetly butting in and introducing them to new people and activities. I apparently did it aggressively and nicely enough that no one shunned me (although it’s possible that I just didn’t let them shun me…), and I did from time to time manage to bring groups together and get them to open up to more people. Everybody pretty much knew I had no time for that crap, and at least as far as I could tell, they didn’t have much problem with me inserting myself with a grin and a “Heya guys! Whatcha doin’? How’s thus-and-such? By the way, your hair looks awesome. Oh, look, Becky’s here!” Before shuffling off to the next group to do the same damn thing. I had friends in all of them, and enemies in only the most devotedly cliquish cliques that refused to bend to my constant kicking open of their tightly shut doors.
I was an annoying and gleeful little pest. And damn proud of it.
ferris bueller’s day off: what’s your guilty pleasure?
I don’t have one. Life’s too short to be embarrassed by loving something you love. This kinda falls under the same category as those cliques adolescent me just couldn’t abide. If you like something, be proud of that thing you like! Own it! Flaunt it! Embrace it! Share it with everyone who will listen, and don’t take any crap from someone who tells you it’s lame. I enjoyed reading Twilight, adore Coldplay and Nickelback, sing My Heart Will Go On unironically, and play World of Warcraft. ‘Cause they’re awesome. (Come tell me what y’all’s guilty pleasures are, and we’ll make them unguilty passions! LETS DO IT. EMBRACE THEM.)
footloose: who did you last dance with?
Geeze…um. My cat, a few days ago? Lol, I’m guessing the last real person I danced with was Lily at her wedding, like…8 years ago. For some reason, people around here go to great lengths to have dance floors and music at their weddings, but then they don’t actually dance. So while I’ve been to several weddings since hers, there’s been precious little actual dancing at any of them. (Although for some reason I have a distinct feeling that you and I have danced at some point, Kim?? But I have no idea when this would have been. Maybe I dreamed it…idk.)
the goonies: what was the last thing to make you laugh?
The video of a kitten I most recently shared on my blog. (*Meow, meow, meow…me-AHHH!*) You really must watch it with sound!
the outsiders: why is your best friend your best friend?
My best friends are my best friends because of who they are, and because having them in my life constantly makes me a better person (and hopefully vice versa). Each has some unique ways about them that I cherish, and each builds a strength in me. I could go into detail, but…honestly that’s between me and Kim, Lily, Jess, and Cat. I love them deeply and can’t imagine life without having known them.
the lost boys: would you rather be immortal or objectively beautiful to everyone?
There’s a lot of literary evidence against being immortal. But…I’m gonna be crazy and pick that one, anyway. I’ve been reading and watching a lot of stuff with immortality as a trope, and one thing I always come back to is: Y’all are ageless and have amassed a ton of money. Why aren’t you people using this time to DO something instead of moping that immortality is the worst and life sucks?! Beauty is great, but it’s kinda not good for anything. Seems like there’s a lot one could do with endless amounts of time. I’d probably end up being just as depressed and sorry for myself as all the literary immortals but I’d like to think I’d try to be the most annoyingly cheerful immortal ever. Besides, I never claimed to make the wisest choices in the world. :-P
labyrinth: what’s the relationship with your siblings like?
I have one brother who is 14 years my elder, so we are rather distanced by age. By the time I was old enough to begin building more of a meaningful relationship with him, he’d moved out and become a cop. Our relationship has always been pretty awesome though, if not as deep as I’d love it to be. But especially over the last five or so years, we’ve started to really bridge a ton of gaps and our relationship is only getting stronger as we both continue to mature and learn more about each other, which makes me incredibly happy. My brother is awesome, strong, dangerously smart, and kind of a badass. But also incredibly human, flawed, and screwy, just like me. ‘Cause we both got the genes! xD
stand by me: why did you last go on a road trip?
Unless travelling to Flagstaff to see you counts, sister-mine, that would probably be…when Dad and I traveled out to watch the Goodwin Fire. It was terrible, and surreal, and dreadfully beautiful. And then there were the air tankers, which were gorgeous and thrilling. Never again, please, but one of those things I’ll always remember with wide eyes and my heart in my chest.
ghostbusters: where were you when you watched your favourite movie for the first time?
Let’s see, that would be either The Lion King or LOTR, and in either case the answer is definitely in my family’s living room. I have a strange aversion to movie theatres unless someone drags me there for an evening out, or unless one of those Definitely-Awesomer-on-the-Big-Screen movies like LOTR or Harry Potter comes out. (Even still, I usually miss out by putting it off for too long and just end up waiting until I can watch it in the comfort of my own living room. *is a professional hermit*)
sixteen candles: at which age do you consider a person to be mature?
At the risk of copying your answer, Kim: when they’re capable of behaving and making decisions in a mature way, no matter what that age is (and sometimes that day never comes). Legally, of course, that maturity age is 18-21, but 25 does seem to be a point where I’ve noticed most people hit their stride. Not all of them…but most.
Here’s a twist, too. We’re always growing and learning, right up until our last day. So in that vein, there’s never a “peak”, just many little plateaus of wisdom we hit throughout our lives.
Another twist that I’ve noticed: Maturity seems to be reaching it’s first plateau when a person begins to see parents, elders, and authority figures as mentors instead of enemies. I guess when all that ageless advice begins to kick in and they realize: “Oh crap, they weren’t just trying to scare me straight.”
dirty dancing: where were you when you first heard your favourite song?
Hmm, that would be “Secrets” by One Republic, and I’m pretty sure I was in a great big, beautiful green Chevy truck named Rebel Freedom—probably driving to Wednesday night youth group at the church. *sighs* I miss my truck… :’-(
better off dead: why did you last laugh so hard it reduced you to tears?
Watching the second-to-last video I just shared on my blog. The one of the two dudes and the pillow. (And every time I imagine the guy launching himself in the air with an abbreviated “FUUUU---” I start laughing all over again…particularly coupled with that video of the kitten, which is so eerily and adorably similar. xD ) Again, watch with sound, but beware the f-bombs.
heathers: did you apologise the last time you were unreasonably mean?
Yes…yes I did. I’ve been rather snippy lately with my dad over various little household matters, but most especially over a little camera card he’s been fighting with, trying to get it formatted (it’s basically broken, and won’t let him delete anything off it or format). Instead of sympathizing with him and letting him vent, I’ve been tending to be so sick of the stupid little thing that I snipe pretty nastily at Dad when he brings it up. Which is mean, and unfair, and I’m working on NOT doing that as much as possible... D-:
parenthood: is there anyone you’re not biologically related to that you consider ‘family’?
Hahaha how well you know this as well, my sweet sister, Kim! :-P I absolutely do. I have friends who are my siblings, a few I think of vaguely as cousins (the close, but not as close ones), and one whom I think of as my bonus uncle. Friend isn’t close enough a term for these people. Family is forever, and friend can be fleeting. [Y’all are stuck with me FOREVER. >:-) ]
permanent record: where were you the last time you told someone you loved them?
Last night before heading to bed I told both my parents I loved them, as I usually do. “I love you” is something that is very, very often heard in my household and amongst my friends. It’s not really that any of us need reminding, it’s just that we all enjoy saying it to those we do love. It’s part of my parting ritual, bedtime ritual, and inquiring-as-to-health rituals for any of the people in my life that I truly do love (sisters in all but blood most heartily included!).
st. elmo’s fire: what’s one piece advice you would give to someone two years younger than yourself?
Again this depends on what the need is for that individual, but in general terms, don’t sell yourself short just because you may not have reached a goal you/others wanted for you by now. Life is just beginning for you, and God has a plan for everybody on His terms and timeline. It ain’t over just because you feel like you’ve missed the universal “deadline” for knowing your goals. Just keep questing for your place and purpose, and eventually you will find it, just don’t give up on yourself or Him. People tend to expect you to have everything in order and lots of progress made in career or family by 30, but this is just not always the case. It’s not an end of something, it’s the beginning of the rest of a beautiful life and future.
rumble fish: who do you look to for guidance in times of need?
God and family (by blood and by bond). Most often this is my mom, dad, Lily, and you, Kim—all of whom cover a vast area of expertise and love to share when I’ve needed it most. My support system is made strong by awesome people, and I’m blessed to have them. <3
dededos
stormborns
kaledo-art
origamiaround
dailybridgerton
2087
