Tagged by Cakespeare
Rule 1: Always post the rules. Rule 2: Answer the questions who tagged you written you and write 11 new ones. Rule 3: Tag 11 new people and link them to your post. Rule 4: Let them know you’ve tagged them.
Tagging: I was tagged by Cakespeare- thanks! :D I think this is the first time I've been tagged in one of these?
havingbeenbreathedout, smokeandsong, harrietvane, storyqdayx5d, eccecorinna, zlot, gaffegaffe, allytooms, roane72, nympheline, kryptaria
1. What’s the last non-fiction book you loved?
Probably David Mitchell's autobiography, Back Story, which smokeandsong has been putting up quotes from. He's a really marvelous writer and a standup human being (har) and I both lol'ed and wept by turns during my reading. Before that it would probably be 84, Charing Cross Road, which is adorable in SO MANY WAYS. Every time I read it I want to start up a correspondence with someone using snail mail.
2. Can you describe your musical preferences / tendencies?
I have pretty broad tastes but it can generally be broken down into: showtunes, dolly parton, and sad bastard music. Also really loud, obnoxious pop-metal.
3. Do you get along with your siblings?
I do now, but I didn't always. The way my sister tells it is that since I already knew how to read when she came along (I'm 3 years older) by the time she realized what was going on, I was always reading and wouldn't pay her any attention. So she made my life hell until we both grew up and realized we had more in common than we thought. She's a pretty rad human being, I have to say.
4. What kind of narrative tropes, archetypes, or tricks do you find compelling, no matter what the quality of the writing or production?
Oh, gosh. I'm a sucker for shellshock (HI PETER WIMSEY HI) or the smart-but-slightly-fuggo romantic interest, which is probably a reflection of my Deep Psychological Need to be swept off my feet. I'm also a sucker for: sweeping music, inspiring speeches (preferably given atop tanks, I'm looking at you, Bill Pullman), and pining.
5. Does the stereotype for your horoscope (Western or Chinese) coincide with your personality at all?
Definitely. I'm a Libra, and Libras tend to want balance with other people even if they can't find it in themselves. Accordingly I am obsessed with detective fiction. In the Chinese zodiac I was born in the year of the Ox, which means I should be faithful, uncomplaining, and perservering (and also tolerant) when IRL I am none of those things.
6. How closely do you keep up with politics/world events?
Um, I consider myself fairly well-informed, but to be honest reading the news gives me hives? Seriously, it's too depressing. I get genuinely anxious about the state of the world so I don't read the papers as often as I should. At one time I wanted to be a diplomat and I needed to read several daily papers from all over the world all the time and I was like "Why am I having panic attacks all the time? Oh, it's because the world is going to shit."
7. Book/tv series/movie that you loved but have come to absolutely dislike because of the ending?
I'm going to throw out Sherlock S02E01 "A Scandal In Belgravia" for fucking up what was up until the last twenty minutes a really cool interpretation of the character of Irene Adler.
8. Do you have any pop culture goals for this year?
Mostly to engage more with the stuff I consume? I'm keeping track of the movies I watch on facebook (and somewhat desultorily on tumblr) and the books I read on Goodreads. I'd like to read 80 books this year- I read 57 last year, so 80 might be a little bit of a stretch, but I think I can do it. I'd also like to get through the last two and a half seasons of The Wire. See above for my reasons for not reaidng the paper- the Wire requires, as my friend Ted said once, a very high capacity for being both depressed and in suspense at the same time, a quality which I apparently lack since I wimped out of watching The Wire midway through season 3.
9. Celebrity/historical figure you’d want to party with? (The definition of ‘party’ is up to you.)
I would love to party with Dorothy L. Sayers. She was hilarious, smart, sarcastic, and fond of good food and drink. I get the feeling that she would have been fucking awesome to hang out with. And if I were actually hanging out with her In The Past I would get her to finish Thrones, Dominations herself rather than leaving it for Jill Paton Walsh's completion.
10. Favorite cartoon from your childhood?
Hey Doug!
11. Is there a character flaw that you consider a dealbreaker when it comes to frienships or relationships?
Oof. Friendship-wise, my biggest dealbreaker is not being supportive? Not even necessarily of me. When I see someone in my friend circle not being supportive of someone else going through a tough time, it bothers me. Relationship wise I'm going to die an old maid so HAHAHHA no idea.
My questions!
1. Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot? Or neither? Favorite fictional detective GO.
2. What is the piece of literature/film/tv/etc that disappointed you the most in 2012?
3. Conversely, which surprised you?
4. What do you think about online interaction vs. IRL interaction?
5. For you, what is the trope/archetype you'd most like to see retired from general use?
6. Any reading resolutions for 2013?
7. Do you think there is a big difference between "literary fiction"and "genre fiction?"
8. What is your favorite thing to drink while reading? (Mine is wine. Or coffee.)
9. Can you listen to music while reading?
10. What is the one piece of technology you wish you could banish from your life? What piece of technology you wish could be added to your life, existing or not-yet-existing?
11. What do you think about the phenomenon of BNFs in fandom? On tumblr?