365 days challenge : day 37
Alright, so I'll start with the basics and then will answer your questions. Thank you very much for sending them to me!
My name is Clem, short for Clémence, I'm 25 years old and currently live in France.
I study geography at the university and I'm specialising in land planning/transportation planning, mostly because there seem to be good job opportunities in the future. It's an interesting job, very diversified (yes, even if it remains in the transportation planning field), and I'll get to work on various kind of project and places. I can work on a magalopolis like on a tiny little village, I can work to develop a subway or to improve how kids go to school on their bikes. I think it'll suit me well because in the end, I'll work to improve (or try to) people's life, even if they're not fully aware of that, and I like feeling useful. I could not do a job without seeing what's the concrete meaning of it.
In the meantime, I also work part-time at the toll booth. It's not very fun, there is less and less work to do because machines are replacing human beings, and I am ashamed to say I don't really fight against that because, to me, it's just a job to pay my studies. But I feel bad for my coworkers who have been working there for 20 years and who are just being kicked out without so much as a 'thank you'. I do not like how the world if becoming, but it pushes me to keep going, especially at school.
So now, on with the questions!
Have you found your meaning in life?
I am not sure. Work-wise, I think I need to feel useful, no matter what kind of job I do, so I believe I'm on the right path. On the move personal level, I'm still searching myself. I am more at ease with myself than I used to be, both on the physical and the psychological level, and maybe that's because I'm out of those awful teen years, but other than that...nope. Have you?
Do you ever get overwhelmed by metaphysical questions?
All the time! I keep questioning myself about what is our meaning, why do we exist? Do we have a purpose or do we just...exist? I refuse to believe that we, earthlings - humans, animals, plants etc - are the only living form of the entire universe. I believe we haven't found any other kind of life because :
1 - we are looking for the kind of life we supposed would exist, we're searching for what we know : bacterias, microorganisms etc But we should try to think outside the box. What's true on Earth is probably true only on Earth. We don't know what we're really looking for. We think water is one condition for life, but what if were wrong? Water is necessary on Earth, but probably not everywhere.
2 - those other kinds of life might not want to be discovered. It's rather presumptuous to think that we are smart enough to ID them, and nice-looking enough to appear friendly. If I was an observer from somewhere else, I sure wouldn't want us to find me. What kind of specie keeps killing both itself and its environnement?
Fear not, I don't think green aliens are going to land on Earth anytime soon, but I think we are too self-centered and should try to look at a bigger picture. Especially with the arising challenges the world is going to have to face.
Okay, that was just an example of my regular internal monologues...
Do you feel close to your family?
Define family. I am close to my parents, to my grandmother (my only grandparent left), to my nieces and my sister. And that's about it. I have a very big family, and we used to see each other all the time when I was a kid, but not anymore. And no, I don't miss them. That includes my brother, whom I haven't hear of in almost 2 years.
What keeps you watching Fringe?
I watch Fringe for several reasons. The story, of course, is what got me hooked since the pilot. The acting is fantastic, the plot is smart, the soundtrack is beautiful and every little detail of the show just screams "watch me". The science aspect of it - as sci-fi as it can get - is something I like, too. As a reference, I grew up watching MacGyver, Stargate SG1 and Aliens, amongst other things.
Another reason is the fandom. I met such wonderful people online, we can laugh or cry over the show, and also talk about completely other different things. It's like a little family, we help each other and that's a really good feeling.
Why do you still ship Peter/Olivia?
Because I'm a sucker for dramatic romances, and Peter and Olivia do really look beautiful together (from the short time we saw them as a couple, but also from the longer time we saw them as partners). I believe it's the epic love story of the show, and in the end they will have to end up together (otherwise I will fly over there and kick some asses). I love how they help each other and always put the other's needs before themselves. I love how they would sacrifice themselves for the other. I love the rare tender little moments they share. And I love their chemistry, both the characters and the actors.
How do you feel about bears?
Hahaha! A bit better, actually. I've done some research but I have to say you're a good speaker for the bears' cause. They should hire you! And of course, how can I not fall in love with this :
What is your favourite smell?
I like the smell of the first rain in spring or autumn when I stand outside in the middle of a field or a forest. It's actually called the petrichor.
I also like the smell of blossoming flowers in spring, or the smell of the ocean when you go back to it after a long period without seeing it. It's very invigorating.
What is one moment from your childhood that you feel influenced who you are as an adult?
Good question. I think the death of a...not friend, really; he was the son of the woman my cousin is dating. I knew him, I met him several times during family gatherings. He had a car crash and died - thank you very much, people who DUI.
I was the quiet kid at school, studying well and obedient. I was sort of bullied - my brother was, at first, and when he left school to go to high school, I was still there, so they used me instead. It was just verbal, I showed them I could break a nose if needed.
So this death? I had never been confronted to losing someone before, so it was a shock, and he was just 19, so that makes you think about how you want your life to be. I'm not talking about 'picture yourself in 20 years' kind of thing, I'm thinking 'if I die tomorrow, would I have any regrets?'. Since then I have had a very different look on life, and what I really want to matter.
So there you go. I'm sorry I wrote quite a big post, but I promised I'd answer truthfully. Feel free to ask me anymore questions if you want to know my deepest secrets ;)
